Understanding Learned Models by Identifying Important Features at the Right Resolution

In many application domains, it is important to characterize how complex learned models make their decisions across the distribution of instances. One way to do this is to identify the features and interactions among them that contribute to a model's predictive accuracy. We present a model-agnostic approach to this task that makes the following specific contributions. Our approach (i) tests feature groups, in addition to base features, and tries to determine the level of resolution at which important features can be determined, (ii) uses hypothesis testing to rigorously assess the effect of each feature on the model's loss, (iii) employs a hierarchical approach to control the false discovery rate when testing feature groups and individual base features for importance, and (iv) uses hypothesis testing to identify important interactions among features and feature groups. We evaluate our approach by analyzing random forest and LSTM neural network models learned in two challenging biomedical applications.Comment: First two authors contributed equally to this work, Accepted for presentation at the Thirty-Third AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI-19

Feature Importance Explanations for Temporal Black-Box Models

Models in the supervised learning framework may capture rich and complex representations over the features that are hard for humans to interpret. Existing methods to explain such models are often specific to architectures and data where the features do not have a time-varying component. In this work, we propose TIME, a method to explain models that are inherently temporal in nature. Our approach (i) uses a model-agnostic permutation-based approach to analyze global feature importance, (ii) identifies the importance of salient features with respect to their temporal ordering as well as localized windows of influence, and (iii) uses hypothesis testing to provide statistical rigor

Adiponectin, Leptin, and Resistin in Asthma: Basic Mechanisms through Population Studies

Adipokines, factors produced by adipose tissue, may be proinflammatory (such as leptin and resistin) or anti-inflammatory (such as adiponectin). Effects of these adipokines on the lungs have the potential to evoke or exacerbate asthma. This review summarizes basic mechanistic data through population-based and clinical studies addressing the potential role of adipokines in asthma. Augmenting circulating concentrations of adiponectin attenuates allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice. Murine data is supported by human data that suggest that low serum adiponectin is associated with greater risk for asthma among women and peripubertal girls. Further, higher serum total adiponectin may be associated with lower clinical asthma severity among children and women with asthma. In contrast, exogenous administration of leptin results in augmented allergic airway hyperresponsiveness in mice. Alveolar macrophages obtained from obese asthmatics are uniquely sensitive to leptin in terms of their potential to augment inflammation. Consistent with this basic mechanistic data, epidemiologic studies demonstrate that higher serum leptin is associated with greater asthma prevalence and/or severity and that these associations may be stronger among women, postpubertal girls, and prepubertal boys. The role of adipokines in asthma is still evolving, and it is not currently known whether modulation of adipokines may be helpful in asthma prevention or treatment

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Associated with Environmental Mycobacteria

A previously healthy man working as a machine operator in an automotive factory developed respiratory symptoms. Medical evaluation showed abnormal pulmonary function tests, a lung biopsy showed hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and his illness was traced to his work environment. His physician asked the employer to remove him from exposure to metalworking fluids. Symptoms reoccurred when he was later reexposed to metalworking fluids, and further permanent decrement in his lung function occurred. Investigation of his workplace showed that five of six large reservoirs of metalworking fluids (cutting oils) grew Mycobacterium chelonae (or Mycobacterium immunogenum), an organism previously associated with outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in automaking factories. His lung function remained stable after complete removal from exposure. The employer, metalworking fluid supplier, union, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were notified of this sentinel health event. No further cases have been documented in this workplace

Comparison of efficacy of azilsartan with olmesartan in patients of hypertension: randomized controlled trial

Background: Azilsartan and olmesartan are members of ARBs, used in the management of hypertension. Objective was to evaluate efficacy of azilsartan with olmesartan in patients of hypertension. Methods: A randomized, prospective, open label, comparative study was carried out in Pharmacology and Medicine department at Dr. RPGMC Kangra at Tanda, HP. The study stretched over one year and blood pressure was monitored at first, third and sixth month. Out of 69 patients, 35 patients in group A were prescribed tablet azilsartan 40 mg/day and 34 patients in group B patients were prescribed tablet olmesartan 20 mg/day. Tablet chlorthalidone 12.5 mg/day was add on in both the groups. Data was presented as mean+SD. Student’s t test was used and p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: In group A, systolic blood pressure (SBP) values improved from baseline of 153±10 mmHg to 111±18 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 109±6.1 mmHg (p<0.001) at 6 months and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values from baseline of 87±7 mmHg to 67.1±4.6 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 67.6±2.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) at 6 months. In group B, SBP values improved from baseline of 154±8.5 mmHg to 127±3.6 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 123±4 mmHg (p<0.001) at 6 months and DBP values from baseline of 85±6.5mm Hg to 75.7±3.3 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 73±3.3 mmHg (p<0.001) at 6 months. On intergroup comparison improvement in hypertension was better in azilsartan group (p<0.001). Conclusions: The study concluded that azilsartan is significantly better than olmesartan in controlling the hypertension

