Exploring the Interplay between Bone Marrow Stem Cells and Obesity

Obesity, a complex disorder with rising global prevalence, is a chronic, inflammatory, and multifactorial disease and it is characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation and associated comorbidities. Adipose tissue (AT) is an extremely diverse organ. The composition, structure, and functionality of AT are significantly influenced by characteristics specific to everyone, in addition to the variability connected to various tissue types and its location-related heterogeneity. Recent investigation has shed light on the intricate relationship between bone marrow stem cells and obesity, revealing potential mechanisms that contribute to the development and consequences of this condition. Mesenchymal stem cells within the bone marrow, known for their multipotent differentiation capabilities, play a pivotal role in adipogenesis, the process of fat cell formation. In the context of obesity, alterations in the bone marrow microenvironment may influence the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells towards adipocytes, impacting overall fat storage and metabolic balance. Moreover, bone marrow's role as a crucial component of the immune system adds another layer of complexity to the obesity-bone marrow interplay. This narrative review summarizes the current research findings on the connection between bone marrow stem cells and obesity, highlighting the multifaceted roles of bone marrow in adipogenesis and inflammation.

Cysts and Pseudocysts of the Oral Cavity: Revision of the Literature and a New Proposed Classification

This article includes a comprehensive and up-to-date review on the cysts of the oral cavity. Several classifications of odontogenic (OC) and non-odontogenic (non-OC) oral cysts and the surrounding regions have been proposed. We suggest a new critical classification based on an established relationship between anatomical area, histological origin and clinical behavior (frequency, rate of recurrence, malignant potential). Moreover, the differential cytokeratin (CKs) expression of the various cysts is reported as epithelium-specific markers of differential diagnosis. Finally, issues related to differential diagnosis and therapeutic approaches of the cysts included in the two groups are described.

Kissing molars: report of three cases and new prospective on aetiopathogenetic theories

Kissing molars (KMs) is an extremely rare condition of impacted third molars, pointed in the opposite direction in a single follicular space; it consists exactly in a full impacted of permanent molars which occurs only in the lower jaw. Actually, about less than thirty cases have been reported in scientific literatures. The aetiology and pathogenesis of this pathological double dental inclusion remain unknown; above all events that lead two molars to appear, as KMs remain mysterious. The association to metabolic connective diseases such as mucopolysaccharidosis was emphasized. KMs considered as an isolated event, may be associated to an abnormal position of the tooth-bud from lower permanent molars, or fourth supernumerary tooth (distomolar). Recently, hyperplastic dental follicle (HDF), with a down regulation of matrix metal-proteinases and up regulation of several genes of collagens, has been mentioned in association with KMs. In this paper, after having analyzed three new cases of KMs that have been treated, we report a new hypothesis. This last is based on the failure in the dental follicle's ability to initiate or continue properly resorption of the overlying alveolar bone, by many exogenous factors which may act on eruptive phase that would lead to its rotation with its contents coming out a pathological situation of KMs. The therapy of choice is related to the surgical removal of KMs through a double odontectomy with transalveolar method. Other treatments can be, eventually, orthodontic therapy of the impacted teeth and a radiological follow-up without surgery.

Dedifferentiated endometrial cancer: an atypical case diagnosed from cerebellar and adrenal metastasis: case presentation and review of literature

Dedifferentiated endometrial cancer (DEC) is microscopically characterized by the presence of high-grade areas emerging from low-grade tumour. DEC is an aggressive tumour even when the dedifferentiated component represents only 20% of the entire neoplasm. A proper histological diagnosis is essential to define the most appropriate therapeutic approach for these tumors, since they are characterized by a particularly aggressive trend and by an extremely poor prognosis. We report a single case of DEC associated with dedifferentiated and adrenal metastasis, for which the patient underwent both abdominal-pelvic and cerebellar surgery. Dedifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium is a poorly recognized neoplasm since they have not been clearly defined the histological features discriminating this neoplasm from high-grade endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Revising existing literature we found 79 described cases of central nervous system secondary involvement and 13 cases where the onset of the disease was characterized by neurological signs and symptoms. We could only find two reported cases of adrenal metastases originating from endometrial neoplasia but in no case of dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma previously described has been reported the concomitant adrenal-cerebellar involvement.

