Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a vital asset for researchers to analyze and extract valuable information from complex datasets. However, developing an effective and robust ML pipeline can present a real challenge, demanding considerable time and effort, thereby impeding research progress. Existing tools in this landscape require a profound understanding of ML principles and programming skills. Furthermore, users are required to engage in the comprehensive configuration of their ML pipeline to obtain optimal performance. To address these challenges, we have developed a novel tool called Machine Learning Made Easy (MLme) that streamlines the use of ML in research, specifically focusing on classification problems at present. By integrating four essential functionalities, namely Data Exploration, AutoML, CustomML, and Visualization, MLme fulfills the diverse requirements of researchers while eliminating the need for extensive coding efforts. To demonstrate the applicability of MLme, we conducted rigorous testing on six distinct datasets, each presenting unique characteristics and challenges. Our results consistently showed promising performance across different datasets, reaffirming the versatility and effectiveness of the tool. Additionally, by utilizing MLme's feature selection functionality, we successfully identified significant markers for CD8+ naïve (BACH2), CD16+ (CD16), and CD14+ (VCAN) cell populations. MLme serves as a valuable resource for leveraging machine learning (ML) to facilitate insightful data analysis and enhance research outcomes, while alleviating concerns related to complex coding scripts. The source code and a detailed tutorial for MLme are available at https://github.com/FunctionalUrology/MLme.
A single reactive IgG anti-Dengue virus ELISA test in the absence of IgM antibodies or NS1 antigen may denote current infection or past exposure to the virus. To determine whether IgG index value can be used to identify true current dengue infection we conducted a prospective observational study. Suspected dengue patients (n =1745) were tested in their first specimen by MAC-ELISA, GAC-ELISA and NS1 antigen ELISA. Patients with MAC-ELISA and NS1Antigen non-reactive but GAC-ELISA reactive results (n =57) in their first test were followed up and repeated sampling was asked for IgG index values were calculated according to the manufacturer's instruction and classified as: low (2.2-2.5), medium (2.5-4.0) and high (>4.0). 16 out of 57 patients (28.1%) had low IgG Index value whereas 26 cases (45.6%) were categorized as medium and 15(26.3%) were classified as patients with high IgG index. Nine patients with paired reactive serology or antigen positive status were categorised as serologically confirmed dengue fever, 11 patients as not dengue with categorical evidence of other infections while the rest 37 casas with clinical, radiological and laboratory parameters suggestive of dengue but no serological confirmation as possible dengue. Among confirmed, possible and non-Dengue cases, 33.3, 32.4 and 0.0% had high Index value in comparison with 22.2, 29.7 and 27.3% showing low Index values, respectively. Our results suggested a high IgG response in favour of true dengue infection than past exposure while no conclusions should drawn from a low or medium reactive GAC-ELISA results in the absence of IgM antibodies and NS1 Ag.
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Advances in treatment have improved overall survival, but early relapse or transformation to aggressive disease is associated with inferior outcome. To identify early genetic events and track tumor clonal evolution, we performed multi-omics analysis of 94 longitudinal biopsies from 44 FL patients; 22 with transformation (tFL) and 22 with relapse without transformation (nFL). Deep whole-exome sequencing confirmed recurrent mutations in genes encoding epigenetic regulators (CREBBP, KMT2D, EZH2, EP300), with similar mutational landscape in nFL and tFL patients. Calculation of genomic distances between longitudinal samples revealed complex evolutionary patterns in both subgroups. CREBBP and KMT2D mutations were identified as genetic events that occur early in the disease course, and cases with CREBBP KAT domain mutations had low risk of transformation. Gains in chromosomes 12 and 18 (TCF4), and loss in 6q were identified as early and stable copy number alterations. Identification of such early and stable genetic events may provide opportunities for early disease detection and disease monitoring. Integrative analysis revealed that tumors with EZH2 mutations exhibited reduced gene expression of numerous histone genes, including histone linker genes. This might contribute to the epigenetic dysregulation in FL.
Treating patients undergoing chemotherapy who display findings of liver toxicity, requires a solid understanding of these medications. It is important for any clinician to have an index of suspicion for liver toxicity and be able to recognize it, even on imaging. Cancer chemotherapy has evolved, and newer medications that target cell biology have a different pattern of liver toxicity and may differ from the more traditional cytotoxic agents. There are several hepatic conditions that can result and keen clinical as well as radiographic recognition are paramount. Conditions such as sinusoidal obstructive syndrome, steatosis, and pseudocirrhosis are more commonly associated with chemotherapy. These conditions can display clinical signs of acute hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and even liver failure. It is important to anticipate and recognize these adverse reactions and thus appropriate clinical action can be taken. Often times, patients with these liver manifestations can be managed with supportive therapies, and liver toxicity may resolve after discontinuation of chemotherapy.
Sensory impaired individuals are at a disadvantage in accessing and processing electronic information. The first author (i.e. Thomas Hahn) is legally blind due to Albinism. In this experience report we describe challenges faced by the visually impaired and explain how remote access programs in combination with voice communication programs can be used to---at least partially---compensate for those disadvantages because they don't transmit magnification. This property is especially important to effectively train visually impaired individuals on new applications and interfaces remotely because it allows them to view exactly the same information simultaneously with their sighted trainers.
Introduction: COVID-19, having affected millions has caused a global disturbance in healthcare and has overwhelmed hospital resources, much more than any previous disaster of this century Surveys, especially in middle and low-income countries, have shown partial or complete disruption in the management of non-communicable diseases owing to the pandemic, particularly cardiovascular emergencies With the given burden of the disease, inadequate healthcare facilities, and personnel, who are also a major risk of contracting the disease, it is prudent to allocate resources judiciously Cardiac troponins are useful in predicting cardiac insult High sensitivity troponin assays can detect the levels of these circulating enzymes at levels ten times less than normal assays This increases the sensitivity of detecting type I MIs but at the cost of specificity Elevation of these enzymes can occur in conditions other than type I MI like acute heart failure, myocarditis including COVID-19-related viral myocarditis, stress cardiomyopathy, pulmonary embolism, sepsis, critical illness, etc Studies have shown that the presence of myocardial injury is associated with a greater risk of complications like acute kidney injury and ARDS Materials and methods: In our center, Hs cTnI assays were used in patients presenting to ED with suspected cardiac insult within 2 hours of presentation They were categorized into elevations 10 times the upper laboratory limits Apart from using these values as a tool to detect MIs in non-equivocal ECGs, they have also been used to risk-stratify patients with other clinical conditions as mentioned above Although actionable measures are not always clear or possible, cTn increases identify patients at higher risk for adverse short and long-term outcomes The patients were classified into those having (a) chronic myocardial injury, (b) acute non-ischemic myocardial injury, (c) acute MI, or (d) non-cardiac cause Based on the above classification, patients were allocated specialist consultations or ICU monitoring to ensure adequate resource utilization Results: The study was done in 53 patients with various conditions presenting to ED Levels of Hs cTnI were measured in them as mentioned above Twenty-two patients had >10 times elevation in their HS cTnI assays and they all had myocardial insult in the form of Acute heart failure, Myocarditis, Sepsis and NSTEMIs Discussions: It is shown from the study that HS Trop I levels are elevated in CKD patients and do not give accurate results Apart from that, patients with elevated HS Trop I required additional care and specialist consultations and had longer hospital stays Conclusion: Our observations on the utility of the investigation in the early estimation of major cardiac adverse events will be presented at the conference as a Poster presentation
