Recombinant Destabilase from Hirudo medicinalis Is Able to Dissolve Human Blood Clots In Vitro

Leeches are amazing animals that can be classified as conditionally poisonous animals since the salivary cocktail they produce is injected directly into the victim, and its components have strictly defined biological purposes, such as preventing blood clot formation. Thrombolytic drugs are mainly aimed at treating newly formed blood clots. Aged clots are stabilized by a large number of isopeptide bonds that prevent the action of thrombolytics. These bonds are destroyed by destabilase, an enzyme of the leech’s salivary glands. Here, we conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the use of destabilase in relation to blood clots formed during real pathological processes. We evaluated the isopeptidase activity of destabilase during the formation of a stabilized fibrin clot. We showed that destabilase does not affect the internal and external coagulation cascades. We calculated the dose–response curve and tested the ability of destabilase to destroy isopeptide bonds in natural blood clots. The effect of aged and fresh clots dissolving ability after treatment with destabilase coincided with the morphological characteristics of clots during surgery. Thus, recombinant destabilase can be considered as a potential drug for the treatment of aged clots, which are difficult to treat with known thrombolytics.

“The-World-Around-Us” Lesson in the Fourth Grade: “Poisonous Animals. Poisonous Mushrooms”

The article discusses the structure and methodology of conducting a lesson with fourth-graders on the natural history topic “Poisonous animals. Poisonous Mushrooms “within the framework of mastering the content of the training course “The-World-Around-Us”. The teacher implements the set goals of the lesson on the basis of the use of problem situations, comparison of drawings with the corresponding texts, the widespread use of visual material and works of art. Simultaneously with the expansion of knowledge about poisonous animals and mushrooms, younger schoolchildren develop ideas about the

Animal venoms

Venoms are poisons or toxins of animal origin in which the animal that produce the toxins are capable of introducing the toxins into the body of the victims. Animals that produce toxins but lack the ability to introduce the toxins into their victims are said to be poisonous animals. Venoms are classified based on their site of action in the bodies of their victims. Thus, they classified into local, auto pharmacological, antihaemostic, neurological mascular cardiac and renal types; and based on the type of animal producing the venom, it is difficult to classify venom based on chemical constitution because of the fact that a particular venom is highly complex chemically with many reactive sites. The role venoms play on organisms in the environment is highlighted.

NOTIFICAÇÕES POR PICADA DE ESCORPIÃO EM UM MUNICÍPIO DO NOROESTE PAULISTA

Em todo o mundo os acidentes por animais peçonhentos representam uma relevante causa de morbimortalidade. Constituem-se em importante problema de saúde pública, apesar de negligenciados, e ocorrerem, especialmente, em regiões tropicais e subtropicais do planeta. As aranhas, os escorpiões e as cobras são os responsáveis pela ocorrência da maioria dos acidentes dentre os animais venenosos de importância médica, ocasionando casos graves de intoxicações, inclusive, levando ao óbito. O presente estudo tem por objetivo descrever dados de notificações por picada de escorpião obtidos pela Vigilância Epidemiológica do Município de Ilha Solteira de acordo com o local de ocorrência do evento. Os procedimentos metodológicos adotados para a realização da pesquisa foram exploratórios com descrição epidemiológica de forma quantitativa. Entre 2014 e 2017 houve 127 casos registrados. Na distribuição anual dos acidentes escorpiônicos, nota-se um significativo aumento de 2016 para 2017, 112%. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a causa dos acidentes seria decorrente de condições que propiciam o aumento desses artrópodes. Destaca-se a importância de se implantar um programa de educação continuada e novas estratégias à população a fim de minimizar a proliferação dos escorpiões. Descritores: Picadas de escorpião. Escorpiões. Animais venenosos. SCORPION STINGS NOTIFICATION IN A MUNICIPALITY FROM PAULISTA NORTHWEST ABSTRACT All over the world the incidents with venomous animals represent a relevant cause of morbimortality. It is a crucial public health issue, although neglected they occur especially in tropical and subtropical regions of the planet. Spiders, scorpions and snakes are held responsible for the occurrence of most accidents among poisonous animals of medical importance. Resulting serious cases of intoxication, moreover leading to death. The present study aims to describe data of scorpion sting notifications obtained from Epidemiological Monitoring in a Municipality from Paulista Northwest according to the occurrence of that event. The methodological procedures adopted to conduct the research were exploratory with quantitatively epidemiologic description. Between 2014 and 2017 there were 127 registered cases. In the annual distribution of scorpion accidents, it is noted a significant increase from 2016 to 1027, 112%. The results obtained suggest that the cause of the accidents would result from conditions that lead to the increase of that arthropod. We highlight the importance of implementing a continuous educational program and new strategies to the population in order to mitigate the proliferation of that arthropod. Keywords: Scorpion stings. Scorpions. Poisonous Animals.

