Search

Orthochirus stockwelli (Lourenço & Vachon, 1995) was originally described based on male holotype specimen from Bandar-Abbas (Hormozgan) under the genus Paraorthochirus. The morphology of this species is redescribed here based on the specimens collected from Bandar-Abbas on the basis of both sexes. The original description includes a female, but very little information was given on its morphology and does not include illustration belonging to the female. Therefore, the female is described for the first time in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to determine the histochemical structure of the venom gland of Lurus kraepelini (von Ubisch, 1922) scorpions. Telsons belonging to 50 Lurus kraepelini collected from Aksu district of Isparta were used as material. The histological structure of the venom sac and the histochemical structure of the glycoproteins were determined using appropriate staining techniques. In the general histological structure of the venom gland, it was determined that the inner part of the venom sac consisted of connective tissue, and that venom secreting cells, support cells and mucus cells were found in this connective tissue. By histochemical staining methods, it was determined that the venom gland had sulphate and carboxylic acidic, sialic acid, neutral and acidic mucosubstances, and it was understood that the glycoproteins in each region of the venom gland had different characters. As a result, the chitin layer in the venom gland was neutral, sulfated and acidic; neutral of the muscle layer and venom secretion cells; It was determined that epithelial secretory cells contained acidic mucosubstance intensely. On the other hand, it was noted that it did not contain glycoproteins with strong sulfates, weak sulfates and sulfate esters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The preparation of the scorpion antivenom is a process that must be meticulously performed, such as obtaining specific antibodies from the serum of the injected animal after a suitable period of time after the relevant venom has been administered to a suitable animal, mostly horses. Many physiological and pathological symptoms occur in the treated animal, depending on the quality, quantity and application of the venom injected. Androctonus crassicauda venom is used in the production of national scorpion antivenom. A. crassicauda is a common species in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia (Elazığ, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Adana, Hatay, Malatya, Mersin) and Leiurus abdullahbayrami is a common species in Southeastern Anatolia (Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Mardin). The aim of this study is that the national scorpion antivenom obtained with A. crassicauda venom; to evaluate its effectiveness against L. abdullahbayrami. Methods: National scorpion antivenom obtained from horses immunized with A. crassicauda venom was used in the study. The venoms of A. crassicauda and L. abdullahbayrami scorpions was obtained by electrical stimulation. The venoms of both species were prepared at 1 mg/ml. Lethal dose 50 (LD50) values were determined in mice for venoms of both species. Two-fold dilutions of A. crassicauda scorpion antivenom were prepared and the neutralization unit (NU) was determined by calculating the effective dose 50 (ED50) values in mice against A. crassicauda and L. abdullahbayrami venoms. Potency value of A. crassicauda antivenom and crossprotection of antivenom against L. abdullahbayrami venom were calculated by neutralization test. Results: The LD50 of A. crassicauda venom was 5.761 µg/mouse and the LD50 of L. abdullahbayrami venom was 5.265 µg/mouse. ED50 was found 0.1767 in A. crassicauda and 0.25 in L. abdullahbayrami. Potency values against A. crassicauda antivenom were obtained as 90.5488 NU/ml and 64 NU/ml for A. crassicauda and L. abdullahbayrami, respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed that A. crassicauda antivenom can also be used safely in L. abdullahbayrami scorpion stings and our study is the first study showing that A. crassicauda antivenom can be used in the treatment of L. abdullahbayrami scorpion stings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpions are arthropods covered with a thick layer of chitin, whose adult individuals have a length between 11.5 and 220 mm. Since they cause situations of poisoning and due to their predatory nature, humans usually fear them. In scorpion envenomation, it is necessary to apply anti-venom especially for patients with severe symptoms. Turkey is a suitable country for scorpion life in terms of climate. Today, it is reported in the world that there are 2512 species of scorpions in terms of 21 families and 195 genera. In addition, when the recent increase is taken into account, it is reported that the number of Scorpion species in Turkey has reached 50 and will continue to increase. Although the most venomous scorpion species known in Turkey is Leirus abdullahbayrami, scorpion anti-venom is obtained from Androctonus crassicauda. The studies show that the antivenom from A. crassicauda in Turkey which had been produced in a continuous manner since 1942 gave better results than other anti-venoms. A. crassicauda, which is shown as one of the five most poisonous scorpions in the world, is about 90 to 100 mm in length, has dark brown or black color, and has claws which are very chunky and a very curved tail. It is one of the most important species regarding medical terms in Turkey. A. crassicauda is mainly found in the regions of Southeastern Anatolia and in the areas of the cities of Iğdır and Kars which have low altitude levels, located in Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. It is stated that the responsible scorpion is the A. crassicauda with respect to the majority of patients who are admitted to the hospital with complaints of scorpion stings especially in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Scorpion sting events, occurring mostly during the summer period still continues to be a major problem both in Turkey and the world's other countries. The scorpion anti-venom produced from A. crassicauda has taken its place as a national monograph of the Turkish Pharmacopoeia, which was prepared for the first time after many years. This review aims to provide detailed information on the history of anti-venom preparations in Turkey, starting from the foundation of the Turkish Republic up until the present day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An anomaly was recorded in the pecten shape of the scorpion species Mesobuthus turcicus Kovařík et al., 2022 that was recently described from Turkey. In this case, it is observed that marginal and median lamellae and fulcrae are fused in the right pecten. For this reason, the pecten is bent counter clockwise. Different from other pectinal anomalies, the size of teeth is developed normally but teeth number is fewer. This teratological anomaly on pecten is described and illustrated. This is the first report of pecten anomaly based on marginal and median lamellae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832), known