Inflammatory effects on human lung epithelial cells after exposure to diesel exhaust micron sub particles (PM₁.₀) and pollen allergens

Asthma is currently defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway. Several evidence indicate that vehicle emissions in cities is correlated with the allergic respiratory diseases. In the present study, we evaluated in the A549 cells the production and release of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 after treatment with sub-micron PM(1.0) particles (PM(1.0)), Parietaria officinalis (ALL), and PM(1.0) + ALL together. Our data demonstrated that PM(1.0) + ALL together exhibited the greatest capacity to induce A549 cells to enhance the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 compared with the only PM(1.0) or ALL treatment. Interestingly, IL-13 that is necessary for allergen-induced airway hyper responsiveness, is increased in cells treated with PM(1.0) + ALL together, but is higher expressed when the cells are treated only with the allergen. Our data support the hypothesis that the urban environment damage the acinar lung units and activates cells of the immune system.

Oral benign fibrous histiocytoma: two case reports

Fibrous histiocytoma is a benign soft tissue tumour arising as a fibrous mass everywhere in the human body. The involvement of the oral cavity is rare. We report two cases of benign fibrous histiocytoma that localized in the oral cavity. The clinical and histological features of the lesion are reported. Finally, a literature revision of this pathology at the level of the oral cavity is reported.

Effects of diesel exhaust particles on human lung epithelial cells: An in vitro study

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM), an ingredient of urban pollution matter, is a mixture of solid and liquid particles differing in origin, dimension and composition. There is big concern about inhaled PM in urban areas, especially due to its adverse effects on the respiratory system. Diesel exhaust particulate (DEP), which constitutes the major part of PM, is characterized by a carbonic mixture composed of approximately 18,000 different high-molecular-weight organic compounds. Diesel engines release 10 times the amount of NO(2) aldehydes and breathable PM compared to unleaded gasoline engines and more than 100 times that produced by catalysed gasoline engines; these data gain great significance when taken into account the fact that diesel-powered vehicles are becoming more and more popular. DEP polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), once deposited on airways mucous surfaces easily pass through epithelial cells (ECs) membranes, bind themselves to cytosolic receptors and then affect cell growth and differentiation. Human lung epithelial cells and macrophages engulf DEP, this resulting in increased proinflammatory cytokines release (IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF). We investigated the biological effects of DEP-PM on the human lung EC line A549. Light microscopy analysis suggested the presence of cell wall alterations, and provided evidence of PM internalization and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Following PM stimulation, nuclei also were seen undergo clear gross morphological modifications. Immunocytochemistry was used to detect intracytoplasmic IL-6 and IL-8 expression.

Hyaluronic acid based materials for intestine tissue engineering: a morphological and biochemical study of cell-material interaction

A wide number of gastro-intestinal disorders are associated with structural alterations of this district leading to an impaired gastrointestinal function. The study of cell material interactions represents one of the major issues for the development of tissue engineering purposes. Benzyl esters of hyaluronic acid are promising materials because they exhibit good tissue compatibility and are available in various configurations. In this work they have been studied for the possible application of intestinal cell growth and functioning. The preliminary investigation on the morphologic and biochemistry data obtained by monitoring the growth and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells on two hyaluronic acid benzyl esters is reported. Two types of materials structures were studied: a three dimensional matrix and a macroporous flat sheet membrane. Caco-2 cell line was used: these cells undergo spontaneous enterocytic differentiation after several days in culture. The differentiation status of these cells grown on different materials was used as a parameter of biocompatibility and cell functioning. The status of cell growth and differentiation was monitored by studying cell morphology using scanning electron microscopy. The results obtained were confirmed by biochemical determinations. Although both the configurations of the two polymers exhibited good compatibility with respect to intestinal cells, only the flat sheet membrane proved to induce cell differentiation, leading us to the conclusion that it is a promising substrate for the proposed application.

Renal diseases in John Allen's 'Synopsis Universae Medicinae Practicae...'

John Allen, a British physician of the eighteenth century, deserves being remembered for a series of inventions, but most importantly -- from a 'medical' point of view -- for his highly praised manuscript, the 'Universae Medicinae Practicae,sive Doctissimorum Virorum de Morbis Eorumque Causis ac Remediis Judicia', which long served as a text-book for medical students of the time, and also as a reference book for practitioners throughout European countries, for several decades after its original first publication. It contains the opinions ('Sententiae') of the most celebrated authors of all ages, from Hippocrates, Galen and Avicenna up to Allen's contemporaries, concerning a wide number of diseases, their causes, signs, symptoms, and therapeutical remedies where available. The present paper deals mostly with parts of the Synopsis concerning renal diseases and related clinical signs.

