AaTs-1, a Tetrapeptide from Scorpion Venom Mitigates Demyelination and Neuroinflammation in a Cuprizone-Induced Model of Multiple Sclerosis

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  AaTs-1, a Tetrapeptide from Scorpion Venom Mitigates Demyelination and Neuroinflammation in a Cuprizone-Induced Model of Multiple Sclerosis Abstract Purpose This study focuses on the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of Tetrascorpin-1 (AaTs-1), a tetrapeptide isolated from Androctonus australis hector venom, proposed as a putative formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) antagonist, in a cuprizone-induced murine model of Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Methods Acute demyelination was induced in mice by administering cuprizone (0.2% w/w in the diet) for six weeks. During the sixth week of cuprizone intake, demyelinated mice received intranasal administration of AaTs-1 at a dose of 50–100 µg/kg for five consecutive days, with 24-hour intervals between treatments. Results Behavioral assessments, immunological assays, and histological analyses revealed that AaTs-1 improved body weight, reduced behavioral impairments...

Revision of the Ecuadorian Microstigmatidae (Araneae: Mygalomorphae), with the description of six new species

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Revision of the Ecuadorian Microstigmatidae (Araneae: Mygalomorphae), with the description of six new species

Abstract

The small mygalomorph family Microstigmatidae Roewer, 1942 from Ecuador is reviewed, and images of the blind cave species, Spelocteniza ashmolei Gertsch, 1982 are presented. Six new species are described, and one new genus is erected: Pseudonemesia scutata sp. nov. (♂), Spelocteniza pampenita sp. nov. (♂♀), Spelocteniza zuninoi sp. nov. (♂), and Pastaza gen. nov., Pastaza aureliae gen. et sp. nov. (♀), Pastaza roberti gen. et sp. nov. (♂♀) and Pastaza vegai gen. et sp. nov. (♂). SEM images of the cuticle and tarsal organ of all genera are provided, and finally, the presently recognised diagnostic characteristics of the family are discussed.

Dupérré, N., & Tapia, E. (2025). Revision of the Ecuadorian Microstigmatidae (Araneae: Mygalomorphae), with the description of six new species. European Journal of Taxonomy, 1007(1), 87–132. https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.1007.2999