Alterations of natural killer cells activatory molecules phenotype and function in mothers of ASD children: a pilot study.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is accompanied by complex immune alterations and inflammation, and the possible role played by Natural Killer (NK) in such alterations is only barely understood.

Methods: To address this question we analysed activating and inhibitory NK receptors, as well as NK cells phenotype and function in a group of mothers of children who developed ASD (ASD-MO; N=24) comparing results to those obtained in mothers of healthy children who did not develop (HC-MO; N=25).

Results: Results showed that in ASD-MO compared to HC-MO: 1) NK cells expressing the inhibitory receptor ILT2 are significantly decreased; 2) the activating HLA-G14bp+ polymorphism is more frequently observed and is correlated with the decrease of ILT2-expressing cells; 3) the CD56 and CD56 NK subsets are increased; 4) IFNγ and TNF production is reduced; and 5) perforin- and granzymes-releasing NK cells are increased even in unstimulated conditions and could not be upregulated by mitogenic stimulation.

Application of Orange Peel Waste as Adsorbent for Methylene Blue and Cd Simultaneous Remediation.

Pollution by dyes and heavy metals is one of the main concerns at the environmental level due to their toxicity and inefficient elimination by traditional water treatment. Orange peel (OP) without any treatment was applied to effectively eliminate methylene blue (MB) and cadmium ions (Cd) in mono- and multicomponent systems. Although the single adsorption processes for MB and Cd have been investigated, the effects and mechanisms of interactions among multicomponent systems are still unclear.

Specific depressive symptoms are related with different patterns of alcohol use in community-dwelling older adults.

Objectives: To explore how individual depressive symptoms might contribute to different patterns of alcohol consumption in Colombian older adults living in the community.

Methods: A Secondary analysis from a nationally representative cross-sectional study of more than 23,000 older adults, with data from 19,004 participants. Drinking frequency, and level (moderate or heavy drinking) were used to assess alcohol use and depressive symptoms explored with the 15 items-GDS.

Experiences of and resistance to multiple discrimination in health care settings among transmasculine people of color.

Background: Research shows that transmasculine people experience discrimination based on their gender identity and/or expression (i.e., cissexism) while obtaining health care.