Lost in Translation, Found in Spans: Identifying Claims in Multilingual Social Media

Claim span identification (CSI) is an important step in fact-checking pipelines, aiming to identify text segments that contain a checkworthy claim or assertion in a social media post. Despite its importance to journalists and human fact-checkers, it remains a severely understudied problem, and the scarce research on this topic so far has only focused on English. Here we aim to bridge this gap by creating a novel dataset, X-CLAIM, consisting of 7K real-world claims collected from numerous social media platforms in five Indian languages and English. We report strong baselines with state-of-the-art encoder-only language models (e.g., XLM-R) and we demonstrate the benefits of training on multiple languages over alternative cross-lingual transfer methods such as zero-shot transfer, or training on translated data, from a high-resource language such as English. We evaluate generative large language models from the GPT series using prompting methods on the X-CLAIM dataset and we find that they underperform the smaller encoder-only language models for low-resource languages.Comment: EMNLP 2023 (main

An Uncommon yet Treatable Cause of Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a life-threatening condition, especially if recurrent. Most common causes include patients with diabetes due to medications, nephropathy with oral hypoglycemic drugs, faulty dietary habits and other endocrine causes. In a patient presenting with recurrent hypoglycemia with central hypothyroidism, Sheehan syndrome must be suspected as diagnosis can prevent disastrous complication

HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAPHY: TECHNIQUE AND APPLICATIONS (VIEW)

