Cellular and cytokine immunoregulation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma.

BACKGROUND: Different forms of chronic airway inflammation may involve diverse pathogenic elements. In general, deficient defence response is a feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whereas distorted immunoregulatory mechanisms lead to development of asthmatic symptoms. In addition to diverse effector mechanisms, the cellular and humoral elements participating in the development of immune response may appear to be different in COPD and bronchial asthma (BA) patients. AIMS: To evaluate the immunoregulatory properties of T cells and monocytes in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and to determine the chosen cytokine profiles in COPD and BA patients. METHODS: The microcultures of PBMC from COPD and BA patients were assessed for the T-cell response to mitogens, saturation of interleukin (IL)-2 receptors, T-cell suppressive activity and monokine influence on lymphocyte proliferation. Concomitantly, the cytokine (IL-1beta, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8) concentrations were determined in the serum, the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and in the culture supernatants. RESULTS: The T-lymphocyte reactions (response to phytohaemagglutinin, IL-2 receptor saturation, suppressive activity) were lower in BA patients than in COPD patients. Reversely, the immunogenic activity of monocytes (IL-1beta versus IL-1ra production) was higher in BA patients than in COPD patients. The highest values of cytokine concentrations were found in the culture supernatants. The concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly higher and the concentration of IL-1ra was lower in BA patients than in COPD patients. CONCLUSION: The assessments of cellular immunoregulatory properties and cytokine profiles in the cultures of blood mononuclear cells may prove helpful for diagnostic and therapeutic discrimination between BA and COPD patients

The analysis of goosefoot pollen count in selected Polish cities in 2009

W pracy przedstawiono przebieg sezonu pylenia komosy w 2009 roku. Badania prowadzono w Białymstoku, Bydgoszczy, Krakowie, Lublinie, Łodzi, Olsztynie, Sosnowcu, Szczecinie, Warszawie i we Wrocławiu, z zastosowaniem metody wolumetrycznej, przy użyciu aparatów typu Burkard i Lanzoni. Najwyższe stężenia pyłku komosy zanotowano w Łodzi 27 sierpnia (68 z/m3) oraz w Olsztynie w dniu 9 sierpnia (16 ziaren/m3).This paper presents the course of goosefoot pollen season in selected cites of Poland in 2009. The measurements were performed in Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Kraków, Lublin, Łódź, Olsztyn, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warszawa and Wrocław, use of volumetric method with Burkard and Lanzoni Spore Trap. The highest daily pollen count, that reached the level of 68 goosefoot pollen grains/m3, was recorded in Łódź on the 27 of August and the level of 16 goosefoot pollen grains/m3, was recorded in Olsztyn on the 09 of August

The analysis of mugwort pollen count in selected Polish cities in 2009

W pracy przedstawiono przebieg sezonu pylenia bylicy w 2009 roku. Badania prowadzono w Białymstoku, Bydgoszczy, Krakowie, Lublinie, Łodzi, Olsztynie, Sosnowcu, Warszawie, we Wrocławiu i w Szczecinie, z zastosowaniem metody wolumetrycznej przy użyciu aparatów typu Burkard i Lanzoni. Najwyższe stężenia pyłku bylicy, wynoszące 364 z/m3, zanotowano w Łodzi 4 sierpnia oraz 172 ziarna/m3 w Lublinie w dniu 8 sierpnia.This paper presents the course of mugwort pollen season in selected cites of Poland in 2009. The measurements were performed in Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Kraków, Lublin, Łódź, Olsztyn, Sosnowiec, Warszawa, Wrocław and in Szczecin, use of volumetric method with Burkard and Lanzoni Spore Trap. The highest daily pollen count, that reached the level of 364 mugwort pollen grains/m3, was recorded in Łódź on the 04 of August and the level of 172 mugwort pollen grains/m3 , was recorded in Lublin on the 08 of August

Fas/FasL pathway and cytokines in keratinocytes in atopic dermatitis - Manipulation by the electromagnetic field.

