Generation of energy and maintenance of homeostasis in eukaryotic cells depends on organelles known as mitochondria, which have their own circular genomes and take part in a number of metabolic activities and cellular events. Bioinformatics techniques and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) have helped unravel intricacy of the transcripts originating from mitochondria. Numerous mitochondrial noncoding RNAs (mt-ncRNAs) have been identified in the recent studies, and they are crucial for both mitochondrial and other cellular processes. According to the recently published research, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous macromolecules with covalent closure at the 5' and 3' ends, which are one of the novel subtypes of ncRNAs. CircRNAs are mostly found in the cytoplasm and nucleus, although this kind of ncRNA can also be detected in mitochondria. Mitochondrial genome-encoded circular RNAs (mecciRNAs) play key roles in regulating cellular phenotypes and progressive illness by sponging microRNA (miRNA) and interacting with the RNA binding proteins (RBP). In this review, we focus on the recent research on the regulatory mechanism and possible functions of mecciRNAs in pathophysiology of various diseases.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a combined rehabilitation program consisting of intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin type A followed by a course of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in women with urgency urinary incontinence associated with diabetes mellitus.

This prospective, non-randomized comparative clinical study included 135 women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Of these, 105 women had urgency urinary incontinence persisting despite standard conservative therapy and entered the treatment comparison, and 30 women with diabetes mellitus but without urgency urinary incontinence or overactive bladder symptoms served as a non-incontinent reference (control) group. Assignment of the 105 symptomatic women to treatment was made prospectively on the basis of predefined clinical eligibility for third-line therapy and documented patient preference; no randomization procedure was used. The main group (n=50) received intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin type A with hemagglutinin complex at a total dose of 300 U followed by 12 weekly PTNS sessions. The comparison group (n=55) received standard conservative therapy. The reference group received no study intervention and was used only for general clinical and nosological characterization; it was not included in any efficacy or safety comparison. The primary endpoint was the change in the number of daily urgency urinary incontinence episodes after 12 weeks.

After 12 weeks, the frequency of urgency urinary incontinence episodes decreased from 5.8±1.4 to 1.4±0.8 episodes per day in the main group and from 5.7±1.3 to 3.9±1.2 episodes per day in the comparison group. The between-group difference in final values was -2.5 episodes per day (95% CI: -2.9 to -2.1; p<0.001). The main group also demonstrated a more pronounced decrease in ICIQ-SF score, OAB-q Symptom Bother score and NGF/Cr level, an increase in effective voided volume, and improvement in pelvic floor ENMG parameters. Transient urinary retention was recorded in 3 patients (6.0%) in the main group and was reversible.

A combined program including intravesical botulinum toxin therapy and PTNS provides a statistically and clinically significant reduction in symptoms of urgency urinary incontinence in women with diabetes mellitus and has an acceptable safety profile. Dynamic monitoring of postvoid residual urine is necessary to reduce the risk of complications after botulinum toxin therapy. Because treatment was not allocated at random, these findings should be regarded as hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in randomized controlled trials.

This study investigated the relationships between specific biological factors and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A retrospective case-control study was conducted in pregnant women with GDM and in healthy pregnant women who served as a control group. ABO and Rh blood groups, maternal age, pre-pregnancy and third-trimester body mass index (BMI), and first-trimester thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were analyzed in both groups. Associations were assessed using the chi-square (χ²) test, together with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Our research shows no significant association between ABO or Rh blood groups and the risk of GDM. Advanced maternal age is a moderate risk factor for GDM (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.07-3.42, χ²=8.16, p=0.043). Elevated maternal BMI was strongly associated with GDM risk OR=13.98. 95% CI: 4.8 - 40.9, χ²=43.40, and P<0.0001. FT4 imbalance was more prevalent among women with GDM (OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.72-6.55, χ²=14.29, p=0.0008). TSH alterations were associated with GDM to a lesser extent. Our research shows that maternal age, BMI, and FT4 imbalance emerged as relevant risk factors for the development of GDM. ABO and Rh blood groups did not appear to be independent contributors to GDM. Early identification of such risk factors is essential for the timely management and prevention of GDM.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) in pregnant women leads to the development of macrosomia in newborns and also influences the characteristics of neonatal length development. It is worth noting that findings regarding the association between GDM and gestational age at birth vary, and there is no evidence to support treating GDM as an independent risk factor for determining gestational age at birth. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of GDM on neonatal physical parameters, including birth weight and length, as well as gestational age at birth. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. A total of 220 pregnant women were evaluated: 110 with GDM and 110 healthy pregnant women. The newborns of both groups - those with GDM and the healthy controls - were also assessed. The data were processed using statistical analysis software. The chi-square (χ²) test for comparative analysis; a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Our study showed that newborns of mothers with GDM are at higher risk of developing either very high or low birth weight; in contrast, newborns of healthy mothers are predominantly born with a normal weight (OR=0.25, χ²=11.28, p=0.0036). GDM increases the risk of delivering newborns who are either very large or relatively short (95% CI=0.73; 3.68, OR=1.64, χ²=6.19, p=0.045); however, it should be noted that although deviations in length from the norm were observed more frequently in the GDM group, the Odds Ratio analysis did not confirm a statistically significant association. The difference in the distribution of gestational age at birth between newborns of mothers with GDM and healthy mothers is not statistically significant (χ²=1.33, p=0.515). The newborns are predominantly full-term, and the observed difference is minor and random in nature. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed statistical significance regarding weight (P<0.001), length (P=0.007), and gestational age at birth (P=0.008), while linear regression demonstrated a statistically significant effect of maternal age on fetal length (β=0.051; p=0.025). Based on the study results, we can conclude that GDM is associated with extreme physical parameters in newborns. Among these parameters, an increased risk of high birth weight was found to be closely linked to GDM. A strong association was also established between GDM and the length of newborns; specifically, cases of both short and long newborns are observed more frequently among mothers with GDM.

