Biochemical and physiological characterization of a new Na+-channel specific peptide from the venom of the Argentinean scorpion Tityus trivittatus

A new peptide with 61 amino acids cross-linked by 4 disulfide bridges, with molecular weight of 6938.12 Da, and an amidated C-terminal amino acid residue was purified and characterized. The primary structure was obtained by direct Edman degradation and sequencing its gene. The peptide is lethal to mammals and was shown to be similar (95% identity) to toxin Ts1 (gamma toxin) from the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus; it was named Tt1g (from T. trivittatus toxin 1 gamma-like). Tt1g was assayed on several sub-types of Na⁺-channels showing displacement of the currents to more negative voltages, being the hNav1.3 the most affected channel. This toxin displays characteristics typical to the β-type sodium scorpion toxins. Lethality tests and physiological assays indicate that this peptide is probably the most important toxic component of this species of scorpion, known for causing human fatalities in the South American continent.     

长脉冲1064nm激光联合酮康唑软膏封包病甲治疗甲真菌病的临床疗效观察

目的观察长脉冲1064 nm激光联合酮康唑软膏封包病甲治疗甲真菌病的临床疗效。方法 将73例甲真菌病门诊患者随机分为两组:联合组(37例,病甲75个)采用长脉冲1064 nm激光联合酮康唑软膏封包病甲治疗;对照组(36例,病甲87个)单纯使用激光治疗。每周1次,连续治疗8周,治疗6个月后随访评估。比较两种方法治疗甲真菌病的临床有效率,观察1064 nm激光联合酮康唑软膏封包病甲治疗甲真菌病患者的临床疗效。结果 联合组治疗甲真菌病的总的临床有效率(74.67%)高于对照组(63.22%),3种临床类型在联合组的临床有效率均高于对照组,尤其近端甲下型(PSO)的临床有效率明显提高,但差异无统计学意义;当9≤SCIO≤15时,联合组治疗甲真菌病的临床有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义。结论 对于9≤SCIO≤15的甲真菌病患者,长脉冲1064 nm激光联合酮康唑软膏封包病甲治疗甲真菌病的临床疗效显著高于单纯激光治疗。     

蝎毒对人肝癌细胞（SMMC7721）和宫颈癌（Hela）细胞抑制作用的研究

目的：探讨蝎毒粗粉及经初步纯化的蝎毒对人肝癌细胞（SMMC7721）和Hela细胞株的抑制作用。方法：以四甲基偶氮唑盐法（MTT）,Western Blotting,免疫细胞化学以及荧光标记的方法,对人肝癌细胞（SMMC7721）和Hela细胞株的凋亡相关蛋白进行检测。结果：蝎毒粗毒及经初步纯化的蝎毒具有诱导SMMC7721和Hela凋亡的作用。结论：蝎毒粗毒及经初步纯化的蝎毒对人肝癌细胞（SMMC7721）及Hela细胞的生长具有明显的抑制作用。     

A new scorpion fossil from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma). New phylogenetic implications

A fossil scorpion belonging to a new family, genus and species, Chaerilobuthus complexus gen. n., sp. n., is described from Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma). This is the third species and the fourth scorpion specimen to have been found and described from Burmese amber. The new family seems quite distinct from the family Archaeobuthidae Lourenço, 2001 described from Cretaceous amber of Lebanon.     

龙血竭胶囊合九华膏对环状混合痔术后患者创面愈合、血清炎性因子和免疫功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨龙血竭胶囊合九华膏对环状混合痔（RMH）术后患者创面愈合、血清炎性因子和免疫功能的影响。方法：选取2016年7月~2019年12月期间我院收治的RMH患者93例,根据随机数字表法分为对照组（n=46,马应龙麝香痔疮膏治疗）和研究组（n=47,龙血竭胶囊合九华膏治疗）,比较两组患者疗效、创面愈合情况、不良反应、血清炎性因子和免疫功能。结果：治疗10 d后,研究组的临床总有效率为89.36%（42/47）,高于对照组的71.74%（33/46）（P<0.05）。两组治疗10 d后创面渗液、水肿、疼痛、创面肉芽组织评分下降,创面面积减小,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗10 d后肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白介素-6（IL-6）、白介素-2（IL-2）均下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗10 d后免疫球蛋白G（IgG）、免疫球蛋白A（IgA）、免疫球蛋白M（IgM）均升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组并发症发生率低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：RMH患者术后采用龙血竭胶囊合九华膏治疗,疗效较好,可有效促进创面愈合,减轻炎症反应,改善机体免疫功能,同时还可减少并发症发生率。     

AaHIV a sodium channel scorpion toxin inhibits the proliferation of DU145 prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer is the most highly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. It is characterized by high proliferation, great invasion and metastatic potential. Sodium channel subtypes have been identified as highly expressed in different prostate cancer cell lines. In this study, we have screened the negatively charged fractions of Androctonus australis (Aa) scorpion venom to identify active peptides on DU145 prostate cancer cells proliferation. The most active compound was identified to be the sodium channel peptide AaHIV with an IC₅₀ value of 15 μM. At this concentration, AaHIV had low effect on the adhesion of DU145 cells to fibronectin. When compared to other Na⁺ channel Aa toxins, AaHIV was found to be 2 times more active than AaHI and AaHII on DU145 cells proliferation and slightly less active than AaHII on their adhesion. The three peptides are inactive on DU145 cells migration. AaHIV was found to be 16 times more active than veratridine, asteroidal alkaloid from plants of the lily family widely used as a sodium channel activator. Electrophysiological experiments showed that the AaHIV toxin activates Nav1.6 channel, suggesting that this sodium channel subtype is implicated in the proliferation of DU145 prostate cancer cells.     

The Life History of Chactas reticulatus Kraepelin, 1912 (Scorpiones, Chactidae), with a Comparative Analysis of the Reproductive Traits of Three Scorpion Lineages in Relation to Habitat

An account is given of the life history, growth, population densities, habitat, reproductive systems, courtship and mating, litter size and sex ratio, iteroparity, molting and development of the scorpion Chactas reticulatus Kraepelin. These same traits are compared in three distinct scorpion lineages, buthid, chactid and ischnurid in relation to habitat characteristics. Correlations are drawn between reproductive and adaptative strategies, and it is suggested that if non-buthid scorpions may present some homogeneity as equilibrium species, buthid scorpions are not necessarily opportunistic species. Many groups can be characterized within the buthids, and these different lineages show variable ecological requirements.     

Scorpion toxins for the reversal of BoNT-induced paralysis

The botulinum neurotoxins, characterized by their neuromuscular paralytic effects, are the most toxic proteins known to man. Due to their extreme potency, ease of production, and duration of activity, the BoNT proteins have been classified by the Centers for Disease Control as high threat agents for bioterrorism. In an attempt to discover effective BoNT therapeutics, we have pursued a strategy in which we leverage the blockade of K⁺ channels that ultimately results in the reversal of neuromuscular paralysis. Towards this end, we utilized peptides derived from scorpion venom that are highly potent K⁺ channel blockers. Herein, we report the synthesis of charybdotoxin, a 37 amino acid peptide, and detail its activity, along with iberiotoxin and margatoxin, in a mouse phrenic nerve hemidiaphragm assay in the absence and the presence of BoNT/A.