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The study was aimed to identify bacteria associated with upper respiratory disorders in pythons. Epiglottis-tracheal swabs were collected aseptically from eight pythons (Malayopython reticulatus, Python bivittatus, and Python regius) with respiratory disorders. Common clinical signs were presented with frothy nasal discharge, nasal discharge, wheezing, mild coughing, crackle sound and star-gazing. Samples were cultured and sub-cultured on Blood Agar (BA) and MacConkey Agar (MCA). Colonies were identified by performing Gram staining, standard biochemical and phenotypic tests procedures. One colony was identified using API 20NE kit. Of all seven different colonies that were previously isolated, Neisseria sp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sp., Klebsiella sp., and Burkholderia cepacia were identified. We suggest that bacterial infections among captive pythons could be closely related to the immune system because of the commensal flora becoming pathogenic.

Successful COVID-19 prevention requires additional measures beyond vaccination, social distancing, and masking. A nasal spray solution containing human IgG1 antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (COVITRAP™) was developed to strengthen other COVID-19 preventive arsenals. Here, we evaluated its pseudovirus neutralization potencies, preclinical and clinical safety profiles, and intranasal SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory effects in healthy volunteers (NCT05358873). COVITRAP™ exhibited broadly potent neutralizing activities against SARS-CoV-2 with PVNT50 values ranging from 0.0035 to 3.1997 μg/ml for the following variants of concern (ranked from lowest to highest): Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Ancestral, Delta, Omicron BA.1, Omicron BA.2, Omicron BA.4/5, and Omicron BA.2.75. It demonstrated satisfactory preclinical safety profiles based on evaluations of in vitro cytotoxicity, skin sensitization, intracutaneous reactivity, and systemic toxicity. Its intranasal administration in rats did not yield any detected circulatory levels of the human IgG1 anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at any time point during the 120 hours of follow-up. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) was conducted on 36 healthy volunteers who received either COVITRAP™ or a normal saline nasal spray at a 3:1 ratio. Safety of the thrice-daily intranasal administration for 7 days was assessed using nasal sinuscopy, adverse event recording, and self-reporting questionnaires. COVITRAP™ was well tolerated, with no significant adverse effects in healthy volunteers for the entire 14 days of the study. The intranasal SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory effects of COVITRAP™ were evaluated in nasal fluids taken from volunteers pre- and post-administration using a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate virus neutralization test. SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory effects in nasal fluids collected immediately or six hours after COVITRAP™ application were significantly increased from baseline for all three variants tested, including Ancestral, Delta, and Omicron BA.2. In conclusion, COVITRAP™ was safe for intranasal use in humans to provide SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory effects in nasal fluids that lasted at least six hours. Therefore, COVITRAP™ can be considered an integral instrument for COVID-19 prevention.

hytoestrogens are active compounds, derived from plants, which have a similar structure and function as estrogen. Phytoestrogens are commonly found in legumes. Oncom, which is assumed containing phytoestrogens, is one of the most famous legumes food from Indonesia and widely consumed daily in West Java. This study was aimed to determine the effect of oncom extract on estrous cycle, endometrium thickness, and the number of antral follicles in productive age rats (Rattus novergicus). This experimental study was using 21 three-to-four-month-old fertile female rats and divided into three groups. Group I (K) was considered as a control group without any treatment. Group II and III were treatment groups which were given black (H) and red (M) oncom extracts 0.005 g/g body weight, respectively, orally with a feeding tube for 14 days. The length of the estrous cycle was measured by performing vaginal swab with interval 12 hours after first treatment was given and during the treatment. Endometrium thickness and the number of antral follicles were measured by collecting the organs uterus and ovary for histological purpose with paraffin method after rats were euthanized post-treatment oncom extracts for 14 days. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and continued with LSD test. The total length of estrous cycle of control group, black oncom extract group, and red oncom extract group was 107,43±3,16 hours, 141,43±15,36 hours, and 161,14±17,10 hours, respectively. The mean of endometrium thickness of control group, black oncom extract group, and red oncom extract group was 346,945±65,88 ?m, 485,740±86,69 ?m, and 533,904±78,93 ?m, respectively. The number of antral follicles of control group, black oncom extract group, and red oncom extract group was 6,00±1,54, 8,43±2,99, and 9,14±2,72, respectively. Results showed that black and red oncom extracts had a significant effect on the length of estrous cycle and endometrium thickness in rats, yet there is no significant difference in the number of antral follicles. In summary, black and red oncom extracts had effects on the length of estrous cycle and endometrium thickness, yet there was no effect on the number of antral follicles.

Conjunctivitis is a common problem among red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) with improper husbandry care. A 30 grams T. s. elegans was presented with complaints of anorexia, dullness, inflamed, and closed eyes. The owner informed that the turtle was kept indoors without ultraviolet B (UVB) light or sunlight exposure and the water was not changed by the owner for a week. Clinical examination showed inflammation and watery discharge was found on the left eye. Conjunctivitis was diagnosed based on history and clinical examination. Treatments consist of topical antibiotic drops, vitamin A and B-complex, and husbandry care improvement. The turtle started eating five days after treatment. Ten days after the treatment the turtle was brought back for a checkup and eye have recovered.

Bone tissue engineering consists of three major components namely cells, scaffolds, and signaling molecules to improve bone regeneration. These integrated principles can be applied in patients suffered from bone resorption diseases, such as osteoporosis and periodontitis. Osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) is a fourteen-amino acid sequence peptide that has the potential to regenerate bone tissues. This study aimed to disseminate the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) with OGP treatment. OGP was elaborated for proliferation, cytotoxicity, osteogenic differentiation effects, and the involvement of osteogenic related signaling pathways

Platelets play an important role in fracture healing. However, its role is still underappreciated. Therefore, this study investigated the values of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PC) as the parameters in fracture healing. This study used 10 male local rabbits which were divided into 2 groups randomly, KI (control group) and KII (treatment group). Each femur of both groups was drilled a hole with a diameter of 5 mm, where KI without any substitutes and KII was implanted by demineralized bali cattle bone graft. Each animal was evaluated by collecting its blood from the central auricular vein into an EDTA tube at 24 hours, week 2, 4, and 6 postoperative determining the values of MPV and PC. Results show that treatment shows no differences to MPV and PC, yet time observation does. Overall, MPV and PC were increased in number during observation and are correlated positively.