B cell-intrinsic signaling through IL-21 receptor and STAT3 is required for establishing long-lived antibody responses in humans.

Engagement of cytokine receptors by specific ligands activate Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways. The exact roles of STATs in human lymphocyte behavior remain incompletely defined. Interleukin (IL)-21 activates STAT1 and STAT3 and has emerged as a potent regulator of B cell differentiation.

General anesthetic allergy testing.

Anaphylaxis in the setting of general anesthesia is a rare but potentially lethal event. The investigation of severe reactions is important for confirming the clinical diagnosis and identifying likely causative agents and safe agents that may be used in the future. Many comprehensive reports have described the testing protocol of individual specialized units, whereas there has been no standardization of testing techniques or formal assessment of these tests' diagnostic accuracy.

Wegener's granulomatosis in pregnancy: a novel approach to management.

Wegener's granulomatosis rarely is diagnosed in women of childbearing age and is, thus, uncommonly encountered in pregnancy. Although conventional treatment with steroids and cyclophosphamide controls disease activity in 90% of patients, the associated teratogenicity of such a regimen warrants careful consideration in pregnancy. We describe successful remission induction with the use of intravenous immunoglobulin and steroids alone in a woman diagnosed with de novo Wegener's granulomatosis during the first trimester of pregnancy.