[Immunologic aspects of the macrophages in the milk of preterm mothers]. / Aspectos inmunológicos de los macrófagos de leche de madre pretérmino.

Number and function of milk macrophages from 25 healthy mothers delivering preterm (PHMMo) (mean gestational age 33 weeks) were compared with those obtained from 74 mothers with term delivery (THMMo). The average concentration of MMø in colostrum did not differ among both sources: 0.55 x 10(6)/ml (PHMMo) and 0.42 x 10(6)/ml (THMMo). The mean phagocytic index of PHMMo (3.35 yeasts/cell) and THMMo (3.40 yeasts/cell) was similar (p greater than 0.05); both cell types were significantly higher than control monocytes (CMo) (1.95 yeasts/cell) (p less than 0.001). The mean chemotactic function of PHMMo (11.58 cells/field) was significantly greater than THMMo (2.75 cells/field) (p less than 0.001). However, both milk cells showed lower chemotaxis than CMo (32.63 cells/field) (p less than 0.001).

[Immunological function of monocytes in pregnancy and the puerperium]. / Función inmunológica de los monocitos en embarazo y postparto.

Many immunological parameters are depressed during pregnancy. We have performed functional studies on monocytes from puerperal mothers and found a diminished phagocytic capacity. In contrast, chemotactic function of monocytes, but not of polymorphonuclear cells, from puerperal mothers and pregnant women, was enhanced. This could facilitate their migration to tissues and their presence in milk where they make up a large proportion of the cells and can play an important role in protecting newborns against infection.

[Effects of high-frequency ventilation on the intracranial pressure and cerebral elastance in dogs]. / Efectos de la ventilación a alta frecuencia sobre la presión intracraneal y elastancia cerebral en perros.

We have evaluated the effects of the high frequency "jet" ventilation (HFJV) in 12 healthy dogs, under normal intracranial pressure (ICP) as well as under progressive Intracranial Hypertension (ICH). With a normal ICP, no significant differences were found in the mean ICP regarding the intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). However, during ICH the HFJV not only decreases the global cerebral elastance (CE), P/V curve with smaller slope, but also places the brain in an improved dynamic condition in the sense that, at an equal ICH level, the CE is lower, CE mean ICP relation having a significant difference (p less than 0.001).