Biofilms in the large bowel suggest an apparent function of the human vermiform appendix
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| Title: | Biofilms in the large bowel suggest an apparent function of the human vermiform appendix |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Randal Bollinger, R.1,2, Barbas, Andrew S.1, Bush, Errol L.1, Lin, Shu S.1,2, Parker, William1 bparker@duke.edu |
| Source: | Journal of Theoretical Biology. Dec2007, Vol. 249 Issue 4, p826-831. 6p. |
| Subjects: | Microbial aggregation, Microbial ecology, Biofilms, Fungus-bacterium relationships |
| Abstract: | Abstract: The human vermiform (“worm-like”) appendix is a 5–10cm long and 0.5–1cm wide pouch that extends from the cecum of the large bowel. The architecture of the human appendix is unique among mammals, and few mammals other than humans have an appendix at all. The function of the human appendix has long been a matter of debate, with the structure often considered to be a vestige of evolutionary development despite evidence to the contrary based on comparative primate anatomy. The appendix is thought to have some immune function based on its association with substantial lymphatic tissue, although the specific nature of that putative function is unknown. Based (a) on a recently acquired understanding of immune-mediated biofilm formation by commensal bacteria in the mammalian gut, (b) on biofilm distribution in the large bowel, (c) the association of lymphoid tissue with the appendix, (d) the potential for biofilms to protect and support colonization by commensal bacteria, and (e) on the architecture of the human bowel, we propose that the human appendix is well suited as a “safe house” for commensal bacteria, providing support for bacterial growth and potentially facilitating re-inoculation of the colon in the event that the contents of the intestinal tract are purged following exposure to a pathogen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier] |
| Copyright of Journal of Theoretical Biology is the property of Academic Press Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 27692250 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Biofilms in the large bowel suggest an apparent function of the human vermiform appendix – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Randal+Bollinger%2C+R%2E%22">Randal Bollinger, R.</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Barbas%2C+Andrew+S%2E%22">Barbas, Andrew S.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bush%2C+Errol+L%2E%22">Bush, Errol L.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lin%2C+Shu+S%2E%22">Lin, Shu S.</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Parker%2C+William%22">Parker, William</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> bparker@duke.edu</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Theoretical+Biology%22">Journal of Theoretical Biology</searchLink>. Dec2007, Vol. 249 Issue 4, p826-831. 6p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Microbial+aggregation%22">Microbial aggregation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Microbial+ecology%22">Microbial ecology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biofilms%22">Biofilms</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fungus-bacterium+relationships%22">Fungus-bacterium relationships</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Abstract: The human vermiform (“worm-like”) appendix is a 5–10cm long and 0.5–1cm wide pouch that extends from the cecum of the large bowel. The architecture of the human appendix is unique among mammals, and few mammals other than humans have an appendix at all. The function of the human appendix has long been a matter of debate, with the structure often considered to be a vestige of evolutionary development despite evidence to the contrary based on comparative primate anatomy. The appendix is thought to have some immune function based on its association with substantial lymphatic tissue, although the specific nature of that putative function is unknown. Based (a) on a recently acquired understanding of immune-mediated biofilm formation by commensal bacteria in the mammalian gut, (b) on biofilm distribution in the large bowel, (c) the association of lymphoid tissue with the appendix, (d) the potential for biofilms to protect and support colonization by commensal bacteria, and (e) on the architecture of the human bowel, we propose that the human appendix is well suited as a “safe house” for commensal bacteria, providing support for bacterial growth and potentially facilitating re-inoculation of the colon in the event that the contents of the intestinal tract are purged following exposure to a pathogen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Theoretical Biology is the property of Academic Press Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2007.08.032 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 6 StartPage: 826 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Microbial aggregation Type: general – SubjectFull: Microbial ecology Type: general – SubjectFull: Biofilms Type: general – SubjectFull: Fungus-bacterium relationships Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Biofilms in the large bowel suggest an apparent function of the human vermiform appendix Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Randal Bollinger, R. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Barbas, Andrew S. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Bush, Errol L. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Lin, Shu S. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Parker, William IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 21 M: 12 Text: Dec2007 Type: published Y: 2007 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00225193 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 249 – Type: issue Value: 4 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Theoretical Biology Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
