Medically Important Differences in Snake Venom Composition Are Dictated by Distinct Postgenomic Mechanisms
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AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Ian B. Edwards for the degree of Master of Arts in Applied Anthropology presented on April 30. 2003. Title: The Fetish Market and Animal Parts Trade of Mali. West Africa: An Ethnographic Investigation into Cultural Use and Significance. Abstract approved: Redacted for Privacy David While much research has examined the intricate interactions associated with the harvesting of wild animals for human consumption, little work has been undertaken in attempting to understand the greater socio-cultural significance of such use. In addition, to properly understand such systems of interaction, an intimate knowledge is required with regard to the rationale or motivation of resource users. In present day Mali, West Africa, the population perceives and upholds wildlife as a resource not only of valuable animal protein, in a region of famine and drought, but a means of generating income. The animal parts trade is but one mechanism within the larger socio-cultural structure that exploits wildlife through a complex human-environmental system to the benefit of those who participate. Moreover, this informal, yet highly structured system serves both cultural and outsider demand through its goods and services. By using traditional ethnographic investigation techniques (participant observation and semi-structured interviews) in combination with thick narration and multidisciplinary analysis (socio- cultural and biological-environmental), it is possible to construct a better understanding of the functions, processes, and motivation of those who participate. In a world where there is butonlya limited supply of natural and wild resources, understanding human- environmental systems is of critical value. ©Copyright by Ian B. -
(Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) from the Blood of Echis Pyramidum: Morphology and SSU Rdna Sequence Hepatozoon Pyramidumi Sp
Original Article ISSN 1984-2961 (Electronic) www.cbpv.org.br/rbpv Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) from the blood of Echis pyramidum: morphology and SSU rDNA sequence Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) do sangue de Echis pyramidum: morfologia e sequência de SSU rDNA Lamjed Mansour1,2; Heba Mohamed Abdel-Haleem3; Esam Sharf Al-Malki4; Saleh Al-Quraishy1; Abdel-Azeem Shaban Abdel-Baki3* 1 Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2 Unité de Recherche de Biologie Intégrative et Écologie Évolutive et Fonctionnelle des Milieux Aquatiques, Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia 3 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt 4 Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia How to cite: Mansour L, Abdel-Haleem HM, Al-Malki ES, Al-Quraishy S, Abdel-Baki AZS. Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) from the blood of Echis pyramidum: morphology and SSU rDNA sequence. Braz J Vet Parasitol 2020; 29(2): e002420. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612020019 Abstract Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n. is described from the blood of the Egyptian saw-scaled viper, Echis pyramidum, captured from Saudi Arabia. Five out of ten viper specimens examined (50%) were found infected with Hepatozoon pyramidumi sp. n. with parasitaemia level ranged from 20-30%. The infection was restricted only to the erythrocytes. Two morphologically different forms of intraerythrocytic stages were observed; small and mature gamonts. The small ganomt with average size of 10.7 × 3.5 μm. Mature gamont was sausage-shaped with recurved poles measuring 16.3 × 4.2 μm in average size. -
An Overview and Checklist of the Native and Alien Herpetofauna of the United Arab Emirates
Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5(3):529–536. Herpetological Conservation and Biology Symposium at the 6th World Congress of Herpetology. AN OVERVIEW AND CHECKLIST OF THE NATIVE AND ALIEN HERPETOFAUNA OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 1 1 2 PRITPAL S. SOORAE , MYYAS AL QUARQAZ , AND ANDREW S. GARDNER 1Environment Agency-ABU DHABI, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, e-mail: [email protected] 2Natural Science and Public Health, College of Arts and Sciences, Zayed University, P.O. Box 4783, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Abstract.—This paper provides an updated checklist of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) native and alien herpetofauna. The UAE, while largely a desert country with a hyper-arid climate, also has a range of more mesic habitats such as islands, mountains, and wadis. As such it has a diverse native herpetofauna of at least 72 species as follows: two amphibian species (Bufonidae), five marine turtle species (Cheloniidae [four] and Dermochelyidae [one]), 42 lizard species (Agamidae [six], Gekkonidae [19], Lacertidae [10], Scincidae [six], and Varanidae [one]), a single amphisbaenian, and 22 snake species (Leptotyphlopidae [one], Boidae [one], Colubridae [seven], Hydrophiidae [nine], and Viperidae [four]). Additionally, we recorded at least eight alien species, although only the Brahminy Blind Snake (Ramphotyplops braminus) appears to have become naturalized. We also list legislation and international conventions pertinent to the herpetofauna. Key Words.— amphibians; checklist; invasive; reptiles; United Arab Emirates INTRODUCTION (Arnold 1984, 1986; Balletto et al. 1985; Gasperetti 1988; Leviton et al. 1992; Gasperetti et al. 1993; Egan The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of 2007). -
