Oral Glands Research Articles

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Dermatological Perspective on Pathogenesis and Treatment Outlook.

Meibomian glands are modified oil-producing glands that produce meibum and can become dysfunctional and negatively affect the lipid layer in the tear film, resulting in ocular surface diseases such as evaporative dry eye. Abnormal keratin production and aggregation at the meibomian gland orifice has been implicated in the pathogenesis of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Current treatments largely ignore the role of keratin proteins. This review paper synthesizes various publications on hyperkeratinization and its role in MGD pathogenesis and proposes a novel treatment strategy for MGD that involves the use of keratolytic agents commonly used in dermatological treatments.

First Report of Meloidogyne graminicola on Rice in Henan Province, China.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is an important food crop in China and root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola has been one of the most important diseases on rice in recently five years (Ju et al. 2020). In August 2020, rice plants were found to be maldeveloped, yellow leaves and hooked root tips in an irrigated paddy field of Yuanyang County, Xinxiang City, Henan Province. Fifty rice plants were randomly collected and 84.0 percent plants were infected with root-knot nematodes, with root-gall index of 56.0. Then nematodes from rice roots were isolated with 100-μm and 25-μm sieves. A large number of females, some third-stage juveniles (J3s), and a small number of males of Meloidogyne spp. were found in root galls of all samples after dissected, and then were identified and measured under the microscope. In females (n = 20), the perineal pattern was dorsoventrally oval with low and round dorsal arch, and the lateral field was not obvious or absent, striae are usually smooth, with occasional short and irregular striatal fragmentation. The morphological data of females are as follows: body length (BL) = 516.9 ± 72.5 μm (424.2 to 611.6 μm), body width (BW)= 328.4 ± 80.7 μm (232.1 to 437.4 μm), stylet length = 11.2 ± 1.3 μm (7.7 to 13.9 μm), dorsal pharyngeal gland orifice to stylet base (DGO) = 3.9 ± 0.5 μm (3.2 to 4.5 μm), vulval slit length = 24.3 ± 4.6 μm (15.2 to 31.4 μm), vulval slit to anus distance = 16.2 ± 2.5 μm (10.1 to 20.2 μm). Males are long cylindrical, wormlike, with a short round tail. Morphological measurements of males (n = 20) were BL = 1,218.0 ± 150.7μm (1,085.7 to 1,692.2 μm), BW = 34.2 ± 4.6 μm (28.5 to 39.7 μm), stylet = 17.4 ± 0.7 μm (15.9 to 19.3 μm), DGO = 3.6 ± 0.7 μm (2.5 to 4.5 μm), tail = 10.8 ± 2.1 μm (8.0 to 14.8 μm), spicule = 30.3 ± 2.6 μm (24.7 to 36.3 μm). The egg masses from the females were incubated at 28℃ for 48 hours. Measurements of J2s (n = 20) were BL = 444.2 ± 37.8 μm (315.7 to 547.5 μm), BW = 21.2 ± 2.7 μm (16.7 to 26.4 μm), stylet = 14.2 ± 0.3 μm (13.6 to 14.8 μm), DGO = 3.5 ± 0.5 μm (2.7 to 4.5 μm), tail = 70.8 ± 5.1 μm (61.3 to 80.8 μm), hyaline tail length = 21.0 ± 2.5 μm (16.3 to 26.1 μm). These morphological features are consistent with the original description by Golden and Birchfield (1965). DNA of a single female from each sample was extracted for molecular identification. Primer pairs D2A/D3B (5´-ACAAGTACCGTGAGGGAAAGTTG-3´/ 5´-TCGGAAGGAACCAGCTACTA-3´) (De Ley et al. 1999) and the species-specific primers Mg-F3/Mg-R2 (5'-TTATCGCATCATTTTATTTG-3'/ 5'-CGCTTTGTTAGAAAATGACCCT-3') (Htay et al. 2016) were used to amplify D2/D3 region of 28S RNA and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, respectively. The amplified sequences of D2/D3 region (GenBank MW490724, 766 bp) shared 99.9% and 99.7% homology with the sequences of M. graminicola (MN647592, MT576694) isolated from Guangxi and Anhui Province (Ju et al. 2020), respectively, while ITS region sequences (MW487239, 369 bp) shared 100% and 99.7% homology to M. graminicola isolate GXL3 (MN636702) and FQJJ01 (MT159690), respectively. In order to verify the pathogenicity of nematodes, about 300 J2s were inoculated on ten 14-week-old rice (Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare) planted in pots with sterilized sandy soil, respcectively, and maintained in a greenhouse at 28°C/26°C with a 16h/8h light/dark photoperiod and 75% relative humidity. At 14 days post inoculation, obvious symptoms of hook galls were observed on roots in all inoculated rice plants, and females and males in the same shape as the collected samples were found in the root galls under the stereoscopic microscope. No symptoms were observed on non-inoculated rice plants. After 28 days, the growth of the inoculated rice plants was significantly worse than that of uninoculated ones, with yellow leaves and short plants. These results confirmed the pathogenicity of M. graminicola on rice and it indicated that M. graminicola was already spread from the main rice-producing areas to the wheat and rice rotation areas. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. graminicola in the Henan Province of China.

