Postprandial lipid absorption in seven heterozygous carriers of deleterious variants of MTTP in two abetalipoproteinemic families.

Background: Abetalipoproteinemia, a recessive disease resulting from deleterious variants in MTTP (microsomal triglyceride transfer protein), is characterized by undetectable concentrations of apolipoprotein B, extremely low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the plasma, and a total inability to export apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins from both the intestine and the liver.

Objective: To study lipid absorption after a fat load and liver function in 7 heterozygous relatives from 2 abetalipoproteinemic families, 1 previously unreported.

Results: Both patients are compound heterozygotes for p.

Mucosal Healing and Bacterial Composition in Response to Enteral Nutrition Vs Steroid-based Induction Therapy-A Randomised Prospective Clinical Trial in Children With Crohn's Disease.

Aims: Exclusive enteral nutrition [EEN] is as efficacious as corticosteroids [CS] to induce remission in Crohn's disease [CD], without their adverse effects. EEN seems to be more efficient than steroids to induce mucosal healing, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are only sparsely understood. We aimed in the present work to study the anti-inflammatory effects of EEN with Modulen IBD® vs CS in active paediatric CD, and to assess its modulatory effects on the intestinal microbiota as compared with steroids.

Chapter 8. 50 Years of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN): Captivating Witness Reports of a Success Story.

Since the conception of an idea of a few paediatric gastroenterologists in Europe to create a society for Paediatric Gastroenterology in 1967, and its foundation in 1968, half a century has passed. The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) now celebrates its 50th anniversary and its utmost success in combining clinical and scientific expertise in the fields of paediatric gastroenterology, haepatology, and nutrition. To describe this success story 14 of the still living presidents of ESPGHAN recount their impressions of the steady growth of ESPGHAN with all the historical facets from their own points of view.

Chapter 2. ESPGHAN: 50 Years Memories-The Early Years.

Thirty-six founding members from Europe were present in 1968, when the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology (ESGA) had its first meeting in Paris. The aim was to create a forum for presentations and discussions of research activities in paediatric gastroenterology in Europe. At the second meeting of ESGA 1969 in Interlaken, an important landmark was set for all gastroenterologists in the world.

Contractile forces at tricellular contacts modulate epithelial organization and monolayer integrity.

Monolayered epithelia are composed of tight cell assemblies that ensure polarized exchanges. EpCAM, an unconventional epithelial-specific cell adhesion molecule, is assumed to modulate epithelial morphogenesis in animal models, but little is known regarding its cellular functions. Inspired by the characterization of cellular defects in a rare EpCAM-related human intestinal disease, we find that the absence of EpCAM in enterocytes results in an aberrant apical domain.

Homozygous MTTP and APOB mutations may lead to hepatic steatosis and fibrosis despite metabolic differences in congenital hypocholesterolemia.

Background & Aims: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis leading to fibrosis occurs in patients with abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) and homozygous or compound heterozygous familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (Ho-FHBL). We wanted to establish if liver alterations were more frequent in one of both diseases and were influenced by comorbidities.

Methods: We report genetic, clinical, histological and biological characteristics of new cases of ABL (n =7) and Ho-FHBL (n = 7), and compare them with all published ABL (51) and Ho-FHBL (22) probands.

Have serological tests changed the face of childhood coeliac disease? A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate if the use of antitransglutaminase (tTG) and antiendomysium (EM) antibodies has modified the profile of coeliac disease (CD) in children.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Monocentric study, in one major tertiary centre in Paris.

Classification of and risk factors for hematologic complications in a French national cohort of 102 patients with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome.

Background: Patients with the Shwachman-Diamond syndrome often develop hematologic complications. No risk factors for these complications have so far been identified. The aim of this study was to classify the hematologic complications occurring in patients with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome and to investigate the risk factors for these complications.

Low rate of production of apolipoproteins B100 and AI in 2 patients with Anderson disease (chylomicron retention disease).

Objective: Anderson disease is a rare inherited lipid malabsorption syndrome associated with hypocholesterolemia and linked to SAR1B mutations. The aim of this article was to analyze the mechanisms responsible for the low plasma apolipoprotein Apo-B100 and Apo-AI in 2 patients with Anderson disease.

Methods And Results: A primed constant infusion of (13)C-leucine was administered for 14 hours to determine the kinetics of lipoproteins.

Pediatric ulcerative colitis associated with autoimmune diseases: a distinct form of inflammatory bowel disease?

Background: The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is multifactorial, with some patients presenting additional autoimmune symptoms. Inflammatory colitis associated with autoimmune (AI) liver disease appears to have clinical features different from those of "classical" ulcerative colitis (CUC). The aim of this study was to describe these features, in order to differentiate a subgroup of colitis associated with autoimmunity (CAI) from CUC.

Tolerance and efficacy of azathioprine in pediatric Crohn's disease.

