A special type of ordinal scale comprising a number of intervals of known numeric ranges can be used when estimating severity of a plant disease. The interval ranges are most often based on the ...percent area with symptoms e.g. the Horsfall–Barratt (H–B) scale. Studies in plant pathology and plant breeding often use this type of ordinal scale. The disease severity is estimated by a rater as a value on the scale and has been used to determine a disease severity index (DSI) on a percentage basis, where DSI (%) = sum (class frequency × score of rating class)/(total number of plants) × (maximal disease index) × 100. However, very few studies have investigated the effects of different scales on accuracy of the DSI. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the process of calculating a DSI on a percentage basis from ordinal scale data, and to use simulation approaches to explore the effect of using different methods for calculation of the interval range and the nature of the ordinal scales used on the DSI estimates (%). We found that the DSI is particularly prone to overestimation when using the above formula if the midpoint values of the rating class are not considered. Moreover, the results of the simulation studies show that, if rater estimates are unbiased, compared with other methods tested in this study, the most accurate method for estimation of a DSI is to use the midpoint of the severity range for each class with an amended 10% ordinal scale (an ordinal scale based on a 10% linear scale emphasising severities ≤50% disease, with additional grades at low severities). As for biased conditions, the accuracy for calculating DSI estimates (%) will depend mainly on the degree and direction of the rater bias relative to the actual mean value.
Yellow mosaic and leaf curl diseases caused by whitefly‐transmitted begomo virus genera are important problems in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) production in Indonesia, particularly on Java ...Island. The aims of this survey are to assess the percentages of disease incidence (DI) and disease severity index (DSI), evaluate the spread and complexity of begomovirus and crinivirus infections responsible for yellow mosaic and leaf curl diseases in tomato plants, and identify the species of whitefly insect vectors and their cryptic biotypes in tomato production centers located on Java Island, Indonesia. A total of 43 locations in East, Central, and West Java were surveyed during the dry season from July 2022 to September 2022. Disease incidence and severity were determined by observing 200 samples of tomato plants from five points at each location, with 40 plants per point of land. A total of 116 whitefly samples in microtubes and 215 symptomatic leaf samples were collected. The genus begomovirus and crinivirus infecting tomato were identified by PCR and RT‐PCR using genus‐specific primers. Similarly, whitefly species and their cryptic biotypes were identified by PCR using MCoI gene‐specific primers. Results showed that DI and DSI remarkably differed between the lowlands (66%–89%) and highlands (33%–62%) in the provinces of Central Java and West Java. Furthermore, PCR analysis of 215 infected tomato showing the symptoms of yellow mosaic and curly leaf revealed that three begomoviruses, one crinivirus and their mixed combination both begomoviruses, one crinivirus has been detected in all the samples. Similarly, the whitefly insect vector Bemisia tabaci biotype Q was identified in all areas, whereas Trialeurodes vaporariorum was found only in the East Java and Java highlands, respectively.
Banana blood disease (BBD), a banana wilt disease caused by blood disease bacterium (BDB), Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis (RSC), was first reported in Malaysia in 2007. BDB results in wilting ...appearance and internal bleeding-like symptoms, which eventually leads to entire crop loss including ready-harvested fruit bunch. Understanding the pathogenesis of BDB in local common banana cultivars provides good foundation to tailor disease management plan to mitigate BBD. To address this need, our study was performed to characterize BDB isolated from locally grown banana plants and to compare the pathogenesis of the bacterium in four most common local banana cultivars. In this study, BDB isolated from Malaysia's plantation was identified and characterized via the molecular and phenotypic method. The pathogenicity of characterized virulent BDB isolate was determined in four local banana cultivars via disease rating that was newly developed specifically for BDB-infected bananas. The identity of the isolated strains was first confirmed as Blood Disease Bacterium using Sanger sequencing analysis of 16s rRNA gene. Standard biochemical tests and growth curve study showed that the BDB isolates were Gram-negative, non-motile rod-shaped, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive bacterium, and had an optimum growth rate at 35 °C. The pathogenicity of a selected virulent BDB isolate was then determined via Koch's Postulates in four local banana cultivars. Recognizing the lack of a specific disease rating scale to quantify the pathogenesis of BDB in bananas, we developed a disease rating scale specifically to BDB-infected bananas in this study. Based on the pathogenicity test, local banana cultivars (cv.) in Malaysia included cv. Berangan, cv. Nipah, cv. Awak and cv. Nangka demonstrated disease severity index (DSI) higher than 95%, indicating their susceptibility towards to BDB. In conclusion, our results showed that the four most common banana cultivars in Malaysia were highly susceptible to infection by virulent BDB.
•BDB isolated from Malaysia's infected plantation was identified and characterized.•Disease rating scale was developed specifically for bananas upon BDB infection.•Local common banana cultivars in Malaysia have high susceptibility to BDB.
Disease Severity Index (DSI) provides comprehensive assessment of bowel damage (BD).
To evaluate DSI in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) at high risk of disease progression, compared to Lémann ...Index (LI).
Patients with CD in our center were reviewed consecutively between 2017 and 2019. DSI, LI, and complicated CD course were analyzed.
The median LI and DSI of included 300 patients were 1.63 (IQR 1.25–3.13) and 42 (IQR 32–51), respectively. 152 patients (50.7%) experienced a complicated disease course (median 5.1 months; IQR 1.1–20.2). DSI (AUC 0.66; 95% CI 0.60–0.72) better predicted a complicated course of CD over LI (AUC 0.56; 95% CI 0.50–0.63; P = 0.007). The cumulative probability of complicated CD course in severe patients was higher than those with ‘mild CD’ (P < 0.001). The Cox analysis identified DSI>43 (HR 2.18; 95% CI 1.54–3.09; P < 0.001), B2/3 vs. B1 (HR 2.80; 95% CI 1.99–3.94; P < 0.001), and a higher level of CRP (HR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00–1.02; P = 0.005) as independent prognostic factors for complicated CD. However, LI was not associated with complicated CD (P = 0.164).
Higher DSI was associated with complicated disease outcomes. DSI might play a better role than LI in identifying patients at high risks of disease progression.
Existen antecedentes de asociación de la infestación por Demodex sp. y el acné vulgar. El objetivo fue evaluar si la infestación por Demodex sp. se asocia a acné vulgar grave en consultas externas ...del Hospital Regional Lambayeque.
Estudio trasversal en 46 pacientes con acné grave y 92 pacientes con acné no grave. Se definió como acné vulgar grave al de los participantes que tuvieron un grado ≥ 3 con la escala de gravedad del acné en español (EGAE). La infestación por Demodex sp. se determinó mediante biopsia cutánea superficial, considerándose infestación si existieron más de 5 ácaros por cm2.
El 60,9% de los participantes fueron del sexo masculino, con una mediana de edad de 18 años y un rango intercuartílico de 15 a 20 años, provenían del sector urbano (81,9%) y se encontró infestación por Demodex sp. en el 29,7%. En el análisis bivariado, se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre acné vulgar grave e infestación por Demodex sp. (p=0,001), sexo (p=0,003), procedencia (p=0,015), antecedente paterno de acné (p=0,045), antecedente materno de acné (p=0,045) y tipo de piel (p<0,001). En el análisis multivariado la infestación por Demodex sp. estuvo 4,2 veces más asociada a acné vulgar grave (IC 95%: 1,6-10,9; p=0,003) ajustado por sexo, procedencia urbana, tratamiento previo, antecedentes paterno y materno de acné vulgar y presencia de piel grasa.
La infestación por Demodex sp. se asocia al acné vulgar grave.
Infestation with Demodex mites has been associated with acne vulgaris. The aim of this study was to explore the association between Demodex infestation and severe acne vulgaris in outpatients seen at Hospital Regional Lambayeque in Chiclayo, Peru.
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 46 patients with severe acne and 92 patients with nonsevere acne. Severe acne vulgaris was diagnosed if the score was 3 or more on the Spanish Acne Severity Scale (EGAE, in its Spanish acronym). Demodex infestation was diagnosed when a skin surface biopsy showed more than 5 mites/cm2.
The patients had a median age of 18 years (interquartile range, 15-20 years), 60.9% were male, 81.9% lived in an urban area, and 29.7% were infested with Demodex mites. In the bivariate analysis, severe acne vulgaris was significantly associated with Demodex infestation (P=.001), sex (P=.003), residence (P=.015), a paternal history of acne (P=.045), a maternal history of acne (P=.045), and type of skin (P<.001). In the multivariate analysis, after adjustment for male sex, urban residence, previous treatment, maternal and paternal history of acne vulgaris, and an oily skin type, patients with Demodex infestation were 4.2 times more likely to have severe acne vulgaris (95% CI: 1.6-10.9, P=.003).
Demodex infestation was associated with severe acne vulgaris in outpatients at our hospital.
•The first study comparing the differences of SNC patterns between tree ages.•Disease severity was greater in young forests than mature forests.•Incidence of disease and foliage retention differed in ...young trees and mature trees.•Foliage nitrogen did not differ between young and mature trees.•Leaf wetness differences did not inform disease severity differences.
