Effect of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and calcium levels in postmenopausal osteoporotic women in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran

Research on the zinc status of osteoporotic women is scarce. This randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial assessed the effect of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and calcium levels in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. A sample of 60 women referred to a rheumatology clinic in Tabriz were randomly divided into intervention [220 mg zinc sulfate daily] and placebo groups. Anthropometric indices, dietary intake of zinc and calcium and serum zinc and calcium were assessed at baseline and after 60 days. Mean serum zinc concentrations were markedly lower than the normal range at baseline, but mean serum calcium levels were normal. In the intervention group serum zinc levels were significantly higher after 60 days [120.5 [SD 7.5] versus 70.5 [SD 4.6] microg/dL] while serum calcium levels were unchanged [8.6 [SD 0.1] versus 9.1 [SD 0.3] mg/dL]. The placebo group showed no significant changes in zinc or calcium levels. Postmenopausal osteoporotic women may benefit from zinc supplementation

[Comparison of serum zinc level in the coronary artery disease patients with healthy volunteers]

Several studies have demonstrated that zinc plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases in Western populations. But there are limited data for other racial groups. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum zinc and coronary artery disease [CAD] in Iranian population. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 81 individuals, aged 30 to 70 years, referred to Dr. Heshmat Hospital of Guilan, northern Iran, for routine coronary angiography. Based on the coronary angiogram results, the participants were assigned into 2 groups; 41 CAD patients in case group and 40 healthy ones in control group. Furthermore, data about smoking habit, physical activity and anthropometric indices were collected by questionnaire and using standard protocols. Serum zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mean serum zinc concentration in the case and control group were 73.50 +/- 1.61microg/dl and 78.47 +/- 1.66microg/dl, respectively. The mean serum zinc concentrations were significantly lower in case group than that in the controls [p<0.05]. Zinc concentration had negative correlation with age [r= -0.23 p<0.05], and positive correlation with weight [r=0.26 p<0.05]. Participants living in rural areas had lower zinc concentration than those in urban [p<0.05]. Serum zinc concentration was significantly lower in Iranian patients with abnormal versus those with a normal angiogram. It seems Serum zinc concentration correlates with some risk factors for coronary artery disease

[Survey the relationship between perfectionism and job burnout in nurses]

Perfectionism is considered as a characteristic personality for striving performance without deficiency of excessively high standards by tendencies for overly critical evaluations of ones behaviour; in addition job burnout is a variable that could be increased by unhealthy perfectionism and outcomes. Although perfectionism considered appropriate but it may lead to increase some problems like burnout in some vocations like nursing. Investigating the relation between perfectionism and job burnout in 344 nurses in Rasht in 2008. In this descriptive- correlation study, 344 nurses were selected by cluster random sampling of Razi, Dr Heshmat, Velayat, Poorsina and Amir- al- momenin Hospitals in Rasht. Frost multi perfectionism inventory was used for studying perfectionism and Maslach and Jakson's job burnout inventory was used for studying job burnout. Correlation coefficient and regression and Manova were used for data analysis. Our hypothesis imparted reverse correlation between positive relation and negative dimensions of perfectionism. The results showed that there was a negative relation between job burnout, organization, parental expectance and personal standards [t=-0.227,-0.131,-0.132 respectively, P<0.05]. Regression analysis showed that just organization dimension can predicted job burnout in our sample [Beta=-0/197, t=-3/555].In addition age was significant in two younger groups as a prespective variable in relation with profectionism criterion variable. This study showed that job burnout will be decreased by improving positive dimensions of perfectionism such as organization and personal standards. Also perfectionism in younger nurses is more than older ones, so it is better to improve positive dimensions of perfectionism to promotion the quality of their services