Incidence and pattern of tuberculosis immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) in patients on anti-retroviral therapy: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome is an atypical, immoderate immune response mounted by the refurbishing immune system against the mycobacterium tuberculosis, commonly seen in HIV-infected individuals. ART significantly enhances one's immunity. However, this enhancement in immunity also sets off a number of inflammatory processes termed as Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS). METHODS: This observational study was conducted with the aim of assessing the incidence and pattern of TB-IRIS in people living with HIV/AIDS on ART registered at the ART Centre of S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. They were evaluated for their plasma viral load and CD4 count at baseline. Thereafter, the plasma viral load was assessed every week and the CD4 count was assessed fortnightly. Each study participant was followed-up for a period of three months to look for any onset of TB-IRIS. RESULTS: A total of 286 patients were included the study. The overall incidence of TB-IRIS was 7.7%. The occurrence of paradoxical TB-IRIS was nearly double than ART-associated TB-IRIS. There was a significant rise in the CD4 cell count in the patients of both paradoxical (p = 0.001) and ART-associated (p = 0.017) TB-IRIS. The plasma viral load at baseline also showed significant differences from the levels documented at the appearance of the TB-IRIS both in both the types i.e. paradoxical (p = 0.001) and ART-associated (p = 0.012) TB-IRIS. CONCLUSION: People with HIV/TB coinfection experience high morbidity and death from all kinds of TB-IRIS, necessitating specific attention. As HIV-positive cases and implementation of ART continue to rise, it's vital to quickly rule out TB coinfection.

Improvement of Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Rice by Adopting Image-Based Phenotyping and Tolerant Indices.

Phosphorus is one of the second most important nutrients for plant growth and development, and its importance has been realised from its role in various chains of reactions leading to better crop dynamics accompanied by optimum yield. However, the injudicious use of phosphorus (P) and non-renewability across the globe severely limit the agricultural production of crops, such as rice. The development of P-efficient cultivar can be achieved by screening genotypes either by destructive or non-destructive approaches. Exploring image-based phenotyping (shoot and root) and tolerant indices in conjunction under low P conditions was the first report, the epicentre of this study. Eighteen genotypes were selected for hydroponic study from the soil-based screening of 68 genotypes to identify the traits through non-destructive (geometric traits by imaging) and destructive (morphology and physiology) techniques. Geometric traits such as minimum enclosing circle, convex hull, and calliper length show promising responses, in addition to morphological and physiological traits. In 28-day-old seedlings, leaves positioned from third to fifth played a crucial role in P mobilisation to different plant parts and maintained plant architecture under P deficient conditions. Besides, a reduction in leaf angle adjustment due to a decline in leaf biomass was observed. Concomitantly, these geometric traits facilitate the evaluation of low P-tolerant rice cultivars at an earlier stage, accompanying several stress indices. Out of which, Mean Productivity Index, Mean Relative Performance, and Relative Efficiency index utilising image-based traits displayed better responses in identifying tolerant genotypes under low P conditions. This study signifies the importance of image-based phenotyping techniques to identify potential donors and improve P use efficiency in modern rice breeding programs.