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Abstract: The gut plays a central role in some pathophysiological conditions and the preservation or restoration of gut function, such as gut barrier, is a major issue. Cellular removal and protein turnover are high. Indeed, approximately 50% of proteins are synthesized every day in the human duodenal mucosa. During catabolic or inflammatory states, intestinal protein metabolism seems to be deregulated that could be involved in gut barrier dysfunction. Gut protein metabolism can also be affected by nutrients according to the type or the amount. An increasing number of studies focus on this topic but data are still limited and remain controversial. This paper aims to review the available data on the regulation of intestinal protein metabolism during pathophysiologic conditions and the influence of nutrients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Calcium phosphate bioceramics have been applied as bone substitutes for several decades. Aseptic loosening after total joint arthroplasty is a major problem in orthopaedic surgery. Hydroxyapatite particles from materials wear have been reported as the main cause of implant failure. For this reason, an investigation into possible wear particles from materials used in the implant may lead to increase the longevity of implants after arthroplasty. In the present paper, we discussed the cellular response (mainly monocytes/macrophages which are among the first cells to colonize the inflammatory site in addition to osteoblats and fibroblasts) after exposition to particles with different characteristics (size, sintering temperature, shape, and chemical composition). The most important characteristics are the shape and the size of the particles. The needle shaped particles induced the larger production of inflammatory mediators by cells and were more toxic. The sintering temperature appeared to be a less important characteristic even though it was involved in the dissolution/precipitation process. Little is known about the effect of ion containing hydroxyapatite (like zinc, strontium, …) on cellular response but this modification of the biomaterial seems benefic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: If it can be confirmed that variations in the level of nitric oxide (NO) in expired air tells us something about the different physiological processes in which this molecule is involved (bronchomotor, vasomotor, immunoregulation), then we will have available a non-invasive technique that would be useful in conditions as varied as asthma, sickle cell anemia, mucoviscidosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. This technique can be used routinely to the analysis of the concentration of NO in a single expired breath. However, analysis of the concentration of NO in several expired breaths, which is possible from the age of 8–9 years, also makes it possible, using a method that is now standardized, to determine the bronchial production of NO and its alveolar concentration, thus providing a method for differentiating the respective contribution of these two compartments. Other techniques now being developed should soon allow us to calculate even more precisely events during normal ventilation, which will then allow us to make these measurements in babies, in young children, and in patients on artificial ventilation. The aim of this present paper is to discuss the theoretical basis and the techniques of these different approaches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]