A novel Bartonella-like symbiont (BLS) of Tyrophagus putrescentiae was characterized. BLS formed a separate cluster from the Bartonella clade together with an ant symbiont. BLS was present in mite bodies (103 16S DNA copies/mite) and feces but was absent in eggs. This indicated the presence of the BLS in mite guts. The BLS showed a reduction in genome size (1.6 Mb) and indicates gene loss compared to Bartonella apis. The BLS can be interacted with its host by using host metabolic pathways (e.g., the histidine and arginine metabolic pathways) as well as by providing its own metabolic pathways (pantothenate and lipoic acid) to the host, suggesting the existence of a mutualistic association. Our experimental data further confirmed these potential mutualistic nutritional associations, as cultures of T. putrescentiae with low BLS abundance showed the strongest response after the addition of vitamins. Despite developing an arguably tight dependency on its host, the BLS has probably retained flagellar mobility, as evidenced by the 32 proteins enriched in KEGG pathways associated with flagellar assembly or chemotaxis (e.g., fliC, flgE, and flgK, as highly expressed genes). Some of these proteins probably also facilitate adhesion to host gut cells. The microcin C transporter was identified in the BLS, suggesting that microcin C may be used in competition with other gut bacteria. The 16S DNA sequence comparison indicated a mite clade of BLSs with a broad host range, including house dust and stored-product mites. Our phylogenomic analyses identified a unique lineage of arachnid specific BLSs in mites and scorpions.IMPORTANCEA Bartonella-like symbiont was found in an astigmatid mite of allergenic importance. We assembled the genome of the bacterium from metagenomes of different stored-product mite (T. putrescentiae) cultures. The bacterium provides pantothenate and lipoic acid to the mite host. The vitamin supply explains the changes in the relative abundance of BLSs in T. putrescentiae as the microbiome response to nutritional or pesticide stress, as observed previously. The phylogenomic analyses of available 16S DNA sequences originating from mite, scorpion, and insect samples identified a unique lineage of arachnid specific forming large Bartonella clade. BLSs associated with mites and a scorpion. The Bartonella clade included the previously described Ca. Tokpelaia symbionts of ants.
- MeSH
- Acaridae * microbiology MeSH
- Allergens MeSH
- Bacteria MeSH
- Bartonella * genetics MeSH
- Thioctic Acid * MeSH
- Mites * genetics MeSH
- Symbiosis MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
... ENVENOM ATION 568 -- BLACK WIDOW SPIDER ENVENOMATION 569 -- BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER ENVENOMATION 570 -- SCORPION ...
Fifth edition xl, 1016 stran : ilustrace ; 28 cm
- MeSH
- Emergencies MeSH
- Critical Care MeSH
- Wounds and Injuries MeSH
- Emergency Treatment MeSH
- Publication type
- Atlas MeSH
- Conspectus
- Patologie. Klinická medicína
- NML Fields
- urgentní lékařství
- NML Publication type
- kolektivní monografie
To investigate a specificity of spiders as a prototypical fear- and disgust-eliciting stimuli, we conducted an online experiment. The respondents rated images of 25 spiders, 12 non-spider chelicerates, and 10 other arthropods on a fear and disgust 7-point scale. The evaluation of 968 Central European respondents confirmed the specificity of spiders among fear- and disgust-eliciting arthropods and supported the notion of spiders as a cognitive category. We delineated this category as covering extant spider species as well as some other chelicerates bearing a physical resemblance to spiders, mainly whip spiders and camel spiders. We suggested calling this category the spider-like cognitive category. We discussed evolutionary roots of the spider-like category and concluded that its roots should be sought in fear, with disgust being secondary of the two emotions. We suggested other chelicerates, e.g., scorpions, might have been important in formation and fixation of the spider-like category. Further, we investigated an effect of respondent's sensitivity to a specific fear of spiders on evaluation of the stimuli. We found that suspected phobic respondents were in their rating nearly identical to those with only high fear of spiders and similar to those with only moderate fear of spiders. We concluded that results based on healthy respondents with elevated fear should also be considered relevant for arachnophobia research.
