We report the development of molecularly imprinted polyacrylamide nanoparticles that bind to and neutralize the activity of cytotoxins present in the venom of the Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica mossambica). The binding activity of these nanoparticles is avid and specific. These findings hold promise for the development of a synthetic antivenom.

In Southeast Asia, envenoming resulting from cobra snakebites is an important public health issue in many regions, and antivenom therapy is the standard treatment for the snakebite. Because these cobras share a close evolutionary history, the amino acid sequences of major venom components in different snakes are very similar. Therefore, either monovalent or polyvalent antivenoms may offer paras...

New records are given of water mites from Vogelkop, New Guinea. A total of 33 species is recorded, including the descriptions of a representative of a new genus, i.e. Dropursides aberratus, and of twelve further species new to science, i.e. Hydrobaumia purpurea, Oxus manokwariensis, Limnesia multiscutata, Limnesia vogelkop, Australiobates elongatus, Unionicola novaeguineae, Neumania silvestris,...

Injection of rabbits with a sublethal dose (0.2mglkg) of Naja haje venom induced an increase in serum cortisol, free cholesterol, glucose and potassium ions. A decrease in total cholesterol and sodium ions was observed while the progesterone level was not changed. These results suggest that the cobra venom has induced a stimulatory effect on the glucocorticoid activity paralleled with a depress...