Smokers' intention and attempts to quit smoking in a district of Beijing Municipality / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the smoking cessation intention and attempt to quit smoking among smokers at ages of 15 years and older in a district of Beijing Municipality, so as to provide insights into formulation of tobacco control interventions. @*Methods@#Permanent residents at ages of 15 years and older were sampled using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method from a district in Beijing Municipality, and all smokers were recruited. Participants' demographic features, tobacco use, intention to quit smoking, attempts to quit smoking and awareness of tobacco-related hazards were collected using the Beijing Adult Tobacco Survey. The intention and attempts to quit smoking were analyzed among smokers, and factors affecting the attempt to quit smoking were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. @*Results@#A total of 687 smokers were surveyed, including 669 men (97.38%), 497 from rural areas (72.34%), 351 daily smokers (51.09%), 336 occasional smokers (48.91%), 329 with intention to quit smoking (47.89%), and 178 with attempts to quit smoking during the past one year (25.91%). Univariable analysis showed that area, age, educational level, smoking status, tobacco health literacy and tobacco control information acquired from media were factors affecting intention and attempts to quit smoking among smokers (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that smokers with intention to quit smoking (OR=5.444, 95%CI: 3.585-8.268) and occasional smoking (OR=2.142, 95%CI: 1.312-3.497) were more likely to attempt to quit smoking. @*Conclusions@#Approximately half of smokers have intention to quit smoking in a district of Beijing Municipality; however, the percentage of attempts to quit smoking is low. Targeted interventions are required for smokers with different characteristics to improve the intention to quit smoking and promote smoking-quitting behaviors.

Risk assessment of unintention injury among preschool children in Shunyi District of Beijing / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the current situation and associated factors of unintentional injury among preschool children in Shunyi District, and to provide reference for the development of unintentional injury intervention measures.@*Methods@#Three kindergartens in Shunyi district were selected through stratified cluster sampling method, and all the parents were surveyed online by self-designed questionnaire.@*Results@#The proportion of low, medium and high risk assessment of unintentional injury in preschool children were 59.5%, 37.5% and 3.0%, respectively. Risk of unintentional injury increased significantly with age and grade(χ 2=12.35, 12.70, P<0.05). The risk of unintentional injury in inter-generational care (3.7%) was higher than that in parental care(2.4%). The higher the education level of the primary caretaker and family income, the higher level of unintentional injury risk(χ 2=11.23, 14.10, P<0.05).There were significant differences in the risk for burning, poisoning, other accidental injury, prevention of accidental injury and total score of unintentional injury among children of different ages and classes(F=8.26，5.61，4.95，6.15，7.86；9.88，8.39，4.25，6.27，7.55，P<0.05). There was statistical significance in burning risk between boys and girls(t=-4.27, P<0.05). There was statistical significance in unintentional injury prevention between children of different residence(t=9.11, P<0.05). There were significant differences in behavior supervision among risk among children of different ages and grades(P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that education level of primary caregivers (college:B=-2.66, 95%CI=-4.69--0.63; bachelor degree or higher:B=-3.80, 95%CI=-5.90--1.70), annual family income (B=-2.82, 95%CI=-4.80--0.84) were associated with unintentional injury risk of preschool children(P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Health education of unintentional injury prevention among preschool children should focus on the primary caretaker with low education and low family income, which is crucial for prevention of children s injury.

Modified Xiaochaihu Decoction () Promotes Collagen Degradation and Inhibits Pancreatic Fibrosis in Chronic Pancreatitis Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Modified Xiaochaihu Decoction (MXD, ) on collagen degradation in rats with chronic pancreatitis (CP). METHODS: Rats were injected dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC, 7 mg/kg of body weight) into the right caudal vein to induce CP model. Thirty heallhy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups by a random number table: the control, the model and the treatment groups. Rats of treatment group were administered MXD (10 g/kg of body weight) orally once daily starting from the day post-model establishment. Pancreatic tissues were harvested after 28-day feeding and fibrosis was evaluated by picro-sirius red staining. The contents of collagen type I and III were detected using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) was analyzed by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The fibrosis scoring of pancreatic tissues, the concentrations of collagen type I and III, the expression levels of MMP13 and TIMP1 proteins and mRNA in the model group were all increased compared with the control group (P<0.05). After treatment with MXD, the fibrosis scoring of pancreatic tissues, the concentrations of collagen type I and III, the expression levels of MMP13 proteins and mRNA in the teatment group were all decreased compared with the model group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in the expression levels of TIMP1 proteins and mRNA (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MXD could promote collagen degradation and reverse pancreatic fibrosis in CP rats via a mechanism involve up-regulation of MMP13 expression.

