Design, development and bio-evaluation of a novel radio-ligand 99mTc-THQ-DTPA as a sigma 2 receptor specific breast tumor imaging agent.

Over-expression of sigma-2 receptor in cancer cells provides an opportunity to develop molecular probes for diagnosis, even for non-receptor specific malignancies like triple negative breast cancers. In this work, a novel sigma-2 receptor ligand [THQ-DTPA] has been synthesized and characterized using 6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (THQ) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). The ligand is further chelated with 99mTc for application as metal based radiotracer [99mTc-THQ-DTPA]. Radiolabelling with 99mTc was achieved in an excellent yield of 98.0 ± 0.5% using stannous chloride as a reducing agent. The radioligand was found to be stable in human serum up-to 24 h, bio-compatible with less than 4% hemolysis, and exhibited high binding with sigma receptors isolated from rat liver membrane (Kd of 16.32 ± 4.93 nM and Bmax of 0.5232 ± 0.06 pmol/mg). Bio-distribution studies in triple-negative breast tumor bearing nude mice showed high tumor uptake after 30 min of injection with tumor/muscle (T/M) ratio of 3.58 ± 0.09. At 240 min, the T/M ratio (2.84 ± 0.20) decreased by 35% when administered in sigma blocked tumor bearing mice (1.81 ± 0.16) suggesting the selectivity of the ligand. Tumor imaging in gamma camera indicated a contrast of 3.56 at 30 min p.i. The above findings indicate that the ligand 99mTc-THQ-DTPA binds to sigma-2 receptors with high affinity and has potential for triple-negative breast tumor imaging.

Synthesis and in silico studies of some new pyrrolidine derivatives and their biological evaluation for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.

BACKGROUND: An array of commercially viable intermediate molecules necessary for the synthesis of a variety of bioactive molecules are chemically synthesized by pyrrolidine and its derivatives, which play a significant role in drug design and development process. AIM: The aim of the present research work was to explore the synthesis of some new pyrrolidine derivatives and to perform their in silico studies and finally evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to synthesis new pyrrolidine derivatives, examine how they affected the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes computationally, and to screen their in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity on laboratory animals. METHOD: The new pyrrolidine derivatives were synthesized by condensing N-(3-acetylphenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide with substituted aniline in ethanol in the presence of catalytic amounts of glacial acetic acid. The structures of novel pyrrolidine derivatives were characterised using IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Several molecular properties of the newly synthesized derivatives were calculated in order to evaluate the nature of the drug-like candidate. A specific reference cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme was used to dock the newly synthesized pyrrolidine derivatives. RESULTS: From the observed data, it was noted that amongst all newly synthesized compounds, A-1 and A-4 exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, respectively. CONCLUSION: On the basis of findings of present research, it was concluded that A-1 and A-4 might be utilized as a promising new lead compound for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAIDs) development.

Feasibility study on application of ready mix concrete in construction projects in Nepal.

Ready mix concrete (RMC) is a new concreting concept in the Nepali construction industry introduced before one decade. The paper aims to assess the acceptance of ready mix for residential buildings of Nepal. The relation was developed for average compressive strength with slump value and water cement ratio based on laboratory test nominal mix M20 (1:1.5:3) and M25 (1:1:2) along with questionnaire survey. The result also shows that the compressive strength of RMC is higher in comparison with the SMC (site mix concrete). During questionnaire, more than 60% of users prefer the RMC over SMC. The merit and demerit of construction projects using RMC and SMC are discussed and interpreted.

Bacteriophages: A possible solution to combat enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infections in neonatal goats.

Due to awareness and benefits of goat rearing in developing economies, goats' significance is increasing. Unfortunately, these ruminants are threatened via multiple bacterial pathogens such as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). In goat kids and lambs, EPEC causes gastrointestinal disease leading to substantial economic losses for farmers and may also pose a threat to public health via the spread of zoonotic diseases. Management of infection is primarily based on antibiotics, but the need for new therapeutic measures as an alternative to antibiotics is becoming vital because of the advent of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The prevalence of EPEC was established using bfpA gene, uspA gene and Stx1 gene, followed by phylogenetic analysis using Stx1 gene. The lytic activity of the isolated putative coliphages was tested on multi-drug resistant strains of EPEC. It was observed that a PCR based approach is more effective and rapid as compared to phenotypic tests of Escherichia coli virulence. It was also established that the isolated bacteriophages exhibited potent antibacterial efficacy in vitro, with some of the isolates (16%) detected as T4 and T4-like phages based on gp23 gene. Hence, bacteriophages as therapeutic agents may be explored as an alternative to antibiotics in managing public, livestock and environmental health in this era of AMR.

