The Genetic Basis of Color Polymorphism in the Orb-Web Spider Gasteracantha cancriformis

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  The Genetic Basis of Color Polymorphism in the Orb-Web Spider Gasteracantha cancriformis ABSTRACT Animal coloration is a complex trait useful for studying adaptive evolution. In consequence, a major goal in evolutionary biology is to understand the genetic and developmental basis underlying coloration in animals and thus establish direct links between genetic and phenotype variability. Genomics tools have contributed the identification the specific genes and variants responsible for color variation in nonmodel animals, but the evidence is biased toward some taxa, while groups such as arachnids have been neglected. In this study, we aimed to identify genes that underlie coloration in spiders and generate genomic resources for these organisms. By deep sequencing RNA-seq libraries from yellow, orange, white, and black female morphs of the color polymorphic spider  Gasteracantha cancriformis , we assembled a transcriptome for this species and identified genes that were different...

When Venom Meets the Heart: A Rare Case of Scorpion Sting-Induced Acute Myocardial Infarction

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When Venom Meets the Heart: A Rare Case of Scorpion Sting-Induced Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract 

Scorpion sting cases are everyday encounters in the Emergency Department (ED). However, scorpion stinginduced systemic manifestations are rarely seen. Signs and symptoms of envenomation involve the central nervous system, stimulation of the autonomic nervous system and rarely respiratory and heart failure leading to death. Cardiovascular manifestations are particularly prominent following stings by the Indian red scorpion. This case report is of an 18-year-old male patient who presented to ED with complaints of scorpion sting. Twelve lead electrocardiography (ECG) done was suggestive of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction with raised cardiac markers. He also had autonomic dysfunction in the form of hypertension, hypothermia and priapism. He was treated with an alpha-blocker, dual antiplatelets and analgesics. ECG changes reverted to normal the next day, and he was discharged. So, the anticipation of life-threatening complications of scorpion stings plays a vital role in the treatment and prognosis of patients presenting to ED.

Koshy P, Chavan G, Gadkari C, et al. (September 08, 2023) When Venom Meets the Heart: A Rare Case of Scorpion Sting-Induced Acute Myocardial Infarction. Cureus 15(9): e44886. doi:10.7759/cureus.44886