History of study,updated checklist,distribution and key of scorpions (Arachnida:Scorpiones) from China

This review describes the history of taxonomic research on scorpions and provides an updated checklist and key of the scorpions currently known in China. This checklist is based on a thorough review of the extant literatures on scorpion species whose presence has been confirmed in China through field expeditions and examination of scorpion collections, excepting a few members that have no clear distribution or are currently in doubt. Totally, the scorpion fauna of China consists of 53 species and subspecies belonging to 12 genera crossing five families, with 33 species(62.3%) and one genus being recorded as endemic. Additionally, identification key and the distribution of scorpions from China are provided.

Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko Inhibit Lung Cancer Growth and Metastasis by Ameliorating Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment via PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1αSignaling Pathway

Objective:To investigate whether Buthus martensii karsch(Scorpiones),Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L.Koch(Scolopendra)and Gekko gecko Linnaeus(Gekko)could ameliorate the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and inhibit lung cancer growth and metastasis by regulating phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1α)signaling pathway.Methods:Male C57BL/6J mice were inoculated with luciferase labeled LL/2-luc-M38 cell suspension to develop lung cancer models,with rapamycin and cyclophosphamide as positive controls.Carboxy methyl cellulose solutions of Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko were administered intragastrically as 0.33,0.33,and 0.83 g/kg,respectively once daily for 21 days.Fluorescent expression were detected every 7 days after inoculation,and tumor growth curves were plotted.Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine CD31 and HIF-1αexpressions in tumor tissue and microvessel density(MVD)was analyzed.Western blot was performed to detect the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1αsignaling pathway-related proteins.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect serum basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in mice.Results:Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko prolonged the survival time and inhibited lung cancer metastasis and expression of HIF-1α(all P<0.01).Moreover,Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and ribosomal protein S6 kinase(p70S6K)(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In addition,they also decreased the expression of CD31,MVD,bFGF,TGF-β1 and VEGF compared with the model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko all showed beneficial effects on lung cancer by ameliorating the hypoxic tumor microenvironment via PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1αsignaling pathway.

Climatic niche defines geographical distribution of Mesobuthus eupeus mongolicus(Scorpiones:Buthidae) in Gobi desert

Scorpion fauna of Mongolia, which are thus far poorly understood, were investigated country-wide during a China-Mongolia joint field survey from 2009 to 2012. Of the total 134 sites we surveyed, scorpions were found at 10 sites in the southern Gobi regions, Umnugovi and Dornogovi Aimags （Provinces） of Mongolia. All scorpions collected from Mongolia belong to a single species, Mesobuthus eupeus mongolicus. Combining with its occurrence records in China, we assembled 98 presence data for M. eupeus mongolicus and predicted its geographical distribution using ecological niche modeling approach. This species occurs exclusively in the arid deserts and steppes, ranging from the west extreme of Junggar Basin （Xinjiang） to the Gobi deserts in North China and South Mongolia, with its distributional margins set by the Altai Mountains in the north, the Tian-Shan Mountains and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the south, and the Loess Plateau in the east. We found that ecological niche models could accurately predict （AUC = 0.880 ± 0.016） geographic distribution of M. eupeus mongolicus. Our results show that climate is a reliable predictor for the geographic range of M. eupeus mongolicus, implying that climate might have exerted a dominant control over the natural occurrence of this species. A brief note on the ecology ofM. eupeus mongolicus was also provided,

Confirmed Envenomation by Androctonus amoreuxi (Egyptian Yellow Fat Tail Scorpion)

In the United States, envenomations by native scorpion species such as Centruroides are common and generally well-tolerated. On the contrary, Androctonus species envenomations are exceedingly rare outside the Middle East and North Africa but are particularly deadly. We report a case of envenomation by an Egyptian Yellow Fat Tail (Androctonus amoreuxi) scorpion and the subsequent clinical course. A hobbyist and dangerous scorpion collector was stung by his pet Androctonus amoreuxi, purchased online. Our patient rapidly developed severe localized pain followed by systemic effects, including tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea, anxiety, GI symptoms, diplopia, dyspnea, profound myalgias, and intense paresthesias. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with a grade 2-to-3 scorpion envenomation based upon evidence of autonomic hyperactivity and cranial nerve dysfunction. He never progressed to cardiopulmonary compromise;neither dobutamine nor antivenom was administered, and he improved with supportive care alone. Case details were verified in person and via electronic medical record review.