Assessment of quorum sensing effects of tyrosol on fermentative performance by chief ethnic fermentative yeasts from northeast India.

AIM: Tyrosol, a quorum sensing molecule in yeasts, was reported to reduce lag phase and induces hyphae formation during cell proliferation. However, evidence of any enhancing effect of tyrosol in cellular proliferation within fermentative environment is unclear. In this investigation, selected yeast cells were assessed for their ability to synthesize tyrosol followed by examining the role of the molecule during fermentation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Tyrosols were characterized in four fermentative yeasts viz., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis isolated from traditional fermentative cakes of northeast India. All the isolates synthesized tyrosol while C. tropicalis exhibited filamentous growth in response to tyrosols retrieved from other isolates. Purified tyrosols showed protective behaviour in C. tropicalis and S. cerevisiae under ethanol mediated oxidative stress. During fermentation, tyrosol significantly enhanced growth of W. anomalus in starch medium while C. tropicalis exhibited growth enhancement in starch and glucose sources. The chief fermentative yeast S. cerevisiae showed notable enhancement in fermentative capacity in starch medium under the influence of tyrosol con-commitment of ethanol production. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that tyrosol exerts unusual effect in cellular growth and fermentative ability of both Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeasts. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of expression of tyrosol by non-conventional yeasts, where the molecule was found to exert enhancing effect during fermentation, thereby augmenting the process of metabolite production during traditional fermentation.

Genetic diversity in leafy mustard (Brassica juncea var. rugosa) as revealed by agro-morphological traits and SSR markers.

Leafy mustard (B. juncea var. rugosa) constitutes an important group of vegetable mustard crops in India and is mainly cultivated in home-backyard and hilly regions of Uttarakhand and some North-eastern states. In the present study, various agro-morphological traits, physiological and biochemical traits along with SSR markers were used for genetic diversity evaluation in a germplasm collection of leafy mustard. This study revealed a significant variation among 59 accessions of leafy mustard in both qualitative and quantitative agro-morphological traits indicating the accessions' promising potential for consumption purpose and for use in breeding programs. Maximum variability was recorded for leaf area elongation rate (CV = 53.12%), followed by total plant weight (TPW) (CV = 50.63%) and seed yield per plant (CV = 44.33%). In molecular analysis, 155 SSRs evaluated resulted in 482 alleles and the number of alleles varied form 1 to 8 with an average of 3.11 alleles per marker. A total of 122 (78.70%) SSRs resulted into polymorphic amplicons. PIC value varied from 0.32 to 0.77 with an average value of 0.44 per SSR locus. The unweighted neighbour-joining-based dendrogram analysis divided all the 59 accessions into two major groups on the basis of both agro-morphological traits and SSR markers, whereas, three subpopulations/subgroups were predicted by population STRUCTURE analysis. AMOVA indicated the presence of more variability within population than among population. Overall, agro-morphologically better performing and genetically diverse genotypes have been identified which could be further used as donors for leafy mustard improvement programs.

Probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus GS4 shields brush border membrane and alleviates liver toxicity imposed by chronic cadmium exposure in Swiss albino mice.

