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Objective: This study aimed to assess the predictive value of the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and APACHE II score for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting from wasp stings.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, including patients who suffered wasp stings and developed ARDS between January 2018 and November 2024 in the Shiyan area of Hubei province. Based on the 28-day prognosis, patients were categorized into two groups: survivors (n = 21) and non-survivors (n = 25). Clinical data, including demographic characteristics, sting site, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and treatment measures, were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive roles of SIRI and APACHE II scores in ARDS prognosis, and their clinical predictive value was assessed using ROC curves.

Results: Significant differences were observed between the survivor and non-survivor groups in APACHE II scores, number of stings, and length of hospitalization (P < 0.05). However, factors such as gender, time of first visit, and site of stings showed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Leukocyte counts, SIRI, and APACHE II scores were significantly lower in the survivor group compared to the non-survivor group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the APACHE II score (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.12-1.79, P = 0.004) and SIRI (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07-1.49, P = 0.005) were significant independent predictors of 28-day mortality in ARDS patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC for early SIRI was 0.821 (95% CI: 0.693-0.949, P < 0.001), while the AUC for the APACHE II score was 0.809 (95% CI: 0.681-0.936, P < 0.001), indicating that both measures have high clinical predictive value.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the APACHE II score and SIRI are valuable tools for predicting the prognosis of ARDS patients caused by wasp stings. Early elevation of these markers is closely associated with an increased risk of mortality and can serve as an effective means of assessing disease severity and mortality risk.

Scorpion fauna is abundant in regions with arid and semi-arid climates, exposing these areas to a risk of envenomation, especially for children. Scorpion envenomations cause thousands of deaths each year, with notable incidences in the MENA region, South America, Latin and Central America, and India. Morocco is one of the countries most affected by this phenomenon; according to statistics from the Moroccan Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Center (CAPM), approximately 8,565 scorpion stings and envenomations were recorded annually between 2016 and 2022, mainly among children. A literature review was conducted to identify and catalog the endemic scorpion species in Morocco and explore the impact of climate change on their distribution. Sources included scientific journal articles, university theses, and field reports. The collected data were compiled and analyzed to create a distribution map of the endemic species. Our results identified fifty-five endemic species and subspecies in Morocco. The family Buthidae is the most widespread, with seventeen endemic species of the genus Buthus, nine of the genus Androctonus, five of the genus Butheoloides, four of the genus Buthacus, two each of the genera Orthochirus, Compsobuthus, and Hottentota, and one species each of the genera Microbuthus, Cicileiurus, and Saharobuthus. The family Scorpionidae includes nine endemic species, and two subspecies belonging to the genus Scorpio. A high level of endemism is observed in southern Morocco, highlighting a significant concentration of these species in this region. Ongoing climate change is likely to expand the population and distribution of scorpions, as well as the number of envenomations. The results underscore the importance of implementing control and prevention strategies to reduce the risks of envenomation, particularly in the context of climate change. Therefore, to develop management and prevention strategies is based on a thorough understanding of species distribution and their habitats to improve the safety of vulnerable populations.

Snakebites present a significant health risk in the Sahara, where access to modern medical facilities is limited, leading local populations to rely on traditional remedies. The medicinal plants used by indigenous communities in the Oued Righ region of the Northern Algerian Sahara are vital for treating envenomation from snakebites. This study provides an ethnobotanical inventory of medicinal plants used by local communities in the Oued Righ region for snakebite treatment and evaluates their therapeutic potential. Ethnobotanical data were collected through structured surveys of 200 local residents, herbalists, and healers. Data were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices, including relative citation frequency (RFC), use value (UV), and family importance value (FIV). A total of 41 plant species from 23 families were identified, and their uses for snake envenomation were documented. The most frequently used plants were Citrullus colocynthis (14.95%) and Nigella sativa (10.74%), with Asteraceae being the most represented family. The remedies are predominantly prepared using aerial parts and seeds in various forms, such as poultices and decoctions. The ethnobotanical indices highlight the cultural importance and pharmacological potential of these plants. This study documents traditional knowledge on snakebite treatments, creating a foundational database for future pharmacological studies. The identified plant species hold significant potential for developing new antivenom therapies.