Even though diabetes is a major risk factor for ischemic heart disease, modifiable risk factors like hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity remain significant factors in the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease in diabetic patients. The data available for the region is still scarce, particularly in the Qassim region. This research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among diabetics and their association with glycemic control, diabetes type, and demographic data in the Qassim region.

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted of the electronic medical records (EMR) of patients with diabetes at the Diabetes and Endocrine Center in Qassim, Saudi Arabia, on 1st December 2024 until 15th May 2025. Clinical and laboratory data and demographic and anthropometric data were obtained from medical records.

A high prevalence of obesity (56.6%), physical inactivity (76.3%), and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (50.6%) were noted. There was a significant association between poor glycemic control (HbA1c>8%) and abnormal levels of LDL and total cholesterol, with 30.95% of patients in the poor control group having high LDL and total cholesterol levels (p<0.001). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was strongly associated with hypertension, obesity, physical inactivity, low HDL, and compared to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Male participants had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia and smoking; female participants had a higher prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity. In addition, central adiposity and hypertension were related to age.

Cardiovascular risk factors were highly prevalent among diabetic patients and were significantly associated with T2DM in the Qassim region, advanced age, and impaired glycemic control. These results highlighted the need for comprehensive screening and preventative campaigns designed for the high-risk diabetic populations in the Qassim region.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits profound resistance to chemoradiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition, which is closely associated with therapy-induced cellular senescence. However, the regulatory mechanism of the senescence-independent senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) driven by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated innate immune activation after chemoradiotherapy remains largely unknown. The dsRNA mimic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] was used to stimulate CAL27 cells, with chloroquine (CQ) intervention to inhibit autophagy. Integrated transcriptomic analysis, in vitro functional assays and clinical specimen validation were performed to explore the regulation, transcellular cascade and prognostic value of senescence-independent SASP. dsRNA-mediated innate immune stimulation triggered NF-κB-dependent senescence-independent SASP in an autophagy-dependent manner without inducing proliferative arrest or classic senescence marker expression. CXCL1 was identified as a candidate key mediator of this SASP subtype. Furthermore, senescence-independent SASP initiates an IL-6-mediated transcellular inflammatory cascade to activate SASP in tumor-associated macrophages, remodeling the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Autophagy inhibition effectively suppressed this SASP, reduced IL-6 secretion and disrupted the tumor-macrophage inflammatory loop. Clinically, the TLR3-autophagy-NF-κB-IL-6 signature was validated as a reliable prognostic biomarker for oral squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study reveals a novel autophagy-NF-κB-IL-6 axis governing senescence-independent SASP and the downstream inflammatory cascade in HNSCC, representing a promising therapeutic strategy to improve chemoradiotherapy plus immunotherapy efficacy.

This retrospective study was conducted to accomplish the objectives of this study for the period from first of February until 30th March 2026. The study was conducted at the histopathological lab. of Al-Jumhori Teaching Hospital to search document files for patients who were already diagnosed with thyroid tumour (benign and malignant) by histopathological examination for the years 2023 - 2025. Name, age, and gender, with special concentration on the presence of thyroid tumour, were searched for in the document files. Twenty-seven patients were found to be affected by thyroid tumours. The ages of most of the patients were distributed between 21-60 years, with the highest percentages in the age period between 21- 30 years (37%), followed by the age period 31- 40 years (29.7%). Most of our patients were female (96.3%); only one patient was male (3.7%). Most thyroid tumours were benign (66.7%), while malignant tumours represented 33.3%. Regarding all thyroid tumours (benign &malignant), Follicular adenoma was the most predominant thyroid tumour and represented the highest percentage (59.3%), followed by papillary carcinoma (25.9%). Papillary carcinoma was the most prevalent malignant thyroid tumor, representing 77.8%, followed by anaplastic and medullary carcinoma, with 11.1% for each.

Viral hepatitis, particularly Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV), represents a significant health complication in immunocompromised patients, including children diagnosed with acute leukaemia. These patients are at increased risk of getting infections due to frequent blood transfusions, invasive procedures, and immunosuppressive therapy. The study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of hepatitis B and C virus infection among children with acute leukaemia treated in the pediatric haematology unit at Ibn Al-Ather Teaching Hospital in Mosul city, compare them with a control group and evaluate associated risk factors, including vaccination status.

