InfoHarness: Managing Distributed, Heterogeneous Information

Today, important information is scattered in so many places, formats, and media, that getting the right information at the right time and place is an extremely difficult task. Developing a single software product, for example, includes the creation of documents ranging from the requirements specification and project schedules to marketing presentations, multimedia tutorials, and more. Each document may be created by a different person using a different tool, and each may be stored in a different place. InfoHarness is an information integration system, platform, and tool set that addresses these problems, managing huge amounts of heterogeneous information in a distributed environment. Through a powerful, consistent user interface, InfoHarness provides rapid search of and access to information assets including documents and parts of documents, mail messages, images, code files, video clips, Web pages with URLs, InfoHarness queries, and views of relational tables. The system makes all these artifacts available without relocating, restructuring, or reformatting the data

Mind Your Language: Abuse and Offense Detection for Code-Switched Languages

In multilingual societies like the Indian subcontinent, use of code-switched languages is much popular and convenient for the users. In this paper, we study offense and abuse detection in the code-switched pair of Hindi and English (i.e. Hinglish), the pair that is the most spoken. The task is made difficult due to non-fixed grammar, vocabulary, semantics and spellings of Hinglish language. We apply transfer learning and make a LSTM based model for hate speech classification. This model surpasses the performance shown by the current best models to establish itself as the state-of-the-art in the unexplored domain of Hinglish offensive text classification.We also release our model and the embeddings trained for research purpose

Effectiveness of coronavirus disease-19 vaccination on disease transmission, hospitalization, and clinical outcomes in adults in North India

Background: Covaxin and Covishield vaccines have rapidly rolled out in India to curb the pandemic. We aimed to test the hypothesis that COVID-19 vaccination is clinically effective. Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Physiology at MGM College, Jaipur, India after approval from the Ethics Committee. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups were tested on disease transmission, hospitalization, and clinical outcomes. Researchers collected data using questionnaires circulated through google forms. The association between attributes was tested using the chi-squared test. The significance level was considered at 5%. Results: The vaccination significantly reduced disease transmission of COVID-19 [c2=4.51; p = 0.034]. However, no significant differences were seen in RTPCR positivity, chest CT findings, and hospitalization on vaccination. COVID-related symptoms and their severity were not statistically different between the two groups. Most elderly were vaccinated [c2=41.68; p < 0.001]. Most youths took one dose, while the elderly took two doses of the vaccine [c2=41.77; p < 0.001]. All age groups had similar severity of AEFIs [c2=13.22; p < 0.21]. The vaccination status across gender did not differ significantly. [c2=1.13; p < 0.288] Most males took two doses as compared to females [c2=6,57; p < 0.01]. Adverse effects post-immunization were more severe in females than males [c2=13.10; p < 0.001]. There was no association between the number of vaccine doses and the severity of AEFIs [c2=16.42; p = 0.06]. Conclusion: The present study concludes the beneficial effect of vaccination in reducing disease transmission. However, vaccination has no role in mitigating other COVID-related outcomes

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Agonists: Do They Increase Cardiovascular Risk?

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists have a significant role on glucose and fat metabolism. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are predominantly PPARγ agonists, and their primary benefit appears to be the prevention of diabetic complications by improving glycemic control and lipid profile. Recently, the cardiovascular safety of rosiglitazone was brought to center stage following meta analyses and the interim analysis of the RECORD trial. Current evidence points to rosiglitazone having a greater risk of myocardial ischemic events than placebo, metformin, or sulfonylureas. This review article discusses the mechanism of action of PPAR agonists and correlates it with clinical and laboratory outcomes in the published literature. In addition, this review article attempts to discuss some of the molecular mechanisms regarding the association between TZDs therapy and the nontraditional cardiovascular risks

Contemporary national trends of cystic fibrosis hospitalizations and co-morbidities in the United States

  INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting multisystemic genetic disease. Patients with CF have a high rate of hospitalization. We attempt to ascertain national trends of inpatient stays, prevalence of various co-morbidities during hospitalizations, outcomes and discharge disposition among CF patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify all hospitalizations of patients with CF and their demographic characteristics from 2003 to 2013. Prevalence and effects of various co-morbidities like acute kidney injury (AKI) were determined. Detailed sub-group analysis was performed for individuals with lung transplant. RESULTS: The annual rate of hospitalization per 1,000 CF patients in the U.S. increased from 994 in 2003 to 1,072 in 2013. The overall in-hospital mortality was 1.5%; median age at death was 27 years. In-hospital mortality trended down from 1.9% to 1.2% from 2003 to 2013 (p-value for trend: 0.002). The median length of stay was 7 days. The prevalence of chronic liver disease and AKI was 3.7% and 3.8% respectively. Multivariate adjusted odds of mortality for AKI was 1.74 (95% CI 1.57−1.93, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Patients with prior lung transplantation accounted for 6.5% of hospitalizations. These patients had a significantly higher prevalence of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: The annual hospitalization rates of CF patients is increasing over the years. Females with CF constitute a higher proportion of hospitalized patients despite a higher male preponderance of males with CF in the community. AKI is associated with a significantly higher in-hospital mortality. Lung transplant recipients have a higher prevalence of AKI and mortality.

Feasibility of Transoral Thyroidectomy by Vestibular Approach

Introduction An open approach to thyroidectomies through neck provides good exposure and safe dissection however, the patient still has a scar. Endoscopic thyroid surgery has been practised since the late 90s. The latest addition is the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by vestibular approach. Materials and Methods We at our centre performed this surgery on 3 patients. Here we present our initial experience of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by vestibular approach (TOETVA). Results Two of the three patients did not have any complication. Diffuse bleeding was encountered during one instance and decision was taken to convert it into an open procedure. Conclusion The preliminary experience of transoral thyroidectomy by vestibular approach shows it to be a feasible and promising ‘scarless’ and ‘minimally invasive’ surgery

Impact of COVID-19 on health services utilization in Province-2 of Nepal: a qualitative study among community members and stakeholders

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges and threats to the health care system, particularly affecting the effective delivery of essential health services in resource-poor countries such as Nepal. This study aimed to explore community perceptions of COVID-19 and their experiences towards health services utilization during the pandemic in Province-2 of Nepal. Methods The semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted among purposively selected participants (n = 41) from a mix of rural and urban settings in all districts (n = 8) of the Province 2 of Nepal. Virtual interviews were conducted between July and August 2020 in local languages. The data were analyzed using thematic network analysis in NVivo 12 Pro. Results The findings of this research are categorized into four global themes: i) Community and stakeholders’ perceptions towards COVID-19; ii) Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on health services delivery; iii) Community perceptions and experiences of health services during COVID-19; and iv) COVID-19: testing, isolation, and quarantine services. Most participants shared their experience of being worried and anxious about COVID-19 and reported a lack of awareness, misinformation, and stigma as major factors contributing to the spread of COVID-19. Maternity services, immunization, and supply of essential medicine were found to be the most affected areas of health care delivery during the lockdown. Participants reported that the interruptions in health services were mostly due to the closure of health services at local health care facilities, limited affordability, and involvement of private health sectors during the pandemic, fears of COVID-19 transmission among health care workers and within health centers, and disruption of transportation services. In addition, the participants expressed frustrations on poor testing, isolation, and quarantine services related to COVID-19, and poor accountability from the government at all levels towards health services continuation/management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions This study found that essential health services were severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic in all districts of Province-2. It is critical to expand and continue the service coverage, and its quality (even more during pandemics), as well as increase public-private sector engagement to ensure the essential health services are available for the population

Współczesne trendy dotyczące hospitalizacji i chorób współistniejących u chorych na mukowiscydozę w Stanach Zjednoczonych