Scorpion envenomation, especially from Hemiscorpius lepturus, poses a significant health risk, leading to considerable morbidity and mortality. The venom's major toxin, which includes phospholipase D (PLD), is responsible for various systemic complications. In prior studies, we identified a native phospholipase D (PLD) toxin as a key lethal factor in the venom of H. lepturus. A recombinant PLD that retained its toxicity was developed and designated as PLD1. Additionally, a non-toxic and devoid of lethal effects mutant form of the recombinant PLD1 protein, was produced and named as mPLD1. Building on this knowledge, we aimed to produce a novel antivenom using recombinant mPLD1-based immunogen and commercial antisera were included for comparison. Two horses were immunized separately with either recombinant or mutant PLD1, resulting in high titer antisera with no significant difference between the two immunogens. Purified F(ab')2 fragments derived from horse antisera demonstrated a markedly enhanced specificity in the detection of PLD1 and crude venom when compared to commercial alternatives. Furthermore, in vivo neutralization assays revealed that the antisera generated from mPLD1 protein was 89 and 36 times more potent than those of commercial ones. Horses produced highly neutralizing antibodies against PLD1 than the two local commercial antisera. These findings underscore the promise of the developed anti-mPLD1 as a highly effective therapeutic molecule for H. lepturus envenomation. Given that the production process for the recombinant immunogen is straightforward and utilizes cost-effective technologies, focusing on the manufacture of this highly efficient antisera could lead to significant advancements in horse antisera production platforms.

Scorpion stings have a fatality rate of 0.16%, with the majority of deaths occurring in children. The resources currently available for diagnosing cardiac dysfunction caused by scorpion stings, the most common cause of death, are echocardiograms and laboratory tests, such as troponin, creatine phosphokinase-MB (CKMB), and Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The present study aims to evaluate the accuracy of the biomarkers soluble Supression tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and Heart-type fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP3) in detecting cardiac dysfunction in patients stung by scorpions. This work is a prospective cross-sectional study, carried out between December 2020 and May 2022, with patients, aged 0-19 years, stung by a scorpion. Serum or plasma samples from all patients with signs of severity upon hospital admission were collected and tested with standardized cardiac damage biomarker kits. The results were compared with cardiac dysfunction detected by cardiac ultrasound. This study included 49 patients, the majority female (51%), with a median age of 3.6 years. Left ventricular dysfunction was identified in 13 patients (26.5%), with 7 cases classified as severe. The biomarkers of sST2 and FABP-3 showed an association with left ventricular dysfunction, presenting AUCs of 0.77 and 0.81, respectively. The cut-off values determined for both biomarkers showed a sensitivity of 92.3%. Ultrasensitive troponin presented an AUC of 0.89, with a sensitivity of 84.6%. The study showed an association between sST2 and FABP-3, as well as the presence of acute cardiac dysfunction, identified by cardiac ultrasound. Both biomarkers demonstrated sensitivity in identifying patients with signs of cardiac damage, similar to troponin. The results related to cardiac dysfunction may be linked to the early detection of cardiac lesions and subclinical dysfunctions, enabling faster and more effective interventions. Limitations of this study include the small sample size, data collection in a single center, and the lack of serial measurements of biomarkers.

Zymdetox Z-2000 is a novel zearalenone (ZEN) lactonase produced by Bacillus subtilis that can biodegrade ZEN to hydrolyzed ZEN and decarboxylated hydrolyzed ZEN with much lower estrogenic activity. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Zymdetox Z-2000 in mitigating the adverse effects of ZEN on the growth performance and reproductive health of gilts. A total of 80 crossbred Landrace × Yorkshire gilts (9.82 ± 0.79 kg) were allocated into five groups and received a basal diet (BD; CON), BD supplemented with 0.4 mg/kg ZEN (ZEN), BD plus ZEN with 0.01% Zymdetox Z-2000 (ZEN-Zym), BD plus ZEN with 0.01% coated Zymdetox Z-2000 (ZEN-CoZym), and BD plus ZEN with 0.1% B. subtilis (ZEN-Bs), respectively, for 28 days. Compared to the CON group, ZEN treatment reduced the body weight gain of the gilts, increased vulva area and vaginal and uterus indices, and increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and estradiol (E2) concentration. ZEN treatment also induced ovaries histopathology changes, decreased the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in uterus but increased T-AOC in ovaries, and increased ZEN concentration in stomach and duodenum than those of the CON group. Interestingly, dietary supplementation with the three products effectively alleviated these ZEN-induced adverse effects, as Zymdetox Z-2000 and coated Zymdetox Z-2000 showed better mitigating effects than B. subtilis. In conclusion, ZEN exposure impaired the growth and reproductive health of gilts, while dietary supplementation with Zymdetox Z-2000 and coated Zymdetox Z-2000 can effectively alleviate ZEN-induced reproductive toxicity in gilts.

