Current Grading System Research Articles

발계측 자료에 기초한 신골 할출 시스템의 검증에 관한 연구

초록·키워드 목차 오류제보하기 Shoe's size and shape are determined by the last that takes shape of foot because last is the mold of shoe in development and manufacturing process. Then adaptation between foot and shoe is dependent on the last. In mass shoe production, model size is developed in the first place, other sized lasts are made through the grading process based on model size. The most important factor in grading system is grading deviation that must be same amount induced from foot measuring database. At present, most of the last manufacturing companies in korea using 260㎜ as a standard foot model size. When length grading deviation is 5㎜, the ball girth grading deviation is 3.7㎜ and the ball width grading deviation is 1.2㎜. I verified existing grading system by comparing grading results with foot measuring data. Also, I proposed reasonable grading deviation and application method of grading system. From the analysis of foot measuring database, reasonable grading deviations are 1.22㎜ in ball width and 0.84㎜ in ankle height in case of length grading deviation is 5㎜. I confirmed that the current grading system is very accurate. When we grade last from 230㎜ to 290㎜ by current grading system based on model size 260㎜, there is grading error over 1㎜ in the front outside area of foot. This error level of 1㎜ is no problem in normal walking shoe's last, but it induces adaptation problems in sports and special purposed shoe's last. Therefore using of three standard model size is recommended in grading men's last for reducing grading deviation error under the level of 1㎜. It is specifically described as 235㎜ in 225~245㎜, 260㎜ in 250~270㎜, 285㎜ in 275~ 295㎜. According to the above recommended grading system, it is enough to measure only three foot sizes in case of foot measuring project for men's last development. #Foot measure #Shoe last #Grading system #Grading deviation ABSTRACT1. 서론2. 연구 방법3. 연구 결과 및 검토4. 결론참고 문헌저자 소개

15: The ISHLT primary graft dysfunction (PGD) grading system: Time for refinement?

Purpose: The ISHLT Working Group on PGD has recently reported standardized consensus criteria, based on the recipient PaO2/FiO2 and chest radiograph findings, to define lung transplant (LTx) PGD and determine its severity (grade 0-3). The grading system predicts post-LTx outcomes, however further evaluation and refinement is an important step to enhance its utility. Methods and Materials: This study, based on a series of recent studies (Oto T, JTCVS 2005;130:180, Oto T, JTCVS 2006;132:140) and further recent work from 254 consecutive LTx , analyzes the advantages/disadvantages of the current PGD grading system and evaluates potential refinement options. Results: The table summarises suggested revisions. PGD grade defined by refined criteria had a superior predictive power for ICU stay [hazard ratio of grade 3 0.26 (p 0.0001) vs 0.45 (p 0.001), grade 0 as reference] and 30-day mortality [odds ratio of grade 3 16 (p 0.002) vs 5 (p 0.05)] compared to the standard ISHLT PGD criteria.

REVIEW OF TREATMENT TRIALS IN HUMANSPINAL CORD INJURY

To provide a comprehensive review of the treatment trials in the field of spinal cord injury, emphasizing what has been learned about the effectiveness of the agents and strategies tested and the quality of the methodology. The review aims to provide useful information for the improvement of future trials. The review audience includes practitioners, researchers, and consumers. All publications describing organized trials since the 1960s were analyzed in detail, emphasizing randomized, prospective controlled trials and published Phase I and II trials. Trials were categorized into neuroprotection, surgery, regeneration, and rehabilitation trials. Special attention was paid to design, outcome measures, and case selection. There are 10 randomized prospective control trials in the acute phase that have provided much useful information. Current neurological grading systems are greatly improved, but still have significant shortcomings, and independent, trained, and blinded examiners are mandatory. Other trial designs should be considered, especially those using adaptive randomization. Only methylprednisolone and thyrotropin-releasing hormone have been shown to be effective, but the results of the former are controversial, and studies involving the latter involved too few patients. None of the surgical trials has proven effectiveness. Currently, a multitude of cell-based Phase I trials in several countries are attracting large numbers of patients, but such treatments are unproven in effectiveness and may cause harm. Only a small number are being conducted in a randomized or blinded format. Several consortia have committed to a promise to improve the conduct of trials. A large number of trials in the field of spinal cord injury have been conducted, but with few proven gains for patients. This review reveals several shortcomings in trial design and makes several recommendations for improvement.

