Low levels of vitamin D in population exposed to significant environmental pollution.

In recent years, monitoring of vitamin D levels and possible use of supplementation is gaining attention. Numerous studies showed low levels of vitamin D in winter months followed by improvement during summer. These changes are mostly dependent on the level of sun exposure, but also on geographical location, genetic factors, social-economic status, quality of nutrition and environmental pollution.

Effects of β-glucan and Vitamin D Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy.

The objective of this article is to evaluate the potential effects of beta-glucan and vitamin D supplementation in patients with diabetic retinopathy. We evaluated the levels of several parameters of inflammatory reactions (C-reactive protein [CRP], serum amyloid A [SAA], and interleukin- [IL-] 6), leptin, and vitamin D. Using a 3-month interval, we divided the patients into three groups: (1) supplemented with beta-glucan and vitamin D, (2) supplemented with vitamin D and placebo, and (3) supplemented with vitamin D alone.

β-glucan affects mucosal immunity in children with chronic respiratory problems under physical stress: clinical trials.

Background: The role of β-glucan in children with respiratory problems is getting more and more attention. In this report we focused on the effects of 30 days oral supplementation with β-glucan on physical activity and immune status of children with respiratory problems.

Methods: We measured the level of sIgA, eNO and physical activity [using a 6-minute walking test (6MWT)] in 77 children and evaluated the effect of 100 mg/day oral dose.

Clinical trials of yeast-derived β-(1,3) glucan in children: effects on innate immunity.

Background: The role of glucan in the stimulation of immune reactions is well established. In our report, we focused on the effects of orally administered glucan on nonspecific immunity of children with chronic respiratory problems.

Materials And Methods: We measured the levels of albumin, lysozyme.

Placebo-driven clinical trials of yeast-derived β-(1-3) glucan in children with chronic respiratory problems.

Background: The role of glucan in stimulation of immune reactions has been studied for several decades. In this report we focused on the effects of orally administered glucan in children with chronic respiratory problems.

Materials And Methods: We measured the levels of albumin, lysozyme and CRP in saliva of 40 children aged 8-12 years and evaluate the effects of 100 mg/d oral dose of glucan.

[Diagnosis of whooping cough by serology and real-time PCR].

The goal of this study is to summarize the results of the detection of Bordetella pertussis (BP) and Bordetella parapertussis (BPP) by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and serological methods. In 2008-2010, 73 patients of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology of the Centre for Immunology and Microbiology, Public Health Institute in Ústí nad Labem were screened for pertussis. They were selected according to the WHO and ECDC criteria, i.