Enacting Treaty Rights through Restoring Shoshone Ancestral Foods on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

Despite great loss in gathering and consumption of traditional foods among Indigenous communities, there is great hope for reclaiming and preserving knowledge. The Restoring Shoshone Ancestral Food Gathering (RSAFG) is a community group leading grassroots efforts on the Wind River reservation to reclaim Shoshone ancestral foods and promote food sovereignty. The story of the RSAFG promotes equitable, decolonized, and community empowered methods of reclaiming Indigenous foods by sharing three of RSAFG's acts of decolonization: 1) enacting treaty rights through gathering traditional plants, 2) demanding equitable partnerships in community-based research, and 3) sharing the story through radical authorship via layered narratives. A pesar de la gran pérdida en la recolección y el consumo de alimentos tradicionales entre las comunidades indígenas, existe una gran esperanza para recuperar y preservar el conocimiento. El Restoring Shoshone Ancestral Food Gathering (RSAFG) es un grupo comunitario que lidera los esfuerzos de base en la reserva wind river para recuperar los alimentos ancestrales shoshone y promover la soberanía alimentaria. La historia de la RSAFG promueve métodos equitativos, descolonizados y empoderados por la comunidad para recuperar los alimentos indígenas al compartir tres de los actos de descolonización de RSAFG: 1) promulgar los derechos de los tratados mediante la recolección de plantas tradicionales, 2) exigir asociaciones equitativas en la investigación basada en la comunidad, y 3) compartir la historia a través de la autoría radical a través de narrativas en capas.

Community knowledge, attitude and practices regarding sexually transmitted infections in a rural district of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge, attitude and practices regarding sexually transmitted infections in district Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: A needs assessment study employing a community based survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions was conducted in all seven sub-districts of the district. This paper is based on the results of the key informant interviews and the focus group discussions. Thirty interviews and six group discussions were held with members of the community and with the health care providers. RESULTS: There was little awareness regarding causes and prevention of sexually transmitted infections in the community. The situation was slightly better among health care providers. While health care providers believed that the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections is high, the community did not consider themselves at risk. The community believed that these diseases are a problem among a sub-population of male adolescents, especially those who have homosexual relations. However, due to social norms, they rarely discussed such health problems with other family members or elders. Adolescents with any sexual health problems visit hakims and quacks. The community was aware about aetiology and some of the risk factors associated with AIDS and hepatitis, most probably due to the recent public health campaigns against both diseases. CONCLUSION: Considering the suspected high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and the relative lack of knowledge, it is imperative that a public health intervention be initiated. This must include educating not only the community but also the health workers. The governments' initiative to train community workers in reproductive health is a step in the right direction (JPMA 52:21, 2002).

Hybrid grammar-based approach to nonlinear dynamical system identification from biological time series.

We introduce a grammar-based hybrid approach to reverse engineering nonlinear ordinary differential equation models from observed time series. This hybrid approach combines a genetic algorithm to search the space of model architectures with a Kalman filter to estimate the model parameters. Domain-specific knowledge is used in a context-free grammar to restrict the search space for the functional form of the target model. We find that the hybrid approach outperforms a pure evolutionary algorithm method, and we observe features in the evolution of the dynamical models that correspond with the emergence of favorable model components. We apply the hybrid method to both artificially generated time series and experimentally observed protein levels from subjects who received the smallpox vaccine. From the observed data, we infer a cytokine protein interaction network for an individual's response to the smallpox vaccine.

