Lactobacillus Intestinalis Primes Epithelial Cells to Suppress Colitis-Related Th17 Response by Host-Microbe Retinoic Acid Biosynthesis.

Gut microbiome is integral to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. A novel probiotic Lactobacillus intestinalis (L. intestinalis) exerts a protective effect against dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice. Based on flow cytometry, colitis-associated Th17 cells are the target of L. intestinalis, which is supported by the lack of protective effects of L. intestinalis in T cell-null Rag1-/- mice or upon anti-IL-17-A antibody-treated mice. Although L. intestinalis exerts no direct effect on T cell differentiation, it decreases C/EBPA-driven gut epithelial SAA1 and SAA2 production, which in turn impairs Th17 cell differentiation. Cometabolism of L. intestinalis ALDH and host ALDH1A2 contributed to elevated biosynthesis of retinoic acid (RA), which accounts for the anti-colitis effect in RAR-α -mediated way. In a cohort of ulcerative colitis patients, it is observed that fecal abundance of L. intestinalis is negatively associated with the C/EBPA-SAA1/2-Th17 axis. Finally, L. intestinalis has a synergistic effect with mesalazine in alleviating murine colitis. In conclusion, L. intestinalis and associated metabolites, RA, have potential therapeutic effects for suppressing colonic inflammation by modulating the crosstalk between intestinal epithelia and immunity.

Serum soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 concentration predicts delirium after acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation can cause delirium. Soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFGL2) is a modulator of the immune response and more recently found to be a biomarker for brain injury. This study was designed to discover the predictive capability of serum sFGL2 concentrations for delirium after acute pancreatitis (AP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, serum sFGL2 concentrations were quantified in 184 healthy controls and in 184 AP patients. Disease severity was assessed by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Care Evaluation II score, Ranson score, multiple organ dysfunction score, and sequential organ failure assessment score. Delirium was recorded during hospital stay. Predictors of delirium were identified using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Serum sFGL2 concentrations were substantially higher in AP patients than in controls. Serum sFGL2 concentrations were intimately correlated with the preceding severity parameters. Serum sFGL2 and the aforementioned severity parameters were independent predictors for delirium. Under receiver operating characteristic curve, the discriminatory ability of serum sFGL2 was equivalent to those of the above-mentioned severity parameters. Moreover, serum sFGL2 dramatically improved the predictive value of the aforementioned severity parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of serum sFGL2 concentrations is strongly associated with the AP severity and has the potential to distinguish delirium after AP.

[The prognosis of the total proctocolectomy and ileal-pouch anal anastomosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognosis of the total proctocolectomy and ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). METHODS: Sixty-one patients with ulcer colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis were performed total proctocolectomy and ileal pouches-anal anastomosis during 1985 to 2002. There are S type pouch 25 cases, S-J type pouch 13 cases, J type pouch 17 cases and W type pouch 6 cases. The complication and function after the IPAA were also discussed. RESULTS: No patient died after operation. The total morbidity is 16% (10/61), the morbidity of group UC (6/25) is higher than FAP's (4/34). The W type pouch's morbidity is higher than other three types', the operation with stapled technique is associated with fewer complication than hand-sewn IPAA (2/20 vs 8/41), however, there is also no significant difference between them. The number of stools per 24 hours is 4.2, the percent of the normal continence of daytime and nighttime is 84% (43/51) and 75% (38/51) respectively. There's only about 6% (3/51) patient with fecal incontinence. The most patients are satisfied with IPAA. CONCLUSION: The proctocolectomy ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for FAP and UC has few complication with accepted frequency and preserve a good anal function, it is an ideal alternative approach.

[Minilaparotomy approach for curative resection of colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a minilaparotomy approach for curative resection of colorectal cancer in comparison with the conventional laparotomy. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients underwent radical resection for rectal cancer with minilaparotomy during April 2001 to December 2002. The minilaparotomy involved complete resection and a skin incision 2 cm above the link line of left anterior superior iliac spine to pubic symphysis and was about 7-10 cm in length. Another 86 patients who served as control group underwent a similar resection with a conventional laparotomy during the same period. RESULT: The minilaparotomy approach was successful in all 78 patients. The general status of patients, operative types and histopathological features of tumor were similar in the two groups (P>0.05). Operative blood loss in control group was greater (P<0.001), whereas incision length in minilaparotomy group was significantly shorter than that in conventional laparotomy (9.38 cm compared with 17.32 cm). The operative time, analgesia requirement, first passing flatus,first oral fluids and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the minilaparotomy group (P<0. 001). In an average 25.4-month follow-up, there were no tumor recurrences in the minilaparotomy group. CONCLUSION: A minilaparotomy approach for curative resection of rectal cancer may be an ideal alternative approach to conventional laparotomy.