Methoxylated fatty acids in Blumeria graminis conidia.

The total fatty acids (FA) composition of Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici conidia, the causal agent of wheat powdery mildew, was analyzed as a function of their age. A total of 19 FA (C12-C24 saturated and unsaturated) and unusual methoxylated fatty acids (mFA) were detected in young, intermediate and old conidia. Two very long chain methoxylated FA were identified by GC-MS as 3-methoxydocosanoic and 3-methoxytetracosanoic acids. Medium chain FA were predominant in young conidia (75%, including 13% of mFA) while very long chain fatty acids constituted the major compounds in old conidia (74%, including 30% of mFA). We have shown for the first time that the total FA composition is strongly correlated with the age of B. graminis f.sp. tritici (Bgt) conidia.

Functional results after laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia: A comparative study to open surgery.

BACKGROUND: Prospective studies comparing laparoscopic to open Heller myotomy for esophageal achalasia are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare functional outcome after laparoscopic and open Heller myotomy for esophageal achalasia. METHODS: Eighty-two patients who underwent Heller-Dor myotomy for achalasia, via laparoscopy (n=52) or open surgery (n=30) were recorded prospectively (1993-2002). Median follow-up was 51 (12-111) months. Perioperative functional data were assessed via dysphagia and overall clinical (dysphagia, chest pain, regurgitation, gastroesophageal reflux) scores. RESULTS: In laparoscopy patients, the operative time was longer (145 [95-290] vs 120 [70-230] minutes, P <.0001); the postoperative hospital stay and feeding resumption time was shorter (4 [2-25] vs 7.5 [5-18] days, P <.0001 and 2 [1-15] vs 4 [1-14] days, P <.0001). Three mucosal tears necessitated conversion to open surgery (6%). The rates of " excellent" or " satisfactory" results after laparoscopic and open surgery were 92% (n=48/52) versus 93% (n=28/30), and 83% (n=43/52) versus 83% (n=25/30) on overall clinical score. In both groups, the overall clinical score indicated significant improvement during 12-month follow-up. The laparoscopy and open surgery symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux rates were 10% and 7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy favorably compares with open surgery regarding dysphagia relief and gastroesophageal reflux rate. Overall clinical score indicates gradual improvement in patient functional status during 12-month follow-up.

Daily soluble aspirin and prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence: one-year results of the APACC trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Epidemiologic and experimental studies have suggested that aspirin intake reduces the risk for colorectal carcinogenesis. However, the available data are not sufficient to serve as the basis for firm recommendations. METHODS: We randomly assigned 272 patients with a history of colorectal adenomas (at least one more than 5 mm in diameter, or more than 3) to daily lysine acetylsalicylate (160 or 300 mg/day) or placebo for 4 years. The primary end points were adenoma recurrence after 1 and 4 years. These results are those of the year 1 colonoscopy. RESULTS: Among the 238 patients who completed the year 1 colonoscopy, at least one adenoma was observed in 38 patients of the 126 (30%) in the aspirin group and in 46 of the 112 (41%) in the placebo group; relative risk was 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52-1.04; P = 0.08). At least one adenoma of more than 5 mm diameter was observed in 13 patients (10%) in the aspirin group and 26 (23%) in the placebo group (P = 0.01). The corresponding numbers for adenomas more than 10 mm in diameter were one (1%) and 7 (6%) (P = 0.05). Stepwise regression showed that independent factors associated with lower adenoma recurrence are aspirin treatment (adenoma >5 mm, P = 0.01), absence of personal history of adenoma before the entry colonoscopy (P = 0.01), and initial adenomatous polyp burden less than 10 mm (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Daily soluble aspirin is associated with a reduction in the risk for recurrent adenomas found at colonoscopy 1 year after starting treatment.

[Appropiateness of colonoscopy in a gastrointestinal unit in 2001: a prospective study using criteria established by a European panel of experts]. / Pertinence des indications de la coloscopie dans un service de gastroentérologie de l'AP-HP en 2001. Application de critères établis par un panel d'experts européens.