Scorpion仪器A单元PA/AD板电路组成及原理分析

PA/AD板是Scorpion仪器采集系统A单元中的重要组成部分,该板的好坏对采集系统的性能指标起决定性作用。本文对Scorpion仪器采集站中的地震数据采集通道部分的电路、组成及各组成电路的工作原理进行了深入地分析。

全新的Scorpion陆地地震采集系统

Scorpion系统是ION公司推出的基于有线数传技术、以全新理念设计的陆地数据采集系统。该系统具有稳定可靠、功耗低、精度高、带道能力强、兼容能力强等特点,可快速、直观地查询电缆故障。Scorpion系统不仅支持数字检波器采集,也支持模拟检波器作业。为提高石油地震勘探和煤田地震勘探的野外生产效率及进一步提高野外原始资料的品质提供了可靠的保证。

Midbrain enkephalin expression in a rat migraine model following intragastric scorpion powder administration

Scorpion has strong analgesic effects, but its analgesic mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of scorpion powder on enkephalin expression in the midbrain of rats with nitroglycerin-induced migraine at mRNA and protein levels. Results confirmed that migraine rat abnormal behavior was significantly improved, and proenkephalin mRNA expression was significantly increased following treatment with scorpion. The number of methionine-enkephalin- positive cells in the migraine rats following treatment with scorpion was significantly increased, but no significant difference in the number of leucine-enkephalin-positive cells was detectable compared with migraine and normal rats. Taken together, these results show that scorpion exerts potentially beneficial effects by promoting enkephalin expression in nitroglycerin-induced migraine rats.

Qian-Zheng-San promotes regeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury in rats

Qian-Zheng-San, a traditional Chinese prescription consisting of Typhonii Rhizoma, Bombyx Batryticatus, Scorpio, has been found to play an active therapeutic role in central nervous system diseases. However, it is unclear whether Qian-Zheng-San has therapeutic value for peripheral nerve injury. Therefore, we used Sprague-Dawley rats to investigate this. A sciatic nerve crush injury model was induced by clamping the right sciatic nerve. Subsequently, rats in the treatment group were administered 2 mL Qian-Zheng-San(1.75 g/mL) daily as systemic therapy for 1, 2, 4, or 8 weeks. Rats in the control group were not administered Qian-Zheng-San. Rats in sham group did not undergo surgery and systemic therapy. Footprint analysis was used to assess nerve motor function. Electrophysiological experiments were used to detect nerve conduction function. Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess axon counts and morphological analysis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe myelin regeneration of the sciatic nerve and the number of motoneurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. At 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively, the sciatic nerve function index, nerve conduction velocity, the number of distant regenerated axons and the axon diameter of the sciatic nerve increased in the Qian-Zheng-San treatment group compared with the control group. At 2 weeks postoperatively, nerve fiber diameter, myelin thickness, and the number of motor neurons in the lumbar spinal cord anterior horn increased in the Qian-Zheng-San treatment group compared with the control group. These results indicate that QianZheng-San has a positive effect on peripheral nerve regeneration.

Extract from Buthus martensii Karsch is associated with potassium channels on glioma cells

Catilan extracted from Leiurus quinquestriatus is a specific ion channel blocker.It can specifically bind chloride channels of glioma cells and kill these tumor cells.The questions remain as to whether antigliomatin,the extract from scorpion venom of Buthus martensii Karsch in China,can inhibit glioma growth,and whether this inhibition is correlated with ion channels of tumor cells.The present study treated rat C6 glioma cells with 0.8,1.2,and 1.6 μg/mL antigliomatin for 20 hours.Whole-cell patch clamp technique showed that antigliomatin delayed rectifier potassium channels of C6 glioma cells.Antigliomatin inhibited tumor growth,which could potentially involve potassium channels of tumor cells.

Animal venom studies: Current benefits and future developments

Poisonous organisms are represented in many taxa, including kingdom Animalia. During evolution, animals have developed special organs for production and injection of venoms. Animal venoms are complex mixtures, compositions of which depend on species producing venom. The most known and studied poisonous terrestrial animals are snakes, scorpions and spiders. Among marine animals, these are jellyfishes, anemones and cone snails. The toxic substances in the venom ofthese animals are mainly of protein and peptide origin. Recent studies have indicated that the single venom may contain up to several hundred different components producing diverse physiological effects. Bites or stings by certain poisonous species result in severe envenomations leading in some cases to death. This raises the problem of bite treatment. The most effective treatment so far is the application of antivenoms. To enhance the effectiveness of such treatments, the knowledge of venom composition is needed. On the other hand, venoms contain substances with unique biological properties, which can be used both in basic science and in clinical applications. The best example of toxin application in basic science is α-bungarotoxin the discovery of which made a big impact on the studies of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Today compositions of venom from many species have already been examined. Based on these data, one can conclude that venoms contain a large number of individual components belonging to a limited number of structural types. Often minor changes in the amino acid sequence give rise to new biological properties. Change in the living conditions of poisonous animals lead to alterations in the composition of venoms resulting in appearance of new toxins. At the same time introduction of new methods of proteomics and genomics lead to discoveries of new compounds, which may serve as research tools or as templates for the development of novel drugs. The application of these sensitive and comprehensive methods allows studying either of venoms available in tiny amounts or of low abundant components in already known venoms.

