Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main cause of cervical cancer. The administration of the HPV prophylactic vaccine, which is commonly produced based on HPV L1 major capsid protein, significantly reduces the incidence of cervical cancer. However, the coverage of the HPV vaccination program is often hindered due to its relatively high cost. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of N-terminal hydrophobic domain truncation on the expression of L1 major capsid protein of HPV type 52 in Hansenula polymorpha. The truncation enhanced the yield of L1 protein expression compared with the full length, which was confirmed by Western blot and ELISA. Furthermore, the truncated L1 protein formed virus-like particles (VLPs), which were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Bioinformatics analysis showed that the truncated L1 protein was more soluble compared with the full length, possibly increasing the protein expression. These findings could pave the way for the development of a more cost-effective HPV type 52 L1 protein production in H. polymorpha to be used as a VLP-based prophylactic vaccine.

Great Argus (Argusianus argus) is a globally threatened species that is protected by law in Indonesia. This species is a habitat specialist that tends to be confined to primary forests and is susceptible to human disturbance and environmental change. Sungai Wain Protected Forest (SWPF) is an isolated lowland rainforest in Kalimantan. The rising deforestation rate has threatened species sustainability in recent decades, including the Great Argus in SWPF. This study aimed to systematically analyze camera trap data on the Great Argus's abundance, activity patterns, and habitat suitability prediction in SWPF. We used camera trap data from 2018-2022 at the SWPF. Great Argus's lowest relative abundance index was in 2020, and the highest was in 2022. Overall, the relative abundance index of the Great Argus was approximately 3.125 independent events per 100-day trap night. The activity pattern of the Great Argus started at dawn and then constantly decreased until dusk. The habitat suitability prediction for the Great Argus was mostly in primary forests. Distance to road and building were the variables that contributed the most to the results of habitat suitability modeling. Habitat loss and suitability are the determining factors for the sustainability of significant argus populations.

Primates have an extended juvenile period associated with critical social and environmental learning. In particular, social play is positively associated with brain size in primates, indicating an important role in cognition and development. However, this behaviour has been overlooked in the Hylobatidae family. The activity patterns of eight non-adult Bornean white-bearded gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) from four groups were studied in the Sebangau peat-swamp forest in Borneo from 2005 to 2019. We compare our findings to previous reports for adult conspecifics, report the directionality of non-adult play behaviour, and examine whether the weather impacts daily activity patterns. Feeding (39.5%), resting (27.6%) and travelling (23%) were the main activities of juveniles, while infants mostly played (42.1%) or clung to their mothers (38.3%). Non-adult groups socialised and observed their surroundings more often, and they travelled and called less often than adults. Feeding and resting frequency did not differ significantly from that of adults. Infants engaged in self-centred play twice as often as juveniles and directed most of their playing attention towards sub-adults (58%). Weather variables, previously reported to be good predictors of certain adult activities, such as singing, did not appear to affect infant and juvenile activities. Play is a critical part of primate physical and social development, and this study describes some key behaviours of young gibbons. Understanding the play behaviour of gibbons in the wild will help inform the rehabilitation of an ever-increasing number of orphaned individuals who are victims of the illegal pet trade.

Fermented bamboo (also known as Ngwopo) is a traditional food item among the indigenous population living in the south-east of Bangladesh. Though fermented foods harbour a significant number of probiotics and enzyme-producing bacteria, there is a lack of research on isolating beneficial bacteria from native fermented food products in Bangladesh. Thus, considering the extensive utilisation of cellulase enzymes and probiotics, our study was conducted with the objective of isolating and characterizing native cellulase-producing bacteria from fermented bamboo and performing crude enzyme activity assay. The sample was collected from Khagrachari hill tracts district of Bangladesh. Three isolated bacteria, namely FB-1, FB-2, and FB-3, screened based on the carboxymethyl cellulose medium, were tested for biochemical and probiotic properties, and the best isolate was genetically identified by molecular characterization through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and evolutionary analysis. All three gram-positive isolates were observed to be positive for starch hydrolysis and fermentation of sucrose, suggesting their ability to breakdown carbohydrates while testing negative for gelatinase, indole, and H2S test. The isolates demonstrated moderate bile salt and pH tolerance and low to medium autoaggregation. FB-2 had 75% susceptibility to the tested antibiotics, while other isolates were susceptible to 50% antibiotics. All of the bacteria were non-pathogenic, showing γ-haemolysis. FB-2 strain showed an enzyme production capacity of 1.56 units/ml. The best performing isolate was identified as Bacillus cereus. Therefore, the study discovered a native bacteria potentially suitable as probiotic and as a source of cellulase for industrial processes, highlighting the enriched indigenous cuisines of Bangladesh.

