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Camels, known as the "Ship of the Desert," play a vital role in the ecosystems and economies of arid and semi-arid regions. They provide meat, milk, transportation, and other essential services, and their resilience to harsh environments makes them invaluable. Despite their similarities, camel breeds exhibit notable differences in size, color, and structure, with over 40 million camels worldwide. This number is projected to increase, underscoring their growing significance. Economically, camels are crucial for food production, tourism, and trade, with camel racing being particularly significant in Arab countries. Their unique physiological traits, such as low disease susceptibility and efficient water conservation, further enhance their value. Camel products, especially meat and milk, offer substantial nutritional and therapeutic benefits, contributing to their high demand. Genetic diversity studies have advanced our understanding of camels' adaptation to extreme environments. Functional genomics and whole-genome sequencing have identified genes responsible for these adaptations, aiding breeding programs and conservation efforts. High-throughput sequencing has revealed genetic markers linked to traits like milk production and disease resistance. The development of SNP chips has revolutionized genetic studies by providing a cost-effective alternative to whole-genome sequencing. These tools facilitate large-scale genotyping, essential for conserving genetic diversity and improving breeding strategies. To prevent the depletion of camel genetic diversity, it is crucial to streamline in situ and ex situ conservation efforts to maintain their ecological and economic value. A comprehensive approach to camel conservation and genetic preservation, involving advanced genomic technologies, reproductive biotechniques, and sustainable management practices, will ensure their continued contribution to human societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study attempts to investigate the differences in gene expression in longissimus thoracis muscles between sheep breeds acclimated to diverse environments. Changthangi sheep inhabits the cold arid plateau of Ladakh, at an altitude above 3000 m with prevalence of rarefied atmosphere. Muzzafarnagri sheep, on the other hand is found in the sub-tropical hot and humid plains at an altitude of about 250 m. Comparative transcriptomics was used to provide a molecular perspective of the differential adaptation of the two breeds. RNA sequencing data was generated from four biological replicates of the longissimus thoracis muscles from both breeds. The common genes expressed in both breeds were involved in muscle contraction and muscle fibre organization. The most significant pathways enriched in Changthangi muscles were glycogen metabolism, reduction of cytosolic Ca++ levels and NFE2L2 regulating anti-oxidant, while those in Muzzafarnagri were extracellular matrix organization and collagen formation. The hub genes identified in Changthangi were involved in hematopoiesis and HIF signaling pathway, suggesting the molecular acclimatization of Changthangi to the high altitude cold desert of Ladakh. The nodal genes discovered in Muzzafarnagri sheep were associated with the extracellular matrix which accentuates its significance in the development, growth and repair of muscles. The observed transcriptomic differences underscore the morphological and adaptive disparity between the two breeds. The candidate genes and pathways identified in this study will form the basis for future research on adaptation to high altitude and body size in small ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of riverine and swamp buffaloes in India, utilizing complete mitochondrial genome sequences. Through comprehensive sampling across varied agro-climatic zones, including 91 riverine buffaloes from 12 breeds and 6 non-descript populations, along with 16 swamp buffaloes of the Luit breed, this study employed next-generation sequencing techniques to map the mitogenomic landscape of these subspecies. Sequence alignments were performed with the buffalo mitochondrial reference genome to identify mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations and distinct maternal haplogroups among Indian buffaloes. The results uncovered the existence of 212 variable sites in riverine buffaloes, yielding 67 haplotypes with high haplotype diversity (0.991), and in swamp buffaloes, 194 variable sites resulting in 12 haplotypes, displaying haplotype diversity of 0.950. Phylogenetic analyses elucidated the genetic relationships between Indian buffaloes and the recognized global haplogroups, categorizing Indian swamp buffaloes predominantly into the SA haplogroup. Intriguingly, the haplogroup SB2b was observed for the first time in swamp buffaloes. Conversely, riverine buffaloes conformed to established sub-haplogroups RB1, RB2, and RB3, underscoring the notion of Northwestern India as a pivotal domestication site for riverine buffaloes. The study supports the hypothesis of independent domestication events for riverine and swamp buffaloes, highlighting the critical role of genetic analysis in unraveling the complex evolutionary pathways of domestic animals. This investigation contributes to the global understanding of buffalo mitogenome diversity, offering insights into this important livestock species' domestication and dispersal patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involves the formulation of cobalt nanoparticles by means of ethanolic Azadirachta indica (neem) extract (CoNP@N). Later, the formulated buildup was incorporated into cotton fabric in order to mitigate antifungal infection. Optimization of the formulation