Disease Severity Score (disease + severity_score)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Components of genetic variation for resistance of strawberry to Phytophthora cactorum estimated using segregating seedling populations and their parent genotypes

PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
D. V. Shaw
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) seedlings from 50 bi-parental crosses among 20 elite genotypes were evaluated for resistance to Phytophthora cactorum after artificial inoculation. Plots of seedlings or runner plants were rated using a disease severity score and the percentage of stunted plants per plot. The distribution of cross means for percentages of plants with stunting was highly skewed; 79% of the inoculated seedlings showed some level of stunting compared to non-inoculated control seedlings, and all but one of the crosses had 50% or more stunted plants. Disease severity scores for the bi-parental crosses were normally distributed and expressed a range of variation not reflected by the percentage of visibly stunted plants. Factorial analysis based on seedling plot means demonstrated significant additive genetic variance for the disease severity score, and the additive genetic variance was 1·9 times greater than the estimated dominance variance. The cross-mean heritability was for the severity score. Estimates of the additive genetic variance component using the covariance of severity scores obtained from the seedling analysis and with severity scores for their parents evaluated in a commercial environment were similar, and 0·30, respectively. Most of the selection response obtained through genotypic selection would thus be transferred to segregating offspring. [source]


Asthma prediction in school children; the value of combined IgE-antibodies and obstructive airways disease severity score,

ALLERGY, Issue 9 2010
K. C. Lødrup Carlsen
To cite this article: Lødrup Carlsen KC, Söderström L, Mowinckel P, Håland G, Pettersen M, Munthe Kaas MC, Devulapalli CS, Buchmann M, Ahlstedt S, Carlsen K-H. Asthma prediction in school children; the value of combined IgE-antibodies and obstructive airways disease severity score. Allergy 2010; 65: 1134,1140. Abstract Background:, Allergic sensitisation increases the risk for asthma development. In this prospective birth cohort (Environment and Childhood Asthma) study, we hypothesized that combining quantitative measures of IgE antibodies (,-IgE) and Severity score of obstructive airways disease (OAD) at 2 years of age (Severity score) is superior to predict current asthma (CA) at 10 years than either measure alone. Secondarily, we assessed if gender modified the prediction of CA. Methods:, A follow-up study at 10 years of age was performed in 371 2-year-old children with recurrent (n = 219) or no (n = 152) bronchial obstruction with available serum analysed for ,-IgE to common food and inhalant allergens through a panel test, Phadiatop Infant® (Phadia, Uppsala, Sweden). Clinical variables included allergic sensitisation and exercise testing to characterise children with CA vs not CA at 10 years and the Severity score (0,12, 0 indicating no OAD) was used to assess risk modification. Results:, Severity score alone explained 24% (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.24) of the variation in CA, whereas ,-IgE explained only 6% (R2 = 0.06). Combining the two increased the explanatory capacity to R2 = 0.30. Gender interacted significantly with ,-IgE; whereas Severity score predicted CA in both genders, the predictive capacity of ,-IgE for CA at 10 years was significant in boys only. Conclusion:, Combining ,-IgE to inhalant allergens and Severity score at 2 years was superior to predict asthma at 10 years than either alone. Severity score predicted CA in both genders, whereas ,-IgE significantly predicted CA in boys only. [source]


Components of genetic variation for resistance of strawberry to Phytophthora cactorum estimated using segregating seedling populations and their parent genotypes

PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
D. V. Shaw
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) seedlings from 50 bi-parental crosses among 20 elite genotypes were evaluated for resistance to Phytophthora cactorum after artificial inoculation. Plots of seedlings or runner plants were rated using a disease severity score and the percentage of stunted plants per plot. The distribution of cross means for percentages of plants with stunting was highly skewed; 79% of the inoculated seedlings showed some level of stunting compared to non-inoculated control seedlings, and all but one of the crosses had 50% or more stunted plants. Disease severity scores for the bi-parental crosses were normally distributed and expressed a range of variation not reflected by the percentage of visibly stunted plants. Factorial analysis based on seedling plot means demonstrated significant additive genetic variance for the disease severity score, and the additive genetic variance was 1·9 times greater than the estimated dominance variance. The cross-mean heritability was for the severity score. Estimates of the additive genetic variance component using the covariance of severity scores obtained from the seedling analysis and with severity scores for their parents evaluated in a commercial environment were similar, and 0·30, respectively. Most of the selection response obtained through genotypic selection would thus be transferred to segregating offspring. [source]


