Retrospective clinical and epidemiological analysis of scorpionism at a referral hospital for the treatment of accidents by venomous animals in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil, 2007-2017

Scorpionism has a high incidence rate in Brazil. It is considered a serious public health problem mainly in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The number of scorpion accidents have increased over the years and the highest frequencies have been reported mainly in the Brazilian Northeast region. Therefore, in this study we report a retrospective clinical and epidemiological analysis of scorpion stings from 2007 to 2017 in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil, at a referral hospital for assistance and treatment of accidents by venomous animals. During the analyzed period, the referral hospital treated 27,988 cases, and an increase in the number of cases has taken place over the years. The highest frequency of scorpion stings was observed in females, and the age range most affected was from 20 to 29 years old. The most stung body site was the foot, followed by finger, toe or hand. Regarding the severity, most severe cases were reported in children up to 4 years old (69.4%) and 50% of the total cases treated with serotherapy corresponded to patients in this age range. Interestingly, it was also found that the occurrence of systemic manifestations and the severity of the cases were significantly associated with pediatric patients. In this way, this study highlights the scorpionism as an environmental public health problem in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil, as well as the need to intensify the epidemiological surveillance and educational campaigns to prevent and control scorpion accidents throughout the year

NormFinder analysis of expression stability of candidate reference genes for microRNA qRT-PCR analysis in the systemic PILO-model samples.

<p>Ranking of candidate reference genes based on stability values calculated by NormFinder software.</p

Levels of five non-coding RNAs candidate reference genes for microRNA qRT-PCR analysis in the hippocampus of the systemic PILO-injected and control rats.

<p>Values are given in the form of RT-qPCR threshold cycle numbers (Ct values), mean SD (n = 6). ANOVA, * , ** , *** .</p

Selection of the most suitable reference genes for microRNA qRT-PCR analysis in the systemic PILO-model samples using geNorm analysis.

<p>A) Expression stability measurements (M) for the five reference genes analyzed. The x-axis from left to right indicates the ranking of the genes according to their expression stability; lower M values indicate higher expression stability. B) Determination of the optimal number of reference genes for normalization was conducted. The software calculates the normalization factor from at least two genes at which the variable V defines the pair-wise variation between two sequential normalization factors.</p

Relative quantities of miR-146a in the hippocampus of the systemic PILO- injected rats upon different normalization approaches.

<p>qRT-PCR data were normalized by single reference gene and best combination derived by geNorm or NormFinder analysis (mean SD, n = 6). The diagram shows mean levels of miR-146a transcripts in naive animals, epileptogenesis (0 h and 24 h) and chronic period. ANOVA, * , ** , *** .</p