Abstract: High-throughput co-culture models, for example, relevant to the cell barrier interface, are disclosed that employ under-side cell seeding in a miniaturized and automated system and process. The seeding method, which can be implemented in a scalable and low-cost manner, can eliminate the need for an inversion process by adjusting/optimizing the density of the cell suspension medium to float cells of interest so they can attach under a membrane.

Abstract: Methods for detecting nonactivated basophils in a whole blood sample obtained from a normal healthy subject, methods for determining a subject's susceptibility to an allergic reaction to an allergen, where the subject has no known allergy to the allergen, methods for measuring a response to challenge with a potential allergen in a whole blood sample obtained from a subject with known allergic reactivity to allergens other than the potential allergen; and an in vitro system for reliable detection or quantification of a specific white blood cell population in a whole blood sample are described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining a subject's susceptibility to an allergic reaction upon exposure to an offending allergen.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory states, and the use of at least one soluble receptor-binding (RBD), for the identification and quantification of the expression of membrane receptors present on the surface of target granulocytes, said identification and quantification taking place at a given time or during a given time interval, and allowing the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory states in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory states.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory states, and the use of at least one soluble receptor-binding (RBD), for the identification and quantication of the expression of membrane receptors present on the surface of target granulocytes, said identification and quantification taking place at a given time or during a given time interval, and allowing the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory states in a mammal.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining a subject's susceptibility to an allergic reaction upon exposure to an offending allergen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to N-acetylcysteine compositions and methods for treating inflammation and redox imbalance in acute exacerbations of inflammatory lung disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical kits and methods to treat lung inflammation and redox imbalance in human cystic fibrosis patients using pharmaceutical compositions containing N-acetylcysteine (NAC), pharmaceutically acceptable salts of N-acetylcysteine, or N-acetylcysteine derivatives. In phase I studies, treatment with oral NAC at a dose of from about 1800 mg/day to about 3000 mg/day for a period of 4 weeks produced significant positive effects, namely, it decreased absolute numbers of white blood cells and neutrophils in the sputum and produced concomitant decreases in sputum neutrophil elastase specific activity and sputum interleukin-8 levels, suggesting an amelioration of lung inflammation in the patients. These effects were associated with an increased total GSH level in whole blood as well increased staining for reduced GSH in blood neutrophils, both of which reflect an amelioration of the redox imbalance in the patients.