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The aim of the study was quantitative analysis of five genes encoding Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigma factors sigA, sigE, sigF, sigH, and sigI as well as the 85B reference gene known as the mycobacterial viability marker, in cultures exposed to rifampicin and isoniazid. The mRN levels were assessed using QRT-PCR technique, in the automated system of real time quantification with the ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detector System (TaqMan). The number of each analyzed gene transcript copies was expressed as a number of mRNA per 1 eg of isolated total RNA. In cultures exposed to the tested chemicals the number of 85B mRNA copies declined as compared to the controls (without tested chemicals). There was no detectable expression of sigA and sigI in the control cultures. Both, rifampicin and isoniazid induced expression of sigA and sigI genes. The sigE gene expression increased during exposure to isoniazid and decreased under rifampicin exposure conditions. The sigF mRNA was detected neither in the control culture, nor in cultures exposed to rifampicin or isoniazid. Both tested chemicals caused decrease of sigH expression.

Resistance to antituberculous agents is an important cause of ineffectiveness of antimicrobial therapy. The resistance of M. tuberculosis to antituberculous agents is a result of mutations in genes participating in those agent's action. The antituberculous drug--isoniazid can be activated by Mycobacterium tuberculosis either through a hydroperoxidase I/II or a superoxide-dependent oxyferrous pathway. The present study analyzed the frequency of the mutations occurring in codons 315 and 463 in katG gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, isolated from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis from Silesia, Poland. In this study 23 isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains were analyzed. For RFLP analysis, a 620 bp amplified fragment of katG gene was digested with restriction endonuclease MspI. Among 24 isoniazid-resistant strains, isolated from patients between 2000-2001, point mutations were found in 30% of analyzed isoniazid-resistant strains in codons 315 or 463 (7 strains). In contrast, no mutations in codons 315 and/or 463 katG gene were found in 16 strains (70%). Obtained results suggests that point mutations S315T (AGC-->ACC) and R463L in katG gene are infrequent in the analyzed population.

Luminol-amplified chemiluminescence was generated by alveolar macrophages, harvested from the bronchoalveolar lavages of 16 patients with different radiological stages of non-invasive (asymptomatic) sarcoidosis. None of the patients received any steroid therapy during this study. The mean duration of the disease in these patients was 8 months, with a duration time range of 6-14 months. Six patients were in radiological stage 1, five in radiological stage 2 and five in radiological stage 3. Alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavages of eight healthy non-smoking volunteers were used as controls. All alveolar macrophages were stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate. A significant decrease was recorded in the intensity of chemiluminescence generated by the phorbol-ester-stimulated alveolar macrophages obtained from patients with sarcoidosis of radiological stages 1 and 2, as compared to the cells collected from healthy individuals (controls). No decrease was recorded in the chemiluminescence generated by stimulated alveolar macrophages collected from patients with radiological stage 3, or from unstimulated alveolar macrophages of any patient. These results provide us with an indicative tool, which might enable us to differentiate, on a functional basis, between the activities of alveolar macrophages in non-active sarcoidosis., (Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Recent data, especially from immunocompromised patients, suggest that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) plays an important role in lung pathology. In this study the serological status of HCMV infection and characteristic of the HCMV infected patients with interstitial lung diseases were determined. The subjects were enrolled prior to immunosuppression therapy introduction.

The paper presents the in-house method of quantitative analysis of 85 B mRNA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures coming from seeded biological material taken from tuberculosis patients. After the proper culture time, the total RNA was isolated. Than, a one-step QRT-PCR was performed. High specificity and sensitivity of the method was confirmed e.g. by participation in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis QC Proficiency Panel Programme (European Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics, Glasgow, Scotland, UK).

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a rare cholestatic liver disease with an autoimmune etiology. The present study was done to estimate the frequency of occurrence of pulmonary disturbances and to analyse the results of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in patients with PBC. Thirteen patients (only women) aged 50.4 with histologically proved PBC were investigated. Mean values of lung function tests in the study group were within normal range. In 38% of patients the impairment of DICO was observed. Only in one patient decrease of lung compliance (Cdyn) was observed. BAL findings showed the increase of lymphocytes ratio (> 15%) in 5 patients (38%). The disturbances in lung function and BAL were observed in patients with different stage of PBC and without clinical symptoms of lung disease.

