Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Systematic examinations of the progressive changes in lens transparency during lens opacification in transgenic mice results in an enormous data base of digital slit lamp images. Analysis of individual images and recognition of patterns in lens opacification with age is expensive in time and effort. The objective of the current project is to develop software that manages the large data base and facilitates comparative analysis of variations in the phenotypes observed in transgenic mice. Methods: Unanesthetized mice were gently held in position for examination with the slit lamp. Pupils were dilated with one drop of 0.5% tropicamide, 5% phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution. Slit lamp (Nikon FS–2) examinations were approximately 1 to 2 minutes and were recorded using a digital video camcorder (Canon Optura 20). The records were observed using Adobe® Premier® 6.0 software and selected images from each examination were stored in .tif file format. Stored images were cropped and oriented using Adobe® Photoshop® and entered into the image management database. Results: The web–based software is implemented on top of WIRM (http://www.wirm.org), an open source experimental management system initially developed for managing brain mapping data. The mouse eye image files are stored on the server's file system and the attributes that describe the context of the images are stored in a relational database. The software system helps manage the extensive data and allows efficient comparisions of selected views that facilitate image analysis and pattern recognition. Information about the images, including genetic information about the subject, can be easily retrieved for any images of interest. Conclusions: The image management system decreased the time required to input, organize and evaluate image files recorded using the slit lamp. This system will benefit the rapid analysis of phenotypes in databases storing thousands of images. Collaboration between laboratories in across the institution or throughout the world is simplified. Interfaces to a variety of common software programs including Adobe® Photosystem® and Power Point® make it convenient for presentation, pattern recognition and analysis.
Keywords: image processing • imaging/image analysis: non-clinical