Chemical Structure and Localization of Levan, the Predominant Fructan Type in Underground Systems of Gomphrena marginata (Amaranthaceae).

Gomphrena marginata Seub. (Amaranthaceae) is an endemic species from Brazilian campos rupestres with a fructan accumulating underground reserve system. Analyses of high performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC-PAD) revealed the presence of the soluble carbohydrates glucose, fructose, sucrose, 1-kestose, 6-kestose, nystose and fructans with degree of polymerization (DP) up to approximately 40 fructose units. Data of 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, including Heteronuclear Single-Quantum Correlation (HSQC) and Heteronuclear Multiple-Bonds Correlation (HMBC) showed the presence of ß (2,6) linkages, characteristic of the linear molecule of levan-type fructan(2,6). These results confirmed previous studies suggesting that the reserve carbohydrate in the underground system of this species was levan-type fructans, similar to that of G. macrocephala. Structural analyses of the thickened underground system using light microscopy revealed a mixed origin system consisting mainly of a gemmiferous tuberous root with the upper region formed by short branched stems, both presenting vascular cylinders with unusual growth patterns. Fructan spherocrystals were visualized under polarized light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) mostly in the cortex and vascular cylinder in both thickened stem and root. In addition to data reported in the literature concerning the occurrence of fructans in the Amaranthaceae, the results presented here suggest that fructans are a trait in this family while the levan-type fructan prevail in Gomphrena species.

Intoxicação espontânea de bovinos por Senna obtusifolia no Estado do Paraná / Spontaneous Senna obtusifolia poisoning in cattle in the state of Parana, Brazil

Plantas do gênero Senna causam miopatia degenerativa em bovinos e o maior número de relatos envolve Senna occidentalis. O objetivo desse trabalho é relatar, pela segunda vez no Brasil, um surto de intoxicação natural por Senna obtusifolia. É descrito um surto de intoxicação por Senna obtusifolia, na região noroeste do estado do Paraná, que aconteceu em um lote de 200 vacas, com idade entre 45 e 152 meses, introduzidas em um confinamento para melhorar a condição corporal antes do parto. A área do confinamento estava invadida pela planta e as vacas permaneceram no local durante oito dias. Entre quatro e nove dias após a entrada no confinamento 20 vacas adoeceram e somente uma se recuperou. Os sinais consistiram em mioglobinúria, incoordenação e decúbito esternal permanente. As vacas doentes apresentaram aumento das atividades das enzimas creatina quinase, aspartato aminotransferase, gamaglutamiltransferase e fosfatase alcalina. Lesões na musculatura esquelética dos membros posteriores caracterizadas por áreas pálidas representaram as principais alterações observadas à necropsia de quatro bovinos. Necrose segmentar multifocal da musculatura esquelética e necrose paracentral multifocal no fígado foram as alterações histopatológicas mais relevantes. As evidências epidemiológicas, clínicas e patológicas indicam o diagnóstico de intoxicação por Senna obtusifolia. A planta demonstrou ter efeito miotóxico e hepatotóxico nos animais intoxicados e a doença foi quase sempre fatal.

Plants of the genus Senna cause a degenerative myopathy in cattle and most of the reports refer to Senna occidentalis. The aim of this paper is to report, for the second time in Brazil, an outbreak of natural poisoning by Senna obtusifolia. It happened in the northwestern Paraná in a herd of 200 cows, 45 to 152 months of age, which had been placed into a feedlot to improve their nutritional status before the calving period. The cows stayed for eight days in this feedlot infested by the plant. Four to nine days after they got into the feedlot, 20 cows became ill and only one recovered. The clinical signs consisted of myoglobinuria, incoordination and permanent sternal recumbency. The affected cows showed increased activity of creatine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransferase, gama-glutamyltransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. The main postmortem changes were in skeletal muscles of the hind limbs characterized by pale areas. The histological alterations were multifocal segmental necrosis of skeletal muscles and hepatic multifocal paracentral necrosis. Epidemiological, clinical and pathological data led to the diagnosis of Senna obtusifolia poisoning. The plant showed miotoxic and hepatotoxic effects on the poisoned animals and the disease was almost always lethal.

Determinant factors of functional status among the oldest old.

BACKGROUND: The fastest-growing age group in Brazil and around the world is the oldest-old group (aged 80 and over). Among these individuals, the prevalence of disability and morbidity is higher than in other groups. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of socioeconomic, demographic, biological, health, nutritional, and social factors, as well as perceived health, on the functional status of the oldest old. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study in which the data were collected by means of questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. The functional status was evaluated according to the model developed by Andreotti and Okuma (1999). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used. RESULTS: The independent factors associated with worse functional status were: age 85 years and over (OR=2.91), female gender (OR=0.69), continuous use of five or more medications (OR=2.67), no visits to friends and/or relatives at least once a week (OR=11.91), and worse perceived health relative to peers (OR=4.40). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that functional status is associated with a complex web of multidimensional factors. Thus, it is important to develop programs related to the factors that are susceptible to intervention in order to provide a better quality of life to the oldest old.