Health needs of clients as reported by medical practitioners from two districts of Sindh.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the major health and reproductive health problems for which people consult local medical practitioners. METHODOLOGY: Forty-one practitioners completed a self-administered questionnaire. A startified purposive sample of practitioners was selected by asking the community members from various towns and rural areas to identify practitioners who have most busy practices and are perceived as providing quality care. RESULTS: Nine of the forty-one practitioners were females. Twenty-two were consulted mainly by women and another seventeen by an equal number of women and men. Practitioners pointed to malnutrition, malaria, gastrointestinal and respiratory tract problems as being the most common ailments. They identified menstrual problems, malnutrition among pregnant women, burning micturition and vaginal discharge as the most common reproductive health problems of their clients. Only 16 medical practitioners said that they diagnosed someone in the last one-month as suffering from sexually transmitted infections. CONCLUSION: The survey helped in developing an understanding of health issues from provider perspective. Findings indicate a concordance between what has been revealed by previous population based studies in similar situations and to what health problems practitioners pointed as common. While a comprehensive needs-assessment requires surveys and qualitative interviews with communities, consultations with relatively fewer medical practitioners could also provide a quick and fair approximation of priority health problems in the area.

Utility of participatory rural appraisal for health needs assessment and planning.

BACKGROUND: While poverty and lack of life opportunities are root causes of a high burden of disease and infant and maternal mortality, inadequate health care contributes heavily. Often those who are left without care are those who need it most. Existing health services are managed without taking into account acceptance and need perspectives. This further reduces the effectiveness of and equity in health care. In order to guide the planning of reproductive health services by a national NGO, health needs were assessed in a district in Sindh using a combination of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and qualitative and quantitative research methods. PRA is considered as a better framework to assess, analyse and develop programs with communities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of PRA was to initiate community involvement and to understand the needs of health care from a community perspective. METHODOLOGY: PRA was conducted with groups of men and women from three rural areas in a district of Sindh, Pakistan using a life cycle framework. The community members identified various stages of their life with the associated health issues. RESULTS: This research was empowering to community members as it facilitated community involvement. The respondents took charge of the process of identification of health needs at PRA sessions. PRA helped identify health problems considered prevalent and important by the community. More importantly, it helped potential service providers and the community to initiate community involvement in planning. CONCLUSION: PRA is not only an effective tool for assessment and analysis of health issues but also a vehicle to promote community involvement. Additionally, participatory methods contribute to understand the context of quantitative data generated for planning purposes.

Community knowledge, attitude and practices regarding sexually transmitted infections in a rural district of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge, attitude and practices regarding sexually transmitted infections in district Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: A needs assessment study employing a community based survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions was conducted in all seven sub-districts of the district. This paper is based on the results of the key informant interviews and the focus group discussions. Thirty interviews and six group discussions were held with members of the community and with the health care providers. RESULTS: There was little awareness regarding causes and prevention of sexually transmitted infections in the community. The situation was slightly better among health care providers. While health care providers believed that the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections is high, the community did not consider themselves at risk. The community believed that these diseases are a problem among a sub-population of male adolescents, especially those who have homosexual relations. However, due to social norms, they rarely discussed such health problems with other family members or elders. Adolescents with any sexual health problems visit hakims and quacks. The community was aware about aetiology and some of the risk factors associated with AIDS and hepatitis, most probably due to the recent public health campaigns against both diseases. CONCLUSION: Considering the suspected high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and the relative lack of knowledge, it is imperative that a public health intervention be initiated. This must include educating not only the community but also the health workers. The governments' initiative to train community workers in reproductive health is a step in the right direction.

Mechanisms of antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers in ocular allergic inflammation.

Mast cells play a central role in allergic reactions and inflammation. Successful anti-allergic therapies have typically targeted mast cell mediators, particularly histamine. Antihistaminic compounds interact with the various histamine receptors found on many cells, whereas other compounds such as disodium cromoglycate, are referred to as mast cell stabilizers, as they inhibit degranulation. Some of the most successful compounds developed recently are dual-action, in that they have both anti-histaminic and mast cell stabilizing activities. Recent trends in pharmaceutical intervention, however, have been focused on the secondary effects of mast cell mediators on epithelial cell adhesion molecule expression and mediator release in the process of allergic inflammation. Since, the ocular mucosa is highly exposed to environmental allergens it is commonly involved in allergic reactions and, as such, has been a useful and accessible model in which to test new therapies in vivo. These ocular allergen provocation studies permit analysis of ocular surface cells and evaluation of tear film mediators. Furthermore, techniques to purify conjunctival mast cells have facilitated the study of the effects of mast cell stabilizing compounds on other mast cell mediators, such as cytokines, and the direct effects of mast cell mediators on epithelial cells in vitro. This review will discuss current understanding of how anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers work, particularly in the context of molecular mechanisms of ocular allergic inflammation.

Susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli: prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates and extended spectrum beta-lactamase phenotype.

OBJECTIVE: To study Escherichia coli (E. coli) susceptibility, prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates and possible role of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) in E. coli resistance. SETTING: Department of Medicine, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad. METHODS: Three hundred and seventy eight E. coli isolates from different sources were identified during six-month period. Susceptibility to various antibiotics was checked using standard methods. Multidrug-resistant isolates were separated. Isolates resistant to cefpodoxime and aztreonam were considered as ESBL phenotype, indicating ESBL production. RESULTS: Most of isolates were resistant to ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Overall resistance to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and cefpodoxime was 49%, 34%, 36% and 38% respectively. Resistance to fourth generation cephalosporins was lower. Almost all Isolates were sensitive to amikacin, imipenem and tazobactam. Aztreonam resistance was found in 25% isolates. Similar pattern was observed for urinary E. coli isolates; 45% E. coli isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant. Nitrofurantoin showed low-level resistance both to multidrug-resistant as well as urinary isolates. Resistance to both cefpodoxime and aztreonam was found in 25% isolates suggesting ESBL production. CONCLUSION: E. coli resistance in Pakistan is much higher than reported from western literature. Multidrug-resistant isolates, including third generation cephalosporins and quinolones, are very common. ESBL production may contribute to this high level resistance against beta-lactams.

Olopatadine inhibits anti-immunoglobulin E-stimulated conjunctival mast cell upregulation of ICAM-1 expression on conjunctival epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Olopatadine is a clinically effective dual-action (antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer) ophthalmic antiallergic agent. We have previously demonstrated that olopatadine inhibits tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) release from purified human conjunctival mast cells and that supernates from stimulated mast cells upregulate intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression on epithelial cells via TNF-alpha. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of olopatadine on the TNF-alpha-mediated mast cell upregulation of ICAM-1 expression on conjunctival epithelial cells. METHODS: Human conjunctival mast cells and epithelial cells were purified (>95%) from cadaveric tissue. Conjunctival mast cells were preincubated with three doses (30, 300, or 3,000 microM) of olopatadine or buffer alone for 30 minutes followed by 90-minute challenge with anti-immunoglobulin E (10 microg/mL). The resulting supernates were incubated with conjunctival epithelial cell monolayers for 24 hours along with the following treatments: rTNF-alpha, mast cell supernate + anti-TNF-alpha, recombinant (r)TNF-alpha + anti-TNF-alpha, the three doses of olopatadine, olopatadine supernates, olopatadine supernates + rTNF-alpha. ICAM-1 expression was measured using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Anti-IgE-stimulated human conjunctival mast cell supernates upregulated human conjunctival epithelial cell ICAM-1 expression to the same extent as rTNF-alpha. ICAM-1 upregulation could be completely blocked with anti-TNF-alpha. Preincubation of conjunctival mast cells with olopatadine significantly blocked the ability of supernates to upregulate ICAM-1 on conjunctival epithelial cells. ICAM-1 expression could be restored by adding rTNF-alpha to the olopatadine-preincubated mast cell supernates. CONCLUSIONS: Olopatadine is able to significantly decrease the anti-immunoglobulin E mast cell supernate-mediated upregulation of ICAM-1 on human conjunctival epithelial cells in vitro. This seems to be mediated through an effect on a TNF-alpha-specific mechanism.

Influence of close-up dry period protein supplementation on productive and reproductive performance of Holstein cows in their subsequent lactation.