AIMS: To evaluate the protective efficacy of Pediococcus pentosaceus GS4 in cadmium (Cd)-induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: The previously reported probiotic P. pentosaceus GS4 interaction with Cd was evaluated experimentally. Swiss albino mice were segregated randomly into three different groups containing nine animals each. The binding ability of P. pentosaceus GS4 and Cd was demonstrated by atomic absorption spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis respectively. Cd challenge was attenuated by the P. pentosaceus GS4 treatment and was evaluated by estimating Cd level in liver and faeces, corresponding biomarkers for toxicity in liver and intestines and histopathological analysis with brush border membrane (BBM) integrity. Results showed that P. pentosaceus GS4 bound Cd effectively. Pediococcus pentosaceus GS4 intervention significantly enhanced faecal evacuation of Cd with an effect of reduced tissue deposition. Histologically, Cd-induced gut was found significantly replenished with lactobacilli in addition to reduced hyperplasia, lowered lymphocytes infiltration and enhancement of BBM-based disaccharidases, proving its role in protecting membrane integrity. CONCLUSIONS: Probiotic P. pentosaceus GS4 efficiently alleviated toxicity from vital organs such as liver and intestine caused by Cd exposure in a murine model. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Intervention of P. pentosaceus GS4 alleviated Cd-induced toxicity, and thus it may be employed therapeutically to protect Cd toxicity.

Reduction in polyamine catabolism leads to spermine-mediated airway epithelial injury and induces asthma features.

BACKGROUND: Airway epithelial injury is a crucial component of acute and severe asthma pathogenesis and a promising target for treatment of refractory asthma. However, the underlying mechanism of epithelial injury remains poorly explored. Although high levels of polyamines, mainly spermine, have been found in asthma and comorbidity, their role in airway epithelial injury and the cause of their altered levels in asthma have not been explored. METHODS: We measured key polyamine metabolic enzymes in lung samples from normal and asthmatic subjects and in mice with OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation (AAI). Polyamine metabolism was modulated using pharmacologic/genetic modulators. Epithelial stress and apoptosis were measured by TSLP levels and TUNEL assay, respectively. RESULTS: We found loss of the polyamine catabolic enzymes spermidine/spermine-N (1)-acetyltransferase-1 (SAT1) and spermine oxidase (SMOX) predominantly in bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) of human asthmatic lung samples and mice with AAI. In naïve mice, SAT1 or SMOX knockdown led to airway hyper-responsiveness, remodeling, and BEC apoptosis. Conversely, in mice with AAI, overexpression of either SAT1 or SMOX alleviated asthmatic features and reduced TSLP levels and BEC apoptosis. Similarly, while pharmacological induction of SAT1 and SMOX using the polyamine analogue bis(ethyl)norspermine (BENSPM) alleviated asthmatic features with reduced TSLP levels and BEC apoptosis, pharmacological inhibition of these enzymes using BERENIL or MDL72527, respectively, worsened them. Spermine accumulation in lungs correlated with BEC apoptosis, and spermine treatment caused apoptosis of human BEAS-2B cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Spermine induces BEC injury. Induction of polyamine catabolism may represent a novel therapeutic approach for asthma via reversing BEC stress.

Window/door opening-mediated bedroom ventilation and its impact on sleep quality of healthy, young adults.

This work examined window/door opening as means of bedroom ventilation and the consequent effect upon occupants' sleep, using data from 17 healthy volunteers. Bedroom CO2 level, temperature, and relative humidity were measured over 5 days, for two cases: open window or door (internal, bedroom door), and closed window and door. Participant filled questionnaires and sleep diary provided subjective measure of sleep quality. Actigraphy objectively monitored the participants during sleep. Additionally, a FlexSensor, placed under pillows of participants, detected movement during sleep. Average CO2 level for the Open conditions was 717 ppm (SD = 197 ppm) and for Closed conditions was 1150 ppm (SD = 463 ppm). Absolute humidity levels were similar for both conditions, while Open conditions were slightly cooler (mean = 19.7°C, SD = 1.8°C) than Closed (mean = 20.1°C, SD = 1.5°C). Results showed significant correlations (P < .001) between actigraphy data and questionnaire responses for: sleep latency (r = .45), sleep length (r = .87), and number of awakenings (r = .28). Of all analyzed sleep parameters, questionnaire-based depth of sleep (P = .002) and actigraphy-based sleep phase (P = .003) were significantly different between Open and Closed conditions.

Immunization with Salmonella Abortusequi phage lysate protects guinea pig against the virulent challenge of SAE-742.

