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The aim of the present study was to investigate the use and effectiveness of a selective, partial, pedunculated (tongue-shaped) conjunctival flap (CF) for the treatment of refractory fungal keratitis (FK) with or without perforation. A total of 31 cases of corneal diseases treated by CF surgery between April 2014 and October 2015 were evaluated. Among the 31 cases, 16 cases (male:female, 11:5) with FK were selected. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with complications of CF surgery. A higher prevalence of FK was identified among male farmers compared with female farmers, in which plant trauma was the most prevalent cause of the disease. Only 4 patients had experienced corneal perforation prior to CF surgery. Patients aged 61-80 years had a higher prevalence of FK (50%) compared with other age groups; however, there was no statistically significant correlation between the prevalence of FK and sex or age. It was also demonstrated that age, sex, combined surgery and surgery duration were not significantly associated with post-surgical complications. All CF surgeries were performed following corneal ulcer scraping; however, 4 patients (12.5%) required additional surgery. The visual acuity of participants post-surgery decreased in 4 cases and remained unchanged in 12 cases. A total of 3 study patients experienced post-surgical complications of corneal perforation (1 patient) and purulent exudate spreading (2 patients). The post-surgical outcome was good for all study participants as the surgeries were able to control infection and preserve the eyeball, with the potential of future corneal transplant. These results suggest that CF surgery may be a useful alternative treatment for refractory FK in countries such as China where there is lack of cornea donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a systemic form of vasculitis that involves small to medium sized vessels and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. GPA presents a continuous and difficult clinical diagnostic concern, due to the rarity of the disease and the diversity of the manifestations. This case report discusses the unusual symptoms presented by a particular patient, discusses these manifestations and explains how the final diagnosis was identified as GPA. A 40-year old Chinese woman was initially referred to the present institution for a progressive worsening pain, redness and gradual decrease in visual acuity in the eyes over the past 7-year period. Previous therapeutic interventions included noncompliant topical and intravenous dexamethasone for 6 years. A pre-operative examination conducted in a differing hospital to search for the presence of an orbital mass, resulted in the identification of an asymptomatic space-occupying lesion in the right middle lung, which was surgically removed in March 2015. A total of four weeks later, surgery was then applied to remove a left orbital mass, in the same hospital. A total of three months later, the patient was diagnosed with peripheral ulcerative keratitis associated with GPA, at the present institution. The corneal lesions were then treated bilaterally with cryotherapy and oral prednisone and cyclophosphamide were administered. Following surgery, the condition of the eyes appeared to be stable. A total of seven months later, the redness and pain of the right eye recurred, followed by a deep lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of necrotizing scleritis. The condition of the two eyes was subsequently observed to be stable during the nine month follow-up. The present case study reviews various points to consider in a rare, complicated and potentially blinding case of GPA. GPA must therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of further inflammatory conditions and tumors. Early diagnosis and an appropriate interdisciplinary approach to management, are required to decrease recurrence and morbidity in patients with GPA-mediated inflammatory ocular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients exhibiting pancreatic cancer possess poor rates of survival. Therefore, the identification of a biomarker that can be measured non-invasively and be used to predict patient outcomes is required for the successful treatment of pancreatic cancer. The present study evaluated serum microRNA (miRNA/miR) profiles in patients exhibiting pancreatic cancer, who were treated with lapatinib and capecitabine in a phase II trial. Serum samples were collected for the measurement of a panel of miRNAs (miR-21, miR-210, miR-221 and miR-7) associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)1 and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2 pathways. Preclinically, human pancreatic cancer PANC-1, MIA PaCa-2 and BXCP-3 cell lines were utilized for miRNA and drug resistance studies. In total, 6/17 patients treated experienced disease progression following 2 cycles of treatment [non-responders (NRS)], while another 6/17 patients exhibited a stable disease state and received >4 cycles of treatment [responders (RS); range, 4-22 cycles]. Five patients withdrew from the study due to severe toxicity or mortality. The mean overall survival time was 6.5 vs. 10.4 months for NRS and RS, respectively. Significant upregulation of serum miRNAs at earlier time points (3-6 weeks) was observed in NRS. miRNA levels increased with cancer progression, and lapatinib and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; the active form of capecitabine) treatment increased the miRNA levels (specifically miR-210 and miR-221) in the treatment-resistant pancreatic