was carried out by considering the effect of plant concentration, temperature, and revolutions per minute (rpm) used, through design of the experiment (DOE), response surface methodology (RSM), and ANOVA of the synthetic procedure. Hence, graph was potted with the aid of effecting parameters and the related factors (size of particle and zeta potential). Further characterization of nanoparticles was performed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) was considered for the detection of functional groups. The structural property of CoNP@N was calculated with the aid of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The surface property was measured with the use of a surface area analyzer (SAA). The values of Inhibition concentration (IC50) and zone of inhibition (ZOI), were calculated, so as to determine the antifungal property against both the strains (Candida albicans, MTCC 227and Aspergillus niger, MTCC 8652). The further nano-coated cloth was subjected to a durability test, and hence the cloth was washed (through the purpose of time 0; 10; 25; and 50 washing cycles), and then its anti-fungal operation to a couple of strains was retained. Primarily, 51 μg/ml of cobalt nanoparticles incorporated on the cloth was retained but after 50 washing cycles in 500 ml of purified water, the cloth showed more efficiency contrary to C. albicans than towards A. niger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ladakh, one of the highest inhabited regions globally, hosts the unique Changthangi goat, renowned for producing Pashmina, the world's most luxurious natural fiber. In comparison, the fiber derived from Changthangi sheep is considered next only to Pashmina. This research endeavors to compare the skin transcriptome profiles of Changthangi goats and Changthangi sheep, aiming to discern the molecular determinants behind the recognition of Changthangi goats as the source of Pashmina. Drawing upon previously conducted studies, a collective of 225 genes correlated with fiber characteristics were extracted from the differentially expressed genes noticed between the two species (p-value of ≤ 0.05 and a log2 fold change of ≥ 1.5). These genes were analyzed using DAVID software to understand their biological functions and to identify enriched KEGG and Reactome pathways. The protein-protein interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape, cytoHubba, and STRING to focus on key genes and infer their biological significance. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed significantly higher expression of genes involved in signaling pathways like Wnt, MAPK, PI3K-Akt, Hedgehog, associated with fiber development and quality in Changthangi goats. These pathways play crucial roles in hair follicle (HF) formation, maintenance of epidermal stem cells, and fiber characteristics. Findings also highlight the enrichment of cell adhesion molecules and ECM-receptor interaction, emphasizing their roles in HF structure, growth, and signaling. This investigation offers an in-depth understanding of the molecular intricacies governing Pashmina production in Changthangi goats, providing valuable insights into their unique genetic makeup and underlying mechanisms influencing the exceptional quality of Pashmina fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel nanoadsorbent material is developed using plant waste dead bark of Azadirachta indica plant and activated with phosphoric acid. By using FTIR, XRD, UV–vis, FESEM, BET, and TEM analytical tools, the structural and morphological features of the prepared nanoadsorbent were investigated, and the adsorption capability was tested for the removal of a cationic dye methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution. N2 sorption study confirmed that the nanoadsorbent structure is composed of 2–50 nm diameter size of pores and illustrated a type IV isotherm with H3 type of hysteresis loop. Batch experiments performed for adsorption isotherm investigation revealed that the sorption equilibrium was achieved within 80 min at pH = 11 when used 30 mg of adsorbent in 50 mL of dye solution (30 mg/L) at room temperature. In 80 min of contact time, 99.49% adsorptive removal of MB dye was achieved at optimized adsorption operational parameters. The adsorption process of MB dye was exhibited better agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model, and the utmost adsorption capability was estimated to be 106.92 mg/g at 303 K. The kinetics of adsorption process was well followed to the pseudo-second-order kinetics and the adsorption of MB dye molecules on the developed nanoadsorbent was found to be directed by the intra-particle diffusion (IPD) process but it was not a sole directing factor. The thermodynamic investigation of adsorption study revealed that the process was spontaneous and endothermic, and increased randomness at the adsorbate-adsorbent interface. The recyclability study performed in four successive cycles established the stability and reusability of adsorbent which retained nearly 90% adsorption ability after fourth run of reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human skull has always been used for victim identification in forensic odontology. The gender-dimorphic bone of the skull is the mandible. The gonial angle has frequently been investigated for gender estimation with variable results and requires further exploration. We aim to compare the efficacy of gonial angle estimation by ancient methods of lateral cephalometric tracing compared with more recent digital analysis methods for gender estimation in the Indian population. Lateral cephalograms of 191 (96 M and 95F) cases above the age of 17 years were retrieved. Cephalometric analysis of gonial angle on radiographs was done using both