89 research outputs found
Cinnamon Use in Type 2 Diabetes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE Cinnamon has been studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for its glycemic-lowering effects, but studies have been small and show conflicting results. A prior meta-analysis did not show significant results, but several RCTs have been published since then. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating cinnamon’s effect on glycemia and lipid levels. METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched through February 2012. Included RCTs evaluated cinnamon compared with control in patients with type 2 diabetes and reported at least one of the following: glycated hemoglobin (A1c), fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), or triglycerides. Weighted mean differences (with 95% confidence intervals) for endpoints were calculated using random-effects models. RESULTS In a meta-analysis of 10 RCTs (n = 543 patients), cinnamon doses of 120 mg/d to 6 g/d for 4 to 18 weeks reduced levels of fasting plasma glucose (−24.59 mg/dL; 95% CI, −40.52 to −8.67 mg/dL), total cholesterol (−15.60 mg/dL; 95% CI, −29.76 to −1.44 mg/dL), LDL-C (−9.42 mg/dL; 95% CI, −17.21 to −1.63 mg/dL), and triglycerides (−29.59 mg/dL; 95% CI, −48.27 to −10.91 mg/dL). Cinnamon also increased levels of HDL-C (1.66 mg/dL; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.24 mg/dL). No significant effect on hemoglobin A1c levels (−0.16%; 95%, CI −0.39% to 0.02%) was seen. High degrees of heterogeneity were present for all analyses except HDL-C (I2 ranging from 66.5% to 94.72%). CONCLUSIONS The consumption of cinnamon is associated with a statistically significant decrease in levels of fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride levels, and an increase in HDL-C levels; however, no significant effect on hemoglobin A1c was found. The high degree of heterogeneity may limit the ability to apply these results to patient care, because the preferred dose and duration of therapy are unclear
Relating gravitational wave constraints from primordial nucleosynthesis, pulsar timing, laser interferometers, and the CMB: implications for the early universe
We derive a general master equation relating the gravitational-wave
observables r and Omega_gw(f). Here r is the tensor-to-scalar ratio,
constrained by cosmic-microwave-background (CMB) experiments; and Omega_gw(f)
is the energy spectrum of primordial gravitational-waves, constrained e.g. by
pulsar-timing measurements, laser-interferometer experiments, and Big Bang
Nucleosynthesis (BBN). Differentiating the master equation yields a new
expression for the tilt d(ln Omega_gw(f))/d(ln f). The relationship between r
and Omega_gw(f) depends sensitively on the uncertain physics of the early
universe, and we show that this uncertainty may be encapsulated (in a
model-independent way) by two quantities: w_hat(f) and nt_hat(f), where
nt_hat(f) is a certain logarithmic average over nt(k) (the primordial tensor
spectral index); and w_hat(f) is a certain logarithmic average over w_tilde(a)
(the effective equation-of-state in the early universe, after horizon
re-entry). Here the effective equation-of-state parameter w_tilde(a) is a
combination of the ordinary equation-of-state parameter w(a) and the bulk
viscosity zeta(a). Thus, by comparing constraints on r and Omega_gw(f), one can
obtain (remarkably tight) constraints in the [w_hat(f), nt_hat(f)] plane. In
particular, this is the best way to constrain (or detect) the presence of a
``stiff'' energy component (with w > 1/3) in the early universe, prior to BBN.
