Effect of gluten diet on blood innate immune gene expressions and stool consistency in Spix's Saddleback Tamarin (Leontocebus fuscicollis) raised in captivity.

The callitrichids are non-human primates that feed on insects and plant matter in nature, but in captivity, they are fed mostly an artificial diet containing amounts of gluten, in their toxic forms in items such as wheat, barley and rye. The aim of this research was to estimate the blood ß-defensin and Toll like receptor 5 (TLR5) gene expressions and to analyze the stool consistency (firm, soft, diarrheic) in Leontocebus fuscicollis raised in captivity. Blood samples of animals under gluten-free and gluten diets were collected and their fecal output quality was periodically monitored and classified during the course of the study. Gene expression was evaluated using real-time PCR. The stool consistencies of individuals fed a gluten diet were most frequently soft or diarrheic, while it was mostly normal in individuals fed a gluten-free diet. ß-Defensin expression increased in individuals fed a gluten diet, but decreased after 15 days. Expression normalized between 30 and 45 days on a gluten-free diet. However, expression of the TLR5 gene did not change under a gluten diet. A gluten diet affects stool quality, and brings about an immediate increase in blood ß-defensin expression in the beginning but decreases after 15 days.

Hematological and biochemical parameters of Spix's Saddleback Tamarin (Leontocebus fuscicollis) raised in captivity.

The Spix's Saddleback Tamarin, Leontocebus fuscicollis is widely distributed across the Amazon region, but is endangered. This species is serving an important role in biomedical research in captivity. However, reference values for hematological and biochemical parameters are required for the proper characterization of the species. It was therefore the objective of our research to establish these parameters taking into consideration sex and body mass differences in healthy adult Spix's saddleback tamarins. Collecting 2 mL of blood from each individual, 20 animals were examined (7 males, 13 females), and hematological and biochemical parameters were determined using commercial kits. Of the sixteen variables measured, only red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) values were significantly higher in males (7.12 ± 0.98 106/mm, 14.98 ± 1.25 g/dL and 48.71 ± 4.91%, respectively), while red cell distribution width (RDW) was higher in females (14.58 ± 1.89%). Of the biochemical parameters measured, only gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) enzyme showed higher activity in females (8.08 ± 4.87 U/L), and a high glucose concentration range was observed (102.0 to 521.0 mg/dL) for both sexes. These parameters established with reference ranges for healthy adults provide a reliable reference source for the interpretation of laboratory housed saddleback tamarin.

Qualidade de vida e estado nutricional de cuidadores de idosos dependentes / Quality of life and nutritional status of dependent elderly's caregivers

A transição demográfica aponta para a necessidade crescente de indivíduos que prestem cuidados aos idosos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade de vida e o estado nutricional de cuidadores de idosos dependentes. Os resultados revelaram que 67,74% dos cuidadores apresentam risco cardiovascular e 61,29%, diagnóstico nutricional de sobrepeso, mostrando que as atividades inerentes à ocupação de cuidador podem repercutir em diversos aspectos da sua vida e levá-lo a negligenciar o autocuidado.

The demographic transition in Brazil points to the growing need for individuals who provide care for the elderly. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and nutritional status of dependent elderly's caregivers. The results showed that 67.74 % of caregivers had cardiovascular risk and 61.29 % nutritional diagnosis of overweight, showing that the activities related to the caregiver occupation can reflect on various aspects of one's life and take one to neglect self-care.