免疫抑制蝎毒活性肽Im169的重组表达和功能鉴定

目的:筛选鉴定新型蝎毒免疫活性肽。方法:从海南斑等蝎(Isometrus maculates)毒腺组织c DNA文库中筛选和分离蝎毒肽基因,通过GST融合蛋白表达纯化、肠激酶酶切和高压液相色谱(HPLC)分离的方法,获得色谱纯重组蝎毒活性肽,酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)实验检测细胞因子,鉴定免疫调节活性。结果:筛选得到一个新的蝎毒活性肽基因Im169,其编码的成熟肽由29个氨基酸组成,其中含有6个半胱氨酸。Im169多肽对T淋巴细胞IL-2、TNF-α和IFN-γ等细胞因子的分泌具有明显的抑制作用,且作用呈浓度依赖性(P<0.05)。序列分析显示:Im169多肽和蝎钾通道毒素的相似性最高,提示其是一个潜在的钾通道毒素多肽。功能机制分析显示:Im169多肽通过抑制T细胞表面的钾通道,从而发挥免疫抑制功能。结论:发现了一个新的蝎毒免疫调节肽,丰富了对蝎毒活性肽的功能认识,为自身免疫疾病的药物开发提供了新的多肽模板。     

The burden of bites and stings management: Experience of an academic hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

PurposeThe main aim of this study is to estimate the economic burden and prevalence of bites and stings injuries in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) for all bites and stings cases presented to the Emergency Department (ED) between the period June 2015 and May 2019.ResultsA total of 1328 bites and stings cases were treated in the ED at KSUMC. There were 886 insect bites and stings cases, 376 animal bites, 22 human bites, 34 scorpion stings, and ten snakebites. Most cases were reported in April - June. Females account for 62% of the reported cases, and the mean age was 24 years old. The total management cost of bite and sting cases during the study period was 3.4 million Saudi Riyal (SR). The spending cost of the management of animal bites was the highest as it cost 1,681,920.76 SR, followed by insect's management costing 1,228,623.68 SR.ConclusionBites and stings have a considerable health care burden on our society. Although the vast majority of the cases were not associated with a severe life-threatening condition, many were visit ED and associated with high medical costs. Increased awareness of the hazards of animal-related injuries, especially during spring and summer, where most cases take place may lower its incidence and decrease EDs visits.     

东亚钳蝎（ButhusmarthensiiKarsch）毒镇痛活性肽的分离纯化及其镇痛作用研究

本文采用凝胶过滤及离子交换层析法从东亚钳蝎毒中分离纯化出一种蝎毒镇痛活性肽（ＳｃｏｒｐｉｏｎＡｎａｌｇｅｓｉｃＰｅｐｔｉｄｅ简称ＳＡＰ）．ＳＡＰ经ＰＡＧＥ得单一条带，ＨＰＬＣ层析为单一峰；以ＳＤＳ－ｐＡＧＥ法测定其分子量为９１２０，等电聚焦法测定ＳＡＰ的等电点为７．８５，ＳＡＰ对热比较稳定．用小鼠醋酸扭体法等３种动物实验模型测定ＳＡＰ的镇痛作用，结果表明均有较强的镇痛活性．     

Comparison of sea anemone and scorpion toxins binding to Kv1 channels: an example of convergent evolution

Comparison of data from functional mapping carried out on scorpion and sea anemones toxins blocking currents through voltage-gated potassium channels revealed that, despite their different 3D structures, the binding cores of these toxins displayed some similarities. Further molecular modeling studies suggested that these similarities reflect the use by these toxins of a common binding mode to exert their blocking function. Therefore, scorpion and sea anemone toxins offer an example of mechanistic convergent evolution.     

Antivenom serotherapy and volume resuscitation partially improve peripheral organ ischemia in dogs injected with scorpion venom.