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is the radiographic evaluation of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes after the administration of a radio-opaque medium through the cervical canal. The first HSG was performed in 1910 and was considered to be the first special radio¬logic procedure. A properly performed HSG can de¬tect the contour of the uterine cavity and the width of the cervical canal. Further contrast medium injection will outline the cornua isthmic and ampullary portions of the tubes, and will show the degree of spillage. If a properly performed HSG shows no uterine cavity abnormality, it is very unlikely that other modalities would do so. Although this procedure is considered diagnostic, there may also be a possible therapeutic benefit from the flushing effect. Indications and Contraindications HSG is used predominantly in the evaluation of in-fertility. Despite the arrival of newer imaging modalities, HSG still remains the best procedure to image the fallopi¬an tubes. Although evaluating feminine infertility, with or without the presence of repeated miscarriages, is the main indication for this method, it can also be used in other cas-es, such as pain in the pelvis tract, congenital or anatomic abnormalities, anomalies of the menstrual cycle, and ab-normal menses. Also, it is sometimes used as a preoper-ative control for women who are about to have uterine or tubal surgery. Soares and coworkers showed that HSG had a sensitivity of 58% and a positive-predictive value of 28.6% for polypoid lesions, and a sensitivity of 0% for endometrial hyperplasia. The same study showed HSG to have a sensitivity of 44.4% for uterine malformations, and a sensitivity of 75% for the detection of intrauterine adhesions. The main contraindication of the examination is possible pregnancy. This contraindication can be avoid¬ed by performing the examination before the ovulation phase, between the 7th to 10th day of the menstrual cycle. Because of the scattering risk, the examination should be avoided when there is active intrapelvic inflammation. Another contraindication is vaginal or uterine bleeding because of the risk of unrestrained bleeding, which could lead to transfusion or surgical recovery procedures. Fi¬nally, the examination should not be performed in cases of severe cardiac or renal deficiency, or in cases of recent uterine or tubal surgery. Technique Patient Preparation The procedure is performed in the first half of the menstrual cycle following cessation of bleeding. The endometrium is thin during this proliferative phase, which facilitates better image interpretation and should also ensure that there is no pregnancy. The patient is asked to refrain from unprotected sexual intercourse from the date of her period until after the investigation to be certain there is no risk of pregnancy. Examination in the second half of the cycle is avoided because the thickened secretory-phase endometrium increases the risk of venous intravasation and may cause a false-pos¬itive diagnosis of cornual occlusion. Antibiotics might be required 1 day before and for a few days after the examination if previous inflamma¬tions are present in the patient’s clinical history. Antibiotics are required after the examination when the maneuvers are fairly sanguineous or if the fallopian tubes present a certain degree of dilation. The suggest¬ed antibiotic regimen is metronidazole 1 g rectally at the time of the procedure, plus doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days.Steroid (prednisolone) premed¬ication is prescribed in asthmatics when intravenous contrast is used; there-fore, it is reasonable to do the same for HSG because intravasation is also possible from this procedure. Catheterization Technique For the catheterization technique, the patient is placed on the fluoroscopic machine in a gynecologic examination position. After cleaning the external gen¬ital area with antiseptic solution, the vagina is dilated by a gynecologic dilator. The cervix is localized and cleansed with iodine solution. Afterward, the uterine cervix is straightened by one (at the 12 o’clock posi¬tion) or two (at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions) surgi¬cal forceps exercising a degree of pulling. Next, the outside uterine cervix ostium is catheterized. The catheterization can be performed in two ways. In the authors’ country, a salpinographer with a bell-shaped end (diameter depends on the case) is pushed through the vagina and fits in the external uterine cervix osti¬um. In the second technique, the salpingographer has a plastic cup-shaped end that is fitted to the external uterine cervix ostium, creating a void phenomenon. In both techniques, there is a syringe with iodinated hydrosoluble contrast medium at the other end of the salpingographer. The vagina dilator is taken off after catheterization of the external uteri cervix ostium and before administration of the contrast medium. Contrast Media In the past, oil-soluble contrast media were mainly used. Today, we use all available iodinated hydrosol¬uble contrast media. According to international liter¬ature, the use of oil-soluble contrast media increases the pregnancy rate and contributes to a decrease in conception time after the salpingography is performed. However, Spring and coworkers found that there is no evidence that the choice of the contrast material affects the rate of term pregnancy. Moreover, they reported that oil-soluble contrast media may promote granulo¬matous inflammation in the presence of obstructed or inflamed fallopian tubes. Radiological Views One conventional radiograph of the pelvis (on a 24¬30 cm radiologic film) is necessary before the contrast medium is administrated into the uterine cavity so that possible intrapyelic masses or calcifications will not complicate interpretation of the images. A metallic marker is placed over one side of the pelvis to indicate the right or left side of the patient. Next, the examina¬tion is performed under fluoroscopic control so that ra¬diographs can be taken during the filling of the uterine cavity (usually 2-3 cm of contrast medium is sufficient) and again during the filling of the fallopian tubes. Final¬ly, after the removal of the salpingographer, we radio¬graphically check the presence of contrast medium in the peritoneal cavity. The total amount of injected con¬trast medium should not exceed 10 mL. Additional spot radiographs are obtained to document any abnormality that is seen. Before the first radiograph, we also fluoro- scopically check the reflux of the contrast medium. Complications The two most common complications of HSG are pain and infection. These and other complications and side effects are summarized below. • Uterine contractions and discomfort due to the introduction of contrast medium into the uterine cavi¬ty: The most common type of pain referenced is subab¬dominal colic caused by dilation of the uterine cavity. A more diffuse pain, caused by irritation of the peri¬toneum due to the contrast medium, has also been re¬ported. Pain can be minimized by slowly injecting the contrast medium and using isosmolar contrast agents. • Postprocedural infection: Spreading and gener-alization of intrapyelic inflammation may happen in cases of chronic inflammation and hydrosalpinges, or after severe uterine injury caused by the examination maneuver. • Vasovagal reaction: A possible reaction to ma-nipulation of the cervix or inflation of a conclusion balloon in the cervical canal. • Traumatic elevation of endometrium by the in¬serted cannula: A complication which does not cause significant consequences. • Uterine perforation and tubal rupture: These complications are very rare. • Venous or lymphatic intravasation of contrast me-dia: With a water-based contrast medium there is no ad-verse effect on the patient, but it can make interpretation of the image difficult. It occurs more commonly in the presence of fibroids or tubal obstruction. Extravasation of the contrast medium could occur if the contrast me¬dium is administered too quickly, if the endometrium is injured during the catheterization, or if the examination is performed during menstruation. Extravasation is also possible when common or special inflammations of the endometrium are present due to the intercourse rate be-tween the uterine vein and the ovarian veins. • Allergic reaction to contrast media: Such a reac¬tion is very uncommon with the use of the low-osmolar nonionic contrast agents currently available. • Radiation exposure to the ovaries: Exposure is minimal and can be reduced if the proper technique is utilized. Normal Findings On face radiographs, the uterine cavity has a nor¬mal trigonal shape and the apex of the triangle corre¬sponds to the isthmus, which is nearly 3.7 cm wide. The apex is pointed downwards and connected to the internal ostium of the cervix uteri, which