A New Selective PPARγ Modulator Inhibits Triglycerides Accumulation during Murine Adipocytes’ and Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation

Understanding the molecular basis of adipogenesis is vital to identify new therapeutic targets to improve anti-obesity drugs. The adipogenic process could be a new target in the management of this disease. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of GMG-43AC, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor \u3b3 (PPAR\u3b3) modulator, during adipose differentiation of murine pre-adipocytes and human Adipose Derived Stem Cells (hADSCs). We differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and primary hADSCs in the presence of various doses of GMG-43AC and evaluated the differentiation efficiency measuring lipid accumulation, the expression of specific differentiation markers and the quantification of accumulated triglycerides. The treatment with GMG-43AC is not toxic as shown by cell viability assessments after the treatments. Our findings demonstrate the inhibition of lipid accumulation and the significant decrease in the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, such as PPAR\u3b3, FABP-4, and leptin. This effect was long lasting, as the removal of GMG-43AC from culture medium did not allow the restoration of adipogenic process. The above actions were confirmed in hADSCs exposed to adipogenic stimuli. Together, these results indicate that GMG-43AC efficiently inhibits adipocytes differentiation in murine and human cells, suggesting its possible function in the reversal of adipogenesis and modulation of lipolysis

Successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after incidental azygos vein cannulation in a neonate with right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia interruption of the inferior vena cava and azygos continuation

Incidental azygos vein cannulation has been reported in a few cases of neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This complication is described in the literature mainly in pathological conditions wherein increased central venous pressure dilates the superior vena cava (SVC), i.e., right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) or pulmonary hypertension. Azygos vein cannulation should always be suspected in cases of impaired venous return and circuit failure. Although rare, it hinders proper venous aspiration of the ECMO circuit and generally requires repositioning or replacement of the venous cannula or conversion to central cannulation. In this report, we describe a newborn with severe right CDH who required ECMO assistance, wherein incidental cannulation of the azygos vein resulted in successful functioning of the circuit because of the concomitant presence of isolated interruption of the inferior vena cava and azygos continuation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of successful neonatal ECMO despite azygos vein cannulation in a patient with such rare physiology

Neuroprotection, Recovery of Function and Endogenous Neurogenesis in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Following Transplantation of Activated Adipose Tissue

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disease, which leads to paralysis and is associated to substantially high costs for the individual and society. At present, no effective therapies are available. Here, the use of mechanically-activated lipoaspirate adipose tissue (MALS) in a murine experimental model of SCI is presented. Our results show that, following acute intraspinal MALS transplantation, there is an engraftment at injury site with the acute powerful inhibition of the posttraumatic inflammatory response, followed by a significant progressive improvement in recovery of function. This is accompanied by spinal cord tissue preservation at the lesion site with the promotion of endogenous neurogenesis as indicated by the significant increase of Nestin-positive cells in perilesional areas. Cells originated from MALS infiltrate profoundly the recipient cord, while the extra-dural fat transplant is gradually impoverished in stromal cells. Altogether, these novel results suggest the potential of MALS application in the promotion of recovery in SCI

Never trust first impressions when assessing the heart of a pregnant woman

We describe the echocardiographic finding of a 35-year-old pregnant woman, referred for a clinical consultation at our institution because of congestive heart failure. She underwent echocardiography with only little information about a history of cardiac surgery during infancy. At the first sight, parasternal long axis view demonstrates normal structures, but on the apical view we diagnosed a very rare condition with typical imaging findings: Criss Cross heart