A significant association was confirmed between initial glucose level and mortality in non-diabetic ischaemic stroke patients. The possible relationship between initial glucose level, HbA(1c) level, and mortality amongst ischaemic stroke patients with diabetes warrants further research.

The aim of the study was to investigate the associations of occupational physical activity (OPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Physical activity data from the Baeck questionnaire was available for 1706 participants. During a follow-up period, there were 215 cases of CVD and 438 deaths. With the lowest tertile as the reference, the hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD and mortality in the highest tertiles of LTPA were 0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.46-0.92) and 0.73 (95% CI = 0.58-0.92). In contrast, the HRs for CVD and mortality in the highest tertiles of OPA were 1.75 (95% CI = 1.10-2.80) and 1.53 (95% CI = 1.06-2.22). The association between OPA and the risk of CVD and mortality was significant in men but not in women. Our findings suggest that high OPA imposes harmful effects on the risk of CVD and mortality, particularly among men.

s u m m a r y Background: Functional status is an important component of health status of the elderly. However, few studies have discussed the correlation between health status and each item of the activities of daily living scales (ADLs). The aim of this study was to investigate both the prevalence of functional disability in each activity of daily living (ADL) item and the association between each ADL item and the self-rated health of the elderly. Methods: A stratified random sample of 302 male and 298 female elderly residents, aged 65 and older, in Miaoli County was drawn. Baseline characteristics, functional status of each ADL item, and self-rated health of the participants were collected. Results: The results showed that the self-rated health status was excellent, good, or fair in 72.3% of the sample, and bad or poor in 27.7%. The most common disability among basic ADLs was transfers (9.3%); the most common disability among instrumental ADLs (IADLs) was transportation (24.7%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that bathing, feeding, dressing, bowel and bladder control, transfers, transportation, and responsibility for own medication, were independently associated factors of selfrated health. Bowel and bladder control (odds ratio, 4.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.76e12.67) and feeding (odds ratio, 4.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.61e11.37) were the leading items correlated with self-rated health. Conclusion: In summary, in terms of self-rated health, the most important ADLs were bowel and bladder control and feeding. Further study is warranted to investigate the effects of restoring specific healthrelated ADL to improve the health of the elderly.

A positive association was found between initial glucose level and poor functional outcome at 3 months in patients with acute ischemic stroke, particularly among nondiabetic patients.

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s u m m a r yTraditionally, chronic heart failure (CHF) subjects are often recommended to rest and restrict physical activity; however, this advice may exacerbate the disease. Exercise training is associated with many central and peripheral adaptations that improve clinical outcomes. Exercise training can restore the abnormal autonomic function, attenuate the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the N-terminal precursor of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), and improve the endothelial dysfunction and the oxidative capacity of peripheral muscle. The current evidence supports the concept that exercise training can effectively improve the exercise capacity and quality of life of subjects with CHF, to some extent, as well as reduce hospitalization and risk of mortality. Structured exercise training is proved to be safe for CHF subjects. Exercise training had no detrimental effects on the left ventricular remodeling. Ultimately, trained subjects showed a significant improvement in left ventricle function. An important limitation of current published studies is that only a few have included significant proportions of elderly subjects with CHF. The limited data available suggests that elderly subjects derive similar benefits from exercise training as younger subjects. In summary, exercise training is an inexpensive and effective intervention for subjects with CHF. This article reviews the current knowledge of the effects of exercise training on the exercise capacity, quality of life, and mortality and morbidity of subjects with CHF and elderly subjects. A major challenge for the future is the inclusion of representative proportions of elderly and frail subjects in heart failure training trials.

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