Methods: IVDs of nine fetal specimens obtained from medical abortions were used to dissect out the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus under sterile operating conditions. Dissected tissues were transferred to sterile Cryovials and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen before transporting to the research laboratory for protein extraction and further liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/ MS) analysis. Collected data were further analyzed using Gene Functional Classification Tool in DAVID and STRING databases. Results: A total of 1,316 proteins were identified through LC-MS/MS analysis of nine fetal IVD tissues. Approximately 247 proteins present in at least four fetal discs were subjected to further bioinformatic analysis. The following 10 clusters of proteins were identified: collagens, ribosomal proteins, small leucine-rich proteins, matrilin and thrombospondin, annexins, protein disulfide isomerase family proteins and peroxiredoxins, tubulins, histones, hemoglobin, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase family proteins. Conclusions This study provides fundamental information on the proteome networks involved in the growth and development of healthy fetal discs in humans. Systematic cataloging of proteins involved in various structural and regulatory processes has been performed. Proteins expressed most abundantly (collagen type XIV alpha 1 chain, biglycan, matrilin 1, and thrombospondin 1) in their respective clusters also elucidate the possibility of utilizing these proteins for potential regenerative therapies.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira that infect both human and animals. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among rangers and wild animals in two ex-situ captive centers, Bukit Merah Orangutan Island (BMOUI) and Taiping Zoo, Perak and to identify the risk factors responsible for the leptospiral seropositivity. Blood samples from rangers and animals of BMOUI and Taiping Zoo were taken to determine the presence of antibodies against Leptospira through microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using 21 serovars of Leptospira commonly found in Malaysia as antigens. Structured surveys in identifying risk factors were given to each ranger from both study sites. It was observed that Rattus exulans (1/10) (10.0%), Rattus rattus (1/5) (20.0%), Niniventer fulvescens (1/1) (100.0%), Callosciurus notatus (0/6) (0.0%), Tupaia tana (1/1) (100.0%), Pongo pygmaeus (5/10) (50.0%) and BMOUI rangers (8/18) (44.4%) were positive for leptospiral antibodies. Samples obtained from Taiping Zoo also revealed the presence of leptospiral antibodies in R. rattus (0/19) (0.0%), R. exulans (1/2) (50.0%) and rangers (2/5) (40.0%). Among the positive cases, most human and animal samples from both study sites reacted with serovar Lepto 175. Our surveys indicated no significant associations between seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies with rangers’ age (p = 0.82), sex (p = 0.85), ethnicity (p = 0.65), educational level (p = 0.88) and working experience (p = 0.82). In terms of risk factors, no significant associations between seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies with knowledge on leptospirosis (p = 0.82), working hours (p = 0.53), smoking (p = 0.85), crossing rivers/pools/stagnant water while working (p = 0.90) and wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) (p = 0.73). This study provides epidemiological data on leptospirosis in rangers and animals from BMOUI and Taiping Zoo which is of paramount importance for improving strategies in prevention of the disease.