Histopathological Patterns and Early Postoperative Complications among Patients with Surgically Treated Thyroid Diseases at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania

Background: Thyroid diseases are among the leading endocrine disorders affecting a large proportion of people worldwide and show geographical variation in incidence and histopathological pattern related to age, sex, dietary and environmental factors. Histopathological patterns of surgically treated thyroid diseases play an important role in early diagnosis and management of these diseases. There is, however, limited published data regarding histopathological reports on thyroid disease in our local setting. This study aimed to determine the histopathological patterns and highlight early postoperative complications among patients with surgically treated thyroid diseases at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC). Methods: This was a longitudinal study involving all patients with surgically treated thyroid diseases seen at BMC over a period of 6 months from October 2019 to March 2020. Results: A total of 84 patients were studied. Females outnumbered males by a female to male ratio of 11:1. The median age of patients was 44 [IQR, 35 - 54] years old, the youngest was 14 years old and the oldest was 76 years old. Colloid goiter was the most common non-neoplastic lesion accounting for 34 (44.7%) patients. Among the neoplastic lesions, follicular adenoma was the most commonly encountered benign pathologies (n = 16;21.1%), while papillary carcinoma was the most commonly encountered malignancy (n = 4;50%). Following thyroidectomy, 12 (14.3%) patients developed early complications, of which hemorrhage sometimes requiring blood transfusion was the leading intra/postoperative complications accounting for 4 (33.3%) patients. Other complications include temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy 2 (16.7%), surgical site infection 2 (16.7%) and tracheomalacia, bronchospasm, thyroid abscess and respiratory obstruction in 1 (8.3%) patient each, respectively. In this study, malignant thyroid lesion (p Conclusion: This study demonstrated that colloid goiter was the most common non-neoplastic lesion, and on the neoplastic category, follicular adenoma was the most common benign lesion, while papillary carcinoma was the most frequent malignant lesion.

Impact of interleukin 6 levels on acute lung injury risk and disease severity in critically ill sepsis patients

BACKGROUND Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulation of the host response to infection that can lead to acute lung injury(ALI)and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS).Interleukin 6(IL-6)is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and its complications.AIM To investigate the relationship among plasma IL-6 levels,risk of ALI,and disease severity in critically ill patients with sepsis.METHODS This prospective and observational study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital between January 2021 and December 2022.A total of 83 septic patients were enrolled.Plasma IL-6 levels were measured upon admission using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The development of ALI and MODS was monitored during hospitalization.Disease severity was evaluated by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II(APACHE II)and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)scores.RESULTS Among the 83 patients with sepsis,38(45.8%)developed ALI and 29(34.9%)developed MODS.Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients who developed ALI than in those without ALI(median:125.6 pg/mL vs 48.3 pg/mL;P<0.001).Similarly,patients with MODS had higher IL-6 levels than those without MODS(median:142.9 pg/mL vs 58.7 pg/mL;P<0.001).Plasma IL-6 levels were strongly and positively correlated with APACHE II(r=0.72;P<0.001)and SOFA scores(r=0.68;P<0.001).CONCLUSIONElevated plasma IL-6 levels in critically ill patients with sepsis were associated with an increased risk of ALI andMODS.Higher IL-6 levels were correlated with greater disease severity,as reflected by higher APACHE II andSOFA scores.These findings suggest that IL-6 may serve as a biomarker for predicting the development of ALI anddisease severity in patients with sepsis.

Predicting short-term major postoperative complications in intestinal resection for Crohn’s disease:A machine learning-based study

BACKGROUND Due to the complexity and numerous comorbidities associated with Crohn’s disease(CD),the incidence of postoperative complications is high,significantly impacting the recovery and prognosis of patients.Consequently,additional stu-dies are required to precisely predict short-term major complications following intestinal resection(IR),aiding surgical decision-making and optimizing patient care.AIM To construct novel models based on machine learning(ML)to predict short-term major postoperative complications in patients with CD following IR.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data derived from a patient cohort that underwent IR for CD from January 2017 to December 2022.The study participants were randomly allocated to either a training cohort or a validation cohort.The logistic regression and random forest(RF)were applied to construct models in the training cohort,with model discrimination evaluated using the area under the curves(AUC).The validation cohort assessed the performance of the constructed models.RESULTS Out of the 259 patients encompassed in the study,5.0%encountered major postoperative complications(Clavien-Dindo≥III)within 30 d following IR for CD.The AUC for the logistic model was 0.916,significantly lower than the AUC of 0.965 for the RF model.The logistic model incorporated a preoperative CD activity index(CDAI)of≥220,a diminished preoperative serum albumin level,conversion to laparotomy surgery,and an extended operation time.A nomogram for the logistic model was plotted.Except for the surgical approach,the other three variables ranked among the top four important variables in the novel ML model.CONCLUSION Both the nomogram and RF exhibited good performance in predicting short-term major postoperative complic-ations in patients with CD,with the RF model showing more superiority.A preoperative CDAI of≥220,a di-minished preoperative serum albumin level,and an extended operation time might be the most crucial variables.The findings of this study can assist clinicians in identifying patients at a higher risk for complications and offering personalized perioperative management to enhance patient outcomes.

Metabolic complications of psychotropic medications in psychiatric disorders:Emerging role of de novo lipogenesis and therapeutic consideration

Although significant advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders(PDs),therapeutic advances have not been very convincing.While psychotropic medications can reduce classical symptoms in patients with PDs,their long-term use has been reported to induce or exaggerate various pre-existing metabolic abnormalities including diabetes,obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).The mechanism(s)underlying these metabolic abnormalities is not clear;however,lipid/fatty acid accumulation due to enhanced de novo lipogenesis(DNL)has been shown to reduce membrane fluidity,increase oxidative stress and inflammation leading to the development of the aforementioned metabolic abnormalities.Intriguingly,emerging evidence suggest that DNL dysregulation and fatty acid accumulation could be the major mechanisms associated with the development of obesity,diabetes and NAFLD after long-term treatment with psychotropic medications in patients with PDs.In support of this,several adjunctive drugs comprising of anti-oxidants and antiinflammatory agents,that are used in treating PDs in combination with psychotropic medications,have been shown to reduce insulin resistance and development of NAFLD.In conclusion,the above evidence suggests that DNL could be a potential pathological factor associated with various metabolic abnormalities,and a new avenue for translational research and therapeutic drug designing in PDs.

Relationship between nutritional therapy and beneficial bacteria ratio in severe disease

Objective:To evaluate relationship between changes in the beneficial bacteria in intensive care unit(ICU)patients and nutritional therapy type.Methods:Ten patients aged≥18 years admitted to the ICU between January and December 2020,were included.Good enteral nutrition was defined as early achievement of target calorie intake through enteral feeding.The ratio of beneficial bacteria at the first and second bowel movements after each patient’s admission was calculated and the patients were classified into the increase or decrease group.Among all patients,five each were in the increase and decrease groups.We investigated patient background,changes in sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation(APACHE)Ⅱscores,nutritional doses or methods,and clinical outcomes.Results:No relationship was found between changes in the ratio of beneficial bacteria and changes in SOFA/APACHEⅡscores at the time of admission.The rate of good enteral nutrition was significantly higher in the increase group than in the decrease group(4/5 vs.0/5,P=0.01).Conclusions:An increase in beneficial bacteria may be significantly related to the early establishment of enteral nutrition.In the future,accumulating cases may make it possible to establish a new nutritional strategy for critically ill patients from an intestinal microbiota perspective.