Osteoarthritis Cartilage Defects: Does Size Matter?

Osteoarthritis is generally thought to be a disease of articular cartilage characterised by the formation of defects. A number of diagnostic and treatment options have been developed to identify and treat these large lesions. There has been evidence of early cartilage changes consisting of ‘splits’ or ‘cracks’ which have not received much attention or research in the literature. The structure of articular cartilage and the way in which it responds to physiological loading by sometimes acting as a brittle substance may explain how these ‘cracks’ form. Particular types of ‘ cracks ’ may cause the formation of larger defects. In particular, those at 45° to the bone-cartilage interface may progress and ultimately lead to large areas of cartilage lifting off subchondral bone. Surface ‘cracks’ can also become unsafe if joint congruity changes. The clinical relevance of these ‘cracks’ remains uncertain. Further research is needed to determine if these ‘cracks’ do progress, whether they lead to pain, whether it is possible to accurately diagnose them, whether it is possible or necessary to treat them and whether current grading systems of articular cartilage lesions should include these ‘crack’s in their classification systems. This may be particularly relevant in the asymptomatic individual to retard or prevent progression to established osteoarthritis.

110kg 대비 130kg에 도축된 비육돈의 성장효율, 도체 품질 특성 및 수익성

양돈에 있어서 도살체중은 가장 중요한 경제 요인 중의 하나이다. 본 연구는 성장효율과 도체 품질에 크게 영향을 미치지 않고 비육돈의 도살체중을 130kg으로 증가시킬 수 있을 지의 여부를 알아보기 위해 착수되었다. 경남 지역에서 비육돈으로 가장 널리 사용되고있는 정육형 (Yorkshire×Landrace)×Duroc(YLD) 3원 교잡종 암퇘지 160두와 거세돼지 160두를 생체중 90kg에 선발하여 2(성)×2(도살체중; 110 vs. 130kg) ‘factorial’ 실험설계 하에 16돈방에 배치하였다. 공시돈에게는 3,200kcal/kg의 가소화 에너지와 15.5%의 조단백질을 함유하는 공시사료를 무제한 급여하였고, 계획된 체중에 도달하였을 때 도축하여 부분육 수율과 배최장근의 이화학적 특성을 조사하였다. 일당증체량은 거세돼지가 암퇘지보다 높았으나(0.86 vs. 0.79kg; P<0.01) 110kg 대비 130kg 도살체중 구 사이에는 차이가 없었다(0.83 vs. 0.81kg; P>0.05). 등지방두께는 암퇘지와 거세돼지 공히 130kg 도살체중 구가 110kg 도살체중 구보다 높았다(암: 17.6 vs. 21.6mm, 거세: 20.8 vs. 25.1mm). 정육중 삼겹살 비율은 거세돼지가 암퇘지보다 높았고(21.2 vs. 20.5%) 130kg 도살체중 구(21.4%)가 110kg 도살체중 구(20.2%)보다 높았다. 배최장근의 색깔, 48󰠏시간 육즙삼출율, 24󰠏시간 pH, 조단백질 및 조지방 함량 등의 이화학적 특성은 두 성간 혹은 두 도살체중간 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 110kg 대비 130kg 출하돈의 한계수익은 두당 약 󰠏20,000원에 달하였는데, 이 같은 손실은 거의 전적으로 130kg 출하돈의 도체가 너무 커 A, B 도체 등급의 도체중 상한선을 초과했기 때문이다. 그러나 만일 도체중 상한선이 철폐된다는 조건으로 계산하면 130kg 출하돈당 20,000원 이상의 한계수익이 발생할 수 있을 것으로 추정되었다. 이상의 결과는 정육형 비육돈에서는 성장효율이나 육질에 크게 영향을 미치지 않고 도살체중을 130kg까지 증가시킬 수 있고, 따라서 체중이 큰 출하돈을 수용하기 위해서는 ‘좋은 등급’의 도체중 상한선을 증가시킬 필요가 있음을 시사한다. The slaughter weight (wt) is a most important economic factor in swine roduction. The present study was undertaken to determine if it is feasible to increase the slaughter wt of finishing pigs to 130kg without significantly affecting the growth efficiency and carcass quality. One hundred and sixty gilts and 160 barrows born from lean-type Yorkshire×Landrace (YL)-dam and Duroc (D)-sire lines, which are most widely used for terminal breeding for pork production in Gyeongsangnam-do, were randomly allocated into 16 pens under a 2 (sex)×2 (slaughter wt; 110 vs. 130kg) factorial arrangement of treatments. The animals were fed ad libitum a diet containing 3,200kcal DE/kg and 15.5% crude protein. After slaughter at the predetermined wt, yields of trimmed primal cuts and physicochemical characteristics of the longissimus dorsi muscle (LD) were measured or analyzed. Average daily gain was greater (P<0.01) in barrows than in gilts (0.86 vs. 0.79kg), but it was not different between the 110- and 130-kg slaughter wt groups (P>0.05). Backfat thickness was greater in the 130- vs. 110-kg group in both sexes (gilts: 21.6 vs. 17.6 mm, barrows: 25.1 vs. 20.8 mm). The yield percentage of belly was greater in barrows than in gilts (21.2 vs. 20.5%) and also in the 130-kg vs. 110-kg group (21.4 vs. 20.2%). Major physicochemical characteristics of LD including the color, percentage of 48-h drip loss, 24-h pH and percentages of crude protein and fat were not influenced by slaughter wt. Marginal profit of the 130-kg vs. 110-kg market pig was approximately 󰠏20,000 won/head, which resulted primarily from the heavy carcass weight of the former exceeding the upper limit of the A- or B-grade. However, if it had not been for the carcass weight limit of the current grading system, a 130-kg market pig would have had a potential marginal profit greater than 20,000 won. Results suggest that slaughter wt of lean-line finishing pigs can be increased to 130kg without significantly compromising the growth efficiency and carcass quality and accordingly, the upper weight limit of the ‘good-grade’ carcass needs to be increased or abolished to accommodate the larger market pigs.