Salmonella Abortusequi causes important clinical diseases in horses possibly leading to abortion. In the present investigation, the protective efficacy of both plain and aluminum hydroxide gel adjuvanted phage lysate was evaluated in guinea pig model. Broad host range bacteriophage PIZ-SAE-2, was characterized and used for generation of lysates. Three different lysate batches, produced through separate cycles and characterized, were pooled together for immunization study. Plain and adjuvanted phage lysate preparations elicited both humoral and cellmediated immunity. The adjuvanted lysate at a dose of 50 µl elicited the highest protective efficacy against direct challenge at 28th DPI. Thus, the present study describes a new method of bacterial inactivation for producing a new class of better & safe immunprophylactic agents. This is the first report of producing an inactivated vaccine candidate using a new approach against equine salmonellosis.

Osteosynthesis with Locking Plate for Proximal Humerus Fracture.

Background Approximately 5% of all fractures consists of proximal humeral fractures. In the elderly population, most of these fractures are related to osteoporosis. Internal fixation has led to unpredictable results, especially in patients with osteopenic bone and those with comminuted fractures. Objective To evaluate functional outcome and complications following proximal humerus fracture fixation using locking plate. Method This prospective observational study was conducted at Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital from February 2014 to June 2015. We reviewed 35 patients with proximal humerus fractures, who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with locking plate.Functional outcome was evaluated according to the ConstantMurley shoulder assessment. Result Fracture union was achieved in all cases with the mean time to union being 14.6 weeks (11-24 weeks). At the final follow up the mean constant murley score was 73.6 (48-94). There was total 8(22.85%) cases who developed complication. Conclusion Internal fixation with the locking plate for proximal humerus fractures provides stable construct with better functional outcome as it allows early shoulder mobilization.

The synthesis of unconventional stoichiometric compounds in the K-Br system at high pressures.

Recently, the search for and synthesis of unconventional stoichiometric compounds have become one of the most active areas of high pressure research. Here, we report the synthesis of two new stoichiometric compounds, namely KBr3 and KBr5, at high pressures in the K-Br system. Until now, KBr was the only known compound in this system. Two independent experimental techniques, namely Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements, were employed to detect and confirm the formation of the new compounds. A room temperature chemical reaction between KBr and Br2 resulted in the formation of orthorhombic KBr3 at ∼2.0 GPa. Further compression led to the formation of monoclinic KBr5 at ∼6.0 GPa. This was accompanied by an anomalously large pressure (>2 GPa) increase inside the sample chamber and it remained stable up to the highest pressure, 24 GPa, of our study. Upon decompression, KBr5 remained stable down to 5.0 GPa. High-pressure (14-20 GPa) and high-temperature (>1500 K) laser heating experiments showed the decomposition of KBr5 into KBr3 (trigonal) and Br2 with a large volume reduction. First-principles structural searches were carried out to solve the composition and related crystal structures. The proposed structures give good description of the experimental Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction data. The electronic structure calculations reveal semiconducting behaviour for these compounds.

Comparative diagnostic evaluation of OMP31 gene based TaqMan® real-time PCR assay with visual LAMP assay and indirect ELISA for caprine brucellosis.

Brucellosis is one of the leading causes of abortion in domestic animals that imposes costs on both economy and society. The disease is highly zoonotic and poses risk to animal handlers due to its zoonotic nature. It causes stillbirth, loss of kids and abortion in last term of pregnancy. Reproductive damage includes infertility in does and orchitis and epididymitis in breeding bucks, which result in high financial losses to farmers and the agriculture industry as a whole. It requires highly sensitive and specific assays to diagnose the disease at field level. In the current study, a visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and the TaqMan® real-time PCR were developed with high sensitivity and specificity. For the TaqMan® probe, real-time PCR primers were developed using Omp31 gene as target and primers were designed using discontiguous conserved sequences of Omp31 gene. The Omp31 probes were designed by attaching 6-FAM reporter dye at the 5' end and BHQ-1 quencher at the 3' end. Published primers were used for visual LAMP assay targeting the Omp25 gene. Sensitivity of the standardized visual LAMP assay and TaqMan® real-time PCR assay was determined by serial dilution of positive Brucella melitensis DNA (102 to 10-4 ng) obtained from standard culture. The TaqMan® probe real-time assay can detect as low as 100 fg of B. melitensis DNA, whereas culture from vaginal swab washings has a limit of detection (LOD) of only 1 cfu/ml. Similarly, the visual LAMP assay can detect as low as 10 fg of B. melitensis DNA as compared to an LOD of 30 cfu/ml from culture of vaginal swab washings. Both assays were compared with serological tests (serum tube agglutination test (STAT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA)) for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Diagnostic sensitivities and specificities for TaqMan® real-time PCR vs. LAMP assays were 98 and 100% vs. 100 and 97.8%, respectively. Results of visual LAMP assay indicated that LAMP is a fast, specific, sensitive, inexpensive and suitable method for diagnosis of B. melitensis infection under field conditions. On the other hand, Omp31 TaqMan® probe real-time assay can be used in conjunction with the other field-based diagnostic tests due to its high specificity.

