Publications by authors named "Robert Mroz"

Background: The single-inhaler triple combination of beclometasone dipropionate, formoterol fumarate, and glycopyrronium (BDP/FF/G) is available for maintenance therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cardinal features of COPD are lung hyperinflation and reduced exercise capacity. TRIFORCE aimed to evaluate the effect of BDP/FF/G on lung hyperinflation and exercise capacity in patients with COPD.

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Background: Accumulating data implicate interleukin (IL)-33, a proinflammatory cytokine released locally upon epithelial cell damage, in the pathogenesis of COPD. In a phase 2 study, itepekimab, a human monoclonal antibody against IL-33, reduced exacerbations and improved lung function in a subgroup analysis of former smokers with COPD with an acceptable safety profile.

Methods: The study designs of AERIFY-1 and AERIFY-2 are described in this article.

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Article Synopsis
  • Discrimination between adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is challenging, but lipidomics analysis shows promise in differentiating these subtypes.
  • In a study of 25 NSCLC patients, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) revealed eight lipid biomarkers that effectively differentiate ADC from SCC, with certain lipids elevated in each group.
  • Notably, this research is the first to indicate that plasma levels of lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) can distinguish between ADC and SCC in NSCLC, highlighting the need for further investigation into their mechanisms and clinical relevance.
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The purpose of the work was to investigate the impact of sodium chloride (NaCl) on the antimicrobial efficacy of ceragenins (CSAs) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against bacterial and fungal pathogens associated with cystic fibrosis () lung infections. -associated bacterial (, spp., and ), and fungal pathogens (, and ) were used as target organisms for ceragenins (CSA-13 and CSA-131) and AMPs (LL-37 and omiganan).

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Background: The use of inert gas rebreathing for the non-invasive cardiac output measurement has produced measurements comparable to those obtained by various other methods. However, there are no guidelines for the inert gas rebreathing method during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). In addition, there is also a lack of specific standards for assessing the non-invasive measurement of cardiac output during CPET, both for healthy patients and those suffering from diseases and conditions.

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Background: FOOTPRINTS is a prospective, longitudinal, 3-year study assessing the association between biomarkers of inflammation/lung tissue destruction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity and progression in ex-smokers with mild-to-severe COPD. Here, we present baseline characteristics and select biomarkers of study subjects.

Methods: The methodology of FOOTPRINTS has been published previously.

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Non-small cell lung cancer is the predominant form of lung cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis. MiRNAs implicated in cancer initiation and progression can be easily detected in liquid biopsy samples and have the potential to serve as non-invasive biomarkers. In this study, we employed next-generation sequencing to globally profile miRNAs in serum samples from 71 early-stage NSCLC patients and 47 non-cancerous pulmonary condition patients.

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Respiratory failure (RF) is a common medical problem among cancer patients. Particularly active or ex-smokers diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer may develop severe hypoxemic and hypercapnic respiratory failure. Moreover, pneumonitis as a complication of the currently widely used immunotherapy of various cancers, may cause respiratory disorders requiring ventilation support.

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Biobanks are vital for high-throughput translational research, but the rapid development of novel molecular techniques, especially in omics assays, poses challenges to traditional practices and recommendations. In our study, we used biospecimens from oncological patients in Polish clinics and collaborated with the Indivumed Group. For serum/plasma samples, we monitored hemolysis, controlled RNA extraction, assessed cDNA library quality and quantity, and verified NGS raw data.

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The development of treatment methods for nicotine dependence has progressed slowly because people with psychiatric disorders are usually excluded from participating in clinical trials. There are several therapeutic options to support smoking cessation, including psychological and pharmacological interventions, which should be offered to smokers with mental disorders. The first step in helping tobacco smokers and nicotine-dependent individuals is the assessment of smoking intensity and confirmation of nicotine dependence.

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Smoking and nicotine dependence are still one of the main reasons for a number of serious and life-shortening somatic diseases. At the same time, they are more prevalent in mentally ill individuals than in the general population. This work, which constitutes the first part of recommendations of the Polish Psychiatric Association, presents the scale of the phenomenon in the general population and among people with psychiatric disorders, diagnostic criteria of nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal.

