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Abstract Background 8-Isoprostane (8-IP) is a marker of lipid peroxidation. Elevated concentrations have been reported in BAL fluid and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in sarcoidosis (S). To validate the prognostic value of this marker we tested whether: 1. high initial EBC 8-IP predispose to more severe disease; 2. low initial concentrations increase a chance of early remission; 3. remissions are connected with the decrease of EBC 8-IP. Methods 40 patients (S) have been examined initially (V1) and after 8.5 ± 0.5 months (V2). EBC 8-IP concentrations were measured by ELISA. Chest X-ray, lung function test, serum ACE and Ca2+ concentrations, 24 hrs Ca2+loss, abdominal ultrasonography, symptoms evaluation were performed. Results We confirmed higher concentrations of 8-IP in EBC of patients with sarcoidosis (p = 0.001). Relative risk (RR) of persistence of disease at V2 when initial 8-IP was above 20 pg/mL was 1.04, and the frequency distributions estimated by χ2 test were not significantly different. A chance (RR) of early complete remission when V1 8-IP was below DL, was 3.33 (p = 0.04 by χ2 test). A significant decrease of 8-IP at V2 was observed only in patients who received treatment (p = 0.03), but not in those with spontaneous remission. Conclusions We come to the conclusion, that low initial 8-IP may be a positive prognostic factor. A decrease of 8-IP in treated patients reflects a non-specific effect of treatment and is not related to mere regression of disease.

The article presents a case study of a 59-year-old female with end-stage renal disease due to chronic glomerulonephritis. She was pronounced with drug-associated interstitial pneumonitis after physical examination of microscopic lesions and clinical manifestation. The article explains that the pulmonary side effects related to immunosuppressive therapy are infrequent complication in solid organ transplant patients despite the common event of infection.

