Comparative proteomic analysis of high‐ and low‐fertile buffalo bull spermatozoa for identification of fertility‐associated proteins

The present study identified few potential proteins in the spermatozoa of buffalo bulls that can be used as an aid in fertility determination through comparative proteomics. The sperm proteome of high‐fertile buffalo bulls was compared with that of low‐fertile buffalo bulls using two‐dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D‐DIGE), and the differentially expressed proteins were identified through mass spectrometric method. The protein interaction network and the functional bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed proteins were also carried out. In the spermatozoa of high‐fertile bulls, 10 proteins were found overexpressed and 15 proteins were underexpressed at the level of twofold or more (p ≤ 0.05). The proteins overexpressed in high‐fertile spermatozoa were PDZD8, GTF2F2, ZNF397, KIZ, LOH12CR1, ACRBP, PRSS37, CYP11B2, F13A1 and SPO11, whereas those overexpressed in low‐fertile spermatozoa were MT1A, ATP5F1, CS, TCRB, PRODH2, HARS, IDH3A, SRPK3, Uncharacterized protein C9orf9 homolog isoform X4, TUBB2B, GPR4, PMP2, CTSL1, TPPP2 and EGFL6. The differential expression ranged from 2.0‐ to 6.1‐fold between the two groups, where CYP11B2 was high abundant in high‐fertile spermatozoa and MT1A was highly abundant in low‐fertile spermatozoa. Most of the proteins overexpressed in low‐fertile spermatozoa were related to energy metabolism and capacitation factors, pointing out the possible role of pre‐mature capacitation and cryo‐damages in reducing the fertility of cryopreserved buffalo spermatozoa.     

Conservation and efficient utilization of rainwater in the rainfed shallow lowland paddy fields of Eastern India

Paddy and Water Environment - A two-stage rainwater conservation technique was intervened in the farmers field of rainfed shallow low land, in which, part of the rainwater is conserved in rice...     

Ultrafiltration of Aqueous PVA Using Spinning Basket Membrane Module

The performance of spinning basket membrane (SBM) module was tested for the separation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) from wastewater. The SBM performance was examined using 50 kDa polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane under different parametric conditions. Also, the effects of rotational speed and transmembrane pressure on permeate flux and PVA rejection were investigated. The rotational speed played a significant role in decreasing membrane fouling by reducing the particle deposition on the membrane surface due to enhanced turbulence and shear force. Also, the in-built hydrodynamic cleaning facility of the SBM module allowed easy cleaning of the membrane. The steady-state value of percentage rejection of PVA was above 90% when the steady-state permeate flux value was above 54% of its initial value. The results suggested that spinning basket membrane module was efficient as well as economical for the separation of PVA from aqueous solution.     

Interactive effect of biochar size and organic amendments on methane consumption in a tropical vertisol

Biochar (BC) application to agricultural soil has been proposed as an effective countermeasure to mitigate climate change. A laboratory incubation experiment was carried out to gain insight into the effectiveness of BC on methane (CH₄) consumption in a tropical clayey vertisol. Except for the control treatment, BC of two different sizes (<0.25 or 0.25–2.00 mm) was mixed with vermicompost (VC), poultry manure (PM) or farmyard manure (FYM). BC and organic amendment were added to soil at 10% w/w and 80 kg N/ha, respectively. BC increased CH₄ consumption rate, k, in soil, irrespective of organic amendment type. The CH₄ consumption potential of soil was greater with the smaller size BC (<0.25 mm). Of the three organic amendments, VC exhibited the highest k (0.105) followed by FYM (0.093) and PM (0.072). BC (<0.25 mm) + PM was the most effective of the organic amendments in enhancing CH₄ consumption (k = 0.242). The lag phase varied between 7.3 day (control) and 1.0 day (soil + VC). Results revealed that there was a significant (P < 0.0001) effect of organic amendment and BC on CH₄ consumption, CO₂ production and microbial abundance. Cumulative CO₂ production (mg/g soil) varied between 2.15 (control) and 8.77 (soil + PM + BC < 0.25 mm). Pearson's correlation analysis showed significant correlation between CH₄ consumption and methanotrophs abundance (P < 0.001). The study shows that BC enhanced CH₄ consumption potential in agricultural land on a tropical vertisol, particularly using the smaller size (<0.25 mm), and could be an effective strategy to mitigate atmospheric CH₄.     

Mechanical and thermal degradation behavior of sisal fiber (SF) reinforced recycled polypropylene (RPP) composites

The present investigation focuses on the effect of fiber surface treatment on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of sisal fiber (SF) reinforced recycled polypropylene (RPP) composites. The surface of sisal fiber was modified using different chemicals such as silane, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and O-hydroxybenzene diazonium chloride (OBDC) to improve the compatibility between fiber surface and polymer matrix. The experimental results revealed an improvement in the tensile strength to 11 %, 20 % and 31.36 % and impact strength to 78.72 %, 77 % and 81 % for silane, GMA and OBDC treated sisal fiber reinforced recycled polypropylene (RPP/SF) composites respectively as compared to RPP. The thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and heat deflection temperature (HDT) results revealed improved thermal stability as compared with RPP. The morphological analysis through scanning electron micrograph (SEM) supports improves surface interaction between fiber surface and polymer matrix.     

Non-enzymatic antioxidant status and modulation of lipid peroxidation in the muscles of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> by sub lethal exposure of CuSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Xenobiotics-mediated environmental stress is an important determining factor in the maintenance of fish health as fishes are frequently exposed to such components. Increasing evidences indicate that acute and chronic xenobiotic exposure modulates ROS production, suppresses immune response and increase the incidence of fish diseases. In the present context an attempt has been made to study the in vivo effect of different concentrations of CuSO₄ (0.5, 1.00 or 2.00 ppm) on lipid peroxidation (an index of oxidative stress) and non enzymatic antioxidant status (glutathione and Ascorbic acid), in the muscle of a widely consumed freshwater fish Labeo rohita. From the out come of this study it is concluded that comparatively low dose of copper (0.5 ppm) induce mild oxidative stress in the experimental fish with concomitant elevation of GSH and AsA content of the muscle. However, high concentration of CuSO₄ (2.00 ppm) in the ambient water leads to severe oxidative stress manifested in the form of LPX and morphoanatomical alteration.     

Activin receptor type IIB in rohu (Labeo rohita): molecular characterization,tissue distribution and immunohistochemical localization during different stages of gonadal maturation

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - Activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) is a transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptor which plays a pivotal role in regulating the reproduction in vertebrates...