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Arachnids In Medicine
Like plants and insects, arachnids have been used for thousands of years in traditional medical practices. Recent scientific research in natural bioactive factors has increased, leading to a renewed interest in venom components in many animals. In 1993 Margatoxin was synthesized from the venom of the ''Centruroides margaritatus'' the Central American bark scorpion. It is a peptide that selectively inhibits voltage-dependent potassium channels. Patented by Merck, it can potentially prevent neointimal hyperplasia, a common cause of bypass graft failure. In addition to medical uses of arachnid defense compounds, a great amount of research has recently been directed toward synthesizing and using spider silk as a scaffolding for ligament generation. Spider silk is ideal for synthesizing medical skin grafts or ligament implants because it is one of the strongest known natural fibers and triggers little immune response in animals. Spider silk may also make fine sutures for stitching n ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Insects In Medicine
Insects have long been used in medicine, both traditional and modern, sometimes with little evidence of their effectiveness. Traditional and alternative uses The medicinal uses of insects and other arthropods worldwide have been reviewed by Meyer-Rochow,Meyer-Rochow, V.B. (2017). Therapeutic arthropods and other, largely terrestrial, folk-medicinally important invertebrates: a comparative survey and review. ''Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 13:9 (31 pages)'' who provides examples of all major insect groups, spiders, worms and molluscs and discusses their potential as suppliers of bioactive components. Using insects (and spiders) to treat various maladies and injuries has a long tradition and, having stood the test of time, can be effective and provide results. However, sometimes folk-medicinal "logic" was based on the Doctrine of Signatures ("let likes be cured by likes") and had, if any at all, little more than a psychological effect. For example, to treat cases of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Traditional Medicine
Traditional medicine (also known as indigenous medicine or folk medicine) refers to the knowledge, skills, and practices rooted in the cultural beliefs of various societies, especially Indigenous groups, used for maintaining health and treating illness. In some Asia, Asian and Africa, African countries, up to 80% of people rely on traditional medicine for primary health care. Traditional medicine includes systems like Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and Unani medicine, Unani. The World Health Organization supports their integration, but warns of potential risks and calls for more research on their safety and effectiveness. The use of medicinal herbs spans over 5,000 years, beginning with ancient civilizations like the Sumer, Sumerians, Ancient Egypt, Egyptians, Indian people, Indians, and Chinese people, Chinese, evolving through Ancient Greece, Greek, Ancient Rome, Roman, Islam, Islamic, and Middle Ages, medieval European traditions, and continuing into Colonial histo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Margatoxin
Margatoxin (MgTX) is a peptide that selectively inhibits Kv1.3 voltage-dependent potassium channels. It is found in the venom of '' Centruroides margaritatus'', also known as the Central American Bark Scorpion. Margatoxin was first discovered in 1993. It was purified from scorpion venom and its amino acid sequence was determined. Structure Margatoxin is a peptide of 39 amino acids with a molecular weight of 4185 Dalton. The primary amino acid sequence of margatoxin is as follows: : Thr-Ile-Ile-Asn-Val-Lys-Cys-Thr-Ser-Pro-Lys-Gln-Cys-Leu-Pro-Pro-Cys-Lys-Ala-Gln-Phe-Gly-Gln-Ser-Ala-Gly-Ala-Lys-Cys-Met-Asn-Gly-Lys-Cys-Lys-Cys-Tyr-Pro-His Or, when translated to one-letter sequence, :TIINVKCTSPKQCLPPCKAQFGQSAGAKCMNGKCKCYPH. There are disulfide bridges between Cys7-Cys29, Cys13-Cys34 and Cys17-Cys36. Margatoxin is classified as a "scorpion short toxin" by Pfam, showing sequence homology with other potassium channel blockers, such as charybdotoxin (44%), kaliotoxin (54%), iberio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Centruroides
''Centruroides'' is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Antilles and northern South America. Some are known for their interesting patterning or large size (among Buthidae); most if not all fluoresce strongly under ultraviolet illumination, except after moulting. They contain several highly venomous species, and fatalities are known to occur. The venom of the Mexican scorpion ''Centruroides limpidus limpidus'' contains the neurotoxin Neurotoxins are toxins that are destructive to nervous tissue, nerve tissue (causing neurotoxicity). Neurotoxins are an extensive class of exogenous chemical neurological insult (medical), insultsSpencer 2000 that can adversely affect function ...s Cll1 and Cll2. Taxonomy The number of species accepted as valid may vary, depending on the autho ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Voltage-gated Potassium Channel
Voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKCs) are potassium channel, transmembrane channels specific for potassium and Voltage-gated ion channel, sensitive to voltage changes in the cell's membrane potential. During action potentials, they play a crucial role in returning the depolarized cell to a resting state. Classification Alpha subunits Alpha subunits form the actual conductance pore. Based on sequence homology of the hydrophobic transmembrane cores, the alpha subunits of voltage-gated potassium channels are grouped into 12 classes. These are labeled Kvα1-12. The following is a list of the 40 known human voltage-gated potassium channel alpha subunits grouped first according to function and then subgrouped according to the Kv sequence homology classification scheme: Delayed rectifier slowly inactivating or non-inactivating *Kvα1.x - shaker superfamily of potassium channels, Shaker-related: Kv1.1 (KCNA1), Kv1.2 (KCNA2), Kv1.3 (KCNA3), Kv1.5 (KCNA5), Kv1.6 (KCNA6), Kv1.7 (KCN ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Intimal Hyperplasia
Intimal hyperplasia is the thickening of the tunica intima of a blood vessel as a complication of a reconstruction procedure or endarterectomy. Intimal hyperplasia is the universal response of a vessel to injury. It is a restenosis and this is an important reason of late bypass graft failure, particularly in vein and synthetic vascular grafts. Cause Intimal hyperplasia is due to a dysfunction of endothelial cells which results in a reprogramming of the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). As a result, VSMCs proliferate and change their phenotype. Possible treatment A possible treatment to avoid this could be hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide () works as a vasculoprotective gasotransmitter in the human body but is also tested to reduced intimal hyperplasia. There are different kinds of donors: NaHS (the reference in scientific literature despite the fact it is too toxic to use it in human patients) and STS (already used in patient to treat cyanide poisoning). See also * Hyperp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spider Silk