Holstein cows on a commercial dairy were assigned to close-up dry groups and offered an 11.7% crude protein (CP) ration based on corn silage, alfalfa cubes, oat hay, corn, and barley grain without (Control; C) or with (Supplemented; S) 0.8 kg/d per cow of a high CP supplement of SoyPass, distillers dried grains, ring dried blood meal, feather meal, and corn gluten meal. Heifers (C: 37, S: 44) and mature cows (C: 96, S: 81) were allocated to one of four groups based upon their time in the close-up groups (i.e., 1 to 4, 5 to 8, 9 to 12, and 13 to 19 d) within parity (i.e., heifers or mature) for statistical analysis. Full lactation means of all response parameters for cows confirmed to be pregnant that completed a lactation (i.e., lactating at 305 d in milk or dried off before 305 d in milk but not culled; C: 28, S: 23 for heifers and C: 48, S: 43 for mature cows) were analyzed by ANOVA. Lactation curves were evaluated by parallel curve analysis to assess differences in lactation curve shape, and curve separation, due to treatments. Protein supplementation had no impact on full-lactation milk or milk component yields of heifers, determined by ANOVA, although parallel curve analysis showed higher milk and milk protein yield with protein supplementation. As the number of days cows spent consuming their assigned close-up dry rations increased, heifers produced more milk, milk fat and milk protein, although the maximum yield for milk and milk protein occurred for those fed close-up rations for 9 to 12 d. For mature cows, neither time close up or close-up period protein supplementation influenced any mean response parameter, by ANOVA, although parallel curve analysis showed higher milk and protein yield for supplemented cows as time close up increased. Overall, results suggest the optimum close-up period length was 9 to 12 d, with a protein content intermediate between 11.7 and 14.4% of DM, for heifers. In contrast, results do not support any substantive benefit of a close up period, or protein contents above 11.7%, for mature cows.

Conjunctival mast cells in ocular allergic disease.

Allergic eye disease is a common clinical problem adversely affecting the quality of life for millions of sufferers. This ocular process is associated with IgE-mediated conjunctival inflammation leading to signs of immediate hypersensitivity including redness, itching, and tearing. Pathologic studies have shown that the conjunctiva contains mast cells that when sensitized with IgE antibody and exposed to environmental allergens can release mediators of allergic inflammation. The type, release kinetics, and concentration of these mediators in the conjunctiva have not been completely characterized. The ability to isolate and purify mast cells and epithelial cells from human conjunctival tissue has permitted the study of mediator release and cell-to-cell signaling in this tissue. Our laboratory has developed in vitro and in vivo models to better understand how inflammatory cells are recruited to and infiltrate conjunctival tissues. These models demonstrate that mast cell activation may supply sufficient cytokine signaling to initiate and direct the well-orchestrated trafficking of eosinophils to the ocular surface, facilitate their adhesion, and cause release of potent mediators of ocular inflammation.

Simultaneous measurement of six cytokines in a single sample of human tears using microparticle-based flow cytometry: allergics vs. non-allergics.

Tears play an essential role in maintaining corneal and conjunctival integrity by providing a tightly regulated, optimal extracellular environment critical to its numerous functions, which include anti-microbial defense, wound healing and inflammatory responses such as allergies. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines have been reported in tears from various ocular disease states. Characterization of tear cytokines has been limited by the small volume (microliter amounts) attainable. This limitation was addressed with the newly developed Becton Dickinson Cytometric Bead Array (CBA), which combines the principles of the "sandwich" immunoassay with the capability of flow cytometry for simultaneous measurement of the characteristics of multiple particles. This technique allows determination of six human cytokine (IFNgamma, TNFalpha, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) concentrations simultaneously in a single tear sample. Tears were collected from the inferior fornix of non-allergic (n=7) and allergic (n=9) donors. Each tear sample or cytokine standard was incubated with a mixture of capture Ab-bead reagent and detector Ab-phycoerythrin (PE) reagent, and analyzed using flow cytometry. All six cytokines were detectable in both non-allergic and allergic tears. Tears from allergic donors contained significantly less IL-10 (p=0.035), and had significant increases in the ratios of TNFalpha/IFNgamma, IL-5/IFNgamma and IL-5/IL-10 (p=0.0008, 0.0124 and 0.011, respectively). The small volume required (5-10 microl/test) by the Cytometric Bead Array allows measurement of all six cytokines from a single collection of tears. This decreases collection time, minimizing the confounding effect of stimulation on cytokine concentration in tears, as well as allowing calculation of cytokine ratios.