Snake venoms enzymes affect diverse physiological mechanisms leading to effects such as inflammation, edema, hemolysis, and blood clotting disorders. In this report, we describe modifications to classical assays for assessing the enzymatic activity of snake venom phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) and phosphodiesterase (PDE), including the adaptation of the PDE assay to an agar plate. A final staining step, using Stains-all®, was added to the PLA₂ activity assay on an egg yolk-containing agar plate. Moreover, PDE activity was successfully and qualitative assed using an agar plate-immobilized bis-p-nitrophenyl-phosphate. The modified methods introduced in this study improve accessibility for a broader spectrum of researchers, enabling venom-related investigations in any laboratory setting, with special relevance for regions where snakebites are most prevalent.

The current study was aimed to investigate the effect of rifampicin (Rif), a stimulator of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), on limiting the passage of AFB1 (Aflatoxin B1) into testicular tissue. The second objective was to examine the potential protective effects of Boswellia serrata extract (BSE), which exhibits a strong antioxidant capacity, alone or incombination with Rif against testicular damage induced by AFB1. A total of 49 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven experimental groups as follows: control (placebo), Rif (10 mg/kg), BSE (500 mg/kg), AFB1 (0.75 mg/kg), AFB1+Rif, AFB1+BSE, and AFB1+Rif + BSE. The rats were administered AFB1, Rif, and BSE for seven days. The result of this study indicated that Rif decreased the amount of AFB1 permeating the testicular tissue by stimulating the expression of P-gp and BCRP. The administration of the combination of BSE and Rif resulted in a reduction of oxidative stress, apoptosis, improvement in sperm function parameters, and an increase in serum testosterone levels. These effects contributed to the improvement of impaired testicular structure. The result of this study revealed that the Rif can potentially serve as an efficacious therapeutic agent and the administration of BSE exhibited a reduction in testicular damage induced by AFB1. However, the combination of BSE and Rif provided more effective protection than using alone.

Sophora alkaloids, including matrine, oxymatrine, and sophoridine, are quinolizidines found in plants used in traditional Chinese medicine such as Sophora flavescens and Sophora tonkinensis. Reports on acute Sophora alkaloid poisoning in humans outside of mainland China are lacking. This study aimed to characterize the clinical presentations, management, and outcomes of acute poisoning involving Sophora alkaloids in Hong Kong. We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were reported to the Hong Kong Poison Control Centre from all public emergency departments (EDs) in Hong Kong for acute poisoning involving Sophora alkaloids. Exposure was confirmed by laboratories, and data were collected between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2021. We also analyzed patient demographics, clinical, management, and outcome characteristics. Among the 83 cases analyzed, S. flavescens was the major source (77.1%) of Sophora alkaloids and excessive dose was common (39.0%). Most patients (90.4%) had minor effects. Common clinical presentations were dizziness (83.1%), vomiting (72.3%), and palpitations (32.5%). No acute liver or kidney injuries or adverse skin reactions were observed. Treatment was primarily supportive and no patients underwent gastrointestinal decontamination, organ support treatment, or renal replacement therapy. Most patients (74.7%) were observed in the ED and only one required close monitoring in a cardiac care unit for prolonged QT interval after concurrent ciprofloxacin use. In contrast to the intravenous administration of S. flavescens, no adverse skin reactions were seen after oral consumption. Hepatoxicity, reported in in vitro and animal studies, and isolated human case reports, was not observed. In conclusion, excessive dose of S. flavescens is a common cause of acute Sophora alkaloid poisoning. Although most patients had mild symptoms, discrepancies in clinical presentations resulting from different formulations and varied experimental/clinical conditions call for further studies to evaluate the real-world risks of skin reactions and hepatoxicity of Sophora alkaloids.

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a highly toxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic mycotoxin commonly found in corn. In this work, water-assisted microwave irradiation (WMI¹) was used to degrade AFB₁ in corn, during which the influencing factors and kinetics of AFB₁ degradation were also studied. The results showed that the degree of corn crushing, the heating rate of WMI, the temperature of WMI, the solid-liquid ratio, the initial content of AFB₁ and the microwave power were all important factors affecting the degradation of AFB₁. With the increase of WMI temperature, AFB₁ content in corn, microwave power and the decrease of solid-liquid ratio, the degradation rate of AFB₁ in corn by WMI rose continuously. Its maximum degradation rate was more than 90.6%. Meanwhile, the degradation kinetics of AFB₁ in corn revealed that the degradation process of WMI followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic equation. It was demonstrated that water molecules not only acted as solvents for AFB₁ but also actively participated in its degradation process within corn samples during WMI treatment. Consequently, the results indicated that WMI was an effective method for degrading AFB₁ in corn.