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.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, neurodegenerative disorder that in certain stages can present a series of acute symptoms and signs, the development of which lasts several hours or days. Emergencies in PD can be a direct consequence of the pathophysiology of the disease or a secondary consequence of the administration of antiparkinsonian drugs. Urgent conditions in PD can also occur due to falls, infectious diseases, after deep brain stimulation or surgical treatment of other accompanying diseases.This article describes the following emergency conditions: parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome, dyskinesia hyperpyrexia syndrome, occurrence of acute psychosis and delirium during PD. Morbidity and mortality in these disorders are a consequence of the inability to make a timely diagnosis and provide appropriate therapeutic treatment. Timely diagnosis and treatment are very important for reducing the mortality and morbidity rates.

Naturally-derived anti-inflammatories, such as bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), are particularly interesting due to their health benefits. Bilberries are a rich source of primary metabolites such as sugars and organic acids, which give the fruit its taste. They also contain anthocyanins, the most abundant group of secondary metabolites, possessing various biological properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. This paper aimed to collect the current knowledge on the bioactive compounds of V. myrtillus berries, and to summarize clinical studies of the anti-inflammatory effects of different bilberry preparations. Literature review was conducted utilizing the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, NCBI, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov. V. myrtillus was found to be a significant source of bioactive molecules since components of bilberry fruits, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, are well known for their ability to modify cellular pathways implicated in the pathophysiology of a number of diseases. A short review of the clinical study data related to the bilberry application highlighted its health-promoting effects, specifically the anti-inflammatory effect. The bilberry fruit is a rich source of phenolic compounds with high biological potential. These compounds can be used commercially in pharmacy, cosmetics, and natural products markets. However, due to the wide variety of constituents in the fruit, their potential interactions, and the complexity of their metabolism, further in-depth studies are needed to better define and characterize the contribution of each active component and possible synergies between different compounds. Numerous clinical studies have highlighted the anti-inflammatory properties of V. myrtillus fruits, which could help prevent various diseases.