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder initially seen as iris mass and uveitis.

Primary ocular posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder is rare. Epstein-Barr virus is implicated as the cause as a result of systemic immunosuppression after transplant surgery. We studied a patient who developed ocular posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder after orthotopic liver transplantation. Slitlamp and light microscopic photographs confirmed the diagnosis.

Olopatadine inhibits TNFalpha release from human conjunctival mast cells.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) release likely plays a crucial role in allergic ocular inflammation via increasing ICAM-1 on epithelial cells and triggering other proinflammatory events. The immediate and prolonged release of TNFalpha from human conjunctival mast cells in response to allergen challenge is potentially an important target for therapeutic intervention, yet the effect of ocular anti-allergic agents on this process has not been examined. Olopatadine (Patanol) is a clinically effective dual-action ophthalmic anti-allergic agent that has been shown to inhibit mast cell histamine, tryptase, and PGD2 release in vitro and promote decreased H1 receptor binding activity in vitro and functional H1 receptor antagonism in vivo. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of olopatadine on TNFalpha release from anti-IgE antibody challenged purified human conjunctival mast cells. METHODS: Human conjunctival mast cells were purified (>95%) from cadaveric tissues using a procedure combining enzymatic digestion and Percoll gradient centrifugation. These cells were incubated with olopatadine for 30 minutes then challenged with anti-IgE antibody for 90 minutes. Supernatants were analyzed for TNFalpha. RESULTS: Purified human conjunctival mast cells responded to anti-IgE antibody challenge with TNFalpha release in a concentration dependent manner (optimum concentration was 10 microg/mL). Olopatadine pre-incubation resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in anti-IgE antibody mediated TNFalpha release (IC50 = 13.1 microM). At a concentration of 3 mM olopatadine reduced TNFalpha release to the level of unchallenged controls. CONCLUSION: Olopatadine inhibited anti-IgE antibody-mediated release of TNFalpha from human conjunctival mast cells. This effect could contribute to the long duration of anti-allergic activity reported for the drug.

Human conjunctival mast cells: expression of Fc epsilonRI, c-kit, ICAM-1, and IgE.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the expression and regulation of conjunctival mast cell surface receptors important in allergic inflammation. METHODS: Mast cells were isolated from human conjunctival tissues of cadavers. Mast cell surface markers were identified using flow cytometry with antibodies to IgE, Fc epsilonRI, c-kit, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). We evaluated the effect of 24-hour tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin 4 (IL-4) incubation on the expression of mast cell c-kit, ICAM-1, and surface-bound IgE. RESULTS: Staining of mast cells (c-kit and/or tryptase positive) yielded positive results for all of the variables measured. The intensity of mast cell c-kit staining increased with TNF-alpha incubation, but decreased below that of unstimulated mast cells when incubated with IL-4. Anti-ICAM-1 and anti-IgE staining were increased over that of unstimulated cells when incubated with TNF-alpha or IL-4. CONCLUSIONS: In this model, TNF-alpha up-regulates mast cell surface receptors and cell-bound IgE. Interleukin 4 up-regulates mast cell ICAM-1 and cell-bound IgE, but down-regulates c-kit. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Conjunctival mast cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of atopic ocular disease. Characterization of the expression and regulation of mast cell surface receptors is important to the development of potential novel treatments for ocular inflammation.

Influence of nonenzymatically browned soybeans on ruminal fermentation and lactational performance of dairy cows.