WSTĘP: Mukowiscydoza jest genetycznie uwarunkowaną wielonarządową chorobą, która negatywnie wpływa na długość życia. Chorzy na mukowiscydozę wymagają częstych hospitalizacji. W prezentowanej pracy podjęto próbę oceny trendów dotyczących hospitalizacji chorych na mukowiscydozę, występowania chorób współistniejących, wyników leczenia i zaleceń w chwili wypisu ze szpitala. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Użyto danych krajowego rejestru hospitalizacji (National Inpatient Sample) w celu identyfikacji wszystkich przypadków oraz cech demograficznych chorych na mukowiscydozę hospitalizowanych w okresie 2003–2013. Oceniono występowanie współchorobowości, takich jak ostre uszkodzenie nerek (AKI, acute kidney injury) oraz ich wpływ na przebieg choroby. Dokonano szczegółowej analizy podgrupy chorych po przeszczepieniu płuca. WYNIKI: Roczna częstość hospitalizacji na 1000 chorych na mukowiscydozę w Stanach Zjednoczonych wzrosła z 994 w 2003 roku do 1072 w roku 2013. Ogólna śmiertelność wewnątrzszpitalna wynosiła 1,5%, a mediana wieku w chwili zgonu — 27 lat. Śmiertelność wewnątrzszpitalna wykazywała trend spadkowy z 1,9% w roku 2003 do 1,2% w 2013 roku (wartość p dla trendu: 0,002). Mediana długości pobytu w szpitalu wynosiła 7 dni. Przewlekła choroba wątroby i ostre uszkodzenie nerek występowały odpowiednio z częstością 3,7% i 3,8%. Wieloczynnikowy skorygowany iloraz szans dla śmiertelności w AKI wynosił 1,74 (95% CI 1,57−1,93, p &lt; 0,001). Pacjenci po przebytej transplantacji płuca stanowili 6,5% wszystkich hospitalizacji. U tych chorych stwierdzono znamiennie wyższe ryzyko rozwoju ostrego uszkodzenia nerek. WNIOSKI: Wskaźniki rocznej hospitalizacji chorych na mukowiscydozę rosną z każdym rokiem. Kobiety stanowią większość chorych hospitalizowanych, pomimo przewagi mężczyzn w populacji wszystkich chorych na mukowiscydozę. Występowanie AKI wiąże się z większą śmiertelnością podczas hospitalizacji.WSTĘP: Mukowiscydoza jest genetycznie uwarunkowaną wielonarządową chorobą, która negatywnie wpływa na długość życia. Chorzy na mukowiscydozę wymagają częstych hospitalizacji. W prezentowanej pracy podjęto próbę oceny trendów dotyczących hospitalizacji chorych na mukowiscydozę, występowania chorób współistniejących, wyników leczenia i zaleceń w chwili wypisu ze szpitala. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Użyto danych krajowego rejestru hospitalizacji (National Inpatient Sample) w celu identyfikacji wszystkich przypadków oraz cech demograficznych chorych na mukowiscydozę hospitalizowanych w okresie 2003–2013. Oceniono występowanie współchorobowości, takich jak ostre uszkodzenie nerek (AKI, acute kidney injury) oraz ich wpływ na przebieg choroby. Dokonano szczegółowej analizy podgrupy chorych po przeszczepieniu płuca. WYNIKI: Roczna częstość hospitalizacji na 1000 chorych na mukowiscydozę w Stanach Zjednoczonych wzrosła z 994 w 2003 roku do 1072 w roku 2013. Ogólna śmiertelność wewnątrzszpitalna wynosiła 1,5%, a mediana wieku w chwili zgonu — 27 lat. Śmiertelność wewnątrzszpitalna wykazywała trend spadkowy z 1,9% w roku 2003 do 1,2% w 2013 roku (wartość p dla trendu: 0,002). Mediana długości pobytu w szpitalu wynosiła 7 dni. Przewlekła choroba wątroby i ostre uszkodzenie nerek występowały odpowiednio z częstością 3,7% i 3,8%. Wieloczynnikowy skorygowany iloraz szans dla śmiertelności w AKI wynosił 1,74 (95% CI 1,57−1,93, p &lt; 0,001). Pacjenci po przebytej transplantacji płuca stanowili 6,5% wszystkich hospitalizacji. U tych chorych stwierdzono znamiennie wyższe ryzyko rozwoju ostrego uszkodzenia nerek. WNIOSKI: Wskaźniki rocznej hospitalizacji chorych na mukowiscydozę rosną z każdym rokiem. Kobiety stanowią większość chorych hospitalizowanych, pomimo przewagi mężczyzn w populacji wszystkich chorych na mukowiscydozę. Występowanie AKI wiąże się z większą śmiertelnością podczas hospitalizacji