Early appearance of functional plasma cells (CD138+CD98+) in non-immunized neonate mice.

Plasma cells (PCs) are terminally differentiated antibody-secreting cells, derived from activated B-lymphocytes in response to either T-independent or T-dependent antigens. The plasma cell population is scarce in circulation in non-immunized individuals. It is established that neonates are incapable of mounting an efficient immune response due to the immaturity of the immune system. However, this disadvantage is well overcome through the antibodies neonates receive from breastmilk. This implies that neonates will be only protected against antigens the mother had previously encountered. Thus, the child might be potentially susceptible to new antigens. This issue prompted us to seek for the presence of PCs in non-immunized neonate mice. We found a PC population identified as CD138+/CD98+ cells since day one after birth. These PCs were positive for Ki67 and expressed Blimp-1, B220, and CD19, which suggests the populations are plasmablasts and PCs with heterogeneous phenotype. These PCs were also determined to secrete antibodies, although mainly isotype IgM. Altogether, the results indicated that neonate PCs can produce antibodies against antigens they encounter in the first weeks of life, most likely coming from food, colonizing microbiota, or the environment.

[Infrared photocoagulation in the treatment of hemorrhoids]. / La fotocoagulación por rayos infrarrojos en el tratamiento de la enfermedad hemorroidaria.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of infrared photocoagulation in the treatment of grades I and II of hemorrhoidal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 patients with hemorrhoidal disease grades I and II were included, each one with transanal bleeding as the only symptom, without any other ano-rectal pathology. They were 30 male and 30 female patients, with 39.9 years as median age. Each had 1 to 4 photocoagulation sessions, according to the results obtained in each one. TECHNIC: Each application was 1.5 seconds duration, once every two weeks, in diamond or rainbow shape; 1 to 4 sessions were required. Follow up was 24 months. RESULTS: Good results were obtained in 66.6% since the second application, and in 93.4% at the end of the study; 4 (6.6%) patients were failures and had to be operated on. CONCLUSION: Treatment of hemorrhoidal disease grades I and II with infrared photocoagulation is an excellent alternative; it is painless, suitable as an outpatient procedure and its cost is low.