Treatment efficacy of dietary supplement Licofor for dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of dietary supplement Licofor in the treatment of dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: This was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. Sixty patients [25 males, 35 females, aged (42±13) years] who had dry eye associated with MGD were recruited in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from December 2018 to October 2019. The patients were equally divided into two groups: 30 cases (60 eyes) in the experimental group and 30 cases (60 eyes) in the control group. All subjects were treated with eye hot compress, artificial tears and antibiotic ointment. After that, the experimental group and control group were received dietary supplementary Licofor or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The symptoms and signs of dry eye, morphology and function of meibomian gland, and inflammatory response were assessed at the beginning, 4th, 8th and 12th week of treatment. Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, statistically significant improvements in ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores, tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), the morphology of eyelid margin, meibomian gland orifice, meibomian gland expressibility, meibum quality, and periglandular inflammatory cell density were determined in both groups (all P<0.05). In the Licofor group, the improvement of OSDI scores [16.7 (12.5, 20.8) vs 20.8 (18.8, 22.9), P<0.001], the morphology of eyelid margin, meibomian gland orifice and periglandular inflammatory cell density [443 (318, 513) vs 553 (415, 676)/mm2, P=0.002] were more significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The combined treatment of licofor and conventional treatment can significantly improve symptoms of dry eye, the morphology of eyelid margin, meibomian gland orifice, meibum quality, and eyelid inflammation response of dry eye associated with MGD.

Biological Aspects of the Tongue and Oropharyngeal Cavity of the Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto, Columbiformes, Columbidae): Anatomical, Histochemical, and Ultrastructure Study.

We characterized the morphological and anatomical adaptations of the lingual microstructures of the Eurasian collared dove and discussed their implications for its dietary niche. We analyzed tongues of nine S. decaocto using histological, histochemical, stereomicroscopic, and scanning electron microscopic techniques. Our findings showed that the tongue is relatively short with a tapered apex that carries a terminal lingual nail. However, the lingual body has median scales and is bordered laterally by filiform papillae. Further, the tongue body bears a distinctive papillary crest. The tongue root is nonpapillate and infiltered with orifices of the posterior salivary glands. The bulky laryngeal mound has a circular glottic fissure, carrying a single row of papillae at the rear edge. Concurrently, our histological and histochemical findings demonstrate that the tongue has taste buds, anterior and posterior salivary glands, along with an elongated entoglossum that extends from lingual apex to root. Besides, ovoid and globular mucous glands displayed intense alcianophilic reactions. More substantially, the palate is made up of three palatine ridges with a caudal choanal cleft that was bounded by two rows of palatine papillae. Our data indicate multiple and novel structural variations for the lingual and palatal sculptures coopted for their feeding style.

