Glutamine Alleviates Muscle Paralysis Induced by Bungarus multicinctus Envenomation via the Agrin-MuSK Signaling Pathway

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  Glutamine Alleviates Muscle Paralysis Induced by Bungarus multicinctus Envenomation via the Agrin-MuSK Signaling Pathway Abstract This study investigated the effect of glutamine (Gln) on paralytic symptoms in rats poisoned by Bungarus multicinctus and explored the underlying mechanism, focusing on the Agrin-MuSK signaling pathway in neuromuscular transmission recovery.An ex vivo diaphragm tension assay assessed Gln's reversal of venom-induced neuromuscular blockade. A rat poisoning model was established with Bungarus multicinctus venom (0.15 mg/kg). Rats were divided into normal, venom, and venom+Gln groups. We evaluated survival, paralysis, blood gases (PaO 2 , PaCO 2 , PaSO 2 ), diaphragm histopathology and ultrastructure, and oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA). RT-qPCR and Western Blot analyzed key Agrin-MuSK pathway components (mRNA: Agrin, Chrne, Chrna, LRP4, MuSK, Rapsyn; protein: Agrin, p-MuSK/MuSK, α1- subunit of nAChR, ε- subunit of nAChR). Gln significantly reversed ...

Stuck in between: First case of transverse intersexuality in Trochosa cachetiensis Mcheidze, 1997 (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Georgia

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Stuck in between: First case of transverse intersexuality in Trochosa cachetiensis Mcheidze, 1997 (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Georgia

Abstract

The first illustrated description of transverse intersexuality in Trochosa cachetiensis Mcheidze, 1997, from Georgia, is provided. In this specimen, both male (palpal bulbs) and female (epigyne) structures are underdeveloped. Brief comparison of the intersex specimen with normally developed conspecifics is given.