Anterior segment optical coherence tomography meibography compared with keratograph meibography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using readily accessible technology, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), to detect and grade meibomian gland dropout and examine its interchangeability with the Oculus Keratograph 5M (K5M). METHODS: A total of 30 participants (30 eyes) with a median age of 21 (range = 19-28 years) were recruited. Meibography was performed using two commercially available imaging devices to look at the structure of the meibomian glands and grade them subjectively in real time, and image analysis was used to quantify meibomian gland loss objectively. Gland loss as imaged by the two techniques was graded using the meiboscore grading schema. Test-retest reliability was determined with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Weighted kappa was used to evaluate agreement between the two imaging devices and four methods of image analysis. Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine the association of structural measurements between each of the techniques. The agreement between the two imaging techniques was determined with the Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Reliability of subjective grading was strong for AS-OCT (ICC: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.83-0.96, p < 0.001) and K5M (ICC: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.96-0.91, p = 0.001). Image analysis with ImageJ reliability was strong between the imaging devices (ICC: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.55-0.94, p < 0.001). Agreement between each subjective technique was fair, κ = 0.45 (95% CI: 0.17-0.73, p < 0.001) and a positive Spearman correlation was also observed (r = 0.52, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the mean meibomian gland loss measured with ImageJ between AS-OCT and K5M (0.92 ± 6.28, p = 0.26). The 95% limits of agreement were -12.45% to +14.04%. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest subjective real-time grading of meibomian gland loss could be performed using readily available AS-OCT technology and that this method was interchangeable with the K5M.

Effects of resistance training, palm pollen grain extracts, and testosterone injection on luteinizing hormone receptors, claudin-1, cingulin, and zonula occludens in the prostate tissues of adult male rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance training, Phoenix dactylifera extract, and testosterone enanthate injection on luteinizing hormone receptor, claudin-1, cingulin, and zonula occludens in the prostate tissues of adult rats. 30 male rats were divided into six groups: (1) control, (2) resistance training, (3) Phoenix dactylifera extract, (4) testosterone enanthate, (5) resistance training+Phoenix dactylifera extract, and (6) resistance training + testosterone enanthate. After completing the treatments and resistance training, all rats were sacrificed via anaesthesia. The results showed that resistance training, Phoenix dactylifera, and testosterone enanthate significantly increased the luteinizing hormone receptor, claudin-1, cingulin, and zonula occludens gene expression levels in the prostate. The resistance training treatment, along with Phoenix dactylifera + testosterone enanthate, exerted synergic effects on the prostate luteinizing hormone receptor levels and claudin-1 gene expression. In conclusion, Phoenix dactylifera, as a natural compound with fewer side effects than testosterone injection, can be used to enhance athletic performance. Besides, considering the potential benefits of Phoenix dactylifera, it can be considered in the treatment of testosterone deficiency; however, further research is needed.