An Ensemble-based approach for assigning text to correct Harmonized system code

Industries must follow government rules and regulations around the world to classify products when assessing duties and taxes for international shipment. Harmonized System (HS) is the most standardized numerical method of classifying traded products among industry classification systems. A hierarchical ensemble model comprising of Bert-transformer, NER, distance-based approaches, and knowledge-graphs have been developed to address scalability, coverage, ability to capture nuances, automation and auditing requirements when classifying unknown text-descriptions as per HS method

A RANDOMIZED CONTROL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE ROLE OF HERBAL IMMUNOMODULATORS IN BOOSTING THE IMMUNITY AND OVERALL HEALTH OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN COVID-19 WARDS: AN EXPLORATORY, FEEDBACK CLINICAL STUDY

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of the herbal immunomodulators Immusante and Guduchi in boosting the immunity and overall health of healthcare workers assigned to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wards. Methods: An open-label, randomized, prospective, and single center clinical study was conducted among 100 healthcare workers assigned to COVID-19 wards. Eligible subjects (50 in each arm) were randomly assigned to either arm I (Immusante+Guduchi tablets) or arm II (treatment as per the institutional policy). Assessments after 30 days of treatment included respiratory symptoms, Adapted Immune Status Questionnaire (ISQ), improvement in quality of life (Short form 12 [SF-12] Health Survey), and safety and tolerability. Results: All 100 subjects completed the study as per the protocol. There were no respiratory symptoms in the subjects in arm 1. However, four subjects (8%) in arm II reported cough during the study period. A better Immune status improvement was seen through the adapted ISQ in arm I as compared to arm II. In each of the 8 SF-12 Health Survey domains, a statistically significant difference was observed in arm I compared to arm II. A retrospective assessment of COVID-19 infection showed only 8% of subjects as COVID-19 positive in arm I compared with 26% of subjects in arm II. Conclusion: Considering the positive trend observed in this study in terms of ISQ, SF-12, and COVID-19 infection rates, the combination of Immusante and Guduchi in healthcare workers at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 infection had a beneficial effect in boosting immunity and overall health

Bayesian Integration of Genetics and Epigenetics Detects Causal Regulatory SNPs Underlying Expression Variability

The standard expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) detects polymorphisms associated with gene expression without revealing causality. We introduce a coupled Bayesian regression approach—eQTeL, which leverages epigenetic data to estimate regulatory and gene interaction potential, and identifies combination of regulatory single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that explain the gene expression variance. On human heart data, eQTeL not only explains a significantly greater proportion of expression variance but also predicts gene expression more accurately than other methods. Based on realistic simulated data, we demonstrate that eQTeL accurately detects causal regulatory SNPs, including those with small effect sizes. Using various functional data, we show that SNPs detected by eQTeL are enriched for allele-specific protein binding and histone modifications, which potentially disrupt binding of core cardiac transcription factors and are spatially proximal to their target. eQTeL SNPs capture a substantial proportion of genetic determinants of expression variance and we estimate that 58% of these SNPs are putatively causal

Role of Endobronchial Ultrasound Guided real time Transbronchial Needle Aspiration in Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy: A Case Series

Introduction: Mediastinal lymphadenopathy is expected to be the common mediastinal masses because this is caused by high prevalent diseases like tuberculosis, lung cancer metastasis, lymphoma and sarcoidosis etc. Mediastinal lymphadenopathies are difficult to biopsy since they are nearer to major vessels and airways and located commonly in the middle compartment. Hence mediastinal lymphadenopathy is under represented in many studies since unable to obtain tissue diagnosis. The newer techniques EBUS and EUS are made easier to approach the mass like lymphadenopthy in middle mediastinum with less complication. Objective: To know the effectiveness of real-time EBUS in the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Methodology: In our study 50 cases of mediastinal lymphadenopathy diagnosed by CT scan chest which were subjected to EBUS guided real time TBNA of mediastinal nodes. TBNA Specimens were sent for histopathological examinations and reports were collocated and analyzed. Results: Among 50 cases of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, arrived diagnosis in EBUS TBNA in 42 cases and inconclusive results in other 8 cases. Among 42 cases, tuberculosis in 17 cases [34%], malignancy in 16 cases [32%], sarcoidosis in 8 cases [16%], sub acute inflammation in 1 case [2%]. Conclusion: Before the advent of EBUS, Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy/FNAC (under CT or ultrasound guidance) or surgical procedures [VATS or Mediastinoscopy] were considered as the initial method of choice in evaluation of mediastinal lesions. EBUS techniques has demonstrated utility in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy secondary to malignancy, tuberculosis and sarcoidosis and easier and lesser complication than more invasive procedures like VATS or mediastinoscopy

Comparison of CBNAAT, AFB Culture and histopathology of pleural biopsy specimens in suspected tuberculous pleural effusions undergoing pleural biopsy - Case series

Introduction: Tuberculous pleural effusion is the second most common extrapulmonary tuberculosisl. Due to its paucibacillary nature, it is difficult to demonstrate tubercle bacilli in pleural fluid by a standard AFB staining and culture, thus leading to a large number of cases being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed2. According to RNTCP, the sensitivity of CBNAAT compared to a liquid culture is high in biopsy specimens3. However, the preferred specimen for diagnosing a pleural TB is a pleural tissue8. To date, the studies on evaluation of CBNAAT which are performed on pleural tissue are only few. Objective: To compare the yield of CBNAAT, AFB culture and histopathology of pleural tissue in suspected tuberculous pleural effusions undergoing pleural biopsy. Methodology: A case series comprising 20 patients with presumptive pleural TB underwent thoracoscopy guided pleural biopsy in the department of respiratory medicine. Specimens were sent for CBNAAT, AFB culture and for histopathological examinations. Comparative analysis of these reports were carried out. Results: Out of 20 cases, 11 were microbiologically diagnosed as tuberculous pleural effusion. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected by CBNAAT in 10 cases, culture showed AFB growth in 7 cases. Histopathological examination of pleural biopsy showed granulomatous inflammation in about 13 cases. Conclusion: CBNAAT is the most rapid, highly sensitive test compared to AFB culture and more confirmatory to diagnosis microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis compared to HPE

Role of transcerebellar diameter in fetal growth assessment and its correlation with conventional biometry-An institutional study

Background: Accurate assessment of gestational age (GA) for fetal development is of paramount importance in management of pregnancy and for favorable perinatal outcome.  The estimation of GA by fetal biometry using Biparietal Diameter (BPD), Head Circumference (HC), Abdominal Circumference (AC) and Femoral Length (FL) in estimation of gestational age (GA) is routinely followed. However, these parameters have limitations. BPD and HC are not reliable in third trimester; FL may be reduced in IUGR and skeletal malformations. Thus we evaluated the Transcerebellar diameter (TCD) as an alternate indicator for fetal growth and GA estimation. Aim: To validate the accuracy of TCD with fetal biometry and calculated ultrasound age (CUA) in assessment of fetal growth and GA in between 18 to 40 weeks of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The prospective study was carried out with 200 pregnant women between 18 to 40 weeks referred to Radiology department ((JJM Medical College), for antenatal scanning. The subjects were divided into two groups (second and third trimesters). TCD was measured along with other routine parameter for growth assessment. Thus, calculated gestational age (GA) using TCD was compared with GA by Last menstrual period (LMP) and calculated ultrasound age (CUA).&nbsp