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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by defects in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Due to the genetic nature of the disease, interventions in the genome can target any underlying alterations and potentially provide permanent disease resolution. The current development of gene-editing tools, such as designer nuclease technology capable of genome correction, holds great promise for both CF and other genetic diseases.

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The COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge to health systems worldwide. Limiting healthcare availability may delay early diagnosis and worsen the treatment effects of various diseases, including oncological diseases. We analyzed patients presenting to the 2nd Department of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis in Białystok, Poland, with suspicion of lung cancer 12 months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-COVID-19) and, similarly, 12 months after the outbreak of the pandemic (mid-COVID).

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Summary: Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory, multisystem disease with an undetermined etiology. The presence of noncaseating granulomas in involved organs is a characteristic pathomorphological feature. Sarcoidosis, like a chameleon, can mimic different medical conditions.

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BACKGROUND Atezolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor used as first-line treatment with carboplatin and etoposide chemotherapy for advanced small cell lung cancer. Immunochemotherapy treatment decisions can be affected by patients' physical ability. Because of the exclusion of patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) ≥2 from clinical trials, treatment outcome evidence in this group is limited.

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BACKGROUND Advanced non-small cell lung cancer has poor prognosis and low survival. Immunotherapy with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors is a relatively new method of treatment that offers a chance to significantly extend the survival and quality of life of patients over that obtained with conventional chemotherapy. One of the complications of immunotherapy is immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis.

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Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a rare complication of radiochemotherapy for lung cancer. It may develop months or years after radical treatment. The diagnosis of CPA is challenging and complex.

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Background: Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 2 (ECOG PS 2) are not included in most randomized clinical trials and registry studies. Nevertheless, immune checkpoint inhibitors are registered in the USA and Europe regardless of the performance status. Evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of such treatment in this cohort is sparse.

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Identification of the NSCLC subtype at an early stage is still quite sophisticated. Metabolomics analysis of tissue and plasma of NSCLC patients may indicate new, and yet unknown, metabolic pathways active in the NSCLC. Our research characterized the metabolomics profile of tissue and plasma of patients with early and advanced NSCLC stage.

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, chronic and progressive disease that is a major public health problem worldwide. Treatment for stable COPD relies on pharmacological and non-pharmacological procedures. Education, self-management interventions and personalized pulmonary rehabilitation should be part of chronic care for patients with COPD at all stages of their disease.

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Immunotherapy is a new and very promising method of anti-cancer treatment. Unfortunately, not every patient can benefit from this treatment. The Polish drug program determines the selection of patients based on PD-L1 expression and the performance status assessed with the use of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score.

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Introduction: A better understanding is needed of the different phenotypes that exist for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their relationship with the pathogenesis of COPD and how they may affect disease progression. Biomarkers, including those associated with emphysema, may assist in characterising patients and in predicting and monitoring the course of disease. The FOOTPRINTS study (study 352.

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Purpose: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is one of the most popular alternatives to conventional cigarette smoking. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cigarette and e-cigarette use among university students from Poland, with particular emphasis on ever and current cigarette and e-cigarette use as well as smoking initiation age.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2017 and 2018 in a group of university students in 5 academic centers in Poland.

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Purpose: We aimed to assess sexual function, sexual distress and the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among women with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA), and to assess if the presence of OSA and dyspnea influences the prevalence of FSD, body image during sexual activity and sexual function.

Methods: We assessed 23 women with new OSA diagnosis and 23 healthy age and body mass index (BMI) matched controls. Sexual functions were evaluated by Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ), sexual dysfunction was diagnosed based on DSM-5 criteria during the semi-structured sexual interview, whereas body image was evaluated by Body Exposure during Sexual Activities Questionnaire (BESAQ).

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Our aim is to assess the smoking cessation and vaping cessation activity, including quit attempts and willingness to quit among university students in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as to investigate personal characteristics associated with smoking cessation and vaping cessation attempts. Data were collected by questionnaire which included 46 questions on cigarette and e-cigarette use. Questionnaires were obtained from 14,352 university students (aged 20.

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