Background: Two-dimensional intraoral radiography is the most common tool for recognizing root fractures. Improving the quality of images by means of enhancement tools can increase the recognition power of them. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of digital image enhancement on vertical and horizontal root fractures (HRFs) diagnostic accuracy.

Materials and methods: In this in vitro study, 100 human extracted teeth, involving 50 mandibular premolars and 50 maxillary incisors, were investigated. In total, 25 premolar teeth were vertically fractured and other 25 sound teeth served as testing group. According to the verified methods, 25 incisor teeth were fractured and other 25 teeth of this group served as testing ones. Following, by using the charge-coupled device sensor, preapical digital images were recorded. The original images were altered using reverse-contrast and colorization enhancement tools. Two different observers independently investigated all of the images. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) and sensitivity and specificity of all images. Data analyzde using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Two-ways variance analysis was used to assess differences in the values (P = 0.05 ).

Results: AUC and sensitivity and specificity related to the original, reverse-contrast, and colorized images were calculated (0.84, 0.64, 0.99), (0.84, 0.64, 0.96), and (0.82, 0.64, 0.92) respectively, for vertically root fractured images. AUC and sensitivity and specificity related to the original, reverse-contrast, and colorized images were calculated (0.49, 0.44, 0.56), (0.50, 0.44, 0.60), and (0.48, 0.48, 0.48), respectively, for horizontally root-fractured images.

Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that reverse-contrast and colorized enhancement filters cannot be used as critical methods in detecting in vitro vertical and HRF.

Keywords: Digital radiography; endodontics; root fracture.

Actual motor competence (MC), perceived motor competence (PMC), and health-related fitness (HRF) exhibit a dynamic and reciprocal relationship in child populations, but little is known about the nature of these relationships in young adulthood. The purpose of the study was to assess these relationships in a sample of college-aged males. A total of 55 participants enrolled in an undergraduate Kinesiology course completed the study. Perceived motor competence (PMC) was assessed with the Physical Self-Perception Profile questionnaire; MC was assessed using maximum throw and kick speed and maximum jump distance; HRF was assessed with a two-minute push-up test, two-minute sit-up test, and the Multistage 20-m Shuttle Run Test. Pearson's bivariate correlations were calculated to assess relationships among PMC total score, MC scores, and HRF scores. Two separate indices were calculated to create composite total MC and total HRF scores used for subsequent analyses. Significant correlations were found between PMC total score, MC index, and HRF index. Multiple linear regressions were used for analyzing predictive measures for HRF and PMC scores. From the two regression models, significance varied among total MC scores, PMC scores, and HRF individual measures. These findings may suggest that relationships among MC, HRF, and PMC strengthen over developmental time in young adult males.

Keywords: college students; fitness; motor skills; perceived competence; physical activity; skill proficiency.

Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) represents a common skin disorder often characterized by mast cell activation and secretion of histamine and other proinflammatory factors. E-selectin (SELE) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of common inflammatory cutaneous disorders, while the role of SELE in CIU is yet to be fully understood. Thus, we aimed to investigate the mechanism by which SELE influences CIU in connection with the involvement of mast cells.

Methods: SELE expression was measured in blood samples obtained from CIU patients and normal individuals. A CIU mouse model was subsequently established by intradermally injecting a normal saline solution with ovalbumin IgE antiserum into the mice. Loss- and gain-of-function investigations were conducted on the mouse models. The number of degranulated mast cells and the amount of histamine release in vitro were determined. The levels of SELE, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, homologous restriction factor (HRF), and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were determined.

Results: The CIU clinical samples exhibited upregulated SELE, while the CIU mice showed increased mast cell degranulation and an increased rate of histamine directional release, as well as an elevated expression of SELE, TNF-α, HRF, and IL-6. SELE silencing was found to decrease the number of degranulated mast cells and reduce the rate of histamine directional release, along with suppressed TNF-α, HRF, and IL-6 expression, in the serum of CIU mice. Ketotifen was observed to rescue the increased expression of TNF-α, HRF, and IL-6 caused by SELE overexpression.

Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of SELE downregulation to repress inflammatory factor secretion caused by the accumulation of mast cells, which ultimately inhibits the development of CIU.

Keywords: Chronic idiopathic urticaria; E-selectin; Histamine; Homologous restriction factor; Interleukin-6; Mast cells; Tumor necrosis factor-α.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate retinal capillary blood flow in patients with exudative AMD.

METHODS

Twenty patients with exudative AMD and twenty four patients age-matched control subjects, were included into the study. Retinal capillary blood flow was evaluated with Heidelberg Retinal Flowmeter (HRF), measurements were taken in two macular regions. The total mean flow and mean velocity were calculated usingthe technique of automatic full field perfusion image analysis (AFFPIA). The U Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with exudative AMD revealed slightly lower retinal blood flow than control subjects in area I and in area II. In the AMD group total mean flow values were: 295.75 AU/ 303.85 AU, while in the control group were: 302.37 AU/ 304.42 AU. The mean velocity values were: 1.48 AU/ 1.42 AU in AMD patients and: 1.49 AU/ 1.52 AU in control group. The differences did not reach the statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

The study results showed no changes in retinal capillary blood flow in patients with exudative AMD comparing to normal subjects.

Background: Hypotension and hypoxemic respiratory failure are common among neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) undergoing therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is associated with adverse neurodevelopment. Individualized management utilizing targeted neonatal echocardiography (TnECHO) may enhance care.

Methods: We evaluated the influence of TnECHO programs on cardiovascular practices in HIE/TH patients utilizing a 77-item REDCap survey. Nominated representatives of TnECHO (n = 19) or non-TnECHO (n = 96) sites were approached.

Results: Seventy-one (62%) sites responded. Baseline neonatal intensive care unit characteristics and HIE volume were comparable between groups. Most centers monitor invasive blood pressure; however, we identified 17 unique definitions of hypotension. TnECHO centers were likelier to trend systolic/diastolic blood pressure and request earlier echocardiography. TnECHO responders were less likely to use fluid boluses; TnECHO responders more commonly chose an inotrope first-line, while non-TnECHO centers used a vasopressor. For HRF, TnECHO centers chose vasopressors with a favorable pulmonary vascular profile. Non-TnECHO centers used more dopamine and more extracorporeal membrane oxygen for patients with HRF.

Conclusions: Cardiovascular practices in neonates with HIE differ between centers with and without TnECHO. Consensus regarding the definition of hypotension is lacking and dopamine use is common. The merits of these practices among these patients, who frequently have comorbid pulmonary hypertension and RV dysfunction, need prospective evaluation.

Impact: Cardiovascular care following HIE while undergoing therapeutic hypothermia varies between centers with access to trained hemodynamics specialists and those without.Because cardiovascular dysfunction is associated with brain injury, precision medicine-based care may be an avenue to improving outcomes.Therapeutic hypothermia has introduced new physiological considerations and enhanced survival. It is essential that hemodynamic strategies evolve to keep pace; however, little literature exists.Lack of consensus regarding fundamental definitions (e.g., hypotension) highlights the importance of collaboration among the scientific community to advance the field.The value of enhanced cardiovascular care guided by hemodynamic specialists requires prospective evaluation.

A linear time-invariant model based on statistical time series analysis in the Fourier domain for single subjects is further developed and applied to functional MRI (fMRI) blood-oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) multivariate data. This methodology was originally developed to analyze multiple stimulus input evoked response BOLD data. However, to analyze clinical data generated using a repeated measures experimental design, the model has been extended to handle multivariate time series data and demonstrated on control and alcoholic subjects taken from data previously analyzed in the temporal domain. Analysis of BOLD data is typically carried out in the time domain where the data has a high temporal correlation. These analyses generally employ parametric models of the hemodynamic response function (HRF) where prewhitening of the data is attempted using autoregressive (AR) models for the noise. However, this data can be analyzed in the Fourier domain. Here, assumptions made on the noise structure are less restrictive, and hypothesis tests can be constructed based on voxel-specific nonparametric estimates of the hemodynamic transfer function (HRF in the Fourier domain). This is especially important for experimental designs involving multiple states (either stimulus or drug induced) that may alter the form of the response function.

After a review of the attempt to relate headache risk factors to the Periodic Syndrome, preliminary data from a clinical epidemiological survey of 980 children (449 M and 531 F aged 4-14 with Idiopathic Headache are reported. The importance of HRFs as predictors of headache is emphasised as is the need to start prophylaxis before headache attacks begin.

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of nilotinib combined with multi-agent chemotherapy in newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Thirty patients with Ph+ ALL were recruited. Standard induction chemotherapy was given for 4 weeks. Nilotinib was administered beginning on day 15 of induction. After achieving hematologic complete remission (HCR), patients received either seven courses of consolidation or hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Nilotinib was continued 2 years after achieving HCR or before stem cell transplantation conditioning. HCR and molecular complete response (MCR), overall survival (OS), hematologic relapse-free survival (HRFS), molecular relapse-free survival (MRFS), toxicity, and nilotinib levels in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid were evaluated. All patients achieved HCR, and cumulative MCR rate was 83.3%. The median HRFS and OS were 18 and 47.5 months, respectively. Four-year HRFS and OS rates were 54% and 45%, respectively. The median MRFS and 4-year MRFS for the patients with MCR were 19 months and 45%, respectively. The molecular response of patients after induction cycle had no impact on HRFS, MRFS, or OS. The patients who achieved MCR after 3 and 6 months had superior HRFS. The HCT cohort in the first HCR had significantly lower rates of relapse and longer MRFS, HRFS, and OS. Most adverse events were reversible with dose reduction or transient interruption of nilotinib therapy. Only traces of nilotinib were detected in cerebrospinal fluid. Nilotinib combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy was effective and translated to a high HCR and MCR for patients with Ph+ ALL. It should be noted that nilotinib cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.

Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (MNC) synthesize several histamine-releasing factors (HRF) spontaneously and when stimulated. Some of the characterized cytokines have histamine-releasing activity, especially connective tissue activating peptide III, neutrophil-activating peptide 2 and interleukin-3 (IL-3). At least two species of HRF remain to be characterized. MNC also secrete a histamine release-inhibitory factor (HRIF), which is a highly specific inhibitor, because it antagonizes only HRF. IL-8 resembles the low-molecular-weight species of HRIF in terms of size and specificity.

The influence of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection on the capability of HRF (Histamine Releasing Factor) generation by rat lymphoid cells in vitro has been studied. Spleen cells and thymocytes of normal and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected rats were cultured in the presence of nonspecific mitogen (PHA) or specific N. brasiliensis antigen (NbAg), and cell-free supernatants fractionated by Sephadex G-75 chromatography were tested on homologous mast cells for histamine releasing activity. The results show that PHA-stimulated lymphoid cells from both normal and infected rats produced a factor releasing histamine from mast cells. Histamine releasing activity was not detected when lymphoid cells of N. brasiliensis-infected rats were cultured in the presence of NbAg. Moreover, supernatants of these cultures diminished HRF-induced histamine release from mast cells, suggesting the production of factor(s) inhibiting this release. This histamine release inhibiting activity was detected in fractions in Sephadex G-75 chromatography of supernatants from the cultures of NbAg-stimulated thymocytes of infected rats.

Research in the miniaturization of planar chromatography led to various approaches in manufacturing ultrathin-layer chromatography (UTLC) layers of reduced thickness (<50 µm) along with smaller instrumentation, as targeted in Office Chromatography. This novel concept merges 3D print & media technologies with miniaturized planar chromatography to realize an all-in-one instrument, in which all steps of UTLC are automated and integrated in the same tiny device. In this context, the development of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber phases was investigated as well as its performance. A nanofibrous stationary phase with fiber diameters of 150-225 nm and a thickness of ca. 25 µm was manufactured. Mixtures of water-soluble food dyes were printed on it using a modified office printer, and successfully separated to illustrate the capabilities of such UTLC media. The separation took 8 min for 30 mm and was faster (up to a factor of 2) than on particulate layers. The mean hRF values ranging from 25 to 90 for the five food dyes were well spread over the migration distance, with an overall reproducibility of 7% (mean %RSD over 5 different plates for 5 dyes). The individual mean plate numbers over 5 plates ranged between 8286 and 22,885 (mean of 11,722 over all 5 dyes). The single mean resolutions RS were between 1.7 and 6.5 (for the 5 food dyes over 5 plates), with highly satisfying reproducibilities (0.3 as mean deviation of RS). Using videodensitometry, different amounts separated in parallel led to reliable linear calibrations for each dye (sdv of 3.1-9.1% for peak heights and 2.4-9.3% for peak areas). Coupling to mass spectrometry via an elution head-based interface was successfully demonstrated for such ultrathin layers, showing several advantages such as a reduced cleaning process and a minimum zone distance. All these results underline the potential of electrospun nanofibrous phases to succeed as affordable stationary phase for quantitative UTLC.

The use of Multivariate Granger Causality (MVGC) in estimating directed Blood-Oxygen-Level- Dependant (BOLD) connectivity is still controversial. This is mostly due to the short data Ienghts typically available in func- tional MRI (fMRI) acquisitions, to the very nature of the BOLD acquisition strategy (which yields extremely low signal- to-noise-ratio) and importantly to the fact that neuronal activi- ty is convolved with a slow-varying haemodynamic response function (HRF) which therefore generates a temporal confound which is arduous to account for when basing MVGC estimates on vector autoregressive models (VAR). In this paper, we em- ploy realistic complex network models based on Izhikevich neuronal populations, interlinked by realistic neuronal fiber bundles which exert compounded directed influences and cas- cade into Baloon-model-like neurovascular coupling, to explore and validate the MVGC approach to directed connectivity es- timation in realistic fMRI conditions and in a complex directed network setting. In particular, we show in silico that the top 1 percentile of a BOLD connectivity matrix estimated with MVGC from BOLD data similar to the one provided by the Human Connectome Project (HCP) has a Positive Predictive Value very close to 1, hence corroborating the evidence that the "strongest" connections can be safely studied with this method in fMRI.

A brief review of the literature on the effectiveness of health-related fitness (HRF) tests in the promotion of exercise is presented. The paper then describes one particular community project which used HRF tests as part of exercise promotion. The purpose of such a project was to give people some indication of their present cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular strength, and flexibility with a view to highlighting the components of HRF and areas of concern for future action. Other measures, such as self-reported activity patterns, smoking, alcohol, and diet were also taken. During the six months of the Festival in 1986, over 250,000 people visited the Health Fair (HF), and 15,000 volunteered to take the fitness tests; 13,373 were actually completed. As part of the evaluation of the HRF tests at the HF, a sample of 3,000 (500 per month) was used. A follow-up survey on 350 was mailed 12 months after the end of the Festival and 173 people replied. The follow-up survey showed that just under 50 per cent of males followed their 8-week exercise programme (given to them after their HRF tests) for the recommended time period. However, this figure dropped to 21.4 per cent for females. Of those who started exercise after their HRF tests, 12.5 per cent (females) and 18.4 per cent (males) gave up within two months, otherwise most were still involved (87.5 per cent females, 71.4 per cent males) after 12 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This study investigated the efficiency and safety of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFR) combined with paclitaxel chemotherapy for the treatment of postsurgery tracheoesophageal groove lymph node (TGLN) metastasis in patients with esophageal cancer (EC). Fifty-three EC patients with TGLN metastasis after surgery admitted to the Yancheng Third People's Hospital from January 2013 to June 2015 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into the HFR group (n = 25) and conventional fractioned radiotherapy (CFR) group (n = 28) based on the random grouping method. Patients in the HFR group received treatment with radiation of 60 Gy (5 fractions per week, total 20 fractions) combined with paclitaxel chemotherapy at a dose of 50 mg once per week for 4 weeks. Patients in the CFR group received radiation of 60 Gy (5 fractions per week, total 30 fractions) combined with paclitaxel chemotherapy at a dose of 50 mg once per week for 6 weeks. The adverse events and treatment outcomes in these two groups were analyzed. It was found that there was no significant difference in the incidence of radiation esophagitis in the HFR group compared with that of the CFR group (grades 3-4, 44.0 vs. 25.0%; P = 0.149). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of radiation pneumonitis between these two groups (grades 3-4, 16.0 vs. 7.1%; P = 0.314). No statistical difference was noticed in complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and no response (NR) between these two groups. The median overall survival (OS) in the HRF group was significantly longer compared with that of the CRF group (24.2 months (95% CI, 16.2-32.1 months) vs. 11.8 months (95% CI, 9.2-14.4 months); P = 0.024). Our results indicated that the combination of HFR and chemotherapy improved the prognosis of EC patients with TGLN metastasis with no increased adverse events.