We tested the hypothesis that fluid resuscitation combined with antivenom serotherapy given after injection of scorpion venom may increase cardiac output (CO) and blood pressure (BP) and prevent the decline in bicarbonate, pH and gastric perfusion. Seventeen anesthetized, mechanically ventilated dogs were given 0.1 mg/kg i.v. venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus. The dogs were randomized into three groups: six dogs were given venom alone; three dogs were given 6 ml of antivenom 1 minute before venom injection; eight dogs were given 6 ml of antivenom and 20 ml/kg of synthetic colloid solution, 20 min after venom injection. Parameters reflecting respiratory and circulatory functions were determined at baseline and 120 min after venom injection. Scorpion venom caused a decrease in CO, BP, pH and HCO3-. Gastric mucosal perfusion was severely affected as assessed by mucosal pH (pHi) and the gradient between mucosal and arterial pCO2 (delta pCO2). Antivenom given before venom injection prevented all the effects induced by the venom. Antivenom and fluid given 20 min after venom injection caused a marked increase in CO and BP, but had no effect on pH and HCO3- decline (compared with venom alone). Gastric perfusion slightly improved as the increase in delta pCO2 was attenuated. The combination therapy of antivenom and fluid in this dog model is superior to the therapy of each of them alone. The marked and long-standing improvement of CO is promising and may suggest improvement in HCO3- and pH with time.     

Reproductive toxic effects of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom in rats

Tityus serrulatus is the most venomous scorpion in Brazil. Little is known about the effect of maternal exposure to the venom on fetal development. We investigated the effect of low to moderate doses of the venom (0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg s.c. on either day 5 or day 10 of gestation) on pregnant rats and on their offspring. For dams, we observed their body weight gain and reproductive parameters. For the offspring, we observed their body weight and weight of internal organs and the number of live and dead fetuses, and we investigated whether the venom caused external, visceral, skeletal or histopathological alterations in the offspring. The offspring were examined on gestational day 21. Injection of the venom on gestational day 5 did not change the reproductive parameters of the dams, their weight or fetuses' weight. Rats that received the high dose of the venom (1.0 mg/kg) on gestational day 10 had heavier placentas and heavier fetuses with heavier lungs. Injections on day 10 of gestation did not alter the reproductive parameters of the dams nor their weight gain at either dose. The venom did not cause malformations of the fetal skeleton or viscera and did not delay fetal development with either dose. In conclusion, subcutaneous administration of 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg T. serrulatus venom to pregnant Wistar rats at either day 5 or day 10 of gestation did not cause maternal or clear fetal toxicity. Subtle increases in placental weight and fetal body and lung weights observed following treatment with 1.0 mg/kg on day 10 of gestation were not associated with histopathological findings. Whether these observations represent a reaction to treatment and, if so, the underlying mechanisms and their toxicological impact remain to be examined further in future studies.     

Evidence of myocardial ischaemia in severe scorpion envenomation

Objective To explore the myocardial perfusion by thallium-201 scintigraphy for patients with evidence of myocardial damage after scorpion envenomation.Design Prospective study over 1-year period.Setting Medical intensive care unit of a university hospital (Sfax, Tunisia).Patients We have prospectively included six patients admitted for scorpion envenomation over a period of 1 year in the 22-bed intensive care unit (ICU) of our university hospital. The evidence of myocardial damage was confirmed by electrocardiography and echocardiography in all patients. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (²⁰¹Tl scintigraphy) coupled with radionuclide ventriculography (^99mTc) was performed for all patients, occurring 32 h on average (range 12–72 h) after the sting.Results Radionuclide ventriculography was abnormal in all cases; the abnormalities observed were similar to those observed by echocardiography. Moreover ²⁰¹Tl scintigraphy showed evidence of myocardial hypoperfusion in all cases. The myocardial hypoperfusion grade and localisation were more marked in the abnormal localisation shown by echocardiography and electrocardiography, compared to the normal wall. Repeated studies, obtained only in two patients within 6 and 15 days, respectively, showed considerable, but not complete, improvement of wall motion and myocardial perfusion. Segments with improved perfusion showed greatly improved regional wall motion.Conclusion This study confirms the evidence of myocardial hypoperfusion after severe scorpion envenomation.     

自制全蝎膏治疗术后慢性难治性伤口的临床疗效

目的探讨全蝎膏治疗慢性术后难治性伤口的临床疗效。方法80例入选患者随机分成2组,40例采用自制全蝎膏换药治疗,40例使用凡士林纱条换药治疗。结果全蝎膏治疗组的有效率为95％,治愈率为90％;凡士林纱条治疗组的有效率为70％,治愈率为45％。结论全蝎膏具有良好的去污、生肌和抗感染作用,对慢性术后难治性伤口效果显著,值得临床推广。     

抗血栓中药的研究现状

血栓是指在血液流动的过程中,血液中成分在血管或心脏内膜表面发生析出、凝集和凝固所形成的一种半凝块状物质。传统中医理论认为血栓形成是由"血脉不通,血行失度,血气不至,血凝而不流"