Community-based exercise and nutritional interventions to improve frailty syndrome among older adults: A quasi-experimental study.

This study aimed to explore the efficacy of single and combined effects of exercise and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements on improving frailty and quality of life in older adults. In total, 120 study participants were allocated into a combined exercise-and-BCAA supplementation group, an exercise-only group, a BCAA supplementation-only group, and a control group. Results showed that Fried's frailty score significantly decreased in the combined exercise-and-BCAA supplementation group (ß= -1.73, p<0.001), exercise-only group (ß= -1.68, p<0.001), and BCAA supplementation-only group (ß= -0.73, p=0.005) compared to the control group. Moreover, the combination of exercise and BCAA supplements and the exercise-only program produced significant improvements in frailty compared to the BCAA supplement-only group and control group (p<0.05). Exercise should be a critical approach for older adults to improve frailty. Healthcare professionals in geriatric care should incorporate exercise programs as frailty management and prevention for older adults.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B viral markers among freshmen--20 years after mass hepatitis B vaccination program in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The nationwide hepatitis B vaccination program in Taiwan was well known for its efficacy in reducing the carrier rate of hepatitis B and the morbidity and mortality of hepatitis B-related diseases among children. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B 20 years after this program was implemented. METHODS: A total of 7592 freshmen from one university in Northern Taiwan participated in this study during their school entry health exam in September 2003 and September 2004. Basic data including gender, birthday, family history and vaccination history of hepatitis B by self-reported questionnaire were collected. Hepatitis B serum markers, including hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen, and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen were all checked. The differences in the seroprevalence of hepatitis B between two groups of subjects born before July 1984 and after July 1984 were examined. Multiple logistic analyses were performed for identifying the odds ratio (OR) of family history and other variables for each hepatitis B serum marker. RESULTS: Subjects born after July 1984 were found to have a lower rate of hepatitis B surface antigen of 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-2.6%) vs. 7.4% (95% CI, 5.9-8.9%), and core antibody against hepatitis B of 6.7% (95% CI, 6.0-7.3%) vs. 23.5% (95% CI, 21.1-25.9%), but a higher rate of surface antibody against hepatitis B of 74.3% (95% CI, 73.2-75.4%) vs. 69.1% (95% CI, 66.5-71.7%) compared with those born before July 1984 (all p < 0.001). Subjects with a family history of hepatitis B had higher risk of being infected by hepatitis B (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 3.18-5.12) and becoming carriers (OR, 7.26; 95% CI, 5.05-10.44) after adjustment for sex, age, birth year, and self-reported hepatitis B vaccination history. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen continued to decline 20 years after neonatal hepatitis B vaccination program. It is strongly recommended that those who have a family history of hepatitis B should receive early check-up of hepatitis B status after complete vaccination or closely follow up their hepatitis B status after neonatal hepatitis B vaccination.

Extensive deep vein thrombosis following prolonged gaming ('gamer's thrombosis'): a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The average time spent playing video games is increasing. Prolonged immobility associated with gaming may therefore be an important risk factor for venous thromboembolism. We report a case of deep vein thrombosis associated with prolonged playing of PlayStation® games. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old Caucasian man, an exterior painter, presented with a three-day history of left leg pain and swelling after playing PlayStation® games for almost eight hours a day for four consecutive days. Doppler ultrasound of the left leg confirmed extensive left leg deep venous thrombosis requiring thrombolysis and anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: Video gaming should be considered a risk factor for venous thromboembolism. Further studies are needed to estimate the degree of risk associated with prolonged periods of playing video games, and education for preventing venous thrombosis should be provided to gamers.