Correlation Analysis Between Changes of D-Dimer Level and Rheumatoid Arthritis Complicated with Interstitial Lung Disease

Objective:To explore the correlation between the change of D-dimer level and rheumatoid arthritis complicated with interstitial lung disease.Methods:From January 2022 to February 2024,20 rheumatoid arthritis patients complicated with interstitial lung disease(interstitial lung disease group),20 rheumatoid arthritis patients without interstitial lung disease(without interstitial lung disease group),and 20 healthy people(control group)in Xijing Hospital were selected for this study.The fasting venous blood of the three groups of subjects was collected and their D-dimer,C-reactive protein(CRP),rheumatoid factor(RF),and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)were detected.Subsequently,the correlation between each index and rheumatoid arthritis complicated with interstitial lung disease was analyzed.Results:The D-dimer level of the interstitial lung disease group was significantly higher than the other two groups(P<0.05).The D-dimer level of the group without interstitial lung disease was significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05).CRP levels in the interstitial lung disease group and the group without interstitial lung disease were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).The ESR and RF levels of the interstitial lung disease group were significantly higher than the other two groups(P<0.05).The levels of ESR and RF levels of the group without interstitial lung disease were significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:D-dimer levels of rheumatoid arthritis patients are higher than those of healthy individuals,and those complicated with interstitial lung disease present even higher levels.This finding shows that there is a correlation between D-dimer levels and rheumatoid arthritis with interstitial lung disease,which may facilitate the evaluation and diagnosis of this disease.

Intestinal complications in patients with Crohn's disease in the Brazilian public healthcare system between 2011 and 2020

BACKGROUND This is a secondary database study using the Brazilian public healthcare system database.AIM To describe intestinal complications(ICs)of patients in the Brazilian public healthcare system with Crohn’s disease(CD)who initiated and either only received conventional therapy(CVT)or also initiated anti-tumor necrosis factor(anti-TNF)therapy between 2011 and 2020.METHODS This study included patients with CD[international classification of diseases–10th revision(ICD-10):K50.0,K50.1,or K50.8](age:≥18 years)with at least one claim of CVT(sulfasalazine,azathioprine,mesalazine,or methotrexate).IC was defined as a CD-related hospitalization,pre-defined procedure codes(from rectum or intestinal surgery groups),and/or associated disease(pre-defined ICD-10 codes),and overall(one or more type of ICs).RESULTS In the 16809 patients with CD that met the inclusion criteria,the mean follow-up duration was 4.44(2.37)years.In total,14697 claims of ICs were found from 4633 patients.Over the 1-and 5-year of follow-up,8.3%and 8.2%of the patients with CD,respectively,presented at least one IC,of which fistula(31%)and fistulotomy(48%)were the most commonly reported.The overall incidence rate(95%CI)of ICs was 6.8(6.5–7.04)per 100 patient years for patients using only-CVT,and 9.2(8.8–9.6)for patients with evidence of anti-TNF therapy.CONCLUSION The outcomes highlighted an important and constant rate of ICs over time in all the CD populations assessed,especially in patients exposed to anti-TNF therapy.This outcome revealed insights into the real-world treatment and complications relevant to patients with CD and highlights that this disease remains a concern that may require additional treatment strategies in the Brazilian public healthcare system.

Plant Disease Severity Assessment Based on Machine Learning and Deep Learning: A Survey

The world’s agricultural production suffers huge losses estimated between 20% and 40% annually. 40% to 50% of such losses are due to pest and diseases which cause significant economic losses every year. Precise assessment of severity is crucial for suitable management of crop diseases. It helps famers to avoid yield losses, reduce production costs, ensure good disease management and so on. This paper is a review of plant diseases severity estimation solutions proposed by researchers the last few years and based on Image Processing Techniques (IPT), classical Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms. The analysis of these solutions has allowed us to identify their limitations and potential challenges in plant disease severity assessment.

Extraintestinal manifestations and complications in inflammatory bowel diseases

Crohn 的疾病(CD ) 和 ulcerative (UC ) 是经常包含胃肠道的除那些以外的机关的长期的煽动性的肠疾病(IBD ) 。这些非肠的爱被称为额外的肠的症状。把煽动性的肠疾病的真额外的肠的表明区分开来与第二等的额外的肠的复杂并发症，由治疗的营养不良，慢性炎或副作用引起了，可能困难。这评论在煽动性的肠疾病专注于频率，临床的演讲和额外的肠的症状的治疗学的含意。如果可能，肠的表明被区分开来与额外的肠的复杂并发症。特殊注意被给参与的更最近描述的地点；即中枢神经系统的 thromboembolic 事件，骨质疏松症，肺的参与和爱。