Pietro Anzolino da Eboli and the thermal therapy of renal pathologies

In the Campi Flegrei area of Campania, a region of Southern Italy, some thermal baths still exist, known for the therapeutical properties of their waters. Utilized since remote ages for the treatment of a variety of pathologies. In "De Balneis Terrae Laboris", an Italian poet of the Middle Ages and scientist, Pietro Anzolino da Eboli, reports every detail about more than thirty different thermal sites in the Campi Flegrei, including all therapeutic effects of their waters. Based on Pietro's manuscript, we report in the current paper all the sites whose waters were - among other indications - also recommended for the treatment of some urinary diseases.

Fibrillogenesis and cytotoxic activity of the amyloid-forming apomyoglobin mutant W7FW14F

The apomyoglobin mutant W7FW14F forms amyloid-like fibrils at physiological pH. We examined the kinetics of fibrillogenesis using three techniques: the time dependence of the fluorescence emission of thioflavin T and 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate, circular dichroism measurements, and electron microscopy. We found that in the early stage of fibril formation, non-native apomyoglobin molecules containing beta-structure elements aggregate to form a nucleus. Subsequently, more molecules aggregate around the nucleus, thereby resulting in fibril elongation. We evaluated by MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) the cytotoxicity of these aggregates at the early stage of fibril elongation versus mature fibrils and the wild-type protein. Similar to other amyloid-forming proteins, cell toxicity was not due to insoluble mature fibrils but rather to early pre-fibrillar aggregates. Propidium iodide uptake showed that cell toxicity is the result of altered membrane permeability. Phalloidin staining showed that membrane damage is not associated to an altered cell shape caused by changes in the cytoskeleton.

Tryptophanyl substitutions in apomyoglobin determine protein aggregation and amyloid-like fibril formation at physiological pH

Myoglobin is an alpha-helical globular protein that contains two highly conserved tryptophan residues located at positions 7 and 14 in the N-terminal region of the protein. Replacement of both indole residues with phenylalanine residues, i.e. W7F/W14F, results in the expression of an unstable, not correctly folded protein that does not bind the prosthetic group. Here we report data (Congo red and thioflavine T binding assay, birefringence, and electron microscopy) showing that the double Trp/Phe replacements render apomyoglobin molecules highly susceptible to aggregation and amyloid-like fibril formation under physiological conditions in which most of the wild-type protein is in the native state. In refolding experiments, like the wild-type protein, the W7F/W14F apomyoglobin mutant formed a soluble, partially folded helical state between pH 2.0 and pH 4.0. A pH increase from 4.0 to 7.0 restored the native structure only in the case of the wild-type protein and determined aggregation of W7F/W14F. The circular dichroism spectrum recorded immediately after neutralization showed that the polypeptide consists mainly of beta-structures. In conclusion, under physiological pH conditions, some mutations that affect folding may cause protein aggregation and the formation of amyloid-like fibrils.

History of the nephron

The many progressive achievements in knowledge about the structure and function of the nephron--the kidney's main morpho-functional unit--have always been influenced by philosophical theories, which for a long time have swung between vitalism and mechanism. From Galen's first imaginative vitalistic hypothesis, the scientific thought about the kidney's structure/function gradually moved to the iatro-mechanistic view promoted by Borelli, Bellini and Malpighi, to then meet Bowman's bright vitalistic-based theory. But Bowman's theory was rather soon replaced by novel yet still mechanistic theories proposed first by Ludwig and then Starling. Ludwig based his scientific approach to knowledge of renal function upon physics and chemistry; Starling eventually developed a "colloid-osmotic" theory.

