Objective To observe any effect of low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the sleep and mood of elderly insomniacs.Methods Thirty-four elderly insomniacs were divided randomly into an experiment group (n =18) and a control group (n =16).The experiment group received rTMS of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,while the control group was given alternating magnetic field stimulation at the same site.Before and after 4 weeks of the treatments,all of the subjects were assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI),the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD).They were also assessed with those instruments omitting the sleep items in order to reduce the possible impact of any sleep changes on the HAMA and HAMD scores.Results Before the treatment there were no significant differences in the groups' average PSQI,HAMA and HAMD scores.After 4 weeks all the measurements in both groups had decreased significantly,with the experimental group's averages significantly lower than those of the control group.Conclusions rTMS treatment is more effective than alternating magnetic field treatment for the elderly with insomnia,significantly improving their sleep and mood.

Objective To explore the impact of inspiratory muscle training(IMT)on enhancing cardio-pulmonary fitness and inspiratory muscle performance among hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods A total of 58 hemiplegic stroke survivors treated at the Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2012 and January 2023 were enrolled,and randomly divided into an IMT group and a control group,each of 29.Both groups were given a 12-week health education and rou-tine rehabilitation including physiotherapy and aerobic exercise,while the IMT group was additionally provided with IMT.Before and after intervention,both groups were assessed the maximal inspiratory pressure(MIP)and the inspiratory muscle strength index(IMSI)using the Power breathe K5 system,the 6-minute walk distance(6MWD)using the 6-minute walk test(6MWT),as well as the difference value between baseline and post-intervention 6MWD(6MWDd-value).During the process of 6MWT,gas exchange data were recorded using Cosmed K4b2 wirless telemetry gas analyzer,and the peak oxy-gen uptake(VO2peak)and peak ventilation(VEpeak)were determined.Meanwhile,the cardiopulmonary fit-ness and inspiratory muscle performance were compared,and the correlations of 6MWD to VO2peak and VEpeak were assessed,respectively.Results After intervention,a significant increase was observed in MIP,IMSI,6MWD,VO2peak,and VEpeak in both groups(P<0.05).Moreover,the IMT group demonstrat-ed more significant increases in MIP,IMSI,6MWDd-value,VO2peak,and VEpeak compared to the con-trol group(P<0.05).However,no significant difference was found in 6MWD between the two groups af-ter the intervention(P>0.05).Although 6MWD was positively correlated with VO2peak(r=0.298,P<0.05)and VEpeak(r=0.813,P<0.01),the 6MWDd-value was not significantly correlated with 6MWD,VO2peak or VEpeak(P>0.05).Meanwhile,6MWD and IMT can positively predict VO2peak(6MWD:B=0.023,P<0.01;IMT:B=0.341,P<0.01)and VEpeak(6MWD:B=0.503,P<0.01;IMT:B=7.486,P<0.01).Conclusion IMT can enhance cardiopulmonary fitness and inspiratory muscle performance in stroke sur-vivors with hemiplegia.Consequently,it is suggested that the integration of IMT with conventional stroke rehabilitation strategies may yield beneficial outcomes.Moreover,the six-minute walking test may be used to assess improvements in oxygen uptake and ventilation in stroke patients indirectly.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and appropriate cut-off point of waist circumference of abdominal obesity for components of metabolic syndrome in Uygur population in Xinjiang. Methods A questionnaire-based survey, physical examination, and blood testing were conducted according to cluster random sampling in Uygur residents above 18 years old in Xinjiang.There were 3 542 samples collected,based on the International Diabetes Federation(IDF)standard of metabolic syndrome, the relativities of clustering of metabolic syndrome components and different strata of waist circumference for Uygur were analyzed,and looking for the appropriate cut-off points for identifying two or more components of metabolic syndrome within the shortest distance of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results According to IDF standard,the waist circumference(85 cm for men,82 cm for women)corresponded to the shortest distance in ROC curve,at these cut-offs of abdominal obesity for component of metabolic syndrome,the prevalences of metabolic syndrome were 21.3%,19.5%in men, while 23.0%in women,the prevalence of women was higher than that of men(P<0.05).The prevalences of≥1,≥2 components of metabolic syndrome were shown an increasing trend with the increasing size of waist circumference, and the odds ratio of clustering of metabolic syndrome components were also increased significantly.Conclusion The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Xinjiang Uygur population was higher than that of national level.The cut-off points of waist circumference(85 cm for men,82 cm for women)combining other components definition of IDF standard were recommended for identifying metabolic syndrome of Uygurs.