This study enrolled a total of 180 children attending Ibn-Al-Atheer Teaching Hospital (Mosul City, Iraq), comprising 90 patients diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and 90 age- and sex-matched controls. The control group included children attending the hospital for conditions unrelated to haematological diseases or predisposing factors for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, and had no history of chronic illness. Blood samples were collected and tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Demographic and clinical data, including vaccination history, were reported and statistically analysed.

No significant variation was observed between cases and controls in sex, age, or residency (P>0.05). HBsAg positivity was higher in cases (26.7%) than controls (10.0%) (P=0.005). Anti-HCV was also higher in cases (10.0%) vs controls (2.2%) (P=0.035). HBV vaccination was protective (7.4% vs 34.9%, P=0.004). Blood transfusion was strongly associated with infection (60.0% vs 4.4%, P<0.001).

HBV and HCV infections were significantly higher in leukemic children. Blood transfusion was a major risk factor, while HBV vaccination had a protective effect. Strengthening screening and vaccination is essential.

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has emerged as an important immune checkpoint biomarker in ovarian cancer. However, its relationship with serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125), a routinely used biomarker for disease monitoring, remains insufficiently investigated, particularly in patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC).

To evaluate the association between PD-L1 expression and serum CA125 levels in patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma and to investigate the relationships of PD-L1 expression with age and FIGO stage.

This retrospective case-control study included 69 women treated for ovarian tumors between 2018 and 2025, comprising 42 patients with histologically confirmed HGSC and 27 patients with benign epithelial ovarian tumors serving as controls. PD-L1 expression was assessed immunohistochemically using the VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) assay and evaluated by the Tumor Proportion Score (TPS), with positivity defined as TPS ≥1%. Serum CA125 levels were categorized as ≤35 U/mL or >35 U/mL. Statistical analyses included Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with statistical significance defined as p<0.05.

PD-L1 expression was detected in 17 (24.6%) of the 69 patients, including 16/42 (38.1%) patients with HGSC and 1/27 (3.7%) controls. PD-L1 positivity was significantly more frequent in HGSC than in benign tumors (OR=16.0; 95% CI 1.97-129.64; p=0.0012). Within the HGSC cohort, CA125 >35 U/mL was observed in 13/16 (81.3%) PD-L1-positive and 22/26 (84.6%) PD-L1-negative patients. No significant association was identified between CA125 category and PD-L1 expression (OR=0.79; 95% CI 0.15-4.09; Fisher's exact p=1.000). No statistically significant associations were observed between PD-L1 expression and age (p=0.454) or FIGO stage (p=0.978).

PD-L1 expression was significantly more frequent in HGSC than in benign epithelial ovarian tumors. However, the initially observed association between PD-L1 expression and elevated serum CA125 was not confirmed when the analysis was restricted to the 42-patient HGSC cohort. Larger studies are needed to clarify the relationship between PD-L1 and CA125 within HGSC.

Cervical cancer (CCa) is largely preventable through human papillomavirus vaccination, organized screening, and timely management of precancerous lesions; however, screening participation may remain suboptimal even when services are formally available. This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study examined behavioral and perceptual determinants of CCa screening participation among women in the Adjara region of Georgia. A total of 520 women aged 18-60 years from urban and rural municipalities were recruited using a convenience sampling approach; screening participation was interpreted primarily with reference to the nationally recommended screening age group of 25-60 years. Data were collected from October to December 2024 and analyzed between January and March 2025. The questionnaire was developed using a Health Belief Model-based framework supplemented by selected Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices components. The primary outcome was self-reported CCa screening participation, defined as having undergone screening at least once. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlation analysis, and multivariable logistic regression were used. Overall, 33.3% of participants reported previous cervical cancer screening. HPV vaccination coverage was 22.7%, while 43.8% of participants expressed willingness to receive vaccination. Perceived barriers were the most frequently reported Health Belief Model construct, followed by perceived benefits and positive attitudes toward screening. Screened women more frequently reported perceived benefits, positive attitudes, perceived susceptibility, cues to action, and healthcare provider recommendation than non-screened women. Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed that perceived benefits and self-efficacy were positively associated with screening participation, whereas perceived barriers were inversely associated with participation. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, perceived benefits were associated with increased odds of screening participation (aOR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.59-2.05, p<0.001), whereas perceived barriers were associated with reduced odds of participation (aOR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.77-0.89, p<0.001). Positive attitudes toward screening were also independently associated with screening uptake (aOR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.11-1.39, p<0.001). Knowledge score and perceived severity were not significant independent predictors. These findings indicate a persistent coverage-participation gap in Adjara and suggest that CCa screening uptake is associated mainly with behavioral, perceptual, and communication-related factors rather than knowledge or service availability alone. Thus, behaviorally informed, patient-centered, and provider-supported strategies are needed to reduce perceived barriers, strengthen perceived benefits and self-efficacy, and promote consistent healthcare provider recommendations. The low HPV vaccination rate and moderate willingness to be vaccinated further support the need for integrated CCa prevention strategies linking screening promotion with HPV vaccination communication.