Snakebite knowledge among healthcare workers in Gabon: A health facility-based cross-sectional survey

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  Snakebite knowledge among healthcare workers in Gabon: A health facility-based cross-sectional survey Abstract Background Snakebite envenoming remains a neglected health issue in many countries, including Gabon, where the limited availability of snakebite-specific training, clinical guidelines, and essential resources at health facilities may lead to gaps in healthcare workers’ knowledge and confidence and the use of non-recommended treatment practices. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers’ knowledge of snakebite management in the Ogooué et des Lacs department of Moyen-Ogooué province in Gabon. Methods From June to August 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional survey targeting all healthcare workers in Ogooué et des Lacs who may be involved in snakebite management. We collected information on prior training, self-perceived knowledge of snakebite management, symptom recognition, clinical management practices, and snake identification. Knowledge was assessed using 10 true/fa...

Polar bodies serve as a landmark for anteroposterior axis formation in spiders

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Polar bodies serve as a landmark for anteroposterior axis formation in spiders

Abstract

The early embryogenesis of many spiders involves the formation of a radially symmetric germ disc. While the cells of the rim of this germ disc develops into anterior structures, the center of the disc will form the posteriorly located segment addition zone of the embryo. Therefore, germ disc formation sets the anterior-posterior (AP) body axis of spider embryos. The early spider egg is a spherical structure with no apparent asymmetry, and it is believed that germ disc formation is a stochastic process. For this study, we have re-analyzed early spider embryogenesis and found a strong correlation of the position of the polar bodies and the formation of the germ disc. Our results suggest that germ disc formation in the common house spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum is not a stochastic but a pre-determined process. Furthermore, we provide evidence that this correlation might be conserved between araneomorph and mygalomorph spider species.

Polar bodies serve as a landmark for anteroposterior axis formation in spiders, Ruixun Wang, Matthias Pechmann, bioRxiv 2024.09.30.615744; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.30.615744