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At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Health and safety issues pertaining to dental photographic mirrors and cheek and lip retractors.

This paper investigates the health and safety implications of using photographic dental mirrors and cheek retractors for photography of the intra-oral cavity. Medical photographers have moral and ethical responsibilities, and therefore should be aware of the diseases they are likely to encounter, and the possibility of cross infection when using these instruments. Although autoclaving is the safest way to remove infectious micro-organisms from contaminated instruments, that this may not be a practical method for small departments who only occasionally use these instruments. The alternative approach is to cold-sterilize the instruments using a chlorine- or alcohol-based disinfectant. The author provides information and guidelines for those who photograph the intra-oral cavity occasionally.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1993

Mirror reading in Alzheimer's disease: normal skill learning and acquisition of item-specific information.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by severe explicit memory deficits and sparing of procedural learning. Most studies of skill learning in AD have been restricted to motor skills. This experiment was aimed at extending these studies to the domain of perceptual-verbal skills. Thirteen AD patients and 9 normal elderly controls were administered several explicit memory tests and a mirror reading paradigm with both unique and repeated word triads. In this last task, AD patients showed normal learning for unique word triads, that is, normal acquisition of the skill. Moreover, they benefitted from repeated triads to the same extent as did normal controls, although they were impaired in discriminating these repeated words from distractors at later recognition. These data demonstrate that patients with AD: (a) are able to learn and retain a perceptual-verbal skill at a normal rate; (b) can learn item-specific information (repeated triads) at a normal rate, even though their explicit memory is severely impaired. It is hypothesized that learning of item-specific information relies on repetition priming effects rather than on explicit memory processes.

Affect↗
PubMed2006

Microalbuminuria in treated hypertensives: only a mirror image of cardiovascular risk? The HUNT Study, Norway.

OBJECTIVES: Microalbuminuria as an independent marker of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive individuals is under debate. The aim of this study was to study the possible associations between microalbuminuria on one hand and known cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease on the other hand, in a large, unselected population of treated hypertensives without diabetes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Participants of the HUNT Study, Norway (n = 65,258). SUBJECTS: 5,369 individuals (> or =20 years) with treated hypertension delivered three morning urine samples for microalbuminuria analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Microalbuminuria expressed as albumin-to-creatinine ratio, cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Increasing age, pulse pressure (systolic blood pressure-diastolic blood pressure), s-creatinine, cigarette pack years, cardiovascular disease, antihypertensive medication group, and years with antihypertensive medication were significantly associated with microalbuminuria in men. Increasing pulse pressure, cigarette pack years, and antihypertensive medication group were associated with microalbuminuria in women, adjusted for other cardiovascular risk factors. When excluding individuals of both sexes with self-reported cardiovascular disease and blood pressure > 160/90 mm Hg, no variable associated with cardiovascular risk factors registered was statistically associated with microalbuminuria. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that microalbuminuria mainly represents a mirror image of hypertension (BP > 160/90) and prior or present cardiovascular disease. We therefore question whether the treatment quality would improve if yet another risk factor, microalbuminuria, were introduced as a routine test in treated hypertensives.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Intermanual difference in the Japanese Trail Making Test and its mirror version: intra-subject comparison of the task-completion time, cognitive time, and motor time.

