Bariatric Surgery Induces Alterations in the Immune Profile of Peripheral Blood T Cells.

Low-grade inflammation is closely linked to obesity and obesity-related comorbidities; therefore, immune cells have become an important topic in obesity research. Here, we performed a deep phenotypic characterization of circulating T cells in people with obesity, using flow cytometry. Forty-one individuals with obesity (OB) and clinical criteria for bariatric surgery were enrolled in this study. We identified and quantified 44 different circulating T cell subsets and assessed their activation status and the expression of immune-checkpoint molecules, immediately before (T1) and 7-18 months after (T2) the bariatric surgery. Twelve age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (nOB) were also recruited. The OB participants showed higher leukocyte counts and a higher percentage of neutrophils. The percentage of circulating Th1 cells were negatively correlated to HbA1c and insulin levels. OB Th1 cells displayed a higher activation status and lower PD-1 expression. The percentage of Th17 and Th1/17 cells were increased in OB, whereas the CD4+ Tregs' percentage was decreased. Interestingly, a higher proportion of OB CD4+ Tregs were polarized toward Th1- and Th1/17-like cells and expressed higher levels of CCR5. Bariatric surgery induced the recovery of CD4+ Treg cell levels and the expansion and activation of Tfh and B cells. Our results show alterations in the distribution and phenotype of circulating T cells from OB people, including activation markers and immune-checkpoint proteins, demonstrating that different metabolic profiles are associated to distinct immune profiles, and both are modulated by bariatric surgery.

CD8+ Treg cells play a role in the obesity-associated insulin resistance.

Obesity-related chronic low-grade inflammation may trigger insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D) development. Cells with regulatory phenotype have been shown to be reduced during obesity, especially CD4+ Treg cells. However, little is known about the CD8+ Treg cells. Therefore, we aim to characterize the CD8+ Treg cells in human peripheral blood and adipose tissue, specifically, to address the effect of obesity and insulin resistance in this regulatory immune cell population. A group of 42 participants with obesity (OB group) were recruited. Fourteen of them were evaluated pre- and post-bariatric surgery. A group of age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (n = 12) was also recruited (nOB group). CD8+ Treg cell quantification and phenotype were evaluated by flow cytometry, in peripheral blood (PB), subcutaneous (SAT), and visceral adipose tissues (VAT). The OB group displayed a higher percentage of CD8+ Treg cells in PB, compared to the nOB. In addition, they were preferentially polarized into Tc1- and Tc1/17-like CD8+ Treg cells, compared to nOB. Moreover, SAT displayed the highest content of CD8+ Tregs infiltrated, compared to PB or VAT, while CD8+ Tregs infiltrating VAT displayed a higher percentage of cells with Tc1-like phenotype. Participants with pre-diabetes displayed a reduced percentage of TIM-3+CD8+ Tregs in circulation, and PD-1+CD8+ Tregs infiltrated in the VAT. An increase in the percentage of circulating Tc1-like CD8+ Treg cells expressing PD-1 was observed post-surgery. In conclusion, obesity induces significant alterations in CD8+ Treg cells, affecting their percentage and phenotype, as well as the expression of important immune regulatory molecules.

Cervical inflammatory mass: a very late complication following neonatal oesophagocoloplasty for oesophageal atresia.

We report the case of a man in his 40s who presented to our emergency department with a history of fever and a red, swollen and painful neck mass. Shortly following his birth, a congenital oesophageal atresia had been managed surgically with colonic interposition graft. Contrast CT of the neck revealed filling and distention of a colic stump with content of stasis and infection. The patient received intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam and parenteral nutrition. One week later, an upper digestive endoscopy was performed revealing an inflammatory-looking pseudopolypoid area immediately below the anastomosis, at the level of the proximal portion of the colon, which seemed to correspond to a complicated diverticulum with inflammation. The difficulties in reaching a definitive diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed.