Effect of Reactive Hyperemia After Coronary Recanalization on Myocardial Tissue Reperfusion by Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Flow Grade in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade is widely used to evaluate myocardial tissue reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the current grading system is incomplete. Therefore, we clarified the regulation of epicardial coronary flow velocity with the progression of microvascular dysfunction in AMI. We studied 36 patients with first anterior AMI. After intervention, we assessed TIMI flow grade and measured average peak velocity (APV) at baseline and after infusion of adenosine triphosphate (48 microg; baseline and hyperemic APVs, respectively) with a Doppler guidewire. We performed myocardial contrast echocardiography after 2 weeks to assess microvascular integrity (good reflow vs no reflow) and left ventriculography at admission and discharge (24 +/- 2 days) to measure regional wall motion (SD/chord). Patients were classified into 3 groups based on TIMI flow grade and microvascular integrity: TIMI grade 3 flow/good reflow (n = 16), TIMI grade 3 flow/no reflow (n = 12), and TIMI grade 2 flow (n = 8). Baseline APV was comparable in the patients with TIMI grade 3 flow but hyperemic APV was higher in patients with TIMI grade 3 flow/good reflow than in those with TIMI grade 3 flow/no reflow (hyperemic APV 59.3 +/- 25.8 vs 32.8 +/- 8.9 cm/s, p <0.01). All patients with TIMI grade 2 flow showed no reflow and the lowest values of baseline and hyperemic APVs. Regional wall motion at discharge was higher in patients with TIMI grade 3 flow/good reflow than in those with TIMI grade 3 flow/no reflow and TIMI grade 2 flow (-1.44 +/- 0.70, -2.69 +/- 0.31, and -2.88 +/- 0.48 SD/chord, respectively, p <0.01). In conclusion, compensatory reactive hyperemia preserves epicardial coronary flow velocity even in patients with microvascular damage, and with the progression of damage, this compensatory hyperemia can no longer preserve epicardial coronary flow velocity, and baseline APV is decreased in TIMI grade 2 flow.