The purpose of this study was comparison of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) levels in serum and pleural fluid and estimation of this test usefulness in diagnosis of pleural effusions. VEGF levels were measured by ELISA method in 68 patients (45 males and 23 females) aged 19-81 years. By Light's criteria in 16 cases transudate and in 52 cases exudate was recognized. By means of fluid cytology, pleural biopsy, microbiology or thoracoscopy in 10 cases pleural metastases from distant organs, in 15 cases coexisting pulmonary neoplasm, in 11 cases mesothelioma and in 16 cases tuberculosis were determined as a cause of fluid accumulation in pleural space. The mean VEGF levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with exudates than in patients with transudates (3833 pg/ml and 325 pg/ml respectively). Based on likelihood ratios analysis, as a cut off value in differentiation of exudates and transudates a value 700 pg/ml was accepted. The sensitivity of this test was 75% and the specificity 93% and likelihood ratio (LR) 12.5. The mean VEGF level in exudates was seven times higher than mean VEGF level in serum (3833 pg/ml and 573 pg/ml respectively). Mean VEGF levels in malignant exudates (4615 pg/ml) were significantly higher than in tuberculous exudates (2073 pg/ml). As a cut off value in differentiation between malignant and tuberculous exudates a value of 4500 pg/ml was accepted. We conclude that our results suggests the local VEGF production in pleural cavity and the significant role of this cytokine in pleural exudates accumulations and also suggests the usefulness of VEGF estimation in pleural fluid in differentiation transudates from exudates and malignant from tuberculous pleural fluids.

Unlabelled: The goal of this study was to evaluate serum level of EPO in 32 men with lung cancer (Squamous cell lung cancer N = 11, Adenocarcinoma N = 10, Small cell lung cancer N = 11) in relation to the degree of anemia, stage of disease and the regimen of anticancer therapy. The control group consisted of 29 men, among whom were 15 patients with posthemorrhagic anemia. Blood samples were withdrawn for assessment of blood count, serum concentration of EPO, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and ferritin. The assessment of all parameters was repeated after 3 months of therapy:, Results: Patients suffering from lung cancer were characterized by a lower hemoglobin level and higher level of EPO as compared with the control group. A significant negative correlation was found between hemoglobin level and EPO serum concentration in all groups of patients and in the control group. The strongest correlation was observed in the control group t = -0.812. In each group of patients the serum level of EPO increased after treatment; although a significant increase was found only in surgically treated patients and patients after chemotherapy. After treatment the correlation between hemoglobin and EPO became stronger especially in the group of patients with small cell lung cancer., Conclusions: 1. Patients with lung cancer are characterized by inappropriately low serum EPO levels when related to the degree of anemia, 2. The suppressive effect of lung cancer on EPO secretion depends on the histological type of the cancer (with the exception of small cell lung cancer). 3. The increase of EPO level after treatment seems to be caused not only by a decrease of hemoglobin concentration, but also by reduction of the tumor mass.

In 2001 a modified MRC questionnaire and spirometry were performed in the inhabitants of Zabrze (Poland). Two hundred and thirty-nine men and 320 women aged 19-69 years were studied. Forty percent of men and 23% of women were smokers. In men but not in women a decline in smoking habit was observed as compared with previous studies in Zabrze carried out in the eighties. More men (32%) than women (19%) gave up smoking. The prevalence of chronic productive cough was closely related to smoking habit. Dyspnea and wheezing were also related to smoking but less strongly than productive cough. The prevalence of COPD (diagnosed according to GOLD criteria) was 10.2%. COPD was more common in smokers than in non-smokers, especially among men (19% and 2% respectively). Persistent productive cough, wheezing and advanced dyspnoea as well as intensive smoking (more than 40 pack years) were strongly connected with the prevalence of COPD. COPD was previously diagnosed in more than 50% of subjects identified as having COPD in this study. Almost 80% of subjects with COPD were not given any treatment in the past year.

