The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase c.c.677 C>T and c.c.1298 A>C polymorphisms in reproductive failures: Experience from an RSA and RIF study on a Polish population.

Almost 1600 individuals from the Polish population were recruited to this study. Among them 319 were fertile couples, 289 were recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) couples, and 131 were in the group of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) following in vitro fertilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the MTHFR c.

Sub-optimal primary surgery leads to unfavorable immunological changes in ovarian cancer patients.

Primary cytoreduction, followed by chemotherapy, is a standard treatment of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, the effectiveness of this treatment depend on various elements e.g.

Possible Role of HLA-G, LILRB1 and KIR2DL4 Gene Polymorphisms in Spontaneous Miscarriage.

The KIR2DL4 receptor and its ligand HLA-G are considered important for fetal-maternal immune tolerance and successful pregnancy. The absence of a particular variant of KIR2DL4 might be a bad prognostic factor for pregnancy outcome. However, it could be compensated by the presence of the respective LILRB1 allele.

Feasibility of implementation of a "simplified, No-X-Ray, no-lead apron, two-catheter approach" for ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias in children and adults.

Introduction: Although the "near-zero-X-Ray" or "No-X-Ray" catheter ablation (CA) approach has been reported for treatment of various arrhythmias, few prospective studies have strictly used "No-X-Ray," simplified 2-catheter approaches for CA in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). We assessed the feasibility of a minimally invasive, nonfluoroscopic (MINI) CA approach in such patients.

Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective multicenter CA registry of patients with regular SVTs.

Is there any association between secretory IgA and lactoferrin concentration in mature human milk and food allergy in breastfed children.

Background: Breastfeeding is recommended as a protective method against the development of allergy. However, some studies have reported an increased risk of allergies development in breastfed infants of atopic mothers, which implies that atopic mothers may have an altered composition of breast milk.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) and lactoferrin in human mature milk and to evaluate the association between the levels of these proteins in breast milk with food allergy in children, depending on the allergy status of the breastfeeding mother.

[Can the concentration of immunomodulating factors in mature breastmilk be associated with food allergy in breastfed children?].

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of such immunomodulating factors as transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1), interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in mature human milk and to relate the levels of the above mentioned cytokines in mature breast milk to the occurence of food allergy in children during the first 24 months of life.

Materials And Methods: Data on breastfeeding, symptoms of food allergy in children and breast milk samples were collected prospectively from birth to 24 months of age from 84 mothers participating in the Polish birth cohort of "EuroPrevall" study, in the years 2005-2007. Cytokine levels were measured in the whey with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) kits.

Immunotherapy of patients with recurrent spontaneous miscarriage and idiopathic infertility: does the immunization-dependent Th2 cytokine overbalance really matter?

Recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM) and idiopathic infertility (IIF) are partially caused by immunologic disturbances. Paternal lymphocyte immunization (PLI) is proposed for restoration of the proper Th1/Th2 balance in these patients, but still there are controversies on PLI mechanism, its efficacy and identification of patients who may benefit from this therapy. The study group consisted of n = 34 RSM and n = 42 IIF women with unexplained miscarriage or IIF.

HLA-C C1C2 heterozygosity may protect women bearing the killer immunoglobulin-like receptor AA genotype from spontaneous abortion.

Spontaneous abortion is the most common complication of human pregnancy. Natural killer (NK) cells expressing killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), which may recognize HLA-C (i.e.

L-ficolin (ficolin-2) insufficiency is associated with combined allergic and infectious respiratory disease in children.

We previously reported an association between relative L-ficolin deficiency and recurrent respiratory infections co-existing with allergic disorders in children. To confirm and extend this preliminary finding, we performed a prospective study on children of a similar age (mean 8.9 years) designed to establish whether the principal relationship was with infection or allergy.

Effect of nitric oxide donors on NADPH oxidase signaling pathway in human neutrophils in vitro.

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in activated neutrophils is catalyzed by NADPH oxidase, a multiproteins complex. Various protein kinases including protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in NADPH oxidase phosphorylation and activation. The main step in the NADPH oxidase activation is phosphorylation of its cytosolic protein p47(phox).

Isolated head injury in children affects the neutrophil function and lymphocyte count.

Background: Outcomes of treatment of postinjury complications remain unsatisfactory and research continues into the impact of trauma on innate and acquired immunity. The aim of our study was to describe how head injury affects a child's immunity by measuring the neutrophil function and lymphocytes subsets.

Methods: The peripheral blood of 16 children with head trauma (Glasgow Coma Score < or =9) was examined.

[Assessment of postvaccinal response in children past pertussis].

In the nineties, despite high percentage of vaccination of children, from 86% to 99% dependently on the region, there came to the increase of whooping cough cases. Until then infants and children to the age of 5 years suffered from this disease, whereas in the last decade the number of cases increased mainly among children over 5 years of age, who were subjected to full cycle of vaccination against whooping cough. Searching for the causes of such epidemiologic situation the following suggestions have been given: change of the bacteria antigenicity, the phenomenon of postvaccinal immunity extinction, immune system mechanisms disorders and groundless excuse from vaccination.

Influence of systemic photochemotherapy on regulatory T cells and selected cytokine production in psoriatic patients: a pilot study.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the skin with strong genetic and environmental risk factors and is regarded as a Th1 cell-type disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of one-month PUVA (Psoralen Ultraviolet A) therapy on a regulatory T-cell subpopulation (CD4+CD25+) and the production of some cytokines.

