Intestinal Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Diseases

Call for Papers

Adult humans live in symbiosis with several bacteria species exceeding the number of host somatic cells by at least one order of magnitude. In particular, intestinal microbiota is a complex microbiological system composed of parasites, virus, yeast, and, above all, bacteria. Bacterial concentration varies along the gastrointestinal tract increasing from 10³ colonic forming units/ml in the upper intestinal tract to 10¹⁴ in the colon.

Intestinal ecoflora is responsible for integrity and function of gastrointestinal tract. It plays a role in the defence from pathogenic microorganisms, in the stimulation of the immune system, in the control of metabolic and trophic function of epithelial cells, and in the synthesis of vitamins and nutrients. It also exerts remarkable effects in the development and maintenance of gut sensory and motor functions, including the promotion of intestinal propulsive activity.

However, in addition to their health-inducing capacities, bacteria in the digestive tract can also exert pathogenic properties. There is emerging evidence indicating that quantitative and qualitative changes in intestinal flora contribute to the pathogenesis of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases, including malabsorption syndromes, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, sepsis, and multisystem organ failure. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Composition and function of intestinal microbiota
• Intestinal microbiota and intestinal diseases
• Intestinal microbiota and extraintestinal diseases
• Modulation of intestinal microbiota

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/grp/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable:

Lead Guest Editor

• Ernesto Cristiano Lauritano, Department of Emergency Medicine, ASO “SS. A. B. C. Arrigo”, Via Venezia 16, 15100 Alessandria, Italy

Guest Editors

• Antonio Gasbarrini, Department of Gastroenterology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
• Maurizio Gabrielli, Department of Emergency Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
• Alessandro Armuzzi, Departments of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Integrated Complex Columbus, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Via Moscati 31, 00168 Rome, Italy
• Domenico Drago, Department of Digestive Endoscopy, ASO “SS. A. B. C. Arrigo”, Via Venezia 16, 15100 Alessandria, Italy
• Emidio Scarpellini, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium