The underlying mechanism of scorpion venom peptide BmK AS in reducing epilepsy seizures: mediated through dual modulation of Nav1.6 and the inflammasome pathway

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  The underlying mechanism of scorpion venom peptide BmK AS in reducing epilepsy seizures: mediated through dual modulation of Nav1.6 and the inflammasome pathway Abstract Introduction:  Voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) dysregulation, particularly of the Nav1.6 subtype, is a core mechanism underlying epileptogenesis and its associated neuropsychiatric comorbidities. The scorpion venom peptide BmK AS has demonstrated anticonvulsant potential, but its efficacy in chronic epilepsy and the precise mechanisms of action remain undefined. Methods:  Here, we show that BmK AS exerts robust anti-epileptic and neuroprotective effects through converging mechanisms. In a kainic acid-induced mouse model, BmK AS treatment reduced mortality and seizure parameters. Electrophysiological studies assessed BmK AS modulation of VGSC subtypes. The functional relevance of Nav1.6 targeting was confirmed by the loss of BmK AS’s anti-seizure efficacy upon its pharmacological blockade in a PTZ-in...

Invertebrates of AlUla: Scorpions, Spiders, Dragonflies and Butterflies (Field Guide)

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Dear Arachnologist Friends,

It’s my pleasure to share that a field guide I co-authored—“Invertebrates of AlUla: Scorpions, Spiders, Dragonflies and Butterflies” (part of the Fauna of AlUla Field Guide Series)—has been made freely available in PDF format by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).

The guide is available in both English and Arabic, with the aim of reaching a broad audience.
You’ll also find many other publications and field guides from different disciplines available at the same link.

While some taxonomic updates are already underway—particularly for the scorpions—this guide currently represents the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource for this historically important, yet previously understudied, region of the Arabian Peninsula.

The beautiful illustrations throughout the series were created by the talented Davina Falcão, who brought all the featured animals to life with her art. If interested, I leave here her website to appreciate her art! https://davinafalcaoart.com.

We warmly welcome any feedback or suggestions—and if you're interested in collaborating, there's still a lot of potential to build on this work. For that you can reach me at the email address yurisimone1@gmail.com.

A huge collective hug and see you in Croatia!

A close-up of a signature AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Yuri Simone

https://www.rcu.gov.sa/en/open-data-library