Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “MIRRORS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 901 records · Page 50Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Inflammatory cytokine (interleukins 1, 6 and 8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) release from cultured human fetal membranes in response to endotoxic lipopolysaccharide mirrors amniotic fluid concentrations.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to quantitate and compare the amount of cytokines released from human fetal membranes in response to treatment with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and to compare this with amniotic fluid levels. STUDY DESIGN: Amniochorionic membranes were collected from women undergoing elective repeat cesarean section and showing no signs of infection- or pregnancy-related complications. Membranes were maintained in an organ explant system and stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide for 24 hours. Media samples were collected and stored at -20 degrees C until cytokine levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide stimulated production of interleukins 1, 6 and 8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by the fetal membranes in comparison with the control cultures. A greater release of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 compared with interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was noticed. The relationships between cytokine concentrations observed in culture mirror those seen in amniotic fluid. CONCLUSION: Amniochorionic membranes can respond to an infectious process with increased secretion of interleukins 1, 6 and 8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Cytokines produced from both amnion and chorion (interleukin-6 and interleukin-8) are released in greater quantities than those cytokines produced from chorion or amnion alone (interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). These studies support a major role for amnion in infection-induced preterm labor.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2003

Nondominant hand performance of the Japanese Trail Making Test and its mirror version.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate intermanual differences in the Japanese version of the Trail Making Test (JTMT) and to investigate whether a mirror version of the JTMT test sheet (JTMT-M) should be used when the task is performed with the nondominant hand. DESIGN: Intermanual differences were compared among the JTMT with the dominant hand, the JTMT with the nondominant hand, and the JTMT-M with the nondominant hand. SETTING: Rehabilitation center in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 150 persons (age range, 19-38y) who had no history of neurologic or musculoskeletal impairment. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The time to complete the task. RESULTS: Nondominant hand performance on the JTMT and JTMT-M did not differ significantly from that of the dominant hand on the JTMT. All left hand data except 1 in each task were within the previously reported reference values obtained from the JTMT with the right hand. CONCLUSIONS: The nondominant hand can be used as an alternative in the JTMT and can be expected to perform comparably to the dominant hand. There is no need to use the JTMT-M even when the task is conducted with the nondominant hand.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The conscious self: ontology, epistemology and the mirror quest.

Here we address the notion of the self as the subject of experience, in contrast with its other popular meanings of a state of self-awareness, a body image, or a narrative center. In this perspective, the main player is not consciousness per se (the famous "hard problem"), but its subject. We start by showing that the self as the subject of immediate self-awareness cannot be conceived as an illusion. Then we formulate axioms of the self-concept based on the framework that Chalmers initially developed for consciousness. Using a thought experiments (the "mirror quest"), we show that this framework may require corrections in order to accommodate the subject. We analyze several possibilities that lead to a novel doctrine of "subjective nonreductive functionalism". As an epistemological model, this position has further important implications for brain sciences.

Awareness↗
PubMed2001

Composite control of a gyro mirror line-of-sight stabilization platform--design and auto-tuning.

In this paper, we propose a composite control scheme for a gyro mirror line-of-sight stabilization system. It comprises of an adaptive controller augmented with a variable structure (VS) to remain efficient in the face of modeling errors and extraneous disturbances. Under an adequate selection of control parameters, the control scheme guarantees an asymptotically stable closed-loop response. An automatic tuning method is developed for the proposed control scheme which explicitly uses inherent properties of the control structure for tuning purposes. Simulation and experimental results are provided to illustrate the operational principles of the proposed scheme and to demonstrate its viability in real practical applications.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Analysis of the binding of bispecific monoclonal antibodies with immobilized antigens (human IgG and horseradish peroxidase) using a resonant mirror biosensor.

The interaction between two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and their corresponding bispecific antibody (bAb) with immobilized antigens has been examined using a resonant mirror biosensor (IAsys). BAbs were produced by cell fusion. The analysed panel of affinity-purified antibodies included two parental mAbs, one specific to human IgG (hIgG), and another specific to horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and a bAb derived thereof (anti-hIgG/HRP). The real-time analysis showed the drastic differences in the avidity of bivalent anti-HRP mAbs and anti-HRP shoulder of bAbs. Thus, the observed equilibrium association constant (K(ass)) of anti-HRP mAbs was about 50 times higher that of anti-HRP shoulder of bAbs. The ratio of association rate constants (k(ass)) of mAbs and bAbs was about two, due to the statistical factor of two binding sites per bivalent antibody molecule. However, the dissociation rate constant (k(diss)) of anti-HRP shoulder of bAbs was 21 times higher k(diss) of anti-HRP mAbs. The comparison with the theoretical model shows that these observations are consistent only with a situation in which bivalent binding of mAbs with immobilized HRP predominates over monovalent binding. On the contrary, the second parental mAb (anti-hIgG) did not show the increase in avidity due to bivalent binding, compared to the anti-hIgG shoulder of bAbs, suggesting that this mAb was bound monovalently to immobilized hIgG. The K(ass) values determined by solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) yielded figures almost overlapping with those obtained by IAsys. The results of the comparison of bAbs and mAbs are discussed from the viewpoint of the use of bAbs in heterogeneous systems. On the other hand, these data demonstrate that real-time analysis of antibody binding parameters in IAsys biosensor is valuable for the selection of mAbs and bAbs with desired features, for different fields of application.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Kinetic analysis of interactions between bispecific monoclonal antibodies and immobilized antigens using a resonant mirror biosensor.