Spider silk is a protein fibre or silk spun by spiders. Spiders use silk to make webs or other structures that function as adhesive traps to catch prey, to entangle and restrain prey before biting, to transmit tactile information, or as nests or cocoons to protect their offspring. They can use the silk to suspend themselves from height, to float through the air, or to glide away from predators. Most spiders vary the thickness and adhesiveness of their silk according to its use. In some cases, spiders may use silk as a food source. While methods have been developed to collect silk from a spider by force, gathering silk from many spiders is more difficult than from silk-spinning organisms such as silkworms. All spiders produce silk, although some spiders do not make webs. Silk is tied to courtship and mating. Silk produced by females provides a transmission channel for male vibratory courtship signals, while webs and draglines provide a substrate for female sex pheromone ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor
Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (or TFPI) is a single-chain polypeptide which can reversibly inhibit factor Xa (Xa). While Xa is inhibited, the Xa-TFPI complex can subsequently also inhibit the Factor VII, FVIIa-tissue factor complex. TFPI contributes significantly to the inhibition of Xa in vivo, despite being present at concentrations of only 2.5 nM. Genetics The gene for TFPI is located on chromosome 2q31-q32.1, and has nine exons which span 70 kb. A similar gene, termed ''TFPI2'', has been identified on chromosome 7, at Locus (genetics), locus 7q21.3; in addition to TFPI activity, its product also has retinal pigment epithelial cell growth-promoting properties. Protein structure TFPI has a relative molecular mass of 34,000 to 40,000 depending on the degree of proteolysis of the C-terminal region. TFPI consists of a highly negatively charged amino-terminus, three tandemly linked Kunitz domains, and a highly positively charged carboxy-terminus. With its Kunitz domains ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ixodes Scapularis
''Ixodes scapularis'' is a hard-bodied tick found in much of the eastern half of North America. It is commonly known as the deer tick, owing to its habit of parasitizing the white-tailed deer. It is also sometimes known as the black-legged tick (although some people reserve that specific term for ''Ixodes pacificus'', which is found on the west coast of the US), and as the bear tick in some parts of the US. It was also named ''Ixodes dammini'' until it was shown to be the same species in 1993. It is a Vector (epidemiology), vector for several diseases of animals, including humans (Lyme disease, babesiosis, Human granulocytic anaplasmosis, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, Powassan virus disease, etc.). It is also known to parasitize mice, lizards, migratory birds, etc. especially while the tick is in the larval or nymphal stage. Description As a nymph and adult, ''Ixodes scapularis'' has eight legs, while larvae have six. Unlike ticks from other genera, deer ticks do not have eyes ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tissue Factor
Tissue factor, also called platelet tissue factor or Coagulation factor III, is a protein present in subendothelial tissue and leukocytes which plays a major role in coagulation and, in humans, is encoded by ''F3'' gene. Its role in the blood clotting is the initiation of thrombin formation from the zymogen prothrombin. Thromboplastin defines the cascade that leads to the activation of factor X—the tissue factor pathway. In doing so, it has replaced the previously named extrinsic pathway in order to eliminate ambiguity. Function The F3 gene encodes tissue factor also known as coagulation factor III, which is a cell surface glycoprotein. This factor enables cells to initiate the blood coagulation cascades, and it functions as the high-affinity receptor for the coagulation factor VII. The resulting complex provides a catalytic event that is responsible for initiation of the coagulation protease cascades by specific limited proteolysis. Unlike the other cofactors of these pr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma, previously known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most aggressive and most common type of cancer that originates in the brain, and has a very poor prognosis for survival. Initial signs and symptoms of glioblastoma are nonspecific. They may include headaches, personality changes, nausea, and symptoms similar to those of a stroke. Symptoms often worsen rapidly and may progress to unconsciousness. The cause of most cases of glioblastoma is not known. Uncommon risk factors include genetic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis and Li–Fraumeni syndrome, and previous radiation therapy. Glioblastomas represent 15% of all brain tumors. They are thought to arise from astrocytes. The diagnosis typically is made by a combination of a CT scan, MRI scan, and tissue biopsy. There is no known method of preventing the cancer. Treatment usually involves surgery, after which chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used. The medication temozolomide is frequently used a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Arachnids And Humans
Arachnids are arthropods in the Class (biology), class Arachnida () of the subphylum Chelicerata. Arachnida includes, among others, spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, pseudoscorpions, opiliones, harvestmen, Solifugae, camel spiders, Amblypygi, whip spiders and Uropygi, vinegaroons. Adult arachnids have eight Arthropod leg, legs attached to the cephalothorax. In some species the frontmost pair of legs has converted to a sensory function, while in others, different appendages can grow large enough to take on the appearance of extra pairs of legs. Almost all Extant taxon, extant arachnids are terrestrial animal, terrestrial, living mainly on land. However, some inhabit freshwater environments and, with the exception of the pelagic zone, marine environments as well. They comprise over 110,000 named species, of which 51,000 are species of spiders. The term is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek word (''aráchnē'', 'spider'), from the myth of the hubristic human weaver Arachne, w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