- MeSH
- Arthropods MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Emotions MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Disgust * MeSH
- Spiders * MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Fear psychology MeSH
- Personality Assessment MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Každoročně se stovky turistů vrací z dovolené z exotických zemí s nechtěnými suvenýry v podobě bakteriálních nebo parazitálních infekcí. Méně časté je napadení turisty jedovatým živočichem. Jedním z těchto nebezpečných živočichů je ropušnice obecná (Scorpaena scrofa). Prezentujeme případ 57letého pacienta přijatého na Kliniku popálenin a plastické chirurgie FN Brno s rozsáhlou hlubokou nekrotickou plochou na pravém bérci velikosti 1,5 % TBSA (total body surface area), která se u pacienta rozvinula po bodnutí ropušnicí v Rudém moři. Zranění bylo komplikované komorbiditami pacienta, zejména diabetem II. typu.
Hundreds of people come back from exotic countries with bacterial or parasitic infection every year. Venomous animal attack is less common. One such animal is scorpion fish (Scorpaena scrofa). We present case report of a 57-year-old patient treated at the Clinic of Burns and Plastic Surgery with extensive necrotic skin defekt on the right lower leg (1,5 % total body surface area). Defect was caused by puncture injury by scorpion fish in the Red sea. The injury was complicated with comorbid diseases of the patient, especially diabetes mellitus type 2.
- Keywords
- ropušnice,
- MeSH
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 MeSH
- Wound Healing MeSH
- Fishes, Poisonous * MeSH
- Comorbidity MeSH
- Bites and Stings * complications MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Case Reports MeSH
A facultative parasite of cereals, Fusarium culmorum is a soil-, air- and seed-borne fungus causing foot and root rot, fusarium seedling blight, and especially Fusarium head blight, a spike disease leading to decreased yield and mycotoxin contamination of grain. In the present study, we tested changes in expression of wheat genes (B2H2, ICS, PAL, and PR2) involved in defence against diseases. We first compared expression of the analysed genes in seedlings of non-inoculated and artificially inoculated wheat (variety Bohemia). The second part of the experiment compared expression of these genes in seedlings grown under various treatment conditions. These treatments were chosen to determine the effects of prochloraz, sodium bicarbonate, ergosterol, aescin and potassium iodide on expression of the analysed defence genes. In addition to the inoculated and non-inoculated cultivar Bohemia, we additionally examined two other varieties of wheat with contrasting resistance to Fusarium sp. infection. These were the blue aleurone layer variety Scorpion that is susceptible to Fusarium sp. infection and variety V2-49-17 with yellow endosperm and partial resistance to Fusarium sp. infection. In this manner, we were able to compare potential effects of inductors upon defence gene expression among three varieties with different susceptibility to infection but also between inoculated and non-inoculated seedlings of a single variety. The lowest infection levels were detected in the sodium bicarbonate treatment. Sodium bicarbonate had not only negative influence on Fusarium growth but also positively affected expression of plant defence genes. Expression of the four marker genes shown to be important in plant defence was significantly affected by the treatments. The greatest upregulation in comparison to the water control was identified under all treatments for the B2H2 gene. Only expression of PAL under the ergosterol and prochloraz treatments were not statistically significant.
- MeSH
- Fusarium immunology MeSH
- Sodium Bicarbonate pharmacology MeSH
- Plant Diseases genetics immunology microbiology MeSH
- Disease Resistance genetics MeSH
- Triticum genetics MeSH
- Seedlings genetics microbiology MeSH
- Gene Expression Profiling * MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Cestování do vzdálených zemí s sebou přináší četná rizika, včetně zdravotních. Kromě infekčních nemocí, alimentárních nákaz a úrazů jsou jedním z hlavních zdravotních rizik komplikace, vzniklé na základě „konfliktního kontaktu“ s jedovatých živočichem či jedovatými rostlinami. V první části našeho přehledu se zabýváme neurologickými komplikacemi stavů, které vzniknou při kontaktu s jedem některého z jedovatých živočichů.
Travelling to distant countries is associated with numerous risks, including some health-related ones. In addition to infectious diseases, alimentary infections, and injuries, complications arising from a “conflict contact” with a venomous animal or plant are among the major health-related risks. Part one of our review deals with neurological complications of conditions resulting from contact with the venom of some of the venomous animals.
