Accumulated studies have highlighted that the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) in retinoblastoma (RB) is a leading cause for tumourigenesis and tumour development. Therefore, the elucidation of the expression, functional roles and underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in RB will help the development of promising therapeutic methods to improve the prognosis of RB patients. The aim of this study was to detect miRNA‑758 (miR‑758) expression in RB tissues and cell lines, and to determine the effects and underlying mechanisms of miR‑758 on RB progression. The results demonstrated that miR‑758 was downregulated in both RB tissues and cell lines. In vitro functional experiments revealed that upregulation of miR‑758 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis in RB. In addition, paired box protein 6 (PAX6) was a direct target gene of miR‑758 in RB. Furthermore, PAX6 was upregulated in RB tissues, and this upregulation was inversely associated with the expression level of miR‑758. In addition, PAX6 reintroduction abrogated the tumour‑suppressive effects of miR‑758 overexpression on RB cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Furthermore, miR‑758 overexpression inactivated the PI3K/Akt pathway in RB cells by inhibiting PAX6. In conclusion, our current study provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that miR‑758 inhibits the progression of RB by directly targeting PAX6 and regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway, thereby suggesting that this miRNA may be developed as a therapeutic target for treating patients with RB.

Purpose. To evaluate effects of lamellar keratectomy and intrastromal injection of 0.2% fluconazole (LKIIF) on fungal keratitis. Methods. Data for 54 eyes of consecutive patients with fungal keratitis treated with LKIIF were retrospectively analyzed. The lesions in these eyes did not heal or were aggravated after antifungal chemotherapy for 7 days. The maximum lesion diameters were ≤5 mm and maximum depth was not more than half of full corneal thickness. Cases were followed up for at least 90 days. Results. Forty-six eyes were cured (85.2%). The wound healing times were 3–16 days and were less than 7 days in 28 cases (51.9%). In cured eyes, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were both 20/250–20/20. The UCVA improved in 38 eyes and was unchanged in seven eyes. BCVA improved in 44 eyes and was unchanged in two eyes. When followed up for more than 90 days, 89% (41 of 46 eyes) showed improvement in UCVA and 11% were unchanged. Regarding BCVA, 98% improved and one eye was unchanged. No other complications were observed except neovascularization in one eye and thinner corneas. Conclusions. LKIIF was quick and effective for small fungal keratitis confined to half of the corneal thickness.

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