TLR9 Signaling Suppresses the Canonical Plasma Cell Differentiation Program in Follicular B Cells.

The relative potency and quality of mouse B cell response to Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling varies significantly depending on the B cell subset and on the TLR member being engaged. Although it has been shown that marginal zone cells respond faster than follicular (FO) splenic B cells to TLR4 stimulus, FO B cells retain full capacity to proliferate and generate plasmablasts and plasma cells (PBs/PCs) with 2-3 days delayed kinetics. It is not clear whether this scenario could be extended to other members of the TLR family. Here, using quantitative cell culture conditions optimized for B cell growth and differentiation, we show that TLR9 signaling by CpG, while promoting vigorous proliferation, completely fails to induce differentiation of FO B cells into PBs/PCs. Little or absent Ig secretion following TLR9 stimulus was accompanied by lack of expression of cell surface markers and canonical transcription factors involved in PB/PC differentiation. Moreover, not only TLR9 did not induce plasmocyte differentiation, but it also strongly inhibited the massive PB/PC differentiation of FO B cells triggered by LPS/TLR4. Our study reveals unexpected opposite roles for TLR4 and TLR9 in the control of plasma cell differentiation program and disagrees with previous conclusions obtained in high-density cultures conditions on the generation of plasmocytes by TRL9 signaling. The potential implications of these findings on the role of TLR9 in controlling self-tolerance, clonal sizes and regulation of humoral responses are discussed.

Cecal diverticulitis or appendicitis: when should I suspect? A case report

The objective of this article was to report a case of cecal diverticulitis and point out the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The clinical manifestations of these pathological conditions are similar, and the accurate diagnosis of cecal diverticulitis before the surgery is difficult. Therefore, most diagnoses are made during the surgery. Moreover, cecal diverticulum is uncommon in western countries, but it is prevalent in Asian people and their descendants. We report a case of a 55-year-old female patient, whose imaging exams (ultrasonography and computed tomography) and blood tests were not enough to diagnose the affection, requiring laparotomy and pathological exams for the final diagnosis. Some studies suggesting the best practice in case of diverticulum of the cecum were revised, as the diagnosis usually occurs during the surgery. (AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar um caso de diverticulite no ceco e chamar a atenção para o diagnóstico diferencial com apendicite aguda. As manifestações clínicas das duas afecções são semelhantes, dificultando o diagnóstico exato de diverticulite cecal, além de ser incomum, em nosso meio, o aparecimento de divertículo em cólon direito, sendo essa entidade mais comum em asiáticos e em seus descendentes. Relata-se atendimento a uma paciente de 55 anos, cujos exames de imagem (ultrassonografia e tomografia computadorizada) e de sangue não foram suficientes para o diagnóstico. Houve necessidade de realizar-se laparotomia exploradora e exames anatomopatológicos para a confirmação. Também foram revisados alguns trabalhos que sugerem qual a melhor conduta a ser tomada quando se encontra divertículo cecal no perioperatório, já que, na maioria das vezes, o diagnóstico é feito neste momento. (AU)

Avaliação por imagem das lesões císticas congênitas das vias biliares / Imaging evaluation of congenital cystic lesions of the biliary tract

Utilizando a classificação dos cistos congênitos de colédoco, imagens de vários tipos de cistos foram selecionadas para compor um ensaio iconográfico sobre esta doença pouco frequente na prática clínica, mas que faz parte do diagnóstico diferencial das lesões mais comuns da via biliar. Os cistos de colédoco possuem clínica inespecífica e baixa prevalência. O diagnóstico correto por meio dos exames de imagem é uma ferramenta importante para evitar as complicações e auxiliar na conduta e tratamento definitivo.

Based on the classification of congenital choledochal cysts, images of different cyst types were selected to compose a pictorial essay about this disease, which is not frequently observed in the medical practice, but is included in the differential diagnosis of most common lesions of the biliary tract. Choledochal cysts present nonspecific symptoms and low prevalence. The correct diagnosis based on imaging findings is mandatory to avoid complications, and to aid in the approach and definite treatment.

Anesthesia for videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with Steinert disease. Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Myotonic dystrophies are autosomal dominant neuromuscular diseases. Among them, myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1), or Steinert disease, is the most common in adults, and besides muscular involvement it also has important systemic manifestations. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 poses a challenge to the anesthesiologist. Those patients are more sensitive to anesthetics and prone to cardiac and pulmonary complications. Besides, the possibility of developing malignant hyperthermia and myotonic episodes is also present. CASE REPORT: This is a 39-year old patient with DM1 who underwent general anesthesia for videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy. Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, remifentanil, and rocuronium was the technique chosen. Intercurrences were not observed in the 90-minute surgical procedure, but after extubation, the patient developed respiratory failure and myotonia, which made tracheal intubation impossible. A laryngeal mask was used, allowing adequate oxygenation, and mechanical ventilation was maintained until full recovery of the respiratory function. The patient did not develop further complications. CONCLUSIONS: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 presents several particularities to the anesthesiologist. Detailed knowledge of its systemic involvement along with the differentiated action of anesthetic drugs in those patients will provide safer anesthetic-surgical procedure.

