Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Flow-mediated Dilatation and Carotid Intima Media Thickness: A Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and explore the factors influencing these effects. RECENT FINDINGS: FMD was significantly higher in the omega-3 fatty acid group compared to the control group (mean difference = 0.90%; p = 0.0003). In particular, the subgroup with CHD (both EPA + DHA < 1 g/day and ≥ 1 g/day) and the subgroup without CHD but with CHD risk factors (only EPA + DHA ≥ 1 g/day) showed significantly increased FMD after supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids. CIMT was not significantly different between the omega-3 fatty acid and control groups (standardized mean difference = -0.08; p = 0.26). Subgroup analysis of CHD patients was not conducted because of the limited number of studies. Intake of omega-3 fatty acids improved FMD in patients with CHD and patients with risk factors for CHD. Further research is needed on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on CIMT.

Effects of very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets on lipid profiles in normal-weight (body mass index < 25 kg/m2) adults: a meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Very low-carbohydrate diets or ketogenic diets (KDs) have garnered attention for weight loss in patients with overweight or obesity as well as for normal-weight adults, yet the adverse effects of KDs, such as dyslipidemia in normal-weight adults, have not been studied extensively. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to identify the effects of KDs on the lipid profile in normal-weight (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/m2) adults from randomized controlled trials. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and Embase databases were searched on November 21, 2021, using search terms representing KDs and lipid profiles. Two researchers independently screened articles according to PICOS inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: General study information, dietary data, and lipid profiles were extracted from eligible studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool. DATA ANALYSIS: Fixed- or random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the effects of KDs on total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, apolipoprotein A (apoA), and apolipoprotein B (apoB), considering heterogeneity across studies. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. RESULTS: Three studies were selected for meta-analysis. A KD significantly increased TC by 1.47 mmol/L (95%CI, 0.72-2.22 mmol/L), LDL-C by 1.08 mmol/L (95%CI, 0.37-1.79 mmol/L), and apoB by 0.35 g/L (95%CI, 0.06-0.65 g/L). In addition, a KD significantly increased HDL-C by 0.35 mmol/L (95%CI, 0.27-0.42 mmol/L) and apoA by 0.34 g/L (95%CI, 0.28-0.41 g/L) compared with control diets. Triglyceride levels were not significantly different between KDs and control diets (P = 0.63). CONCLUSION: This study suggests unfavorable effects of KDs on TC and LDL-C in normal-weight adults. Although an increase in HDL-C can compensate for unfavorable changes in lipids, normal-weight individuals should consider the risk of hypercholesterolemia when consuming a KD. Results for triglycerides were inconsistent.

Effects of Coffee Consumption on Insulin Resistance and Sensitivity: A Meta-Analysis.

Coffee is widely consumed worldwide and impacts glucose metabolism. After a previous meta-analysis that evaluated the effects of coffee consumption on insulin resistance and sensitivity, additional randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of coffee consumption on insulin resistance or sensitivity. We selected RCTs that evaluated the effects of coffee consumption for seven days or more on insulin sensitivity or resistance using surrogate indices (homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and Matsuda index). The fixed-effects or random-effects model was used according to heterogeneity. Four studies with 268 participants were analyzed in this meta-analysis. Coffee consumption significantly decreased HOMA-IR compared to control (mean difference (MD) = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.24--0.03; p-value = 0.01). However, the significance was not maintained in the sensitivity analysis (MD = -0.04; 95% CI = -0.18-0.10; p-value = 0.55) after excluding data from the healthy, young, normal-weight group. Matsuda index was not significantly different between coffee and control groups (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.33; 95% CI = -0.70-0.03; p-value = 0.08). In conclusion, long-term coffee consumption has a nonsignificant effect on insulin resistance and sensitivity. More studies evaluating the effects of coffee consumption in the healthy, young, and normal-weight individuals are needed.

3D Printable concentrated liquid metal composite with high thermal conductivity.

Heat dissipation materials in which fillers are dispersed in a polymer matrix typically do not exhibit both high thermal conductivity (k) and processability due to a trade-off. In this paper, we fabricate heat dissipation composites which overcome the trade-off using liquid metal (LM). By exceeding the conventional filler limit, ten times higher k is achieved for a 90 vol% LM composite compared with k of 50 vol% LM composite. Further, an even higher k is achieved by introducing h-BN between the LM droplets, and the highest k in this study was 17.1 W m-1 K-1. The LM composite is processable at room temperature and used as inks for 3D printing. This combination of high k and processability not only allows heat dissipation materials to be processed on demand under ambient conditions but it also increases the surface area of the LM composite, which enables rapid heat dissipation.