is 2.5 cm in total length. The base of triangular uterine cavity is the fundus, which can be concave, flattened, or slightly convex. On both sides of its base, in the area of the lateral horns, the two fallopian tubes are drowned. The fallopian tubes are separated into three segments: isth¬mus (attached to the uterus, not imaged in several cas¬es), ampullary (in the middle, the longest and widest segment), and bell-shaped (to the distal end). There are two ostiums: the internal or uterine, and the external or abdominal. From the abdominal ostium, the con¬trast medium disperses and diffuses into the peritone¬al cavity. Remaining contrast medium in the furrows of the peritoneum can be observed up to 3 hours after administration. Very often, the contrast medium in the rectouterine pouch of the peritoneum (Douglas’ space) can demonstrate the profile of the coordinate ovary. Congenital Uterus Anomalies Congenital uterus anomalies are caused by incom¬plete junction of the paramesonephric ducts (Muller ducts), or Extravasations of the contrast medium. The true incidence and prevalence of mullerian duct anomalies are difficult to assess. Examination of different patient populations, nonstandardized clas¬sification systems, and differences in diagnostic data acquisition has resulted in widely disparate estimates, with a reported prevalence that ranges from 0.16 to 10%. As a result of selection bias, a prevalence of 8 to 10% has been reported in women being evaluated with HSG because of recurrent pregnancy loss. The overall data suggest that the prevalence both in women with normal fertility and in women with infertility is approximately 1%, and the prevalence in women with repeated pregnancy loss is approximately 3%. While the majority of women with mullerian duct anomalies have little problem conceiving, they have higher associated rates of spontaneous abortion, pre¬mature delivery, and abnormal fetal position and dys¬tocia at delivery. Most studies report an approximate frequency of 25% for associated reproductive prob¬lems, compared with 10% in the general population. Primary infertility in these women usually has an ex¬tra uterine cause and is not generally attributable to mullerian duct anomalies alone. Additionally, cervical incompetence has been reported to be associated with these anomalies. According to the American Society of Reproduc¬tive Medicine, there are seven different classes of mul¬lerian duct anomalies: Class I: Segmental agenesis or variable degrees of uterovaginal hypoplasia. The anomaly can be detected, because of the amenorrhea, before HSG is performed. Class II: Unicornuate uteri that represent partial or complete unilateral hypoplasia. In rare cases of degen-eration of the mesonephric duct, the uterine cavity ap¬pears monocular when imaged, placed right or left of the middle line. The unicornuate uterus contacts only the coordinate fallopian tube. Class III: Didelphys uterus. This is a rare abnor¬mality that results from complete nonfusion of the mullerian ducts, and includes the duplication of the uterine cavity, cervix neck, and vagina. Rarely, this uterus has a single vagina. Class IV: Bicornuate uterus that demonstrates incomplete fusion of the superior segments of the uterovaginal canal. The uterine cavity is divided in two; each half has a narrow-length shape and stands apart from the other. Class V: Septate uteri that represent partial or com¬plete nonresorption of the uterovaginal septum. Class VI: Arcuate uterus resulting from nearly complete resorption of the septum. Along with the pre¬vious anomaly, these are the most common congenital anomalies (50%) in cases detecting female infertility. Class VII: Anomalies that comprise sequelae of in utero diethyloestradiol exposure. Another congenital anomaly, caused by inadequate hormonic stimulation as a fetus, is small uterine cavi¬ty size with normal vaginal length. This is a common finding in cases of female infertility. Abnormal Findings Fibromyomas While fibromas are diagnosed by suprapubic ultra-sound, submucosa fibromyomas are imaged as smooth filling defects in the uterine cavity. Differential diagno¬sis must be made from endometrial polyps or possible pregnancy. Small intramural fibromyomas do not distort the endometrial cavity and are not visualized on HSG. Subserous fibromyomas can provoke smooth filling de-fects or smooth repression of the fallopian tubes only if they are located in the lateral walls of the uterus. Endometrial Polyps Endometrial polyps are focal overgrowths of the endometrium. They usually manifest as well-defined filling defects and are best seen during the early filling stage. Small polyps may be obscured when contrast material completely fills the uterine cavity and may be indistinguishable from a small submucosal myoma. Sonohysterography has become the preferred method of imaging endometrial polyps. Internal Endometriosis (Adenomyosis) Adenomyosis is caused by the presence of ectopic islets of active endometrium in the muscularis wall of the uterus. It is usually imaged as a pointed projection of 2 to 3 mm length, perpendicular to the uterine wall after contrast medium administration. Rarely, this is imaged as a sack-shaped projection filled by contrast medium, 4 mm to 1 cm in length. Differential diag¬nosis should include the hyperplasia of the endome¬trium and the entrance of the contrast medium in the myometrium or in the nutrient arteriole of submucosa fibromyomas. Uterine Cancer Uterine cancer manifests as an irregular filling de¬fect, but is rarely diagnosed by the HSG method. Intrauterine Adhesions Intrauterine adhesions are most commonly caused by endometrial trauma of curettage. They are also seen in patients with chronic endometriosis due to tubercu¬losis. Genital tuberculosis primary affects the fallopian tubes, and 50% of patients with tubal disease also have a uterine abnormality. Intrauterine adhesions manifest as irregular filling defects, most commonly as linear filling defects arising from one of the uterine walls. Hydrosalpinx HSG is the best method for visualizing and eval¬uating the fallopian tubes. Hydrosalpinx is a common finding that results from a previous inflammation of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis). This is usually the se¬quelae of distal tubal occlusion, leading to dilation of the proximal segment. The radiologic image shows a dilated lumen in one or more spots, and the contrast medium will not make its way to the peritoneal cavity Tuberculated Salpingitis This entity usually causes distant fallopian tube end obliteration. In extensive infections, multiple con¬strictions along the course of fallopian tube can form, resulting in areas of dilation and stenosis. Abnormal uterine and vaginal profiles are observed in cases of widespread infection. Salpingitis Isthmica Nodosa Salpingitis isthmica nodosa is a disease of un¬known etiology, characterized by multiple small out- pouchings or diverticula affecting one or both fallopian tubes. It is presumably caused by pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis and is associated with ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Nondrawing of the Fallopian Tubes This is the most common finding during the exam-ination and is usually caused by poor technique, spasm, or obliteration of the fallopian tube. Poor technique in¬cludes imperfect straightening of the external cervical ostium or an inadequate amount of contrast medium in the uterine cavity. The cornual portion of the fallopian tube is encased by the smooth muscle of the uterus and, if there is a spasm of the muscle during HSG, one or both tubes may not fill. Using radiography, tubal spasm cannot be distinguished from tubal occlusion. This could be avoided by progressive administration of the contrast medium or, when the spasm occurs, administration of a spasmolytic agent to relieve spasm, helping differentiate cornual spasm from true occlusion. Obliteration is usu¬ally caused by previous inflammation or uterine surgery and manifests as nonopacification or abrupt cutoff of the fallopian tube with no free intraperitoneal spillage. External Adhesions External adhesions occur secondary to previous inflammation or surgery, similar to the causes of tubal occlusion. Peritubal adhesions prevent contrast materi¬al from flowing freely around the bowel loops as seen in normal cases, and most commonly manifest as loc- ulation of the contrast material around the ampullary portion of the tube. Conclusion. HSG remains the front-line imaging modality in the investigation of infertility. It is an ac¬curate means of accessing the uterine cavity and tubal patency, but has a low sensitivity for the diagnosis of pelvic adhe¬sions, which is why it cannot replace laparoscopy. It requires knowledge of the female anatomy as well as skillful technique in order to avoid pitfalls and misin¬terpretations.Кафедра акушерства та гінекологі