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) are the most common complication of chronic bronchitis. The majority of AECB are caused by infection. The choice of appropriate antibacterial therapy for AECB is becoming more difficult and is usually empirically. Cefaclor and cefuroxime are used for ambulatory treatment of AECB., Material/methods: This multicenter, randomized, single blind study was undertaken in order to compare efficacy and safety of cefaclor AF (500 mg BID) and cefuroxime axetil (250 mg BID) in 10 days treatment of ambulatory patients with AECB. 170 adults were enrolled into the study. Clinical responses were assessed on 17th-24th day after randomization., Results: Both antibiotics had high over 97% effectiveness in the treatment of AECB. There was statistically significant 1.7 times higher rate of patients with cough release after cefaclor treatment compared to cefuroxime (p<0.03). There was a significantly 2.25 higher rate of patients with AECB symptoms release like: increasing dyspnea, sputum volume and sputum purulence or cough in cefaclor group compared to cefuroxime (p<0.0187). Both treatments resulted in significant improvement of pulmonary peak expiratory flow (PEF). There were no differences between the rates of gastrointestinal and other side effects in both groups., Conclusions: 1. Cefaclor and cefuroxime have similar high efficacy and safety in 10 days treatment of patients with AECB. 2. Cefaclor treatment significantly higher 2.25 times reduces the rate of principle symptoms of AECB compared to cefuroxime. 3. Both antibiotics treatment significantly increase PEF, with higher tendency observed in after cefaclor treatment.

In 1996-2000 in 55 patients (16 females, 39 males) admitted to Department of Phtisiopneumonology in Zabrze because of peripheral lung lesions (diameter 2.5-9.5 cm mean 4.5 cm). The transbronchial aspiration needle biopsy (TANB) was performed as diagnostic procedure during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Subjects classified to TANB showed no pathologic changes in the bronchial tree during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. In all subjects the TANB was performed using special Wang's needles and always under fluoroscopy supervision. Based on pathologic examination of specimens obtained by Wang's needle the diagnosis was established in 29 (52.7%) cases. The most frequent diagnosis was non small cell carcinoma--in 22 (40%) of examined patients. The small cell carcinoma was confirmed only in 1 patient. In 3 (5.5%) patients tuberculosis was diagnosed. TANB was good tolerated by almost all patients, only in 1 patient small pneumothorax was recorded and in 6 cases small bleeding occurred. We conclude that transbronchial aspiration needle biopsy is safe and efficient method in diagnosis of peripheral lung tumors.

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that total blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocytes and their subsets in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) with coexistent alveolitis are different from those in patients with PBC alone. Total blood and BAL lymphocytes and their subsets were evaluated in both types of patients and compared with a control group of normal healthy subjects., Material and Methods: 17 patients with well-documented PBC were divided into two groups: Group A--patients with coexisting alveolitis and Group B--patients with no alveolitis. Diagnosis was based on bronchoalveolar lavage. The control group consisted of healthy subjects. The lymphocyte subsets, including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20 and CD56 were identified in blood and BAL cytospin smears using specific monoclonal antibodies., Results: The percentage of CD3 and CD8 lymphocytes in BAL was significantly lower in a Group A, whereas the percentage of NK was significantly increased in group B as compared with the reference group. The percentage of blood CD4 lymphocytes in both subgroups of the PBC patients was significantly decreased as compared with the controls. The percentage of NK in both groups was significantly increased as compared with the controls., Conclusions: The relationship between the blood and BAL lymphocyte subsets in both studies groups were similar. Therefore, we suggest that PBC is a systemic disease in which lymphocytic infiltrations are not limited to the liver but may also involve lungs and probably other organs.