manual cephalometric tracing method and digitally using Adobe Photoshop software. The results were subjected to statistical analysis for evaluation. The mean gonial angle was higher in females (125.05; 123.77 and 125.28) than in males (122.583; 121.715 and 122.008) using both manual and digital methods. On applying the logistical regression analysis (LRA), the digital method showed the highest gender estimation accuracy of 60.7% followed by Burstone's analysis (57.1%) and manual conventional analysis (56.5%). Burstone's analysis (57.9%) correctly identified increased females, whereas digital analysis (62.5%) and manual conventional analysis (59.4%) accurately recognised increased males. The present study showed a higher gender estimation accuracy using digital methods as compared to manual methods, but it still lacks the credibility to be used as a sole factor for predicting the gender of an individual. Hence, a cumulative factor must be taken into consideration for gender identification which would provide more promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is a highly reliable method for validating gene expression data in molecular studies due to its sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency. To ensure accurate qPCR results, it's essential to normalize the expression data using stable reference genes. Methods: This study aimed to identify suitable reference genes for qPCR studies in goats by evaluating 18 candidate reference genes (ACTB, BACH1, B2M, GAPDH, HMBS, HPRT1, PGK1, PPIA, PPIB, RPLP0, RPL19, RPS9, RPS15, RPS28, SDHA, TBP, UXT, and YWHAZ) in 10 different caprine tissues (heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, rumen, skin, spleen, and testis). An integrated tool called RefFinder, which incorporates various algorithms like NormFinder, GeNorm, BestKeeper, and ΔCt, was used to assess the stability of expression among these genes. Results: After thorough analysis, ACTB, PPIB, and B2M emerged as the most stable reference genes, while RPL19, RPS15, and RPS9 were found to be the least stable. The suitability of the selected internal control genes was further validated through target gene analysis, confirming their efficacy in ensuring accurate gene expression profiling in goats. Conclusion: The study determined that the geometric average of ACTB, PPIB, and B2M creates an appropriate normalization factor for gene expression studies in goat tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global pandemic, lockdown restrictions, and COVID-19 compulsory social isolation guidelines have raised unprecedented mental health in the sports community. The COVID-19 pandemic is found to affect the mental health of the population. In critical situations, health authorities and sports communities must identify their priorities and make plans to maintain athletes' health and athletic activities. Several aspects play an important role in prioritization and strategic planning, e.g., physical and mental health, distribution of resources, and short to long-term environmental considerations. To identify the psychological health of sportspeople and athletes due to the outbreak of COVID-19 has been reviewed in this research. This review article also analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on health mental in databases. The COVID-19 outbreak and quarantine would have a serious negative impact on the mental health of athletes. From the accessible sources, 80 research articles were selected and examined for this purpose such as Research Gate, PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, Scopus, and Web of Science and based on the involvement for this study 14 research articles were accessed. This research has an intention on mental health issues in athletes due to the Pandemic. This report outlines the mental, emotional and behavioural consequences of COVID-19 home confinement. Further, research literature reported that due to the lack of required training, physical activity, practice sessions, and collaboration with teammates and coaching staff are the prime causes of mental health issues in athletes. The discussions also reviewed several pieces of literature which examined the impacts on sports and athletes, impacts on various countries, fundamental issues of mental health and the diagnosis for the sports person and athletes, and the afterlife of the COVID-19 pandemic for them. Because of the compulsory restrictions and guidelines of this COVID-19 eruption, the athletes of different sports and geographical regions are suffering from fewer psychological issues which were identified in this paper. Accordingly, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to negatively affect the mental health of the athletes with the prevalence and levels of anxiety and stress increasing, and depression symptoms remaining unaltered. Addressing and mitigating the negative effect of COVID-19 on the mental health of this population identified from this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA sequencing-based expression profiles from pectoralis major muscles of black meat (Kadaknath) and white meat (broiler) chicken were compared to identify differentially expressed genes. A total of 156 genes with log2 fold change ≥ ± 2.0 showed higher expression in Kadaknath and 68 genes were expressed at a lower level in comparison to broiler. Significantly enriched biological functions of up-regulated genes in Kadaknath were skeletal muscle cell differentiation, regulation of response to reactive oxygen, positive regulation of fat cell differentiation and melanosome. Significant ontology terms up-regulated in broiler included DNA replication origin binding, G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway and chemokine activity. Highly