Publications by authors named "M Damm"

Planet Earth is threatened by the human population. Energy and resource use are far beyond the planet's carrying capacity. Planetary Health suggests an alternative idea of prosperity as the best possible human health for all within planetary boundaries.

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"True" cobras (genus ) are among the venomous snakes most frequently involved in snakebite accidents in Africa and Asia. The Cape cobra () is one of the African cobras of highest medical importance, but much remains to be learned about its venom. Here, we used a shotgun proteomics approach to better understand the qualitative composition of venom and tested its cytotoxicity and protease activity as well as its effect on intracellular Ca release and NO synthesis.

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Termination of pregnancy due to a fetal anomaly is a challenging and mentally stressful experience, associated with trauma-related stress, depression and symptoms of complicated grief. It differs from other types of pregnancy loss because of the role of active decision-making. Expectant parents depend on caring and experienced staff to guide them during a time full of ambiguity and contrasting emotions.

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Article Synopsis
  • Non-front-fanged snakes (NFFS) have been largely neglected in snake venom research, leading to unclear assessments of their medical significance for human bites.
  • The review focuses on European NFFS, highlighting that while most bites cause mild symptoms, the genus Malpolon can result in more severe local and systemic effects.
  • It emphasizes the importance of professional medical evaluation for any bite from these snakes to ensure safety and aid in understanding their potential risks.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines venom variation in two allopatric populations of the snake Vipera ammodytes, one on an island with a diet largely consisting of ectotherms and the other on the mainland with a more diverse diet.
  • Ten toxin families were identified, revealing that juvenile snakes have a different venom profile dominated by specific toxins, while adults have a more balanced venom composition.
  • Despite differences in prey availability, the venom composition between the two populations was similar, suggesting limited evolutionary pressure on island vipers due to geographic isolation, while significant differences were noted when compared to more distant populations, indicating ecological and evolutionary factors in venom variability.
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