32 patients, in whom bronchoscopy was performed due to the removal of foreign body from the lower respiratory tract were described. Age of the patients clinical symptoms and a time lapse between aspiration and removal of foreign body from the lover respiratory tract and localization of foreign body in the particular bronchus were analysed. We conclude, that rigid bronchoscopy is still more useful and safe method of foreign body removing from the lower respiratory tract.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of bFGF and VEGF in double BAL (2 x 120 ml) from two different lung segments: (s.A) from upper lobe with the most and (s.B) from lower lobe with the least extensive involvement estimated by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Examined group consisted of 28 sarcoid patients with homogeneous, regular distribution of nodular opacities in conventional chest X-ray (14 F, 14 M aged 19-54). Eleven healthy volunteers served as controls. In patients with sarcoidosis we observed the significantly higher levels (p < 0.01) of bFGF (1.79 pg/ml, 1.48 pg/ml) and VEGF (107.5 pg/ml, 109.7 pg/ml) in BAL from s.A and s.B respectively in comparison with BAL from lung segments Abis and Bbis in control group (bFGF: 0.75 pg/ml, 0.47 pg/ml and VEGF: 33.7 pg/ml, 43.9 pg/ml respectively). bFGF in BAL from s.A in active sarcoidosis was higher than in s.A and s.B in non-active sarcoidosis. Concentrations of bFGF in BAL from both s.A and s.B correlated positively with CD4/CD8 ratio and absolute number of lymphocytes, CD4 cells and lymphocytes HLA-DR estimated in BAL from these lung segments. We conclude that bFGF and VEGF may be involved in sarcoidosis pathogenesis and bFGF may be useful in estimation of sarcoidosis activity.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of lymphocytes T gd in sarcoidosis by estimation of T gd cells in double BAL (2 x 120 ml) from two different lung segments: with the most (s.A) and with the least (s.B.) extensive involvement evaluated by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and in peripheral blood. Examined group consisted of 28 sarcoid patients with homogeneous, regular distribution of nodular opacities in conventional chest X-ray (14 F, 14 M aged 19-54). Twelve patients showed homogeneous distribution of HRCT changes (RD) in lung parenchyma and 16 showed nonhomogeneous distribution of HRCT changes (ND) with domination of pathological changes in upper lobes. Eleven healthy volunteers served as controls. Lymphocytes T gd were estimated by flow-cytometry. In peripheral blood of patients with sarcoidosis the mean value of T gd lymphocytes (4.75%) did not differ from control group (5.3%). In all patients the mean values of T gd percentage in BAL from s.A (1.7 + 1.0%) and in BAL from s.B (2.1 + 1.5%) were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than the mean value in peripheral blood (4.75 + 2.4%) and were significantly lower than mean value of T gd cells in BAL from s.B bis (4.2 + 2.7%). Among subgroups ND and RD we did find any significant differences between values of T gd in BAL form s.A and s.B. Our results suggest minimal role of T gd lymphocytes in sarcoid pathogenesis.

In 28 patients with sarcoidosis patients (14 F, 14 M aged 19-54) lymphocytes subpopulations were estimated in double BAL from two lung segments: with the most (s.A) and with the least (s.B.) extensive involvement estimated by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). HRCT score for whole lung correlated negatively with DCO (r = 0.46, p < 0.05), D/VA (r = -0.46 p < 0.05), Cstat (r = -0.57, p < 0.05) and Cdyn (r = 0.-057, p < 0.01). HRCT-score for lung segments A and B did not correlate with BAL-cell count and lymphocytes subsets from these segments. The relationship between percentage of lymphocytes HLA-DR in BAL from s.A and d(A-a)O2 (r = 0.38, p < 0.05) and the relationship between absolute number of CD25 in BAL from s.A and DCO (r = -0.38, p < 0.05) were observed. The percentage of lymphocytes in BAL from s.B correlated negatively with D/VA (r = -0.40, p < 0.05) and the percentage of HLA-DR lymphocytes in BAL from s.B. correlated negatively with Cdyn (r = -0.45, p < 0.05). Our results suggests usefulness of HRCT in estimation of sarcoidosis advancement but not in it's activity and indicate the careful interpretation the relationships between BAL results from only one lung segment and pulmonary function parameters.