Fatores determinantes da capacidade funcional em idosos longevos / Determinant factors of functional status among the oldest old

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A faixa etária que mais cresce no Brasil e no mundo é a de idosos com 80 anos e mais. Entre esses indivíduos, a prevalência de incapacidades e morbidades é maior que em outros grupos. OBJETIVOS: Investigar a influência de fatores socioeconômicos, demográficos, biológicos e de saúde, nutricionais, de relações sociais, além da autoavaliação da saúde sobre a capacidade funcional de idosos longevos (80 anos e mais). MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de base populacional, em que os dados foram obtidos por meio de questionários e medidas antropométricas. A capacidade funcional foi avaliada utilizando-se o modelo desenvolvido por Andreotti e Okuma (1999). Foram realizadas análises univariada e multivariada. RESULTADOS: Os fatores independentes associados à pior capacidade funcional foram: ter 85 anos e mais (OR=2,91), ser do gênero feminino (OR=6,09), fazer uso contínuo de cinco ou mais medicamentos (OR=2,67), não visitar parentes e/ou amigos pelo menos uma vez por semana (OR=11,91) e considerar a própria saúde pior que a de seus pares (OR=4,40). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados sugerem que a capacidade funcional está associada a uma complexa rede de fatores multidimensionais, sendo importante o desenvolvimento de ações relacionadas àqueles fatores que são passíveis de intervenção, visando propiciar melhores condições de saúde e qualidade de vida a esses indivíduos.

BACKGROUND: The fastest-growing age group in Brazil and around the world is the oldest-old group (aged 80 and over). Among these individuals, the prevalence of disability and morbidity is higher than in other groups. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of socioeconomic, demographic, biological, health, nutritional, and social factors, as well as perceived health, on the functional status of the oldest old. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study in which the data were collected by means of questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. The functional status was evaluated according to the model developed by Andreotti and Okuma (1999). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used. RESULTS: The independent factors associated with worse functional status were: age 85 years and over (OR=2.91), female gender (OR=0.69), continuous use of five or more medications (OR=2.67), no visits to friends and/or relatives at least once a week (OR=11.91), and worse perceived health relative to peers (OR=4.40). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that functional status is associated with a complex web of multidimensional factors. Thus, it is important to develop programs related to the factors that are susceptible to intervention in order to provide a better quality of life to the oldest old.

Influência das características sociodemográficas e epidemiológicas na capacidade funcional de idosos residentes em Ubá, Minas Gerais / The influence of sociodemographic and epidemiological characteristics on the functional capacity of elderly residents in the city of Ubá, Minas Gerais

Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi conhecer a capacidade funcional de idosos e seus determinantes. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal de base populacional com amostra de 397 idosos residentes na zona urbana da cidade de Ubá, Minas Gerais. Foi aplicado um questionário semiestruturado e pré-testado em forma de entrevista para avaliar as características sociodemográficas, econômicas e de saúde dos idosos. A capacidade funcional foi avaliada por meio da escala de atividades de vida diária básica e instrumental. Investigou-se a associação entre a capacidade funcional e as características socioeconômicas, demográficas e epidemiológicas. Os dados foram analisados nos programas Epi info, Versão 6.0 e Sigma. Considerou-se o nível de significância de 0,05. Para análise estatística, realizou-se a distribuição de frequência, medidas de associação (Odds Ratio) entre a capacidade funcional e as variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e epidemiológicas e análise de regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: O comprometimento da capacidade funcional está relacionado a piores condições de saúde autorreferidas, às quedas, ao sexo feminino, à viúvez, a idosos mais velhos, à baixa escolaridade e à baixa renda e a não estar ativo no mercado de trabalho. CONCLUSÃO: Ações de atenção integral à saúde do idoso precisam ser efetivadas, aliando o incentivo à pesquisa às ações planejadas e direcionadas para melhorar as condições de saúde e qualidade de vida deste grupo.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the functional capacity of elderly individuals and its determinants. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted with a sample of 397 elderly residents in the urban area of the city of Ubá, Minas Gerais. A semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire was applied as an interview in order to assess the sociodemographic, economic and health characteristics of elderly individuals. The functional capacity was assessed by means of the scale of basic and instrumental activities of daily living. The associations between functional capacity and socioeconomic, demographic and epidemiological characteristics were investigated. Data were analyzed with the softwares Epi Info version 6.0 and SigmaStat. A significance level of 0.05 was considered. For statistical analysis, frequency distribution and measures of association (odds ratio) were performed between the functional capacity and the socioeconomic, demographic and epidemiological variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The impaired functional capacity was related to self-referred deteriorated health conditions, falls, female gender, widowhood, more advanced age, low educational level and income, and retirement from the job market. CONCLUSION: The lack of integral health care for the elderly, especially those without financial resources, can contribute negatively to worsened health conditions, especially functional capacity.