Aim To study whether antivenom from laying hens can be used for the detection of venom antigens, Methods Chickens （white Leghorn） were immunized with detoxicated king cobra venom by formaldehyde and egg yolk immunog...Aim To study whether antivenom from laying hens can be used for the detection of venom antigens, Methods Chickens （white Leghorn） were immunized with detoxicated king cobra venom by formaldehyde and egg yolk immunoglobulin （IgY） isolated from yolk; IgY was labelled with the horseradish peroxidase （HRP）. Experimental condition and parameters were determined by chessboard test. The specificity, sensitivity, precision, and stability of this method were assayed in the experiment. Results This method could detect as low as 32 μg· L^-1 of the king cobra antigens. A good linear relation was found within 32 ～ 750 μg· L^-1 of king cobra venom concentrations （ r = 0. 963）. There was no cross reactivity for the reagents with Agkistrodon acutus Guenther venom or Vipera russelli siamensis Smith venom;slight cross reactivity .with Bungarus multicinctus Blyth venom or Bungarus fasciatus Chmeider venom; and notable cross reactivity with cobra venom. The average intra-assay relative standard deviation （RSD） was 1% - 3%, and the inter-assay RSD was less than 8%. The reagents （including IgY and HRP-IgY） were stable; no differences （P 〉 0.05） were observed for the detection of venom antigens when the reagents were stored at 37 ℃ up to 6 d. Conclusion IgY is a good reagent for diagnosis of snakebite after eliminating the genus cross reactivity.展开更多
Wild King Cobras, Ophiophagus hannah, are known to prey almost exclusively on snakes. We observed opportunistic ingestion of a plastic bag by a radio-tracked adult male O. hannah, which was detrimental to the health o...Wild King Cobras, Ophiophagus hannah, are known to prey almost exclusively on snakes. We observed opportunistic ingestion of a plastic bag by a radio-tracked adult male O. hannah, which was detrimental to the health of the individual and likely lead to its death. Our observation demonstrates that improper disposal of food and plastic waste can be a threat to snakes, highlighting the need to maintain a waste-free environment, especially in areas inhabited by vulnerable species.展开更多
WHEN Zambia＇s Patriotic Front opposition leader Michael Sata took power with a 41.98 percent poll victory in September last year, the country signaled it was ready for change.
文摘Aim To study whether antivenom from laying hens can be used for the detection of venom antigens, Methods Chickens （white Leghorn） were immunized with detoxicated king cobra venom by formaldehyde and egg yolk immunoglobulin （IgY） isolated from yolk; IgY was labelled with the horseradish peroxidase （HRP）. Experimental condition and parameters were determined by chessboard test. The specificity, sensitivity, precision, and stability of this method were assayed in the experiment. Results This method could detect as low as 32 μg· L^-1 of the king cobra antigens. A good linear relation was found within 32 ～ 750 μg· L^-1 of king cobra venom concentrations （ r = 0. 963）. There was no cross reactivity for the reagents with Agkistrodon acutus Guenther venom or Vipera russelli siamensis Smith venom;slight cross reactivity .with Bungarus multicinctus Blyth venom or Bungarus fasciatus Chmeider venom; and notable cross reactivity with cobra venom. The average intra-assay relative standard deviation （RSD） was 1% - 3%, and the inter-assay RSD was less than 8%. The reagents （including IgY and HRP-IgY） were stable; no differences （P 〉 0.05） were observed for the detection of venom antigens when the reagents were stored at 37 ℃ up to 6 d. Conclusion IgY is a good reagent for diagnosis of snakebite after eliminating the genus cross reactivity.
文摘Wild King Cobras, Ophiophagus hannah, are known to prey almost exclusively on snakes. We observed opportunistic ingestion of a plastic bag by a radio-tracked adult male O. hannah, which was detrimental to the health of the individual and likely lead to its death. Our observation demonstrates that improper disposal of food and plastic waste can be a threat to snakes, highlighting the need to maintain a waste-free environment, especially in areas inhabited by vulnerable species.
文摘WHEN Zambia＇s Patriotic Front opposition leader Michael Sata took power with a 41.98 percent poll victory in September last year, the country signaled it was ready for change.