In 28 non-smoking patients with sarcoidosis (14 males, 14 females aged 19-51) the concentrations of cytokine RANTES were estimated in BAL fluid from two different lung segments: with the most (s.A) and with the least (s.B.) extensive involvement estimated by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). In examined subjects 12 patients showed homogeneous distribution of HRCT changes (HD) in lung parenchyma and 16 showed nonhomogeneous distribution of HRCT changes (ND) with domination of pathological changes in upper lobes. Eleven healthy volunteers served as controls. In BALF from s.A and sB the significantly higher concentrations of RANTES were observed in comparison with control group (14.4 and 10.9 pg/ml vs 3.6 and 3.4 pg/ml respectively). In group (ND) in BALF from s.A (from upper lobes--the most occupied by HRCT changes) the concentrations of RANTES were significantly higher than in BALF from s.B (from lower lobes with the least involvement estimated by HRCT). RANTES concentrations in BALF from s.A and s.B positively correlated with lymphocytes count, lymphocytes CD3, CD4 and HLA-DR+ and correlated negatively with diffusing capacity in sarcoid patients. Our results suggest the significant role in pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and in alveolitis process enhancement.

A case of amiodarone induced pulmonary toxicity is presented in a 64 years old male. The patient had been treated with amiodarone for four years in daily dose 200 mg/day without any adverse effects until the daily dose was doubled. After withdrawing the drug, without any additional treatment, clinical, functional and partly radiological improvement was observed. Further radiological remission followed the introduction of corticosteroids. This case confirms the importance of dose boosting in the induction of amiodarone's toxicity. It also suggests a significant clinical and functional response to the discontinuation of amiodarone's administration.

The aim of the study was: 1) to evaluate the homogeneity of alveolitis by estimation of lymphocytes subsets in double BAL (2 x 120 ml) from two different lung segments: with the most (s.A) and with the least (s.B.) extensive involvement estimated by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) 2) to examine the usefulness of HRCT as a guide method in selection the most reliable lung region for BAL. Examined group consisted of 28 sarcoid patients with homogeneous, regular distribution of nodular opacities in conventional chest X-ray (14 F, 14 M aged 19-54). Twelve patients showed homogeneous distribution of HRCT changes (RD) in lung parenchyma and 16 showed nonhomogeneous distribution of HRCT changes (ND) with domination of pathological changes in upper lobes. Eleven healthy volunteers served as controls. BAL lymphocytes subpopulations (CD3, CD19, NK, CD4, CD8, HLA-DR, CD25,) were estimated by flow-cytometry. Among patients from ND group in BAL from s.A we found the significantly higher (p < 0.01) mean total cell yield, the significantly higher (p < 0.05) mean values of % of lymphocytes (45.2 vs 36.8%) and CD4/CD8 ratio (5.3 vs 4.4) than in BAL from s.B. Also the mean values of absolute number of lymphocytes and lymphocytes CD4, HLA-DR, CD25 in ND group were significantly higher in BAL from s.A than in BAL from s.B. In RD group and in controls no significant differences between BAL findings from s.A and s.B were noticed. Our results suggest that: 1) alveolitis process is not fully homogeneous, it's intensity is greater in upper lobes with most extensive involvement of HRCT changes 2) HRCT can serve as a useful method for selection the most reliable lung region for BAL.

Ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) has antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoal and antifungal properties, in addition to many biological effects. Our laboratory has demonstrated a synergistic effect of EEP and antibiotics on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, and suggested that the bactericidal effect of EEP was expressed mainly on virulent mycobacteria rather than on non-virulent (attenuated) ones. The present study was designed to reconfirm the latter finding, by subjecting 17 different mycobacteria strains to EEP, and evaluating whether there is a correlation between the virulence of the mycobacteria strains studied and their susceptibility to EEP. Our findings demonstrate that while the four non-virulent strains studied are not susceptible to EEP, out of the 13 virulent strains studied seven are susceptible and six are resistant to it. These results suggest that while there is no full correlation between virulence of the mycobacteria tested and their susceptibility to EEP, the few strains that were resistant to EEP were non-virulent.

In 12 patients with sarcoidosis and 11 patients with allergic alveolitis concentration of procollagen III peptide in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (in bronchial and alveolar fraction) was estimated using RIA method. In studied populations procollagen III levels were higher in comparison to control. In patients with allergic alveolitis and with DLCO < 60% pred. procollagen III peptide concentrations in BAL fluid were significantly higher than in patients with sarcoidosis. In patients with allergic alveolitis a positive correlation between BAL lymphocytes number and procollagen III peptide concentration was observed.

