Clinical characteristics and long-term disabilities in children following Bothrops atrox envenomation in Manaus, western Brazilian Amazon

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  Image Credit: By Darío De la Fuente - https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/113840233, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129474300 Clinical characteristics and long-term disabilities in children following Bothrops atrox envenomation in Manaus, western Brazilian Amazon Abstract Background:   In the Brazilian Amazon, most snakebites are caused by Bothrops atrox . Although pediatric cases are less frequent, children are more vulnerable to severe complications and long-term disabilities. This study aims to describe the clinical profile of B. atrox envenomation in children treated at a tertiary hospital in Manaus, in Western Brazilian Amazon, and to characterize the resulting long-term musculoskeletal impairments in a subgroup of these patients. Methods:   We retrospectively analyzed sociodemographic and clinical data from patients up to 12 years and 11 months of age treated between January 2010 and December 2023. A total of 258 children who were ...

Digestion in the arachnid Mischonyx squalidus as a probable source of lipids to synthesize opiliones defense and communication molecules

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Digestion in the arachnid Mischonyx squalidus as a probable source of lipids to synthesize opiliones defense and communication molecules

Abstract

Opiliones (Arachnida) comprises approximately 7,000 species. Due to their lack of venom glands, their defense is mainly based on the secretion of scent glands, which also play roles in communication and antimicrobial activity. This odoriferous secretion has a diverse composition according to harvestmen species but frequently contains benzoquinones. Studies of benzoquinone synthesis intermediates suggest a pathway based on lipid metabolism from diet. This study provides the first transcriptomic and enzymatic analysis of the midgut of Mischonyx squalidus to understand the acquisition of nutrients. The enzymatic analysis tested 11 digestive enzymes and found high lipase activity and moderate and low activity for peptidases and carbohydrases, respectively. Transcriptome sequencing yielded 19,658 unigenes, predominating enzymes and binding proteins closely associated with Xiphosura and Scorpiones proteins; a third of which are hydrolases. A multigene lipase family is expressed. Cathepsin L peptidases were prominently abundant, indicating their relevance for protein digestion. Additionally, toxin-like proteins and lipid metabolism-related enzymes, such as phospholipase A2 and NPC cholesterol transporters, were represented, indicating a sophisticated digestive and metabolic system for lipids. These findings suggest a link between lipid digestive metabolism and defensive and communicative molecule synthesis, underscoring Opiliones’ unique evolutionary adaptations.

Silva, J. O., Viala, V. L., Dias, R. O., Ferreira, C., Terra, W. R., & Lopes, A. R. (2025). Digestion in the arachnid Mischonyx squalidus as a probable source of lipids to synthesize opiliones defense and communication molecules. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-18180-x