[Effect of turmeric consumption on serum levels of intracellular adhesion molecule, iron, ferritin and total iron binding capacity in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]]

Introduction: the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of turmeric consumption on serum levels of ICAM, iron, ferritin and the total iron binding capacity [TIBC] as cardiovascular risk factors in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]

Material and Methods: a randomized, double blind controlled clinical trial was conducted on 46 NAFLD patients who were referred to a gastroenterologist and diagnosed with liver ultrasonography. The subjects were assigned into two groups, experimental [n=23] and placebo [n=23]. The experimental group received 6 capsules containing 500 mg turmeric and the control group received the same number of placebo capsules for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake and blood biochemical parameters were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test, Paired t-test and ANCOVA

Results: there were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, daily energy intakes and echogenicity of liver between the two groups at the beginning. The level of ICAM in the experimental group significantly decreased at the end of the study compared to the beginning [P=0.001]. Turmeric consumption significantly decreased serum ferritin levels at the end of the study compared to control group [P=0.026]

Conclusion: the results of this study showed that turmeric consumption has beneficial effects on serum levels of ICAM and ferritin in individuals with NAFLD and most likely is effective in controlling the risk factors of this disease

[Clinical competency and psychological empowerment of nurses and their correlation with demographic characteristics]

Introduction: Nurse's competency plays an important role in achieving health system objectives. One of the problems in health care system in various countries is the level of nurses' competencies. The aim of this study was to determine clinical competency and psychological empowerment of nurses and their correlation with demographic characteristics

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study, 170 subjects were selected through simple random sampling method among the nurses of social security hospitals in Tehran. Data was gathered by the questionnaire with three parts: personal-social characteristics, [Clinical Competency Questionnaire] and [Psychological Empowerment Spreitzer]. Validity and reliability were confirmed in previous studies. Data were analyzed by SPSS/13

Findings: The highest mean score in clinical competency was seen in managerial capabilities dimension [44.41???5.8] and the lowest mean score also was seen in diagnostic procedures dimension [13.94???1.84]

The highest mean score in psychological empowerment was in competency dimension [9.4???1.38] and the lowest mean score also was in independence dimension [8.37???1.72]

In addition, there was a significant correlation between the number of staff in ward, educational status of nurses and some dimensions of clinical competency and psychological empowerment and also between the working experience in current ward and some dimensions of clinical empowerment and clinical work experience and some psychological empowerment dimensions [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Based on the higher rate of managerial capabilities and diagnostic procedures, in opposite of nurses impact and independence, retraining programs, continuing education or in-service education programs for nurses, giving more authority and more responsibility to nurses can promote sense of independence in all nurses