Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that impairs the sharp and central vision need for daily activities. Recent advances in molecular biology research not only lead to a better understanding of the genetics and pathophysiology of AMD but also to the development of applications based on targeted gene expressions to treat the disease. Clarification of molecular pathways that causing to development and progression in dry and wet types of AMD needs comprehensive and comparative investigations in particular precious biopsies involving peripheral blood samples from the patients. Therefore, in this investigation, dry and wet types of AMD patients and healthy individuals were aimed at investigating in regard to targeted gene candidates by using gene expression analysis for the first time. 13 most potent candidate genes involved in neurodegeneration were selected via in silico approach and investigated through gene expression analysis to suggest new targets for disease therapy. For the analyses, 30 individuals (10 dry and 10 wet types AMD patients and 10 healthy people) were involved in the study. SYBR-Green based Real-Time PCR analysis was performed on isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to analyze differentially expressed genes related to these cases. According to the investigations, only the CRP gene was found to be upregulated for both dry and wet disease types. When the downregulated genes were analyzed, it was found that 11 genes were commonly decreased for both dry and wet types in the aspect of expression pattern. From these genes, CFH, CX3CR1, FLT1, and TIMP3 were found to have the most downregulated gene expression properties for both diseases. From these results, it might be concluded that these common upregulated and downregulated genes could be used as targets for early diagnosis and treatment for AMD.

Background This study sought to evaluate pigment epithelial‐derived factor (PEDF) levels in lens anterior capsule material taken during cataract surgery from patients with senile cataract with pseudoexfoliation. Methods The study included 90 eyes of 86 patients who were diagnosed with, and underwent surgery for, cataracts. Sixty of the eyes included in the study had senile cataract. Thirty eyes of 30 young patients with other forms of cataract were included as a control group. Pseudoexfoliation was present in 21 patients with senile cataract. PEDF levels in the lens anterior capsule material – extracted with capsulorhexis in the classical phacoemulsification procedure – were measured by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method and compared between the groups. Results The PEDF level in the lens anterior capsule in the senile cataract patient group was 149.36 ± 17.46 pg/ml. A statistically significant lower level of PEDF was found in the lens anterior capsule of patients with senile cataract compared with the other groups. In the patient group with pseudoexfoliation, the PEDF level in the lens anterior capsule was found to be statistically significantly lower than the patient group without pseudoexfoliation. Conclusion PEDF levels decrease with senile cataract and pseudoexfoliation. These findings may clarify the pathogenesis of these conditions and point toward alternative treatment modalities.

Objective As digital display devices become more and more indispensable, associated health problems have started to increase. We aimed to investigate the frequency and relationship of digital display device usage behaviours and dry eye syndrome (DES) in medical students. Methods An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on medical school students who voluntarily participated in our study online, about the duration and variety of their digital screen use, usage patterns, and protective measures, together with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Where necessary, the Schirmer-I, tear break-up time, and fluorescein staining tests were carried out. Results Of the 255 participants, 75.3% (n = 192) were female, 63.1% (n = 161) had no refractive vision defects, and 45.9% used smartphones for more than 5 h a day. According to the OSDI scores for DES screening, only 36.1% of the participants were normal, 17.3% had mild DES, 20.4% had moderate DES, and 26.3% had severe DES. A positive correlation was found between digital display usage time in hours per day and a high OSDI score. As the distance between the eye and the screen decreased, the DES score increased, which is significant for computer, e-book, and tablet use (P < 0.005). The DES rate of the 25 participants who underwent further evaluation was 40% for the tear break-up time test and 52% for the fluorescein staining test. Conclusion The high prevalence of DES due to digital screen use among medical school students highlights the importance of DES screening as a preventive measure in family medicine.

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