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Associated with Environmental Mycobacteria

A previously healthy man working as a machine operator in an automotive factory developed respiratory symptoms. Medical evaluation showed abnormal pulmonary function tests, a lung biopsy showed hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and his illness was traced to his work environment. His physician asked the employer to remove him from exposure to metalworking fluids. Symptoms reoccurred when he was later reexposed to metalworking fluids, and further permanent decrement in his lung function occurred. Investigation of his workplace showed that five of six large reservoirs of metalworking fluids (cutting oils) grew Mycobacterium chelonae (or Mycobacterium immunogenum), an organism previously associated with outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in automaking factories. His lung function remained stable after complete removal from exposure. The employer, metalworking fluid supplier, union, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were notified of this sentinel health event. No further cases have been documented in this workplace

Postpartalni supklinički endometritis – dijagnostika i utjecaj na rane reproduktivne pokazatelje u mliječnih krava

The present study was aimed at the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis and its impact on early reproductive parameters in postpartum dairy cows (N=45). The proportion of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNCs-%) and intraluminal uterine fluid (ILUF-mm) was assessed by cytotape and transrectal ultrasonography, respectively, for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis at 8 weeks post-partum. A receiver operator characteristics curve was used to determine the diagnostic threshold of PMNCs and ILUF. The optimal threshold value for PMNCs was ≥6% (area under the curve (AUC)-0.89; sensitivity-85.71%; specificity-83.33%; P<0.05) whereas it was ≥3.40 mm for ILUF (AUC-0.92; sensitivity-100%; specificity-83.33%; P<0.05). The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for the development of subclinical endometritis in cows having a PMNCs percentage and ILUF above the threshold level was 7.70 and 6.00, respectively. Early reproductive parameters, such as days needed for completion of uterine involution (UINV) and first postpartum ovulation (FPO) were studied and were reported to be significantly higher in cows diagnosed with subclinical endometritis based on the percentage of PMNCs (P<0.01; P<0.05 for UINV & FPO, respectively) and ILUF (P<0.05; P<0.01 for UINV & FPO, respectively). Linear correlation analysis showed a significant relationship (p≤0.01-0.05) between the proportion of PMNCs and early reproductive parameters. Similarly, a significant correlation (P<0.01) between ILUF and PMNCs was reported, irrespective of the threshold level. In conclusion, endometrial cytology and transrectal ultrasonography with a threshold level ≥6% for PMNCs and ≥3.40 mm for ILUF, respectively, defined the presence of subclinical endometritis, and this led to a delay in the establishment of subsequent early post-partum reproductive performance.Cilj ovog rada bio je istražiti dijagnostiku supkliničkog endometritisa i njegov utjecaj na rane reproduktivne pokazatelje mliječnih krava (n = 45) u postpartalnom razdoblju. Količina polimorfonuklearnih stanica (PMNC u postotku) i intraluminalne maternične tekućine (ILUF u milimetrima) procijenjena je s pomoću test traka i transrektalne ultrasonografije kako bi se dijagnosticirao supklinički endometritis osam tjedana poslije porođaja. ROC krivulja upotrijebljena je kako bi se odredio dijagnostički prag PMNC-a i ILUF-a. Optimalna vrijednost praga za PMNC bila je ≥ 6 % (područje ispod krivulje (AUC) 0,89; osjetljivost 85,71 %; specifičnost 83,33 %; P < 0,05), a za ILUF ≥ 3,40 mm for (AUC – 0,92; osjetljivost 100 %; specifičnost 83,33 %; P < 0,05). Omjer dijagnostičkih izgleda (DOR) za razvoj supkliničkog endometritisa u krava koje su imale postotak PMNC-a i ILUF iznad praga bio je 7,70 za PMNC i 6,00 za ILUF. Analizirani su rani reproduktivni pokazatelji, kao što je broj dana potreban za završetak involucije maternice (UINV) i prva postpartalna ovulacija (FPO), te se pokazalo da su bili znakovito veći u krava sa supkliničkim endometritisom uzme li se u obzir postotak PMNC-a (P < 0,01 za UINV i P < 0,05 za FPO) i ILUF (P < 0,05 za UINV i P < 0,01 za FPO). Analiza linearne korelacije pokazala je znakovit odnos (P ≤ 0,01 – 0,05) između vrijednosti PMNC-a i ranih reproduktivnih pokazatelja. Slično, uočena je znakovita korelacija (P < 0,01) između ILUF-a i PMNC-a, bez obzira na dijagnostički prag. Endometralnom je citologijom i transrektalnom ultrasonografijom s dijagnostičkim pragom ≥ 6 % za PMNC i ≥ 3,40 mm za ILUF dijagnosticiran supklinički endometritis, zbog čega je odgođeno uspostavljanje uvjeta za ranu reprodukciju nakon porođaja

Saxagliptin induced bilateral knee arthralgia: a rare case report

A 55 year old female patient of type 2 diabetes mellitus on saxagliptin (5 mg once a day), a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (DPP-4 inhibitors) as add on therapy to metformin (1000 mg twice a day). After two months of addition of saxagliptin, the patient had pain in both the knee joints. Saxagliptin was withdrawn and then the knee pain was gradually relieved. Other cause of joint pains like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, septic arthritis etc. were ruled out. We consider that this case is important in bringing this potential side effect to the attention of both pharmacologists and primary care physicians as DPP- IV inhibitors has been the most commonly used drug substitute to glimepiride as an add on therapy to metformin

EVALUATION OF QOS (QUALITY OF SERVICES) BY LOG FRAME ANALYSIS (LFA) AND OCULAR MORBIDITY IN SCHOOL CHILDREN OF CHANDIGARH

Objective: To evaluate the school vision health program being run by the Chandigarh administration for students, under National Program for Control of Blindness.- To assess the visual acuity disorders in them.Methods: The population based cross sectional study was done in fourteen schools of Chandigarh. Chandigarh was divided in four quarters. Sampling frame comprised of Government schools. The eye component of a school health program so run in government schools, by Chandigarh administration was evaluated by LFA. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS13 and Epi Info 2000.Results: A total of 5404 children were studied, out of which 2801(51.83%) were boys and 2603(48.16%) were girls. Girls in our study showed a higher prevalence of defective visual acuity among girls 322(5.95%). Female preponderance was observed in all age groups.Evaluation of school health program showed that 51(36%) subjects were of the opinion that all students were examined, 25 (17.86%) told that more than 20% of students were referred to GMCH-32 for further management. All the interviewers agreed that manpower in school health team was adequate.Conclusion: Low compliance with ocular morbidity was evident as less number of students contacted the eye health physician even after being referred. There is a need to spread awareness pertaining to eye health that can be using local media or by health care workers. More over emphasis has not only to be on therapeutic aspect but prevention too has to be given importance.Keywords: Log frame analysis, Ocular morbidity.Â

EVALUATION OF QOS (QUALITY OF SERVICES) BY LOG FRAME ANALYSIS (LFA) AND OCULAR MORBIDITY IN SCHOOL CHILDREN OF CHANDIGARH

Objective: To evaluate the school vision health program being run by the Chandigarh administration for students, under National Program for Control of Blindness. - To assess the visual acuity disorders in them. Methods: The population based cross sectional study was done in fourteen schools of Chandigarh. Chandigarh was divided in four quarters. Sampling frame comprised of Government schools. The eye component of a school health program so run in government schools, by Chandigarh administration was evaluated by LFA. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS13 and Epi Info 2000. Results: A total of 5404 children were studied, out of which 2801(51.83%) were boys and 2603(48.16%) were girls. Girls in our study showed a higher prevalence of defective visual acuity among girls 322(5.95%). Female preponderance was observed in all age groups. Evaluation of school health program showed that 51(36%) subjects were of the opinion that all students were examined, 25 (17.86%) told that more than 20% of students were referred to GMCH-32 for further management. All the interviewers agreed that manpower in school health team was adequate. Conclusion: Low compliance with ocular morbidity was evident as less number of students contacted the eye health physician even after being referred. There is a need to spread awareness pertaining to eye health that can be using local media or by health care workers. More over emphasis has not only to be on therapeutic aspect but prevention too has to be given importance