Exploring of miR-155-5p, miR-181b-5p, and miR-454-3p Expressions in Circulating Cell-Free RNA: Insights from Peripheral Blood of Uveal Malignant Melanoma Patients.

The identification of novel non-invasive biomarkers is imperative for the early diagnosis and monitoring of malignant melanoma. The objective of this study is to examine the expression levels of miR-155-5p, miR-181b-5p, and miR-454-3p in circulating cell-free RNA obtained from plasma samples of the 72 uveal malignant melanoma patients and to compare these levels with those of 72 healthy controls. The analysis showed that the expression level of the miR-181b-5p has increased 9.25 fold, and expression level of miR-155-5p has increased 6.67 fold, and miR-454-3p expression level has increased 4.14 fold in the patient group compared with the levels in the healthy control group (p = 0.005). It was found that the high expression levels of the three miRNAs were statistically significant in patients compared with in the healthy control group. The statistical evaluations between miRNA expression levels and clinical data showed that miR-155-5p had significant association with radiation therapy (p = 0.040), and miR-454-3p showed a significant association with smoking and alcohol use respectively (p = 0.009, and p = 0.026). The significantly elevated expression levels of miR-181b-5p, miR-155-5p, and miR-454-3p in the circulating cell-free RNA of plasma from uveal melanoma patients, in comparison to those in the healthy control group, suggest the potential usefulness of these biomarkers for both early diagnosis and disease monitoring. However, more extensive and future studies are needed to use these molecules in early diagnosis and disease monitoring.

Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy in conjunction with mitomycin C in corneal macular and granular dystrophies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcomes, recurrence patterns, safety, and efficacy of excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in conjunction with mitomycin C (MMC) for corneal macular and granular diystrophies. METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included patients with macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) that caused superficial corneal plaque opacities, and Group 2 included patients with granular corneal dystrophy (GCD). Patients in both groups were pre-, peri-, and postoperatively evaluated. The groups were compared in terms of uncorrected visual acuity (VA), best spectacle-corrected VA, presence of mild or significant recurrence, and time of recurrence. RESULTS: Eighteen eyes (nine with MCD and nine with GCD) of 18 patients (10 men and eight women) were included. PTK was performed for each eye that was included in this study. The mean ablation amount was 117.8 ± 24.4 µm and 83.5 ± 45.7 µm in MCD and GCD, respectively, (p=0.18). The postoperative improvement of the mean VA was similar between the two groups before recurrences (p>0.43) and after recurrences (p>0.71). There were no statistically significant differences in the recurrence rate and the recurrence-free period for any recurrence type. CONCLUSION: PTK was an effective, safe, and minimally invasive procedure for patients with MCD and GCD. PTK in conjunction with MMC was similarly effective for both groups in terms of recurrence and visual outcomes.

Efficacy of Modified 360-degree Suture Trabeculotomy for Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: In this prospective study, we aimed to investigate the success and safety of a modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy (ST) technique in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The modified 360-degree ST was performed on 15 eyes of 15 patients with XFG resistant to maximal topical treatment. In 6 patients, ST was combined with phacoemulsification. Main outcome measures were the surgical success rate, mean postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications, and the operative complications. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 8 months (range 6 to 12 mo). Baseline IOP decreased from 27.53±9.38 mm Hg on 3.26±0.70 medications to 12.86±2.72 mm Hg (P=0.01) on 0.20±0.56 medications (P=0.01) at 6 months postoperatively accounting for a 52.82% reduction. The complete and qualified success rates were 77% and 100%, respectively, at the sixth month. The entire circumference of the Schlemm canal was successfully opened in all cases. Hyphema (in all cases), intraoperative iris prolapse (in 3 cases), transient elevation of the IOP (in 1 case), posterior synechia (in 2 phakic cases), and peripheral anterior synechia (in 1 case) were noted. There was not a trend for lower IOP after combined phacomodified 360-degree ST in this small group. CONCLUSIONS: The modified 360-degree ST appears to be a valuable option for the surgical treatment of XFG. Future studies are needed to explore the remote side effects and the long-term effects of this procedure on IOP.