Novel complement inhibitor limits severity of experimentally myasthenia gravis,

ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Jindrich Soltys DVM
Objective Complement mediated injury of the neuromuscular junction is considered a primary disease mechanism in human myasthenia gravis and animal models of experimentally acquired myasthenia gravis (EAMG). We utilized active and passive models of EAMG to investigate the efficacy of a novel C5 complement inhibitor rEV576, recombinantly produced protein derived from tick saliva, in moderating disease severity. Methods Standardized disease severity assessment, serum complement hemolytic activity, serum cytotoxicity, acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody concentration, IgG subclassification, and C9 deposition at the neuromuscular junction were used to assess the effect of complement inhibition on EAMG induced by administration of AChR antibody or immunization with purified AChR. Results Administration of rEV576 in passive transfer EAMG limited disease severity as evidenced by 100% survival rate and a low disease severity score. In active EAMG, rats with severe and mild EAMG were protected from worsening of disease and had limited weight loss. Serum complement activity (CH50) in severe and mild EAMG was reduced to undetectable levels during treatment, and C9 deposition at the neuromuscular junction was reduced. Treatment with rEV576 resulted in reduction of toxicity of serum from severe and mild EAMG rats. Levels of total AChR IgG, and IgG2a antibodies were similar, but unexpectedly, the concentration of complement fixing IgG1 antibodies was lower in a group of rEV576-treated animals, suggesting an effect of rEV576 on cellular immunity. Interpretation Inhibition of complement significantly reduced weakness in two models of EAMG. C5 inhibition could prove to be of significant therapeutic value in human myasthenia gravis. Ann Neurol 2009;65:67,75 [source]


Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging differentiates Parkinsonian variant of multiple-system atrophy from progressive supranuclear palsy

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 1 2007
Dominic C. Paviour PhD, MRCP
Abstract Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and the parkinsonian variant of multiple-system atrophy (MSA-P) may present with a similar phenotype. Magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been shown to be a sensitive discriminator of MSA-P from Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied 20 PSP, 11 MSA-P, 12 PD patients and 7 healthy controls in order to investigate whether regional apparent diffusion coefficients (rADCs) help distinguish PSP and MSA-P; whether rADCs are correlated with clinical disease severity scores; and the relationship between brainstem and cerebellar volumes and rADCs in PSP and MSA-P. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn and Yahr score, Mini Mental State Examination, and frontal assessment battery were recorded in all patients. Regional ADCs were measured in the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP), caudal and rostral pons, midbrain, decussating fibers of the superior cerebellar peduncle, thalamus, putamen, globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, corpus callosum, frontal and parietal white matter, as well as the centrum semiovale. In MSA-P, rADCs in the MCP and rostral pons were significantly greater than in PSP (P < 0.001 and 0.009) and PD (P < 0.001 and = 0.002). Stepwise logistic regression revealed that the MCP rADC distinguishes MSA-P from PSP with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 84%. Increased brainstem rADCs were associated with motor deficit in MSA-P and PSP. Increased rADCs in the pons and MCP were associated with smaller pontine and cerebellar volumes in MSA-P. rADCs distinguish MSA-P from PSP. These have a clinical correlate and are associated with reduced brainstem and cerebellar volumes. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source]


Risk factors for nosocomial intensive care infection: a long-term prospective analysis

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2001
P. Appelgren
Background: To identify risk factors for nosocomial infection in intensive care and to provide a basis for allocation of resources. Methods: Long-term prospective incidence study of risk factors for nosocomial infection in the surgical-medical intensive care unit of a university hospital. Results: A total of 2671 patients were admitted during four years, and 562 of 574 patients staying >48 h were observed during 4921 patient days (median length of stay 5 days, range 2,114). Of these, 196 (34%) patients had 364 nosocomial infections after median 8,10 days, an infection rate of 14/100 admissions. Infection prolonged length of stay 8,9 days and doubled the risk of death. The infections were 17% blood stream, 26% pneumonias, 34% wound, 10% urinary tract and 13% other infections. The incidence of bloodstream infection declined significantly during the study years, from 12% to 5%. In multiple regression analysis, the important variables for infection were central venous catheter, mechanical ventilation, pleural drainage and trauma with open fractures. High age, immunosuppression and infection on admission did not influence the risk of acquiring infection. Trauma patients constituted 24% of the study population. Trauma with open fractures increased the risk of infection more than twice (P=0.003), mainly due to wound infections. Conclusion: Trauma cases, with open fractures, were the patients most at risk of infection, despite low disease severity scores. Resources to prevent nosocomial infection should be allocated to these patients. [source]