Keywords: chemotherapy; conventional fractioned radiotherapy; esophageal cancer; hypofractionated radiotherapy; prognosis; tracheoesophageal groove lymph node metastasis.

Sumatriptan (CAS 103628-46-2, 3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N-methyl-1H-indole-5-methanesulphonamide++ +), a substance for treatment of acute migraine attacks, and its main metabolite are investigated by thinlayer chromatography (TLC), ultraviolet spectroscopy, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The resulting analytical data (correlated hRf-values, UV solvent spectra, remission spectra, GC retention indices, and electron impact (EI) mass spectra) including an extraction procedure and different derivatization methods are presented. Their applicability is described for urine analysis.

Objectives: This study quantified the burden of hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF)/persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN) in preterm and term/near-term infants (T/NTs) by examining health care resource utilization (HRU) and charges in the United States.

Methods: Preterms and T/NTs (≤34 and >34 weeks of gestation, respectively) having HRF/PPHN, with/without meconium aspiration in inpatient setting from January 1, 2011-October 31, 2015 were identified from the Vizient database (first hospitalization=index hospitalization). Comorbidities, treatments, HRU, and charges during index hospitalization were evaluated among preterms and T/NTs with HRF/PPHN. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate mortality-related factors.

Results: This retrospective study included 504 preterms and 414 T/NTs with HRF/PPHN. Preterms were more likely to have respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal jaundice, and anemia of prematurity than T/NTs. Preterms had significantly longer inpatient stays (54.1 vs 29.0 days), time in a neonatal intensive care unit (34.1 vs 17.5 days), time on ventilation (4.7 vs 2.2 days), and higher total hospitalization charges ($613 350 vs $422 558) (all P<0.001). Similar rates were observed for use of antibiotics (96.2% vs 95.4%), sildenafil (9.5% vs 8.2%), or inhaled nitric oxide (93.8% vs 94.2%). Preterms had a significantly higher likelihood of mortality than T/NTs (odds ratio: 3.6, 95% confidence interval: 2.3-5.0).

Conclusions: The findings of more severe comorbidities, higher HRU, hospitalization charges, and mortality in preterms than in T/NTs underscore the significant clinical and economic burden of HRF/PPHN among infants. The results show significant unmet medical need; further research is warranted to determine new treatments and real-world evidence for improved patient outcomes.

Keywords: health care costs; hypertension; infant; meconium aspiration syndrome; newborn; nitric oxide; pulmonary.

A computerized pharmacy service is ideal for long-term care and a fairly stable resident census at the 812-bed Jewish Home and Hospital for Aged (JHHA). The skilled nursing facility (SNF) now uses pharmacy-generated medication administration records (MARs), drug stop-order lists, and formulary listings. The health-related facility (HRF) self-medicated residents receive individual counseling during pharmacy computer-mediated medication refill appointments. Improvements in clinical services have involved antibiotic and drug use review through selected drug category, computerized drug profiles, and drug regimen review. Administrative and financial benefits have been realized through cost reports and budget reduction, and streamlined internal pharmacy operations. Although most software packages are designed for retail use, pharmacy personnel at JHHA have successfully implemented and tailor designed the AIMS system to the needs of long-term care pharmacy.

An investigation of the effects of apodization on a holographic demultiplexer that is based on a photopolymer grating is presented. Uniform and Gaussian apodized gratings are fabricated in a DuPont HRF-150-38 photopolymer. From the theoretical and experimental results, the spectral response of the apodized grating has a larger main lobe but lower sidelobes than those in the uniform-grating case. A 42-channel demultiplexer that is based on the Gaussian apodized grating with an 0.4-nm channel spacing is demonstrated. A cross-talk level of -30 dB and an interchannel uniformity of 1.5 dB are archived in the wavelength range of approximately 1550 nm.