Epidemic trend of tobacco use among junior middle school students in Shunyi District of Beijing in 2013-2017 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the epidemic trend of tobacco use among junior middle school students in Shunyi District of Beijing in recent 5 years, and to provide scientific basis for formulating adolescent tobacco control strategies and intervention measures.@*Methods@#The two stage sampling method was used to survey 3 junior middle school schools randomly selected from Shunyi District, Beijing, in November 2013, December 2015 and November 2017. The number of students surveyed each year was 1 520, 1 404 and 1 467 respectively.@*Results@#A total of 4 500 questionnaires were distributed and 4 391 questionnaires were valid, with an effective rate of 97.6%. The current smoking rate and the attempting smoking rate in Shunyi District junior high school students increased substantially, the difference was statistically significant(χ2=9.15, 11.54, P<0.01). The exposure rate of second-hand smoke among junior high school students in Shunyi District is increasing year by year. The current smoking rate and the attempting smoking rate of second-hand smoke at home and in public places were higher than those of non-exposed ones. The differences in the current smoking rates of junior high school students (χ2=25.86, 37.61, P<0.01) and the attempting smoking rate (χ2=49.51, 63-86, P<0.01) were statistically significant. The influence of Shunyi District junior high school students through different tobacco information access channels on the current smoking rate of junior high school students increased year by year. Different tobacco information access channels have significant difference in the influence of the junior middle school students’ attempting smoking rate(P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The overall tobacco use of junior high school students in Shunyi District of Beijing is increasing by year. The exposure of second-hand smoke is not optimistic, and the supervision of tobacco information acquisition channels is urgent to be strengthened.

Inhibiting autophagy promotes collagen degradation by regulating matrix metalloproteinases in pancreatic stellate cells.

AIMS: Autophagy is an intracellular metabolic process that degrades and recycles own constituents to maintain homeostasis and supply substrates. Disruption of collagen degradation is one of the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of inhibiting autophagy on the collagen degradation of PSCs. MAIN METHODS: Rats were injected dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) to induce chronic pancreatitis (CP) model. The expression of LC3B was measured by western blotting. Rat PSCs were isolated from pancreas tissues, and the experiments used the primary PSCs. Autophagosome was confirmed by transmission electron microscope. Immunofluorescence for LC3B and α-SMA were applied to assess autophagy and activated PSCs. The effects of autophagy inhibition of 3-MA on the expressions of LC3B, Atg5, and Beclin-1 were investigated by real-time PCR and Western blotting, as well as the α-SMA, TGF-ß1, ColI, Col III, FN, MMP-2, MMP-13, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. Meanwhile, the secretion of ColI, Col III and FN were investigated by ELISA. KEY FINDINGS: The LC3-II/I ratio was increased in rat CP model. Autophagosomes and an increased autophagic level were observed during PSCs activation. Inhibiting autophagy could down-regulate the expressions of α-SMA, TGF-ß1, FN, ColI, Col III, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, while the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-13 were increased. SIGNIFICANCE: This study confirmed that autophagic level is increased during PSCs activation in vivo and in vitro. Inhibiting autophagy prevents the activation of PSCs, and suppresses fibrosis through promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by decreasing the expression of TGF-ß1 and increasing MMPs/TIMPs ratio.

