Regulation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell activity: it takes (IL-)two to tango

Although CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) represent a well-characterized population of T cells with in vitro and in vivo suppressive capacity, the basic mechanisms of suppression are still not understood. The constitutive expression of the high-affinity receptor for IL-2 has raised the question about the role of IL-2 in Treg function. Here, we review recent data indicating that IL-2 is not only necessary for the homeostasis of Treg but is also critical for the activation of Treg function. Since Treg do not produce IL-2 by themselves, their capacity to utilize IL-2 secreted by other T cells appears to be an essential component of Treg biology. This indicates that Treg suppressive activity is controlled by interaction with activated target cells via the soluble mediator IL-2. In Treg, IL-2 has been identified as a potent inducer of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10, an important mediator of Treg suppression in vivo. The efficient capture of IL-2 by Treg may, under conditions of limited IL-2 supply, cause IL-2 deprivation of responder T cells. This competition can explain some of the currently discussed discrepancies between in vivo and in vitro activity of Treg.     

运用波特竞争战略理论促进医院发展的实践

波特竞争战略理论对企业调整产业结构、保持竞争优势具有战略指导意义。将波特竞争战略理论运用于医院的建设和发展,也可取得一定成效。通过运用波特理论对医院进行“力量分析”,从而可有针对性地选择不同的竞争战略,如运用“树名医、建名科、创名院”战略,扩大医院知名度;了解患者需求,提供方便、快捷、温馨的服务,倡导全面质量管理,不断提高医疗质量等。通过采用各种方法和手段,使医院立于不败之地。     

Gene flow and competitive exclusion of avian influenza A virus in natural reservoir hosts

Geographical separation of host species has shaped the avian influenza A virus gene pool into independently evolving Eurasian and American lineages, although phylogenetic evidence for gene flow and reassortment indicates that these lineages also mix on occasion. While the evolutionary dynamics of the avian influenza gene pool have been described, the consequences of gene flow on virus evolution and population structure in this system have not been investigated. Here we show that viral gene flow from Eurasia has led to the replacement of endemic avian influenza viruses in North America, likely through competition for susceptible hosts. This competition is characterized by changes in rates of nucleotide substitution and selection pressures. However, the discontinuous distribution of susceptible hosts may produce long periods of co-circulation of competing virus strains before lineage extinction occurs. These results also suggest that viral competition for host resources may be an important mechanism in disease emergence.     

Generating Recombinant Anti-idiotypic Antibodies for the Detection of Haptens in Solution

Abstract

A new method is described for generating recombinant human and chicken antibody fragments for accurate quantification of haptens in solution. The chemistry of labelling small molecules has always been a problem in the development of immunoassays. Here, we describe a specific panning procedure that enables the selection of recombinant anti-idiotypic phage antibodies that bind to hapten binding molecules (e.g., antibodies) in the absence of the hapten, but are displaced in a highly specific and concentration dependent manner, in the presence of the hapten. The major advantage of such a detection system is that there is no need to label the hapten or to covalently attach it to a solid phase. In this study we demonstrate, using cortisol and aldosterone as model haptens, that the recombinant antibody phage display technology offers great possibilities to generate recombinant anti-idiotypic antibodies. Furthermore, we show that such antibodies can be used successfully to design highly sensitive immunoassays for the quantification of small molecules.     

Challenges in representation learning: A report on three machine learning contests

The ICML 2013 Workshop on Challenges in Representation Learning¹ focused on three challenges: the black box learning challenge, the facial expression recognition challenge, and the multimodal learning challenge. We describe the datasets created for these challenges and summarize the results of the competitions. We provide suggestions for organizers of future challenges and some comments on what kind of knowledge can be gained from machine learning competitions.     

How friendly is a little friendly competition? Evidence of self-interest and empathy during outcome evaluation

Although previous studies have shown that brain potentials recorded from passive observers differ when gambling-task outcomes are delivered to a friend or a stranger, it is unclear how these outcome evaluations are reflected in brain potentials during active competition. The present study recorded event-related potentials (ERP) from 16 normal adults playing an interactive gambling task against both a friend and a stranger. In this task, the P300 was modulated by the feedback valence (gain or loss) and the nature of the interpersonal relationship, such that it was larger when competing against strangers. Regression analyses indicated that empathy to another's personal distress was negatively related to P300 amplitudes when competing against friends. The dFRN, defined as the difference between losses and gains, varied with Perspective-Taking when competing against friends, such that smaller dFRN amplitudes were correlated with increased Perspective-Taking. The modulation of ERP components indicates that interpersonal relationships may influence outcome evaluations in competitive situations. Correlations between ERP components and empathy measures also provide preliminary support of a relationship between one's empathy and the processing of outcomes during competition against a friend.     

Psychologie du sport : une psychologue aux Jeux Olympiques (1re partie)

Top athletes are often introduce when they are performing at major championships. But what about their daily life and all the things they put together for those success ? Maroussia Paré, high level athlete in track and field and psychologist, propounds in this article an analysis of her 2020–2021 Olympic season. From the beginning of the preparation with setting goals, through the failures and the unpleasant emotions, she comes back on the little-known daily life of the athletes who, at the moment of a race, hope to shine with their results. This interview highlights the psychological resources adopted by athletes such as adaptive capacities, self-control and privileged coping strategies. We can see from her experience that this mad rush for performance, both individual and collective, can also lead to significant psychological vulnerabilities.Thus, between prevention and support, the place of the psychologist within the staff of the athlete seems necessary.     

浙江省大学生护理竞赛的方案设计与实施成效

介绍浙江省大学生护理竞赛的方案,包括竞赛设计原则、参赛对象、竞赛内容和竞赛管理4方面。通过历年参赛获奖情况、参赛者对竞赛的体验、竞赛指导教师对竞赛的评价、资源建设和教学成果等方面探讨竞赛成效,为大学生护理竞赛的持续改进和推广提供借鉴。     

医院检验科的管理刍议

本文就医院检验科的科室设置、人员分工、质量管理以及同临床各科室的关系、仪器设备和人员的配备，将竞争机制引入检验科管理作了较为全面的论述。根据作者多年从事检验工作的经验，提出了较新的关于医院检验科管理的思维方式。