Multi-Document Summarization using Distributed Bag-of-Words Model

As the number of documents on the web is growing exponentially, multi-document summarization is becoming more and more important since it can provide the main ideas in a document set in short time. In this paper, we present an unsupervised centroid-based document-level reconstruction framework using distributed bag of words model. Specifically, our approach selects summary sentences in order to minimize the reconstruction error between the summary and the documents. We apply sentence selection and beam search, to further improve the performance of our model. Experimental results on two different datasets show significant performance gains compared with the state-of-the-art baselines

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy — Revisiting the biochemical and molecular milieu of brain tumors

AbstractBackgroundMagnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an established tool for in-vivo evaluation of the biochemical basis of human diseases. On one hand, such lucid depiction of ‘live biochemistry’ helps one to decipher the true nature of the pathology while on the other hand one can track the response to therapy at sub-cellular level. Brain tumors have been an area of continuous interrogation and instigation for mankind. Evaluation of these lesions by MRS plays a crucial role in the two aspects of disease management described above.Scope of reviewPresented is an overview of the window provided by MRS into the biochemical aspects of brain tumors. We systematically visit each metabolite deciphered by MRS and discuss the role of deconvoluting the biochemical aspects of pathologies (here in context of brain tumors) in the disease management cycle. We further try to unify a radiologist's perspective of disease with that of a biochemist to prove the point that preclinical work is the mother of the treatment we provide at bedside as clinicians. Furthermore, an integrated approach by various scientific experts help resolve a query encountered in everyday practice.Major conclusionsMR spectroscopy is an integral tool for evaluation and systematic follow-up of brain tumors. A deeper understanding of this technology by a biochemist would help in a swift and more logical development of the technique while a close collaboration with radiologist would enable definitive application of the same.General significanceThe review aims at inciting closer ties between the two specialists enabling a deeper understanding of this valuable technology

Enhanced analgesic effect of morphine-nimodipine combination after intraspinal administration as compared to systemic administration in mice

Calcium plays an important role in the pathophysiology of pain. A number of studies have investigated the effect of L-type calcium channel blockers on the analgesic response of morphine. However, the results are conflicting. In the present study, the antinociceptive effect of morphine (2-5 Mg) and nimodipine (1 Mg) co-administered intraspinally in mice was observed using the tail flick test. It was compared to the analgesic effect of these drugs (morphine - 250 μg subcutaneously; nimodipine - 100 Mg intraperitoneally) after systemic administration. Nimodipine is highly lipophilic and readily crosses the blood brain barrier. Addition of nimodipine to morphine potentiated the analgesic response of the latter when administered through the intraspinal route but not when administered through systemic route. It may be due to direct inhibitory effect of morphine and nimodipine on neurons of superficial laminae of the spinal cord after binding to M-opioid receptors and L-type calcium channels respectively

Yoga of Immortals Intervention Reduces Symptoms of Depression, Insomnia and Anxiety

Background: Depression, anxiety, and disordered sleep are some common symptoms associated with sub-optimal mental health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues have grown increasingly more prevalent in the population. Due to social distancing and other limitations during the pandemic, there is a need for home-based, flexible interventions that can improve mental health. The Yoga of Immortals (YOI) mobile application provides a structured intervention that can be used on any mobile device and applied from the user's home.Methods: A total of 1,505 participants were enrolled in the study and used the YOI app for an 8-week period. Participants were asked to fill out three questionnaires: The Patient Health Questionnaire, 8 items (PHQ-8), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). These three items were completed by 1,297 participants a total of four times: before starting YOI, two more times during use, and a fourth time after the 8-week usage period. Changes in PHQ8, GAD7 and ISI in participants were compared to a control group, who did not use the YOI app but completed all questionnaires (590 controls finished all questionnaires).Results: Participants reported significant decreases in depression and anxiety-related symptoms. Compared to baseline, PHQ-8 scores decreased 50% on average after the 8-week period. GAD-7 scores also decreased by 40–50% on average, and ISI scores decreased by 50%. These changes were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than that observed in the control group. Participants who reported a previous diagnosis of depression and generalized anxiety reported significantly larger decreases in PHQ-8 and GAD-7 as compared to participants with no prior diagnosis (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Regular use of the YOI intervention over an 8-week period led to significant decreases in symptoms of both depression and anxiety, as well as alleviation of insomnia

