Uterine B cells exhibit regulatory properties during the peri-implantation stage of murine pregnancy

A successful outcome to pregnancy is dependent on the ability of the maternal uterine microenvironment to regulate inflammation processes and establish maternal tolerance. Recently, B cells have been shown to influence pregnancy outcomes as aberrations in their numbers and functions are associated with obstetric complications. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively examine the population frequency and phenotypic profile of B cells over the course of murine pregnancy. Our results demonstrated a significant expansion in B cells within the uterus during the peri-implantation period, accompanied by alterations in B cell phenotype. Functional evaluation of uterine B cells purified from pregnant mice at day 5.5 post-coitus established their regulatory capacity as evidenced by effective suppression of proliferation and activation of syngeneic CD4+ T cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the uterine B cell population has an expanded pool of IL-10-producing B cells bearing upregulated expression of co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 and activation marker CD27. Our investigations herein demonstrate that during the critical stages surrounding implantation, uterine B cells are amplified and phenotypically modified to act in a regulatory manner that potentially contributes toward the establishment of maternal immunological tolerance in early pregnancy.Ruth Marian Guzman-Genuino, Preethi Eldi, Pablo Garcia-Valtanen, John D. Hayball and Kerrilyn R. Diene

Cultural constructions of happiness: theory and emprical evidence

In a review of recent cross-cultural evidence on happiness and well-being, the authors identified substantial cultural variations in (1) cultural meanings of happiness, (2) motivations underlying happiness, and (3) predictors of happiness. Specifically, in North American cultural contexts, happiness tends to be defined in terms of personal achievement. Individuals engaging in these cultures are motivated to maximize the experience of positive affect. Moreover, happiness is best predicted by self-esteem. In contrast, in East Asian cultural contexts, happiness tends to be defined in terms of interpersonal connectedness. Individuals engaging in these cultures are motivated to maintain a balance between positive and negative affects. Moreover, happiness is best predicted by perceived embeddedness of the self in a social relationship. Directions for future research are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43061/1/10902_2004_Article_5278785.pd

Customer emotions in service failure and recovery encounters

Emotions play a significant role in the workplace, and considerable attention has been given to the study of employee emotions. Customers also play a central function in organizations, but much less is known about customer emotions. This chapter reviews the growing literature on customer emotions in employee–customer interfaces with a focus on service failure and recovery encounters, where emotions are heightened. It highlights emerging themes and key findings, addresses the measurement, modeling, and management of customer emotions, and identifies future research streams. Attention is given to emotional contagion, relationships between affective and cognitive processes, customer anger, customer rage, and individual differences

Regulatory B cells: dark horse in pregnancy immunotherapy?

There are many unanswered questions surrounding the function of immune cells and how they interact with the reproductive system to support successful pregnancy or contribute to pregnancy pathologies. Whilst the role of immune cells such as uterine natural killer and dendritic cells, and more recently regulatory T cells have been established, the role of another major immune cell population, the B cell, and particularly the regulatory B cells, is relatively poorly understood. This review outlines what is known about B cell subsets in the context of pregnancy, what constitutes a regulatory B cell and what role they may play, particularly during early pregnancy. Lastly, we discuss why immunotherapies for the treatment of pregnancy disorders are not widely progressed clinically and speculate on the potential of functional regulatory B cells as the basis of novel immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of immune-based pregnancy pathologies.Ruth Marian Guzman-Genuino, John D. Hayball and Kerrilyn R. Diene

Trophoblasts promote induction of a regulatory phenotype in B cells that can protect against detrimental T cell-mediated inflammation

PROBLEM:A successful outcome to pregnancy is critically dependent on the initiation of maternal immune tolerance before embryo implantation. Cells of embryonic origin that come in contact with the uterine microenvironment can exert influence over the phenotype and function of immune cells to facilitate robust implantation, however what influence they may have on B cells remains unknown. In this study, we investigate the effect of human trophoblast cells on B cell phenotype and the subsequent effect on peri-implantation events. METHOD OF STUDY:We cultured purified human B cells with the first trimester human trophoblast cell line Swan-71 to investigate trophoblast-B cell interactions and utilized trophoblast spheroids in an in vitro implantation model of migration and invasion. RESULTS:Trophoblast-educated B cells or TE-B cells were found to consist of B cells in committed lineages such as plasmablasts and memory B cells, as well as increased proportions in subsets of CD24hi CD27+ regulatory B cells and CD19+ IL-10+ B cells. Conditioned media from the TE-B cells showed reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that influenced the T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Using trophoblast spheroids, we assessed the role of TE-B cells in trophoblast invasion and migration. Our results demonstrate a protective effect of TE-B conditioned media against deleterious inflammation as evidenced by survival of the trophoblast spheroid in the presence of an immune assault and promotion of a migratory phenotype. CONCLUSION:We posit that trophoblast-mediated education of B cells leads to their acquisition of properties capable of modulating inflammation in the uterine environment during the peri-implantation period. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Ruth Marian Guzman‐Genuino, Tanya Dimova, Yuan You, Paulomi Aldo, John D. Hayball, Gil Mor, Kerrilyn R. Diene

Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: an introduction

eudaimonia, fully functioning, hedonism, subjective well-being,

Autonomy or dependence – or both?: perspectives from Bangladesh

The idea of personal autonomy is central to many accounts of eudaimonic well-being. Yet it is often criticized as a Western concept celebrating individualism and independence over group obligations and interdependence or dependence. This paper rejects this view and argues that coherent accounts of autonomy must always recognize the interdependence of people in groups, and that autonomy can coexist with substantial relationships of dependence. It illustrates this drawing on evidence from Bangladesh, a poor country usually absent from cross-cultural studies and one where personal relationships of hierarchy and dependence are endemic. Argument and evidence are presented showing the coexistence of personal autonomy and dependence, and the relationship between collective action and autonomy. We also address some of the specific problems encountered in researching autonomy in a social context where it is mainly expressed in relational forms. We conclude that autonomy can be directed toward both personal and social goals, and can be enacted individually, or by participation in groups. Autonomy is a universal psychological need but its expression is always contextual

Living well: a self-determination theory perspective on eudaimonia

autonomy, awareness, happiness, intrinsic aspirations, mindfulness, self-determination theory, the good life, wellness.,