Four ruminally fistulated Holstein cows were assigned to one of four total mixed rations (TMR) in a 4 x 4 Latin square with 3-wk periods to investigate the effects of added lipid from nonenzymatically browned soybeans or soybean oil on ruminal metabolism and milk fatty acids. All rations contained 50% forage and 1) 4% added lipid from soybean oil, 2) 4 or 6% added lipid from nonenzymatically browned soybeans, or 3) no added lipid (control). The TMR that contained nonenzymatically browned soybeans increased milk C18:2 by 35% compared with the TMR that contained soybean oil. A lactation trial was conducted in which 60 Holstein cows were assigned to one of five TMR from wk 3 to 18 of lactation. The TMR contained 1) 4.5% added lipid from soybean oil, 2) 1.5% added lipid from nonenzymatically browned soybeans and 3% from soybean oil, 3) 3% added lipid from nonenzymatically browned soybeans and 1.5% from soybean oil, 4) 4.5% added lipid from nonenzymatically browned soybeans, and 5) 4.5% added lipid from Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Dry matter intake was reduced by 11% for cows fed the TMR containing soybean oil only compared with that for cows fed the other TMR. Milk C18:2 and C18:3 were increased as the inclusion of nonenzymatically browned soybeans in the TMR increased. All percentages of the nonenzymatically browned soybeans fed to cows resulted in fat-corrected milk yields that were similar to those of cows fed the TMR that contained Ca salts of fatty acids.

Isolation of human conjunctival mast cells and epithelial cells: tumor necrosis factor-alpha from mast cells affects intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression on epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: To isolate and purify mast cells and epithelial cells from human cadaveric donor conjunctival tissue and to characterize interactions between these cell types in vitro. METHODS: Monodispersed cell suspensions obtained by enzymatic digestion of conjunctival tissue were applied to a single-density Percoll gradient. Epithelial cells obtained from the top layer of the gradient were cultured to confluence. Mast cells obtained from the pellet were equilibrated in culture medium and further purified using a two-step Percoll gradient. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), RNA from the purified mast cell preparation was probed for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) message. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of intracellular immunostained mast cells was used to detect the TNF alpha protein. An examination for intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on epithelial cells was performed after 24-hour incubations with either recombinant TNF alpha supernatants from calcium ionophore A23187 (CaI)-stimulated mast cells or appropriate controls using FACS analysis. RESULTS: Highly purified human conjunctival mast cells and epithelial cells (each > 95%) were obtained from human cadaveric donor tissue. RT-PCR analysis of purified mast cell RNA revealed the expression of TNF alpha mRNA. An evaluation of mast cells for intracellular protein demonstrated positive staining for tryptase and TNF alpha. ICAM-1 was found on purified epithelial cells, and incubation of epithelial cell monolayers with supernatants from Cal-stimulated mast cells resulted in upregulation of this receptor. This upregulation was blocked by incubation with TNF alpha-neutralizing antibody. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides the methods for isolating and purifying mast cells and epithelial cells from human donor tissue and the opportunity for studying mechanisms of conjunctival inflammation by evaluating the interactions between these cells.

Secretory response of mast cells contained in monodispersed human choroidal preparations.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells have been identified in the choroid of numerous species including man. However, functional studies involving these human mast cells have not been reported. In the current studies, the secretory response of human choroidal mast cells to various stimuli was examined using monodispersed choroidal cell preparations. METHODS: Monodispersed cell suspensions of human choroid were prepared from eye bank globes and the number, histamine content, and secretory response of mast cells in these preparations were determined. Choroids from 27 donors were used for these experiments. RESULTS: Cell suspensions contained an average of 15% mast cells. Mast cells stained positively with toluidine blue and exhibited the classical granular appearance upon electron microscopy. The amount of histamine contained in each mast cell was calculated to be 2.74+/-0.17 pg. Significant histamine release was observed following treatment with anti-human IgE, calcium ionophore A23187, concanavalin A, compound 48/80 and morphine. CONCLUSION: A method has been developed for obtaining monodispersed human choroidal mast cell preparations. The cells were functional as evidenced by their ability to release histamine upon immunological and nonimmunological stimulation. The degranulation noted following compound 48/80 and morphine challenge suggests that these human choroidal mast cells are analogous to connective tissue or chymase/tryptase-positive mast cells.