The authors present diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in patients with ocular sarcoidosis.

The authors present ocular changes observed in sarcoidosis. The most frequent features are: symptoms of dry eye and uveitis. Frequency of ocular manifestations leads to the conclusion that ophthalmic examinations ought to be routine procedure at sarcoid patients.

In 24 patients with sarcoidosis without pulmonary function disturbances significantly higher concentrations of procollagen III (PIIIP) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were observed in comparison with control group. Patients in II radiological stage shower higher PIIIP concentrations in BALF than patients in I stage of sarcoidosis.

The aim of this study was to describe the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) appearances of pulmonary abnormalities in 34 cases of type I sarcoidosis according to radiographic classification--lymphadenopathy only). Abnormalities were seen in 56% cases in which the pulmonary parenchyma appeared on radiographs. Nodules (1-4 mm) were seen in 41%. Other lesions as linear network were--present in 11.8% and ground-glass opacities--in 8.8%. The opacities are clustered in the peribronchovascular spaces, with relative sparing of the lung periphery and predominate in upper and middle lung zones. This study demonstrated the usefulness of HRCT in the correct diagnosis of type I sarcoidosis.

The protective role of superficial freezing (using a "spray" N2O cryoprobe) of tracheobronchial tumours before fiberoptic biopsy was evaluated in 21 patients with suspected lung cancer and high risk of bleeding. An excellent haemostatic effect was observed in all but two patients despite 3-9 specimens taken into histopathological examination. No serious complications besides a transient cough in 5 patients were observed. So a new "spray" type cryoprobe was found useful in protection against bleeding during bronchoscopy without negative influence on the histopathological confirmation of malignancy.

In 53 patients (37 females, 16 males, aged 17-64) with chronic extrinsic allergic alveolitis after two years of prednisone treatment (40 mg as initial dose reduced to 20 mg after 6 weeks and to 15 mg after 6 months) the significant increase (p < 0.05) of mean values of FVC, FEV1 and DCO and of clinical improvement were observed. No radiological improvement was seen. Complete allergen cessation (16 patients) had very limited influence on pulmonary function parameters and chest X-ray picture, but clinical symptoms were diminished in comparison with patients who stayed on their farms and were potentially exposed to allergens.

The presence of kinins in the tracheobronchial tree and their pharmacological properties would suggest that these peptides are involved in inflammatory responses of the airway and lungs. The aim of the study was the estimation the bradykinin level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) in patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis. The investigated group consisted of 12 patients with farmers lung and a control group, of 9 healthy individuals. The statistically significant higher bradykinin concentration was found in patients BAL fluid than in the controls (675 +/- 472 pg/ml v.s., 220 +/- 57 pg/ml). No relationship was found between bradykinin level and BAL fluid cellularity and pulmonary function parameters. High levels of bradykinin in BAL fluid may suggest the increase of alveolo-capillary membrane permeability.

In 169 patients with lung cancer the usefulness of physical examination and Daniel's biopsy in detection of metastases to supraclavicular and scalene lymph nodes were evaluated. In 35 patients with palpable lymph nodes and in 25 patients with nonpalpable lymph nodes metastases were confirmed by histological examination. The sensitivity, the specificity and the likelihood ratio of physical examination in detection lymph nodes metastases were respectively: 58%, 86% and 4.1. In 6 patients (5%) among 119 with nonpalpable lymph nodes the positive Daniel's biopsy was the diagnostic procedure. In 5 patients with non-small carcinoma and in 3 patients with malignant mesothelioma positive results of Daniel's biopsy enabled a change of cancer staging and giving up the eventual surgical operation.

