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The scarcity of high-quality forage has a significant influence on the productivity and profitability of livestock. Addressing this concern, an investigation was undertaken to assess the effects of distinct Italian ryegrass genotypes, namely, Punjab ryegrass-1, Kashmir collection, and Makhan grass, in conjunction with varying seeding ratios of Italian ryegrass to Egyptian clover. The seeding ratios considered were 100:0 (Italian ryegrass to Egyptian clover), 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75. All possible combinations of Italian ryegrass and Egyptian clover with seeding ratios were set up in a randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. Co-cultivating Italian ryegrass and Egyptian clover at a 75:25 seeding ratio yields the best yield benefit, as determined by the land equivalent ratio. It is noteworthy that in this configuration, real yield loss is higher for Egyptian clover and for Italian ryegrass when the seeding ratio is 25:75. The higher competitiveness of Italian ryegrass in comparison to Egyptian clover is highlighted by the competitive ratio. Notably, the nutritive parameter, crude protein yield, was significantly higher in the Makhan grass-based 50:50 and 75:25 seeding ratio. Results of the study ascertained the compatibility of grass-legume co-cultivation with significantly higher quantity and quality forage harvested under mixed cropping systems whereas Makhan grass as the superior and dominant genotype in comparison to Kashmir collection. The outcomes of this study revealed that the 100:0 seeding ratio, coupled with the Makhan grass genotype, exhibited superior performance in terms of cumulative forage harvest, dry matter accumulation, net returns, and benefit-cost ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alloimmunisation to red blood cell antigens, resulting from genetic disparities between donors and recipients, is one of the risks associated with blood transfusions. Antibody screening cells are used to detect unexpected antibodies. The risk of alloimmunisation is higher in patients who have undergone multiple blood transfusions. Aim: To estimate the frequency of various Red Blood Cell (RBC) alloantibodies and to determine the types of antibodies present in repeatedly transfused patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 patients with a history of multiple blood transfusions from October 1, 2019, to April 30, 2021, at the blood centre of Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SGRDIMSR), Amritsar, Punjab, India. Antibody detection and identification were performed, and the results were recorded. The data was statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 to draw relevant conclusions. The observations were tabulated in the form of numbers and percentages. Categorical data was analysed using the Chi-square test. The level of significance was determined as p≤0.05. Results: The study included 200 patients who were on multiple transfusions. The most common blood group among the patients was B positive (39%), followed by O positive (26%). The majority of patients (73.50%) had solid malignancies, followed by 28 (14%) thalassemia patients and 25 (12.50%) patients with chronic kidney disease. Solid malignancies included patients with breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and liver cancer. Alloantibodies were found in 15 patients (7.50%), of which 11 had solid malignancies and 4 had thalassemia. The most frequent antibody detected was the anti-K antibody (40%). Alloantibody formation was observed in both males and females. However, no statistical significance was found between gender and alloimmunisation (p=0.940). Conclusion: The effect of alloimmunisation can be avoided by routine RBC antibody screening before blood transfusion, especially in patients with a history of multiple blood transfusions. These measures decrease the incidence of red blood cell alloimmunisation and delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions in multi-transfused patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Xpert Ultra (Cepheid, USA) is recently introduced with an extra category of trace-positive results and higher sensitivity for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert Ultra for extrapulmonary samples using culture and composite reference standard (CRS) as the gold standard. Materials and Methods: In a 1-year (March 2021–22) prospective observational study, samples of suspected extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) patients were subjected to Ziehl–Neelsen staining, culture, and Xpert Ultra (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) tests. Relevant clinical and treatment information was noted. The diagnostic accuracy of Xpert Ultra compared with culture and CRS was calculated. Results: Out of 1720 suspected patients of EPTB, 223 (13%), predominantly males 135 (60%), with a mean age of 41.46 ± 19.81 years, were diagnosed as TB positive following CRS criteria. The maximum cases were of pleural TB (35.4%), followed by central nervous system TB (17.9%), gastrointestinal TB (17.5%), and lymph node TB (12.1%). Of all samples, 150 (8.7%) were microbiologically confirmed, including 141 detected by