Combined administration of taurine and monoisoamyl DMSA protects arsenic induced oxidative injury in rats

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is ubiquitously present in the environment. High concentration of naturally occurring arsenic in drinking water is a major health problem in different parts of the world. Despite arsenic being a health hazard and a well documented carcinogen, no safe, effective and specific preventive or therapeutic measures are available. Among various recent strategies adopted, administration of an antioxidant has been reported to be the most effective. The present study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of monoisoamyl dimercaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA), administered either individually or in combination with taurine post chronic arsenic exposure in rats. Arsenic exposed male rats (25 ppm, sodium arsenite in drinking water for 24 weeks) were treated with taurine (100 mg/kg, i.p., once daily), monoisoamyl dimercaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA) (50 mg/kg, oral, once daily) either individually or in combination for 5 consecutive days. Biochemical variables indicative of oxidative stress along-with arsenic concentration in blood, liver and kidney were measured. Arsenic exposure significantly reduced blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, a key enzyme involved in the heme biosynthesis and enhanced zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level. Clinical hematological variables like white blood cells (WBC), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) showed significant decrease with a significant elevation in platelet (PLT) count. These changes were accompanied by significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased catalase activity. Arsenic exposure caused a significant decrease in hepatic and renal glutathione (GSH) level and an increase in oxidized glutathione (GSSG). These biochemical changes were correlated with an increased uptake of arsenic in blood, liver and kidney. Administration of taurine significantly reduced hepatic oxidative stress however co-administration of a higher dose of taurine (100 mg/kg) and MiADMSA provided more pronounced effects in improving the antioxidant status of liver and kidney and reducing body arsenic burden compared to the individual treatment of MiADMSA or taurine. The results suggest that in order to achieve better effects of chelation therapy, co-administration of taurine with MiADMSA might be preferred