The disposable bandage soft contact lenses therapy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography for management of ocular graft-versus-host disease

PurposeTo identify the ocular surface changes of ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and examine the efficacy of disposable bandage soft contact lens (BSCL) treatment in ocular GVHD patients.MethodsThis study is a prospective, Phase II clinical trial. Nineteen patients diagnosed with chronic GVHD based on the NIH criteria and ocular symptoms of NIH eye score 2 or greater were enrolled. Disposable BSCL was applied to the GVHD-affected eyes with topical antibiotic coverage. Ocular exams, eye symptom surveys, and AS-OCT were performed with signed informed consent. Patients were followed for one to three months.ResultsThirty-eight eyes of 19 patients with ocular GVHD underwent BSCL treatment in this study. AS-OCT scans were done in 14 out of 19 patients. The mean best-corrected visual acuity at enrollment, 2-week, and 4-week visits was 0.180, 0.128, and 0.163 logMAR, respectively. Twenty-four out of 25 eyes (96 %) that initially presented with conjunctival inflammation, twenty-three out of 30 eyes (76.7 %) that initially presented with punctate epithelial erosion, and 8 out of 15 (53.3 %) eyes that initially presented with filamentous keratopathy showed improvement after wearing BSCL for 2 to 4 weeks. AS-OCT revealed corneal epithelial irregularity, abnormal meibomian gland orifice, and conjunctival hyperemia, in patients with ocular GVHD.ConclusionsBSCL treatment provided significant subjective and objective improvements in ocular GVHD patients. Meanwhile, we found that AS-OCT can be a promising diagnostic tool to characterize the ocular surface changes associated with ocular GVHD.

Refractive Amblyopia Secondary to Astigmatism in Pediatric Patients With Distichiasis.

Distichiasis is the presence of accessory eyelashes emerging from the meibomian gland orifices. It may occur as an isolated abnormality or in conjunction with other ocular and systemic defects. Lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome (LDS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by distichiasis and age-dependent lower extremity swelling due to altered lymphatic flow. The authors describe four pediatric patients with distichiasis (one with genetically proven LDS) with refractive amblyopia secondary to astigmatism. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2021;58(4);e16-e18.].

A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Sialolithiasis that Preserves Salivary Duct Anatomy.

The sialendoscopy era in the treatment of salivary gland stones has reduced the use of classical surgical methods. However, the miniature ducts and tools may cause difficulties in removing large sialoliths. Therefore, invasive combined oral surgeries or gland resection may be considered. We searched for the most suitable method in order to stay in line with the minimally invasive approach that preserves the ductus anatomy, and that can reduce the surgical fears of patients. The study included 84 cases (23 parotid and 61 submandibular) in whom stones were fragmented by pneumatic lithotripsy and removed between January 2015 and January 2020. The parotid cases comprised 7 females and 16 males, and the submandibular cases comprised 25 females and 36 males. Intraductal lithotripsy was performed using pneumatic lithotripter. This study has fourth level of evidence. Based on total number of cases (n = 84), success rate was 67/84 (79.7%) immediately after sialendoscopy, and overall success rate was 77/84 (91.6%). Based on number of stones treated (n = 111), our immediate success rate was 94/111 (84.6%), and overall success rate was 104/111 (93.7%). The success criteria were complete removal of the stone and fragments in a single sialendoscopy procedure and resolution of symptoms. We successfully treated salivary gland stones, including L3b stones, in our patient cohort with sialendoscopy combined with pneumatic lithotripsy. The lithotripsy method that we have adapted seems to be more useful and cost-effective compared to its alternatives. We were also able to preserve the ductus anatomy and relieve patients' concerns.Level of Evidence: Level IV.