Experience of Snakebite Envenomation by a Desert Viper in Qatar
Hindawi Journal of Toxicology Volume 2020, Article ID 8810741, 5 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8810741 Review Article Experience of Snakebite Envenomation by a Desert Viper in Qatar Amr Elmoheen ,1 Waleed Awad Salem ,1 Mahmoud Haddad ,1 Khalid Bashir ,1 and Stephen H. Thomas1,2,3 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar 2Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar 3Barts and "e London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK Correspondence should be addressed to Amr Elmoheen; [email protected] Received 8 June 2020; Revised 8 September 2020; Accepted 28 September 2020; Published 12 October 2020 Academic Editor: Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim Copyright © 2020 Amr Elmoheen et al. &is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Crotaline and elapid snakebites are reported all over the world as well as in the Middle East and other countries around this region. However, data regarding snakebites and their treatment in Qatar are limited. &is review paper is going to investigate the presentation and treatment of snakebite in Qatar. A good assessment helps to decide on the management of the snakebites envenomation. Antivenom and conservative management are the mainstays of treatment for crotaline snakebite. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been suggested to do early diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue problems, such as edema and compartment syndrome, after a snakebite. &e supporting data are not sufficient regarding the efficiency of POCUS in diagnosing the extent and severity of tissue involvement and its ultimate effect on the outcome. -
Self-Envenomation in an Egyptian Saw-Scaled Viper Using Region of Interest
The biter bit? Investigation of possible in-ovo self- envenomation in an Egyptian saw-scaled viper using region of interest X-ray microtomography John Mulley, Richard E Johnston Proven examples of self-envenomation by venomous snakes, and especially instances of death as a result of these events, are extremely rare, if not non-existent. Here we use Region of Interest X-ray microtomography to investigate a putative case of fatal in-ovo s t self-envenomation in the Egyptian saw-scaled viper, Echis pyramidum. Our analyses have n i provided unprecedented insight into the skeletal anatomy of a late-stage embryonic snake r P and the disposition of the fangs without disrupting or destroying a unique biological e r specimen. P PeerJ PrePrints | http://dx.doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.624v1 | CC-BY 4.0 Open Access | rec: 19 Nov 2014, publ: 19 Nov 2014 1 Title page 2 3 The biter bit? Investigation of possible in-ovo self-envenomation in an Egyptian saw-scaled 4 viper using region of interest X-ray microtomography 5 6 Richard E Johnston1 and John F Mulley2* 7 8 1. College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom s 9 2. School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, United t n i 10 Kingdom r P 11 e r P 12 *To whom correspondence should be addressed ([email protected]) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 PeerJ PrePrints | http://dx.doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.624v1 | CC-BY 4.0 Open Access | rec: 19 Nov 2014, publ: 19 Nov 2014 26 Abstract 27 Proven examples of self-envenomation by venomous snakes, and especially instances of 28 death as a result of these events, are extremely rare, if not non-existent. -
The Knockout Effect of Low Doses of Gamma Radiation on Hepatotoxicity Induced by Echis Coloratus Snake Venom in Rats
bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/705251; this version posted July 23, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. The knockout effect of low doses of gamma radiation on hepatotoxicity induced by Echis Coloratus snake venom in rats Esraa M. Samya,*,1, Esmat A. Shaabana,2, Sanaa A. Kenawyb,3, Walaa H. Salamac,4 and Mai A. Abd El Fattahb,5 a Department of Drug Radiation Research, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt b Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt c Department of Molecular Biology, Genetic engineering and biotechnology research division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt 1 [email protected] 2 [email protected] 3 [email protected] 4 [email protected] 5 [email protected] *Corresponding author: Esraa M. Samy Department of Drug Radiation Research, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt Tel: 01008371542 E-mail address: [email protected] ABSTRACT Echis Coloratus is the most medically important viper in Egypt causing several pathological effects leading to death. Gamma radiation has been used as a venom detoxifying tool in order to extend the lifespan of the immunized animals used in antivenin production process. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the effects of increasing doses of gamma radiation on Echis Coloratus in vivo through biochemical and histological studies. The results revealed a significant increase in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and glucose of sera collected from the rats injected with native Echis Coloratus venom compared with the non-envenomed group. -