Anestesia para colecistectomia videolaparoscópica em paciente portador de doença de Steinert: relato de caso e revisão de literatura / Anesthesia for videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with Steinert disease: case report and review of the literature / Anestesia para colecistectomía videolaparoscópica en oaciente oortador de enfermedad de Steinert: relato de caso y revisión de la literatura

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As distrofias miotônicas são doenças neuromusculares de transmissão autossômica dominante. Dentre elas, a distrofia miotônica tipo 1 (DM1), ou doença de Steinert, é a mais comum no adulto e, além do envolvimento muscular, apresenta manifestações sistêmicas importantes. A DM1 representa um desafio para o anestesiologista. Os pacientes apresentam maior sensibilidade às drogas anestésicas e complicações, principalmente cardíacas e pulmonares. Além disso, há a possibilidade de apresentarem hipertermia maligna e crise miotônica. Descreveu-se o caso de um paciente que teve complicação pulmonar importante após ser submetido à anestesia geral. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente de 39 anos, portador de DM1, foi submetido à anestesia geral para colecistectomia videolaparoscópica. A anestesia foi venosa total com propofol e remifentanil e rocurônio. O procedimento cirúrgico de 90 minutos não apresentou intercorrências, mas após a extubação o paciente apresentou insuficiência respiratória e crise miotônica, que tornou a intubação traqueal impossível. Utilizou-se a máscara laríngea, que possibilitou a oxigenação adequada, e a ventilação mecânica foi mantida até a recuperação total da atividade respiratória. Evolução ocorreu sem outras complicações. CONCLUSÕES: A DM1 é uma doença que apresenta várias peculiaridades para o anestesiologista. O conhecimento minucioso do seu envolvimento sistêmico, associado à ação diferenciada das drogas anestésicas nesses pacientes, proporcionará um ato anestésicocirúrgico mais seguro.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Myotonic dystrophies are autosomal dominant neuromuscular diseases. Among them, myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1), or Steinert disease, is the most common in adults, and besides muscular involvement it also has important systemic manifestations. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 poses a challenge to the anesthesiologist. Those patients are more sensitive to anesthetics and prone to cardiac and pulmonary complications. Besides, the possibility of developing malignant hyperthermia and myotonic episodes is also present. CASE REPORT: This is a 39-year old patient with DM1 who underwent general anesthesia for videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy. Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, remifentanil, and rocuronium was the technique chosen. Intercurrences were not observed in the 90-minute surgical procedure, but after extubation, the patient developed respiratory failure and myotonia, which made tracheal intubation impossible. A laryngeal mask was used, allowing adequate oxygenation, and mechanical ventilation was maintained until full recovery of the respiratory function. The patient did not develop further complications. CONCLUSIONS: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 presents several particularities to the anesthesiologist. Detailed knowledge of its systemic involvement along with the differentiated action of anesthetic drugs in those patients will provide safer anesthetic-surgical procedure.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Las distrofias miotónicas son enfermedades neuromusculares de transmisión autosómica dominante. Entre ellas está la distrofia miotónica tipo 1 (DM1), o enfermedad de Steinert, que es la más común en el adulto y además de la involucración muscular, presenta manifestaciones sistémicas importantes. La DM1 representa un reto para el anestesiólogo. Los pacientes presentan una mayor sensibilidad a los fármacos anestésicos y complicaciones, principalmente cardíacas y pulmonares. Además de eso, existe la posibilidad de presentar hipertermia maligna y crisis miotónica. Se ha descrito el caso de un paciente que tuvo una complicación pulmonar importante después de haber sido sometido a la anestesia general. RELATO DEL CASO: Paciente de 39 años, portador de DM1, sometido a la anestesia general para colecistectomía videolaparoscópica. La anestesia fue venosa total con propofol y remifentanil y rocuronio. El procedimiento quirúrgico de 90 minutos no presentó intercurrencias, pero después de la extubación, el paciente presentó insuficiencia respiratoria y crisis miotónica, que hizo la intubación traqueal imposible. Se utilizó la máscara laríngea, que posibilitó la oxigenación adecuada, y la ventilación mecánica se mantuvo hasta la recuperación total de la actividad respiratoria. Evolucionó sin otras complicaciones. CONCLUSIONES: La DM1 es una enfermedad que presenta varias peculiaridades para el anestesiólogo. El conocimiento minucioso de su involucración sistémica, asociado a la acción diferenciada de los fármacos anestésicos en esos pacientes, proporcionará un acto anestésico-quirúrgico más seguro.