Presence of vascular endothelial growth factor during the first half of IVM improves the meiotic and developmental competence of porcine oocytes from small follicles

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the meiotic and developmental competence of porcine oocytes from small follicles (SF; 0.5-3mm diameter). When cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from medium-sized follicles (MF; 3-6mm diameter) and SF were cultured for IVM, the maturation rates were significantly higher for oocytes from MF than SF. Concentrations of VEGF in the medium were significantly higher for COCs cultured from MF than SF. When COCs from SF were exposed to 200ngmL-1 VEGF during the first 20h of IVM, the maturation rate improved significantly and was similar to that of oocytes derived from MF. The fertilisability of oocytes was also significantly higher than that of VEGF-free SF controls. Following parthenogenetic activation, the blastocyst formation rate improved significantly when SF COC culture was supplemented with 200ngmL-1 VEGF, with the rate similar to that of oocytes from MF. The results of the present study indicate that VEGF markedly improves the meiotic and developmental competence of oocytes derived from SF, especially at a concentration of 200ngmL-1 during the first 20h of IVM

Release of mercury from Rocky Mountain forest fires

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95324/1/gbc1338.pd

Long-term adoption of bed planted conservation agriculture based maize/cotton-wheat system enhances soil organic carbon stabilization within aggregates in the indo-gangetic plains

Sustainability of contemporary crop establishment and management practices is questioned due to soil degradation, higher carbon emission and declining soil productivity. Hence, this study was conducted to address the impacts of conservation agriculture (CA) practices like permanent broad beds (PBB), permanent narrow beds (PNB) and zero tilled flat beds (ZT) with residue retention on soil organic carbon (SOC) protection within aggregates in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Compared to conventionally tilled (CT) plots, the total SOC content was ∼27%–33% higher in the CA plots on equivalent mass basis. The soil physical properties, such as soil aggregation and mean weight diameter were considerably improved under the CA practices. The macroaggregates were ∼41, 37% and 27% higher in the PBB with residue (PBB + R), PNB with residue (PNB + R) and ZT with residue (ZT + R) plots (CA plots), respectively, than the CT plots in the surface soil (0–15 cm). The plots under PBB + R had ∼31% higher microaggregates within macroaggregates than the CT plots (24.4 g 100 g−1) soil. An increase in SOC content by ∼72, 55% and 69% was observed in the PBB + R, PNB + R and ZT + R plots over the CT plots in microaggregates within macroaggregates (3.02 Mg ha−1). However, plots under PBB + R, PNB + R and ZT + R had only ∼11, 3% and 23% more SOC within silt + clay fraction, respectively, than CT plots (5.85 Mg ha−1). Thus, SOC stabilization within microaggregates inside macroaggregates was the major mechanism, and not the chemical stabilization within silt + clay, of C sequestration under CA. As aggregate-associated carbon is an ecosystem property that strongly affects organic carbon stabilization, water holding capacity and resistance to erosion, growing maize/cotton–wheat system under PBB + R practice is a viable option for carbon sequestration in the IGP and similar agro-ecologies

Source apportionment of mercury to the atmosphere from wildfires and other sources in the western USA.

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic trace metal with globally distributed emissions, and the potential to bioaccumulate in terrestrial and aquatic animals. This dissertation characterizes source apportionment of Hg to the atmosphere with the goal of better understanding the global Hg cycle in order to mitigate the bioaccumulation of methylmercury in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Mercury emissions from wildfires in northwestern Wyoming and central Washington were investigated. Mercury release during wildfires of low to high fire severity were quantified based on comparisons of total soil Hg and foliage at unburned and recently burned forests. At the Rex Creek Fire (central Washington) we compare the results of this method with previous estimates of Hg release based on atmospheric sampling of Hg and CO in smoke. The discrepancy between these estimates suggest that they are measuring different components of Hg release during wildfires. We use the difference between these estimates to suggest that ∼1/2 of the Hg emitted was rapidly deposited locally downwind by scavenging of Hg by coarse particulates and impaction with rugged topography. Source apportionment of Hg to Camp Davis, Wyoming was investigated. Total gaseous Hg (TGM), particulate Hg, particulate major and trace metals in ambient atmospheric particles, and wet Hg deposition were collected during two intensive summer sampling seasons in 2002 and 2003. Principal components analysis (PCA) of particulate data and back-trajectories of air masses indicate that easily eroded soils and exposed rock formations contribute in addition to a combination of production, wildfires, cement production together account for ∼1/4 of the pHg and TGM concentrations observed. The results of the PCA indicate the presence of a regional Hg source contributed ∼75% of the pHg and TGM in ambient air at Camp Davis. We present the first high precision stable isotopic measurements of mercury isotopes (by MC-ICP-MS) in a series of soils, peats, and coals. The variety of sample types analyzed during this study have permitted a preliminary Hg mass balance, based on Hg isotopic compositions, and indicate that approach will be useful in identifying the pathways by which Hg is distributed on the Earth's surface.Ph.D.Applied SciencesBiogeochemistryBiological SciencesEarth SciencesEnvironmental engineeringForestryGeologyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/126361/2/3253217.pd

Mercury storage in surface soils in a central Washington forest and estimated release during the 2001 Rex Creek Fire

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155679/1/Biswas_et_al_2008_Mercury_storage.pd

Paraquat Poisoning and AKI –A Rare Pediatric Case Report in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Paraquat is a widely used synthetic herbicide in agriculture. Ingestion of toxic doses of paraquat can be fatal with life threatening effects on the kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), liver, heart, and other organs. There is no specific antidote or effective life saving treatment for paraquat poisoning and its prognosis is very poor worldwide. Here we report a case that presented with acute renal failure, shock, GIT bleeding with oral mucosal ulceration, and pulmonary involvement due to accidental paraquat poi soning and delayed hospitalization after poison ingestion. In spite of partial improvement, the patient expired after two weeks of admission. Therefore, any case of paraquat poisoning must be hospitalized and, if needed, referred to equipped centers as early as possible after poison ingestio

Adsorption behaviour of bromophenol blue from the aqueous solution on Labeo bata fish scale, a bio-waste material

321-329The processed protein-rich scales of Labeo bata fish have been characterized as cycloid pattern from the scanning electron and atomic force microscopic images. The scales when used for the bromophenol blue (BPB) adsorption from aqueous phases show the good BPB removal performance at pH 4.8 (± 0.1). The kinetic data acquired at that pH fits well both with the pseudo-second order and the Weber-Morris kinetic equations. Arrhenius activation energy (Ea = 4.20 kJ. mol-1) as well as temperature dependent kinetic parameter (A = 75.56 g. mg-1. min-1) which are estimated indicate the facile BPB adsorption. The data of adsorption equilibriums describe the Freundlich model very well. Thermodynamics shows that the BPB adsorption by the fish scale is spontaneous (∆G0 = negative, ∆H0 = -21.49 kJ. mol-1 and ∆S0 = + 27.75 J.mol-1.K-1). The BPB adsorption by the tested fish scale has taken place with electrostatic mechanism