title: Dynamic efficiency of the human intestinal microbiota.
abstract: The emerging dynamic dimensions of the human intestinal microbiota (IM) are challenging the traditional definition of healthy gut microbiota, principally based on the static concepts of phylogenetic and functional core. On the other hand, recent researches are revealing that the microbiota plasticity is strategic for several aspects of our biology, addressing the different immunological and metabolic needs at various ages, and adjusting the ecosystem services in response to different lifestyle, physiological states or diets. In light of these studies, we propose to revise the traditional concept of healthy human IM, including its degree of plasticity among the fundamental requisites for providing host health. In order to make a model taking into account the relative importance of IM core functions and plasticity for the maintenance of host health, we address to Economics, where the efficiency of a productive system is measured by computing static and dynamic parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology and.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Candela
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Biagi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turroni
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maccaferri
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Figini
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brigidi
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota
keywords: Core functions; human health; individual homeostasis; intestinal microbiota; plasticity