Complications of airway self-expandable metallic stent in benign airway diseases

Objectives: To present the complications of Ultraflex Self-Expandable Metallic Stents (SEMSs) applied in patients with benign tracheobronchial diseases. Methods: Eighty patients received 124 SEMSs were retrospectively reviewed in a tertiary hospital. Results: The baseline characteristics of patients received SEMS implantation including age (mean + standard deviation: 62.5 + 14.8 years), gender (male, 60.5%), smoking (46.8%), forced expiratory volume in first one second (FEV1) (mean + standard deviation, 0.92 +0.41 L/s), follow-up days after SEMS implantation (median (interquartile range);457 (131 - 897)) and covered SEMS (33.9%) were listed. Symptoms improved after SEMS implantation among 95 patients (76.6%). Time to complications developed was 236 (median;interquartile range, 59 - 672) days. The overall complication rate was 41.9% after SEMS implantation. The complications included SEMS migration (6.5%), granuloma (19.3%) and SEMS fracture (16.1%). Successful management rates of SEMS migration, granuloma and SEMS fracture were up to 100%, 83.3%, and 85% respectively. Conclusions: Patients received SEMS implantation due to benign conditions had poor lung function and were old. The complication rate in patients with benign conditions was high after longer follow-up period, however, successful management achieved in most patients with complications.

Risk factors and implications of anastomotic complications after surgery for Crohn's disease

Anastomotic complications occur more frequently in patients with Crohn's disease leading to postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications(IASC). Patients with IASC often require re-operation or drainage to controlthe sepsis and have an increased frequency of disease recurrence. The aim of this article was to examine the factors affecting postoperative IASC in Crohn's disease after anastomoses, since some risk factors remain controversial. Studies investigating IASC in Crohn's operations were included, and all risk factors associated with IASC were evaluated: nutritional status, presence of abdominal sepsis, medication use, Crohn's disease type, duration of disease, prior operations for Crohn's, anastomotic technique, extent of resection, operative timing, operative length, and perioperative bleeding. In this review, the factors associated with an increased risk of IASC are preoperative weight loss, abdominal abscess present at time of surgery, prior operation, and steroid use. To prevent IASC in Crohn's patients, preoperative optimization with nutritional supplementation or drainage of abscess should be performed, or a diverting stoma should be considered for patients with multiple risk factors.

Preventing infective complications in inflammatory bowel disease

Over the past decade there has been a dramatic change in the treatment of patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,which comprise the inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD).This is due to the increasing use of immunosuppressives and in particular the biological agents,which are being used earlier in the course of disease,and for longer durations,as these therapies result in better clinical outcomes for patients.This,however,has the potential to increase the risk of opportunistic and serious infections in these patients,most of which are preventable.Much like the risk for potential malignancy resulting from the use of these therapies long-term,a balance needs to be struck between medication use to control the disease with minimization of the risk of an opportunistic infection.This outcome is achieved by the physician’s tailored use of justified therapies,and the patients’education and actions to minimize infection risk.The purpose of this review is to explore the evidence and guidelines available to all physicians managing patients with IBD using immunomodulating agents and to aid in the prevention of opportunistic infections.

Predictors of disease severity in ulcerative colitis patients from Southwestern Ontario

