Characterization of the Venom
Proteome for the Wandering Spider, Ctenus hibernalis (Aranea: Ctenidae)
Spider venoms are a multicomponent
mixture of polypeptides that contain a diverse array of structure and function
that is used for both the immobilization of prey as well as a defense
mechanism. To date, the venom composition of less than 100 of the nearly 40,000
characterized species of spiders has been investigated. Although certain venom
protein families are highly conserved across spider taxa, there are several
instances of novel taxa-specific venom proteins, such as latrotoxins in
Latrodectus, Sphyngomyelinase D in Loxosceles, and μ-ctenitoxin-Pn1a in
Phoneutria.
Role of Oxidative Stress in the
Pathogenesis of OCD
Obsessions are defined as recurrent,
persistent, thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced as intrusive
& inappropriate. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that
the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to
rigid rules. Until the 1850s, obsessive-compulsive phenomena were considered to
be a variant of the old notion of insanity. After 1860, organic causal
hypotheses for OCD included dysfunctions of the autonomic nervous system and
cortical blood supply. In 1880 OCD was included in the spectrum of neuroses.
Psychological hypotheses suggested the OCD might result from volitional,
intellectual, or emotional impairment, the last of which predominated after
1890. First description of OCD in childhood was given by Pierre Janet in 1903
who reported on a five year old boy with characteristic symptoms. OCD usually
begins in adolescence or early adulthood although it can begin in childhood.
Nearly 65% of the patients have the onset before 25 years of age and <15%
have onset after 35 years of age.
By
Chandrasekharan
III
B.Sc.,
Department
of Biochemistry
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