DNA methylation plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system which is a key component of immune function. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms by which DNA methylation influences HLA gene regulation, highlighting its impact on their antigen presentation and immune tolerance functions. We describe how methylation patterns vary in HLA class I and II genes, affecting their expression in a tissue- and allele-specific manner. In addition, we examine the interplay of DNA methylation in shaping immune responses. A focus is on the role of methylation in immune-mediated, namely autoimmune diseases, where aberrant epigenetic modifications at HLA loci contribute to disease susceptibility and progression. We also explore how single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within CpG sites can alter methylation patterns and gene expression, providing insights into genetic-epigenetic interactions. These findings may contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for immune-mediated diseases.

Heart failure remains a major global health challenge, characterized by high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden despite continuous advances in therapy. This review summarizes landmark clinical trials that have shaped current approaches to device therapy in heart failure, including implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and emerging conduction system pacing. In addition, it discusses novel prognostic and monitoring methods such as impedance cardiography and dobutamine stress echocardiography, which enable more precise patient assessment. Based on the available clinical data, we propose a new four-step decision algorithm for personalised device therapy selection in heart failure, integrating etiology-specific risk stratification, electrical and functional evaluation, and prognostic modifiers. The integration of evidence-based interventions and phenotype-driven decision-making supports a proactive and individualized approach to improving outcomes and quality of life in patients with heart failure.

We aimed to assess the effects of intravesical cocktail instillation on the outcomes and serum pain factors of patients with bladder pain syndrome (BPS).

Liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B is a critical progression of chronic hepatitis B. It is often accompanied by intestinal dysbiosis and impaired intestinal mucosal barrier function, which further exacerbate hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, exploring effective combined therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes is of significant importance.

Hypogonadism is common among men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but diagnosis can be confounded by overlapping symptoms from diabetic complications. The Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire is widely used for screening, yet its validity in this specific population remains unclear.

Cerebrovascular events remain a major health issue, and despite significant improvements in diagnosis and treatment in recent years, their high morbidity and mortality mean that increasing attention is now being given to prevention and early prediction. One option for achieving this is to examine various biomarkers. This mini review covers copeptin, a 39-amino-acid glycopeptide, derived from the precursor protein pre-provasopressin. Copeptin shows great potential in the diagnosis and prognosis of diverse diseases, including cerebrovascular events. Compared to arginine vasopressin or cortisol alone, it shows better potential for use in emergency care due to its rapid determination. Understanding the role of copeptin and its clinical applications is essential for advancing patient care and treatment strategies. This mini review presents selected studies on the use of copeptin as a potential biomarker for cerebrovascular events. Its level correlates with the severity of both clinical and radiological impairment after a stroke. A correlation has been demonstrated between copeptin levels and the ability to predict a cerebrovascular event recurrence within 90 days after a transient ischemic attack. This mini review also includes the limits to copeptin, which are influenced by selected vascular risk factors for cerebrovascular events.

Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) is a condition that can lead to a number of complications during cataract surgery that threaten final vision of patients using alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonists (α1-ARAs). There are two recommended pharmacological approaches to preventing IFIS development: intraoperative intracameral epinephrine and application of atropine drops twice a day for one week before surgery. The primary aim of this study was to identify the incidence and grade of IFIS using these two prophylactic approaches in patients at risk of IFIS development and to determine which approach is more effective for mild and severe IFIS. The second aim was to evaluate complication rates between the two.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition with significant short- and long-term mortality risk. Although existing risk stratification models focus on short-term outcomes, the role of nutritional status in predicting long-term mortality remains underexplored. This retrospective study investigated the prognostic value of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, a composite index derived from serum albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte counts.

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), affecting the tonsils, base of the tongue, and soft palate, has witnessed a notable increase in incidence, particularly among cases linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This epidemiological shift has led to changes in treatment strategies, with immunotherapy emerging as a promising alternative to conventional modalities such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, which are often associated with significant toxicity. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current landscape of immunotherapeutic interventions in OPC, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, adoptive T cell therapies, and cancer vaccines. It also explores the influence of HPV status, the development of predictive biomarkers, and the direction of ongoing clinical trials. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Keywords included "oropharyngeal cancer," "HPV," "immunotherapy," "checkpoint inhibitors," "monoclonal antibodies," "cancer vaccines," and "T cell therapy." Eligible peer-reviewed articles, clinical trials, and reviews focusing on immunotherapy for OPC were included. Data were synthesized based on immunotherapy type, HPV status, clinical outcomes, and biomarker relevance. The review highlights substantial evidence supporting immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., anti-PD-1/PD-L1) in improving survival and minimizing adverse effects, particularly in HPV-positive patients. Monoclonal antibodies enhance immune targeting of tumor cells, while cancer vaccines and adoptive T cell therapies show encouraging preliminary outcomes. HPV status and emerging biomarkers are critical in predicting responses and guiding patient-specific therapies. Immunotherapy offers a transformative opportunity in OPC management. Ongoing trials and biomarker research are key to advancing personalized treatment strategies.

The recurrence rate of colorectal cancer remains high even after radical surgery. Existing criteria for administering adjuvant treatment lack sufficient precision, often leading to undertreatment or overtreatment. This study investigates circulating tumour cells (CTCs) as a potential prognostic biomarker to improve the accuracy of patient selection.

Vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased cancer risk and death but the effect of vitamin D substitution on the prognosis of patients with malignant disease is debatable. We aimed to investigate the value of serum vitamin D3 levels in patients with a history of malignancy and confirmed lung metastases.

