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Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are present in the human lung microenvironment, and they may be involved in the local inflammatory process in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic inflammation in COPD may induce immunogenic cell death of structural airway cells, causing the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). DAMPs may activate the innate and adaptive immune system. The relationship between MDSCs and DAMPs in COPD is poorly described in the available literature. Objectives. (1) Assessment of MDSC percentage and DAMP concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and peripheral blood. (2) Analysis of the relationship between MDSC percentage and chosen DAMPs. Patients and Methods. 30 COPD patients were included. Using monoclonal antibodies directly conjugated with fluorochromes in flow cytometry, MDSCs were assessed in BALF and peripheral blood. The concentration of DAMPs was estimated using sandwich ELISA. Using the Bradford method, the total protein concentrations were evaluated. Results. The percentage of MDSCs among MC in BALF correlated well with the concentration of defensin and heat shock protein 27. Assessing the percentage of MDSCs among all leukocytes in BALF, we revealed a significant correlation with the concentration of defensin, hyaluronic acid, and surfactant protein A. No dependencies occurred between DAMPs and MDSCs in peripheral blood. Conclusion. MDSCs and DAMPs occur in the COPD patient lung microenvironment. Significant correlations between them found in BALF may indicate their influence on the local inflammatory process in COPD. These relationships allow better understanding of the inflammatory process in COPD.

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increased more rapidly in women than in men during the past two decades. Clinical presentation, comorbidities and prognosis may differ between genders and may influence management decisions. The influence of gender on COPD expression has not been clearly explained to date. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate significant differences between women and men suffering from COPD, regarding clinical presentation, pulmonary function test results, comorbidities, and prognosis. We prospectively recruited 470 patients with stable COPD with a history of smoking (152 women, 318 men, mean age 65.5 ± 8.8 vs. 66.6 ± 9.4 years, respectively). Comorbidities and exacerbations were recorded. Spirometry, body plethysmography, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity and 6-min walk tests were performed. The BODE prognostic score was also calculated. We found that women smoked less in comparison to men (30.4 vs. 41.9 pack-years, p < 0.05), showed more exacerbations (2.5 vs. 1.7, p = 0.01), higher forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%predicted), and increased residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/%TLC), but they had the same intensity of dyspnea. Women showed fewer comorbidities, on average, per patient (5.4 vs. 6.4, p = 0.002), but had a higher prevalence of at least seven comorbidities per patient (48.7% of women vs. 33.0% of men, p < 0.05). Women also had a significantly worse prognosis (4.6 vs. 3.1 BODE score, p < 0.05) that correlated with the number of comorbidities (r = 0.33, p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study strongly supports the existence of different gender phenotypes in COPD, especially regarding exacerbations, comorbidities, and prognosis. The gender difference may indicate a need for a targeted assessment and management of COPD in women and men.

INTRODUCTION:Radical surgical treatment is the preferred action for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Qualification for surgical treatment should consider a risk associated with the effect of comorbidities on the general condition of the patient. The aim of this article was an attempt to identify the risk factors for postoperative complications in patients treated for NSCLC, with a special focus on the coexisting diseases.METHODS:A total of 400 patients with NSCLC were included in this retrospective study. The incidence of postoperative complications (including major complications according to the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons [ESTS]) was analyzed. Factors associated with high risk of postoperative complications were identified.RESULTS:Postoperative complications occurred in 151 patients (39% operated patients), including severe complications according to ESTS in 75 patients (19%). From univariate analysis, risk factors for postoperative complications were arrhythmias, pneumonectomy, and open thoracotomy. According to ESTS, for major complications, the risk factors included age ≥65 years, the presence of comorbidities, hypertension, and arrhythmias. From multivariate analysis, the risk of complications was higher in patients undergoing pneumonectomy and with cardiac arrhythmias, whereas the risk of serious complications according to ESTS was found in people ≥65 years of age and suffering from comorbidities.CONCLUSIONS:The risk of postoperative complications is affected by both surgical factors and the general health of the patient. Elderly patients with chronic disease history, hypertension, and arrhythmias have an increased risk of postoperative complications. Knowledge of these factors will identify a group of patients requiring internal consultation and optimization of preoperative treatment and postoperative follow-up.