Examining the links between regular leisure-time physical activity, sitting time and prefrailty in community-dwelling older adults.

AIMS: To examine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity, sitting time and prefrailty in community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Between February and July 2019, 539 individuals over age 60 were recruited in northern Taiwan. Demographic, medical history, physical activity and frailty data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of prefrailty was 24.4%; 33.2% had regular leisure-time physical activity, and 14.7% reported >6 hrs daily sitting time. Compared with individuals having regular leisure-time physical activity and shorter sitting times (daily average ≤6 hrs), those having no regular leisure-time physical activity and also shorter sitting times (adjusted OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.12, 2.92), or those also having regular leisure-time physical activity but longer sitting times (adjusted OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 2.22, 8.79) had an increased prefrailty risk. CONCLUSIONS: Having no regular leisure-time physical activity or longer sitting times is associated with a higher risk of prefrailty. For sedentary older adults to prevent prefrailty, they can become more active, sit less or better yet, commit to both.

Ternary Chalcogenides GeSb2Se3 and Ge3Sb4Se7 Containing a ∞1[Sb2Se2]2- 1D Chain and a 2D Structure Related to SnSe.

Ternary chalcogenides, GeSb2Se3 and Ge3Sb4Se7, were synthesized and characterized. These chalcogenides are the first ternary selenides in a ternary Ge-Sb-Se system that feature a layer structure related to black phosphorus and SnSe-type structures. Both compounds contain a ∞1[Sb2Se2]2- unit with Sb+ cations in a zigzag Sb-Sb chain structure, and Sb3+ cations in a distorted NaCl100-type of ∞1[Gen-2Sb2Sen]2+ unit (n = 4, 5). These materials exhibit n-type semiconducting properties with thermal conductivity significantly lower than that of GeSe and Sb2Se3, which could be correlated to the 1D Sb+ chain and disordered sites with different Ge/Sb compositions. It is anticipated that these newly discovered ternary chalcogenides may provide unique properties with enhanced thermoelectric properties.

Long-Term Lifestyle Intervention in Elderly With Metabolic Syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a long-term community-based lifestyle intervention on the biochemical indicators and prevalence of metabolic syndrome among elderly adults. This was a randomized controlled trial in northern Taiwan from August 2013 to February 2015. Sixty-nine elderly adults participated in this study. There were three measurements. The experimental group participated in exercise and diet interventions. The control group participated in the exercise intervention. Repeated measurement and ANCOVA were performed to evaluate the effectiveness. After 18 months, body weight (1.06 kg), body mass index (1.21 kg/m2), waist circumference (3.32 cm), blood pressure, and prevalence (30.4%) of metabolic syndrome were significantly reduced in all subjects. There were significant differences in waist circumference and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol between the two groups. This intervention can lower the indicators and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Exercise and diet interventions could promote further metabolic changes.

Better sleep quality and less daytime symptoms in patients on evening hemodialysis: a questionnaire-based study.

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and to assess the effect of dialysis schedule on sleep quality and the presence of daytime symptoms. We prospectively selected 150 long-term hemodialysis (HD) patients in three groups (morning, afternoon, and evening dialysis) and gave them a sleep questionnaire, the Epworth sleepiness scale and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Snoring was the most common complaint (56%), followed by insomnia (38%) and restless legs syndrome (22.7%). The evening dialysis group experienced more sleep time in bed (P = 0.02), required less hypnotic medication (P = 0.049), had fewer daytime symptoms (P < 0.01), and experienced less daytime sleepiness (P = 0.034). Our study confirms the high prevalence of sleep disorders in ESRD patients, and indicates a beneficial effect of evening HD on sleep quality and reduction of daytime symptoms.