Scorpion ethanol extract and valproic acid effects on hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in a rat model of chronic-kindling epilepsy induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine

The present study analyzed the effects of ethanol extracts of scorpion on epilepsy prevention and hippocampal expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in a lithium chloride-pilocarpine epileptic rat model. Results were subsequently compared with valproic acid. Results showed gradually- increased hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression following model establishment; glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA expression was significantly increased at 3 days, reached a peak at 7 days, and then gradually decreased thereafter. Ethanol extracts of scorpion doses of 580 and 1 160 mg/kg, as well as 120 mg/kg valproic acid, led to a decreased number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA expression, as well as decreased seizure grades and frequency of spontaneously recurrent seizures. The effects of 1 160 mg/kg ethanol extracts of scorpion were equal to those of 120 mg/kg valproic acid. These results suggested that the anti-epileptic effect of ethanol extracts of scorpion were associated with decreased hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in a rat model of lithium chlofide-pilocarpine induced epilepsy.

Effects of ethanol extracts of scorpion on hippocampal apoptosis and caspase-3 expression in lithium chloride-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rats

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that scorpion venom in the scorpion can inhibit epilepsy and apoptosis. However, it remains unclear whether ethanol extracts of scorpion （EES） exhibit similar effects. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of EES on hippocampal apoptosis and caspase-3 expression, and to compare the effects on sodium valproate （positive control drug） in a rat model of status epilepticus induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This randomized, controlled study was conducted at the Drug Research and Development Center, Kanghong Pharmaceuticals Group, and the Department of Pathology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences ＆ Sichuan Provincial People＇s Hospital, China from May 2007 to April 2008. MATERIALS： EES were prepared by Huashen Pharmaceutical, China. Sodium valproate （Hunan Xiangzhong Pharmaceutical, China） and lithium chloride-pilocarpine （Sigma, USA） were also used in the present study. METHODS： From a total of 156 rats, six served as normal controls. The remaining rats were intraperitoneally injected with lithium chloride-pilocarpine to establish status epileptlcus models, and then assigned to five groups （n = 30, respectively）. Animals in each group were administered drugs at 15 minutes after epileptic seizure by gavage, i.e. in the normal control and model groups, rats were treated with 1 mL/0.1 kg saline. The sodium valproate group was administered 120 mg/kg/d sodium valproate. The low-, moderate-, and high-dose EES groups received treatments of 290, 580 and 1 160 mg/kg/d EES. The dispensed concentration was 1 mL/0.1 kg. Rat seizure behavior was observed. If status epilepticus did not terminated after 1 hour, the rats were intraperitoneally administered atropine （1 mg/kg） and diazepam （10 mg/kg） to terminate seizure. These rats were continuously observed for 6 hours to ensure seizure termination. Then rats were treated with the above-mentioned drugs at 8：00 am each day until sacrifice, which took place 4 hours after drug administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Terminal dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL）-positive cells and caspase-3 expression were, respectively, determined by TUNEL and immunohistochemistry at 6, 24 48, and 72 hours, as well as 7 days, after status epilepticus. Behavioral changes were also measured. RESULTS： A few caspase-3-positive cells were observed. TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive ceils were mainly visible in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions 6 hours following status epilepticus in the model and drug intervention groups. The number of TUNEL-positive cells reached a peak at 48 hours following status epilepticus in the sodium valproate group, as well as the moderate- and high-dose EES groups, and number of TUNEL-positive cells reached a peak at 72 hours in the model and low-dose EES groups. The number of caspase-3-positive cells reached a peak at 48 hours in each group. Following treatment of sodium valproate and EES, the number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive cells significantly decreased compared with the model group at various time points （P 〈 0.05）. The number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive cells was greatest in the low-dose EES group, followed by the moderate- and high-dose EES groups. The number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive cells was similar between the sodium valproate and high-dose EES groups. Epileptic seizure was significantly improved in the sodium valproate group, as well as the moderate- and high-dose EES groups, compared with the model group （P〈 0.05 or P〈 0.01）. Treatment with sodium valproate and high-dose EES resulted in the best outcome, although the results were similar （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： A dose of 1 160 mg/kg/d EES significantly inhibited status epilepticus. This outcome corresponded to a decreased number of apoptotlc cells and caspase-3-positive cells, which was similar to sodium valproate. These results suggest that it is not necessary to extract a component from the scorpion for the treatment of epilepsy. The high dose of EES significantly inhibited epilepsy, which correlated with decreased hippocampal caspase-3 expression.

