Gut Health in the era of the human gut microbiota: from metaphor to biovalue.

The human intestinal ecosystem, previously called the gut microflora is now known as the Human Gut Microbiota (HGM). Microbiome research has emphasized the potential role of this ecosystem in human homeostasis, offering unexpected opportunities in therapeutics, far beyond digestive diseases. It has also highlighted ethical, social and commercial concerns related to the gut microbiota. As diet factors are accepted to be the major regulator of the gut microbiota, the modulation of its composition, either by antibiotics or by food intake, should be regarded as a fascinating tool for improving the human health. Scientists, the food industry, consumers and policymakers alike are involved in this new field of nutrition. Defining how knowledge about the HGM is being translated into public perception has never been addressed before. This raises the question of metaphors associated with the HGM, and how they could be used to improve public understanding, and to influence individual decision-making on healthcare policy. This article suggests that a meeting of stakeholders from the social sciences, basic research and the food industry, taking an epistemological approach to the HGM, is needed to foster close, innovative partnerships that will help shape public perception and enable novel behavioural interventions that would benefit public health.

[Peritoneal carcinomatosis and hepatic infiltration related to the dissemination of a micropapillary cell carcinoma of the bladder]. / Carcinose péritonéale et envahissement hépatique liés à la dissémination d'un carcinome urothélial vésical micropapillaire.

Most cases of liver failure related to the infiltration of the liver by neoplastic cells are associated with hematological neoplasia or small cell carcinoma of the lung. We report case of liver failure related to a rare infiltration of the liver by a micropapillary bladder carcinoma. Micropapillary bladder cell carcinomas have recently been isolated among bladder tumors. They are characterized by life-threatening features as they spread rapidly to the interstitial stromal matrix leading to a highly aggressive course. The present case emphasizes the pathological features and poor prognosis of these neoplasia, as rapid submucosal spreading may prevent curative locoregional treatment.

Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome in adult systemic disease: report of twenty-six cases and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze specific clinical findings, underlying disorders, treatments, outcomes, and prognostic factors for reactive hemophagocytic syndrome (RHS) in systemic disease. METHODS: Data were collected using standardized forms as part of a French national survey. Adult cases without an underlying malignancy, diagnosed on bone marrow or lymph node biopsy, were included. RESULTS: Twenty-six cases (7 men, 19 women, mean age 47.4 +/- 17.7 years) were studied. Systemic diseases included systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 14), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 2), adult onset systemic Still's disease (n = 4), polyarteritis nodosa (n = 2), mixed connective tissue disease (n = 1), pulmonary sarcoidosis (n = 1), systemic sclerosis (n = 1), and Sjögren's syndrome (n = 1). RHS occurred in 2 distinct clinical settings in the course of systemic disease. RHS was associated with an active infection in 15 patients (bacterial infections, 10 cases; viral, 3 cases; tuberculosis, 1 case; and aspergillosis, 1 case) and with the onset of a systemic disease alone in 9 cases. Isolated RHS occurred in 2 cases. The overall mortality rate was 38.5%. Two factors were associated with mortality: corticosteroid treatment at the time of RHS diagnosis, and thrombocytopenia (odds ratio = 28, 95% confidence interval = 13.3-238.9). CONCLUSIONS: When RHS occurs in the course of an active systemic disease (situation only reported in cases of systemic lupus or adult Still's disease), immunosuppressive therapy should be used. In contrast, when RHS is present concomitantly with an active infection, immunosuppressive therapy needs to be lowered and antibiotic therapy should be instituted.

[Gastro-intestinal stromal tumors: news and comments]. / Tumeurs stromales du tractus digestif: actualités 2003.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare tumors occuring at all levels of the gastrointestinal tract, whose estimated incidence may be close to 2 new cases per 100 000 persons per year. GIST derive from the interstital cells of Cajal (ICC) responsible for the motility of the GI tract, or from a common precursor of ICC and of the smooth muscle cells of the digestive tract. GIST cells express the c-kit protoconcogene under an activated form, either mutated or constitutively activated, as well as the CD34 Ag. Mutations of the KIT gene is an early event in the process of transformation in these tumors. Until recently, GIST were not recognized as a distinct entity among soft tissue sarcoma. It is now clear that conventional chemotherapy is generally inactive in this tumor, surgery being the only efficient therapeutic modality even in patients with advanced disease. Rapidly accruing phase I, II and III trials in the USA and Europe (EORTC) have demonstrated since 2000 that imatinib mesylate (STI571) is an active agent in GIST with an initial response rate of 70 % and 10 % only of primary refractory tumors, yelding an improved overall survival as compared to historical series. Resistance are now being observed however. GIST has become the first model of a solid tumor treated efficiently by a treatment targetting the initial genetic alteration of the disease. Numerous question regarding the integration of this treatment with surgery and the long term outcome of these patients still remain to be answered however.