- MeSH
- Scorpion Stings complications physiopathology therapy MeSH
- Animals, Poisonous * MeSH
- Bites and Stings MeSH
- Spider Bites complications physiopathology therapy MeSH
- Nervous System Diseases * MeSH
- Spider Venoms MeSH
- Scyphozoa pathogenicity MeSH
- Scorpion Venoms MeSH
- Snake Bites complications physiopathology therapy MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
Over time, mountain biota has undergone complex evolutionary histories that have left imprints on its genomic arrangement, geographical distribution and diversity of contemporary lineages. Knowledge on these biogeographical aspects still lags behind for invertebrates inhabiting the Alpine region. In the present study, we examined three scorpion species of the subgenus Euscorpius (Alpiscorpius) from the European Alps using cytogenetic and molecular phylogenetic approaches to determine the variation and population structure of extant lineages at both chromosome and genetic level, and to provide an insight into the species diversification histories. We detected considerable intraspecific variability in chromosome complements and localization of the 18S rDNA loci in all studied species. Such chromosome differences were noticeable as the existence of three [in E. (A.) alpha and E. (A.) germanus] or four [in E. (A.) gamma] range-restricted karyotypic races. These races differed from one another either by 2n [in E. (A.) alpha 2n = 54, 60, 90; in E. (A.) gamma 2n = 58, 60, 88, 86-92], or by the karyotypic formula [in E. (A.) germanus 2n = 34m + 12sm; 36m + 10sm; 42m + 4sm]. Using mitochondrial (16S rRNA, COI) and nuclear (28S rDNA) genetic markers, we examined genetic variation and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships among the karyotypic races. Both approaches provided evidence for the existence of ten deeply divergent lineages exhibiting the features of local endemics and indicating the presence of cryptic species. Molecular dating analyses suggest that these lineages diversified during the Plio-Pleistocene and this process was presumably accompanied by dynamic structural changes in the genome organization.
- MeSH
- Alleles MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Chromosomes genetics MeSH
- Species Specificity MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Genetic Variation * MeSH
- Genome MeSH
- Karyotyping MeSH
- Evolution, Molecular * MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal genetics MeSH
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics MeSH
- Scorpions genetics MeSH
- Geography MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
A new species of shrimp Metapontonia scorpio symbiotic with scleractinian coral Diploastrea heliopora is described from Taiwan. The species belongs to the smallest symbiotic shrimps of the family Palaemonidae. It is remarkable by a unique ability to turn its last two pleonites with tail fan dorsally over the 4th and preceding pleonal segments, thus resembling scorpions. For such movement, the respective opposing dorsal margins of the 4th-6th segments are deeply concave. The new species is characterized by a short dorsally directed rostrum, incomplete orbit, semicircular scaphocerite, and medially concave basal antennular segment. The only species of the genus, M. fungiacola, is compared with the new species based on morphology and DNA. Metapontonia fungiacola is for the first time reported from Taiwan and Papua New Guinea. The morphological and colour variability of the species is discussed. The scleractinian corals Platygyra lamellina (Merulinidae), Lobophyllia hemprichii, cf. Micromusa sp., Symphyllia cf. radians (Lobophylliidae), and Galaxea sp. (Oculinidae), are new host records for the species.
- MeSH
- Species Specificity MeSH
- Anthozoa MeSH
- Palaemonidae anatomy & histology classification genetics MeSH
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Symbiosis MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Papua New Guinea MeSH
- Taiwan MeSH
There is a wide variety of ion channel types with various types of blockers, making research in this field very complicated. To reduce this complexity, it is essential to study ion channels and their blockers independently. Scorpion toxins, a major class of blockers, are charged short peptides with high affinities for potassium channels. Their high selectivity and inhibitory properties make them an important pharmacological tool for treating autoimmune or nervous system disorders. Scorpion toxins typically have highly charged surfaces and-like other proteins-an intrinsic ability to bind ions (Friedman J Phys Chem B 115(29):9213-9223, 1996; Baldwin Biophys J 71(4):2056-2063, 1996; Vrbka et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103(42):15440-15444, 2006a; Vrbka et al. J Phys Chem B 110(13):7036-43, 2006b). Thus, their effects on potassium channels are usually investigated in various ionic solutions. In this work, computer simulations of protein structures were performed to analyze the structural properties of the key residues (i.e., those that are presumably involved in contact with the surfaces of the ion channels) of 12 scorpion toxins. The presence of the two most physiologically abundant cations, Na(+) and K(+), was considered. The results indicated that the ion-binding properties of the toxin residues vary. Overall, all of the investigated toxins had more stable structures in ionic solutions than in water. We found that both the number and length of elements in the secondary structure varied depending on the ionic solution used (i.e., in the presence of NaCl or KCl). This study revealed that the ionic solution should be chosen carefully before performing experiments on these toxins. Similarly, the influence of these ions should be taken into consideration in the design of toxin-based pharmaceuticals.
