Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disorder characterized by increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, leading to right heart failure. While the exact mechanisms underlying PAH are not fully understood, cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease. Cytokines play a crucial role in regulating immune responses and inflammation. These small proteins also play a key role in shaping the immunophenotype, which refers to the specific characteristics and functional properties of immune cells, which can have a significant impact on the development of PAH. The aim of this study was to determine the immunophenotype and the concentration of selected cytokines, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-gamma, in patients diagnosed with PAH (with particular emphasis on subtypes) in relation to healthy volunteers. Based on the obtained results, we can conclude that in patients with PAH, the functioning of the immune system is deregulated as a result of a decrease in the percentage of selected subpopulations of immune cells in peripheral blood and changes in the concentration of tested cytokines in relation to healthy volunteers. In addition, a detailed analysis showed that there are statistically significant differences between the PAH subtypes and the tested immunological parameters. This may indicate a significant role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of PAH.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure, with emerging evidence suggesting a key role for immune dysregulation in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to assess the involvement of lymphocytes, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs), and the expression of immune checkpoint molecules PD-1 and PD-L1 on peripheral blood subpopulations in patients diagnosed with PAH. The study involved 25 patients; peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and subsequently analyzed using flow cytometry to quantify the Treg cell percentage and evaluate PD-1 and PD-L1 expression across the T and B cells. We observed a significantly higher percentage of Tregs in idiopathic PAH (iPAH) patients compared to healthy controls and those with congenital heart disease-associated PAH (CHD-PAH), connective tissue disease-associated PAH (CTD-PAH), and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). An overexpression of PD-1 and PD-L1 was found on CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in all PAH groups, particularly in iPAH and CHD-PAH patients. These findings align with previous research highlighting Treg dysfunction and PD-1/PD-L1 overexpression as contributors to PAH pathogenesis. Our results suggest that targeting immune checkpoints and modulating Treg function could represent novel therapeutic strategies for PAH. Future research should focus on validating these biomarkers in larger, independent cohorts and exploring their clinical utility in diagnosing and managing PAH.

Aberrant activation of innate immunity promotes the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); however, the role of pattern recognition by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) within the pulmonary vasculature remains unclear. To consolidate knowledge (as of June 2025) about TLRs and their interactions with viruses in PAH and to identify therapeutic implications. A narrative review of experimental and clinical studies investigating ten TLRs in the context of the pulmonary vascular microenvironment and viral infections. Activation of TLR1/2, TLR4, TLR5/6, TLR7/8, and TLR9 converges on the MyD88–NF-κB/IL-6 axis, thereby enhancing endothelial-mesenchymal transition, smooth muscle proliferation, oxidative stress, thrombosis, and maladaptive inflammation, ultimately increasing pulmonary vascular resistance. Conversely, TLR3, through TRIF–IFN-I, preserves endothelial integrity and inhibits vascular remodeling; its downregulation correlates with PAH severity, and poly (I:C) restitution has been shown to improve hemodynamics and right ventricular function. HIV-1, EBV, HCV, endogenous retrovirus K, and SARS-CoV-2 infections modulate TLR circuits, either amplifying pro-remodeling cascades or attenuating protective pathways. The “TLR rheostat” is shaped by polymorphisms, ligand biochemistry, compartmentalization, and biomechanical forces. The balance between MyD88-dependent signaling and the TRIF–IFN-I axis determines the trajectory of PAH. Prospective therapeutic strategies may include TLR3 agonists, MyD88/NF-κB inhibitors, modulation of IL-6, and combination approaches integrating antiviral therapy with targeted immunomodulation in a precision approach.

Introduction: Patients’ confidence in a physician is influenced by many factors. Recent studies suggest that there’s an association between doctor’s attire and the way patients view physician’s trustworthyness, competence and empathy in various specialties and contexts of care. Along with the developement of medical attire market comes a need to understand how the choice of professional clothes infulences patients’ perceptions. Purpose of the study: The aim of this study was to determine whether patients perception of physician and the confidence in professional skills is determined by the type and colour of doctor’s attire. Materials and methods: We carried out literature search using English based databases (PubMed, Springer, Google Scholar) using key words: physician attire, profesionalism, scrubs, patients perception, psychology of colour. Most recent studies matching this criteria were analysed and those most relevant were picked for this review. Results and conclusions: The assotiation between physician’s attire and patients’ perceptions is complex and depends on numerous factors including age, gender, geographic location and culture, as well as physician’s specialty and context of care. The white coat, despite latest research on it’s role in infections spread, remains an important attribute of a doctor. Physicians who wear white coats are viewed as more trustworthy, knowledgeable, competent and more caring. Colour of scrubs may serve as a valuable hospital personel identification tool. Various colours evoke possitive emotions in patients, navy blue, light blue and green remain the the colours of scrubs that patients perceive as the most professional and appropriate.

Introduction: Hypertension is most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CD) and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in adults worldwide. Even though over last decade there has been improvement in increasing the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension remain one of main public health challenges. In order to make progress in dealing with this problem it important to understand in which areas of the treatment strategy appropriate changes have not yet been implemented. First step to do this is to improve our understanding of the factors that affect the treatment and control of hypertension. International Guidelines for hypertension recommend the same hypertension management for both sexes, however studies reveal that there are actual differences in hypertension management. Purpose of the study: The aim of this study was to conduct a paper review to provide most comprehensive contemporary estimates of sex differences in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension. Material and method: A literature review was conducted in English language databases, based only on original articles, regarding awareness, control and treatment of hypertension, using key words: ‘hypertension’, ‘sex- differences’, ‘hypertension treatment’, ‘gender gap’, ‘public health’. Results and conclusions: Based on researched studies we can state that woman have higher awareness, treatment and control rates for hypertension than men worldwide [4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. This suggests that, the guidelines for the treatment and management of hypertension should be gender specific.

Introduction and purpose According to the WHO, overweight and obesity are defined as excessive or abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue, leading to deterioration of health. Excessive body weight is a constantly growing public health problem that has reached the scale of a pandemic. Currently, there is ample evidence that excess body weight increases the risk of developing cancer and worsens the prognosis. The aim of this review is to analyze the impact of overweight and obesity on cancer development and prognosis, and to elucidate pathogenesis. State of knowledge  Based on the current state of knowledge in epidemiology, it is estimated that approximately 20% of all malignancies are related to excessive body weight. So far, there is sufficient evidence to support an association between excess body fat and 13 out of 24 cancer sites: esophagus, gastric cardia, colon, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, postmenopausal breast, endometrium, ovary, kidney, meningioma, thyroid and multiple myeloma. Adipose tissue cells produce growth factors, hormones and cytokines that can interfere with the regulation of cell growth and survival. Excess adipose tissue leads to systemic chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, increase in sex hormones, increase in leptin levels and a decrease in adiponectin levels. This leads to DNA defects, stimulation of angiogenesis, cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis, and thus promotes the development of cancer. In addition, studies have estimated that excess body weight is responsible for 14% of cancer deaths in men and 20% in women. Conclusions Due to the increasing problem of obesity and cancer worldwide and the proven causal relationship between these diseases, it is necessary to intensify nutrition education and promote a healthy lifestyle in order to minimize excessive body weight, and thus reduce the incidence of cancer.