Finally, although most of our analysis does not assume inflation, we point out
that if CMB experiments detect a non-zero value for r, then we will immediately
obtain (as a free by-product) a new upper bound w_hat < 0.55 on the
logarithmically averaged effective equation-of-state parameter during the
``primordial dark age'' between the end of inflation and the start of BBN.Comment: v1: 12 + 6 pages (main text + appendices), 7 figures; v2: fonts fixed
in figure
Peak and end point of the relic graviton background in string cosmology
Using general arguments we determine the allowed region for the end point
frequency and the peak energy density of the stochastic background of gravity
waves expected in string cosmology. We provide an accurate estimate of the
minimal experimental sensitivity required to detect a signal in the Hz to GHz
range.Comment: 11 pages, LATEX, one figure included using eps. A complete collection
of papers and references on the pre-big-bang scenario in string cosmology is
available at http://www.to.infn.it/teorici/gasperini
Scalar and Tensor Inhomogeneities from Dimensional Decoupling
We discuss some perturbative techniques suitable for the gauge-invariant
treatment of the scalar and tensor inhomogeneities of an anisotropic and
homogeneous background geometry whose spatial section naturally decomposes into
the direct product of two maximally symmetric Eucledian manifolds, describing a
general situation of dimensional decoupling in which external dimensions
evolve (in conformal time) with scale factor and internal
dimensions evolve with scale factor . We analyze the growing mode
problem which typically arises in contracting backgrounds and we focus our
attention on the situation where the amplitude of the fluctuations not only
depends on the external space-time but also on the internal spatial
coordinates. In order to illustrate the possible relevance of this analysis we
compute the gravity waves spectrum produced in some highly simplified model of
cosmological evolution and we find that the spectral amplitude, whose magnitude
can be constrained by the usual bounds applied to the stochastic gravity waves
backgrounds, depends on the curvature scale at which the compactification
occurs and also on the typical frequency of the internal excitations.Comment: 31 pages, Latex, DAMTP 96-92, UCM 96-04, to appear in Phys. Rev. D 55
(1997
Avaliação do paciente com artrite
Arthritis are clinical manifestations of plenty of diseases. Its etiological classification is many times difficult and depends on careful clinical history and physical examination. Gout and skeptical arthritis presents commonly as acute monoarthritis and reactional arthritis are often polyarticular. Hospitalar admission is a risk factor to the development of reactional arthritis, crisis of gout and septical arthritis.Early diagnosis is imperative to start early treatment, symptom relief and articular function preservation.Synovial fluid aspiration and its analysis are of critical diagnostic importance in cases of acute monoarthritis.Artrites são manifestações clÃnicas de uma série de doenças. Sua classificação etiológica é muitas vezes difÃcil e depende de história clÃnica e exame fÃsico cuidadosos. Artrite séptica e gota se apresentam mais comumente como monoartrite aguda e quadros reacionais são geralmente poliarticulares. A internação hospitalar é fator de risco para o desenvolvimento tanto de artrites reacionais quanto para crises de gota e artrite séptica. O diagnóstico precoce é muito importante a fim de iniciar o tratamento precocemente, alÃvio dos sintomas e preservação da funcionalidade articular. A punção do lÃquido sinovial e sua análise são de fundamental importância diagnóstica nos quadros de monoartrite aguda
Thermal history of the plasma and high-frequency gravitons
Possible deviations from a radiation-dominated evolution, occurring prior the
synthesis of light nuclei, impacted on the spectral energy density of
high-frequency gravitons. For a systematic scrutiny of this situation, the
CDM paradigm must be complemented by (at least two) physical
parameters describing, respectively, a threshold frequency and a slope. The
supplementary frequency scale sets the lower border of a high-frequency domain
where the spectral energy grows with a slope which depends, predominantly, upon
the total sound speed of the plasma right after inflation. While the infra-red
region of the graviton energy spectrum is nearly scale-invariant, the expected
signals for typical frequencies larger than 0.01 nHz are hereby analyzed in a
model-independent framework by requiring that the total sound speed of the
post-inflationary plasma be smaller than the speed of light. Current (e.g.