UNLABELLED: Criteria for appropriateness of colonoscopy have been elaborated by an European Panel (EPAGE). OBJECTIVES: 1) To assess the feasibility of EPAGE criteria in clinical practice, 2) to assess colonoscopy appropriateness using EPAGE criteria, 3) to compare colonoscopy appropriateness and findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred and six consecutive examinations were included. The referral indication was judged using a scoring system on the basis of the EPAGE criteria. RESULTS: Appropriateness could be assessed in 94% of the colonoscopies. Fifty-four percent were appropriate, 40% equivocal, and 6% inappropriate. Rate of abnormal colonoscopy was not different between the 3 groups, however endoscopic findings were more severe when the indication was appropriate. In the appropriate group, adenomatous polyps were more frequent (24%) than in the two other groups (13% and 12%; P<0.05) and tended to be larger in size. In the inappropriate group, patients were significantly younger, and no cancer was found. There were 5 colonic cancers in the inappropriate group and 12 in the appropriate group. CONCLUSION: Colonoscopy is generally not overused according to EPAGE guidelines. However, on an individual basis it could be rather difficult to determine colonoscopy appropriateness using a scoring system. Indeed, a third of the indications was judged equivocal and the endoscopic findings were no different whether indication was appropriate or equivocal.

[Recent notions on intestinal cancerogenesis, their implications in genetic risk screening and preventive action of non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents]. / Notions récentes sur la cancérogenèse intestinale, leurs implications dans le dépistage du risque génétique et l'action préventive des anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens.

Colorectal cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the french population. This tumor represents 45% of the cancers of the digestive tract in female and 60% in male. It is one of the main problem in the field of Public Health but recent progress for research, prophylaxis and treatment have been performed. There are two different pathogenic pathways for colorectal cancer. In chromosomal instability a sequence of rearrangements leads step by step from normal to adenoma and to carcinoma. It is the common pathway observed in 85% of colorectal cancers, mainly localized in left colon. In genic nucleotidic instability loss of tumor-suppresor genes and activation of cellular oncogenes are the consequence of DNA mismatch repair system, which is controlled by several genes. The defect of DNA mismatch repair leads to a hypermutable state in which simple repetitive DNA sequences are specially instable. This is the basis for a test to demonstrate nucleotidic instability. This pathway is found in the remaining 15% of colorectal cancers which are mainly localized on right colon. A mutational inactivation of both alleles of APC gene is considered as an initial gatekeeper event although some cancers begin with a mutation in beta-catenin gene which has the same functional impact. APC expression plays central role in regulating the rate of beta-catenin degradation. Destruction of beta-catenin prevents its translocation into the nucleus where it promotes cellular proliferation. About 5% of colorectal cancer are developed in a high risk population, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis coli (FAP) or Hereditary Non Polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC). FAP is caused by a germline mutation in APC gene. Every cell harbors a mutation of an APC allele which insures that a large number of adenomas will occur once an inactivating event occurs on the other wild-type APC allele. The demonstration of a constitutional mutation in a family allows to limit the survey only to the carriers. The phenotypic expression (attenuated, profuse, associated with extra-intestinal lesions) is correlated with the site of the APC mutation. Thus the determination of this site occurs in the choice of the treatment. HNPCC is suggested on clinical and genealogical criterions (young age of onset of cancer, multiple family members affected with cancer in multiple generations, the association of certain tumors in an individual of family, multiple tumors). A biological test may be useful to demonstrate the nucleotidic instability (MSI: microsatellite instability). Constitutional mutations on the mismatch repair genes, mainly MSH2 and MLH1, cause HNPCC syndrome. Endometrial and urethelial malignant tumors are frequent in an individual or in the family. The proven or suspected carriers of mutations undergo colonoscopic surveillance every 1 to 2 years, starting at age 25. An anti-tumoral action of the non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) is now recognized. Firstly observed in animal models of colon cancer the suppressive action was demonstrated in patient with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. From the results of several epidemiological studies the suppressive action can be generalized to common intestinal tumors. This effect is in relation with the cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition. Other independent pathways intervene: NSAID interfere with beta-catenin, decreasing its action on cellular division. The indication of NSAID and more specifically of COX2 inhibitors in the prophylaxis of colo rectal cancer are yet questioned. The results of trials in progress are expected.