Background: Thiopurines are considered first-line immunomodulators for the prevention of relapse in moderate to severe pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). Early introduction of thiopurines was shown in a pediatric trial to maintain steroid-free remission in 90% of patients for 18 months. In the present study we analyzed the tolerance and efficacy of azathioprine (AZA) to maintain remission in a homogenous single-center observational cohort of children with CD.

Monitoring of anti-transglutaminase autoantibodies in pediatric celiac disease using a sensitive radiobinding assay.

Objectives: The diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) is based on the histological identification of gluten-sensitive enteropathy and detection of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA) and/or endomysial antibodies. Serial measurements of tTGA are now recommended as a follow-up strategy to monitor compliance with a gluten-free diet (GFD). We evaluated the performances of a quantitative radiobinding assay (RBA) of tTGA immunoglobulin A at diagnosis and during monitoring of GFD in pediatric CD.

Loss-of-function of MYO5B is the main cause of microvillus inclusion disease: 15 novel mutations and a CaCo-2 RNAi cell model.

Autosomal recessive microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) is characterized by an intractable diarrhea starting within the first few weeks of life. The hallmarks of MVID are a lack of microvilli on the surface of villous enterocytes, occurrence of intracellular vacuoles lined by microvilli (microvillus inclusions), and the cytoplasmic accumulation of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive vesicles in enterocytes. Recently, we identified mutations in MYO5B, encoding the unconventional type Vb myosin motor protein, in a first cohort of nine MVID patients.

12-month follow-up after successful infliximab therapy in pediatric crohn disease.

Aim: Infliximab (IFX) therapy is highly efficacious for the induction and maintenance of remission in pediatric Crohn disease (CD). However, to date it is unclear how long patients should be given IFX. Given the increasing safety concerns about the concomitant and prolonged use of IFX and azathioprine in CD, we wanted to address the clinical outcome in pediatric CD patients who responded to IFX medication, once IFX was stopped.

Long-term follow-up of 61 coeliac patients diagnosed in childhood: evolution toward latency is possible on a normal diet.

Background/aims: Whether a life-long gluten-free diet (GFD) is necessary in all children with diagnosed coeliac disease (CD) remains debated. To address this question, a retrospective analysis of the clinical and biological status of adult coeliac patients diagnosed in childhood, who remained on a normal diet after gluten challenge and were clinically silent, was carried out.

Methods: Patients aged 18-65 years with CD diagnosed in childhood were included.

Characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease with onset during the first year of life.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is recognized in young children, however, only rare data on onset and evolution are available in children younger than 1 year. In the present clinical study, we aimed to analyze characteristics and clinical course of children with very early onset IBD. We were particularly interested in the relationship between bacterial infections and the use of antibiotics before the onset of IBD.

Adulthood-onset celiac disease is associated with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene polymorphism.

Celiac disease (CD) is a multifactorial T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease characterized by gluten-triggered villous atrophy and malabsorption. Although human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes are strong susceptibility factors, non-HLA genes likely contribute to most of CD predisposition. The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene is a good candidate for CD predisposition because its encoded protein acts as an adhesion and costimulatory receptor.

Microvillous inclusion disease (microvillous atrophy).

Microvillous inclusion disease (MVID) or microvillous atrophy is a congenital disorder of the intestinal epithelial cells that presents with persistent life-threatening watery diarrhea and is characterized by morphological enterocyte abnormalities. MVID manifests either in the first days of life (early-onset form) or in the first two months (late-onset form) of life. MVID is a very rare disorder of unknown origin, probably transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait.

Implication of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in inflammatory intestinal epithelial lesions.

Background & Aims: Few data exist on the molecular events causing intestinal epithelial destruction during inflammatory processes, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this work, we analyzed the potential implication of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) in these inflammatory lesions.

Methods: TRAIL and TRAIL-receptor expression were analyzed in normal, inflammatory ileum/colon and human intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines (HIEC), Caco-2, and HT-29 using RNase protection assay, real-time and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis.

A direct role for NKG2D/MICA interaction in villous atrophy during celiac disease.

MICA molecules interact with the NKG2D-activating receptor on human NK and CD8 T cells. We investigated the participation of the MICA/NKG2D pathway in the destruction of intestinal epithelium by intraepithelial T lymphocytes (IEL) in Celiac disease and its premalignant complication, refractory sprue. We show that MICA is strongly expressed at epithelial cell surface in patients with active disease and is induced by gliadin or its p31-49 derived peptide upon in vitro challenge, an effect relayed by IL-15.

New perspectives for children with microvillous inclusion disease: early small bowel transplantation.

Background: Microvillous inclusion disease (MVID) is a congenital intestinal epithelial cell disorder leading to lifelong intestinal failure. Despite long-term total parenteral nutrition, life expectancy is extremely reduced because of metabolic or septic complications or liver failure.

Methods: Twelve patients with early-onset MVID were evaluated between 1995 and 2002 for the possibility of small bowel transplantation (SbTx).