Mindfulness-Based Training Does Not Improve Neuropsychological Outcomes in Mild Cognitive Impairment More Than Spontaneous Reversion Rates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Current pharmacological and behavioral treatment options for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are limited, motivating a search for alternative therapies that might slow the progression of cognitive decline. Objective: We investigated the effectiveness of a cognition-focused mindfulness-based intervention. Methods: An open-label, three arm randomized controlled trial was conducted at a public tertiary medical center. Older persons (ages 45–75; N = 76) diagnosed with MCI were recruited and randomized into either Mindfulness-based training (MBT), cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT), or treatment as usual (TAU). Participants in the intervention arms received 8 weekly 2-h sessions delivered in a group setting and engaged in home practice. Primary outcomes measures included changes in index scores for attention, immediate memory, and delayed memory as measured using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Depression was a secondary outcome. Results: Using intent-to-treat analysis, we found that participants receiving MBT showed significant improvements in global cognition (d = 0.26; [95%CI 0.03–0.56]) and delayed memory (d = 0.36; [95%CI 0.17–0.57]), with significantly greater improvements in delayed memory than CRT (ηp2 = 0.10). However, there was no benefit of MBT over TAU. No change in depression was observed in the MBT group. Reductions in depression were associated with improvements in cognitive functioning in the MBT group only. Conclusion: Our results suggest that a cognition-focused MBT did not improve cognitive functioning in MCI patients substantially more than spontaneous reversion rates, possibly as mood symptoms were not significantly alleviated in this group.

Streptozotocin model of stable diabetes mellitus

Aim:to create a model of stable experimental diabetes mellitus (DM) in laboratory rats using streptozotocin (STZ).Materials and methods.The dynamics of changes in glycemia and survival in 60 Wistar rats was determined. STZ at a dosage of 70 mg/kg was administered to these rats in two ways: once and fractionally (within 5 days).Results.After a single injection of the STZ, 6 out of 30 rats (20%) died, in 7 cases (23.3%) a spontaneous reversion of the diabetic status occurred and in 17 animals (56.6%) the DM remained stable throughout the observation period (8 weeks). After the fractional administration of the STZ no mortality was observed. Spontaneous reversal of DM occurred only in 2 of 30 rats (6.6% of cases). In other 28 animals hyperglycemia was stable until the end of the experiment. It is important to note that in all rats with a stable course of DM, the level of glycemia after 2 weeks after the injection of the STZ was at least 20 mmol/l.Conclusion.Fractional intraperitoneal injection of STZ has an obvious advantage compared with a single injection, providing 100% survival and stable course of DM in 93.4%. The main criterion for a stable course of experimental DM is the level of hyperglycemia not less than 20 mmol/l after 2 weeks after intraperitoneal administration of STZ.

Dose-Dependent Antifibrotic Effect of Chrysin on Regression of Liver Fibrosis: The Role in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling

Liver fibrosis represents an overaccumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). This study was designed to investigate the effect of chrysin on established ECM overproduction in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) mouse liver fibrosis. Experimental fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 2 mL/kg CCl4 twice a week, for 7 weeks. Mice were orally treated with 3 doses of chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone). For the assessment of the spontaneous reversion of fibrosis, CCl4-treated mice were investigated after 2 weeks of recovery time. Silymarin was used as a standard of liver protection. In fibrotic livers, the results showed the upregulation of collagen I (Col I) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and modulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which led to an altered ECM enriched in Col, confirmed as well by electron microscopy investigations. Treatment with chrysin significantly reduced ultrastructural changes, downregulated Col I, and restored TIMP-1/MMP balance, whereas in the group observed for the spontaneous regression of fibrosis, they remained in the same pattern with fibrotic livers. In this study, we have shown chrysin efficacy to attenuate dose-dependent CCl4-stimulated liver ECM accumulation by regulation of MMP/TIMP imbalance and inhibition of Col production. We have shown the dose-dependent chrysin efficiency in attenuation of CCl4-induced liver ECM accumulation by regulation of MMP/TIMP imbalance and inhibition of Col production. Our findings suggest that chrysin oral administration may introduce a new strategy for treating liver fibrosis in humans.

Spontaneous reversion of a lineage switch following an initial blinatumomab-induced ALL-to-AML switch in MLL-rearranged infant ALL

Key Points A case of MLL-rearranged leukemia that rapidly adapts to immunological stimuli illustrating the high plasticity of this phenotype.

Analysis of the recovery of CD247 expression in a PID patient: insights into the spontaneous repair of defective genes

Key Points The propensity of genes to mutate influences the probability of spontaneous reversion of genetic defects in PID.