(Cerastes) VENOM
Received: June 20, 2005 J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis. Accepted: October 27, 2005 V.12, n.3, p.400-417, 2006. Abstract published online: December 14, 2005 Original paper. Full paper published online: August 31, 2006 ISSN 1678-9199. PHARMACOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF RAT PAW EDEMA INDUCED BY Cerastes gasperettii (cerastes) VENOM AL-ASMARI A. K. (1), ABDO N. M. (1) (1) Research Center, Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ABSTRACT: Inflammatory response induced by the venom of the Arabian sand viper Cerastes gasperettii was studied by measuring rat hind-paw edema. Cerastes gasperettii venom (CgV, 3.75-240 µg/paw), heated for 30s at 97°C, caused a marked dose and time-dependent edema in rat paw. Response was maximal 2h after venom administration and ceased within 24h. Heated CgV was routinely used in our experiments at the dose of 120 µg/paw. Among all the drugs and antivenoms tested, cyproheptadine and 5-nitroindazole were the most effective in inhibiting edema formation. Aprotinin, mepyramine, dexamethasone, diclofenac, dipyridamole, Nω- nitro-L-arginine, quinacrine, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid showed statistically (p<0.001) significant inhibitory effect, but with variations in their inhibition degree. Equine polyspecific and rabbit monospecific antivenoms significantly (p<0.001) reduced edema when locally administered (subplantar) but were ineffective when intravenously injected. We can conclude that the principal inflammatory mediators were serotonin, histamine, adenosine transport factors, phosphodiesterase (PDE), cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), in addition to other prostaglandins and cytokines. KEY WORDS: inflammatory mediators, Cerastes gasperettii venom, edema, antagonist, antivenom. CORRESPONDENCE TO: ABDULRAHMAN KHAZIM AL-ASMARI. P.O. -
High Throughput Screening and Identification of Coagulopathic Snake Venom Proteins and 2 Peptides Using Nanofractionation and Proteomics Approaches
bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/780155; this version posted September 23, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY 4.0 International license. Classified Personnel Information 1 High throughput screening and identification of coagulopathic snake venom proteins and 2 peptides using nanofractionation and proteomics approaches 3 4 Julien Slagbooma,b, Marija Mladićc, Chunfang Xie b, Freek Vonkd, Govert W. Somsenb, Nicholas 5 R. Casewella, Jeroen Koolb 6 aCentre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, 7 Liverpool, UK 8 bDivision of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems, 9 VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 10 cAnimal Sciences and Health, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The 11 Netherlands 12 dNaturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands 13 *Corresponding author [email protected] 14 15 1 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/780155; this version posted September 23, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY 4.0 International license. Classified Personnel Information 16 Abstract 17 Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease that results in a variety of systemic and local pathologies in 18 envenomed victims and is responsible for around 138,000 deaths every year. Many snake venoms cause 19 severe coagulopathy that makes victims vulnerable to suffering life-threating haemorrhage. -
Testing the Toxicofera: Comparative Reptile Transcriptomics Casts Doubt on the Single, Early Evolution of the Reptile Venom Syst
bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/006031; this version posted June 6, 2014. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 1 Title page 2 3 Title: 4 Testing the Toxicofera: comparative reptile transcriptomics casts doubt on the single, early 5 evolution of the reptile venom system 6 7 Authors: 8 Adam D Hargreaves1, Martin T Swain2, Darren W Logan3 and John F Mulley1* 9 10 Affiliations: 11 1. School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, 12 Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom 13 14 2. Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, 15 Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, United Kingdom 16 17 3. Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1HH, United Kingdom 18 19 *To whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected] 20 21 22 Author email addresses: 23 John Mulley - [email protected] 24 Adam Hargreaves - [email protected] 25 Darren Logan - [email protected] 26 Martin Swain - [email protected] 1 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/006031; this version posted June 6, 2014. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. -