AIM:To understand the demographic characteristics of patients in Southwestern Ontario,Canada with ulcerative colitis(UC)in order to predict disease severity. METHODS:Records from 1996 to 2001 were exam- ined to create a database of UC patients seen in the London Health Sciences Centre South Street Hospital Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic.To be included, patients'charts were required to have information of their disease presentation and a minimum of 5 years of follow-up.Charts were reviewed using standardized data collection forms.Disease severity was generated during the chart review process,and non-endoscopic Mayo Score criteria were collected into a composite. RESULTS:One hundred and two consecutive patients'data were entered into the database.Demographic analyses revealed that 51%of the patients were male, the mean age at diagnosis was 39 years,13.7%had a first degree relative with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),61.8%were nonsmokers and 24.5%were ex-smokers.In 22.5%of patients the disease was limited to the rectum,in 21.6%disease was limited to the sigmoid colon,in 22.5%disease was limited to the left colon,and 32.4%of patients had pancolitis. Standard multiple regression analysis which regressed a composite of physician global assessment of disease severity,average number of bowel movements,and average amount of blood in bowel movements on year of diagnosis and age at time of diagnosis was significant,R 2=0.306,F(7,74)=4.66,P<0.01. Delay from symptoms to diagnosis of UC,gender, family history of IBD,smoking status and disease severity at the time of diagnosis didnot significantly predict the composite measure. CONCLUSION:UC severity is associated with younger age at diagnosis and year of diagnosis in a longitudinal cohort of UC patients,and may identify prognostic UC indicators.

Quantitative computed tomography analysis for stratifying the severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019

To examine the feasibility of using a computer tool for stratifying the severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)based on computed tomography(CT)images.We retrospectively examined 44 confirmed COVID-19 cases.All cases were evaluated separately by radiologists(visually)and through an in-house computer software.The degree of lesions was visually scored by the radiologist,as follows,for each of the 5 lung lobes:0,no lesion present;1,<1/3 involvement;2,>1/3 and<2/3 involvement;and 3,>2/3 involvement.Lesion density was assessed based on the proportion of ground-glass opacity(GGO),consolidation and fibrosis of the lesions.The parameters obtained using the computer tool included lung volume(mL),lesion volume(mL),lesion percentage(%),and mean lesion density(HU)of the whole lung,right lung,left lung,and each lobe.The scores obtained by the radiologists and quantitative results generated by the computer software were tested for correlation.A Chi-square test was used to test the consistency of radiologist-and computer-derived lesion percentage in the right/left lung,upper/lower lobe,and each of the 5 lobes.The results showed a strong to moderate correlation between lesion percentage scores obtained by radiologists and the computer software(r ranged from 0.7679 to 0.8373,P<0.05),and a moderate correlation between the proportion of GGO and mean lesion density(r=-0.5894,P<0.05),and proportion of consolidation and mean lesion density(r=0.6282,P<0.05).Computer-aided quantification showed a statistical significant higher lesion percentage for lower lobes than that assessed by the radiologists(x^2=8.160,P=0.004).Our experiments demonstrated that the computer tool could reliably and accurately assess the severity and distribution of pneumonia on CT scans.

Relationship between high sensitivity C-reactive protein and angiographic severity of coronary artery disease

Background Coronary artery disease(CAD)remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.Cytokines play a potential role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis and progression.We investigated the association between high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs CRP)and severity of CAD.Methods CAD patients were stratified according to hs CRP cut-off value into high levels hs CRP group(≥8.4 mg/L)and low levels hs CRP group(<8.4 mg/L).Severity of CAD was assessed according to artery stenosis degree and the number of vessel involved.Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS,version 23.0).Results The mean age was 60.3±11.0 years.The level of hs CRP was increased and ranged from 0.2 to 1020.0 mg/L.Biochemical risk factors and severity of CAD didn’t show significant differences between the two groups.In multivariate linear analysis,cardiac troponin I(c Tn I)and serum amyloid A(SAA)were predictors of hs CRP.As shown in receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis performed in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)and compared to myonecrosis biomarkers,hs CRP(area under the curve(AUC):0.905;95%CI:0.844-0.966;P<0.001)could be a powerful predictor marker in evaluating the infarct size after myocardial infarction but not better than c Tn I.Conclusions Hs CRP levels were not associated with the severity of CAD but could be useful in the evaluation of myocardial necrosis in patients with STEMI.