PURPOSE: To investigate intermanual differences in the performance of the Japanese Trail Making Test (JTMT) using an intra-subject comparison, and to investigate how the cognitive and motor times spent in performing the task were related with the total completion time. METHODS: All subjects performed both parts A and B of the following three tasks: JTMT with the right hand (R); JTMT with the left hand (L); and a mirror version of the JTMT with the left hand (M). The order in which these three tasks were performed (RLM, RML, LRM, LMR, MRL, and MLR) was randomly determined. An interval of 4 weeks was scheduled between each examination. In addition to the completion time, we measured 'motor time', a sum of the times for drawing lines to connect the targets, and 'cognitive time', a time obtained by subtracting the motor time from the completion time. RESULTS: The task-completion time was more strongly correlated with the cognitive time than with the motor time. The order of the task performance did not influence the task-completion time. A learning effect was found only between the first and second examinations of part A. The cognitive time for the second and third performances of part A were significantly shorter than that for the first task, whereas the motor time remained unchanged. No intermanual differences in the performance were found in any comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: The non-dominant hand can be used as an alternative hand in the JTMT, and it can be expected to perform comparably to the dominant hand. These findings are consistent with the finding previously obtained by inter-subject comparison. The lack of any significant intermanual difference can be explained by that the total completion time is less influenced by the motor time than by the cognitive time.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Discussant response to 'Does the acoustic waveform mirror the voice?'.

The acoustic waveform that reaches the two ears of a listener can convey the intended message. Over the telephone, this waveform is the only source of information from the speaker, since the listener is out of visual contact; indeed, in this situation the acoustic waveform itself is restricted in its frequency content. Whilst the listener can infer much about the speaker from the acoustic waveform, including the speaker's age, gender, nationality, dialect, and emotional state, the issue under consideration here is the extent to which quantitative analysis of the acoustic waveform can provide useful information about a speaker's voice. This paper was presented as an Invited Discussant Response, at the Pan-European Voice Conference (PEVOC6) in London, to the question posed in Ternström's Invited Keynote Lecture 1: Does the acoustic waveform mirror the voice?

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Discussant response to 'Mirroring the voice from Garcia to the present day: some insights into singing voice registers'.

PEVOC6 took as its theme 'Mirroring the Voice' to mark the occasion, 150 years before, of Manuel Garcia's publication in London of his work on the singing voice using what is now called, following him, a laryngoscope. This also was the special theme of the final plenary session contribution to the Conference by Nathalie Henrich--but with particular reference to singing voice registers. Her paper and conference presentation have two complementary parts. The first gives an overview of the development of the ideas that have their roots in Garcia's work; the second concentrates on modern developments and attempts to provide an acceptable path to the working definition of the concept of register and to give a basis for the taxonomic description of register types.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

Mirror movements and ipsilateral motor evoked potentials in ALS.

It can be difficult to detect upper motor neuron (UMN) involvement in early amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The present study tested the usefulness of mirror movements (MMs), i.e., contralateral coactivation of hand muscles, as a UMN sign in ALS. Thirty-seven patients with possible, probable or definite ALS and 19 patients with suspected ALS without clinical signs of UMN involvement, 21 disease controls and 15 healthy volunteers were included. MMs were studied clinically, electromyographically and by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), looking for ipsilateral motor evoked potentials (IMEPs). MMs were observed clinically in 15 ALS patients (27%) and electromyographically in 28 (50%). IMEPs in the abductor pollicis brevis muscle following TMS were recorded in 34 (61%) of all ALS patients and in nine (47%) out of 19 patients with suspected ALS, but not in healthy controls. Central motor conduction times were prolonged in 15 ALS patients (27%). It is concluded that MMs, especially if studied by EMG and TMS (IMEPs) can essentially improve detection of UMN involvement, especially in early stages of ALS.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Real-time oligonucleotide hybridization kinetics monitored by resonant mirror technique.

The kinetics of hybridization of 11-meric and 14-meric oligonucleotides, dTGGGAAGAGGG (ODN-11) and dTGGGAAGAGG GTCA (ODN-14), with 14-meric oligonucleotide dpTGACCCTCT TCCCA (p14) attached to the surface of a cuvette was studied by the resonant mirror method. The treatment of the experimental curves with exponential equations leads to the following values for association (kas) and dissociation (kdis) rate constants at 25 degrees C: kas = 219 +/- 39 and 183 +/- 162 M-1 s-1, kdis = (2.0 +/- 0.4) x 10(-3) and (4 +/- 1) x 10(-4) s-1 for the duplexes (p14) x (ODN-11) and p14 x (ODN-14), respectively. The oligonucleotide dTGCCTTGAATGGGAA GAGGGTCA (ODN-23), which forms a hairpin structure, does not associate with p14. The data were compared with the results of melting curve detection and temperature-jump experiments. The association rate constants for ODN-11 and ODN-14 are much slower than those values in homogeneous aqueous solution. The dissociation rate constants have the same magnitude values as estimated by using association constants measured from melting curves but differ from the values estimated in temperature-jump experiments.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed1990