Topical use of oxybenzone, commonly found in sunscreens, can be absorbed by the skin, and long-term use may cause endocrine disruption, cancer, and teratogenic effects. However, its potential teratogenic effects on embryonic development have not been well-studied. This study aims to determine the impact of oxybenzone exposure on the early stage of embryonic development. Chicken embryos aged 72 hours (20 Hamburger-Hamilton/HH stage) were exposed to a pure oxybenzone for 24 hours at varying concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 ppm), each group consisting of 3 embryos. Embryo preparations were made using the wholemount method. Morphological abnormalities were observed with a stereo microscope, and descriptively morphometric measurements were analyzed using ImageJ software. Statistical analysis used One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test for normally distributed data, while Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U test for non-normally distributed data. This study found that oxybenzone significantly enlarged the embryo, telencephalon, and eye. Several abnormalities were observed in the embryos exposed to oxybenzone, including incomplete closure of the anterior neuropore, concavity in the anterior and lateral of the mesencephalon, and depressions in the tail bud. This study concludes that oxybenzone acts as a teratogen, causing abnormalities in embryonic development, particularly in the central nervous system.

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish species in the world and is classified as endangered. This study is crucial for the conservation of this species and developing effective conservation strategies. The research was conducted in the Botubarani waters, Gorontalo Province. Individual whale shark identification was performed using Photo ID, including the identification of sex and wound location. Photo IDs were processed using the Interactive Individual Identification System (I3S) software and includes information related to the ID, body length, and the time the individual was previously identified. Monitoring of the location, number, timing of whale shark presences and water parameters, was carried out through direct field observations. The results showed that 5 whale shark individuals were identified, all of which were male, with lengths ranging from 4.5 to 4.8 meters, and 1 individual had visible wounds. From 78 days of monitoring, Whale sharks were observed for 70 days and not observed for 8 days. The frequency of whale shark appearances ranged from 1 to 4 individuals per day. Whale sharks in Botubarani waters exhibited site fidelity and a mixed migration pattern. The intensity of their presence is quite high. This intensity is supported by ecological conditions that are optimal for the life of whale sharks, particularly those of juvenile age. The measured water parameters significantly influence their presence.

The identification of equine piroplasmosis and surra disease in infected horses currently presents a significant challenge. Clinical symptoms and blood smears are commonly used to diagnose these two diseases. The objective of this study was to develop a multiplex amplification assay capable of simultaneously identifying all three blood protozoa (equine piroplasma and Trypanosoma evansi) in a single test. The primer pairs used for detecting T. equi, B. caballi, and Trypanosoma evansi were ema-2-t (587 bp), Bc-134 (429 bp), and Rotat 1.2 VSG (151 bp), respectively. The multiplex PCR assay was subsequently evaluated for its detection limit, sensitivity percentage, and specificity using single PCR as the reference standard. The multiplex PCR method demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% for detecting both Theileria equi and Trypanosoma evansi, with all positive samples confirmed by a single PCR. It also achieved 100% specificity for both the parasites. However, for Babesia caballi, while the sensitivity remained at 100%, the specificity was reduced to 66%, indicating some limitations in accurately identifying negative samples. For the multiplex PCR assay, the minimum detectable concentrations were 0.01 ng/µL for both T. equi and B. caballi, whereas Trypanosoma evansi exhibited a detection threshold of 1 ng/µL. When multiplex PCR assays were used to screen blood samples obtained from horses in selected districts of Bogor, only a single sample showed a positive result for T. equi. The sensitivities and specificities achieved by multiplex PCR and single PCR were comparable. Therefore, the multiplex PCR method developed in this study can be effectively applied to diagnose piroplasmosis and surra in horses.