BACKGROUND:Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most frequent skin diseases. Changes of the keratinocytes functionality play a major role in the development of AD. For example, activation of the Fas (CD95)/FasL (CD178) pathway in AD does not lead to extensive apoptosis in skin. Binding of the Fas receptor to its protein ligand-FasL, which are present on the (AD)-modified keratinocytes, should result in the sequential induction of cell death, but there is no evidence of extensive apoptosis of these cells. This suggests that non-apoptotic mechanism of Fas/FasL pathway is commonly encountered, although not examined in the case of AD, phenomenon. An electromagnetic field, which was used to influence cultured cells in this study, can modulate proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and metabolism in various cells. OBJECTIVE:Here, we evaluate the possibility to manipulate the immune activation of AD keratinocytes and their response to the electromagnetic field, which was not tested before. METHODS:Keratinocytes isolated from the skin of healthy subjects (n = 20) and patients with atopic dermatitis (n = 20) as well as HaCaT and PCS-200-010 cell were exposed to the 900 MHz electromagnetic field for 60 minutes. Cytometric analysis of viability, Fas/FasL, p-ERK, p-p38 and p-JNK expression and Luminex analysis of cytokine concentration were performed in two-time points: 4 and 24 hours after the exposition. RESULTS:This research has shown upregulated Fas, FasL, p-ERK, p-p38, and p-JNK expression along with increased cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-31 and TNFα) by keratinocytes derived from the skin of patients with the AD when compared with healthy control. Exposure of keratinocyte cultures obtained from AD patients to EMF resulted in a decrease of 1β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, I L-13, IL-17, IL-31 and TNFα levels. Keratinocytes derived from the skin of AD patients are characterized by elevated Fas and FasL expression when compared to healthy control. CONCLUSION:Apoptotic and nonapoptotic activation of the Fas/FasL-dependent signaling pathway may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AD, by adjusting the local cytokine and chemokine environment at the site of inflammation. Moreover, the electromagnetic field exhibits strong immunomodulatory effects on AD-modified keratinocytes

Effect of 3-year education in the Main Fire Service School on the fitness level of students

Introduction and objective The aim of the study was to determine changes in the fitness level among students of the Main Fire Service School during 3-year’s education. Material and Methods A total of 75 male and 5 female students took part in the study. Fitness level measurements were carried out before beginning the studies (Measurement 0) and after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years at the school (Measurement 1, 2, 3). The following tests were performed to estimate level of physical fitness for men: pull-ups on a bar, a 50 m sprint and 1,000 m run, and for women: sit-ups, medical ball (2 kg) throw from above the head and a 4 x10 m shuttle run. Results General fitness level (average number of points from 3 attempts) of the male and female students improved. Improvement of fitness level between Measurement 0 (male students 60.3p.±7.58; female students 61.60p.±3.08), and Measurements 1, 2, 3 (men 64.59p.±6.87; 64.41p.±7.17; 64.03p.±7.65 and women 68.40p.±1.99; 66.67p.±2.36; 68.87±1.87 respectively), was found. The same relationship was found while analysing results of individual competitions. Only speed endurance (anaerobic-aerobic) assessed during Measurement 0 at 64.03p.±10.23, decreased after the 1st year at the school (Measurement 1 – 59.29p.±14.14) and remained on the same level during Measurements 2 and 3 (60.25p.±11.20 and 58.56p. ±12.80, respectively). Conclusions Speed endurance (anaerobic-aerobic) is a capability which decreased among the students in the subsequent years. Because this capability highly correlates with activities that a fire-fighter will perform during rescue operations, it should be treated as a matter of priority during physical education classes in the Main Fire Service School

Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in the Polish Armed Forces

Objectives Standard devices used by military personnel that may pose electromagnetic hazard include: radars, missile systems, radio navigation systems and radio transceivers. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the exposure of military personnel to electromagnetic fields. Material and Methods Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields was analyzed in the work environment of personnel of 204 devices divided into 5 groups (surface-to-air missile system radars, aircraft and helicopters, communication devices, surveillance and height finder radars, airport radars and radio navigation systems). Measurements were carried out at indicators, device terminals, radio panels, above vehicle seats, in vehicle hatches, by cabinets containing high power vacuum tubes and other transmitter components, by transmission lines, connectors, etc. Results Portable radios emit the electric field strength between 20–80 V/m close to a human head. The manpack radio operator’s exposure is 60–120 V/m. Inside vehicles with high frequency/very high frequency (HF/VHF) band radios, the electric field strength is between 7–30 V/m and inside the radar cabin it ranges between 9–20 V/m. Most of the personnel on ships are not exposed to the electromagnetic field from their own radar systems but rather by accidental exposure from the radar systems of other ships. Operators of surface-to-air missile systems are exposed to the electric field strength between 7–15 V/m and the personnel of non-directional radio beacons – 100–150 V/m. Conclusions In 57% of military devices Polish soldiers work in the occupational protection zones. In 35% of cases, soldiers work in intermediate and hazardous zones and in 22% – only in the intermediate zone. In 43% of devices, military personnel are not exposed to electromagnetic field. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(4):565–57