Morphology and closing mechanism of the mandibular gland orifice in ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

The mandibular gland of ants releases chemical compounds with functions ranging from nestmate alarm and recognition to antimicrobial defense. While the morphology of this ethologically important gland is well investigated in several species, the mechanism of secretion release in ants was not explicitly addressed so far. To clarify this question, we examined the anatomy of the gland orifice in ant species from 14 different subfamilies employing different techniques. The orifice close to the mandibular base is located on an area called mandalus. Our investigations revealed variation in mandalar shape, with clear trends in different subfamilies. By contrast, the internal organization is remarkably congruent across all investigated species. The thin external mandalar cuticle is always connected to the mandibular gland duct by a cuticular lamella, visible as a characteristic anchor-shaped structure in cross section. The slit-like gland orifice at the distal end of the mandalus is usually crescent-shaped. In some ant species with specialized mandibles such as trap-jaws, the organization of the orifice area is adapted to the mandibular shape, but always retains the general internal organization. No muscles were found in association with the orifice, nor with any other part of the mandibular gland. However, the base of the mandalus is connected to the prepharyngeal sucking pump by a cuticular ligament. Additionally, it is continuous with the conjunctiva connecting the mandible to the head capsule. We propose that retraction of the sucking pump by the muscle M. tentoriobuccalis, potentially in concert with opening of the mandible, stretches out the ligament and thus pulls on the mandalus and mandalar lamella to open the gland orifice and allow for secretion release. This hypothesis is congruent with findings on other aculeate Hymenoptera and expands our knowledge on the function of an important gland of ants.

Comparison of the Effect of Tea Tree Oil Shampoo With Regular Eyelid Shampoo in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Treatment

This study is aimed at comparing the effects of tea tree oil (TTO) shampoo with regular eyelid shampoo on the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) signs and symptoms. Double-masked randomized clinical trial METHODOLOGY: Forty patients with MGD were treated by daily eyelid scrubbing with TTO shampoo in one eye and regular eyelid shampoo in the other one. Before treatment and then after 1 and 3 months, the effect on ocular surface symptoms, tear production and stability, and conjunctival and eyelid signs of the 2 eyes were compared. Plugging and capping of meibomian gland orifices, foamy tear, glands expressibility, 5-Item Dry Eye Questionnaire score (DEQ5), and tear breakup time were improved more significantly in TTO shampoo-treated eyes (capping P=.050, plugging and glands expressibility P=.001, others P < .001). In spite of improvement in both eyes, scores of meibum quality, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal and conjunctival staining, and Schirmer1 test value showed no statistically significant difference between the eyes (P=.06, .187, .192, .19, respectively). Moreover, eyelid margin telangiectasia resolved only in TTO shampoo-treated eyes (P < .001). Trichiasis and distichiasis changed in neither group (P > .99). Furthermore, ocular surface irritation during scrubbing was more common with TTO shampoo (P=.002). TTO shampoo was found to be more efficient than regular eyelid shampoo in controlling MGD signs and symptoms although ocular surface irritation during its application was more frequent.

Oral health\u2013related quality of life of patients with oral chronic graft-versus-host disease

PurposeSymptoms of oral chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) may significantly affect the oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study aimed to assess the OHRQoL in patients with oral cGVHD and to examine whether oral cGVHD symptoms, mucosal cGVHD, and salivary gland function correlated with OHRQoL.MethodsPatients referred to the oral cGVHD outpatient clinic were included. Severity of oral mucosal cGVHD, oral cGVHD symptoms, and OHRQoL was assessed by the NIH OMS, NIH OSS, and OHIP-14, respectively. Unstimulated and stimulated whole salivary flow rates were determined and categorized into “hyposalivation,” “normal salivary flow,” and “hypersalivation.”ResultsOf 56 included patients, 80% had mild, moderate, or severe oral mucosal cGVHD. Mean total score of OHRQoL was 16.5 (±11.7), negatively affected by functional problems. Patients reported highest scores regarding oral sensitivity and xerostomia. Significant correlations were found between severity of oral pain and OHRQoL and between oral sensitivity and OHRQoL. No correlation was found between oral mucosal cGVHD and OHRQoL. Patients with hyposalivation, normal salivary flow, and hypersalivation reported equal levels of OHRQoL.ConclusionResults demonstrate that the OHRQoL was mostly negatively affected by complaints of oral pain and oral sensitivity and less by the severity of oral mucosal cGVHD assessed by the NIH OMS score. Special attention of (oral) health care professionals for patients with oral cGVHD is mandatory to alleviate their symptoms and improve OHRQoL.