as Anatolian yellow scorpion belonging to the Buthidae family, has a wide distribution in our country and is therefore an important species in terms of public health. In this study, MTT test was performed to determine the cytotoxic effect of Mesobuthus gibbosus hemolymph on A549 lung cancer cell line and Beas-2B normal lung epithelial cell line. Ultrastructural changes were investigated morphologically by confocal microscope and transmission electron microscope. IC50 values were determined as 1.35% for A549 cells and 1.34% for Beas-2B cells as a result of 24 hours incubation with hemolymph A549 lung cancer and Beas-2B normal lung epithelial cell lines. In the study performed with confocal microscopy, rounding in the cells, membrane budding, chromatin condensation in the cell nucleus were displayed for both cells. The results obtained by electron microscopy showed distortion of the cell shape, shrinkage, deformations and lysosome formation, loss and swelling on cristae of mitochondria. With this study, dose depended antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of Mesobuthus gibbosus hemolymph in both cell lines are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidents of scorpion stings are common in Turkey. These cases can cause severe envenomation and so represent an important public health problem. In Turkey, the most venomous species are Leiurus abdullahbayrami and Androctonus crassicauda. There has been no study on the effects of A. crassicauda stings on pregnant rats. Consequently, we investigated the effects of the scorpion venom on pregnant rats and their offspring. The supernatant of the A. crassicauda venom obtained after the venom extraction was dissolved in 7 mL of sterile saline before the experiment, in this way the injection volume was standardized as 1 mL/rat. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into two groups with six animals in each. A. crassicauda venom in 1 mL physiological saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) was subcutaneously injected in rats of the experimental group (EG), while sterile saline solution (1 mL) was subcutaneously administered to the rats of the control group (CG). All injections were applied to each group from the 7th to the 13th days of pregnancy, which correspond to the critical organogenesis period. Based on these results, it was shown that the scorpion venom affects the body weight of pregnant rats, the weights of placental tissues and fetuses in the rat model during pregnancy. A. crassicauda venom can induce abortion and cause restrictions in placenta and fetal growth. Therefore, medical professionals should be informed about possible adverse effects and risks in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most dangerous and eerie animals of the nature, scorpion has long been u sed asamoti for symbol from a ntiquity to present. As an element frequently encountered in mythology, epics, tales, religious texts, reliefs, astrology, cosmology, people's beliefs and practices, the scorpion has also become a poetic symbol. The scorpion symbol as a polysemantic signifier in Turkish poetry tradition, has also continued to be associated with a wide range of ideas in New Turkish poetry. The purpose of this study is to identify the semantic world in which the scorpion symbol appears in the context of New Turkish Poetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Scorpion stings represent an important health problem in many developing countries, particularly in the tropic and subtropic areas of the world. Materials and Methods: A retrospective examination of patient files and treatment charts was performed for a total of 424 cases presenting with scorpion stings to the pediatric emergency department between January 2010 and January 2015. Results: The mean age of the patients was 82.1 ± 19.5 months. There were 228 (%53,4) female and 196 (%46,6) male patients, with a median body weight of 19.3 ± 4.2 kg, and median height of 104 ± 8.2 cm. Three-hundred and six patients (72.1%) had stage 1, 83 (19.6%) had stage 2 and 35 (8.3%) had stage 3 disease. Of the scorpion stings 72 (16.98%), 254 (59.90%), and 96 (22.64%) occurred in spring, summer, or autumn, respectively. The distribution of the site of sting involved the extremities in 339 (79.95%), trunk in 96 (22.64%) and head and neck in 27 (6.36%). The most common signs involved those locally occurring at the site of the sting, with erythema and redness found in 368 cases (86.79%). Of the cardiovascular signs, tachycardia occurred in 274 cases (64.62%) and 12 had systolic dysfunction. While the great majority of the cases could be discharged uneventfully, 4 patients died due to cardiogenic shock and multiorgan failure. Conclusions: Scorpion stings remain a major health problem in our country, particularly in the South East Anatolia. The incidence of scorpion stings is highest during the summer season. The most common forms of involvement include respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and gastrointestinal involvement, with rare occurrence of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion envenomation still remains a major health problem in many tropical and subtropical countries. Antivenom is still widely administered in the treatment of envenomation. Scorpion venoms is used as source of antigen to the production of antivenom. Therefore, quality control and homogeneity of venom are a crucial point. In this study, adult Mesobuthus gibbosus and Mesobuthus eupeus scorpions were collected from Osmaniye and Nigde provinces in Turkey. After extraction, the venom composition was analyzed using one-dimensional gel electrophoresis (1-DE). Only one common protein (70 kDa) band was found in all venom samples. Three protein bands (70, 87 and 100 kDa) were also detected in the venom of female scorpions in Osmaniye and Nigde provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion envenomation still remains a major health problem in many tropical and subtropical countries. Antivenom is still widely administered in the treatment of envenomation. Scorpion venoms is used as source of antigen to the production of antivenom. Therefore, quality control and homogeneity of venom are a crucial point. In this study, adult Mesobuthus gibbosus and Mesobuthus eupeus scorpions were collected from Osmaniye and Nigde provinces in Turkey. After extraction, the venom composition was analyzed using one-dimensional gel electrophoresis (1-DE). Only one common protein (70 kDa) band was found in all venom samples. Three protein bands (70, 87 and 100 kDa) were also detected in the venom of female scorpions in Osmaniye and Nigde provinces [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion sting cases are mostly seen in the southern provinces in our country. Scorpion venom might comprise neurotoxic, cardiotoxic and even nephrotoxic contents. Occurrence of nephropathy is a rare complication of scorpion sting. A 27-year-old male was admitted with acute kidney injury after scorpion sting. The etiology was probably associated with hypovolemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]