inter-connected differentially expressed genes in Kadaknath (ATFs, C/EPDs) were observed to be important regulators of cellular adaptive functions, while in broiler, the hub genes were involved in cell cycle progression and DNA replication. The study is an attempt to get an insight into the transcript diversity of pectoralis major muscles of Kadaknath and broiler chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the urbanization, industrialization and land transformation surrounding National Highway-48 in the National Capital Region of Delhi. Over the last 20 years, this region has experienced rapid urban growth, industrialization and land transformation. Its urban expansion has fluctuated over time, indicating future urban dynamics. This highway from Delhi to Mumbai is a part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project. It is India's most ambitious infrastructure development programme, aiming to transform new industrial cities into "Smart Cities" by integrating next-generation technologies. This study covers 2637 sq km area surrounding NH-48 from Gurugram city to Sotanala industrial location in Behror, a 127 km stretch in the NCR with a buffer of 10 km. It covers sixteen urban centres, including Gurugram, Garhi Harshru, Bhondsi, Manesar and Pataudi in Gurgaon District, Rewari, Dharuhera, Bawal, Rampura, Ghatal Mahaniawas, Aakera and Maheshari in Rewari District, Bhiwadi, Shahjahanpur, Neemrana and Behror in Alwar District. Landsat satellite images, census data, state and district industrial profiles of Haryana and Rajasthan and city/regional development plans have been used for meaningful analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Free-range (FR) poultry production systems are associated with quality products and improved welfare. All the 19 diverse chicken breeds of India have evolved under the FR system and are adapted to different agro-climatic conditions. It is vital to explore indigenous germplasm with modern genomic tools to have insights into genomic characteristics of production traits and adaptation. Methods: In this study, breast tissue transcriptome profiles were generated and analyzed from four biological replicates of two indigenous backyard poultry breeds of India-Ankaleshwar, a breed of the mainland, and Nicobari, a breed adapted to islands. The read quality of sequences was checked by FASTQC and processed reads were aligned to the reference genome (bGalGal1). Results: More than 94% mapping to the reference genome was observed for all samples. A total of 12,790 transcripts were common across both groups, while 657 were expressed only in Ankaleshwar and 169 in Nicobari. The highest expressed genes across both groups were associated mainly with muscle structure, contraction, and energy metabolism. The highly expressed genes identified in Ankaleshwar were involved in fatty acid catabolism and oxidative stress mitigation. Functional terms, pathways, and hub genes in Nicobari participated in muscle fiber growth, adipogenesis, and fatty acid anabolism. A key hub gene (RAC1) in Nicobari is a potential candidate affecting the laying rate in chickens. The qRT-PCR results also substantiate the RNA-seq results. Conclusion: The findings provide a precious molecular resource to advance understanding of the genetic basis of adaptation, meat quality, and egg production in backyard chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theileriosis is one of the top ten economically important diseases in cattle in India. Cytokines are considered important mediators and regulators of the immune response to an infection. In the present study, the gene expression profiles of fourteen cytokines (IL1A, IL1B, IL2, IL4, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL12A, IL12B, IL16, TGFB1, TNFA, IFNA and IFNB) were compared in Theileria annulata–infected and healthy crossbred cattle. Blood samples were obtained from the District Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Karnal. The presence/absence of T. annulata infection in the animals was determined on the basis of blood smear examination and molecular detection through PCR using the genus-specific primers. Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which was further reverse transcribed to cDNA. Primer3 software was employed to design the primers for Real-Time qPCR. The results were examined using 2–∆∆Ct method with RPS15 and GAPDH as the reference genes. The expression of IL1B, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL12A, IL12B, TNFA, IFNA and IFNB was significantly higher, whereas the expression of IL2 was lower in the infected animals. The transcript levels of IL1A and TGFB1 were also higher in the diseased animals, but the results were non-significant. This study profiles the expression kinetics of various pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes in response to bovine theileriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Retraction Note: Ameliorative potential of Operculina turpethum against streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats: biochemical and histopathological studies" has been retracted by the Editor-in-Chief of 3 Biotech. Concerns were raised about image overlap in the figures, specifically in Figures 3 and 4, as well as similarities in certain areas of Figures 6b-i. The authors were unable to explain the similarities in Figure 6, leading to a loss of confidence in the presented data. Neeraj Choudhary, Shvetank Bhatt, and Ashish Suttee do not agree with the retraction, while the other authors have not responded to correspondence from the publisher. [Extracted from the article]

