From Questions to Effective Answers: On the Utility of Knowledge-Driven Querying Systems for Life Sciences Data

We compare two distinct approaches for querying data in the context of the life sciences. The first approach utilizes conventional databases to store the data and intuitive form-based interfaces to facilitate easy querying of the data. These interfaces could be seen as implementing a set of "pre-canned" queries commonly used by the life science researchers that we study. The second approach is based on semantic Web technologies and is knowledge (model) driven. It utilizes a large OWL ontology and same datasets as before but associated as RDF instances of the ontology concepts. An intuitive interface is provided that allows the formulation of RDF triples-based queries. Both these approaches are being used in parallel by a team of cell biologists in their daily research activities, with the objective of gradually replacing the conventional approach with the knowledge-driven one. This provides us with a valuable opportunity to compare and qualitatively evaluate the two approaches. We describe several benefits of the knowledge-driven approach in comparison to the traditional way of accessing data, and highlight a few limitations as well. We believe that our analysis not only explicitly highlights the specific benefits and limitations of semantic Web technologies in our context but also contributes toward effective ways of translating a question in a researcher's mind into precise computational queries with the intent of obtaining effective answers from the data. While researchers often assume the benefits of semantic Web technologies, we explicitly illustrate these in practice

DEVELOPMENT OPTIMIZATION AND EVALUATION OF EFFERVESCENT TABLETS OF CHLORPHENIRAMINE MALEATE USING BOX BEHNKEN DESIGN

Objective: The objective of present study was to develop effervescent tablets of Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) for the treatment of dysphasia.Methods: Effervescent tablets were prepared by direct compression method and were optimized using box behnken design. Amount to sodium bicarbonate (X1), amount of tartaric acid (X2) and amount of fumaric acid (X3) were selected as independent variables, whereas disintegration time (Y1), amount of carbon dioxide (Y2) and drug release in 5 minutes (Y3) were selected as dependent variables. All the batches were also evaluated for general post compression evaluation of tablet such as-weight variation, thickness, friability and hardness. From the results of design batches, best batch was selected and evaluated for in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rabbit model.Results: The disintegration time ranged from 103.33 ± 0.24 sec to 157.00 ± 0.75 sec while amount of carbon dioxide ranged from 0.26±0.014 g to 2.03±0.056 g in all the design batches. From the results of design batches, batch B4 was selected as optimized batch due to higher amount of released carbon dioxide and faster drug release as compared to other batches. Batch B4 was showing higher AUC and Cmax while lower tmax as compared to drug suspension while performing in vivo study of optimized batch in rabbit model.Conclusion: The study concluded that the combination of sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid and fumaric acid approach for development of effervescent tablet aids to achieve faster disintegration and faster drug release property for CPM.Â

Haematological Parameters in Preterm Neonates Admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Though reference haematological parameters are defined for neonates, ranges vary in preterm. Few data are available regarding the premature population during the first month of life. Objective: To observe the variation in haematological parameters concerning different gestational ages, birth weights and gender among preterm neonates admitted to NICU with common illnesses like respiratory distress (RDS), neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NNH) and sepsis in a tertiary care hospital. A total of ninety preterm neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were analyzed over two years. Complete blood counts were obtained, grouped and analyzed according to the underlying diagnosis of sepsis, NNH and RDS. Clinical data were also extracted. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25. Mean, Chi-square test and ANOVA tests were used for data analysis. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Result: Variation was seen concerning gestational age and birth weight. Eosinophils were significantly decreased in LBW, while a decrease in neutrophils and an increase in lymphocyte count were seen in EPT. Haemoglobin and RBC indices also showed significant variation according to birth weight. Conclusions research complete blood counts of preterm depend on the degree of prematurity, birth weight, and other clinical findings

Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance, early detection and survival in a privately insured US cohort

Background/AimsSemiannual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance is recommended in patients with cirrhosis; however, recent studies have raised questions over its utility. We investigated the impact of surveillance on early detection and survival in a nationally representative database.MethodsWe included patients with cirrhosis and HCC from the Optum database (2001‐2015) with >6 months of follow‐up between cirrhosis and HCC diagnoses. Surveillance adherence was defined as proportion of time covered (PTC), with each 6‐month period after abdominal imaging defined as ‘covered’. To determine the association between surveillance and mortality, we compared PTC between fatal and non‐fatal HCC.ResultsOf 1001 patients with cirrhosis and HCC, 256 died with median follow‐up 30 months. Median PTC by any imaging was greater in early‐stage vs late‐stage HCC (43.6% vs 37.4%, P = .003) and non‐fatal vs fatal HCC (40.8% vs 34.3%, P = .001). In multivariable analyses, each 10% increase in PTC was associated with increased early HCC detection (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01‐1.12) and decreased mortality (HR 0.95; 95% CI 0.90‐1.00). On subgroup analysis, PTC by CT/MRI was associated with early tumour detection and decreased mortality; however, PTC by ultrasound was only associated with early detection but not decreased mortality. These findings were robust across sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsIn a US cohort of privately insured HCC patients, PTC by any imaging modality was associated with increased early detection and decreased mortality. Continued evaluation of HCC surveillance strategies and effectiveness is warranted.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154974/1/liv14379_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154974/2/liv14379.pd

Contralateral Lower Limb Radiculopathy Following Minimally Invasive Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease

Objective To understand the etiology and solution for postoperative contralateral radiculopathy following Minimally Invasive oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS OLIF) performed in degenerative lumbar spine disorders. There is lack of sufficient data on contralateral radiculopathy occurring after MIS OLIF. OLIF is an increasingly used procedure performed for degenerative lumbar spine disorders. So, it is important to understand the etiology and solution of potentially avoidable complication. Methods Retrospective analysis of 74 consecutive patients with total 97 segments operated was done from May 2016 to December 2019 in whom minimal access oblique lumbar interbody fusion was carried out. All the perioperative complications were noted and patients with contralateral radiculopathy were analyzed clinically and radiologically and etiology for this complication. All these patients followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results Contralateral radiculopathy was noted in 6 patients (8.1%). Four patients had only pain in opposite limb, 1 patient had partial sensory loss and 1 patient had partial motor loss in addition to pain. Direct decompression was performed in 3 patients whereas 3 patients were managed conservatively. All the patients had complete resolution of pain at 3 months follow-up and there was partial motor and sensory recovery in affected patients. Conclusion Contralateral radiculopathy is a potential complication of MIS OLIF. It can be avoided with proper execution of surgical steps especially during cage preparation and proper patient selection is an important key too. Management can be surgical or non-surgical depending upon the etiology of this complication (design of study: retrospective study)

Structure of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GlmU) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a cubic space group

The structure of M. tuberculosis N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GlmU) was determined by the molecular-replacement method to 3.4 Å resolution in space group I432 and was refined to a final R work and R free of 0.285 and 0.321, respectively

Outcomes and toxicity following Yttrium-90 radioembolization for hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumors-a single-institution experience

Background: The prognosis of patients with hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumors (NET) is generally good, and radioembolization with Yttrium-90 microspheres is a locoregional therapy that is used in efforts to improve hepatic disease control and survival. This study aims to describe the survival outcomes and toxicities associated with radioembolization for hepatic-predominant metastatic NET in a large single-institution cohort. Methods: A total of 59 patients underwent radioembolization for metastatic NET with hepatic predominant disease at a single academic center. Patient outcomes were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and toxicities were detailed and described. Ten patients within the cohort underwent post-treatment dosimetric analysis using PET-MRI and normal liver dosimetry was correlated with hepatic fibrosis and toxicity. Results: Median overall survival from time of radioembolization in the patient cohort was 31 months, and the 1- and 2-year overall survival was 80.4% and 65.6% respectively. Median hepatic progression-free survival and overall progression-free survival were 18 and 13 months, respectively. Three patients died of hepatic failure that was possibly therapy-related. Ten patients underwent evaluation of post-treatment dosimetry following radioembolization. In patients who did not develop hepatotoxicity or hepatic fibrosis, mean dose to normal liver was 25.4 Gy, while the mean liver dose in patients who experienced toxicity (hepatic fibrosis in n=2 and death from hepatic failure in n=1) was 59.1 Gy. Conclusions: Overall survival following radioembolization for hepatic metastases from NET is excellent; however, deaths that are potentially treatment-related have been observed. Preliminary data regarding dose to normal liver is suggestive of a relation between dosimetry and toxicity, however further work is required to further elucidate the mechanism, correlation with dosimetry, as well as additional patient and tumor factors that may predispose these patients to toxicity

Effect of Indirect Neural Decompression by Minimally Invasive Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Adult Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease and Its Limitations

Objective To study efficacy of minimally invasive oblique lumbar interbody fusion (MIS OLIF) to achieve indirect decompression in degenerative lumbar spine disorders. To find out amount of indirect decompression achieved by assessing clinical and radiological outcomes. To find out limitations of indirect decompression. Methods OLIF was carried out in 60 segments/45 patients having degenerative lumbar spine disorders from May 2016 to April 2018. Patients with infection, trauma, lumbar disc prolapse and listhesis >grade 3 were excluded. 53 segments had posterior and 7 segments had anterior fixation. Auto graft was used in 21 and artificial bone graft in 24 patients. Indirect decompression by MIS OLIF was achieved in all patients. Neuromonitioring was not used. Clinical assessment was done using Modified Macnab’s criteria. Radiological assessment was done on X-rays and MRI. Percentage improvement in foraminal height, disc height, segmental lordosis, spinal canal area and reduction in listhesis were measured. Statistical assessment was done using Paired‘t’ test. Results 60 segments of 45 consecutive patients were operated with 15 of them male and 30 female. Average age was 63 years. Minimum follow-up was for 1 month and maximum follow-up was for 18 months with average of 11 months. Single segment fusion was done in 31, 2 segment fusion in 13 and 3 segment fusion in 1 patient. Clinically 33 (73.33%) had excellent, 11 (24.44%) had good & 1 (2.22%) had fair outcomes. None required direct decompression. Radiologically; foraminal height improved by 26.27%, disc height 92.1%, segmental lordosis 3.4° and listhesis reduction was 6.8°, 41 segments studied on MRI had improvement in spinal canal area of 42.7%. Conclusion Indirect decompression by MIS OLIF is effective in decompressing the spinal canal with good radiological and clinical out comes. Direct decompression is avoidable with help of interbody distraction using OLIF particularly in patients with Schizas grade A, B, and C of lumbar spinal stenosis

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Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137766/1/hep29248.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137766/2/hep29248_am.pd