Material/methods: The study was performed on the group of 12 patients with severe psoriasis.

[Alterations of procalcitonin and interleukin 6 after cardiopulmonary bypass in children with congenital heart disease].

Unlabelled: Cardiac surgery induces systemic inflammatory response that may have been implicated the postoperative organ dysfunction. This inflammatory response is thought to be produced by exposing patients to proinflammatory factors. The aim of our study was to investigate alterations in procalcitonin (PCT) concentration in peripheral blood in children as the potential early indicator of complications occurring during and after surgery in extracorporeal circulation.

[Effect of high doses of shark liver oil supplementation on T cell polarization and peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cell function].

Fish oils supplementation has been recently widely used in prevention and treatment of the diseases in humans. Fish oil beneficial effects have been investigated in a number of animal disease models as well as human studies. Here, we examined clinical, immunological and biochemical effects of shark liver oil supplementation in high doses in 13 volunteers.

Flow cytometric evaluation of human neutrophil apoptosis during nitric oxide generation in vitro: the role of exogenous antioxidants.

Among numerous inflammatory mediators a nitric oxide molecule is supposed to be important in the modulation of neutrophil survival in vivo and in vitro. The effect of exogenous supply of NO donors such as SNP, SIN-1, and GEA-3162 on the course of human neutrophil apoptosis and the role of extracellular antioxidants in this process was investigated. Isolated from peripheral blood, neutrophils were cultured in the presence or absence of NO donor compounds and antioxidants for 8, 12, and 20 hours.

[The effect of alcoxyglycerols, squalene and n-3 fatty acid on some innate immunity parameters in healthy people].

Unlabelled: BioMarine 570 is well tolerated agent supporting the innate immunity. It was isolated from Greenland shark liver.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of BioMarine.

Cytokines locally produced by lymphocytes removed from the hypertrophic nasopharyngeal and palatine tonsils.

Objective: Human palatine tonsils and the nasopharyngheal tonsil are the largest components of the Waldeyer's ring. Subepithelial and intraepithelial lymphocytes of human adenoids and tonsils are responsible for the local and the systemic immune response. We studied the cytokine production by lymphoid cells isolated from 16 nasopharyngeal tonsils (adenoid) and 9 palatine tonsils surgically removed by from 25 children (aged from 4 to 15 years) suffering from tonsil hypertrophy.

Predominance of Type 1 cytokines and decreased number of CD4(+)CD25(+high) T regulatory cells in peripheral blood of patients with recurrent aphthous ulcerations.

Recurrent aphthous ulcerations (RAU) are a chronic inflammatory disease with evidence of inappropriate immune response. Previous studies have suggested cell-mediated activation of immune response towards common micro-organisms of oral cavity in RAU. In this investigation, we explored cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and T regulatory cell population in blood of active and remission RAU patients as crucial factors for maintenance of peripheral tolerance.

The involvement of immunoregulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of lichen sclerosus.

Background: The pathogenesis of lichen sclerosus (LS) and the mechanism of involution of LS-affected tissues is controversial. Autoimmune factors are proposed as a cause of disease. The involvement of autoimmune T lymphocytes in the disease development and progression is considered.

Epidermal growth factor enhances TNF-alpha-induced priming of human neutrophils.

The intensity of neutrophil inflammatory response could be rapidly amplified by priming with pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha, GM-CSF or LPS at low concentrations prior to stimuli. We proposed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) increases TNF-alpha-induced priming of human neutrophils. This study showed that EGF enhanced TNF-alpha-induced activation of neutrophils functions.

[Influence of paternal lymphocyte immunization on the selected subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions of unknown etiology].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of alloimmunization on the composition of PBL subpopulations in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) of unknown etiology.

Material And Methods: 25 women with history of 3-6 consecutive RSA were selected for this study. Immunization with paternal lymphocytes, isolated from 100 ml of peripheral blood, was performed two times before conception (4-weeks interval).

Innate immune system is implicated in recurrent aphthous ulcer pathogenesis.

Background: Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) is a chronic inflammatory disease with evidence of inappropriate immune response. This study presents the status of innate immune system in RAU.

Methods: Twenty RAU patients and 19 healthy individuals were selected.

The involvement of T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of endometriotic tissues overgrowth in women with endometriosis.

Background: Endometriosis, uncontrolled proliferation of ectopic and eutopic endometriotic tissues, is common in women at reproductive age, and may affect fertility. The role of macrophages in the pathogenesis is well proved, but engagement of T cells in the pathogenesis of endometriosis is a matter of controversy.

Aims: T-cell involvement in the pathogenesis of endometriosis was the objective of our study performed on women aged 24-46 years with diagnosed endometriosis.

Lymphocyte subset distribution and cytokine secretion in third trimester decidua in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.

Background: Excessive Th1 activity in peripheral blood plays a probable role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aim of the study was to investigate whether disturbed local immune reactions are also present in decidua.

Methods: Flow cytometric analysis of CD3, CD19, CD56/CD16, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD29, CD4/CD45RA, CD4/CD45RO, CD8/CD28, CD3/CD69 lymphocyte subsets isolated from third trimester decidua of pregnants with preeclampsia (n=21) and pregnant controls (n=11) subjected to elective caesarean sections.