A resonant mirror biosensor (IAsys) protocol is described for the comparative kinetic analysis of the ability of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) and bispecific antibodies (Babs) to bind immobilized antigens. The protocol has been optimized and validated using the panel of affinity-purified antibodies, including two parental Mabs, one specific to human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) and another specific to horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and a Bab derived thereof by cell fusion (anti-hIgG/HRP Bab). The real-time kinetic analysis of antigen-antibody interactions using this protocol allows to demonstrate the differences in the avidity of bivalently binding Mabs and monovalent Babs. As shown in our previous study [J. Immunol. Methods 261 (2002) 103], the observed equilibrium association constants (Kass) determined by IAsys using this protocol yield figures almost overlapping with those obtained by solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA). The described protocol is suited for the investigation of the effects of valency on the binding properties of antibodies. It also may be applied for the selection of Mabs and Babs with desired features, for different fields of application.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Technique for fabricating a mirror-image prosthetic ear.

A simple technique for producing a mirror image of a cast for sculpting an auricular prosthesis is described. A transparency copy of the cast assist the operator in sculpting the contours of the facial prosthesis.

Ear, External↗
PubMed2003

Gigantomastia complicating mirror syndrome in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Gigantomastia is a rare and dangerous condition in pregnancy. Although improvement after delivery is likely, postpartum aggravation is possible. To date, various pharmacological approaches have been tried, with only marginal effectiveness. Surgical intervention is often necessary. CASE: A young woman presented at 32 weeks' gestation with mirror syndrome and gigantomastia. Two years earlier she had had reduction mammoplasty by free nipple transplant. She delivered by cesarean. Rapid postpartum progression of gigantomastia led to breast necrosis and sepsis. The clinical course was complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome and renal failure. Emergent bilateral simple mastectomy was performed, with subsequent clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: When this devastating condition occurs in pregnancy or postpartum, urgent surgical intervention may prevent potentially fatal complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Discriminating mirror symmetry in foveal and extra-foveal vision.

The ability to discriminate perfect from imperfect mirror symmetry was examined at the fovea and at eccentricities out to 10 degrees in the nasal visual field. A 2-AFC method of constant stimuli was employed in which a bilaterally symmetric pattern was presented in one interval and a degraded version of this symmetric pattern in the other. The subject's task was to decide which interval contained the perfectly symmetric pattern. Pattern size was varied by changing the viewing distance. Probit analysis revealed the degree of asymmetry corresponding to 75% correct performance. Given sufficient size scaling, perfectly symmetric stimuli can be discriminated from degraded symmetric stimuli in extra-foveal vision. Spatial scaling with an E2 value similar to that for positional acuity was successful in removing the eccentricity dependence for the task.

Fovea Centralis↗
PubMed1984

Thymoma: lymphoid and epithelial components mirror the phenotype of normal thymus.

Six thymomas were studied with monoclonal and polyclonal antisera and an immunohistochemical technique to characterize the lymphocytic and epithelial components of the tumor. The T lymphocytes had characteristics of thymocytes, and cortico medullary differentiation was demonstrated within all tumors, regardless of histologic appearance. Cortical thymocytes were positive with anti-terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, OKT6, and OKT10, all of which failed to stain medullary thymocytes. Conversely, A1G3 stained medullary thymocytes exclusively. Epithelial cells reacted with A2B5, an antibody that identifies cells of neuroendocrine origin. Epithelial cell processes were also positive with anti-p19, a monoclonal antibody directed against the internal protein of HTLV, which also reacts with normal thymic epithelium. No correlation was found in the distribution of epithelial cells with evidence of cortical and medullary thymocyte differentiation. However, the components of the tumor mirrored the normal cellular and structural components of the thymus.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1998

"Mirror pain" as an unusual presentation of renal colic.

Although most patients suffering from pain related to upper urinary tract stones feel the discomfort on the same side as the stone, rarely it is perceived on the opposite side. We sought to identify the prevalence of this clinical scenario and to review possible explanations. The charts and x-rays of all patients with unilateral, symptomatic, radiologically identifiable upper urinary tract stones, seen at an outpatient clinic between June 1993 and August 1996, were reviewed retrospectively in terms of the side of the discomfort in comparison to the side of the stone. Three of 631 patients presented with contralateral or "mirror pain" secondary to a renal or ureteric calculus. In each case the symptoms resolved completely following successful extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or spontaneous passage of the stone.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cerebral mirror-imaging in a monozygotic twin.

