A common form of dominant human IFNAR1 deficiency impairs IFN-α and -ω but not IFN-β-dependent immunity.

Autosomal recessive deficiency of the IFNAR1 or IFNAR2 chain of the human type I IFN receptor abolishes cellular responses to IFN-α, -β, and -ω, underlies severe viral diseases, and is globally very rare, except for IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 deficiency in Western Polynesia and the Arctic, respectively. We report 11 human IFNAR1 alleles, the products of which impair but do not abolish responses to IFN-α and -ω without affecting responses to IFN-β. Ten of these alleles are rare in all populations studied, but the remaining allele (P335del) is common in Southern China (minor allele frequency ≈2%).

Acridone Derivatives for Near-UV Radical Polymerization: One-Component Type II vs. Multicomponent Behaviors.

In this work, two novel acridone-based photoinitiators were designed and synthesized for the free radical polymerization of acrylates with a light-emitting diode emitting at 405 nm. These acridone derivatives were employed as mono-component Type II photoinitiators and as multicomponent photoinitiating systems in the presence of an iodonium salt or an amine synergist (EDB) in which they achieved excellent polymerization initiating abilities and high final conversions of the acrylate group. Photoinitiation mechanisms through which reactive species are produced were investigated employing different complementary techniques including steady-state photolysis, steady-state fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

GABA-mediated inhibition of human CD4 T cell functions is enhanced by insulin but impaired by high glucose levels.

Background: γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), known as the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, exerts immunomodulatory functions by interaction with immune cells, including T cells. Metabolic programs of T cells are closely linked to their effector functions including proliferation, differentiation, and cytokine production. The physiological molecules glucose and insulin may provide environmental cues and guidance, but whether they coordinate to regulate GABA-mediated T cell immunomodulation is still being examined.

Paths to improve voluntary blood donation in mixed public/private blood donation systems such as in Lebanon?

Background: The World Health Organization advocates for the achievement of 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRD) globally by the year 2020. However, until today, little was known in Lebanon regarding its actual rate or influencing factors, particularly donor motivations and behaviors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of blood donors in Lebanon.