Kadaknath, the only black chicken indigenous to India, faces the threat of extinction due to declining numbers. Its meat is used in tribal medicine for invigorating and health-promoting properties. Expectations of immune-boosting and therapeutic properties in its meat are creating a buzz these days. Thus, Kadaknath meat was explored and further compared with the commercial Cobb 400 broiler (Cobb) for the functional traits that might be contributing towards proclaimed pharmacological benefits. Birds (n = 20/ group) were raised under similar management conditions and the two primal chicken meat cuts (breast and thigh) were collected at the marketing age. Kadaknath meat was found to be an enriched source of functional biomolecules (carnosine, anserine, creatine). Its breast meat carnosine content was more than double of the Cobb broiler, 6.10 ± 0.13 and 2.73 ± 0.1 mg/ g of wet tissue, respectively. Similarly, the thigh meat of Kadaknath was a significantly (P < 0.05) richer source of carnosine. The genetic background was a key determinant for muscle carnosine content as a significant abundance of CARNS1 and SLC36A1 expression was identified in the Kadaknath breast. The superior functional property of Kadaknath meat was established by the antioxidant capacity established by the Oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay and a stronger ability to inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The identification of fairly unknown nutritional and functional advantages of Kadaknath meat could potentially change the paradigm with its meat consumption. It will help in developing a brand name for Kadaknath products that will propel an increase in its market share and ultimately conservation of this unique but endangered poultry germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the acute toxicity, antidiabetic potential (in-vitro and in-vivo) of the Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso at fraction level. The plant was fractionated into different fractions, i.e., flavonoid fraction (OTFF), tannin fraction (OTTF), saponin fraction (OTSF). In-vitro alpha-amylase inhibition assay revealed that OTFF was found to be more potent than standard Acarbose. The plant fractions were evaluated by MTT assay at different concentrations ranging from 100 to 1000 µg/ml. All the fractions were further evaluated for their safety profile, and the biochemical, hematology and histopathology result exhibits that the OTFF fraction produces mild toxicity at organ level at a concentration of 2000 mg/kg in albino mice. The in-vivo antidiabetic study was carried out on Sprague-Dawley rats using high-fat diet (HFD) feeding streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic model, and the biochemical, histopathology research findings represent that OTFF at a concentration of 500 mg/kg, p.o. was found to be highly significant among all the fractions and found to be more potent than the standard Acarbose. LC–MS characterization of the bioactive fraction OTFF showed the presence of rutin with m/z 610.52 in 50.50% and Apigenin 7-O-6'' acetyl-glucoside with m/z 475.42 in 24.10%; from molecular docking study, it is predicted that the fraction primarily acts as an alpha-amylase inhibitor and PPAR gamma agonist. In conclusion, the plant's OTFF fraction acts as a potential therapeutic agent for Type II diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India has a rich heritage of rearing cattle where farmers selected native cattle suitable to their local agro-ecological conditions for centuries. It is reflected in 50 indigenous breeds of cattle, besides many lesser known populations not explored so far. It is the need of the hour to characterize such populations to have prudent improvement and conservation options. Thus, present study was carried out to assess the genetic diversity and relationship between an unexplored local cattle population (Kathani) and four established cattle breeds of adjoining area (Gaolao, Kosali, Ongole and Motu) by using 20 FAO recommended microsatellite markers. High variability was recorded in the Kathani population with a total of 198 alleles that varied between 5 (ILSTS11, TGLA22, INRA05) and 17 (ILSTS34) with a mean of 9.9 ± 0.73. The average observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.658 ± 0.054. Heterozygote deficiency was not significant (FIS = 0.029 ± 0.063) indicating random mating prevalent across this population. Mean estimates of observed number of alleles and heterozygosity over all the loci and five populations were 9.73 ± 0.421 and 0.617 ± 0.022, respectively. In the overall populations, the homozygote excess (FIT) of 0.293 ± 0.032, was partly due to the homozygote excess within breeds (FIS = 0.121 ± 0.025) and to a larger extent due to high (0.05 < FST < 0.15) genetic differentiation among them (FST = 0.195 ± 0.029). Substantial pairwise Nei's genetic distance and high population differentiation indicated towards separate genetic identity of Kathani cattle. The analysis of genetic structure based on Bayesian approach indicated that the most probable number of clusters is five confirming definitive genetic differentiation among all the popultions. Entire analysis showed that a significant amount of genetic variation is maintained in Kathani, a lesser known cattle population that is distinct from the recognized breeds in the proximity. As this autochthonous cattle plays role in the economic sustainability of a marginal and disadvantaged area, it is important to preserve and develop its breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pashmina, the world's finest natural fiber is derived from secondary hair follicles of Changthangi goats which are domesticated in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir by nomadic pastoralists. Complex epithelial-mesenchymal interactions involving numerous signal molecules and signaling pathways govern hair follicle