Biomedical papers, 2026 (vol. 170), issue 1
Reviews
Anticoagulation in device-detected atrial fibrillation: Challenges in stroke prevention and heart failure management
Jiri Vrtal, Jiri Plasek, Jan Vaclavik, Jozef Dodulik, David Sipula
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):1-7 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2025.010 
In this review, the authors comprehensively evaluate the unique challenges associated with assessing stroke risk and determining the need for anticoagulation therapy in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation. This condition poses diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas, given its often subclinical nature and variability in atrial fibrillation burden. The analysis places particular emphasis on findings from recently published clinical trials, which provide valuable insights into the management strategies for this patient population. Additionally, the authors explore the emerging evidence on the interplay between device-detected atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Diagnostics of olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease - a literature overview and case series
Libor Vasina, Nikola Pastorkova, Oleksii Vorobiov, Karla Janouskova, Petra Dytrych, Jiri Hlozek, Sarka Musilova, Jaromir Astl, Richard Holy
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):8-14 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2025.021
This is an overview and case series on smell testing in Parkinson's disease as olfactory dysfunction is viewed as an early indicator of this disease. The authors tested olfaction both subjectively and objectively: psychophysical tests are commonly used but these tests may be inaccurate and difficult in patients with Parkinson's disease with cognitive deficits in addition to motor symptoms. Objective electrophysiological olfactory tests are important. These are the olfactory/trigeminal event-related potentials (OERPs/TERPs). In this overview, the authors also describe a series of cases that demonstrate the importance of complex smell tests.
Copeptin as a promising biomarker of cerebrovascular events: A minireview
Kamila Smolikova, Pavel Potuznik, Marek Peterka, Jakub Vejskal, Martina Pestova
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):15-19 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2025.028
Given the constant need to improve primary prevention and prediction of stroke, the aim of this mini review was to introduce the glycopeptide copeptin, which, according to available studies, shows significant potential in the diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases, including cerebrovascular events. In this regard, copeptin could become a valuable biomarker in clinical practice. It could be used as one of the prognostic and predictive biomarkers in the course of cerebrovascular events, their clinical outcome, and predicting their recurrence. This mini review includes a brief overview of the physiology of copeptin, its role in emergency care for selected cerebrovascular events with a focus on ischemic strokes, and its influence through vascular risk factors.
Original papers
Impact of prior oral anticoagulation on admission stroke severity in patients with atrial fibrillation
David Franc, Daniel Sanak, Michal Kral, Martin Hutyra, Milos Taborsky, Petra Divisova, Jana Zapletalova
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):20-25 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2024.024
The authors conducted a large retrospective analysis of 1059 patients with ischemic stroke (IS) admitted at their stroke centre between 2012 and 2021 and who had been enrolled in the prospective HISTORY (Heart and Ischemic STrOke Relationship studY) study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT01541163). One major aim was to assess the trend in occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and use of oral anticoagulants (OAC) in ischemic stroke patients during the last decade and to evaluate whether prior use of OAC had any impact on stroke severity in AF patients. n total, 1059 patients were analyzed. No significant increase in AF occurrence was found in IS patients between the years, but patients with known AF were substantially more frequently treated with OAC and DOAC in 2021. Patients on OAC had lower admission NIHSS scores than those without OAC in 2021.
Blood loss in coronary artery bypass grafting on minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation - a single-centre experience and retrospective analysis
Jan Juchelka, Martin Simek, Dominik Sabacky, Marek Vicha, Artur Barshatskyi, Ondrej Zuscich, Martin Troubil, Roman Hajek, Jana Zapletalova, Petr Santavy
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):26-32 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2025.012
The article describes a single centre experience using the minimally invasive extracorporeal (MiECC) circulation that was modified by incorporation of coronary suction into the circuit, while maintaining the core principles of closed circuit perfusion. A detailed description of the construction of the circuit is provided. Perfusion management and the specific demands placed on the surgeon are explained in the article. The results of the retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes after utilization of this circuit in comparison to the conventional extracorporeal circulation are presented and discussed. The study focused mainly on major adverse events and blood loss comparison. The results demonstrate lower post-operative blood loss in patients operated on the MiECC circuit.
Exploring acute cellular rejection in lung transplantation: insights from donor-derived cell-free DNA analysis
Andrea Zajacova, Majd Alkhouri, Miray Guney, Goncalo Ferrao, David Rezac, Kristyna Vyskocilova, Tereza Kotowski, Alzbeta Dutkova, Eliska Dvorackova, Robert Lischke, Libor Fila, Jan Havlin
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):33-39 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2025.016
Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is a common issue after lung transplantation, but standardized screening remains elusive. This study compared histological transbronchial biopsy assessment with donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) as a biomarker for detecting ACR. 74 samples obtained from lung transplant recipients were analysed, with ACR cases defined by histological grade and/or treatment necessity (n=10, 14%). Results showed significantly higher dd-cfDNA in ACR cases (61.2 cp/mL vs. 25.8 cp/mL in controls; P=0.04), but dd-cfDNA% and total cfDNA were not significantly different. While dd-cfDNA may help rule out ACR, further research is needed to refine its clinical application.
FOXP3, IL-35, and PD-L1 in intra- and peritumoral lymphocytic infiltrate of cutaneous melanomas as an important part of antitumor immunity
Vladimir Zidlik, Pavel Hurnik, Yvetta Vantuchova, Simona Michalcova, Jozef Skarda, Tereza Hulinova, Dana Purova, Jiri Ehrmann
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):40-46 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2024.040
Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive tumors especially in its generalized form with metastases as one of the most difficult to treat cancers. Melanoma is considered an immunogenic tumor, and the status of the immune system is intensively studied in melanoma patients. It creates an immunosuppressive environment that helps tumor cells escape the host's immune response. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of markers of ongoing immune suppression as part of the melanoma tumor microenvironment. These markers include the presence of T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs) expressing FOXP3 protein, and local expression of the cytokine IL-35 and immune checkpoint receptor PD-L1.
Cannabidiol-hyaluronic acid combination delivered rectally for attenuating abacterial prostatitis symptoms: Single-arm open-label pilot clinical trial
Vladimir Student Jr., Vaclav Repa, Jana Vrbkova, Jan Vacek
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):47-52 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2026.002
Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent urological disorder with a significant impact on quality-of-life. The administration of cannabidiol/hyaluronic acid based suppositories demonstrated potential symptom relief in CP/CPPS with a favourable tolerability profile.
A pilot study on the feasibility and initial outcomes of a telerehabilitation system for balance and cognitive training in older adults
Milada Luisa Sedivcova, Karla Mothejlova, Karel Hana, Jan Kaspar, Aneta Buchtelova
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):53-61 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2025.018
This randomized controlled multicentric pilot study evaluated a home-based telerehabilitation system aimed at improving balance and cognitive function in older adults. The results show it is safe, user-friendly, and effective as traditional therapy, with added benefits from cognitive stimulation.
Development of Vibrio parahaemolyticus sensitive and specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with lateral flow device
Xiaoheng Liang, Dan Zhan, Xin Huang, Jinli Bi, Jinghan Li, Liqin Meng, Li Xie, Taijie Li
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2026, 170(1):62-70 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2025.007
A rapid LAMP-LFD method was developed by combining the loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique and lateral flow device for the detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. By improving the specificity and sensitivity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection, it provides a rapid and convenient detection method for field and grass-roots units. To provide a new method for the diversity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection methods. It has promising applications in the detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus at the basic level.