Substrate Thermal Properties Influence Ventral Brightness Evolution In
ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01524-w OPEN Substrate thermal properties influence ventral brightness evolution in ectotherms ✉ Jonathan Goldenberg 1 , Liliana D’Alba 1, Karen Bisschop 2,3, Bram Vanthournout1 & Matthew D. Shawkey 1 1234567890():,; The thermal environment can affect the evolution of morpho-behavioral adaptations of ectotherms. Heat is transferred from substrates to organisms by conduction and reflected radiation. Because brightness influences the degree of heat absorption, substrates could affect the evolution of integumentary optical properties. Here, we show that vipers (Squa- mata:Viperidae) inhabiting hot, highly radiative and superficially conductive substrates have evolved bright ventra for efficient heat transfer. We analyzed the brightness of 4161 publicly available images from 126 species, and we found that substrate type, alongside latitude and body mass, strongly influences ventral brightness. Substrate type also significantly affects dorsal brightness, but this is associated with different selective forces: activity-pattern and altitude. Ancestral estimation analysis suggests that the ancestral ventral condition was likely moderately bright and, following divergence events, some species convergently increased their brightness. Vipers diversified during the Miocene and the enhancement of ventral brightness may have facilitated the exploitation of arid grounds. We provide evidence that integument brightness can impact the behavioral ecology of ectotherms. 1 Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures group, Department -
Crotalus Cerastes (Hallowell, 1854) (Squamata, Viperidae)
Herpetology Notes, volume 9: 55-58 (2016) (published online on 17 February 2016) Arboreal behaviours of Crotalus cerastes (Hallowell, 1854) (Squamata, Viperidae) Andrew D. Walde1,*, Andrea Currylow2, Angela M. Walde1 and Joel Strong3 Crotalus cerastes (Hallowell, 1854) is a small study area has no uninterrupted sandy areas outside of horned rattlesnake that ranges throughout most of the ephemeral washes, and no dune-like habitats. It is in deserts of southwestern United States, and south into this scrub-like habitat that we made three observations northern Mexico (Ernst and Ernst, 2003). This species of the previously undocumented arboreal behaviour of is considered to be a psammophilous (sand-dune) C. cerastes. specialist, typically inhabiting loose sand habitats and On 7 April 2005 at 1618h, we observed an adult C. dune blowouts (Ernst and Ernst, 2003). Although C. cerastes coiled in an A. dumosa shrub approximately 25 cerastes is primarily a nocturnal snake, it is known to cm above the ground (Fig. 1 A). The air temperature be active diurnally in the spring, and to bask in early was 21 °C and ground temperature was 27 °C. The morning or late afternoon (Ernst and Ernst, 2003). snake did not attempt to flee at our approach, but did This rattlesnake species exhibits a unique style of reposition slightly in the branches. A second observation locomotion known as sidewinding, from which it occurred on 18 April 2005 at 1036h, when we observed derives its common name, Sidewinder. Sidewinding is another adult C. cerastes extending the anterior third of believed to be an adaptation to efficiently move in loose its body beyond the top of an A. -
Venomous Snakes of the Horn of Africa
VENOMOUS SNAKES OF THE HORN OF AFRICA Venomous Snake Identification Burrowing Asps Boomslang, Vine and Tree Snakes Snakebite Prevention Behavior: Venomous snakes are found throughout the Horn of Africa. Assume that any snake you encounter is venomous. Leave Long, Flattened Head, Round Fixed Front Smooth Long, Cylindrical Behavior: Burrowing asps spend the majority of time underground in burrows under stones, concrete slabs, logs, snakes alone. Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get a closer look at it. Slightly Distinct from Neck Pupils Fangs Scales Body, Thin Tail They are active during both the daytime and nighttime. or wooden planks. 5-8 feet in length They live in trees and feed on bats, birds, and lizards. They are active on the surface only during the nighttime hours or after heavy rains flood their burrows. They are not aggressive: will quickly flee to nearest tree or bush if surprised on ground. Snakebites occur most often: MAMBAS They feed on small reptiles and rodents found in holes or underground. They do not climb. When molested, they inflate their bodies or necks as threat posture before biting. After rainstorms that follow long, dry spells or after rains in desert areas. Dendroaspis spp. SAVANNA VINE They are not aggressive: bites usually occur at night when snakes are stepped on accidentally. SNAKE During the half-hour before total darkness and the first two hours after dark. Habitats: Trees next to caves, coastal bush and reeds, tropical forests, open savannas, Thelotornis Habitats: Burrows in sand or soft soil, semi-desert areas, woodlands, and savannas.