Potential role for high and low molecular weight tissue transglutaminases in transforming mammalian cell properties

Tissue transglutaminase (tTGase, tTG) is known as being implicated in the intracellular cross-linking of proteins occurring in a growing series of physiological conditions including--just to mention the most relevant ones--programmed cell death (apoptosis), cell adhesion, growth, spreading and differentiation, tumor growth, metastasis, cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, extra cellular matrix (ECM) stabilization. In the current work we investigated tTG activity and expression of "normal" and potential transformed cytosolic tTG antigens in mammalian cells. Most cell lines studied showed low tTG activity, which in all cases could be enhanced considerably by treating cell cytosol homogenates with trypsin. The results suggested the existence -in transformed cells- of inactive types of tTGase. We purified cytosolic tTG antigens from these cells utilizing a GTP-agarose resin, and we can therefore conclude that "normal" molecular weight (mw) tTG antigens, but also high molecular weight (hmw) and low molecular weight (lmw) tTG antigens from transformed cells, retain GTP-binding ability. The initial results from our study also allowed us to hypothesize that transformed hmw- and lmw- tTG antigens should not be considered as the result of post-translational modifications of normal mw, cytosolic tTG. The potentially low or absent transamidating functionality of cytosolic tTG species in transformed mammalian cells could be responsible for decreased or even abolished programmed cell death, whereas the unaffected GTP-binding functionality of such proteins in these cells might lead to increased signal transduction and possibly proliferation.

The structure of lungs and kidneys in the work of Malpighi

This work documents the fundamental contribution to the knowledge of lungs and kidneys made by Marcello Malpighi. For the first time, in "De Pulmonibus", he described the pulmonary alveoli and the network of capillary perialveolar blood vessels, establishing definitively the existence of a communication between arteries and veins. Furthermore, he demonstrated that air does not enter the blood vessels, but that it makes contact solely with the thin walls of the delicate perialveolar vessels. Malpighi in "De Renibus" exactly described the microscopic anatomy of the cortex of the kidney, composed of renal glomerules. Then he explained the function of these minute structures where the urine is separated from the blood passing into the renal tubules.

Bartolomeo Eustachio: A pioneer in morphological studies of the kidney

The morphological structure of the kidney only started being seriously investigated and truly understood in the 16th century, thanks mainly to Bartolomeo Eustachio. In his De Renibus, in fact, he painstakingly described the size, consistency, location and variations of the kidney, to which modern understanding can add very little. In describing the renal parenchyma he stated that it is made up of an external and an internal substance, and recognized the central role of the renal arteries in the excretory function of the kidneys. He made observations regarding the presence of extremely fine arteries that filter urine, the nature and function of the renal tubules and the columns of external substance that protrude between the papillae. There can be no doubt that Eustachio's remarkable achievements made him a pioneer in morphological studies of the kidney.

Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694)

The current paper is intended as a short but precise illustration of Marcello Malpighi's cultural life, a small tribute we deserve to a genius of such sharp insight. He made many discoveries in the fields of the macro- and microanatomy of the brain, nerves, liver, kidneys, spleen, tegument, lymph nodes, reproductive system and other organs, but rather than pursuing these in any detail, we have tried to profile Marcello Malpighi's scientific life in the cultural context of his time, while also providing some information on the most fascinating phases of his research on renal structure and function.

Anatomic variations of the deep palmar arteries in man

The deep palmar circulation is constituted by the deep palmar arch. In most cases this is a complete arch formed by the radial artery and its continuation to a deep branch of the ulnar artery. In a few cases, the deep palmar circulation is formed only by the radial or the ulnar artery. Only rarely is there a complete absence of the deep palmar arch. A series of 60 vascular casts was examined in order to identify the primary variants of the deep palmar arterial supply. Four anatomic patterns were identified: (1) radioulnar (66.67%); (2) radial-anastomotic (21.67%); (3) radial (8.33%), and (4) ulnar (3.33%). Two distinct types of the radioulnar variant were observed, a proximal and a distal one, named according to the origin of the deep palmar branch.

Retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into human primary myogenic cells leads to expression in muscle fibers in vivo

Primary human myogenic cells isolated from fetal and adult muscle were infected with a high-titer, Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV)-derived retroviral vector expressing a bacterial beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene under long terminal repeat (LTR) control. Gene transfer efficiency averaged 50% in both fetal myoblasts and adult satellite cells, as revealed by beta-gal staining. The reporter gene was stably integrated, faithfully inherited, and expressed at significant levels in myogenic cells for at least 10 generations under clonal growth conditions, and throughout the culture life span upon differentiation into myotubes. Comparable gene transfer efficiency was obtained in myogenic cells from muscle biopsies of patients affected by a number of genetic or acquired myopathies, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Transduced normal human satellite cells were injected into regenerating muscle of immunodeficient mice, where they formed new muscle fibers in which the product of the reporter gene was detectable for 2 months after injection. These results show that retroviral vectors can be used to transfer foreign genes with high efficiency into normal or abnormal primary human myogenic cells, leading to stable expression into mature muscle. Satellite cells engineered in this way might represent an effective tool for gene therapy of muscular dystrophies as well as for systemic delivery of recombinant gene products for correction of inherited and acquired disorders. The human-mouse model described here will allow in vivo testing of such gene therapy approaches.