A healthy monozygotic twin of discordant handedness was scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging during a language and a mental rotation task. Mirror-imaging was found for both cerebral functions.

Brain Mapping↗
PubMed2001

Imitation, mirror neurons and autism.

Various deficits in the cognitive functioning of people with autism have been documented in recent years but these provide only partial explanations for the condition. We focus instead on an imitative disturbance involving difficulties both in copying actions and in inhibiting more stereotyped mimicking, such as echolalia. A candidate for the neural basis of this disturbance may be found in a recently discovered class of neurons in frontal cortex, 'mirror neurons' (MNs). These neurons show activity in relation both to specific actions performed by self and matching actions performed by others, providing a potential bridge between minds. MN systems exist in primates without imitative and 'theory of mind' abilities and we suggest that in order for them to have become utilized to perform social cognitive functions, sophisticated cortical neuronal systems have evolved in which MNs function as key elements. Early developmental failures of MN systems are likely to result in a consequent cascade of developmental impairments characterised by the clinical syndrome of autism.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed1996

Repeatability and reproducibility of optic disc measurement with the Zeiss 4-mirror contact lens.

BACKGROUND: A simple clinical quantitative method of optic disc diameter measurement using a 4-mirror gonioscope contact lens has been described recently. METHODS: Intraobserver and interobserver variations are assessed on 77 eyes of 41 patients. Of these eyes, 63 had refractive errors within 3 diopters of emmetropia. The disc was measured by projecting a slit beam of known height onto the disc. RESULTS: Intraobserver variation: the coefficient of variation was 3.04% for observer 1 (experienced) and 4.76% for observer 2 (novice). The mean of the three measurements by the two observers was not significantly different (P=0.2318). For observer 1, the mean variance of the eyes with higher refractive errors did not differ significantly from the eyes with lower refractive errors. Interobserver variation: the coefficient of variation was 4.52%. The measurements for the novice were slightly larger the smallest discs and slightly smaller for the largest discs (regression analysis P=0.0209). CONCLUSION: Repeatability and reproducibility for this method are comparable with other methods of measurement. Until experienced with the technique, the authors recommend that the mean of three readings is used.

Glaucoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Do early adverse experiences establish a cognitive vulnerability to depression on exposure to mirroring life events in adulthood?

BACKGROUND: We pursue a 'lock and key' hypothesis which posits that early adverse events ('locks') create an increased vulnerability to depression in the face of mirroring life events ('keys') in adulthood. Here we examine whether any such vulnerability links are cognitively mediated. METHODS: We study a sample of 96 clinically depressed patients who reported an identifiable 'cognitive schema' being activated when depressed. We examine for significant associations between early adverse events and later precipitants to the patients' depression, and then assess the extent to which any identified links are cognitively mediated. RESULTS: Qualitative analyses suggested quite strong associations between early childhood experiences and identified schemas, while the quantitative analyses identified few links. LIMITATIONS: These contrasting results may present a challenge to the hypothesis or reflect methodological limitations, and we therefore detail some of the complexities involved in identifying cognitive schemas.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Helicobacter pylori interactions with human gastric mucin studied with a resonant mirror biosensor.

Helicobacter pylori, a human pathogen colonizing the gastrointestinal tract, is first interacting with mucus glycoproteins to penetrate the gastric mucus layer and then attach to specific epithelial cell targets. An optical biosensor technique based on the resonant mirror was used to study H. pylori interactions with human gastric mucin. The mucin preparation was immobilized on the sensor surface to set up the experimental model, close to the in vivo situation. Both sialylated and sulphated oligosaccharides interfered with the H. pylori binding to the immobilized mucin by reducing or abolishing the binding of the bacteria. Furthermore, the displacement of the bacteria from immobilized mucin by highly sulphated glycosaminoglycans was observed.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1996

Vocationalism: a mirror on the profession.

The introduction of National Vocational Qualifications in Care (Care Sector Consortium 1993) has received considerable attention in the nursing press. This article seeks to explore vocationalism and its effects on nursing. It argues that the very nature of vocational competence acts as a mirror on the profession and should encourage reflection on the nature of nursing and its professional aspirations.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2002

Cortico-muscular coupling in a human subject with mirror movements--a magnetoencephalographic study.

We studied cortico-muscular coupling in a 15-year-old male suffering from congenital mirror movements (MMs) of hands. Cortex-muscle coherence was analyzed between magnetoencephalographic signals and the electromyograms (EMGs) recorded from both hands and feet during uni- and bilateral isometric contractions. Regardless of the side of the intended contraction, the motor cortex contralateral to the contraction was coupled to the muscles of both hands at 20-25 Hz. No coupling was found from the other, ipsilateral hemisphere. EMGs of the two hands were coupled during both intended uni- and bilateral contractions, but only during unilateral contractions could the coupling solely be explained by cortical activation. We suggest that our subject's MMs result from activation of an ipsilateral corticospinal projection, with involvement of additional synchronizing mechanisms at the subcortical, brainstem, or spinal level during bilateral contraction.

Adolescent↗