Former kaolin mining has poor physical and chemical properties for plants. The low nutrient content makes difficult for plants to grow. Nitrogen (N2) is an important macronutrient for plants, but it can only be absorbed in the form of ammonium ions (NH4+) or nitrate ions (NO3-­). Therefore, it is necessary to transform nitrogen, which is able to change the molecular form so that it can be absorbed by plants. The strategy that can be done is using nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This study aimed to explore and analyze the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria based on 16S rRNA and nifH gene from the rhizosphere of the Kaolin Lake area. The method started with bacterial isolation from rhizosphere soil samples. Selected isolates were tested for ammonium content to determine the ability of isolates to fix nitrogen. In this study, 13 isolates had the ability to fix nitrogen, two of which had a high ammonium concentration, namely RBN 5.6, and RBA 2.3. The highest ammonium concentration was produced by isolate RBN5.6 amounting to 7.55 μg/ml. Based on 16S rRNA gene identification, isolate RBN5.6 was similar to Burkholderia cepacia and isolate RBA2.3 was similar to Bacillus aquimaris. Based on the detection of the nifH gene, isolate RBN5.6 was identified as a protein-encoding dinitrogenase reductase gene group cluster from the Stutzerimonas stutzeri.

Pre-diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that are not yet high enough for a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Type 2 diabetes results from insufficient insulin production or cellular resistance to insulin. Adiponectin, secreted by adipose tissue, regulates glucose metabolism and energy balance, while nesfatin-1, derived from NUCB2, influences appetite and energy homeostasis. This case-control study at Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital included 80 participants with diabetes mellitus (DM) or early-stage DM and 40 healthy controls. Demographic data, including age, Body mass index (BMI), and disease duration, were collected. Laboratory tests measured fasting blood glucose (FBG), Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%), insulin, adiponectin, and nesfatin-1 levels. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and AUC analysis, assessed relationships and diagnostic accuracy. Results showed significantly higher levels of FBG, HbA1c, insulin resistance, and nesfatin-1 in early diabetes and DM type 2 cases compared to healthy controls. Nesfatin-1 concentrations were also notably higher in early diabetes compared to other groups. Adiponectin levels did not significantly differ between early diabetes and the control group but were significantly higher in the DM type 2 group. Both early diabetes and DM type 2 were associated with increased FBG, HbA1c, nesfatin-1, and insulin resistance, while adiponectin levels rose only in DM type 2. These findings suggest adiponectin as a potential biomarker for DM type 2, while nesfatin-1 may aid early diabetes diagnosis.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.), a vital industrial crop renowned for its economic and nutritional significance, faces increasing challenges due to climate change-induced stresses. To enhance the understanding of cocoa's adaptive mechanisms, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on the trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) gene families, which play crucial roles in plant stress responses and development. Five TcTPP and eight TcTPS genes were identified using the latest cocoa genome assembly, distributed unevenly across nine of the ten chromosomes. Detailed physicochemical characterization revealed significant variability in amino acid length, molecular weight, isoelectric point, and hydrophilicity among these proteins, suggesting functional diversity. Phylogenetic analyses, performed using the maximum likelihood method, classified the TcTPP family into three distinct clades and the TcTPS family into two main groups. Gene structure examination uncovered variations in exon-intron organization, with TcTPP genes containing nine to twelve exons and TcTPS genes ranging from three to eighteen exons, indicating structural diversity within these families. Based on publicly available datasets, expression profiling demonstrated differential expression patterns of TcTPP and TcTPS genes during embryo development and under biotic stress conditions, such as pathogen infection by Phytophthora megakarya. Certain genes exhibited significant upregulation or downregulation in response to stress, implicating them in cocoa's defense mechanisms. Taken together, this study provides valuable insights into the TPP and TPS gene families in cocoa. It lays a foundation for developing strategies to enhance stress tolerance and sustainability in cocoa cultivation amidst changing climatic conditions.