Face processing is enhanced in the left and upper visual hemi-fields

We tested whether two known hemi-field asymmetries would affect visual search with face stimuli. Holistic processing of spatial configurations is better in the left hemi-field, reflecting a right hemisphere specialization, and object recognition is better in the upper visual field, reflecting stronger projections into the ventral stream. Faces tap into holistic processing and object recognition at the same time, which predicts better performance in the left and upper hemi-field, respectively. In the first experiment, participants had to detect a face with a gaze direction different from the remaining faces. Participants were faster to respond when targets were presented in the left and upper hemi-field. The same pattern of results was observed when only the eye region was presented. In the second experiment, we turned the faces upside-down, which eliminated the typical spatial configuration of faces. The left hemi-field advantage disappeared, showing that it is related to holistic processing of faces, whereas the upper hemi-field advantage related to object recognition persisted. Finally, we made the search task easier by asking observers to search for a face with open among closed eyes or vice versa. The easy search task eliminated the need for complex object recognition and, accordingly, the advantage of the upper visual field disappeared. Similarly, the left hemi-field advantage was attenuated. In sum, our findings show that both horizontal and vertical asymmetries affect the search for faces and can be selectively suppressed by changing characteristics of the stimuli.     

Same meaning but different feelings: Different expressions influence satisfaction in social comparisons

The same social comparison information may be expressed in different ways (e.g. ‘I am better than him’ versus ‘he is worse than me’). The results of four studies indicated that the way social comparison is expressed can affect an individual's satisfaction (i.e. ‘better’ versus ‘worse’). Specifically, in upward comparisons, the expression ‘I am worse than him’ makes individuals feel less satisfied than the expression ‘he is better than me’. In downward comparisons, those who use the expression ‘I am better than him’ are more satisfied than those who use the expression ‘he is worse than me’. The motivation of information processing acted as the mediator.     

心理时间旅行的方向与事件情绪效价对任务自信的影响

时间是认识和定义自我的框架之一。本研究采用两个实验,探讨心理时间旅行对任务自信的影响。实验1采用自由回忆或想象过去、未来事件的操纵,结果发现：事件情绪效价影响任务自信,时间方向以事件情绪效价为中介间接影响任务自信,想象的未来事件比回忆的过去事件更积极,进而引发更高任务自信。实验2采用平衡回忆或想象事件的情绪效价的操纵,使效价与时间方向的作用相分离,结果发现：时间方向不影响任务自信,想象事件的情绪效价对任务自信的作用受到时间方向的调节。回忆过去事件时,效价不影响任务自信;而想象未来事件时,事件效价越积极,任务自信越高。对于时间旅行中的积极事件,时间旅行的方向不影响任务自信;而对于消极事件,想象未来所引发的任务自信低于回忆过去。结论：时间旅行的方向与想象事件的情绪效价共同作用于任务自信。     

浅谈神经干细胞在临床应用中的伦理问题

神经干细胞在治疗中枢神经系统退形性病变中发挥重要作用,但在其移植治疗中也面临着一些问题,例如伦理问题及技术问题。如何合理地引导人们正确地认识这项研究,消除对神经干细胞移植治疗的种种误解,使全社会都能客观理性地面对这一新兴医疗技术,看到这一技术的巨大应用前景是我们要继续努力的目标。     

未来时间洞察力的目标作用

未来时间洞察力是个体对未来时间的认知、体验和行动（或行动倾向）的一种人格特质,其目标不仅架起了现在与未来的桥梁,也影响个体的认知与行为,并且不同目标还具有不同的动力作用。但个体如何建构未来目标、确立优势目标等,需做进一步研究。     

到底路有多长--对干细胞移植治疗研究的一点思考

目前干细胞研究的争论主要集中于干细胞研究的过程和方式,诸如干细胞来源以及被提取干细胞的胚胎的权利与地位等伦理问题是争论的焦点所在,而对于研究的最终目的是治病而非克隆人则少有争议.然而在伦理问题等争论相对较小的干细胞应用研究领域,就应用于人的技术层面而言还有很多问题有待解决.安全性(safety)和有效性(efficacy)原则是目前公认的干细胞临床应用研究的基准.干细胞移植治疗最终应用于临床可能还有相当一段路程要走,无论是研究者还是伦理学家以及社会舆论和普通百姓在其中都应当并可以发挥积极的作用.     

TACE术联合自体CIK细胞治疗原发性肝癌

探讨肝动脉栓塞化疗（TACE）联合自体细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞（CIK）治疗原发性肝癌的临床疗效。比较TACE术＋CIK组（治疗组）和TACE组（对照组）患者的免疫功能、临床疗效及副反应。结果表明,TACE术＋CIK与TACE术比较安全有效。因此,TACE术联合自体CIK细胞是治疗原发性肝癌的一种有效方法。     

循环肿瘤细胞的研究进展

循环肿瘤细胞（circulating tumor cells,CTCs）指自发或因诊疗操作由实体瘤或转移灶释放进入外周血循环的肿瘤细胞。CTCs能被看作液体活检,具有实时监测功能,是一种非侵入性的新型诊断工具,有助于早期发现肿瘤的微转移,可评估预后,在治疗的监测及个体化治疗上具有重要的临床意义。     

Four themes from 20 years of research on infant perception and cognition

This paper reviews progress over the past 20 years in four areas of research on infant perception and cognition. Work on perception of dynamic events has identified perceptual constraints on perception of object unity and object trajectory continuity that have led to a perceptual account of early development that supplements Nativist accounts. Work on face processing has charted developmental changes that clarify the way innate systems are modified by experience. Research on perception of goal‐directed action and animacy has made significant progress in uncovering the roots of social cognition from 6 months onwards. New methods such as eye tracking and measures of brain activity have done much to confirm and clarify conclusions arising from more conventional looking preference methods. It is likely that future progress in theory and understanding will be made increasingly as a result of triangulation between data arising from conventional and newer methods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

干细胞移植治疗缺血性心脏病研究的新途径:miRNAs

miRNAs在干细胞的自我更新、多向分化及分泌血管活性物质等过程中扮演作非常重要作用。近年来人们对于干细胞移植术治疗缺血性心脏病,取得了一定的成果,但仍然存在着大量有待解决的问题。例如如何增加移植后的干细胞存活率;改善梗死区的微环境,增加迁移或归巢到梗死区干细胞的数量等,而miRNAs在干细胞中的调节机制且表明miRNAs有可能成为干细胞移植研究的一个新的切入点。