Olfactory dysfunction is increasingly recognised for its predictive value as an early indicator of a number of degenerative neuropathologies including Parkinson's Disease (PD). In this overview, we cover the relationship between PD and olfactory dysfunction (OD). Prodromal premotor symptoms of PD include sleep disturbances, psychiatric disorders, constipation and OD. The latter can precede motor symptoms by several years and its occurrence is frequent in Parkinson s disease with a prevalence that can range from 45%-90%. Olfactory perception in these cases can be tested using subjective and objective methods. Commonly used psychophysical tests in the Czech Republic include Sniffin' Sticks Tests and the Odorized Marker Test but these may be inaccurate and demanding on patients with cognitive deficits in addition to motor symptoms. For these reasons, objective electrophysiological olfactory tests that depend on olfactory/trigeminal event-related potentials (OERPs/TERPs) for example are more useful. In this paper we describe a series of case reports, demonstrating the importance of comprehensive olfactory examination. The significance of objective electrophysiological olfactory/ trigeminal tests in the diagnosis of PD, is underscored given the rising incidence of this condition and the need for early diagnosis.

Human skin is constantly exposed to various agents causing oxidative stress. In response, skin cells can activate transcriptional nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which influences the expression of several protective genes. However, accumulating evidence suggests severe adverse effects of chronic Nrf2 activation. Phytochemicals are popular for supporting skin health. Some are potent Nrf2 inducers and their long-term use may be hazardous. Silymarin (SM), an extract from Silybum marianum fruits, and its major flavonolignan silybin (SB) are used in cosmetic formulations for their protective and regenerative activities. However, knowledge about their potential to modulate Nrf2-driven pathway in skin cells or tissue is lacking.

Heart failure (HF) remains a major global health challenge. Despite advancements in treatment, the prevalence of HF continues to rise. This study provides an updated analysis of HF incidence, prevalence, hospitalizations, and mortality trends in the Czech Republic from 2015 to 2023.

This randomized controlled multicentric pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary clinical efficacy of a home-based telerehabilitation system for improving balance and cognitive function in older adults.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a skin condition causing red, raised, itchy and sometimes painful hives which lasts longer than six weeks. While the cause is unclear, the Urticaria Activity Score-7 (UAS-7), can help to determine the severity of the disease while the Systemic Immune Inflammation Index (SII) defined as neutrophils × platelets/lymphocytes, is a recent marker that shows the inflammatory and immune status and can be easily calculated from routine blood tests using neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts. We aimed to determine whether the SII correlates with UAS-7 in CSU patients.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a serious ophthalmic condition that, if untreated, can result in significant vision loss. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) often complicates RRD and is the leading cause of surgical failure. Proteomic analysis of the vitreous has emerged as a powerful tool for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying RRD and PVR. This article reviews proteomic findings related to these conditions. A comprehensive literature search on PubMed was conducted, focusing on studies of vitreous proteomics in RRD and PVR published between 1988 and August 2024. Relevant findings on protein expression, metabolic pathways, and therapeutic targets were synthesized. Proteomic studies reveal significant alterations in photoreceptor-specific proteins, such as rhodopsin and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), associated with apoptosis and inflammation during RRD. Metabolic dysregulation is evidenced by changes in glycolytic enzymes and antioxidants, including downregulation of peroxiredoxin-2 and ascorbic acid, suggesting impaired energy production and oxidative stress. Elevated cytokines, complement proteins, and matrix metalloproteinases highlight the role of inflammation and extracellular matrix remodelling in disease progression. Cytokine expression in PVR demonstrates distinct temporal patterns, with early stages marked by T-cell activation and mTOR pathway-related cytokines, and advanced stages characterized by monocyte chemoattractants associated with chronic inflammation. Currently, the potential of pharmacologic interventions in RRD and PVR remains limited. In contrast, proteomics offers critical insights into molecular mechanisms, identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic pathways. The adoption of single-molecule and top-down proteomics, along with the integration of advanced technologies with artificial intelligence and bioinformatics, holds promise for accelerating progress toward precision medicine. These developments represent a promising avenue for future research and clinical application.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic, widespread musculoskeletal disease that is usually accompanied by hyperalgesia, fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression. Although the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome is unclear, it is presumed to have an inflammatory basis. There are currently no laboratory markers available to diagnose the condition. The aim of this study was to investigate potential biochemical markers that would prove to be valid, simple, routinely used, quickly and cheaply studied and obtainable in blood count tests.

Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is a frequent complication following lung transplantation, yet standardized guidelines for ACR screening remain lacking. This study aimed to compare the current gold standard for ACR evaluation - histological assessment of transbronchial biopsies - with a novel biomarker for allograft monitoring: donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA). Specifically, we investigated whether total cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and both the absolute and percentage values of dd-cfDNA (dd-cfDNA and dd-cfDNA%) could provide valuable insights into detecting ACR and assessing allograft health.

Recent regenerative studies imply conflicting results on knee osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-mediated cartilage constructs in terms of compressive properties and tensile strength. This could be attributed to different gene expression patterns between MSC and OA chondrocytes during chondrogenic differentiation. Therefore, we analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OA and MSC-derived chondrocytes using bioinformatics tools.

Minimally-invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) is confirmed to mitigate the post-perfusion syndrome resulting in better outcomes in operated patients compared to the conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (ECC).