Epidemiological and clinical features of laboratory-diagnosed severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in China, 2011-17: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease with an increasing case number and extensive geographical expansion, raising concerns locally and globally; however, the description of its clinical features needs to be addressed by large studies. We aimed to determine all the clinical features of SFTS in a large population of patients in an endemic area. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, data were collected on patients admitted to the People's Liberation Army Hospital in Xinyang, Henan Province, China, with laboratory-diagnosed SFTS. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were collected for each patient, and patients were followed up within 2 weeks after discharge or discontinuation of treatment. The association between each demographic, clinical, and laboratory variable with a fatal outcome was assessed. A clinical scoring model was designed for the early prediction of a fatal outcome, and the effect of treatment on outcome was analysed. FINDINGS: Between April 1, 2011, and Oct 31, 2017, 2096 patients with laboratory-confirmed SFTS were admitted. Mean age at admission was 61·4 years (SD 12·2) and 1239 (59%) patients were female. The case fatality rate (CFR) was 16·2% (95% CI 14·6-17·8). A higher risk was associated with being male (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 1·45, 95% CI 1·15-1·83; p=0·002), older age (for a 10-year increase, unadjusted OR 1·82, 95% CI 1·62-2·04; p<0·0001), longer delay in admission (for every extra day taken before admission to hospital, unadjusted OR 1·18, 1·12-1·24; p<0·0001), presence of diarrhoea (adjusted OR 1·44, 1·12-1·87; p=0·005) or dyspnoea (adjusted OR 8·35, 5·97-11·69; p<0·0001), and development of haemorrhagic signs (adjusted OR 2·79, 95% CI 2·18-3·57; p<0·0001) or neurological symptoms (adjusted OR 30·26, 21·39-42·81; p<0·0001). Laboratory variables that were associated with death included abnormal concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and blood urea nitrogen, and abnormal neutrophil percentage, which together with age and neurological symptoms were combined in the clinical scoring system. A total score of more than 8 was the optimal threshold to predict risk of death for patients who were evaluated within 6 days after symptom onset (area under the curve 0·879, 95% CI 0·855-0·902). For all participants, viraemia was a strong predictor of fatal outcome (all p<0·0001). Ribavirin therapy was effective in reducing CFR from 6·25% (15 of 240 participants) to 1·16% (two of 173 participants), but only in patients with a viral load below 1×106 copies per mL (hazard ratio 9·72, 95% CI 1·30-72·87; p=0·027). INTERPRETATION: The changing epidemiological features and high CFR of SFTS underscore the necessity of continued surveillance. Early prediction of fatal outcome can be attained by monitoring of clinical and laboratory data. Ribavirin should be applied early, with best results achieved before the viral load reaches 1 × 106 copies per mL. FUNDING: National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Identification of tick-borne pathogen diversity by metagenomic analysis in Haemaphysalis longicornis from Xinyang, China.

BACKGROUND: A wide variety of pathogens could be maintained and transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis. The aim of this study is to systematically examine the variety of pathogens carried by Haemaphysalis longicornis, an importnatn vector, in tick-borne diseases epidemic area, and to estimate the risk of human infection imposed by tick bites. METHODS: Adult questing ticks were collected in Xinyang, central China. Genomic DNA and RNA were extracted from 144 H. longicornis ticks individually, and sequenced respectively as the templates for high-throughput sequencing. Clean reads were compared against the database of NCBI nucleotide collection and specific PCR was performed to confirm the presence of pathogen. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to explore the evolutionary status of pathogens. RESULTS: The assignment of reads to taxa based on BLASTN results revealed the existence of several potential pathogens, including Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Babesia sp., as well as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (SFTSV). Comfirmantory PCR assays revealed the existence of Anaplasma bovis (13/144, 9.03%), Anaplasma centrale (2/144, 1.39%), Rickettsia heilongjiangensis (3/144, 2.08%), Rickettsia sp. LON-13 (1/144, 0.69%), Rickettsia raoultii (5/144, 3.47%), Babesia sp. (1/144, 0.69%). SFTSV accounted for the highest detected pathogen with a positive rate of 18.75% (27/144). Three of the ticks (2.08%) were co-infected with SFTSV and A. bovis. CONCLUSION: Our study provided a broadened list of microorganism that harbored by H. longicornis. In previously unrecognized endemic regions, prokaryotic and eukaryotic infection including Anaplasma spp., Rickettsiae spp., and Babesia spp. should be considered, along with the well-known SFTSV for patients with tick bites history. A novel Babesia species was identified in local natural foci, which needs further investigation in the future.

Transmission of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus by Haemaphysalis longicornis Ticks, China.

We demonstrate maintenance and transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in the larva, nymph, and adult stages with dissemination in salivary gland, midgut, and ovarian tissues. The H. longicornis tick is a competent vector to transmit this virus in both transovarial and transstadial modes.

Realization of a compact one-seed laser system for atom interferometer-based gravimeters.

A simple and compact design of the laser system is important for realization of compact atom interferometers (AIs). We design and realize a simple fiber bench-based 780-nm laser system used for 85Rb AI-based gravimeters. The laser system contains only one 780 nm seed laser, and the traditional frequency-doubling-module is not used. The Raman beams are shared with one pair of the cooling beams by using a liquid crystal variable retarder based polarization control technique. This laser system is applied to a compact AI-based gravimeter, and a best gravity measurement sensitivity of 230 µGal/Hz1/2 is achieved. The gravity measurements for more than one day are also performed, and the long-term stability of the gravimeter is 5.5 µGal.

