Before incorporating the classifications in the clinical

practice and research studies, further work is required to investigate the validity of the classifications.”
“Aim: The aim of this study was to assess whether the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can increase the value of the ultrasonography in the study of postoperative recurrence of Crohn’s disease (CD).

Materials and methods: GSK1838705A molecular weight 60 patients with CD who had previously undergone ileocolic resection underwent prospectively both CEUS and colonoscopy within a 3-day period. The sonographic examination included evaluation of bowel wall thickness, transmural complications, colour Doppler grade and contrast-enhanced US. In addition a sonographic score was established. The capacity of CEUS to diagnose endoscopic recurrence, as well as its severity, was assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values, accuracy and odds ratio, with their respective 95% confidence intervals. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were

also calculated.

Results: 49 out of 60 patients showed endoscopic postoperative recurrence. Severe endoscopic recurrence was present in 34 patients (57%). Classic ultrasound parameters (wall thickness >3 mm and colour Doppler flow) revealed an accuracy of 88.3% for the diagnosis of recurrence. Sonographic score 2, including thickness >5 mm or contrast enhancement >46%, improved the results with a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 98%, 100% and 98.3%, respectively, in the diagnosis of endoscopic recurrence. The area under the ROC curve was 0.99, in remarkable agreement SB202190 chemical structure with endoscopy (k: 0.946). Sonographic score 3, including thickness >5 mm, contrast enhancement >70% or fistula identified 32 out of 34 (94.1%) severe endoscopic recurrences. The area under the ROC curve was 0.836, in good agreement with endoscopy (k: 0.688).

Conclusion: CEUS shows excellent sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of postoperative recurrence in CD and can also detect

severe recurrences. (C) 2012 European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier ZD1839 research buy B.V. All rights reserved.”
“In this study, the antioxidant activity of persimmon fruit of 4 different persimmon cultivars cultured at Korea was evaluated. There were 3 astringent persimmon cultivars ['Bongok' (BO), Japanese Hatchiya; 'Cheongdobansi' (CB); and 'Dogeunjosaeng' (DJ), Japanese Tonewase] and 1 non-astringent persimmon cultivar ['Seochonjosaeng' (SJ), Japanese Nishimurawase] fruits. After preparing extracts of fruits according to parts (calyx, pulp, and peel) with 4 different solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol, and water), total phenolic contents (TPC) and antioxidant activity were determined. The extracts of calyx showed significantly higher TPC and antioxidant properties than those of the other persimmon parts.