In 29 patients with chronic allergic alveolitis broncho-alveolar lavage BAL and lung function tests were performed before and after one year of Prednisone treatment. We observed significantly (p < 0.001) decrease of BAL lymphocytes from 52% to 32% and significantly (p < 0.001) increase of BAL macrophages from 33% to 54%. We found negative correlation between percentage of BAL neutrophils before treatment and annual changes of DLCO (r = 0.37 p < 0.05). Annual changes of lymphocytes negatively correlated with annual changes of DLCO (r = 0.45 p < 0.02) and D/VA (r = 0.46 p < 0.02).

In 32 patients 8 years after recovery from unilateral empyema treated by chest tube drainage the pulmonary function was studied. The most frequently occurring abnormalities were diminished dynamic lung compliance, diffusion capacity and perfusion evaluated by scintigraphy. Restrictive patterns were observed only in 2 patients. The greatest abnormalities were observed in patients with extensive empyema, in patients with delay in drainage and with residual radiological changes after recovery.

In 14 patients with sarcoidosis and in 9 healthy controls the bradykinin level was estimated in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. The statistically significantly higher bradykinin concentrations was found in sarcoid patients than in controls. No relationship was found between level of bradykinin in BAL and lymphocytes % and no relationship was found between bradykinin level and pulmonary function parameters.

In 20 sarcoidosis patients with I0 of radiological changes the high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function tests (spirometry, diffusion capacity, static compliance) and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) were performed. In 8 patients with pathological changes detected in HRCT and in 12 patients without HRCT changes the similar pulmonary function disturbances and BAL-cell count were observed.

Presence of elevated plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO) has been reported both in polycythaemic and normocythaemic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study aimed to elucidate in what extent prolonged erythropoietin half-life time (T1/2EPO) is involved in the pathogenesis of elevated plasma EPO levels in patients with COPD. Seven normocythaemic patients (5 men and 2 women) with CODP and 6 healthy controls (4 males and 2 females) were examined. In all examined subjects half-life time of erythropoietin was determined after i.v. administration of EPO in a dose of 50 U/kg b.m. In COPD patients the T1/2EPO value was 5.98 +/- 0.67 hours and did not differ from that found in healthy controls (5.87 +/- 0.35 h). Results obtained in this study suggest participation of factors other than prolonged half-time of erythropoietin in the pathogenesis of polycythaemia in patients with COPD.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of chronic home oxygen therapy on cardiac function in patients with idiopathic interstitial lung fibrosis. Ten patients (Group A) received standard pharmacological treatment (prednisone 10-15 mg/day) and supplementary home oxygen therapy (mean 16.4 h/day) for the period of 4 years. Eight patients (Group B) received pharmacological treatment alone for the same period of time. Left ventricular ejection fraction was measured with a scintillation probe. Right and left ventricular function was also assessed by means of echocardiography. All measurements were taken at the beginning of study and repeated at the end of the 4 year follow-up. Anatomical and functional deterioration was slower in group A than in group B. Statistically significant differences between the groups at follow-up were found with respect to the right ventricle-early inflow velocity and tricuspid E/A ratio. Changes in left ventricular function were also different between the groups. A significant decrease in ejection fraction and mitral E/A ratio was observed in group B, while the corresponding changes in group A were not significant. These results suggest that chronic home oxygen therapy attenuates cardiac dysfunction in patients with idiopathic interstitial lung fibrosis.

The study was performed in 18 patients (15 F and 3-M) aged 35-57 yers (mean 46 +/- 7) diagnosed as idiopathic lung fibrosis. Ten patients (group A) recived standard treatment (prednisone 10-15 mg/day) and supplementary home oxygen therapy (mean 16.4 h/day) for a period of 4 years. During exacerbations antibiotics, theophylline and expectorants were prescribed. Eight patients (group B) receiving the same treatment without home oxygen, served as controls. At study entry lung function test (TLC, VL, Dlco), blood gases, hematocrit, hemodynamic parameters of the pulmonary circulation and thermodilution cardiac output were measured in all patients. The measurements were repeated after 4 years of follow-up. At follow-up examination no differences in pulmonary function parameters were shown between the groups. Mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were significantly lower in patients receiving home oxygen therapy (group A) as compared with those treated pharmacologically only (group B). Best effects of oxygen therapy were observed in patient with lower pulmonary artery pressures at study entry.