Proton transfer aiding phase transitions in oxalic acid dihydrate under pressure.

Oxalic acid dihydrate, an important molecular solid in crystal chemistry, ecology and physiology, has been studied for nearly 100 years now. The most debated issues regarding its proton dynamics have arisen due to an unusually short hydrogen bond between the acid and water molecules. Using combined in situ spectroscopic studies and first-principles simulations at high pressures, we show that the structural modification associated with this hydrogen bond is much more significant than ever assumed. Initially, under pressure, proton migration takes place along this strong hydrogen bond at a very low pressure of 2 GPa. This results in the protonation of water with systematic formation of dianionic oxalate and hydronium ion motifs, thus reversing the hydrogen bond hierarchy in the high pressure phase II. The resulting hydrogen bond between a hydronium ion and a carboxylic group shows remarkable strengthening under pressure, even in the pure ionic phase III. The loss of cooperativity of hydrogen bonds leads to another phase transition at ∼ 9 GPa through reorientation of other hydrogen bonds. The high pressure phase IV is stabilized by a strong hydrogen bond between the dominant CO2 and H2O groups of oxalate and hydronium ions, respectively. These findings suggest that oxalate systems may provide useful insights into proton transfer reactions and assembly of simple molecules under extreme conditions.

Authentication of five Barilius species from Indian waters using DNA barcoding.

Authentic identification of fish species is essential for conserving them as a valuable genetic resource in our environment. DNA barcoding of living beings has become an important and ultimate tool for establishing their molecular identity. Among cyprinids, Barilius is an important genus having nearly 23 species in Indian region whose morphological identification is often difficult due to minute differences in their features. Five species collected from Indian waters and primarily identified as Opsarius bakeri (syn. Barilius bakeri), B. gatensis, B. vagra, B. bendelisis and B. ngawa were authenticated by their DNA barcoding based on mitochondrial COI gene sequences. Five individuals of each species were taken for barcode preparation by COI gene sequencing which yielded one barcode for B. ngawa, two barcodes each for O. bakeri, B. gatensis, B. bendelisis and three barcodes for B. vagra. The order of inter and intra-specific variation was estimated to know a preliminary status of variation prevailing in these cold stream fish species significant for evolution and conservation of these valued species of our ichthyofauna. Average variation within genera was found to be 13.6% with intra-specific variation ranging from 0.0% (B. ngawa) to 0.6% (B. gatensis). These distance data are in the same order found by various researchers globally using COI barcode sequences in different fish species. Phylogenetic relatedness among Barilius species and some other cyprinids validate their status of individual species as established by conventional taxonomy.

Histopathological Diagnosis of Leprosy Type 1 Reaction with Emphasis on Interobserver Variation.

Upgrading typel lepra reaction or reversal reaction (RR) is an acute inflammatory complication of leprosy and a disparity exists between clinicians and pathologists for diagnosing a RR. Inter-observer variations among pathologists also compound this problem as no universally agreed diagnostic criteria exist. 120 biopsies and H&E stained slides were assessed by 3 pathologists. The pathologists were blinded to the clinical diagnosis and to each other's observations. Each pathologist assigned a likelihood of reaction by their histopathological observations as definitely reaction, probable reaction and no reaction. Clinicopathological correlation and interobserver agreement was analyzed statistically. Discordance between clinical and histopathological diagnosis was seen in 30.8% by pathologist 1 (P1), 23.7% by pathologist 2 (P2) and 34.5% bythe pathologist 3 (P3). Dermal edema, intragranuloma edema and epidermal erosion were consistent findings by all observers. Definite reaction was seen in 54.2% of cases by P1, 53.3% by P2 and 34.5% by P3. Kappa statistics for strength of agreement showed good agreement between 3 pathologists with P1 (κ = 0.83), P2 (κ = 0.61), P3 (κ = 0.62). RR are underdiagnosed on histopathological examination but this study shows that dermal edema, edema within the granuloma and partial obliteration of grenz zone by granuloma are reliable clues to diagnose a RR on histopathology.