cancer PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines. However, lapatinib and 5-FU treatment did not increase the miRNA levels in the treatment-sensitive BXPC-3 cell line. Inhibition of miR-221 increased the sensitivity of the PANC-1 cells to treatment. In conclusion, an increase in specific serum miRNAs was associated with resistance to lapatinib and capecitabine treatment. Additional investigation is required with regard to the application of the miRNA panel investigated in the present study as a potential predictor of patient responses to anti-EGFR/HER2 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a pivotal event in the progression of cancer towards metastasis. Given that pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) inhibits angiogenesis, the present study analyzed whether PEDF expression is associated with EMT and prognosis in invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC). Immunohistochemical analysis was used to examine the expression levels of PEDF, E-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in 119 cases of IDC. Correlations between PEDF expression and EMT-related genes, and clinicopathological features and clinical prognosis were analyzed. E-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and NF-κB expression was correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological stage. PEDF expression was closely associated with tumor size. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between PEDF and E-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and NF-κB expression (P<0.05). Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the five-year survival rate was higher for patients with PEDF-.and E-cadherin-positive tumors, but was lower for those with vimentin-, Snail- and NF-κB-positive tumors. Vimentin, E-cadherin and NF-κB levels were dependent prognostic factors of favorable outcomes in IDC, as determined by Cox multivariate analysis. PEDF expression in breast cancer was significantly associated with EMT-related genes, suggesting that it may be an EMT suppressor. However, its potential as a prognostic indicator in breast cancer warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs) a new understanding of tumor occurrence and development has evolved. According to the stem cell (SC) theory, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) SCs may be derived from mutations in normal intestinal cells. CSCs can be defined by their cell of origin (SCs or early progenitor cells). Thus, through a shared stem cell marker between CSCs and SCs, it is possible to investigate the association between its expression and the various clinicopathological features in patients with CRC. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) is an appropriate marker. The present study was performed to examine the role of ALDH1 in CRC. Through indirect fluorescence antibody staining, the association between ALDH1 protein expression and various clinicopathological parameters was investigated. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to investigate the differing content of A LDH1 between CRC tissues and normal colorectal tissues. The results revealed that ALDH1 expression was markedly associated with tumor stage, Dukes' stage and the level of tumor cell differentiation. Using ELISA, it was demonstrated that there was a greater level of ALDH1 in CRC tissue than in normal colorectal tissue. Therefore, ALDH1 levels can be used as a useful parameter for pathological evaluation of tissue histology and to predict disease prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal chorioretinitis is a rare complication of neonatal fungemia that may lead to vision loss. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential to avoid vision loss. This study describes a case of a full term infant with candidiasis infection, which disseminated from the eye to the hip joint, and the diagnosis and treatment of fungal chorioretinitis and hip osteoarthritis with systemic candidiasis. The current case report indicates that the duration of therapy for fungal chorioretinitis should be at least 4-6 weeks long and should ideally continue until all clinical evidence of intraocular infection has been resolved. Close follow-up of infants who survive fungemia is essential. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate duration of antifungal treatment are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) is a sterile inflammation of the cornea, which may occur after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. Little is known about the association of DLK with permanent eyeliner tattoo. The present case report describes the case of a 37-year-old Chinese woman who developed severe foreign body sensation in both eyes 1 week after receiving bilateral permanent eyeliner tattoo treatment. The patient had received bilateral LASIK surgery 10 years previously. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed diffused granular infiltrates precipitated around the edge of the corneal flaps in both eyes. After topical treatment, DLK persisted. Therefore, the patient underwent surgery to remove the corneal epithelium around the DLK lesion. There was no recurrence of the disease during the 3-month observation period. To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing a case of late-onset of DLK that was triggered by permanent eyeliner tattoo. Doctors should be aware of the diagnosis and treatment of this complication associated with the application of permanent eyeliner tattoo as the popularity of this cosmetic procedure increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]