Fungal infections of the eye are an important cause of significant visual loss and blindness in some regions of the world, especially developing countries. Ocular mycoses remain a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the ophthalmologist. Corneal infection is the most frequent presentation, but the orbit, eyelids, lacrimal apparatus, conjunctiva, sclera and internal structures of the eye can also be affected. Candida spp., Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp. are the most frequently isolated organisms in fungal keratitis and in endophthalmitis. The difficulties posed by ocular mycoses are mainly related to establishing the clinical diagnosis, isolation of the fungal pathogen and effective local treatment, particularly in infections of the cornea. The critical issue in diagnosing fungal infection of the eye is microbiological identification of the etiologic agent in clinical samples. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment allow serious complications, including blindness, to be avoided. Local, systemic and even surgical treatment is applied in the therapy.

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Our data indicate that PIM-2 and NF-κB gene expression is increased in patients with AML and ALL. Moreover, high PIM-2 expression is associated with CR rate and OS in AML patients.

The PIM2 gene encodes the serine/threonine kinase involved in cell survival and apoptosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of the PIM2 gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to examine its role in apoptosis of the blastic cells. We analyzed the PIM2 expression in 148 patients: 91 with AML, 57 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 24 healthy controls by Real-Time PCR and Western blot. Inhibition of the PIM2 gene in human leukemic HL60 cell line was performed with RNAi and apoptosis rate was analyzed. Our results indicate that overexpression of PIM2 in AML is associated with low complete remission rate, high-risk cytogenetics, shorter leukemia-free survival, and event-free survival. Cytometric analysis of HL60/PAC-GFP and HL60/PAC-GFP-shPIM2 cells revealed an increase in the number of apoptotic cells after inhibition of PIM2 gene. In summary, the elevated expression of PIM2 in blastic cells is associated with poor prognosis of AML patients and their resistance to induction therapy.

EMMPRIN expression and ratios MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 were higher in MM patients, our results demonstrate that in MM patients MMP-2 and MMP-9 are secreted in higher amounts and are not balanced by inhibitors.