The use of macronutrient and micronutrient foods is associated with the duration of sleep. This study aimed to determine the effect of zinc supplements on the sleep quality of older adults. The current parallel randomized clinical trial study was performed using a convenience sampling method. One hundred and fifty older adults who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to intervention and control group. The participants in the intervention group received a daily dose of 30 mg zinc supplementation pill for 70 days and the control group did not receive any supplement. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Serum zinc level in both groups was measured through the auto-analysis method. The questionnaire was completed and the serum level of zinc was measured twice, before the intervention and 70 days after the intervention. Both groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic variables, sleep quality, and serum zinc level before the intervention. Of all, 73.3% of older adults in the intervention group and 74.7% of older adults in the control group had poor sleep quality. Sleep quality in the intervention group, as compared with the control group, significantly improved after the intervention. Furthermore, serum zinc levels in older adults in the intervention group, as compared with the control group, significantly increased after the intervention. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to utilize zinc supplementation as a new therapeutic approach for improving sleep quality in older adults.

Salicylic acid is a phytochemical with beneficial effects on human well-being. Salicylic acid is a phenolic compound and is present in various plants where it has a vital role in protection against pathogenic agents. Natural sources include fruits, vegetables and spices. The most famous and defined effect of salicylic acid is prostaglandin synthesis inhibition. Salicylic acid has antiinflammatory effects through suppression of transcription of genes for cyclooxygenase. Most of the pharmacological properties of salicylic acid can be contributed to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. Also, it was discovered that salicylic acid has other in vivo cyclooxygenase-independent pathways. Since salicylic acid does not inhibit cyclooxygenase considerably, the anti-inflammatory effect is not a consequence of direct inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity. Because of its fundamental role, it was suggested that inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B by salicylic acid is one of the key anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action for salicylates. One of the most studied properties of salicylic acid is its antioxidative activity. Salicylic acid is a confirmed inhibitor of oxidative stress. Salicylic acid is capable of binding iron. This fact is significant for antioxidative effect of salicylic acid because iron has an important function in the course of lipid peroxidation.

Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs due to a mismatch in the supply and consumption of oxygen, which leads to cell and tissue hypoxia, resulting in cell death and dysfunction of vital organs. The effects of shock are reversible in the early stages, but delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment can lead to irreversible changes. There are four main categories of shock: hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, and obstructive. The aim of the paper is to present a new perception of viewing the etiopathogenesis and effectively establish the diagnosis of shock. Hypovolemic shock can occur due to hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic causes. Distributive shock is divided into septic, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), anaphylactic, neurogenic, and endocrine. Cardiogenic shock occurs due to intracardiac causes, while obstructive shock occurs due to extracardiac causes. The pathogenesis of each type of shock is different depending on the etiology. Generally speaking, shock has three phases: compensated, cellular distress phase, and decompensated. When the shock progresses into an irreversible phase, it usually ends with multiorgan failure (MODS) and death. Symptoms may vary depending on the type and stage of shock. The most important changes during this syndrome are at the level of hemodynamics, so the most common clinical signs are hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, disturbed mental status, cold extremities, and oliguria. The diagnosis of shock is based on history, clinical presentation, physical examination, vital parameters and biochemical analyses, SOFA criteria (sequential organ failure assessment score), acid-base status, diuresis measurement, etc. Understanding the etiopathogenesis of shock and recognizing its early signs are vital for timely interventions that lead to improved patient outcomes.