MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that play a critical role in regulating gene expression by binding to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). They were first discovered around 8 years after the identification of the first miRNA in 1993, and since then, there has been a significant increase in miRNA-related research and discoveries. MiRNAs have been implicated in various biological processes, including cancer, particularly in colorectal cancer (CRC). In CRC, miRNAs act as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors, influencing essential cellular functions such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The dysregulation of miRNAs in CRC can arise from different factors, leading to abnormal expression levels of their target mRNAs and subsequently affecting protein production. Consequently, miRNAs may directly target oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, thereby contributing to cancer initiation and progression. Notably, tumors often exhibit reduced expression of mature miRNAs. In CRC research, miRNAs offer potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Specific miRNA profiles could serve as non-invasive tools for early CRC detection and risk assessment. Additionally, miRNA-based therapies present a promising approach for targeted cancer treatment by modulating miRNA expression. However, challenges related to delivery systems and long-term safety must be addressed to fully harness their therapeutic potential.

Basic life support (BLS) is a type of emergency care provided by healthcare workers and public safety professionals to individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or other cardiopulmonary emergencies. Despite having a high burden of cardiovascular disease and trauma from conflict in Afghanistan, little is known about the level of BLS knowledge Afghani healthcare workers have. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kabul, Afghanistan, to assess healthcare workers’ training and knowledge of BLS. The study, which took place from March to June 2022 across multiple public and private hospitals, was approved by the institutional ethics committee of Ariana Medical Complex. The sample size was calculated using a nonprobability convenience sampling method, and the study population consisted of healthcare workers actively working in a health center who were willing to complete a questionnaire. The results of the study showed that most participants (71.3%) were in the 21–30-year-old age range, and a third (32.3%) were doctors. 95.3% of participants had poor knowledge of BLS, with a mean score of 4.47±1.58 out of 13. Additionally, it was evident from questionnaire responses that providers are not adequately performing BLS. These findings suggest that further work, including regular BLS courses, is necessary to improve the knowledge and practice of BLS by healthcare workers in Afghanistan.

The global rise in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a critical and intertwined public health challenge. Both conditions share overlapping mechanisms, such as insulin resistance, lipid toxicity, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, that drive disease progression and worsen outcomes. This review synthesizes emerging evidence on the bidirectional relationship between T2DM and MASLD, with a specific focus on underrecognized clinical intersections, including hepatogenous diabetes and the role of subclinical liver injury in diabetic patients. Unlike prior reviews, it emphasizes mechanistic links involving advanced glycation end products, cytokine dysregulation, and microvascular dysfunction, highlighting their implications for both hepatic and extrahepatic complications. We summarize epidemiological trends, outline gaps in current screening practices, and assess therapeutic strategies ranging from glycemic control and hepatoprotective antidiabetic agents to liver-directed interventions. Key takeaways for clinicians include the importance of early, integrated liver fibrosis assessment in diabetic care and the need for multidisciplinary approaches to reduce risks of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality. By bridging pathophysiological insights with practical screening and treatment considerations, this review aims to guide more proactive and coordinated management of patients affected by T2DM and MASLD.

Introduction: Ischemic stroke, comprising nearly 85% of all strokes, remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Annually, about 795,000 individuals in the United States (US) experience a new or recurrent stroke. Despite advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, significant disparities and geographic variability persist, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to address these ongoing challenges. Methods: We analyzed US death certificate data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide‐ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (1968‐2023) for ischemic stroke mortality using International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐8, ICD‐9, and ICD‐10) codes. Demographics included age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Crude and age‐adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs), annual percent change (APC), and average annual percent changes (AAPC) were calculated using joinpoint regression, and a p ‐value less than 0.05 defined significance. Results: From 1968 to 2023, ischemic stroke mortality declined substantially, with 1,363,668 total deaths and the AAMR decreasing from 76.2 to 10.0 per 100,000 (AAPC: −3.59%). Early steep declines occurred from 1968 to 1982 and continued through 2014, followed by pronounced increases between 2014–2017 (APC 38.69) and 2017–2023 (APC 7.48). Men consistently exhibited higher AAMRs than women, with long‐term declines, yet both experienced recent upward trends. Racial disparities persisted, with Black adults declining from 85.9 to 14.2 (AAPC: −3.30%) and White from 75.5 to 9.8 (AAPC: −3.63%), but both showed reversals after 2014. Older adults (≥65 years) bore the greatest burden (AAPC: −3.91%), while younger age groups exhibited smaller reductions. Conclusion: Despite long‐term declines in mortality, recent increases and persistent disparities by age, sex, and race underscore the need for targeted prevention and equitable healthcare interventions in particularly high‐risk populations.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) with hyperlipidemia adds significantly to the national burden of cardiovascular disease. However, population-level trends in mortality for these conditions are not well understood. We used nationally representative data to investigate long-term temporal patterns and disparities in PAD and hyperlipidemia related mortality in the United States. This descriptive analysis analyzed death records from the CDC WONDER database from 1999 to 2024. The age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 people were calculated for each demographic and geographic strata. AAMRs were standardized to 2000 U.S. standard population. Temporal trends in AAMRs were analyzed using Joinpoint regression to estimate the average annual percent change (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p value. Between 1999 and 2024, a total of 148,416 PAD with hyperlipidemia–related deaths were recorded among U.S. adults ≥ 25 years. The national AAMR rose from 0.74 in 1999 to 3.92 in 2024, corresponding to an overall AAPC of 6.32. Both sexes experienced increasing mortality, though men had higher rates and faster growth compared with women. By race/ethnicity, AAMRs increased across all groups, with the steepest relative rise among Hispanic individuals, followed by Non-Hispanic (NH) Black, NH White, and NH Asian or Pacific Islander populations. Geographic disparities were observed, with state-level AAMRs ranging from 0.92 in Georgia to 5.06 in Vermont, and the highest regional mean AAMR in the West (2.93). Finally, rural areas consistently exhibited higher mean AAMRs than urban areas, with slightly steeper increase over time. AAMRs related to PAD and hyperlipidemia have increased more than fivefold, with disproportionately higher rates among men, Hispanic populations, residents of Western regions, and those in rural areas. These patterns suggest widening disparities in vascular health and underscore the need for strengthened preventive efforts, improved lipid management, and more equitable access to cardiovascular care.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has revolutionized modern surgery by enabling the creation of patient-specific implants and instruments tailored to individual anatomy. Through advanced imaging and computer aided design, 3D-printed devices enhance surgical precision, reduce operative time, and improve functional and aesthetic outcomes across multiple specialties. Clinical evidence from leading countries, including Australia, China, and the United Kingdom, demonstrates successful use of custom titanium spinal and craniofacial implants, restoring complex anatomical structures that standard devices cannot replicate. Technological advances in biocompatible materials such as titanium alloys, PEEK polymers, and bioresorbable composites have expanded the scope of applications, while emerging point-of-care printing facilities allow hospitals to produce customized implants on-site. Despite challenges involving cost, regulatory oversight, and long-term validation, the integration of 3D printing into surgical workflows marks a major step toward personalized medicine. Continued interdisciplinary collaboration and robust clinical trials are essential to establish safety, cost-effectiveness, and broader accessibility of these transformative technologies.