A Survey of the Major Sorghum Production Regions for Foliar and Panicle Diseases during the 2022 Growing Season in Senegal, West Africa

Sorghum is a vital commodity and greatly contributes to the daily calorie needs for millions of the inhabitants in Senegal, West Africa. Yet, sorghum productivity and profitability are impacted by diseases. In the 2022 growing season, 122 farmers’ fields across 7 regions, notably Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kolda, Tambacounda, and Thies were surveyed for foliar and panicle diseases. During the survey, stops were made at 30 km intervals and at each stop, 2 - 5 fields were evaluated. In each field, 40 plants mostly at soft to early hard dough stages of development were assessed using a W-shaped pattern to cover the whole field. A total of 13 diseases, including leaf blight, anthracnose, Zonate leaf spot, Sooty stripe, rough leaf spot, oval leaf spot, long smut, grain mold, and covered kernel smut were documented. The most predominant diseases were leaf blight, anthracnose, and zonate leaf spot. The prevalence of leaf blight was 100%, while anthracnose and zonate leaf spot were found in 93 out of the 122 fields surveyed, indicating a 76% prevalence, respectively. Across the regions, the prevalence of rough leaf spot was 47%, covered kernel smut (32%), oval leaf spot (19%) and target leaf spot (19%). Mean incidence of leaf blight was high in all regions, ranging from 94% (Kaolack) to 100% (Fatick and Tambacounda). The highest mean incidence of anthracnose (62%) and covered kernel smut (16%) was noted in Tambacounda region. In the region of Thies, the highest mean incidence of zonate leaf spot (49%) was recorded. The mean severity of leaf blight (37%) was highest on plants assessed in the region of Kaffrine, followed by those in the regions of Kaolack, Tambacounda, and Kolda. Anthracnose infection was most intense on plants evaluated in Kolda, while zonate leaf spot was most severe in the region of Tambacounda. Fields with incidences of 85% and above were considered as “hotspots” to evaluate sorghum germplasm for disease resistance. This survey is significant because the information obtained will be beneficial to plant pathologists, sorghum producers, government officials, and funding agencies to prioritize research projects that ensure productivity and food security.

Onset time of complications in patients with severe acute pancreatitis receiving nonoperative therapy

Objective: To retrospectively analyze 85 hospitalizednonoperative patients with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) and to find out the stages of the disease.Methods: We statistically calculated the time of onsetof complications in these patients from 1987 to 1999.Results: The 95% confidence interval of total averagefor the complications of acute respiratory distress syn-drome (ARDS), shock and kidney failure was between2 to 4 days, and for encephalopathy, hemorrhage ofthe digestive tract, bacterial infection, fungous infec-tion and abscess between 3 to 6 days, 3 to 5 days, 13to 16 days, 13 to 16 days, and 14 to 23 days respec-tively. The 95% confidence interval of total averagein 18 deaths (21%) was between 5 to 6 days. ARDS,kidney failure, and shock occurred within 4 days, en-cephalopathy within 6 days (average 4.8±0.9 days),abscesses after 14 days, systemic bacterial infectionand fungous infection within half a month (average14.6±1.1days, 14.8±0.9days respectively), and deathwithin 6 days.Conclusion: According to the time of the occurrence ofcomplications, we divide the courses of the disease intothree stages: early phase(first 4 days) with ARDS,kidney failure, shock, encephalopathy and hemorrhageof the digestive tract; middle phase (5-15 days) withbacterial infection and fungous infection; late phase(15 days after the onset) with abscess.

Characterizing and Estimating Fungal Disease Severity of Rice Brown Spot with Hyperspectral Reflectance Data