low-frequency) upper limits on the tensor power spectra (determined from the
combined analysis of the three large-scale data sets) are shown to be
compatible with a detectable signal in the frequency range of wide-band
interferometers. In the present context, the scrutiny of the early evolution of
the sound speed of the plasma can then be mapped onto a reliable strategy of
parameter extraction including not only the well established cosmological
observables but also the forthcoming data from wide band interferometers.Comment: 47 pages, 31 included figures, to appear in Classical and Quantum
Gravit
Spanish validation of Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire (BSSQ (brace).es) for adolescents with braces
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As a result of scientific and medical professionals gaining interest in Stress and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL), the aim of our research is, thus, to validate into Spanish the German questionnaire <b>Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire (BSSQ) (mit Korsett)</b>, for adolescents wearing braces.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The methodology used adheres to literature on trans-cultural adaptation by doing a translation and a back translation; it involved 35 adolescents, ages ranging between 10 and 16, with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and wearing the same kind of brace (Rigo System Chêneau Brace). The materials used were a socio-demographics data questionnaire, the SRS-22 and the Spanish version of BSSQ(brace).es. The statistical analysis calculated the reliability (test-retest reliability and internal consistency) and the validity (convergent and construct validity) of the BSSQ (brace).es.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>BSSQ(brace).es is reliable because of its satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.809, p < 0.001) and temporal stability (test-retest method with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.902 (p < 0.01)).</p> <p>It demonstrated convergent validity with SRS-22 since the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.656 (p < 0.01). By undertaking an Exploratory Principal Components Analysis, a latent structure was found based on two Components which explicate the variance at 60.8%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>BSSQ (brace).es is reliable and valid and can be used with Spanish adolescents to assess the stress level caused by the brace.</p
"I am nothing": experiences of loss among women suffering from severe birth injuries in Tanzania
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Despite the increased attention on maternal mortality during recent decades, which has resulted in maternal health being defined as a Millennium Development Goal (MDG), the disability and suffering from obstetric fistula remains a neglected issue in global health. Continuous leaking of urine and the physical, emotional and social suffering associated with it, has a profound impact on women's quality of life. This study seeks to explore the physical, cultural and psychological dimensions of living with obstetric fistula, and demonstrate how these experiences shape the identities of women affected by the condition. A cross-sectional study with qualitative and quantitative components was used to explore the experiences of Tanzanian women living with obstetric fistula and those of their husbands. The study was conducted at the Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation Tanzania hospital in Dar es Salaam, Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, and Mpwapwa district, in Dodoma region. Conveniently selected samples of 16 women were interviewed, and 151 additional women responded to a questionnaire. In addition, 12 women affected by obstetric fistula and six husbands of these affected women participated in a focus group discussions. Data were analysed using content data analysis framework and statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 15 for Microsoft windows. The study revealed a deep sense of loss. Loss of body control, loss of the social roles as women and wives, loss of integration in social life, and loss of dignity and self-worth were located at the core of these experiences. The women living with obstetric fistula experience a deep sense of loss that had negative impact on their identity and quality of life. Acknowledging affected women's real-life experiences is important in order to understand the occurrence and management of obstetric fistula, as well as prospects after treatment. This knowledge will help to improve women's sense of self-worth and maintain their identity as women, wives, friends and community members. Educational programmes to empower women socially and economically and counselling of families of women living with obstetric fistula may help these women receive medical and social support that is necessary.\u
Portuguese Ministers, 1851-1999: Social Background and Paths to Power
DisponÃvel em:
http://193.136.113.6/Opac/Pages/Search/Results.aspx?SearchText=UID=bb8aa8d5-c6b6-466a-81bb-fe8a67693cee&DataBase=10449_UNLFCSHThis paper provides an empirical analysis of the impact of regime changes in the composition and patterns of recruitment of the Portuguese ministerial elite throughout the last 150 years. The ‘out-of-type’, violent nature of most regime transformations accounts for the purges in and the extensive replacements of the political personnel, namely of the uppermost officeholders. In the case of Cabinet members, such discontinuities did not imply, however, radical changes in their social profile. Although there were some significant variations, a series of salient characteristics have persisted over time. The typical Portuguese minister is a male in his midforties, of middle-class origin and predominantly urban-born, highly educated and with a state servant background. The two main occupational contingents have been university professors - except for the First Republic (1910-26) - and the military, the latter having only recently been eclipsed with the consolidation of contemporary democracy. As regards career pathways, the most striking feature is the secular trend for the declining role of parliamentary experience, which the democratic regime did not clearly reverse. In this period, a technocratic background rather than political experience has been indeed the privileged credential for a significant proportion of minister
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