In silico structural and functional analysis of protein encoded by wheat early salt-stress response gene (WESR3).

Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Wheat early salt-stress response gene (WESR3) is one of the major salt stress genes, which is affected in the first phase of salt stress. In this study, sequence and structural analysis of protein coded by WESR3 gene was carried out using various bioinformatics tools. Sequence analysis of WESR3 protein revealed the presence of highly conserved regions of Mlo gene family. Three-dimensional modeling was carried out to elucidate its structure and its active site. The sequence analysis revealed that WESR3 protein might be involved in fungal pathogen attack pathway. Thus, in addition to its involvement in abiotic stresses, it also seemed to play an important part in biotic stress pathways. Out of the three modeled protein structures obtained from I-TASSER, HHPred and QUARK, the I-TASSER protein model was the best model based on high confidence score and lesser number of bad contacts. The Ramchandran plot analysis also showed that all amino acid residues of I-TASSER model lie in the allowed region and thus indicating towards the overall good quality of the predicted model. Seventeen active sites were predicted in the protein bearing resemblance to the Mlo family conserved regions. In conclusion, a detailed analysis of WESR3 protein suggested an important role of WESR3 in biotic and abiotic stress. These results aid to the experimental data and help to build up a complete view of WESR3 proteins and their role in plant stress response.

Structural and functional analysis of chitinase gene family in wheat (Triticum aestivum).

Chitinases are the hydrolytic enzymes which protect plants against pathogen attack. However, the precise role of chitinases in disease resistance has not been explored in wheat. In the present study, in silico approach, including secondary structure analysis, detailed signature pattern study, cis-acting regulatory elements survey, evolutionary trends and three-dimensional molecular modeling was used for different chitinase classes of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Homology modeling of class I, II, IV and 3 chitinase proteins was performed using the template crystal structure. The model structures were further refined by molecular mechanics methods using different tools, such as Procheck, ProSA and Verify3D. Secondary structure studies revealed greater percentage of residues forming a helix conformation with specific signature pattern, similar to casein kinase II phosphorylation site, amidation site, N-myristoylation (N-MYR) site and protein kinase C phoshorylation site. The expression profile suggested that wheat chitinase gene was highly expressed in cell culture and callus. We found that wheat chitinases showed more functional similarity with rice and barley. The results provide insight into the evolution of the chitinase family, constituting a diverse array of pathogenesis-related proteins. The study also provides insight into the possible binding sites of chitinase proteins and may further enhance our knowledge of fungal resistance mechanism in plants.

Phenotypic Characterization and Multivariate Analysis to Explain Body Conformation in Lesser Known Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) from North India.

Phenotypic characterization and body biometric in 13 traits (height at withers, body length, chest girth, paunch girth, ear length, tail length, length of tail up to switch, face length, face width, horn length, circumference of horn at base, distances between pin bone and hip bone) were recorded in 233 adult Gojri buffaloes from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh states of India. Traits were analysed by using varimax rotated principal component analysis (PCA) with Kaiser Normalization to explain body conformation. PCA revealed four components which explained about 70.9% of the total variation. First component described the general body conformation and explained 31.5% of total variation. It was represented by significant positive high loading of height at wither, body length, heart girth, face length and face width. The communality ranged from 0.83 (hip bone distance) to 0.45 (horn length) and unique factors ranged from 0.16 to 0.55 for all these 13 different biometric traits. Present study suggests that first principal component can be used in the evaluation and comparison of body conformation in buffaloes and thus provides an opportunity to distinguish between early and late maturing to adult, based on a small group of biometric traits to explain body conformation in adult buffaloes.