Introduction. Interest in the potential role of low-density granulocytes (LDGs) in the development of autoimmune diseases has been renewed recently. Due to their pro-inflammatory action, more and more attention is paid to the role of LDGs, including those expressing the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO), in the development of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). LDGs are actively involved in the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). This phenomenon may favour the externalization of the autoantigen and lead to damage to internal organs, including the liver. Aim. The main aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of the LDG percentage, including the fraction showing MPO expression as markers of systemic inflammation in AIH. Materials and methods. The study included a group of 25 patients with AIH and 20 healthy volunteers. Mononuclear cells, isolated from peripheral blood, were labelled with monoclonal antibodies conjugated to the appropriate fluorochromes (CD15-FITC, CD14-PE, CD10-PE-Cy5, MPO+) and then analyzed on a Navios Flow Cytometer (Beckman Coulter). Results. Patients with AIH had a higher median percentage of LDG (1.2 vs. 0.1; p = 0.0001) and LDG expressing MPO (0.8 vs. 0.3; p = 0.0017) when compared to healthy volunteers. Moreover, the percentage of LDG was characterised by 100% of sensitivity and 55% of specificity (AUC = 0.84; p < 0.0001), while the percentage of LDG expressing MPO was 92% of sensitivity and 55% of specificity (AUC = 0.78; p = 0.0001) in the detection of AIH. Conclusions. Assessment of inflammatory markers, such as the percentage of LDG and the percentage of LDG expressing MPO, may be helpful in assessing the phenomenon of an increased systemic inflammatory response and in assessing liver fibrosis (LC, Liver cirrhosis), which is inherent in liver decompensation. Taking into account the above arguments, the assessment of the percentage of LDG, including LDG expressing MPO, may turn out to be a useful marker in the diagnosis of AIH.

(1) Introduction: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic disease. A persistent autoimmune reaction in the liver is significantly related to the systemic inflammatory response. Extended Inflammation Parameters (EIP) can be used to assess the activation of immune cells such as activated neutrophils (NEUT-RI and NEUT-GI) and activated lymphocytes (RE-LYMP and AS-LYMP) in the phase of active inflammation. The role of the systemic inflammatory response markers should also be emphasised, especially: NLR, PLR, and RLR, which have recently been widely studied as markers in autoimmune skin diseases or liver diseases. (2) Materials and Methods: The study included 30 patients with AIH and 30 healthy volunteers. The parameters of the EIP group (RE-LYMP, AS-LYMP, NEUT-RI, NEUT-GI), calculated haematological indices Red Blood Cell Distribution Width-to-Platelet Ratio (RPR), Mean Platelet Volume-to-Platelet Ratio (MPR), Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Red Blood Cell Distribution Width-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (RLR), and selected blood morphological and biochemical indices were analysed. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of the EIP and systemic inflammatory response markers in the diagnostics of AIH. (3) Results: Compared to the controls, the patients with AIH showed significantly higher EIP values: NEUT-RI (48.05 vs. 43.30), NEUT-GI (152.65 vs. 147.40), RE-LYMP (0.07 vs. 0.03), and the inflammatory response markers: MPR (0.05 vs. 0.04), RPR (0.07 vs. 0.05), and NLR (2.81 vs. 1.42. Among the examined markers, EIP has significant diagnostic potential: NEUT-RI (AUC = 0.86), NEUT-GI (AUC = 0.80), and RE-LYMP (AUC = 0.78), and so do calculated haematological indices, i.e., MPR (AUC = 0.75), PLR (AUC = 1.00), and RLR (AUC = 1.00) Moreover, the importance of NEUT-GI (AUC = 0.89), MPR (AUC = 0.93), PLR (AUC = 0.86), RPR (AUC = 0.91), and FIB-4 (AUC = 0.83) in the detection of liver fibrosis in the course of AIH has also been proven. (4) Conclusions: EIP and systemic inflammatory response markers may turn out to be useful in detecting AIH and in looking for features of already developed liver cirrhosis in its course.

