AIM: To investigate the expression of Th22 cells and related cytokines in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, and the probably mechanism. METHODS: CRC tumor and paratumor tissues were collected to detect the expression levels of Th22 cells and of related cytokines by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Interleukin (IL)-22 alone or with a STAT3 inhibitor was co-cultured with RKO cells in vitro to study the effects of IL-22 on colon cancer cells. IL-22 alone or with a STAT3 inhibitor was injected into a BALB/c nude mouse model with subcutaneously transplanted RKO cells to study the effects of IL-22 on colon cancer growth. RESULTS: The percentage of Th22 cells in the CD4⁺ T subset was significantly higher in tumor tissues compared with that in paratumor tissues (1.47% ± 0.083% vs 1.23% ± 0.077%, P < 0.05) as determined by flow cytometry. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the mRNA expression levels of IL-22, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, CCL20 and CCL22 were significantly higher in tumor tissues compared with those in paratumor tissues. CCL27 mRNA also displayed a higher expression level in tumor tissues compared with that in paratumor tissues; however, these levels were not significantly different (2.58 ± 0.93 vs 2.30 ± 0.78, P > 0.05). IL-22 enhanced colon cancer cell proliferation in vitro and displayed anti-apoptotic effects; these effects were blocked by adding a STAT3 inhibitor. IL-22 promoted tumor growth in BALB/c nude mice; however, this effect was reversed by adding a STAT3 inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Th22 cells that accumulate in CRC may be associated with the chemotactic effect of the tumor microenvironment. IL-22 is associated with CRC development, most likely via STAT3 activation.

Introduction: We conducted a meta-analysis in order to investigate the effect of histamine-2-receptor antagonists (H₂RA) versus sucralfate on stress ulcer prophylaxis in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A systematic literature search of Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1966 to January 2010) was conducted using specific search terms. A review of Web of Science and a manual review of references were also performed. Eligible studies were randomized control trials (RCTs) that compared H₂RA and sucralfate for the prevention of stress ulcer in mechanically ventilated patients. Main outcome measures were rates of overt bleeding, clinically important gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, ventilator-associated pneumonia, gastric colonization and ICU mortality. Results: Ten RCTs with 2,092 participants on mechanical ventilation were identified. Meta-analysis showed there was a trend toward decreased overt bleeding when H₂RA was compared with sucralfate (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.49 to 1.53). A total of 12 clinically important GI bleeding events occurred among 667 patients (1.8%) in the H₂RA group compared with 26 events among 673 patients (3.9%) in the sucralfate groups. Prophylaxis with sucralfate decreased the incidence of gastric colonization (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.29 to 3.19) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.64). Subgroup analysis showed H₂RA was not superior to sucralfate in reducing early-onset pneumonia (OR = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.36 to 1.07) but had a higher late-onset pneumonia rate (OR = 4.36, 95%CI: 2.09 to 9.09) relative to sucralfate. No statistically significant reduction was observed in mortality of ICU between groups (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.34). Conclusions: In patients with mechanical ventilation, H₂RA resulted in no differential effectiveness in treating overt bleeding, but had higher rates of gastric colonization and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Additional RCTs of stress ulcer prophylaxis with H₂RA and sucralfate are needed to establish the net benefit and risks of adverse effect in mechanically ventilated patients.

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Purpose: The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) has been reported as a useful tool for predicting the prognosis of many diseases; however, there is currently little research on the relationship between GNRI and outcomes in elderly colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study aimed to explore the value of GNRI in evaluating postoperative complication risk and long-term prognosis in elderly CRC patients. Patients and Methods: The medical records of 230 CRC patients aged≥65 years who underwent surgery between January 2012 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into abnormal and normal GNRI groups by modified binary classification. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between GNRI and complication risk. The Kaplan–Meier method with log-rank test was used to construct survival curves. The Cox proportional hazard model was used for univariate, multivariate and subgroup survival analyses to assess the relationship between GNRI and long-term prognosis. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GNRI (p = 0.009, HR 2.280, 95% CI: 1.224–4.247) was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications in elderly CRC patients. Kaplan–Meier survival curves revealed that the abnormal GNRI group had significantly lower disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.005) and overall survival (OS; p=0.007) than the normal GNRI group had, especially in TNM I stage. In multivariate survival analysis, GNRI was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (p = 0.003, HR 1.842, 95% CI: 1.229–2.760) and OS (p = 0.003, HR 1.852, 95% CI: 1.231–2.787). Conclusion: GNRI is a simple and effective tool for predicting the risk of postoperative complications and the long-term prognosis of postoperative elderly CRC patients and can provide a scientific basis for early nutrition interventions in elderly CRC patients.