Cinnamomum cassia on Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Outcomes of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Cinnamomum cassia is a medicinal plant whose use has demonstrated benefits on body weight, blood pressure, glucose, and lipids. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. cassia on arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 18 subjects aged 40-65 years, with a diagnosis of T2DM of one year or less since diagnosis and treated with Metformin 850 mg daily. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either C. cassia or a placebo in 1000 mg capsules, thrice a day, before each meal for 12 weeks. At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and Flow Mediated Dilation were measured, as well as body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting glucose (FG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, respectively, triglycerides, creatinine, and transaminases. The Mann-Whitney U test for differences between groups and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for intragroup differences were used, and a P ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. After C. cassia administration, statistically significant reductions in body weight (81.4 ± 10.4 kg vs. 79.9 ± 9.0 kg, P = .037), BMI (30.6 ± 4.2 kg/m2 vs. 30.1 ± 4.2 kg/m2, P = .018), and HbA1c (53 ± 5.4 mmol/mol vs. 45 ± 2.1 mmol/mol, P = .036) were observed. No changes statistically significant on arterial stiffness, ED, FG, BP, and lipids were observed. C. cassia administration decreases body weight, BMI, and HbA1c without statistically significant changes on arterial stiffness, ED, FG, BP, and lipids. CTR Number: NCT04259606.

Fighting for recovery on multiple fronts: The past, present, and future of clinical trials for spinal cord injury.

Through many decades of preclinical research, great progress has been achieved in understanding the complex nature of spinal cord injury (SCI). Preclinical research efforts have guided and shaped clinical trials, which are growing in number by the year. Currently, 1,149 clinical trials focused on improving outcomes after SCI are registered in the U.S. National Library of Medicine at ClinicalTrials.gov. We conducted a systematic analysis of these SCI clinical trials, using publicly accessible data downloaded from ClinicalTrials.gov. After extracting all available data for these trials, we categorized each trial according to the types of interventions being tested and the types of outcomes assessed. We then evaluated clinical trial characteristics, both globally and by year, in order to understand the areas of growth and change over time. With regard to clinical trial attributes, we found that most trials have low enrollment, only test single interventions, and have limited numbers of primary outcomes. Some gaps in reporting are apparent; for instance, over 75% of clinical trials with "Completed" status do not have results posted, and the Phase of some trials is incorrectly classified as "Not applicable" despite testing a drug or biological compound. When analyzing trials based on types of interventions assessed, we identified the largest representation in trials testing rehab/training/exercise, neuromodulation, and behavioral modifications. Most highly represented primary outcomes include motor function of the upper and lower extremities, safety, and pain. The most highly represented secondary outcomes include quality of life and pain. Over the past 15 years, we identified increased representation of neuromodulation and rehabilitation trials, and decreased representation of drug trials. Overall, the number of new clinical trials initiated each year continues to grow, signifying a hopeful future for the clinical treatment of SCI. Together, our work provides a comprehensive glimpse into the past, present, and future of SCI clinical trials, and suggests areas for improvement in clinical trial reporting.

Estilos de comunicación como predictores del estrés y el afrontamiento diádico en matrimonios puertorriqueños / Communication Styles as Stress Predictors and Dyadic Coping in Puerto Rican Marriages / Estilos de comunicação como preditores do stress e o afrontamento diádico em matrimônios porto-riquenhos

Resumen Objetivo. Evaluar la posible relación de los estilos de comunicación (positivo, negativo y reservado) con el estrés y el afrontamiento diádico en las relaciones de pareja. Método. Se empleó un estudio cuantitativo no experimental en el que participaron 121 personas casadas, seleccionadas por disponibilidad. La mayoría de los participantes estaban en su primer matrimonio, y tenían una edad promedio de 42 años. Aceptaron contestar los siguientes instrumentos: (a) inventario de estilo de comunicación marital (ECOM) y (b) escala de estrés en la relación marital. Resultados. El análisis mediante regresión múltiple evidenció que los estilos de comunicación positivo y reservado son predictores del afrontamiento diádico. Se observó también que el estilo de comunicación negativo es un predictor significativo del estrés en las relaciones de pareja. Conclusión. Se sustenta la importancia de la comunicación en las relaciones de pareja y de desarrollar estilos de comunicación positivos para afrontar las situaciones estresantes.

Abstract Objetive. To evaluate the possible relationship between the communication styles (positive, negative and reserved), stress and dyadic coping. Method. Considering this purpose, a non-experimental quantitative study was proposed in which 121 married people participated based on their availability. Most of the participants were in their first marriage, and averaged 42 years old. The participants agreed to answer the following instruments: (a) Marital Communication Style Inventory and (b) Marital Relationship Stress Scale. Results. Positive and reserved communication styles are predictors of dyadic coping. It was also observed that the negative communication style is a significant predictor of stress in relationships. Conclusion. These results support the relevance of communication in relationships and the importance of developing positive communication styles to cope with stressful situations.

Resumo Escopo. Avaliar a possível relação dos estilos de comunicação (positivo, negativo e reversado) com o stress e o afrontamento diádico nas relações de casal. Metodologia. Foi empregado um estudo quantitativo não experimental no que participaram 121 pessoas casadas, selecionadas por disponibilidade. A maioria dos participantes estavam no seu primeiro matrimonio, e tinham uma idade média de 42 anos. Aceitaram contestar os seguintes instrumentos: (a) inventário de estilo de comunicação marital (ECOM) e (b) escada de stress na relação marital. Resultados. A análise mediante regressão múltipla evidenciou que os estilos de comunicação positivo e reservado são preditores do afrontamento diádico. Foi observado também que o estilo de comunicação negativo é um preditor significativo do stress nas relações de casal. Conclusão. Foi sustentada a importância da comunicação nas relações de casal e de desenvolver estilos de comunicação positivos para afrontar as situações estressantes.

Endohedral cluster of Li(10)O with T(d) symmetry.

A detailed numerical study of several isomers of the Li(10) cluster has been done. The analysis of the electronic localization function and the analysis of energy diagrams revealed the existence of one cluster with an inner space capable to suit a heteroatom. The perfect candidate is the Li(10)O cluster due to the experimental evidence of the [Li(6)O](4+) core, the same core present in Li(10)O. In order to check the thermodynamic stability of this cluster, an analysis of its dissociation channels has been done. The IR and UV-vis spectra have been calculated to help in the further identification of this new cluster.