Improvement of Evaporative Dry Eye With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Model Mice by Treatment With Ophthalmic Solution Containing Mineral Oil.

PurposeMeibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a major cause of evaporative dry eye. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of a mineral oil–containing ophthalmic solution (MO) in mitigating the evaporative dry eye phenotypes in a mouse model in which fatty acid elongase Elovl1 is disrupted.Methods Elovl1-deficient mice were assessed in terms of number of plugged meibomian gland orifices, tear film breakup time (BUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, tear quantity, and histology. The effects of the MO on the dry eye phenotypes were compared with those in groups not treated or treated with blank ophthalmic solution (BL).ResultsUntreated Elovl1-deficient mice exhibited dry eye phenotypes with MGD symptoms such as plugging of meibomian gland orifices (P = 0.002 compared with control mice), high CFS scores (P = 0.002), and shortened BUT (P < 0.001). Among three groups of Elovl1-deficient mice (MO treated, BL treated, and untreated), the MO-treated group exhibited fewer plugged orifices (MO treated, 7.6; BL treated, 10.5 [P = 0.033]; untreated, 13.0 [P < 0.001]), lower CFS scores (MO treated, 1.1; BL treated, 2.7 [P = 0.013]; untreated, 2.5 [P = 0.050]), and improved BUT (MO treated, 19.4 seconds; BL treated, 8.3 seconds [P = 0.098]; untreated, 1.5 seconds [P = 0.008]).Conclusions Elovl1-deficient mice exhibited multiple MGD symptoms, which were improved by MO.Translational RelevanceOur findings reveal the usefulness of Elovl1-deficient mice as a model for dry eye with MGD and suggest the potential of mineral oil eye drops as a treatment for this condition.

Lid margin keratinization in Stevens-Johnson syndrome: Review of pathophysiology and histopathology

Lid margin keratinization (LMK) is a chronic ocular sequela of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), which causes lid wiper epitheliopathy and progressive ocular surface damage. The exact etiopathogenesis of LMK, however, remains elusive. This review summarizes the potential pathophysiological mechanisms of LMK and describes its histopathological features. A literature search of articles discussing the pathophysiology of LMK in SJS was performed. The possible pathophysiologic mechanisms contributing to LMK, as identified on the literature review, included loss of the muco-cutaneous junction barrier leading to epidermalization, dyskeratosis involving the meibomian gland orifices, altered lid margin microbiome, and de novo squamous metaplasia of the marginal conjunctival epithelium. Based on these mechanisms, the possible sources of keratinized epithelium at the posterior lid margin in SJS could be the adjacent anterior eyelid skin, hyperkeratinized epithelium from the meibomian gland ductal orifices, or the inflamed marginal conjunctiva. The epithelial, sub-epithelial, and stromal changes seen in keratinized posterior lid margins in SJS patients undergoing mucous membrane grafting were also investigated. The findings revealed keratinizing squamous metaplasia of the posterior lid margin accompanied by subepithelial infiltration of helper T cells predominantly on the conjunctival side. The visible meibomian gland orifices had ductal hyperkeratinization and plugging. These findings support a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of LMK in SJS. Future research can be directed at delineating the pathways that lead to LMK by studying the changes in the lid margin microbiome, and the molecular mechanisms regulating keratinization in the conjunctiva and the meibomian gland orifices in eyes affected by SJS.

Effects of photobiomodulation in salivary glands of chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis.

This randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluates the impact of photobiomodulation (PBMT) on the salivary flow and biochemistry of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis. Forty-four patients on hemodialysis self-responded two questionnaires for oral health and salivary gland function perception. The subjects were evaluated for function of salivary glands and randomly allocated to two groups: PBMT group (three irradiations at 808 nm, 100 mW, 142 J/cm2, and 4 J per site); and placebo group. Patients were submitted to non-stimulated and stimulated sialometry and after the treatment at baseline and 14 days. Salivary volume and biochemical of the saliva were analyzed. At baseline, most subjects had self-perception of poor oral health (52.6%) and salivary dysfunction (63.1%). Clinical exam revealed that 47.3% of subjects presented dry mucosa. PBMT promoted increase of the non-stimulated (p = 0.027) and stimulated saliva (p = 0.014) and decrease of urea levels in both non-stimulated (p = 0.0001) and stimulated saliva (p = 0.0001). No alteration was detected in total proteins and calcium analysis. Patients with kidney disease can present alteration in flow, concentrations, and composition of saliva, affecting oral health, but our findings suggest that PBMT is effective to improve hyposalivation and urea levels in saliva of patients with CKD.

Data to "Morphology and closing mechanism of the mandibular gland orifice in ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)" by Richter et al. in Journal of Morphology

Data to "Morphology and closing mechanism of the mandibular gland orifice in ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)" by Richter et al. in Journal of Morphology

Anterior Lamellar Repositioning in the Management of Meibomian Gland Inversion Secondary to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

To describe a simple alternative surgical approach to treat patients with Meibomian gland inversion (MGI; posterior migration of the Meibomian gland orifices) in the upper eyelid, secondary to cicatricial Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) not responding to maximal medical management. This was a retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series of all patients with MGI not responding to conservative MGD treatment who underwent anterior lamellar repositioning through a skin crease incision with or without Blepharoplasty, between July 2017 and July 2019. Eleven eyes of 7 patients were included in the study. All patients had a diagnosis of MGD with MGI and had been treated on average for 32 months with intensive medical therapy. Treatment included lubricants, topical ciclosporin 0.1%, topical steroids, and doxycycline. Despite intensive treatment, these patients remained symptomatic with persistent superior ocular surface staining. Following surgery, on average, the patients were followed for 23 months. Ten eyes (91%) had improvement of symptoms and superior ocular surface staining. All patients (100%) demonstrated improvement in the anatomical eversion of the eyelid margin and Meibomian gland orifice. A simple upper eyelid everting surgery with anterior lamellar repositioning can be effective in managing patients with MGI giving them symptomatic relief when all medical treatment fail. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case series describing this simple surgical technique in the management of this subgroup of patients.

Mouse Mandibular Retromolar Taste Buds Associated With a Mucus Salivary Gland.

We have characterized a recently rediscovered chemosensory structure at the rear of the mandibular mucosa in the mouse oral cavity originally reported in the 1980s. This consists of unorganized taste buds, not contained within troughs, associated with the ducts of an underlying minor salivary gland. Using whole-mount preparations of transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein under the promoter of taste-signaling-specific genes, we determined that the structure contains taste bud clusters and salivary gland orifices at the rear of each mandible, distal to the last molar and anterior to the ascending ramus. Immunohistochemical analysis shows in the retromolar taste buds expression of the taste receptors Tas2R131 and T1R3 and taste cascade molecules TrpM5, PLCβ2, and GNAT3, consistent with type II taste cells, and expression of GAD1, consistent with type III taste cells. Furthermore, the neuronal marker, calcitonin gene-related peptide, in retromolar mucosa tissue wrapping around TrpM5+ taste buds was observed. RT-PCR showed that retromolar taste buds express all 3 mouse tas1r genes, 28 of the 35 tas2r genes, and taste transduction signaling genes gnat3, plcb2, and trpm5, making the retromolar taste buds similar to other lingual and palate taste buds. Finally, histochemistry demonstrated that the mandibular retromolar secretory gland is a minor salivary gland of mucous type. The mandibular retromolar taste structure may thus play a role in taste sensation and represent a potential novel pharmacological target for taste disorders.