Salivary gland tumors--tumor typing and grading

In addition to staging, histological typing and grading provide important information for prognosis and adequate treatment of salivary gland cancers. Current classification and grading systems for mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and malignant mixed tumor (carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma) are discussed.

Grade 1 or “Ding” Concussions in High School Athletes

Background Recent concussion management guidelines have suggested that athletes with mild (grade 1) concussions may be returned to play if asymptomatic for 15 minutes. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of a current concussion management guideline in classifying and managing mild concussion. Hypothesis High school athletes diagnosed with a grade 1 concussion will demonstrate measurable decline in neuropsychological functioning that persists during the 1st week of recovery. Study Design Prospective study designed to evaluate neuropsychological functioning both prior to and following concussion. Methods Forty-three high school athletes completed neuropsychological test performance and symptom ratings prior to the season and at two times during the 1st week following mild concussion. Results Thirty-six hours after injury, mildly concussed high school athletes demonstrated a decline in memory (P < 0.003) and a dramatic increase in self-reported symptoms (P < 0.00001) compared to baseline performance. Conclusions Athletes with grade 1 concussion demonstrated memory deficits and symptoms that persisted beyond the context in which they were injured. These data suggest that current grade 1 return-to-play recommendations that allow for immediate return to play may be too liberal. Clinical Relevance A reconsideration of current concussion grading systems appears to be warranted.

Pediatric Intracranial Ependymomas: Prognostic Relevance of Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Flow Cytometric Factors

The correlation between the histological features and clinical outcome remains poor in pediatric intracranial ependymomas. We performed a retrospective study of a group of 31 patients (diagnosed from 1985 to 1995) to assess prognostic implications of the current grading system, of histological and immunohistochemical features, and of ploidy status estimated by flow cytometry. Immunoexpression of a broad spectrum of antigens was evaluated, including MIB-1, topoisomerase-IIα, cyclin D1, glial and epithelial proteins (GFAP, EMA, cytokeratins), molecules involved in controlling apoptosis (bcl-2, caspase-3/CPP32), and p53 oncoprotein. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of each variable on both the progression free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) with at least 7-year follow up. Although we showed a significant correlation between histological grade and prognosis, the current grading system failed in predicting outcome in nearly one third of individual cases. Problems with interpathologist reproducibility were also demonstrated. The extent of surgical resection was the only clinical factor that was associated with survival. Both the PFS and the OS were significantly decreased for the following pathological variables: increased cellularity (>300 nuclei per HPF), mitotic activity of >7 per 10 HPF, increased MIB-1 labeling index (LI), topoisomerase-IIα LI, S-phase fraction, and p53 and bcl-2 positivity. Increased cyclin D1 LI was demonstrated to have only a marginally significant impact on PFS. A flow chart modeling was further performed to formulate a scheme for discriminating of prognostic subgroups. Based on that, p53 immunopositivity and/or MIB-1 LI of >5% (after subtotal resection) or MIB-1 LI of >15% (after complete resection) were the strongest indicators of the tumor’s aggressive behavior and of a poor prognosis of the disease. Foci of hypercellularity should be specifically looked for in ependymomas for assessing the immunohistochemical studies.

How should we measure and report radiotherapy-induced xerostomia?

Xerostomia is commonly measured and graded using objective measures of major salivary gland output and observer-rated toxicity grading. The separation between the different grades is somewhat ambiguous in the current toxicity grading systems. We propose a new grading system based primarily on the functional deficits associated with xerostomia. Salivary flow rates have been added as a criterion to the grading system, notwithstanding the weak correlation reported in most studies between the symptoms and objective functional measures. In addition to the observer-rated toxicity grading, recording of patient-reported quality of life, using validated instruments, is encouraged.

Symptom-based assessment of the severity of a concussion.