Large-scale farming of agriculture crops requires real-time detection of disease for field pest management. Hyperspectral remote sensing data generally have high spectral resolution, which could be very useful for detecting disease stress in green vegetation at the leaf and canopy levels. In this study, hyperspectral reflectances of rice in the laboratory and field were measured to characterize the spectral regions and wavebands, which were the most sensitive to rice brown spot infected by Bipolaris oryzae （Helminthosporium oryzae Breda. de Hann）. Leaf reflectance increased at the ranges of 450 to 500 nm and 630 to 680 nm with the increasing percentage of infected leaf surface, and decreased at the ranges of 520 to 580 nm, 760 to 790 nm, 1550 to 1750 nm, and 2080 to 2350 nm with the increasing percentage of infected leaf surface respectively. The sensitivity analysis and derivative technique were used to select the sensitive wavebands for the detection of rice brown spot infected by B. oryzae. Ratios of rice leaf reflectance were evaluated as indicators of brown spot. R669/R746 （the reflectance at 669 nm divided by the reflectance at 746 nm, the following ratios may be deduced by analogy）, R702/R718, R692/R530, R692/R732, R535/R746, R521/R718, and R569/R718 increased significantly as the incidence of rice brown spot increased regardless of whether it＇s at the leaf or canopy level. R702/R718, R692/R530, R692/R732 were the best three ratios for estimating the disease severity of rice brown spot at the leaf and canopy levels. This result not only confirms the capability of hyperspectral remote sensing data in characterizing crop disease for precision pest management in the real world, but also testifies that the ratios of crop reflectance is a useful method to estimate crop disease severity.

Magnetic resonance imaging and Crohn's disease endoscopic index of severity: Correlations and concordance

AIM To examine the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and endoscopic index of severity(CDEIS) in patients with Crohn's disease(CD).METHODS This was a retrospective study of 104 patients with CD that were treated at the Ruijin Hospital between March 2015 and May 2016. Among them, 61 patients with active CD were evaluated before/after treatment. MRI and endoscopy were performed within 7 d. CDEIS was evaluated. MRI parameters included Ma RIA scores, total relative contrast enhancement(tRCE), arterialRCE(aRCE), portalRCE(pRCE), delay phaseRCE(dRCE), and apparent diffusion coefficient. The correlation and concordance between multiple MRI findings and CDEIS changes before and after CD treatment were examined.RESULTS Among the 104 patients, 61 patients were classified as active CD and 43 patients as inactive CD. Gender, age, disease duration, and disease location were not significantly different between the two groups(all P > 0.05). CRP levels were higher in the active group than in the inactive group(25.12 ± 4.12 vs 5.14 ± 0.98 mg/L, P < 0.001). Before treatment, the correlations between CDEIS and MaRIAs in all patients were r = 0.772 for tRCE, r = 0.754 for aRCE, r = 0.738 for pRCE, and r = 0.712 for dRCE(all MaRIAs, P < 0.001), followed by MRI single indexes. Among the active CD patients, 44 cases were remitted to inactive CD after treatment. The correlations between CDEIS and MaRIAs were r = 0.712 for aRCE, r = 0.705 for tRCE, r = 0.685 for pRCE, and r = 0.634 for dRCE(all MaRIAs, P < 0.001).CONCLUSION Arterial Ma RIA should be an indicator for CD follow-up and dynamic assessment. CD treatment assessment was not completely concordant between CDEIS and MRI.

Risk of cardiovascular,cardiac and arrhythmic complications in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has emerged as a public health problem of epidemic proportions worldwide.Accumulating clinical and epidemiological evidence indicates that NAFLD is not only associated with liver-related morbidity and mortality but also with an increased risk of coronary heart disease(CHD),abnormalities of cardiac function and structure(e.g.,left ventricular dysfunction and hypertrophy,and heart failure),valvular heart disease(e.g.,aortic valve sclerosis)and arrhythmias(e.g.,atrial fibrillation).Experimental evidence suggests that NAFLD itself,especially in its more severe forms,exacerbates systemic/hepatic insulin resistance,causes atherogenic dyslipidemia,and releases a variety of pro-inflammatory,pro-coagulant and pro-fibrogenic mediators that may play important roles in the pathophysiology of cardiac and arrhythmic complications.Collectively,these findings suggest that patients with NAFLD may benefit from more intensive surveillance and early treatment interventions to decrease the risk for CHD and other cardiac/arrhythmic complications.The purpose of this clinical review is to summarize the rapidly expanding body of evidence that supports a strong association between NAFLD and cardiovascular,cardiac and arrhythmic complications,to briefly examine the putative biological mechanisms underlying this association,and to discuss some of the current treatment options that may influence both NAFLD and its related cardiac and arrhythmic complications.