Background: 8-Isoprostane (8-IP) is a marker of lipid peroxidation. Elevated concentrations have been reported in BAL fluid and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in sarcoidosis (S). To validate the prognostic value of this marker we tested whether: 1. high initial EBC 8-IP predispose to more severe disease; 2. low initial concentrations increase a chance of early remission; 3. remissions are connected with the decrease of EBC 8-IP. Methods: 40 patients (S) have been examined initially (V1) and after 8.5 ± 0.5 months (V2). EBC 8-IP concentrations were measured by ELISA. Chest X-ray, lung function test, serum ACE and Ca2+ concentrations, 24 hrs Ca2+loss, abdominal ultrasonography, symptoms evaluation were performed. Results: We confirmed higher concentrations of 8-IP in EBC of patients with sarcoidosis (p = 0.001). Relative risk (RR) of persistence of disease at V2 when initial 8-IP was above 20 pg/mL was 1.04, and the frequency distributions estimated by χ² test were not significantly different. A chance (RR) of early complete remission when V1 8-IP was below DL, was 3.33 (p = 0.04 by χ² test). A significant decrease of 8-IP at V2 was observed only in patients who received treatment (p = 0.03), but not in those with spontaneous remission. Conclusions: We come to the conclusion, that low initial 8-IP may be a positive prognostic factor. A decrease of 8-IP in treated patients reflects a non-specific effect of treatment and is not related to mere regression of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "In Memory of Dr. Izabela Kuprys-Lipinska: A Pioneering Clinician, Scientist, and Beloved Friend" pays tribute to the late Dr. Izabela Kuprys-Lipinska, a renowned clinician and scientist in the fields of severe asthma, urticaria, and allergen immunotherapy. Dr. Kuprys-Lipinska's work in managing complex cases and introducing innovative therapies left a lasting impact on the medical community in Poland and beyond. Her dedication to her patients, colleagues, and research, as well as her commitment to advocacy and mentorship, are remembered with deep respect and admiration. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction. Model of primary bronchial epithelial cells culture has been used to study the innate response to viral infections in patients with bronchial asthma. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bronchial epithelial cell culture and the influence of parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV- 3) on cell morphology. Materials and methods. Human Bronchial Epithelial cells (HBECs) were obtained during bronchoscopy from 31 subjects: 12 healthy subjects and 19 patients with bronchial asthma. The cells were grown in BEGM culture medium (Bronchial Epithelial Cell Growth Medium) and were infected with PIV-3 0.1 MOI. Results. Successful cultures were obtained for 61.3% of HBECs. Fungal infection was the main reason for the failure to grow HBECs. No cytopathic effect of PIV3 on epithelial cells was observed for up to 48 hours after infection. Conclusions. The described methodology enables successful culture of primary bronchial epithelial cells and their infection with PIV3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Treatment of difficult asthma with oral corticosteroids (OCS) may suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis., Aim: In this study we have checked if the substitution of OCS with very high doses of ciclesonide may restore the adrenal function without losing the control of the disease., Material and Methods: In 5 patients with difficult, uncontrolled asthma despite treatment with OCS, inhaled and systemic glucocorticosteroids were replaced with very high doses of ciclesonide (1600-2400 µg/day). The symptoms of asthma and the lung function were assessed at baseline and on the 28(th), 56(th) and 70(th) day of treatment, whereas the levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the morning were measured at baseline and on the 28(th) and the 56(th) day of treatment., Results: In all patients, the control of asthma symptoms, measured with Asthma Control Test questionnaire, improved from the mean score of 9.4 to 19.8 in 70 days. In 4 subjects force expiratory volume in 1 s improved gradually through the entire study reaching a mean improvement of 585 ml in 70 days. The ACTH levels were normalized in 3 patients after 28 days of observation and in all patients after 56 days. The cortisol level was normalized in 4 patients after 28 days and in another subject after 56 days of treatment with ciclesonide., Conclusions: Switching from prednisone to very high doses of ciclesonide normalized the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis function and also improved the disease control and the lung function in these 5 patients with difficult asthma.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare cause of severe pulmonary hypertension characterised by poor prognosis. We report the case of a 24-year-old male patient with increasing dyspnea and exercise intolerance treated with calcium channel blockers and glucocorticosteroids, due to suspicion of pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease, until lung biopsy was performed and a diagnosis of PVOD was established on the basis of the histological analysis of the lung biopsy sample. This case highlights that pulmonary veno-occlusive disease is a disorder that is difficult to diagnose and resistant to medical treatment, which is particularly poor prognostic factor. Due to poor response to medical therapy and high mortality in patients with PVOD, understanding the pathogenesis, differentiation with pulmonary arterial hypertension and the search for a new methods of treatment should be the key challenges for modern medicine.

Introduction:  Sustained inflammation in sarcoidosis may lead to lung fibrosis. The activity of numerous chemokines responsible for proliferation and activity of T lymphocytes may play a crucial role in this process and may have predictive value. These include cytokines induced by interferon γ, such as CXCL9, 10, and 11-ligands of chemokine receptor CXCR3., Objectives:  The aim of the study was to estimate the role of CXCR3 ligands in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and the predictive value of their concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. , Patients and Methods:  CXCL9, 10, and 11 concentrations in BAL fluid were measured by an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay in patients with sarcoidosis (n = 59) and controls (n = 34). A total of 46 patients were followed up for 24 months to compare the results between the subgroups with complete remission and with chronic disease., Results:  Protein-standardized CXCL11 concentrations in BAL fluid from patients with stage II sarcoidosis were higher than in those with stage I (median [interquarile range], 0.95 [0.26-2.39] vs. 0.32 [0.13-0.74] pg/μg protein, P = 0.02). CXCL10 levels in BAL fluid from patients without Löfgren syndrome were higher compared with those the syndrome (0.69 [0.51-1.05] vs. 0.40 [0.27-0.70] pg/μg protein, P = 0.05). None of these markers predicted the chronic course of the disease. CXCL10 levels in BAL fluid correlated with serum angiotensin‑converting enzyme, and CXCL11 levels with parenchymal lesions on high‑resolution computed tomography. Only nonstandardized CXC11 concentrations in BAL fluid were higher in sarcoidosis., Conclusions:  Our results support the hypothesis that cytokines CXCL9, 10, and 11 may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic sarcoidosis. However, the lack of notable differences between the sarcoidosis and control groups, as well as the lack of associations with the chronic course suggest that they should not be considered as potential prognostic markers.