Current grading systems of concussion and return-to-play guidelines have little empirical support. The authors therefore examined the relationships of the characteristics and symptoms of concussion and the history of concussion to three indicators of concussion severity-number of immediate symptoms, number of symptoms at the initial follow-up examination, and duration of symptoms--to establish an empirical basis for grading concussions. Forty-seven athletes who sustained concussions were administered alternate forms of an Internet-based neurocognitive test until their performances were within normal limits relative to baseline levels. Assessments of observer-reported and self-reported symptoms at the sideline of the playing field on the day of injury, and at follow-up examinations were also obtained as part of a comprehensive concussion management protocol. Although loss of consciousness (LOC) was a useful indicator of the initial severity of the injury, it did not correlate with other indices of concussion severity, including duration of symptoms. Athletes reporting memory problems at follow-up examinations had significantly more symptoms in general, longer durations of those symptoms, and significant decreases in scores on neurocognitive tests administered approximately 48 hours postinjury. This decline of scores on neurocognitive testing was significantly associated with an increased duration of symptoms. A history of concussion was unrelated to the number and duration of symptoms. This paper represents the first documentation of empirically derived indicators of the clinical course of postconcussion symptom resolution. Self-reported memory problems apparent 24 hours postconcussion were robust indicators of the severity of sports-related concussion and should be a primary consideration in determining an athlete's readiness to return to competition. A decline on neurocognitive testing was the only objective measure significantly related to the duration of symptoms. Neither a brief LOC nor a history of concussion was a useful predictor of the duration of postconcussion symptoms.

Objective Evaluation of the Trash and Color of Raw Cotton by Image Processing and Neural Network

The trash and color of raw cotton are very important and decisive factors in the current cotton grading system. In this paper, an image system is developed that can characterize trash from a raw cotton image captured by a color CCD camera and acquire color parameters. The number of trash particles and their content, size, size distribution, and spatial density can be evaluated after raw cotton images of the physical standards are thresholded and connectivity is checked. The color grading of raw cotton can be influenced by trash if the image of raw cotton includes trash. Therefore, the effect of trash on color grading is investigated using a color difference equation that measures the color difference between a trash-containing image and a trash-removed image. Color grading of raw cotton involves a trained artificial neural network, which turns out to have a good classifying ability, suggesting that the application of an artificial neural network for color grading is highly valid.

Review on the proceeding of automatic seedlings classification by computer vision

The classification of seedlings is important to ensure the viability of seedlings after transplantation and is acknowledged as a key factor in forestation and environmental improvement. Based on numerous papers on automatic seedling classification (ASC), the seedling grading theory, traditional grading methods, the background and the proceeding of ASC techniques are described. The automation of the measurement of seedling morphological characteristics by photoelectric meters and computer vision is studied, and the automatic methods of the current grading systems are described respectively. And the further researches on ASC by computer vision are proposed.

The John Charnley Award: Three-dimensional analysis of the cement mantle in total hip arthroplasty.

Cemented fixation of the femoral stem is the gold standard for patients older than 60 years. The importance of reliably achieving an adequate cement mantle has been shown in many studies. Currently, inspection and grading of plain radiographs is the accepted method for study of the cement mantle. However, the reliability of plain radiographs for this purpose has been questioned. In addition, the interobserver agreement of current grading systems has been shown to be limited. A new in vitro method of cement mantle analysis is described. Plastic replicas of six contemporary stems were implanted into femurs from cadavers. The specimens were imaged with a computed tomography scanner. Detailed, computer-assisted analysis of mantle thickness was done. Comparisons were made between designs. A subset was compared with standard radiographs. Plain radiographs overestimated thickness and underestimated the deficiencies. There was significant variability in the mantle produced by the different designs. Commonly used designs had deficiencies in their mantles by standard criteria despite proper surgical technique. The importance of being fully acquainted with the particular implant one uses is emphasized by these results. This is a valuable technique for investigation of the effects on the cement mantle of implant design, surgical technique, and patient anatomy.

Oligodendrogliomas: reproducibility and prognostic value of histologic diagnosis and grading.

