Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent chronic condition associated with substantial global morbidity and mortality. Primarily caused by prolonged exposure to harmful agents such as dust and gases, COPD is characterized by persistent airflow limitation, clinically manifesting as chronic cough, sputum production, and dyspnea. The disease course alternates between stable phases and exacerbations, with the latter often associated with pathogenic colonization of the respiratory tract. This review examines the immunological underpinnings of COPD, emphasizing the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity in disease pathogenesis. Dysregulated immune responses to environmental factors perpetuate chronic inflammation, resulting in progressive pulmonary epithelial damage and connective tissue hyperplasia, which compromise gas exchange. Exacerbations further exacerbate respiratory failure, aggravating patient symptoms and accelerating disease progression. Despite advances in COPD management, effective therapeutic options remain limited. Current treatments primarily aim to alleviate symptoms, reduce immune activation, and manage infections, yet many patients experience suboptimal outcomes. This review highlights the potential of novel therapeutic approaches targeting immune system cells and pathways. In particular, it explores the promise of oral bacterial vaccines as immunomodulatory agents to enhance immune responses and improve clinical outcomes in COPD, addressing critical gaps in current treatment paradigms.

Patients treated in intensive care units (ICUs) are at high risk of malnutrition and the resulting homeostasis, metabolic, histological and immunological disorders, especially leading to organ failure and increased susceptibility to infection. In 163 patients with malnutrition [mild in 33 (19.6%), moderate in 69 (42.9%), severe in 61 (37.4%)] treated in the ICU, changes in the concentration of selected proteins [interleukin (IL)-1Ra, tumor necrosis factor  (TNF-), soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor-1 (sTNFR1), IL-6, IL-10, sTLR4, MyD88, A20, HSP70, HMGB1] were examined. In the whole group of malnourished patients, median values of sTNFR1, TNF-, IL-6, TLR4, IL-1Ra were significantly increased, while the levels of MyD88 and A20 proteins were significantly reduced (in comparison to the well-nourished healthy group). Only the sTNFR1 protein showed a significant difference between mild, moderate and severe malnutrition, and increased concentrations as the severity of malnutrition increased (the correlation study found that as the degree of malnutrition increased, the sTNFR1 concentrations increased; p = 0.0000, R = 0.5442). It was observed that death was significantly more frequent in the group of patients who on the first day of hospitalization in the ICU scored 5 or more points on the NRS 2002 scale (p = 0.0004). In the patients who died significantly higher concentrations of sTNFR1, IL-6, IL-10, HSP70 were observed in comparison to the patients who survived. The present results are encouraging and indicate the desirability of undertaking multicentre clinical trials including monitoring of sTNFR1 in assessing the severity of malnutrition and immune disorders in the first hours after admission to the ICU, because it can be assumed that without early diagnosis of innate immunity disorders any attempts at their modulation may be ineffective.

Introduction: Substantial causes of high mortality (30-50%) of people with severe infections treated in intensive care units (ICUs) are still inadequately known in terms of mechanisms and insufficient diagnostic tools for immune responses in sepsis. Material and methods: The aim of this study was to establish a practical value of determining the concentration of chosen proteins (by ELISA) in peripheral blood as potential in early diagnostics of severe infections, paying special attention to their prognostic values. Results: In 163 patients treated in ICUs, changes were assessed in the concentration of chosen proteins relating to the TLR4 receptor signalling pathway, including its effectors of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1Ra, TNF-a, sTNFR1, IL-6, IL-10, sTLR4, MyD88, TNFAIP3/A20, HSP70, and HMGB1). In the analysis of changes in the process of immune response in severely ill patients with and without infections, a significantly higher concentration of sTNFR1 was observed in patients with infections than those who deceased. In the ROC curves tests, it was noted that an assessment of the concentration of sTNFR1 proteins (AUC = 0.686 and cut-off point = 24.841 pg/ml) was a particularly efficient tool, with prognostic significance in patients with infections. Conclusions: In other patients treated in an ICU, the efficiency of determining IL-6 (AUC = 0.736) was confirmed and at the same time, the effectiveness of this cytokine in predicting death in cases with infections was excluded. The results of the present study are encouraging, suggesting the benefits of undertaking multi-center clinical trials, which consider monitoring sTNFR1 in different groups of patients with infections treated in intensive care units.

Over the past decades, atopic diseases have emerged as a growing global health concern. The Global Report on Atopic Dermatitis 2022 estimated that approximately 223 million people worldwide were living with atopic dermatitis in 2022, with around 43 million being children or adolescents. The financial burden associated with the treatment of this condition poses a significant challenge for both healthcare systems and patients. The current therapeutic approach for atopic diseases primarily focuses on symptomatic management, aiming to mitigate the effects of an overactive immune system. The most widely used treatments include topical or systemic corticosteroids, which suppress inflammation, and emollients, which help restore the skin barrier function. However, prolonged corticosteroid use is associated with adverse effects, including impaired immune response and reduced ability to combat external and internal threats. Consequently, there is a growing interest in developing alternative therapeutic strategies for managing atopic dermatitis. Among these emerging treatments, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) appears particularly promising. HBOT has a beneficial effect on the vascular and immune systems, which results in improved functioning of tissues and organs. This therapy has demonstrated efficacy in promoting wound healing, particularly in conditions such as thermal burns and diabetic foot ulcers. Given these properties, HBOT is being tested as a potential adjunctive therapy for atopic dermatitis and other allergy-related diseases. In this paper, we present the current state of knowledge regarding the application of HBOT in the treatment of atopic and immune-mediated conditions, with a focus on its immunomodulatory and regenerative effects.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways affecting over 260 million people worldwide and remains a major clinical and socioeconomic challenge. Despite substantial advances in pharmacological management (including inhaled corticosteroids, β₂-agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and biologic therapies), many patients continue to experience uncontrolled symptoms or corticosteroid resistance. This persistent unmet need has prompted interest in adjunctive and alternative treatment strategies. Oxygen therapy during asthma exacerbations and worsening pulmonary obstruction is a standard life-saving procedure. However, various forms of oxygen therapy are being considered for long-term treatment to reduce the number of exacerbations. Experimental and preliminary clinical data indicate that oxygen therapy may offer multiple benefits, including improved oxygenation, anti-inflammatory effects, reduced oxidative stress, modulation of nitric oxide signaling, enhanced immune responses, and promotion of angiogenesis. These mechanisms may collectively alleviate airway inflammation and improve pulmonary function. Nevertheless, clinical evidence on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in asthma remains limited. Existing small-scale studies suggest its safety but provide inconclusive results regarding its efficacy. Potential adverse effects such as barotrauma, oxygen toxicity, and transient anxiety necessitate careful patient selection and standardized treatment protocols. Further large-scale, randomized controlled trials are required to determine the therapeutic value of HBOT and to define its role as an adjunctive therapy in the comprehensive management of asthma.

U kobiet w ciąży i karmiących poważnym problemem są infekcje dróg moczowych. Zazwyczaj leczy się je antybiotykami, które mają pewne skutki uboczne i mogą negatywnie wpływać na rozwijający się płód. Żurawina i jej ekstrakty są obecnie często polecane kobietom w okresie ciąży i laktacji jako terapia alternatywna bądź uzupełniająca do leczenia antybiotykami. Powszechnie uważa się, że stosowanie żurawiny w terapii przeciwbakteryjnej jest bezpieczne zarówno dla matki, jak i rozwijającego się płodu. W niniejszym artykule opisano potencjalnie niepożądane mechanizmy działania związków zawartych w żurawinie na rozwój płodu i noworodków, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem jej potencjalnego antyangiogennego wpływu na płód.