Amygdalin improves microcirculatory disturbance and attenuates pancreatic fibrosis by regulating the expression of endothelin-1 and calcitonin gene-related peptide in rats.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex process of interaction between tissue injury and repair, which involves microcirculatory disturbance. Amygdalin, an effective component extracted from Semen Persicae (a kind of Chinese herbal medicine), can decrease blood viscosity and improve microcirculation. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of amygdalin on pancreatic fibrosis in rats with CP. METHODS: The rat CP model was induced by injecting dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) into the right caudal vein. Amygdalin was administrated via the penile vein at a dose of 10 mg/(kg d) from the next day, after the induction of CP, once a day for the previous 3 days, and then once every 2 days, until the end of the experiment. Body weight was observed every 7 days. Pancreatic blood flow and histopathological changes were assessed at 28 days. The activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) was estimated by the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). At the same time, the expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor ß-1 (TGFß-1), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) of pancreatic tissues were detected. RESULTS: Treatment of CP rats with amygdalin improved body weight and pancreatic blood flow, as well as alleviated pancreatic fibrosis and acinar destruction, accompanied by the down-regulation of the expressions of α-SMA, PDGF-BB, TGFß-1, and ET-1, and the up-regulation of the CGRP's expression. CONCLUSION: Amygdalin could reduce the production of pro-fibrotic cytokines, inhibit the activation of PSCs, and attenuate pancreatic fibrosis in a rat with CP. The mechanism probably includes improving microcirculatory disturbance by regulating the production of ET-1 and CGRP.

Human Infection with Novel Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Genotype, China, 2015.

Only 4 species of spotted fever group rickettsiae have been detected in humans in China. However, phylogenetic analysis of samples from 5 ill patients in China indicated infection with a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia, designated Rickettsia sp. XY99. Clinical signs resembled those of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Complicated by Co-infection with Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae, China.

During 2013-2015 in central China, co-infection with spotted fever group rickettsiae was identified in 77 of 823 patients infected with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus. Co-infection resulted in delayed recovery and increased risk for death, prompting clinical practices in the region to consider co-infection in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

The platelet derived growth factor-B polymorphism is associated with risk of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Chinese individuals.

BACKGROUND: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel bunyavirus named SFTS virus (SFTSV). We hypothesize that host genetic variations may contribute to susceptibility to SFTS. RESULTS: Compared with the rs1800818 AA genotype, AG + GG genotypes were significantly associated with increased susceptibility to SFTS (odds ratio, 1.66, 95% confidence interval = 1.28-2.16; P < 0.001). By using the ELISA assay, we observed that PDGF-BB concentration was significantly reduced in acute phase of patients than in the controls (P < 0.001) and recovered patients at 6 month (P = 0.007) and 12 month (P = 0.003). A persistently reduced PDGF-BB was also revealed from the SFTSV-infected C57BL/6J mice (P < 0.001). The rs1800818 G allele was associated with decreased serum PDGF-BB levels in SFTS patients at their early infection (P = 0.015). In accordance, the relative mRNA levels of the at-risk G allele of 1800818 were lower than those of the A allele in heterozygous cell from acute phase of SFTS patients. PDGF-B rs1800818 conferred no susceptibility to severe or fatal outcome in SFTS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An initially small-scale case-control association study guided the selection of platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) rs1800818 in 1020 SFTS patients and 1353 controls. Functional analyses were conducted to verify the biological significance of rs1800818 polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the PDGF-B rs1800818 polymorphism might play a role in mediating the susceptibility to SFTS.

The prospective evaluation of viral loads in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), caused by novel bunyavirus (SFTSV) is a potentially fatal disease that was first identified in China. Person to person transmission through contact with blood or body fluids was considered as an important infection route. OBJECTIVES: The study is designed to investigate the longitudinal viral loads following SFTSV infection and to identify factors affecting viral shedding in SFTS patients. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was performed on 208 laboratory-confirmed SFTSV infected patients in Xinyang, Henan Province. Sequential serum samples were collected on admission and during the hospitalization for quantification of SFTSV RNA by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The viral RNA was undetectable in 55.6% of the patients on admission into the hospital, becoming detectable in most cases until three days and attained maximum level on six days after disease onset. This was followed by an obvious decrease thereafter, but maintained detectable for over 20 days. Viral load was independently predictable of severe disease outcome throughout the hospitalization. Viral load of >10(7)copies/mL was predictable of fatal outcome. The serum levels of PLT, WBC, LDH, AST and CK were significantly associated with viral loads level. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of SFTSV infection based on PCR test should be performed at least three days after disease onset. Peaking viral loads were attained around six days after disease, posing a highest risk of human-to-human transmission.

Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae Infection in Eastern Central China: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Human infection with Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae (CRT) was first reported in northeastern China in 2012. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical spectrum and laboratory findings of patients infected with CRT in eastern central China. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: A sentinel hospital for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in eastern central China in 2014. PARTICIPANTS: Hospitalized patients with SFTS-like illness. MEASUREMENTS: Molecular and serologic tests were performed to diagnose CRT infection. Data about clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were retrieved from medical records. RESULTS: 56 of 733 assessed patients had CRT based on polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. All patients presented with nonspecific manifestations, including fever (96%), malaise (88%), myalgia (57%), cough (25%), and dizziness (14%). Only 2 patients had rash. Further, 16% had eschar, 29% had lymphadenopathy, 100% had gastrointestinal symptoms, 34% had neurologic symptoms, 43% had hemorrhagic manifestations, and 23% had signs of plasma leakage. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 70%, leukopenia in 59%; lymphopenia in 45%; and elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase in 82%, aspartate aminotransferase in 70%, alanine aminotransferase in 54%, and creatinine kinase in 46%. Co-infection with SFTS virus was documented in 66% patients, and 8 of the 56 patients died. LIMITATIONS: Patients with CRT were not treated for infection because they were retrospectively identified. This was not a population-based study, and the results cannot be generalized to all patients with CRT. CONCLUSION: Candidatus R tarasevichiae infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of febrile patients with SFTS-like illness in endemic areas. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Effect of Kuijie Granule on the Expression of TGF-ß/Smads Signaling Pathway in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

The dysregulation of TGF-ß/Smads signaling pathway has been postulated to contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis (UC) and the manifestation of clinical symptoms. Kuijie Granule is a prescription medicine used clinically in China to alleviate the symptoms associated with UC. To evaluate whether the clinical benefit of Kuijie Granule is associated with TGF-ß/Smads signaling, we measured the expression levels of TGF-ß/Smads signaling proteins (TGF-ß1, TGF-ßRII, Smad2, Smad4, Smad6, and Smad7) in the intestinal mucosa of 72 patients with UC treated with Kuijie Granule for 60 days. Colonic tissues were obtained by a virtual colonoscopy guided biopsy before and after Kuijie Granule treatment followed by pathological analysis and quantitative analysis of TGF-ß/Smads using immunohistochemistry. Kuijie Granule treatment significantly improved symptoms associated with UC, which include diarrhea, mucus production, pus and blood in stool, abdominal pain and distention, and tenesmus. The clinical benefit of Kuijie Granule treatment correlated with decreased expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad7 and increased expression of TGF-ßRII and Smad4. These clinical results indicate that Kuijie Granule can alleviate the symptoms associated with UC and modulate TGF-ß/Smads signaling.

Common adverse events associated with ribavirin therapy for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is associated with high mortality rate, for which antiviral therapy with ribavirin was recommended. Based on our previous study, no visible effect of ribavirin therapy in improving clinical outcome was observed. Here we have accumulated the sample size to 634, and by performing prospective observation on the clinical progress and laboratory parameters, we found a significantly higher incidence of anemia and hyperamylasemia in patients who received ribavirin therapy in comparison with those who received no therapy. Generalized estimating equation model disclosed a significant effect on hemoglobin reduction and blood amylase augmentation from ribavirin administration. The occurrence of anemia and hyperamylasemia was associated with SFTS patients receiving ribavirin therapy, which might be adverse event of this drug administration. The recommendation of ribavirin for treating SFTS should be applied with caution.

Human colon carcinogenesis is associated with increased interleukin-17-driven inflammatory responses.

Inflammation is known to contribute to carcinogenesis in human colorectal cancer. Proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17 or IL-17A) has been shown to play a critical role in colon carcinogenesis in mouse models. However, few studies have investigated IL-17A in human colon tissues. In the present study, we assessed IL-17-driven inflammatory responses in 17 cases of human colon adenocarcinomas, 16 cases of human normal colon tissues adjacent to the resected colon adenocarcinomas, ten cases of human ulcerative colitis tissues from biopsies, and eight cases of human colon polyps diagnosed as benign adenomas. We found that human colon adenocarcinomas contained the highest levels of IL-17A cytokine, which was significantly higher than the IL-17A levels in the adenomas, ulcerative colitis, and normal colon tissues (P<0.01). The levels of IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) were also the highest in human colon adenocarcinomas, followed by adenomas and ulcerative colitis. The increased levels of IL-17A and IL-17RA were accompanied with increased IL-17-driven inflammatory responses, including activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, increase in expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9, MMP7, MMP2, B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2), and cyclin D1, decrease in Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) expression, and increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor (VEGFR) expression that were associated with increased angiogenesis. These findings suggest that IL-17 and its signaling pathways appear as promising new targets in the design and development of drugs for cancer prevention and treatment, particularly in colorectal cancer.