Prognostic value of histological grading of oligodendroglial tumors is controversial and interobserver reproducibility in grading of these tumors is unknown. Seven neuropathologists and 6 surgical pathologists experienced in brain tumor-diagnosis assessed 124 oligodendroglial tumors operated at the Mayo Clinic (1960-1990). Among histologic parameters upon which current oligodendroglioma grading systems are based, only high cellularity, presence of mitoses, microcalcifications, endothelial hypertrophy, endothelial proliferation, and necrosis appeared to be reproducible. Reproducible histologic features, based on consensus ratings among neuropathologists (defined as > 60%), were evaluated for the association with cause-specific survival by fitting Cox regression models. By univariate analysis, a significant association with survival was found for age, high cellularity, presence of mitoses, endothelial hypertrophy and proliferation and necrosis. On multivariable analysis with a stepwise variable selection method, only age and presence of endothelial proliferation were found to be independently associated with survival with a discriminatory index of the model of 0.68. Mitotic index was significantly associated with survival based on the grading from each separate neuropathologist, but it was not based on consensus, most likely because this was classified as indeterminate in 54% of cases. Alternatively, "models fit" considering the assessment of single neuropathologists, identified a model based on age and on mitotic index with similar discriminatory indices of 0.69-0.7. Our study found few factors independently associated with cause specific-survival among morphological parameters. These findings are consistent with the present WHO stratification of oligodendrogliomas into low- and high-grade variants.

An Analysis of Two versus Three Grades for Endometrial Carcinoma

Introduction. The current grading of uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma utilizes a three-grade system based on the amount of nonsquamous solid histologic architecture. Of these three grades, we questioned the practical clinical utility of the intermediate grade.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed endometrial biopsy and uterine histology specimens, quantifying the percentage amount of nonsquamous solid tumor by intervals of 10. We then compared these percentage values to other histopathologic prognostic variables.Results. Eighty-five Stage I and II endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients had their preoperative endometrial curettings and operative hysterectomy pathology reviewed independently by two gynecologic pathologists for surgical staging and outcome with a mean follow-up of 6 years. Using a two-tiered system for assessing uterine tumor grade with a delineating value of 20% nonsquamous solid tumor, we found less interobserver variation (κ = 0.966) compared to the current three-tiered grading system (κ = 0.526). There were no differences between the two- and three-tiered grading systems regarding myometrial invasion, lymph vascular space invasion, and survival. In the diagnosis of endometrial biopsies, the two-tiered system also improved the prediction of uterine histology grade over the three-tiered system, 90 and 63%, respectively.Conclusion. A two-grade architecture system with a delineation value of 20% would be more reliable and less cumbersome and would have the same or better prognostic significance as the currently used three-grade system.

Investigating New Factors in Cotton Color Grading

The objective of this research is to further investigate factors that may have significant influence on cotton color measurement but are not considered in the current cotton color grading system. These factors include the redness content ( a) in cotton chroma and the presence of yellow spots and trash particles in cotton. The study is based on the color data of the USDA physical standards for U.S. upland cotton and a number of selected samples measured by the imaging colorimeter (CTC), developed in the previous research, and a Minolta CR-210 colorimeter. There are three major results in this study: first, the a content makes up 10% to 33% of the chroma, varying primarily with the major color category (white, light spotted, spotted, tinged, and yellow stained). Within the same category, a is less variable than yellowness b. An approximate +a range for each major color category is determined. Second, CTC is less sensitive to the presence of spots and trash particles in the sample than CR-210 because CTC has a much larger viewing area. Third, the influence of spots and trash on the cotton color measurements depends on their sizes and colors in the sample. A change in cotton color data made by spots and trash may lead to a change in color grade. The computational removal of these regions from the sample image in CTC is effective in minimizing the effects of spots and trash. In addition, the paper introduces a new color diagram built on the measurements of reflectance-redness ( Rd ∼ a) , which identifies the useful role of a in cotton color grading.