Introduction: Discriminating between active and inactive sarcoidosis may be problematic in everyday clinical practice. There are numerous biochemical markers used in the diagnosis and monitoring of sarcoidosis. Somatostatin receptor (SR) scintigraphy with the use of 99mTc-octreotide may be used to estimate disease activity., Objectives: The aim of the paper was to assess the value of traditional biomarkers (serum angiotensin-converting enzyme [SACE], C-reactive protein, markers of calcium metabolism, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid [BALF] lymphocytes) and a novel biomarker, 8-isoprostane (8-IP) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), in the assessment of sarcoidosis activity in relation to somatostatin receptor scintigraphy., Patients and Methods: The study included 32 patients with sarcoidosis. Scintigraphy was performed using somatostatin analogue, 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC; planar and SPECT/CT images were recorded. The study group was divided into a subgroup with positive radiotracer uptake (n = 20) and without a visible uptake (n = 12). 8-IP levels were measured in EBC by an immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS We observed a significantly higher EBC 8-IP levels in the subgroup with positive uptake compared with those with negative uptake (19.1 ± 19.8 vs. 5.4 ± 3.5 pg/ml, P = 0.02). The levels of SACE and the percentage of BALF lymphocytes were also nonsignificantly elevated. In the group of patients with positive scintigraphy results, a positive correlation was observed between the uptake ratio and SACE (r = 0.44, P = 0.041)., Conclusions: The results indicate low value of biochemical markers in the assessment of disease activity. SR scintigraphy may have practical usefulness in the monitoring of sarcoidosis.

Introduction: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a strong mitogen stimulating lung epithelial cell growth. Elevated levels of HGF have been reported in various biological materials of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and in patients recovering from pneumonia or pneumonectomy. Sarcoidosis may be complicated by lung fibrosis. Consequently, HGF could be considered a new biomarker identifying patients with a higher risk of lung fibrosis. The aim of the study was to verify whether: 1. HGF is measurable in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC); 2. HGF in BALF or EBC is impaired in sarcoidosis; and 3. HGF correlates with chosen activity and prognostic markers., Material and Methods: Sixty-four EBC and 30 BALF of sarcoid patients, and 15 and 9 of healthy controls, respectively, were collected for the measurement of HGF using an ELISA test., Results: HGF was detectable in 62% of EBC samples (56% sarcoidosis and 87% of controls) and in all the BALF samples. EBC and BALF concentrations were not different in comparison to the controls. Moreover, no correlation was found between EBC/BALF concentrations and radiological stage, lung function tests, duration of disease, number of relapses, BALF lymphocytes, serum ACE, or serum and urine calcium concentrations., Conclusions: HGF is detectable in BAL and EBC. However, it does not distinguish sarcoidosis patients from healthy subjects. The above, as well as the lack of correlations with various parameters of disease activity and severity rule out EBC/ /BALF HGF as a biomarker for sarcoidosis monitoring.

Introduction: Increased generation of superoxide anion (O(2)(-).) by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells has been reported in various inflammatory disorders. However, the clinical relevance of this phenomenon is unclear., Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate whether production of O(2)(-). is enhanced in smoking-related chronic bronchitis and sarcoidosis, and to assess a relationship between O(2)(-). generation and lung function impairment and changes in BAL cellular pattern., Patients and Methods: Forty-two patients with sarcoidosis, 24 smokers with chronic bronchitis, and 17 controls were examined. A number/percentage of BAL cells was calculated. Spontaneous and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated O(2)(-). production was measured in BAL cells. Spirometry was performed., Results: Patients with smoking-related chronic bronchitis produced more O(2)(-). spontaneously (6.42 -/+1.24 vs. 15.39 -/+2.47 nmol/106 cells, P = 0.003) and after stimulation (3.73 -/+1.32 vs. 14.76 -/+2.79 nmol/106 cells; P = 0.001). PMA-stimulated excess production correlated with the percentage of neutrophils (r = 0.66, P = 0.0005). In sarcoidosis, only spontaneous production of O(2)(-). was higher (vs. 18.07 -/+2.49 nmol/106 cells, P = 0.004) and correlated with the percentage of BAL lymphocytes. There was no correlation between O(2)(-). production and lung function parameters., Conclusions: Patients with smoking-related chronic bronchitis produce more O(2)(-)., and this phenomenon is related to BAL neutrophils. In sarcoidosis, spontaneous release of O(2)(-). from BAL cells is related to the extent of lymphocytic alveolitis. Higher O(2)(-). generation did not impair lung function.

