Background: Chronic urticaria is associated with an immune dysregulation usually mediated by T lymphocytes. Recently, Th17 and Tc17 have been implicated in autoimmune diseases; however, their role in urticaria is not clear yet. Methods: For the study we recruited 20 patients [10 of them had autoreactive chronic spontaneous urticaria (positive autologous intradermal serum test response, ASST+), and the other 10 were nonautoreactive chronic spontaneous urticaria patients (ASST–)] and 17 healthy age- and gender-matched controls (HG). The frequency and functional activity of Th17/Tc17 and Th1/Tc1 cells were evaluated by flow cytometry and type 2 cytokine mRNA by real-time PCR. Results: Our results demonstrated a significant decrease in Th17 frequency in both chronic urticaria groups compared to HG; regarding the amount of IL-17, at the single cell level, it was reduced in ASST– compared to HG. Concerning the Th1 and Th17 cells producing IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α, a lower frequency was noted in chronic urticaria patients compared to HG. In contrast, a significantly increased frequency of Tc1 cells producing these cytokines was noted in ASST+ compared to HG and ASST–. Also, the frequency of Tc17 cells producing TNF-α was increased in ASST+ compared to HG; however, with respect to the amount of TNF-α, at the single cell level, we found a decrease in ASST+ compared to HG. Regarding type 2 cytokine mRNA, a higher expression was verified in ASST+ compared to HG. Conclusion: Our data suggest a probable involvement of cytotoxic T cells, mainly the Tc1 and Tc17 subsets, in chronic urticaria, particularly in the ASST+ group.

The impact of battery electric vehicles (BEV) on energy consumption was researched modeling energy consumption against BEVs, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and e-commerce, using annual data from 2010 to 2020, for twenty-nine European countries, with quantile regression and OLS with fixed effects econometric techniques. It was found that GDP and e-commerce impact energy consumption positively, and BEVs reduce energy consumption. These findings support that efficiency gains could not reduce energy consumption, and e-commerce, via extra packaging, further usage of computer processors, and cryptocurrencies to purchase products are hampering the environment. BEVs were revealed to be more energy-efficient than conventional cars. Thus, energy conservation policies to combat global warming and climate change arise. First, policies should offer an alternative packaging system to lower the negative environmental impacts of additional packaging for online purchases, stimulate smaller packages, free up additional space on the transport, enhance the delivery system efficiency, and promote alternative delivery systems. Second, offering subsidies for purchasing BEVs or tax rebates will increase the adoption rate of electric vehicles and combine this policy with the CO2 emissions’ regulations to stimulate the demand for BEVs. Finally, affordable charging points should be provided and customer awareness of the benefits of BEVs should be improved.

Introduction: Food allergy is an increasing problem with limited therapeutic approaches apart from to the eviction diet.

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