Resistance Exercise Program in Cognitively Normal Older Adults: CERT-Based Exercise Protocol of the AGUEDA Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a comprehensive CERT (Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template)-based description of the resistance exercise program implemented in the AGUEDA (Active Gains in brain Using Exercise During Aging) study, a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of a 24-week supervised resistance exercise program on executive function and related brain structure and function in cognitively normal older adults. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: 90 cognitively normal older adults aged 65 to 80 were randomized (1:1) to a: 1) resistance exercise group; or a 2) wait-list control group. Participants in the exercise group (n = 46) performed 180 min/week of resistance exercise (3 supervised sessions per week, 60 min/session) for 24 weeks. INTERVENTION: The exercise program consisted of a combination of upper and lower limb exercises using elastic bands and the participant's own body weight as the main resistance. The load and intensity were based on the resistance of the elastic bands (7 resistances), number of repetitions (individualized), motor complexity of exercises (3 levels), sets and rest (3 sets/60 sec rest), execution time (40-60 sec) and velocity (as fast as possible). SETTINGS: The maximum prescribed-target intensity was 70-80% of the participants' maximum rate of perceived exertion (7-8 RPE). Heart rate, sleep quality and feeling scale were recorded during all exercise sessions. Those in the wait-list control group (n = 44) were asked to maintain their usual lifestyle. The feasibility of AGUEDA project was evaluated by retention, adherence, adverse events and cost estimation on the exercise program. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This study details the exercise program of the AGUEDA trial, including well-described multi-language manuals and videos, which can be used by public health professionals, or general public who wish to implement a feasible and low-cost resistance exercise program. The AGUEDA exercise program seems to be feasible by the high retention (95.6%) and attendance rate (85.7%), very low serious adverse event (1%) and low economic cost (144.23 € /participant/24 weeks). We predict that a 24-week resistance exercise program will have positive effects on brain health in cognitively normal older adults.

Effect of adding ZrM (M=Fe, Ni) intermetallic compounds on the hydrogen absorption/desorption properties of TiCr1.1V0.9 alloy.

In this paper, the effect of intermetallic compounds Zr2Fe and Zr7Ni10 on the microstructure and first hydrogenation kinetic of TiCr1.1V0.9 alloy is reported. Samples were synthesized by arc melting separately and then 5% of each intermetallic was co-melt with TiCr1.1V0.9 alloy. First hydrogenation of all alloys was performed at room temperature under 2.0 MPa of hydrogen. Kinetics and absorption capacities were measured at room temperature, by using apparatus type sieverts. Results indicate that the addition of the intermetallic has an enhancing effect on the kinetic reaction without further modification of hydrogen storage capacities, going from 3.6 wt.% for as-cast alloy, to 3.61 wt.% for alloys +5 wt.% intermetallic. On the other hand, the structure and microstructural analysis were carried out by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. These results show conservation of the structure in the body-centered cubic, and two additional minor phase formations: C14 laves phase for both alloys, and an additional Ti2Ni phase for the TiCr1.1V0.9 + 5% Zr7Ni10 alloy. Finally, the thermal stabilization of the sample was determined by using differential scanning calorimetry. The results show two types of hydrides that form trapped in different clamping sites with different energies.

Insulin, chemotherapy, and the mechanisms of malignancy: the design and the demise of cancer.

The endogenous molecular biology of cancer cells involves autocrine and paracrine secretion of insulin and insulin-like growth-factors I and II, which subserve energy production and growth stimulation, respectively, in these cells. These activities confer on cancer its malignant potential, working as they do autonomously, free from higher levels of integrated control. Taking advantage of cancer's mechanisms of malignancy by employing exogenous insulin as a biologic response modifier, it is possible to potentiate the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents for improved treatment of cancer. A synergy between certain membrane and metabolic effects of insulin on cancer cell molecular biology increases anticancer drug efficacy, and it does so with reduced doses of the drugs, enhancing their safety. This treatment strategy has been applied abroad over the last five decades with very promising clinical results.

Insulin potentiation therapy: a new concept in the management of chronic degenerative disease.

In insulin potentiation therapy the hormone insulin is used as an adjunct in the medical management of the chronic degenerative diseases including malignant neoplasia. In this, the recognized physiological action of insulin--that of increasing cell membrane permeability--is taken advantage of to potentiate the pharmacological actions of medications administered concurrently in the therapy. This potentiation occurs because of the heretofore unrecognized applicability of this membrane permeabilizing effect of insulin to a much wider range of tissues than is classicly accepted, and further the observed effect of this permeabilizing phenomenon as it relates to drug molecules, most importantly the antineoplastic agents. The historical context of insulin potentiation therapy is described, and scientific corroboration for its novel hypotheses is given. Insulin potentiation therapy represents a potentially revolutionary concept in the medical management of diseases and is, in the authors' opinion, deserving of intensive scientific investigation through in vitro and in vivo experimentation and properly conducted human clinical trials in a university teaching hospital setting.