Introduction: The imbalance between metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors TIMPs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of lung sarcoidosis, a granulomatous inflammatory disease which may lead to lung fibrosis., Objectives: The aim of the study was to verify whether the expression of MMP-9, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in peripheral lung biopsies of patients with sarcoidosis correlate with lung function tests, radiological pattern, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells. We compared the expression of MMPs and TIMPs between patients with sarcoid-positive vs. - negative biopsy and fibrosing vs. non-fibrosing high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)pattern., Patients and Methods: We examined patients with histologically proven stage II and III sarcoidosis (n = 17). Immunohistochemistry with antibodies against the studied molecules was performed in the lung and bronchial tissue specimens obtained from transbronchial lung biopsies. The radiological pattern was evaluated based on HRCT. The total cell number and percentage of cells were calculated in the BAL samples., Results: MMPs and TIMPs were present in the cells of sarcoid granuloma, and were more prevalent in the parenchyma than in the bronchi. We found no correlation between MMP-9, MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and HRCT pattern or BAL cells. There were inverse associations between MMP-9 and FEV1 (% predicted), and also between MMP-2 and maximal expiratory flow 25-75% (L and % predicted) in patients with sarcoidosis diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy. There were no differences in the measured parameters between patients with and without fibrotic changes and between those with negative vs. positive lung biopsy results., Conclusions: Our study provides an indirect evidence for a potential involvement of MMPs/TIMPs in the sarcoid inflammation of the distal airways.

The article shows the description of the seldom met case of simultaneous appearing of numerous foreign bodies situated both in air passages and in the alimentary canal at patient of mentally handicapped with the tendency to swallowing of small objects. After observing by guardians of the patients fact of swallowing metallic foreign bodies by him the specified research were made (X-ray pictures, computer tomography) and the presence in the bronchial tree of both lungs and in the upper and lower section of the alimentary canal were confirmed. Swallowed and aspirated objects did not cause no complaints at the patient. Revealed foreign bodies were removed from air passages by using of the bronchofiberoscopy method and the surgical treatment. Foreign bodies of the alimentary canal were voided by patient through natural tract.

Introduction: Oxidative lung damage may be associated with the destruction of alveolar cells. Type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs),as progenitors of type I cells, are indispensable for the renovation of alveolar structure after lung injury. Extensive damage to type II cells could be responsible for unfavorable outcome. However, the susceptibility of type II AECs to oxidative stress is unclear., Material/methods: We investigated the susceptibility of freshly isolated and cultured rat type II AECs to oxidative stress (H2O2 and Fe2+). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)were measured as indices of lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity was estimated by the MTT test. Aminotriazol (ATZ), an inhibitor of intracellular catalase, was used to estimate the protective role of catalase., Results: TBARS concentration increased significantly in freshly isolated, oxidant-exposed cells (4.0 +/-1.3 vs.8.3 +/-2.2 nmol/g protein, p=0.0313)and insignificantly in cultured cells (1.7 +/-0.4 vs.4.4 +/-1.7 nmol/g protein).ATZ was toxic even to cells not exposed to oxidants. Inhibition of catalase in cells exposed to oxidants resulted in an insignificant increase in TBARs:4.5 +/-1.5 vs.16.2 +/-3.9 nmol/g protein, p=0.0625,and 4.0 +/-0.8 vs.7.6 +/-4.0 for freshly isolated and cultured cells, respectively. Oxidative stress itself did not increase cytotoxicity., Conclusions: Type II AECs are not resistant to oxidative stress. We cannot, however, explain why cells with evidence of lipid peroxidation do not show increased cytotoxicity. The toxicity of ATZ is not related to oxidative cell damage. In cells exposed to oxidants, TBARS may fur-ther increase when catalase is inhibited, which suggests an important protective role for catalase.