Identification and classification of distinct surface markers of T regulatory cells.

Background: Regulatory T (Treg) cells have emerged as key players in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Although significant progress has been made in recent years to define the Treg surface markers involved with or identifying their suppressive function, there remains much to be elucidated, and many questions persist. This study determined the expression of surface markers on human peripheral Treg cells and conventional T (Tconv) cells in a steady state and after activation to gain insight into their mechanism of action and more precisely characterize this regulatory population in humans.

Assessment of airway remodeling by quantitative computed tomography at various degrees of asthma severity defined according to the Global Initiative for Asthma report: a single-center study.

Introduction: In asthma, airway remodeling is defined as structural changes of the airways. The association between remodeling and asthma severity is still unclear, and there are limited data on the intensity of airway remodeling in various stages of the disease as defined in the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) asthma severity classification. Computed tomography (CT) and postprocessing applications are effective tools to assess the intensity of airway remodeling.

Similarities in Quantitative Computed Tomography Imaging of the Lung in Severe Asthma with Persistent Airflow Limitation and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Severe asthma with persistent airflow limitation (SA-PAL) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterised by irreversible airflow limitation and the remodelling of the airways. The phenotypes of the diseases overlap and may cause diagnostic and therapeutic concerns.

Methods: There were 10 patients with SA-PAL, 11 patients with COPD, and 10 healthy volunteers (HV) enrolled in this study.

Quantitative Assessment of the Airway Response to Bronchial Tests Based on a Spirometric Curve Shift.

Objective: Although spirometry is the most common pulmonary function test, there is no method to quantitatively infer about airway resistance or other properties from the flow-volume curves. Recently, an identifiable inverse model for forced expiration was proposed, as well as the idea to deduce changes in airway resistances and compliances from spirometric curve evolution. The aim of this work was to combine the above advances in a method for assessing the airway response to bronchial tests from a spirometric curve shift.

Asthma-COPD Overlap-A Discordance Between Patient Populations Defined by Different Diagnostic Criteria.

Background: The concordance between asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap (ACO) defined according to Global Inititative for Asthma (GINA)/Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and other diagnostic criteria is unknown.

Objective: To assess the concordance between different ACO definitions and to estimate the definition-based ACO prevalence and characteristics.

Methods: A prospective, real-life study based on a 32-item data set was performed in a mixed population of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Autoreactive IgE in Chronic Spontaneous/Idiopathic Urticaria and Basophil/Mastocyte Priming Phenomenon, as a Feature of Autoimmune Nature of the Syndrome.

Recent years of research have shed a new light on the role of IgE in immune reactions. It seems to be more than just a contribution to immediate type of allergic response. It appears that monomeric IgE may enhance mast cell activity without cross-linking of FcεRI by IgE specific allergen or autoreactive IgG anti-IgE antibodies.

Airway Evaluation with Multidetector Computed Tomography Post-Processing Methods in Asthmatic Patients.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory obstructive airways disease. The disease occurs regardless of age and manifests with cough, attacks of breathlessness, and tightness in the chest. The pathophysiology of asthma is complex and still not fully understood.

Hospital management of patients with exacerbation of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The article assesses the originally developed criteria of clinical stability and treatment protocol in the hospital management and discharge procedures of patients with exacerbations of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study included 34 patients (26 males, 8 females), aged 58-80 years, hospitalized due to exacerbation of severe (23 patients) and very severe (11 patients) COPD. On admission, the mean FEV1 was 0.

Polymorphism of the TGFB1 gene is not associated with bronchial allergic asthma in a Polish population.

Allergic asthma is a complex genetic disorder that involves interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Some studies have indicated that transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), a pleiotropic cytokine regulating inflammatory reactions and airway remodeling, may participate in the pathogenesis of asthma. Several polymorphisms have been described in the TGFB1 gene; some were tested in allergic asthma, with conflicting results.

Association of PTPN22 single nucleotide polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis but not with allergic asthma.

PTPN22 gene encodes a lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase (LYP), an important negative regulator of T-cell responses. The 1858C>T (Arg620Trp) single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2476601) was found associated with autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Allergic diseases are similar to autoimmune diseases, by an exaggerated immune response to an antigen (allergen in this case) normally not invoking such response in healthy individuals.

The use of magnesium in bronchial asthma: a new approach to an old problem.

Magnesium deficiency is a common electrolyte disorder in patients with acute severe asthma, but intracellular magnesium content better reflects its homeostasis than does its serum concentration. Magnesium takes part in many metabolic processes in the organism, including energy metabolism, protein and nucleic acid synthesis, cell cycle, the binding of substances to the plasma membrane, and maintenance of cytoskeletal and mitochondrial integrity. It also modulates ion transport and influences intracellular calcium concentration.

Distribution of CTLA-4 polymorphisms in allergic asthma.

Background: The CTLA-4 molecule is an important negative regulator of T cell activation. It is encoded on chromosome 2q33 and found to be associated with several allergic phenotypes including asthma. However, the association of CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms with allergic asthma is still controversial and therefore was the subject of this study.

[Blood and tissue eosinophilia in patient with angioedema caused by inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)--case report and a view of literature].

A case of angioedema caused by enalapril, undiagnosed for 5 years was presented. Enhanced blood and tissue eosinophilia shown in nasal smear was observed. In addition increased activity of coagulation system was shown manifested by enhance of concentration of Hageman factor and cardiolipin antibodies IgM and IgA isotype.

[Antieosinophil action of IL-12 in human polyp culture].

Rationale: Tissue eosinophilia is an important pathophysiological issue in bronchial asthma and nasal polyps. Its magnitude is regulated by several mechanisms, including selective migration of eosinophils to peripheral tissues and prolongation of survival. A key role in this processes is assigned to Th2 originating cytokines: IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF.

[Inhaled glucocorticosteroids in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Molecular mechanisms of actions, pharmacokinetics and anti-inflammatory potency of inhaled glucocorticosteroids (ICS) are described. Differences in clinical effectiveness of ICS in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) therapy and up-to-date recommendations for treatment with ICS in asthma and COPD patients are discussed. Finally there are presented data on safety of long-term treatment with ICS, specially in asthmatic children.

Prevalence of Hymenoptera venom allergy and its immunological markers current in adults in Poland.

Background: The prevalence of insect venom allergy is still being assessed. The aim of our study was to estimate, on the basis of an interviewer-administered questionnaire survey, the frequency of post-sting allergic reactions and venom sensitization.

Material/methods: The study was performed within the framework of the ECRHS.

[Non-compliance resulting in fatal asthmatic attack in a 27-year-old woman].

We describe a case of fatal asthmatic attack in 27-year-old woman with type II brittle asthma and pollinosis. Despite recurrent episodes of severe asthmatic attacks she refused prolonged therapy with the exception of beta 2-agonists used when needed. The day prior to the fatal attack she was intensively exposed to pollens.

Latex allergy and sensitization in children with spina bifida.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of latex sensitization and latex allergy among children with spina bifida and to evaluate risk factors for natural rubber latex hypersensitivity.

Methods: A total of 34 children between 2.5 and 17 years of age participated in the study.

[The influence of a three-year preseasonal specific immunotherapy on selected parameters of allergic inflammation in pollinosis patients].

Specific immunotherapy (SIT) can in some cases influence the course of allergic inflammation (eosinophilia and ECP concentration in peripheral tissue). This study was set up to evaluate the efficacy of three-year pre-seasonal SIT with grass pollen allergoid. We measured NALf eosinophilia and ECP concentration both in NALf and blood serum after subsequent SITs.