Swiss needle cast (SNC), caused by Nothophaeocryptopus gaeumannii, is an important foliage disease of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests of the Pacific Northwest. The fungus lives endophytically within the foliage, until forming reproductive structures (pseudothecia) that plug stomates and cause carbon starvation. When pseudothecia appear on one- and two-year-old foliage, significant needle abscission can occur, which reduces productivity of the tree. While there is considerable evidence of SNC disease in coastal Douglas-fir plantations, the severity of SNC in mature and old-growth forests is poorly understood. We compared tree crowns of mature and old-growth conifer forests and nearby young forests at three locations in the Oregon Coast Range and four locations in the western Cascade Range of Oregon. We assessed disease severity for N. gaeumannii on two-year-old foliage, incidence by presence of N. gaeumannii on all foliage, foliage retention for the first four years, and foliar nitrogen of one-year-old foliage. We also compared leaf wetness at three heights in one mature and one young tree at five of the seven sites. Disease severity was greater in young forests than mature forests at all sites except for high elevation Cascade Range areas. Incidence of disease was highest for two-year-old needles in young trees and 3–5 year-old needles in mature trees, except for one coastal site. Retention of 1–4 year-old needle cohorts differed between young and mature trees, and mature trees had much larger complements of > four-year-old needles. Total foliar nitrogen (TN) concentration did not differ in needles of young and mature trees, but at some locations total N differed between canopy positions. Leaf wetness differences were not consistent between young and mature tree crowns. However, at one study site in the core epidemic area, the younger stand had longer periods of wetness in the upper crowns than a nearby old stand. Leaf wetness and foliar N were hypothesized to play a role in SNC disease severity, but they do not explain differences in adjacent young and mature trees. Although the fungus is present in old and young trees, the likelihood of disease expression and lower foliage retention appears to be greater in younger plantation trees than mature and older trees in western Oregon Douglas-fir forests.
Subepidermal (subepithelial) autoimmune blistering dermatoses are a group of rare skin disorders characterized by the disruption of the dermal-epidermal junction through the action of autoantibodies. ...The fourth article in this continuing medical education series presents the current validated disease activity scoring systems, serologic parameters, treatments, and clinical trials for bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, bullous systemic lupus erythematosus, anti-p200 pemphigoid, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, and dermatitis herpetiformis.
ulcerative colitis (UC) overall disease severity index (DSI) has been established. A prospective cohort study was performed to find the value of DSI to predict colectomy within one and four years and ...explored the association between DSI and other indexes.
the hospitalized UC patients were enrolled from March 2018 to January 2019 in this single center study. DSI, Truelove and Witts criteria, Mayo index and Seo index were assessed by medical records. Outcome was whether to undergo colectomy within one and four years and was obtained by telephone survey or medical records. Index values of predicting colectomy within one and four years were evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves.
one hundred and thirty-eight of 233 hospitalized UC patients were enrolled. Within one year, the follow-up period was less than one year for six patients and two patients had died. A further nine patients underwent colectomy. The Spearman correlation coefficient between DSI and Truelove and Witts criteria, Mayo index and Seo index were 0.730, 0.839 and 0.843, respectively. Using these indices to predict colectomy within one and four years, the area under the curve of DSI was more than those of other indices and the cut-off value of DSI was 79.
a good correlation of DSI with other indexes was demonstrated. DSI can be used to predict the need for colectomy within one or four years.
Objective: To assess the relationship between the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children of varying weight categories and their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D levels. Methods: The study ...population comprised 899 patients with AD and 854 age- and sex-matched controls. The Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used to assess differences between groups, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to test correlation. Results: The 25(OH)D level in the AD group was M ( Q 25 , Q 75 ), 24.0 (19.7, 28.4) ng/mL, which was significantly lower than the control group (26.4 23.6, 29.9 ng/mL; Z = −3.34, P = 0.001). 25(OH)D levels in children with AD were negatively correlated with body mass index ( r = −0.30, P < 0.001), Severity scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD; r = −0.14, P < 0.001), total immunoglobulin E ( r = −0.13, P < 0.001), and eosinophil ( r = −0.08, P = 0.017). There were statistically significant differences in 25(OH)D ( H = 18.46, P < 0.001), total immunoglobulin E ( H = 9.13, P = 0.010), eosinophil ( H = 67.17, P < 0.001), and SCORAD ( H = 10.49, P = 0.005) among groups with different body mass index classification. The 25(OH)D levels were 22.3 (17.5, 27.1) ng/mL in the overweight AD group and 22.3 (17.6, 25.7) ng/mL in the obese AD group, which were significantly lower than those in the normal-weight AD group (24.7 20.4, 25.5 ng/mL; P = 0.003, P = 0.004). 25(OH)D levels were negatively correlated with SCORAD in obese AD patients ( r = −0.25, P = 0.010). Conclusion: Vitamin D insufficient or deficient is obvious in children AD patients. The 25(OH)D levels in the overweight/obese AD group are significantly lower than those in the normal-weight AD group. Vitamin D level is negatively correlated with SCORAD in obese children with AD.
PDF