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of intracervical Foleys catheter versus PGE2 gel for induction of labour at term

Background: Before the induction of labour cervical ripening is needed for the success of induction to reduce the complication and diminish the rate of cesarean section and duration of labour. Various mechanical methods like Foleys catheter are effective but not much popular because of infection and pharmacological preparations which have more side effects, are used for cervical ripening. Therefore study has been conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of intra cervical Foleys catheter versus PGE2 gel for induction of labour at term. The aims and objectives of this study was to success of induction of labour depends on the cervical status at the time of induction.Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, L.G. hospital (AMCMET Medical college), Ahmedabad, during period of July 2019 to December 2019. 100 patients at term with a Bishop’s score with various indications for induction were randomly allocated to receive (50 patients) intra cervical Foleys catheter or PGE2 gel (50 patients). Post induction Bishop’s score was noted after 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours. Statistical methods used were Student t test and Chi square test to statistically compare the two groups. Differences with a p value of <0.005 was considered statistically significant with confidence limit of 95%.Results: The groups were comparable with respect to maternal age, gestational age, parity, indication of induction and initial bishops score. Both groups showed significant change in the Bishops score, 5.10±1.55 and 5.14±1.60 for Foleys catheter and PGE2 gel, respectively, p<0.001. Fetal outcome was noted in NICU admission and fetal death. No significant difference between two groups.Conclusions: This study shows that both Foleys catheter and PGE2 gel were equally effective in pre induction cervical ripening

Combined administration of selenium and meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid on arsenic mobilization and tissue oxidative stress in chronic arsenic-exposed male rats

