Antitumor activity of scorpion venom-derived peptides: A meta-analysis of preclinical studies

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  Antitumor activity of scorpion venom-derived peptides: A meta-analysis of preclinical studies Abstract Despite advances in cancer therapeutics, there are still challenges in improving drug toxicity and selectivity. Peptides from various venous species have recently garnered attention for their biopharmaceutical potential, particularly in cancer. The present study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of the antitumor activity of scorpion venom-derived peptides (SVDPs) previously reported in preclinical models. The bibliographic research included original and review articles written in English published from 2015 to 2026. Studies within the scope were retrieved from the EBSCO Discovery Service, PubMed, and WIPO databases. A total of 27 articles that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this research, and the collected data were synthesized through a meta-analysis. In the included in vitro and in vivo studies, the effect of SVDPs on breast/mammary gland, cervical,...

Evolutionary dynamics of the chromosomal changes in the genus Cyphophthalmus (Arachnida: Opiliones) on the Balkan Peninsula

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Evolutionary dynamics of the chromosomal changes in the genus Cyphophthalmus (Arachnida: Opiliones) on the Balkan Peninsula

Abstract

We investigated the genus Cyphophthalmus within the suborder Cyphophthalmi (Arachnida: Opiliones), focusing on its cytogenetic evolution in the Balkan Peninsula. Our comprehensive analysis of 21 species revealed a notable range in diploid chromosome numbers (2n = 24–30), challenging previous assumptions of genetic uniformity within this group. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with an 18S rDNA probe, we detected variability in the number of loci, with evidence of independent increases in this cluster (up to five pairs). This study combines the results of phylogenetic reconstruction based on analysis of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) (including karyotyped individuals) with standard and molecular cytogenetic techniques, making it the first of its kind in harvestman research. The findings reveal a significantly higher level of biodiversity in the Balkan Peninsula than previously recognized, suggesting complex differentiation within the genus Cyphophthalmus. Additionally, our results highlight the efficacy of cytogenetics as a tool for species’ delineation, enriching our understanding of the evolutionary history of the genus and emphasizing the intricate genetic diversity shaped by the unique geological and environmental history of the Balkan Peninsula.

Hiřman, M., Karaman, I., Štundlová, J., Just, P., & Šťáhlavský, F. (2025). Evolutionary dynamics of the chromosomal changes in the genus Cyphophthalmus (Arachnida: Opiliones) on the Balkan Peninsula. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 204(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf068