SCORPION, a molecular database of scorpion toxins.

Increasing interest in the studies of toxins and the requirements for better structural and functional annotations have created a need for improved data management in the field of toxins. The molecular database, SCORPION, contains more than 200 entries of fully referenced scorpion toxin data including primary sequences, three-dimensional structures, structural and functional annotations of scorpion toxins along with relevant literature references. SCORPION has a set of search tools that allow users to extract data and perform specific queries. These entries have been compiled from public databases and literature, cleaned of errors and enriched with additional structural and functional information. The grouping of scorpion toxins provides a basis for extending and clarifying the existing structural and functional classifications. The bioinformatics modules in SCORPION facilitate analyses aimed at classification of scorpion toxins and identification of sequence patterns associated with specific structural or functional properties of scorpion toxins. The SCORPION database is accessible via the Internet at sdmc.krdl.org.sg:8080/scorpion.

Lumbosacral nerve root avulsion.

Lumbosacral nerve root avulsion is a rare clinical entity. Since the first description in 1955, only 35 cases have been reported. It is often associated with pelvic fractures and may be missed in the initial clinical examination as these patients usually present with multiple injuries. We present three such cases with clinical and radiological findings. These patients were involved in road traffic accidents. Two had fractures of the sacroiliac joint with diastasis of the symphysis pubis (Tile type C 1.2) and one had fractures of the public rami (Tile type B 2.1). All three had various degrees of sensory and motor deficit of the lower limbs. Lumbar myelogram shows characteristic pseudomeningoceles in the affected lumboscral region. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides an additional non-invasive modality to diagnose this condition.