Médecine sciences : M/S
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Iron is an essential nutrient to life. However, the ability of iron to cycle between the oxidized and reduced forms contributes to the formation of reactive oxygen species. The generation of free radicals leads to oxidative stress and the initiation of signaling pathways involved in cell survival or cell death. ⋯ The work carried out in recent years has revealed new cellular processes and mechanisms like ferritinophagy, that deepen our understanding of iron homeostasis. Ferritinophagy is a form of selective macroautophagy whereby ferritin, an iron storage protein, is degraded in the lysosome. Here, we describe iron homeostasis and review recent discoveries regarding the mechanism of ferritinophagy and its relationship to a new form of cell-death iron-dependent, the ferroptosis.
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Médecine sciences : M/S · Nov 2016
Review[Fecal microbiota transplantation: indications and perspectives].
Fecal transplantation demonstrated in a randomized trial its superiority compared to antibiotics in recurrent Clostridium difficile (CD) infections. Used in first-line treatment, it has reduced the mortality of patients suffering of CD infections caused by ribotype 027 and made it possible to cure patients with severe manifestations of CD infections caused by other ribotypes. ⋯ Other indications such as the digestive decolonization of multidrug-resistant bacteria are emerging. Finally, a better knowledge of the gastrointestinal microbiota will lead in the future to new targeted therapies in many indications.
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The recently announced "Cancer moonshot" may be greeted with scepticism: the previous "War on cancer" (1971) was not very successful. However the current plan seems well targeted, with emphasis not only on research investment but also on a strong effort to "break down silos" and ensure wide dissemination and use of clinical and molecular data. One big uncertainty, however, is what will happen to the programme after the 2016 presidential election… ‡.