Genome-wide selection signatures address trait specific candidate genes in cattle indigenous to arid regions of India.

The peculiarity of Indian cattle lies in milk quality, resistance to diseases and stressors as well as adaptability. The investigation addressed selection signatures in Gir and Tharparkar cattle, belonging to arid ecotypes of India. Double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) yielded nearly 26 million high-quality reads from unrelated seven Gir and seven Tharparkar cows. In all, 19,127 high-quality SNPs were processed for selection signature analysis. An approach involving within-population composite likelihood ratio (CLR) statistics and between-population FST statistics was used to capture selection signatures within and between the breeds, respectively. A total of 191 selection signatures were addressed using CLR and FST approaches. Selection signatures overlapping 86 and 73 genes were detected as Gir- and Tharparkar-specific, respectively. Notably, genes related to production (CACNA1D, GHRHR), reproduction (ESR1, RBMS3), immunity (NOSTRIN, IL12B) and adaptation (ADAM22, ASL) were annotated to selection signatures. Gene pathway analysis revealed genes in insulin/IGF pathway for milk production, gonadotropin releasing hormone pathway for reproduction, Wnt signalling pathway and chemokine and cytokine signalling pathway for adaptation. This is the first study where selection signatures are identified using ddRAD-seq in indicine cattle breeds. The study shall help in conservation and leveraging genetic improvements in Gir and Tharparkar cattle.

Reduced representation approach for identification of genome-wide SNPs and their annotation for economically important traits in Indian Tharparkar cattle.

The present study was carried out in Tharparkar cattle for identification of genome-wide SNPs and microsatellites, and then annotate the identified high-quality SNPs to milk production, fertility, carcass, adaptability and immune response of economically important traits. A total of 146,011 SNPs were identified with respect to Bos taurus reference genome which are indicus specific, out of which 10,519 SNPs were found to be novel. Similarly, a total of 87,047 SNPs were identified with respect to Bos indicus reference genome. After final annotation of SNPs identified with respect to Bos indicus reference genome, 2871 SNPs were found to be associated in 383 candidate genes having to do with milk production, fertility, carcass, immune response and adaptability traits. Following that, 2571 microsatellites were identified. The information mined from the data might be of importance for the future breed improvement programs, conservation efforts and for enhancing the SNPs density of the existing bovine SNP chips.

Genomic diversity and selection sweeps identified in Indian swamp buffaloes reveals it's uniqueness with riverine buffaloes.

The present investigation was focused to study genomic diversity of Indian swamp buffalo populations through reduced representation approach (ddRAD). The heterozygosity (FST) among the swamp buffaloes was 0.11 between Assam and Manipuri; 0.20 between swamp (Manipuri) and riverine buffaloes; 0.30 between swamp (Manipuri) and cattle. The average observed and expected heterozygosity in swamp buffalo populations was 0.254 and 0.221 respectively. The Inbreeding coefficient (FIS) value was 0.02 among the swamp buffaloes. PCA and structure analysis revealed Manipuri swamp buffalo was genetically distinct and closely related to Nagaland swamp buffalo and least to Assam swamp buffalo. Identification of selective sweeps revealed 1087 regions to have undergone selection related to immune response, adaptation and nervous system. A total of 3451 SSRs were identified in the genome of swamp buffaloes. The study evidenced the genomic diversity in the swamp buffalo populations and its uniqueness in comparison with riverine buffalo and cattle.

Teaching communications skills to medical students: Introducing the fine art of medical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Like many other people based professions, communications skills are essential to medical practice also. Traditional medical teaching in India does not address communication skills which are most essential in dealing with patients. Communication skills can be taught to medical students to increase clinical competence. OBJECTIVE: To teach basic communication and counseling skills to fourth-year undergraduate students to increase their clinical competence. METHODOLOGY: A total of 48, fourth-year MBBS students participated in the study. They were given training in basic communication and counseling skills and taught the patient interview technique according to Calgary-Cambridge guide format. Improvement in communication was assessed by change in pre- and post-training multiple choice questions, clinical patient examination, and Standardized Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (SPSQ) scores. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS: About 88% of the students in the sample were convinced of the importance of learning communication skills for effective practice. Almost 90% students were communicating better after training, as tested by improved SPSQ. As judged by Communication Skill Attitude Scale, student's positive attitude toward learning communication skill indicated that there is a necessity of communication skill training during undergraduate years. CONCLUSION: The ability to communicate effectively is a core competency for medical practitioners. Inculcating habits of good communications skill during formative years will help the medical students and future practitioners. Regular courses on effective communication should be included in the medical school curriculum.