A novel system for the objective classification of iris colour and its correlation with response to 1% tropicamide

SummaryIris colour can provide an enormous amount of information about an individual. In addition to changes with pathological conditions, the colour of the iris can be a particularly useful indicator of how well a person will respond to a topically applied ocular drug. Until recently, classification of iris colour has been subjective, ranging from a basic description (‘light’ and ‘dark’) to more detailed grading systems, such as a comparison with preset photographic standards. However, variability within observers and differences in the interpretation between observers can influence the results. Objective techniques, in this respect, possess several advantages. They are able to detect differences in colour that subjective techniques are incapable of and they provide continuous data rather than discrete categories, thus improving the accuracy of drug response predictions. This study assessed iris colour by objective means. Slit‐lamp photographs of various coloured irides were taken under standardised conditions. The slides were then scanned into a computer and the colour analysed using a calibrated software package. To establish the optimum colour parameter to be used for predictions of drug response, several parameters were calculated and compared with the subject response to 1% tropicamide (maximum change in pupil size, time to maximum change and total duration of effect). Many parameters had strong correlations with drug response, but the parameters ‘z’, ‘b’ (the proportion of blue in the image) and ‘y’ (the proportion of yellow in the image) were found to exhibit the highest correlations. They also showed better correlations with drug response than did a current iris colour grading system.

A novel system for the objective classification of iris colour and its correlation with response to 1% tropicamide

Iris colour can provide an enormous amount of information about an individual. In addition to changes with pathological conditions, the colour of the iris can be a particularly useful indicator of how well a person will respond to a topically applied ocular drug. Until recently, classification of iris colour has been subjective, ranging from a basic description (`light' and `dark') to more detailed grading systems, such as a comparison with preset photographic standards. However, variability within observers and differences in the interpretation between observers can influence the results. Objective techniques, in this respect, possess several advantages. They are able to detect differences in colour that subjective techniques are incapable of and they provide continuous data rather than discrete categories, thus improving the accuracy of drug response predictions. This study assessed iris colour by objective means. Slit-lamp photographs of various coloured irides were taken under standardised conditions. The slides were then scanned into a computer and the colour analysed using a calibrated software package. To establish the optimum colour parameter to be used for predictions of drug response, several parameters were calculated and compared with the subject response to 1% tropicamide (maximum change in pupil size, time to maximum change and total duration of effect). Many parameters had strong correlations with drug response, but the parameters `z', `b' (the proportion of blue in the image) and `y' (the proportion of yellow in the image) were found to exhibit the highest correlations. They also showed better correlations with drug response than did a current iris colour grading system.

Distribution of Aflatoxin in Grade Sample Components of Farmers Stock Peanuts

Abstract A two-part study was conducted to measure aflatoxin concentrations in individual grade components of farmers stock peanuts. Components were sound mature kernels (SMK), sound splits (SS), loose shelled kernels (LSK), other kernels (OK), and damaged kernels (DK). In Part 1, components of 151 official grade samples, averaging 1.8 kg, were analyzed for aflatoxin, whereas, in Part 2, analyses were conducted on components of 52 11.3-kg samples taken from 27 farmers stock lots. Results showed that the mean aflatoxin concentration for all samples in Part 1 was 89 ppb and that most of the toxin was associated with the OK, LSK, and DK components. Aflatoxin in the SMK + SS components averaged only 3 ppb, whereas aflatoxin in the OK, LSK, and DK averaged 247, 403, and 4107 ppb, respectively. Similar results were obtained in Part 2 with an overall average of 64 ppb and component averages of 4 ppb (SMK), 1 ppb (SS), 109 ppb (OK), 424 ppb (LSK), and 3188 ppb (DK). In many contaminated lots, the SMK and SS components, which comprised 85% of the total kernel weight, were minimally contaminated (1-2 ppb). Correlation coefficients between aflatoxin concentrations in total grade samples and the combined OK, LSK, and DK components suggest that analysis of just those components could provide a better indication of the aflatoxin risk associated with a lot than is provided by the visual Aspergillus flavus method used in the current grading system. In addition, separate storage of contaminated lots would allow reclamation of the noncontaminated SMKs during years when peanuts are in short supply.