A contribution to the history of renal structure knowledge (from Galen to Malpighi)

This work documents the progressive gain in knowledge on renal anatomy acquired by anatomists from Galen to Malpighi. Galen, with albeit his rather imaginative explanations, was the first anatomist to recognize the urine producing function of the kidney. His influence was felt up to the Middle Ages; his followers imagined the presence of two cavities within the kidney that were separated by a porous membrane that they called the "colatorium" which was capable of filtering the urine from the blood. It was only later that Berengario da Carpi, divorcing himself from Galenic dogmatism, finally dismissed the presence of the colatorium. He described the renal papillae and gave the first elementary model of renal vascularization. Further important progress was due to the studies of Falloppius and Eustachius who brought contemporary understanding of renal structure to the limit of what could be seen with the unaided eye. They distinguished the difference between the unilobar canine kidney and the human multilobar organ, they also described the minor and major calyces and, furthermore, guessed at the canalicular structure of its parenchyma. Highmore was then responsible for the description of the archiform vessels which he hypothesized as an arterio-venous anastomotic net between the renal cortex and medulla. With the invention of the microscope, new doors opened for the study of renal structure. Bellini proved the canalicular organization of the parenchyma and, moreover, described the interlobular vessels. Malpighi then described the glomerulus and its relation to the intrarenal excretory ducts. The basis had now been laid for the beginning of modern nephrology.

Paracrine stimulation of senescent satellite cell proliferation by factors released by muscle or myotubes from young mice

The proliferative potential of satellite cells undergoes a dramatic decrease in the early postnatal period and a more modest but continuous decrease throughout the life span of the animal. To address the problem of the mechanism regulating this phenomenon and to understand whether it is causally linked to senile muscle atrophy, we studied the response of aged satellite cells to serum and to different growth factors. The data reported indicate a generalised reduction in the response to all mitogens tested, which could not be compensated for by increased concentrations of serum or growth factors. On the other hand, conditioned medium of differentiated myotubes from young mice exhibited a strong mitogenic action on aged satellite cells, while conditioned media of myotubes from old mice or from a variety of non-muscle cells were ineffective. Furthermore, saline extracts from muscle of young mice are also able to exert this mitogenic action. Saline extracts of muscle from old mice were poorly mitogenic for satellite cells from young mice, and not at all for satellite cells from old mice. These data indicate that paracrine interactions operate inside the muscle tissue and are probably required for the normal replicative behaviour of satellite cells. The failure of such interactions may be among the causes leading to age-related muscle hypotrophy.

The effects of AZT and DDI on pre- and postimplantation mammalian embryos: an in vivo and in vitro study

This study reports the effects of the nucleoside analogs dideoxyinosine (DDI) and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) on mammalian embryonic development. When administered to pregnant mice (at concentrations ranging from 10 to 300 mg/kg/day), through all or part of gestation, AZT and DDI did not result in any visible effect on mouse embryos nor did they cause any obvious malformation or defect at birth or during postnatal growth. Similarly, when embryonic or fetal mouse or human cells (from brain, limb buds, or different organ rudiments) were exposed to AZT or DDI in vitro, cytotoxicity was observed only in the mM range, with AZT showing slightly higher cytotoxicity and brain cells appearing slightly more sensitive to both nucleosides. However, even in cultures treated with very high concentrations of AZT or DDI, the reduction in the number of terminally differentiated skeletal myotubes, cardiocytes, neurons, and chondrocytes was similar to the reduction in the total number of cells, indicating that AZT and DDI did not selectively inhibit differentiation of any of the above-mentioned cell types. Finally, preimplantation mouse embryos (at the 2-cell or 4-cell stage), treated in vitro with micromolar concentrations of AZT, were arrested at the 4-cell stage. DDI or other nucleoside analogs tested did not have this effect.