Calprotectin (S100A8/A9 or myeloid-related protein 8/14) is a heterodimeric S100 complex expressed in leukocytes. Calprotectin participates in development of the inflammatory response by binding to receptors for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and Toll-like receptors (TLR). The clinical activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is evaluated using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). This Polish single-center case-control study aimed to evaluate serum levels of calprotectin as a rapid diagnostic biomarker of SLE (59 patients with SLE were compared with 52 healthy controls). Calprotectin concentration was measured with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The SLE activity of the patients was assessed by the SLEDAI scale. Statistical analysis of the results was carried out using MedCalc 15.8 software. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. A significantly higher concentration of calprotectin was found in the study group compared to the control group (medians: 3.11 vs 2.45 ng/ml; P=0.0013). We found that calprotectin has high sensitivity (89.83%) and specificity (53.85%) in differentiating between SLE patients and healthy volunteers. We found that calprotectin has very high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (82.46%) in detection of patients with moderate and severe SLE assessed using SLEDAI. Consistent with previous studies, serum calprotectin level was revealed to have potential as a rapid diagnostic biomarker of disease activity in patients with SLE.

Introduction: Direct parameters resistance (R), reactance (Xc), phase angle (PA), capacitance of membrane (Cm), and impedance ratio (Z200/Z5)) determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) detect changes in tissue electrical properties and have been found to be a marker of cell membrane function in various diseases. Materials and Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate whether direct bioimpedance parameters differ in a group of heart failure (HF) patients divided on the basis of the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classes I–II and III–IV. BIA was evaluated in 100 patients with HF treated in Clinic of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Military Hospital, Lublin. Results: In men, lower PA values (p = 0.01), Xc (p < 0.01), Cm (p = 0.02), and higher values of the Z200/Z5 ratio (p < 0.01) were observed in patients classified into NYHA groups III and IV in comparison to those with lower stages of disease. Similar correlations were noted in women (only Cm differences were insignificant). In addition, in men, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) correlated negatively with PA (p < 0.01), Xc (p < 0.01), and Cm (p < 0.01) and positively with the Z200/Z5 index (p < 0.01). There were no similar correlations observed in women. Conclusion: Patients with advanced CHF have altered electrical values. Changes in electrical values may directly reflect tissues as well as the whole-body condition.

Nutritional deficiencies, including malnutrition and its irreversible type cachexia, are often observed in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Among the various factors contributing to the occurrence of these disorders, inflammation seems to be crucial. The potential regulatory properties of miR-511-3p, e.g., post-translational alteration of expression of genes with protein products that are involved in inflammation, may be related to nutritional deficiencies observed in HNC patients. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the correlation between pretreatment miR-511-3p expression and nutritional status in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) due to HNC. In our retrospective study, 60 consecutively admitted patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) due to advanced HNC were enrolled. The analysis of miR-511-3p expression was performed using real-time PCR. Significantly higher expression of miR-511-3p was observed in well-nourished patients compared to patients with moderate or severe malnutrition (p = 0.0001). Pretreatment expression of miR-511-3p may be a useful biomarker of nutritional deficiencies in patients subjected to IMRT due to HNC.

Background: Malnutrition is a nutritional disorder observed in 52% of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Malnutrition is frequently related to the increased level of proinflammatory cytokines. In turn, ongoing inflammation is associated with increased catabolism of skeletal muscle and lipolysis. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the development of malnutrition and cachexia in cancer patients. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between a functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) −610 T > G (rs4149570) of the TNFRSF1A gene and the occurrence of nutritional disorders in patients subjected to RT due to HNC. Methods: The study group consisted of 77 patients with HNC treated at the Oncology Department of the Medical University in Lublin. Genotyping of the TNFRSF1A gene was performed using capillary electrophoresis (Genetic Analyzer 3500). Results: Multivariable analysis revealed that the TT genotype of the TNFRSF1A gene (−610 T > G) was an independent predictor of severe malnutrition (odds ratio—OR = 5.05; p = 0.0350). Moreover, the TT genotype of this gene was independently related to a higher risk of critical weight loss (CWL) (OR = 24.85; p = 0.0009). Conclusions: SNP (−610 T > G) of the TNFRSF1A may be a useful marker in the assessment of the risk of nutritional deficiencies in HNC patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).