CT depiction of ovarian dermoid showing spontaneous fistulous communication with small bowel

Dermoidcysts of the ovary represent the most common form of benign ovarian tumors. Their site, size and clinical presentations are extremely variablecausing confusion with various medical and surgical entities. Uncomplicated dermoid cysts are often asymptomatic andare relatively easy to diagnose on imaging. Symptomatic complicated dermoids may lead to diagnostic dilemmas. Of the various complications of ovarian dermoid, spontaneous rupture into theadjacent viscera is the least common. We report a case of a 55-year-old patient presenting with abdominal pain and passage of hair-like and cheesy material in stools, in which contrast enhanced CT scan demonstrated bilateral ovarian dermoids with the right oneruptured into asmall bowel loop. Keywords: Ovarian dermoid, Cystic teratoma, Bowel infiltration, Fistula, Computed tomograph

Performance of quantitative CT parameters in assessment of disease severity in COPD: A prospective study

Background: Both emphysematous destruction of lung parenchyma and airway remodeling is thought to contribute to airflow limitation in cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: To evaluate the value of quantitative computed tomography (QCT) parameters of emphysema and airway disease with disease severity in patients with COPD. Materials and Methods: We prospectively studied 50 patients with COPD, which included nonsmokers and patients with different degrees of cumulative smoking exposure. Three QCT parameters namely LAA% (low attenuation area percentage), WA% (Wall area percentage), and pi10 were calculated as per the standard technique. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), BODE score, and MMRC dyspnea scale were used as measures of disease severity. Results: FEV1 was inversely and significantly associated with all three QCT parameters. Receiver operated characteristic curves in prediction of GOLD class 3 COPD yielded cut-off values of 12.2, 61.45, and 3.5 for LAA%, WA%, and pi10, respectively, with high sensitivities and specificities. In multiple linear regression model, however, only LAA% proved to be significantly associated with FEV1, BODE, and dyspnea. Conclusion: QCT indices of both emphysema and airway disease influence FEV1, dyspnea, and BODE score in patients with COPD. Emphysema, however, appears to be more closely related to disease severity

H3N2 influenza lung infection and acute encephalopathy - Can Oseltamivir be a common solution?

Background: Influenza infection subtypes have emerged as a serious, fatal, but curable disease in many parts of the world for over a decade. Though classically it involves the respiratory tract, there also can be extrapulmonary involvement of multiple organ systems in Influenza that can lead to death. Case Report: We report a 79-year-old male diagnosed with an H3N2 lung infection and treated with 5 days course of Oseltamivir. He later developed CNS complications. The possible causes of encephalopathy were ruled out after a thorough evaluation. Appropriate antibiotics and antiviral drugs were started, but the patient’s condition did not improve. Studies suggest various central nervous system complications, including encephalopathy, can occur secondary to Influenza virus infection. Influenza virus has been detected in CSF PCR, but the sensitivity is very low. The second course of Oseltamivir was started based on clinical judgement, after which the patient’s condition gradually improved. Oseltamivir was continued for 14 days. Conclusion: It is sometimes difficult to detect the causative organism in cases of CNS infection that can delay treatment. In such cases, empirical treatment with antibiotics and acyclovir or with antitubercular drugs is the usual treatment regime applied in most small hospital setups, after which the patient may or may not improve. The clinicians should not miss any history of a prior or recent attack of Influenza respiratory infection. CNS complications secondary to Influenza infections should be considered if found. In such cases, it is imperative to add Oseltamivir to the treatment. The inclusion of an extended course of Oseltamivir can save lives in resource-limited setups