Anatomic-radiographic aspects and gastrointestinal transit time in Boa constrictor amarali Stull, 1932 (Squamata, Boidae) / [Aspectos anátomo-radiográficos e tempo de trânsito gastrointestinal em jiboia-cinzenta Boa constrictor amarali Stull, 1932 (Squamata, Boidae)]

The goal of this study was to describe the gastrointestinal transit technique in the Boa constrictor amarali. For that purpose, we obtained simple radiographic images of seven serpents, subsequently administering a 25mL/kg dose of barium sulfate and establishing a radiographic sequence at the following times: 5 minutes; 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, extending to 120 and 126 hours for one animal. The mean esophageal transit was 26.71±19.48 hours; the mean gastric filling time was 28.57±27.22 minutes and the emptying time was 60±12 hours; the mean filling time of the contrast medium in the small intestine was 3±2.16 hours and the emptying time was 97±15.65 hours. We also obtained the mean filling time of the large intestine, which was 40±11.31 hours. We found that the mean passage time of the contrast medium through the cranial gastrointestinal tract - until the complete elimination of barium sulfate from the small intestine -was 97±15.65 hours. In addition to determining the gastrointestinal transit time, the technique used allowed for the morphological identification of the alimentary canal.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever a técnica de trânsito gastrointestinal em Boa constrictor amarali. Para tanto, foram obtidas radiografias simples de sete serpentes, e, subsequentemente a essas, foi administrado sulfato de bário na dose de 25mL/kg. A partir disso, foi estabelecida a sequência radiográfica nos seguintes tempos: cinco minutos; uma, duas, três, seis, nove, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas, e em um animal estendeu-se para 120 e 126 horas. O trânsito esofágico médio foi de 26,71±19,48 horas, o tempo médio de preenchimento gástrico foi de 28,57±27,22 minutos, e o esvaziamento de 60±12 horas; a média de tempo de enchimento do meio de contraste no intestino delgado foi de 3±2,16 horas e, por fim, o esvaziamento foi de 97±15,65 horas, e ainda obteve-se o tempo médio de enchimento do intestino grosso igual a 40±11,31 horas. Desse modo, verificou-se que a média do tempo de passagem do contraste pelo trato gastrointestinal cranial - até a completa eliminação do sulfato de bário do intestino delgado - foi de 97±15,65 horas. Além da determinação do tempo de trânsito gastrointestinal, a técnica empregada permitiu a identificação morfológica do canal alimentar.(AU)

Inhibition of macrophage phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by mannose and mannan

1. We investigated the possibility that Candida albicans and Escherichia coli are interiorized by thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages by interacting with the same receptor. 2. D-mannose (50 mM), a sugar recognized by mannose receptors, reduced the phatfocytosis of C. albicans and E. coli to 46% and 38% of control values, respectively. The presence of 50 mM galactose did not affect the phagocytosis of either microorganism. However, mannan from saccharomyces cerevisiae (0.5 mg/ml) inhibited phagocytosis by 70% for both microorganisms. 3. The ingestion of C. albicans and E. coli was reduced by 85% and 95%, respectively, in the presence of 10 mM EGTA. 4. These results suggest that the mannose receptor, which mediates the recognition of C. albicans by macrophages, might also mediate the phagocytosis of Escherichia coli 0111