Meibomian gland dysfunction model induced with complete Freund's adjuvant in C57BL/6 mice.

To establish a new inflammatory animal model of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in C57BL/6 mice. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) group (14 animals, 14 eyes), naphthazolin hydrochloride (NH) group (14 animals, 14 eyes) and control group (14 animals, 14 eyes). In CFA group, CFA was used in eyelid conjunctiva injection; in NH group, NH eye drops were used twice a day; control group was injected with equal dose of saline at the same time point and same site with animals in CFA group. The meibomian gland orifices score (MGOS) was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 3 in the middle five meibomian gland orifices of the upper and lower eyelid using slit lamp. After the successful induction of each animal model, intense pulsed light (IPL) was introduced on each mouse in CFA and NH group. Oil red O (ORO), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were performed before and after successful induction of CFA, NH and control group. At 12wk after CFA injection, inflammatory cell infiltration and fiber necrosis was observed, with acinar density and duct dilatation significantly lower compared with control group. In NH group, the meibomian gland acini were relatively smaller and deformed compared with control group, the number of meibomian gland acini was also slightly lower. No inflammatory cell or fiber necrosis was observed in NH group. After three times of IPL treatment (5/10 mice in each group, and the other 5 mice served as non-IPL control), MGOS was significantly lower in IPL-treated mice in NH group (P<0.01). After three times of IPL treatment, the MGOS of NH group was significantly lower than that in the CFA group (P<0.01). We develop a novel animal model that studies the role of inflammation in the development of MGD and IPL treatment. This model indicates that persistent inflammatory state may be the cause of MGD and weaken the therapeutic effect of IPL.

Contrast Media-Induced Iododerma Around the Eyes

A 62-year-old man who required hemodialysis thrice weekly developed an asymptomatic eyelid rash. Two days before presentation he had undergone computed tomography with iodinated contrast. Scheduled hemodialysis was performed 22 hours later. Examination disclosed several firm eyelid nodules, some of which were hemorrhagic (Fig A), and swelling around the meibomian gland orifices (Fig B). Biopsy evinced a dense dermal infiltrate of neutrophils and histiocytes (Fig C). Iododerma, a hypersensitivity reaction to iodine, was diagnosed; impaired renal clearance of iodine is a known risk factor.

Comparison of the Meibomian Gland Openings by Optical Coherence Tomography in Obstructive Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Normal Patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to use swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) to explore imaging the meibomian gland openings and to identify their in vivo characteristics in patients with obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and healthy participants. Methods: We enrolled 49 patients with MGD and 54 health controls in this case-control study. Each participant underwent slit-lamp examination, meibography, and OCT scanning. Sixteen patients with MGD underwent a repeat OCT examination after eyelid massage. The outcome measures included determinations of meibomian gland openings (orifices and terminal ducts) from OCT images and comparisons of the meibomian openings between patients with MGD and normal controls before and after meibomian gland massage. Results: Using the same OCT scanning model, the number of visible orifices of the meibomian glands was similar between eyes with MGD and normal eyes (9.2 ± 2.3 vs. 9.7 ± 2.4). The mean diameter of the terminal ducts in patients with MGD was larger (120.22 ± 27.92 µm vs. 100.96 ± 20.30 µm) than in the normal controls, and had a larger coefficient of variation. Significant differences were observed in the mean diameter of the terminal ducts of patients with MGD before and after meibum gland massage (133.73 ± 27.81 μm vs. 102.26 ± 24.30 μm, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with MGD have more diversified orifices and larger meibomian gland terminal duct diameters than normal subjects. In addition, meibomian gland terminal duct diameters seem to decrease in patients with MGD after meibum gland massage.

First report of Meloidogyne graminicola on rice in Anhui province, China.