morphogenesis and mitosis across different species. The present study involved transcriptome profiling of skin from fiber type Changthangi goats and meat type Barbari goats to unravel gene networks and metabolic pathways that might contribute to Pashmina development. In Changthangi goats, 525 genes were expressed at significantly higher levels and 54 at significantly lower levels with fold change >2 (padj < 0.05). Functional annotation and enrichment analysis identified significantly enriched pathways to be formation of the cornified envelope, keratinization and developmental biology. Expression of genes for keratins (KRTs) and keratin-associated proteins (KRTAPs) was observed to be much higher in Changthangi goats. A host of transcriptional regulator genes for hair follicle keratin synthesis such as GPRC5D, PADI3, HOXC13, FOXN1, LEF1 and ELF5 showed higher transcript abundance in Pashmina producing goats. Positive regulation of Wnt signaling pathway and negative regulation of Oncostatin M signaling pathway may be speculated to be important contributors to hair follicle development and hair shaft differentiation in Changthangi goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was planned to identify differences in the milk metabolite composition of Indian (Sahiwal), exotic (Holstein-Friesian) and their crossbred cows in intensive system of management. To mimic the management system of ancient India, indigenous cattle under extensive system (zero input) were also included. Holstein-Friesian (HF) had significantly higher amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA, 76.3%) as compared to the crossbred (73.3%) and Sahiwal (68.0%). HF had the highest concentration (42.7%) of hypercholesterolemic fatty acids and the maximum value (68.5) of athrogenecity index (AI). Sahiwal had the highest proportion (32.1%) of total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). Mineral, vitamin, n-3 fatty acids and total amount of essential amino acids did not vary across the three groups. Milk of indigenous cattle maintained only on grazing had more favorable nutrient profile. It had low SFA (61.4%), high UFA (38.6%) and higher concentrations of both monounsaturated fatty acids (31.4%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (7.2%). The n-6/n-3 ratio (2.7) and the AI (33.9) were significantly lower. Significantly higher concentrations of minerals (Zn, Fe, P and Cu) and vitamins except vitamin B5 were recorded in their milk. The study revealed that milk metabolite characteristics can be used to promote indigenous cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present research compared the effect of chromate reducers such as ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSO·7HO) and stannous sulphate dihydrate (SnCl·2HO) on the hydration of cement paste, using water-cement ratio of 0.5 and sealed in plastic bags without curing for 28 days. Uncured hydration properties of cement paste are investigated in detail by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and verified with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD). This research concluded that the cement paste with 0.1% additives showed better hydration in the uncured condition than the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid sterility or reproductive isolation in mammals has been attributed to allelic incompatibilities in a DNA-binding protein PRDM9. Not only is PRDM9 exceptional in being the only known 'speciation gene' in vertebrates, but it is also considered to be the fastest evolving gene in the genome. The terminal zinc finger (ZF) domain of PRDM9 specifies genome-wide meiotic recombination hotspot locations in mammals. Intriguingly, PRDM9 ZF domain is highly variable between as well as within species, possibly activating different recombination hotspots. The present study characterized the full-length coding sequence of PRDM9 in cattle and buffalo and explored the diversity of the ZF array in 514 samples from different bovids (cattle, yak, mithun, and buffalo). Substantial numerical and sequence variability were observed in the ZFs, with the number of repeats ranging from 6 to 9 in different bovines. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of 37 different ZFs in cattle, 3 in mithun, 4 in yak, and 13 in buffaloes producing 41 unique PRDM9 alleles in these species. The posterior mean of dN/dS or omega values calculated using Codeml tool of PAMLX identified sites −5, −1, +2, +3, +4, +5, and +6 in the ZF domain to be evolving positively in the studied species. Concerted evolution which typifies the evolution of this gene was consistently evident in all bovines. Our results demonstrate the extraordinary diversity of PRDM9 ZF array across bovines, reinforcing similar observations in other metazoans. The high variability is suggestive of unique repertoire of meiotic recombination hotspots in each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiophene-2-carbaldehyde/acetaldehyde-N-substituted thiosemicarbazones{RRC = N- N(H)-C(=S)NHR; R, R, R : CHS, H, Me, Httsc-NMe; CHS, H, Et, Httsc-NEt; CHS, H, Ph, Httsc-NPh; CHS, Me, Et, Hattsc-NEt} and furan-2-carbaldehyde-N-ethyl thiosemicarbazone (CHO, H, Et, Hftsc-NEt) were reacted with silver(I) halides/silver(I) acetate in presence of triphenylphosphine in organic solvents. These reactions yielded a series of dinuclear [Ag( μ-Br)( κ-S-Httsc-NEt)(PPh)] ⋅2MeOH 1, [AgCl( κ-S- Httsc-NPh)( μ-S,S-Httsc-NPh)] 2, [AgCl( μ-S-Hftsc-NEt)( κ-S-Hftsc-NEt)] 4, [Ag( μ-N,S-ttsc-NMe)(PhP)] ⋅2(CH)CO 5, [Ag( μ-N,S-attsc-NEt)(PhP)] ⋅0.5(CH)CO 6and mononuclear [AgBr ( κ-S-Httsc-NPh)(PPh)] ⋅ MeCN 3 complexes, all of which have been characterized using analytical techniques, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Thio-ligands bind in neutral form in complexes 1-4 and in anionic form in complexes 5- 6. Further, the sulfur donor atoms have shown variable coordination modes in complexes, namely, κ-S in 1 and 3; κ-S, μ-S in 4; κ-S, μ-S,S (thiopheneyl-thione) in 2 and μ- N, S in 5 and 6. Tertiary-phosphine (PPh) showed dual function of ligation/de-ligation towards silver(I) chloride during the synthesis of complexes 2 and 4. The bridge bonding of Httsc-NPh in 2 through thiopheneyl ring sulfur and thione sulfur is unprecedented in metal-thiosemicarbazone chemistry. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactions of copper(I) halides with p-chlorobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (HL) and triphenylphosphine in 1 : 1 : 2 molar ratio yielded complexes of stoichiometry, [CuX( η-S- H L)(PhP)] (X = I, 1: Br, 2; Cl, 3). All the three complexes were characterized using analytical (CHNS) and spectroscopic (IR, H NMR) techniques. The structure of complex 3 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. It has been found to crystallize in the triclinic system with space group P-1 and unit cell parameters: a = 10.207(5) Å, b = 13.027(5) Å, c = 16.269(5) Å, α= 100.054(5) , β= 99.228(5) and γ= 97.234(5). This complex has distorted tetrahedral geometry with two phosphorus atoms from two triphenylphosphine ligands, thione sulfur of thiosemicarbazone ligand and chloride ion occupying the four corners of the tetrahedron. The structure of complex 3 was in contrast to sulfur-bridged dinuclear complex of copper(I) chloride with benzaldehydethiosemicarbazone, [CuCl( μ-S-Hbtsc)(PhP)] ⋅2HO. The intermolecular H-bonding, Cl ⋯ HC, 2.733 Å and π interactions, {CH⋯ π, 2.796; 2.776 Å} in this complex led to the formation of 1D chain. Two such 1D chains were cross-linked via, Cl ⋯ HC, 2.896 Å H-bonding to form a 2D network. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive traits show either low to moderate heritability and are measured late in life. Thus molecular markers are required to improve the pace of genetic gain in these traits of economic value. Recent publications report the association of polymorphism in JY- 1 gene with cattle reproductive traits. In this study, the only known single nucleotide polymorphism (C15329T) of caprine JY- 1 gene was explored for its association with reproductive traits; age at first heat, age at first service and age at first kidding. Black Bengal (n = 70), a sexually precocious and prolific goat breed of India was genotyped for the SNP by designing PCR-RFLP. Effect of year of birth and genotype was found to be non-significant at 1 % for all three traits. However, the effect of season of birth was highly significant ( p ≤ 0.01) on age at first kidding. Polymorphism in 3′UTR of the JY- 1 gene is not associated with the reproductive traits of goats. In future, studies involving large number of animals from different goat breeds as well as investigation of other regions of this gene would be exciting to perform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shahabadi sheep represent an important but uninvestigated source of genetic diversity. Eighteen microsatellite markers were employed to analyze the genetic diversity of Shahabadi sheep population found in Bihar, India within fifty samples. Microsatellites were highly polymorphic with a mean allelic number 5.56 ± 1.79. The observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity and observed and effective number of alleles were used to estimate the genetic variation of this breed. The observed heterozygosity in the population varied from 0.279–0.739 with the mean of 0.501 ± 0.151, reflecting substantial genetic variation in this population. Population was observed to be heterozygote deficient (21.5%). The results of this study indicated that conservation of genetic variation in Shahabadi population should be considered by breeders, in the interest of long term future of the breed in its native tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of macro-invertebrates and their monthly variations occupying the Tons river in Doon Valley was conducted from August 2003–July 2004. Macro-invertebrate collections and water samples were taken from three sampling stations every month during the period of study. All the hydrological attributes were measured monthly for 1 year. The present study showed that the water velocity, hydromedian depth, turbidity and dissolved oxygen and nature and size of the bottom substrates do play a major role in determining the macro-invertebrate diversity of Tons river. The ecological relevance of the measured hydrological attributes was investigated by comparing their degree of correlation with invertebrate density and diversity. The Shannon–Wiener index (H′) of macro-invertebrates was found to be highest (3.60) during spring season (February and March) and lowest (2.59) during monsoon season (July and August). The high values of diversity index of macro-invertebrates at all the three sampling sites indicate diverse macro-invertebrate communities in the Tons river in Doon Valley, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a genetic diversity study of Kherigarh cattle, a utility draught-purpose breed of India, currently declining at a startling rate, by use of microsatellite markers recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Microsatellite genotypes were derived, and allelic and genotypic frequencies, heterozygosities and gene diversity were estimated. A total of 131 alleles were distinguished by the 21 microsatellite markers used. All the microsatellites were highly polymorphic, with mean (± s.e.) allelic number of 6.24 ± 1.7, ranging 4-10 per locus. The observed heterozygosity in the population ranged between 0.261 and 0.809, with mean (± s.e.) of 0.574 ± 