Recombinant scorpion insectotoxin AaIT kills specifically insect cells but not human cells

The nucleotide sequence deduced from the amino acid sequence of the scorpion insectotoxin AaIT was chemically synthesized and was expressed in Escherichia coli. The authenticity of this in vitro expressed peptide was confirmed by N-terminal peptide sequencing. Two groups of bioassays, artificial diet incorporation assay and contact insecticidal effect assay, were carried out separately to verify the toxicity of this recombinant toxin. At the end of a 24 h experimental period, more than 60% of the testing diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae were killed in both groups with LC50 value of 18.4 microM and 0.70 microM respectively. Cytotoxicity assay using cultured Sf9 insect cells and MCF-7 human cells demonstrated that the toxin AaIT had specific toxicity against insect cells but not human cells. Only 0.13 microM recombinant toxin was needed to kill 50% of cultured insect cells while as much as 1.3 microM toxin had absolutely no effect on human cells. Insect cells produced obvious intrusions from their plasma membrane before broken up. We infer that toxin AaIT bind to a putative sodium channel in these insect cells and open the channel persistently, which would result in Na+ influx and finally cause destruction of insect cells.

Scorpion back inspiring sand-resistant surfaces

A new approach which adopted the idea of coupling bionics to improve erosion resistance was presented, by taking the desert scorpion as the research object. The anti-erosion characteristic rules and mechanism of desert scorpion＇s surface under the dynamics effect of gas/solid mixed media were researched, especially the comprehensive influence mechanism of surface morphology, microstructure, creature flexibility and many other factors was studied. Simulation by CFD software was applied to predict the relative erosion severity. Samples with the coupled bionic configurations and flexibility were produced. Experiment optimum design theory was employed to design experiment scheme. Silica sand of particle size of 105-830 ~tm was used as the erodent. The erosion tests were carried out to validate the simulation results obtained. It is shown that the predicted results are in agreement with those obtained from the experiment. And contrast tests were carried out at the best and worst test points of erosion resistance for four samples. Contrast tests show that the erosion resistance trend occurs in such order with the best erosion resistance as coupling sample, groove, smooth and flexibility, and smooth, and the increasing rate of erosion resistances in sequence of 12.08%, 8.87%, 6.03% in the best test point. But in the poorest point, the increasing rate of erosion resistance is in sequence of 15.64%, 9.53%, 6.59%. The morphologies of eroded surface were examined by the scanning electron microscope, and the possible wear mechanism was discussed.

地震勘探仪器在高密度采集中的应用

本文分析了高密度地震采集对地震仪器的基本技术要求,总结了目前几种先进的地震勘探仪器的性能和技术特点,以及国内使用这几种仪器进行高密度勘探的情况。先进的地震勘探仪器是高密度采集获得理想地质目标的基础,文中结合典型高密度采集项目展示了当今地震勘探仪器在高密度采集中的重要作用。

几种主流地震勘探仪器性能分析探讨

Scorpion、428XL以及Aries Ⅱ是当前使用较为广泛的先进地震勘探仪器。文章首先介绍了当前地震勘探仪器采用的关键技术,随后从采集能力、技术性能、物理特性以及软件特点等几个方面对当前几种主流地震仪器进行了分析探讨,并给出了相应的技术指标和物理参数,指出应根据实际施工需要合理选用仪器,从而最大程度地发挥其各自的优越性。

合理使用Scorpion仪器和采集设备的探讨

随着采集设备Scorpion地震仪器主机和采集设备的老化,显现出来的问题愈发明显,但是它们依旧能进行大部分常规采集项目。在一些探区,Scorpion仪器仍然是主力地震勘探仪器。Scorpion仪器主机软件中的温度监测、备份恢复、磁盘阵列监测等功能有助于提前预防和发现问题。电场感应和温度影响是考虑采集设备适用性的重要因素。提前剔除老化设备是保证采集顺利进行的重要条件。

G3i仪器野外数据采集质量监控软件简介

本文简单介绍了G3i采集系统施工过程中使用过的几种质量监控(质量评价)软件,其中包括软件的功能、特点、关键参数的算法以及在实际使用过程中多方面性能的对比。此外还介绍了G3i仪器使用时第三方监控软件时硬件连接方法和软件设置。

Scorpion仪器源驱动功能在华北探区的应用

可控震源勘探属于绿色环保勘探方式,在国内外许多探区有着广泛应用。随着可控震源勘探技术的发展,这种勘探方式已经成为了高效率、高密度勘探的首选方法。本文介绍了在华北探区应用Scorpion仪器震源源驱动功能进行施工生产的实现步骤,并对生产中出现的问题与解决办法进行了说明。

Scorpion地震采集系统V4.1.1.5软件升级

Scorpion V4.1.1.5软件是美国ION公司最新推出的软件版本。文章对V4.1.1.5软件升级的步骤、注意事项做了详细阐述,并对V4.1.1.5版本软件的改进和操作中应注意的问题做了简要介绍。