Meloidogyne graminicola, a devastating plant pathogen of rice (Oryza sativa), is considered to a severe constraint to productivity in rice-growing areas (Zhan et al., 2018). In April 2020, irrigated paddy rice field in Qianshan City, Anhui Province, China, showed symptoms with stunting, thinning, chlorosis, and typical hook-shaped root tips. Females and egg masses of Meloidogyne sp. were found inside the cortex of the root galls, males were found in soil and roots. The morphological characteristics of females, males and second-stage juveniles (J2) were identified as described previously (Tian et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2017). The perineal pattern of the females (n=12) was dorsoventrally oval with low and round dorsal arches, with lateral fields obscure or absent. Most of the striae were smooth, and occasionally broken by short and irregular striae. Morphological measurements (mean±sd, range) of female nematodes (n=20) were body length (543.0±66.0 µm, 448.0-629.0 µm), stylet (11.6±1.9 µm, 7.9-14.2 µm), dorsal pharyngeal gland orifice to stylet base (DGO) (4.0±0.4 µm, 3.4-4.7 µm), vulval slit length (24.1±4.9 µm, 14.8-32.8 µm), vulval slit to anus distance (16.1±3.0 µm, 8.4-20.2 µm). The male nematodes were cylindroid, vermiform, and rounded tail, with the measurements (n=20) body length (1673.0±125 µm, 1346.0-1822.0 µm), stylet (15.5±0.8 µm, 14.0-17.1 µm), DGO (3.7±0.5 µm, 2.9-5.5 µm), and spicule (30.7±2.5 µm, 23.4-34.6 µm). The J2 were vermiform with a gradually tapering hyalines, its measurements (n=20) were body length (452.0±33.0 µm, 391.0-511.0 µm), stylet (13.4±0.8 µm, 12.0-15.2 µm), DGO (3.6±0.6 µm, 2.5-4.7 µm), tail length (72.1±5.2 µm, 59.8-84.8 µm) and hyaline tail terminus (21.7±2.5 µm, 18.0-29.7 µm). DNA extracted from individual females (n=10) were used for molecular identification. The D2/D3 region of 28S RNA was amplified with D2A (5'-ACA AGT ACC GTG AGG GAA AGT TG-3') and D3B (5'-TCG GAA GGA ACC AGC TAC TA-3') (De Ley et al. 1999). The ITS region was amplified with AB28 (5'-ATA TGC TTA AGT TCA GCG GGT-3') and TW81 (5'-GTT TCC GTA GGT GAA CCT GC-3') (Curran et al. 1994). The fragments of D2/D3 region (GenBank accession No. MT576694) and ITS region (GenBank accession No. MT573412) were 766 bp and 579 bp respectively, they all exhibited 99%-100% similarity with those of M. graminicola isolates available in the GenBank. Therefore, both morphological and molecular characterization confirmed the status of this nematode as Meloidogyne graminicola. In green house test, twenty 2-week-old rice seedlings (cv. Longliangyou) were individually maintained in pots with sterilized sand and soil (3:1) and inoculated with 300 J2, other ten non-inoculated rice seedlings as negative control. Rice seedlings were grown in green house at 28℃/25℃ with a 16 h/8 h light/dark photoperiod. After 30 days, all inoculated rice seedling showed symptoms with stunting, chlorosis, and typical hook-shaped root tips, which were similar with that in fields. The nematode reproduction index (final population density/initial population density) were 7.86-10.32. No symptoms were observed on non-inoculated rice seedlings. These results confirmed the pathogenicity of M. graminicola on rice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. graminicola in Anhui Province, China. References Curran, J., et al. 1994. Mycol. Res. 98:547. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0953-7562(09)80478-4. De Ley, P., et al. 1999. Nematology. 1:591. https://doi.org/10.1163/156854199508559. Tian, Z., et al. 2017. Plant Disease. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-17-0832-PDN. Wang, G., et al. 2017. Plant Disease. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-16-1805-PDN. Zhan, L., et al. 2018. BMC Plant Biol. 18:50. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-018-1266-9.