Transhiatal esophagectomy in Boerhaave syndrome - Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Boerhaave syndrome or spontaneous rupture of the esophagus wall is a rare life-threatening condition. It is more common in male gender and is due to a very swift rise in intraluminal pressure during vomiting. The patient usually presents with chest pain after vomiting. In some cases, there is subcutaneous emphysema in the neck or upper chest. Due to its rarity, the diagnosis is often not straightforward. Chest radiography can reveal pneumothorax, pleural effusion or pneumomediastinum, but diagnosis is more likely possible with an oral contrast X-ray study. CASE PRESENTATION: This paper reports a clinical case with surgical approach, in a 68-years old patient with a 48 h period between onset of symptoms and diagnosis of a Boerhaave syndrome. Firstly, the patient was admitted with a presumptive diagnosis of pneumonia. The patient was with chest pain, fever and vomiting. An emergent transhiatal esophagectomy was performed with primary anastomosis with no significant post-operative morbidity and allowing for the patient to return to previous daily routine with a good quality of life. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Boerhaave syndrome is a rare life-threatening surgical condition. Surgery is the most effective treatment. It is necessary to have a high index of suspicion. Treatment should promptly start because prognosis is related with time from diagnosis, with increasing mortality rate if no treatment is performed.

Anastomotic fistula after emergency enterectomy for retrograde intussusception after gastric bypass.

Retrograde intussusception is a rare complication of gastric bypass. It is commonly located in the common limb close to the jejunojejunostomy. The management of such condition dictates the outcome of the patient either in the immediate emergency setting or in the long-term bariatric surgery's expected results. We present a case of a retrograde intussusception 3 years after gastric bypass which warranted an emergency enterectomy, followed by an anastomotic fistula. The adequate management of these cases leads to recovery without compromising the effect of bariatric surgery in the future.

Femoral Hernia Containing the Right Fallopian Tube: A Rare Finding.

Femoral hernias comprise a small proportion of all groin hernias. They are more common in women and have a high rate of incarceration and strangulation, leading to emergency repair. A 61-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department complaining of a 2-day painful lump in the right groin, that had become more intense in the last 24 hours. Physical examination suggested the presence of a strangulated femoral hernia, and the patient underwent emergency surgical repair. Intraoperatively, the right fallopian tube was observed in the hernia sac. Since there were no signs of ischemia, the tube was reduced back into the pelvic cavity and the hernia was repaired. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged without complications, 3 days after surgery.

As hérnias femorais representam uma pequena fração de todas as hérnia da região inguinal. Elas são mais comuns entre as mulheres e estão associadas a elevadas taxas de complicações, como encarceramento e estrangulamento, com necessidade de cirurgia urgente. Uma paciente do sexo feminino, de 61 anos, recorreu ao serviço de emergência por quadro de dor e tumefação da região inguinal direita com 2 dias de evolução e agravamento nas últimas 24 horas. O exame objetivo sugeria a presença de uma hérnia femoral encarcerada, e a paciente foi submetida a cirurgia urgente. Intraoperatoriamente, confirmou-se o diagnóstico de hérnia femoral encarcerada, que continha a trompa de falópio direita no interior do saco herniário. Uma vez que a que a trompa não apresentava sinais de isquemia, o conteúdo da hérnia foi reduzido, e procedeu-se à sua reparação. O período pós-operatório decorreu sem intercorrências, e a paciente teve alta no 3° dia após a cirurgia.

Femoral hernia containing the right fallopian tube: a rare finding / Hérnia femoral contendo a trompa de falópio direita: um achado raro

Abstract Femoral hernias comprise a small proportion of all groin hernias. They are more common in women and have a high rate of incarceration and strangulation, leading to emergency repair. A 61-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department complaining of a 2-day painful lump in the right groin, that had become more intense in the last 24 hours. Physical examination suggested the presence of a strangulated femoral hernia, and the patient underwent emergency surgical repair. Intraoperatively, the right fallopian tube was observed in the hernia sac. Since there were no signs of ischemia, the tube was reduced back into the pelvic cavity and the hernia was repaired. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged without complications, 3 days after surgery.

Resumo As hérnias femorais representamuma pequena fração de todas as hérnia da região inguinal. Elas são mais comuns entre as mulheres e estão associadas a elevadas taxas de complicações, como encarceramento e estrangulamento, com necessidade de cirurgia urgente. Uma paciente do sexo feminino, de 61 anos, recorreu ao serviço de emergência por quadro de dor e tumefação da região inguinal direita com 2 dias de evolução e agravamento nas últimas 24 horas. O exame objetivo sugeria a presença de uma hérnia femoral encarcerada, e a paciente foi submetida a cirurgia urgente. Intraoperatoriamente, confirmou-se o diagnóstico de hérnia femoral encarcerada, que continha a trompa de falópio direita no interior do saco herniário. Uma vez que a que a trompa não apresentava sinais de isquemia, o conteúdo da hérnia foi reduzido, e procedeu-se à sua reparação. O período pós-operatório decorreu sem intercorrências, e a paciente teve alta no 3° dia após a cirurgia.