The production of histamine releasing factor (HRF) by mononuclear cells (MNC) from intrinsic asthmatic patients has previously been reported. In this study, we investigated the effect of preincubation of lymphocytes with autogenic killed bacteria upon the production of HRF. Bacteria were isolated from the sputum, and nasopharyngeal swab obtained from patients and control subjects. MNC from intrinsic asthmatics and healthy controls were preincubated with killed bacteria for 4 h, then washed and cultured for 18 h. HRF activity of the cell-free supernatants was assayed in the histamine release test using basophils from normal subjects. We found that MNC from the patients spontaneously produce significant amounts of HRF. Preincubation of the cells with autogenic bacterial antigens enhanced HRF production in 12 of 25 patients and only in one of 15 control subjects. No specific bacterial strain was identified as having the sole stimulatory property for HRF production; rather, individual susceptibility predisposes to the ability to produce HRF in response to some common bacteria. When MNC from healthy subjects were preincubated with bacterial antigens isolated from the patients, no enhancement in HRF production was observed. We concluded that MNC from some intrinsic asthmatics are specifically sensitized to certain bacterial antigens and release HRF upon contact with these antigens.

The supernatant of mitogen- or antigen-stimulated mononuclear cell cultures is known to contain a large number of biologically active molecules. In the present study, we have stimulated human mononuclear cells and rat spleen cells with Con A or antigen (PPD) respectively to produce lymphokines, such as histamine releasing factor (HRF), which is capable of causing histamine release from rat mast cells and human basophils. Histamine was measured fluorimetrically by Shore et al. This assay is sensitive and reproducible: replicates varied by less than 15% in triplicate samples.

We have recently described a specific antagonist of histamine-releasing factors that inhibits histamine release from basophils and mast cells. This histamine release inhibitory factor (HRIF) is produced by PBMC upon stimulation with histamine as well as mitogens such as Con A. The objective of this study was to investigate the cellular origin of HRIF produced by PBMC. Monocytes, T cells, and B cells were isolated to 96 to 99% purity by a combination of plastic adherence, E rosetting, and negative selection with mAb (OKM1, OKT11, OKB7, OKT4, and OKT8) and C. Purified subpopulations were cultured with histamine or Con A and then the processed supernatants were assayed for the inhibition of HRF-induced histamine release from basophils. The results of this study suggest that the highest amount of HRIF is synthesized by B cells followed by T cells and monocytes. The B cell origin of HRIF was confirmed by abolishing the activity after incubation of the cells with OKB7 mAb and C. Both CD4- and CD8- T cells are capable of producing HRIF. In mixing experiments, the synthesis of HRIF by two different subpopulations has been less than additive. T + B cells produced most of the HRIF activity. Monocytes tended to suppress the synthesis of HRIF by B cells. The synthesis of HRIF by so many cell types suggests that a fine balance between HRIF and HRF may regulate the mediator release from basophils and mast cells.

BACKGROUND

Histamine releasing factors (HRF) are members of the beta chemokine family of cytokines and have been characterized using recombinant proteins. Mononuclear cell and/or platelet supernatants have been shown to contain HRF and the initial void peak obtained using Mono Q anion exchange chromatography possesses such activity, as do two later peaks eluted from the column.

OBJECTIVE

We wished to further characterize the activity present in the void peak and determine which of the chemokines present are responsible for the activity measured.

METHODS

We fractionated the void peak obtained from Mono Q chromatography on Mono S. The elution profile of individual chemokines was determined and the fractions were assayed for histamine releasing capability. We used monospecific antisera to inhibit the activity and quantitate the contribution of each protein.

RESULTS

The fractions contained MCP-1/MCAF, CTAPIII/NAP-2, IL8, and a small quantity of RANTES. About 90-95% of the total histamine containing capability was attributable to MCP-1/MCAF. There was a small contribution by CTAPIII/NAP-2, and RANTES, and no activity associated with IL8.

CONCLUSIONS

MCP-1/MCAF is the critical HRF present in the initial void peak obtained by anion exchange chromatography of supernatants derived from human mononuclear cells and platelets. The alpha chemokine CTAPIII/NAP-2 has relatively weak activity and IL8 has none although they are prominent in this fraction and overlap with MCP-1/MCAF. RANTES makes a minor contribution but most of it is eluted in a later peak.