P171 Reliability, reproducibility and variability of the traditional histologic / histochemical grading system versus the new OARSI osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment system

Background: Many wound assessment systems including the Wagner classification and University of Texas (UT) grading system have been previously described. The authors of this study applied the DIRECT (Debridement of necrosis, Infection control, Revascularization, Exudate control, Chronicity, and Top surface) wound coding system for initial assessment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) to predict limb salvage and prognosis.<br/>Methods: From January 2016 to February 2020, a total of 169 first-time DFU patients were retrospectively evaluated using the DIRECT wound coding assessment system. DFUs were followed up for at least 6 months, and scores in each component of the coding system according to final limb status were statistically evaluated. The coding assessment’s ability to predict major amputation was compared to those of the Wagner classification and the UT grading system.<br/>Results: Subjects were divided into complete healing (n=80, 47.3%), not healed (n=71, 42%), and amputation (n=18, 10.7%) groups. The mean values of each component of DIRECT assessment for the complete healing/amputation groups were D 0.86/1.56 (P<0.001), I 0.46/0.89 (P=0.001), R 0.65/0.94 (P=0.014), E 1.15/1.56 (P=0.049), C 0.69/0.89 (P=0.086), T 0.53/0.72 (P=0.13) and the sum was 3.140/4.741 (P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the DIRECT, Wagner, and UT grading systems was 0.722, 0.603, and 0.663, respectively.<br/>Conclusion: The DIRECT coding system shows a greater association with prediction of amputation or complete healing, compared with the Wagner and UT wound classification systems. This more accurate wound assessment system will be helpful in predicting prognosis and planning treatments.

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Expression Pattern of iNOS, BCL-2 and MMP-9 in the Hip Synovium Tissue of Patients with Osteoarthritis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22031489 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 1489

Author(s):

Davor Caric ◽

Sandra Zekic Tomas ◽

Natalija Filipovic ◽

Violeta Soljic ◽

Benjamin Benzon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hip Osteoarthritis ◽

Synovial Cell ◽

Assessment System ◽

Harris Hip Score ◽

Hip Joints ◽

Osteoarthritis Cartilage ◽

Inflammatory Infiltration ◽

Tissue Sections ◽

Synovial Lining Cell ◽

Neck Fracture

Hip osteoarthritis (HOA) is characterized by degradation of the cartilage and synovitis. However, the pathohistological effects of synovial tissue inflammation on HOA are not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of iNOS, BCL-2 and MMP-9 markers in different synovial cell populations. A total of 32 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Age, sex, height, weight, body mass index were recorded and lymphocyte, fibrocytes and macrophages were analysed in tissue sections. Osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment system (OARSI), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Krenn score, Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Kellgren–Lawrence (K-L) grading of the hip joints were performed. Total hip arthroplasty was performed on 32 patients and controls. Patients were divided into two groups according to their disease severity. The tissues were immunohistochemically analysed. K-L grade and Krenn score differ between all three groups, but also between moderate and severe OA. Synovial lining cell layer, resident cells in stroma and especially inflammatory infiltration were increasing with severity of OA. iNOS expression in both intima and subintima was positively correlated with Krenn score in moderate and severe osteoarthritis (OA) groups. Expression of BCL-2 in intima of severe OA patients was positively correlated with Krenn score. In conclusion, iNOS, BCL-2 and MMP-9 are involved in the regulation of HOA. Our study indicates a relationship between the pathohistological features, the synovial inflammation and the cartilage condition at the time of hip replacement due to OA or femoral neck fracture.

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Point-Based Grading System: Advantages and Disadvantages

Высшее образование в России ◽

10.31992/0869-3617-2021-30-4-139-145 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 139-145

Author(s):

N. N. Мaltseva ◽

V. Е. Рenkov

Keyword(s):

Personal Growth ◽

Objective Assessment ◽

Assessment System ◽

Grading System ◽

Depth Of Knowledge ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

The Subject ◽

Assessment Of Competence ◽

Written Test ◽

The One

One of the vital issues of modern education is assessing the level of students’ knowledge using a point-based grading system. Various approaches to definition of this phenomenon have been examined, and based on their analysis, the authors have come to the conclusion that the use of PBGS solves several important problems. First, it helps to evaluate students’ knowledge more accurately by increasing the maximum possible number of points. Second, it provides a possibility to evaluate individual work activities. Third, it encourages students to work hard to master new material throughout the semester. The authors have also scrutinized the disadvantages of this knowledge assessment system. These include: the risk of a biased judgment; fostering individualism when everyone is interested only in his/her personal growth; dominance of the written test over the oral answer; and the use of test tasks, which allows one to determine only the initial conceptual level of the subject without revealing the problematic, conceptual depth of knowledge, without identifying creative minds who can think outside the box. Then, through a mental experiment, various pedagogical situations have been assessed in which a formal use of a point-based grading system leads to biased results. The article proposes specific measures to improve the point-based grading system, so as to achieve a more objective assessment of competence level in students of higher educational institutions: 1) at least 50% of the total score should be planned for the final test event; 2) the final certification should include a small number of questions, which will allow, on the one hand, to save students’ time and effort, and, on the other, to master the material in depth; 3) dual accounting should be helpful – of the total number of points in the PBGS and of the final certification grades in the subject; 4) it is necessary to provide for an option to “transfer” points from one kind of work to another. In closing, the authors conclude that a point-based grading system has its own advantages and disadvantages, and, adhering to the above rules, it is possible to strengthen the former and weaken the latter. However, it should be emphasized that a complete switch to the PBGS and break with the traditional methods of testing knowledge seem inappropriate.

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Evaluation of Student Work Using a Letter Grading Scheme in Design and Calculus

Proceedings of the Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) ◽

10.24908/pceea.v0i0.5894 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Sean Maw ◽

Indy Lagu

Keyword(s):

Evaluation Criteria ◽

Grading System ◽

Student Work ◽

Letter Grade ◽

Letter Grades ◽

System Versus ◽

Similar Letter ◽

Final Letter

This paper presents methods, pros and consof using a letter grading system versus a percentagegrading system, in engineering course componentevaluations. In making evaluation criteria acrossdeliverables qualitatively similar, letter grading showsperformance equivalency across courses and subjectareas, as well as departments, faculties and universities.What is worth an ‘A’ is not always a trivial discussion.But it is an easier discussion than what is worth 83%versus 85%. How to letter grade various types ofdeliverables in a valid and equivalent fashion can still bechallenging. But with thoughtful marking rubrics, manydeliverables can be evaluated using letter grades. Thesecan be combined to produce valid final letter grades.Overall, there are advantages to taking such an approachto evaluation, and these are discussed in the paper.

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