Experimental Tityus serrulatus scorpion envenomation: age- and sex-related differences in symptoms and mortality in mice

Among the various methods for evaluating animal venom toxicity, the calculation of the median lethal dose (LD50) is the most widely used. Although different protocols can be used to calculate the LD50, the source of the venom and the method of extraction, as well as the strain, age, and sex of the animal model employed, should be taken into consideration. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of sex and age on the toxicity of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom in Swiss mice. Although the symptoms of envenomation were similar in male and female animals, female mice proved to be more resistant to the venom. In females, age had no impact on the susceptibility to scorpion envenomation. Male mice were more sensitive to T. serrulatus venom. Moreover, in males, age was an important parameter since sensitivity to the venom increased with age

Caracterização de idosos diabéticos atendidos na atenção secundária Characterization of elderly diabetics receiving secondary care

Caracterizou-se os idosos diabéticos segundo as variáveis sociodemográficas e econômicas e descreveu-se as condições de saúde, capacidade funcional e utilização dos serviços de saúde, relacionando-as com o tempo de diagnóstico de diabetes, almejando-se contribuir para o planejamento das intervenções de saúde dessa área. A amostra populacional foi obtida através do atendimento de diabéticos nos três serviços de endocrinologia de Uberaba (MG), no período de um ano. Entrevistaram-se 113 idosos diabéticos, no domicílio. Para análise, utilizou-se distribuição de freqüência simples, medidas descritivas e as associações foram estudadas através do teste chi&sup2; (p < 0,05). São do sexo feminino 72,6% dos sujeitos; com idade média de 69 anos (&plusmn; 4,6). O maior percentual do tempo de diagnóstico (51,3%) está na faixa de 10 -| 20 anos. Todos apresentam outro problema de saúde além do diabetes. Os maiores percentuais para dependência, identificados através da capacidade funcional, foram: cortar unhas dos pés (23,9%) e usar transporte (18,6%). O tempo de diagnóstico não se constituiu em agravante para a dependência do idoso. Contudo, a dependência no envelhecimento está presente e se constitui em desafio para os profissionais de saúde.<br>The purpose of this survey is to characterize elderly diabetics by social, demographic and economic variables, describing their health status, functional capacity and use of healthcare services, related to the time when diabetes was diagnosed, in order to contribute to future healthcare planning actions in this area. The population sample was obtained through the diabetes services at three endocrinology units in Uberaba, Minas Gerais State in the course of a year, interviewing 113 elderly diabetics at home. The simple frequency distribution was used for the analysis, together with descriptive measurements. Associations were studied through chi&sup2; (p< 0.05) test; 72.6% of the respondents were women with average age of 69 years (&plusmn; 4.6). The longest times since diagnosis (51.3%) are between ten and twenty years. All the respondents presented other health problems in addition to diabetes. The main aspects of dependence identified through functional capacity were: trimming toenails (23.9%) and use of transportation (18.6%). The time since diagnosis was not an aggravating factor for dependence among these elderly diabetics. However, dependency during the aging process is present, offering a challenge to healthcare practitioners