The Sistrum and the Stick Rattles Sabayi and Sachi

This paper gives a brief outline of inherited links between various instruments. In doing so, attention is given to their spread and transformation process from an ancient Egyptian sistrum to a different type of a stick rattle1, also known as xi-stick or xízhàng in Chinese. This instrument once existed during the middle ages. In the process of time however, its use was witnessed in the Uyghur’s’ sabayi, the sachi and further to the Vietnamese sinh tien and the Japanese suzu. These instruments can create a rapid succession of rattling and complex sounds, some of which simulating frogs croaking during tropical rainy seasons. Other sounds imitate the repeated thrum of rattlesnakes searching for a spouse. Depending on time and place, the former are linked with praying for rain and the latter with reproduction. Thus, the rattles this study discusses are, among others, used in prayers for fertility and rain, peace and safety, healing rituals (curing diseases), for longevity. Furthermore, these rattles are sounded to ward off evil spirits, exorcise plagues and to keep poisonous animals away. All these resemble the mythological connotation to the copulating of Fuxi and Nuwa. Hence, they belong to the specific worldviews closely connected with the importance of reproduction in early times of humankind. They all involve fertility, death, reincarnation, eternal life, and the function of triggering trance, in which people seem to feel connected with heaven and earth, deities or ancestors.

FURUNCULOID MYIASIS, DIFFICULTIES IN DIAGNOSIS

Dermatozoonoses are skin diseases caused by arthropod pathogens. This group of skin diseases creates a particular diagnostic problem. Dermatozoonoses include deep and superficial skin changes. Superficial skin changes occur at the sites of bites or after contact with poisonous animals. Deep skin changes occur due to the penetration of the parasite into the skin. A prime example of this disease is dermatobiasis. It is an obligate myiasis, caused by the larvae of Dermatobia hominis flies (Oestridae family) that inhabit mostly in forests of Central and South America. A clinical case of the development of furunculoid myiasis in a russian geologist on a business trip to Argentina is presented.

La devoción a san Jorge durante el siglo XVIII en Durango. A propósito de un lienzo conservado en la sacristía de la catedral

ABSTRACT: St. George was one of the best known figures in Christendom, due both to his unique story as well as for the help he gave to the various Spanish kingdoms in the fight against the enemies of Jesus Christ. His cult spread to New Spain where he was known, although not in the same manner as in Europe. But nevertheless, in the cathedral of the bishopric of Durango, the efforts of bishop Pedro Anselmo Sánchez de Tagle interests resulted in St. George being declared patron of the city in 1749 by both civil and ecclesiastical chapters. This event granted the saint another function: the fight against poisonous animals, specifically, the scorpions endemic to the region. As a result, the Saint's iconography experienced an unprecedented and meaningful change that included the depiction of a series of arachnids alongside the dragon. This is reflected in the canvas that is still located in the sacristy of this cathedral, a painting that is unique in the History of Art. KEYWORDS: Saint George; Iconography; Bishop; Nobiliary Shield; Scorpions; Devotion; Sacristy. RESUMEN: San Jorge fue una de las figuras más difundidas en todo el Cristianismo, tanto por su singular historia como por el auxilio que prestó a los diversos reinos españoles en la lucha contra los enemigos de Jesucristo. Su culto logró llegar a la Nueva España donde fue conocido, aunque no siempre con el mismo sentido. Así, en la Catedral del Obispado de Durango, los intereses del obispo Pedro Anselmo Sánchez de Tagle lograron que el Cabildo Civil y el Cabildo Eclesiástico juraran a este santo como patrono de la ciudad en 1749. Este hecho le asignó una nueva encomienda: la lucha contra los animales ponzoñosos, específicamente los alacranes. Igualmente, este evento inédito permitió que a través de los años, la visualidad habitual de san Jorge haya experimentado uno de los cambios más significativos, al incluir una serie de arácnidos junto a la famosa representación del dragón. Lo anterior se ve reflejado en el gran lienzo que se conserva en la sacristía de dicha catedral, el cual es único dentro de la Historia del Arte. PALABRAS CLAVES: San Jorge; iconografía; obispo; escudo nobiliario; alacranes; devoción; sacristía.