Objective : The present study describes the effect of selenium either alone or in combination with meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) against chronic arsenic poisoning in rats. Materials and Methods : Male Wistar rats were exposed to 100 ppm sodium arsenite in drinking water for eight months and treated thereafter with DMSA (0.3 mmol/kg orally) either individually or in combination with selenium (Se, 6.3 or 12.6 µmol/kg, intraperitoneally) once daily for five days. The effects of these treatments in influencing the arsenic (As)-induced changes in heme synthesis, hepatic, renal or brain oxidative stress were evaluated along with the As concentration in blood and soft tissues. Results : Exposure to As significantly altered biochemical parameters related to the heme synthesis pathway, blood and organ (liver, kidney and brain) oxidative stress while increasing body As burden in animals. Treatment with DMSA alone significantly reduced the adverse effects related to most of these biochemical parameters as well as the As concentration in blood and tissues. On the other hand, co-administration of Se with DMSA had only limited additional beneficial effects (particularly tissue oxidative stress) over the individual effect of DMSA. Conclusion : The above results suggest that Se administration during chelation affected by other agents had some beneficial effects on oxidative stress with no major additional beneficial effect on arsenic depletion

Effects of membrane tension on nanopropeller driven bacterial motion.

Our present capabilities to build nanomachines are very limited compared to the elegance and efficiency of bio-nanomachines. The flagellar motor of bacteria is an example of a bionanomachine. It is a structured aggregate of proteins anchored in many bacterial cell membranes (formed mostly from phospholipids). While a large body of work characterizes various functional components of flagellar proteins, limited literature exists on the role of phospholipids of the membranes anchoring the protein. It is assumed that the membranes do not play any active role in the nano-propeller\u27s functioning. However, it is relevant to question this assumption for several reasons. Firstly, the anchor for any machine on any scale is essential in terms of the work-load the machine can deliver. Secondly, it is now clear that localized protein-lipid interactions are essential for functioning of many transmembrane proteins. These interactions result in formation of nano-domains of specific lipid constituents around the protein providing the desired functionality. Thus, regardless of whether the bacterial membrane is primarily an anchor for flagellar proteins or specific lipid components of the membrane are actively participating in nano-propeller driven motion of bacteria, it is important to investigate the role of the membrane itself in working of this bionanomachine. Using video microscopy with a 33 ms resolution to monitor bacterial motion, we investigate effects of varying the membrane tension, by providing different osmotic environments, on the performance of the flagellar motor. Our data strongly demonstrate an active role of bacterial membranes in the nano-propeller driven bacterial motion. Our results point towards reconsidering performance of classical bionanomachines like bacterial flagellar motor and F1-F0 ATPase in view of the membranes in which they are packed in, in contrast to just the proteins by themselves

Follicular lymphoma transforming into anaplastic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of oral cavity: A case report with review of literature

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a common form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with the ability to transform into a more aggressive disease, frequently to B cell-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a subtype of NHL, which is characterized by diffuse proliferation of large neoplastic B-lymphocytes. It accounts for 30% of all NHL and its occurrence in the mandible is very rare. It is often seen in young adults, but in the present case, a 50-year-old male patient presented with painless swelling in left lower jaw since 25 days following extraction of left lower molar teeth. There was a history of fever and submandibular lymph nodes were enlarged. On incisional biopsy, features of NHL-like lesion were observed and confirmed by immunohistochemistry using CD20, bcl-2, CD10, CD3, CD5, Ki67 markers to be FL (3A) lymphoma transforming into DLBCL. This is a very uncommon presentation

An Uncommon yet Correctable Cause of Brain Hemorrhage in the Young

Intracranial bleed in the young is frequently due to congenital aneurysms, and infrequently due to secondary causes of hypertension. Hence, a detailed work-up of these patients is the need of the hour soas to promptly diagnose and treat such patients, thereby preventing future morbidity and mortality. We, hereby, present a case of intracranial bleed presenting in a patient with undiagnosed coarctation of aorta