Xpert ultra, 67 culture positive, and only 16 smear positive. Among the Xpert Ultra-positive samples, 35 showed trace results, including six false-positive results. Considering culture and CRS as the gold standard, the sensitivity (86.57%, 59.64%) and specificity (94.98%, 99.47%) of Xpert Ultra were calculated, respectively. Rifampicin resistance was detected in 1 (0.70%) sample. Conclusion: Diagnosis of EPTB is a challenge and Xpert Ultra may detect TB at a very early stage. However, it is essential to rule out false-positive results. Additional studies are needed on Xpert Ultra to interpret trace results better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The introduction of Xpert MTB/RIF® has revolutionised the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) by reducing time to the identification and detection of drug resistance. Methods: We prospectively studied clinical profile of admitted patients who underwent Xpert MTB/RIF® for the diagnosis of TB in the Department of Medicine and Allied Specialties at our tertiary care teaching hospital in Ludhiana. Results: During the period from January to December 2018, 140 patients (mean age 55.7 ± 16 years; male: female = 1.5:1) were included. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbid disease (n = 37; 26.4%). The most common presenting complaints were fever, breathlessness and cough with expectoration. Overall, 61 admitted patients were discharged with a diagnosis of TB; 26/61 (42.6%) tested Xpert MTB/RIF® positive (bacteriologically confirmed); the remaining 35 (57.4%) were clinically diagnosed along with the ancillary supportive investigations. The remaining 79 patients had a non-TB diagnosis. In extrapulmonary TB, Xpert MTB/RIF® had low detection and positivity rate as compared to other ancillary investigations for TB. Conclusions: Xpert MTB/RIF® was useful in the diagnosis in 42.6% of cases. When Xpert MTB/RIF® was negative, TB was diagnosed empirically on the basis of clinical, radiological and ancillary laboratory investigations. Xpert MTB/RIF® positivity with the clinical background suggesting that TB makes the diagnosis rapidly and with a high degree of confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cowpea is kharif pulse grown mostly under rainfed conditions. It acts as a major protein source with 25 per cent content. Cowpea besides fixing atmospheric nitrogen continues to produce under harsh conditions such as low moisture and nutrient supply, which makes it a suitable candidate for dryland conditions. A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2019 at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur to study the effect of organic nutrient sources on yield levels, nodulation, nutrient content and uptake of cowpea. Organic nutrient sources include farmyard manure, vermicompost, vermiwash, Bijamrita, Jiwamrita and Ghanajiwamrita can be prepared using on-farm inputs at a reasonable cost. These nutrient sources supply nutrients at a steady rate and in fewer amounts than inorganic fertilizers. The prime role of such organic sources is to sustain the soil ecosystems for longer functioning. The results of the experiment revealed that T5 [Farm yard manure (10 t/ha) + Ghanajiwamrita at sowing (250 kg/ha)] was most effective and resulted in significantly higher yield level (grain yield -10.71 q/ha, straw yield - 53.14 q/ha and biological yield - 63.84 q/ha), nodulation (number of nodules - 31.7 per plant and weight of nodules - 0.47 g/plant), nutrient content (N-3.54%, P - 0.41% and K - 1.36%) and uptake (N -141.08 kg/ha, P -19.86 kg/ha and K - 112.34 kg/ha) in cowpea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antisynthetase syndrome (ASSD) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antibodies against aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases, most common being anti-Jo1 antibody. It is an under-recognized entity with a significant delay in diagnosis, both due to lack of awareness of this condition and presentation as "incomplete" form more often than the complete form, characterized by the presence of triad of interstitial lung disease (ILD), myositis, and arthritis. We aimed to study the clinical spectrum and outcomes of anti-Jo1 antibody-positive ASSD at a single tertiary care referral hospital in North India. Methods: Anti-Jo1 positive ASSD patients diagnosed according to the Connors et al. criteria were included in this observational study conducted over 3 years by the departments of Rheumatology and Pulmonary Medicine at a single tertiary care hospital in North India. Results: The clinical spectrum and treatment outcomes of 17 patients diagnosed with anti-Jo1 positive ASSD were studied. Only 2 of the 17 patients presented with the "complete" form at the onset. While 12 patients improved with treatment with steroids and immunosuppressives (mycophenolate, azathioprine, or methotrexate), five patients died, four due to sepsis and one due to progressive lung disease. Conclusion: ASSD is an under-recognized disease, often presenting as an incomplete form rather than the classic triad of arthritis, ILD, and myositis. Infections are the major cause of death contributing to high mortality in Indian patients with ASSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]