0.131, indicating considerable genetic variation in this population. Genetic bottleneck hypotheses were also explored. Our data suggest that the Kherigarh breed has not experienced a genetic bottleneck in the recent past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background and Aim An adverse coronary risk profile has been reported amongst rural-to-urban migrant population living in urban slums undergoing stressful socio-economic transition. These individuals are likely to have low intakes of folic acid and vitamin B12, which may have an adverse impact on serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy). To test this hypothesis, we studied serum levels of Hcy in subjects living in an urban slum of North India and healthy subjects from urban non-slum area. Methods Group I consisted of 46 subjects (22 males and 24 females) living in an urban slum, while group II consisted of healthy subjects (n = 26, 13 males and 13 females) living in the adjacent non-slum area. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical profile (fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and fasting serum levels of Hcy were measured. Dietary intakes of folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B1, and iron were calculated by the 24-hour dietary recall method. Serum levels of Hcy were correlated with dietary intakes of nutrients, anthropometry, and metabolic variables. Results Sex-adjusted serum levels of Hcy in mmol/L (Mean ± SD) were high, though statistically comparable, in both the groups (group I: 20.8 ± 5.9 and group II: 23.2 ± 5.9). Overall, higher than normal serum levels of Hcy (> 15 μmol/L) were recorded in 84 % of the subjects. A substantial proportion of subjects in both groups had daily nutrient intakes below that recommended for the Asian Indian population (folic acid: 93.4 % in group I and 96.7 % in group II, vitamin B12: 76.1 % in group I and 88.4 % in group II). However, between the two groups, average daily dietary intakes of both the nutrients were statistically comparable. As compared to non-vegetarians, vegetarians showed lower intakes of folic acid (p < 0.01) and vitamin B12 (p < 0.01) in both groups. On multivariate linear... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheep farming has been fundamental to many civilizations in the world and is practiced in India since antiquity. Several thousand years of adaptation to local environmental conditions and selective breeding have evolved 44 sheep breeds in India. They are paramount in terms of economic, scientific, and cultural heritage. Genetic characterization information is imperative for sustainable utilization and conservation of ovine heritage. In this study, the genetic diversity, differentiation, and structure of 11 indigenous sheep breeds from three different agro-ecological zones of India were explored with genomic microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA (D loop). The estimated diversity parameters indicated that populations retained high levels of genetic diversity (Na = 8.27 ± 0.17; Ho = 0.65 ± 0.01), which provides an optimistic viewpoint for their survival. However, significant inbreeding was also observed in the nine populations. Moderate genetic differentiation existed among the groups (FST = 0.129 ± 0.012), and most likely clusters existing in the dataset are seven. Phylogenetic clustering was in line with the geographical locations of sheep populations. Mitochondrial sequences revealed high haplotype diversity with the existence of maternal haplogroups A, B, and C, and signals of population expansion. Decreased genetic diversity and unique maternal lineage (C) in endangered Tibetan and Bonpala sheep breed, warrant their immediate scientific management. Overall, the quantitative data reported here on the extant variability, and genetic relationships among the Indian sheep breeds, provide critically important inputs that will be valuable for the decision-making process on their management, both for the conservation of endangered breeds, and formulation of breeding programs to check genetic erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the maternal genetic diversity of six indigenous Indian horse and pony breeds (Bhutia, Kathiawari, Manipuri, Marwari, Spiti, and Zanskari) using comprehensive mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) analysis. Blood samples from 53 horses across diverse agro-climatic zones of India were analyzed, revealing 36 distinct haplotypes, with a haplotype diversity of 0.889 and nucleotide diversity of 0.00347. These indices suggest significant maternal genetic diversity in Indian equines. A median-joining (MJ) network, based on the hypervariable region of the D-loop along with sequences of Indian equids retrieved from the NCBI, identified 55 haplotypes, including shared haplotypes across 2–5 breeds. Hierarchical AMOVA analysis revealed that 95.20% of genetic variation was within populations, while only 4.80% was among different groups, indicating minimal genetic structuring based on geographic distribution. Phylogenetic analysis of these mitogenomes, alongside global sequences, revealed significant genetic variability without clear geographic clustering, highlighting extensive gene flow and interbreeding across regions. Median-Joining network based on D-loop sequence revealed that Indian horses conform to seven of the 18 globally recognized haplogroups (A, B, G, J, L, M, and P), with haplogroup A being the most frequent. This research contributes to the broader understanding of equine genetic diversity, aligning with global patterns of extensive maternal haplotype diversity, and underscores the intricate genetic backgrounds resulting from historical breeding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]