The repertoire of somatic antibody mutants accumulating in the memory compartment after primary immunization is restricted through affinity maturation and mirrors that expressed in the secondary response.

The anti-(4-hydroxy-3-nitro-phenyl)acetyl (NP) response is dominated by lambda 1 chain-bearing antibodies expressing the VH gene V186.2 in combination with the D element DFL16.1. lambda 1-positive B cells were isolated from the spleens of mice immunized with NP-chicken gamma globulin 6 wk earlier. Rearranged V186.2 genes were amplified from the genomic DNA of these cells and sequenced. In cases where the rearrangement was typical for secondary anti-NP antibodies, the VHDJH sequences were generally heavily mutated. The frequency and the nature of the nucleotide exchanges mirrored those of secondary response antibodies. V186.2 genes with other rearrangements and V186.2-related genes isolated concomitantly were essentially unmutated. These results demonstrate: (a) that somatic antibody mutants are largely restricted to a small compartment of peripheral B cells, namely, that of memory cells; (b) that the memory compartment is strongly selected for high affinity precursors and largely purged from antigen-binding loss mutants; and (c) that the repertoire of binding specificities expressed in the secondary response is established in its final form before secondary immunization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

A theoretical investigation of the evolution and maintenance of mirror-image flowers.

Enantiostyly is the deflection of the female sex organ either to the left or to the right side of the floral axis, resulting in mirror-image flowers. Two types of enantiostyly occur: in monomorphic enantiostyly, individuals exhibit both flower forms, whereas in dimorphic enantiostyly, the forms occur on separate plants. Monomorphic enantiostyly is known from at least 10 families, whereas dimorphic enantiostyly is reported in only three. Phylogenetic evidence suggests that monomorphic enantiostyly has evolved from a straight-styled ancestor and that dimorphic enantiostyly is derived from monomorphic enantiostyly. Here, we use theoretical models to investigate the role of pollen transfer in influencing these evolutionary transitions. We used numerical calculations to examine the evolution of monomorphic and dimorphic enantiostyly under different conditions of pollen transfer, inbreeding depression, and pollinator visitation. Our results demonstrate that in comparison to a putative straight-styled ancestor, both monomorphic and dimorphic enantiostyly function to reduce geitonogamous pollen transfer with a concomitant increase in pollen export. Our calculations suggest that the first stage in the evolution of monomorphic enantiostyly involves the deflection of the style only, followed by selection for reciprocity in anther position to promote more precise cross-pollination. Constraints associated with the developmental genetics of left-right asymmetries may account for the low number of evolutionary transitions from monomorphic to dimorphic enantiostyly, despite the evolutionary stability of this condition once it arises.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed1996

Extended durability of external metal mirror reflector of side-firing Nd:YAG laser fiber used for prostatic ablation.

A new side-firing neodymium:YAG laser fiber has been developed, incorporating a solid gold external parabolic mirror reflector. Clinical trial of this fiber during actual laser prostatectomy cases demonstrated its extended durability. Mean fiber performance was 5.7 cases, 122.5 min total active laser transmission time, and 294.1 kJ laser energy delivery. Maximum observed fiber lifespan was 9 laser prostatectomy procedures, 207.4 total min, and 497.8 total kJ delivered. The extended durability of the new UroGold fiber allows for greater fiber survivability with less experienced operators, helps to assure maintenance of laser light transmission at therapeutic levels throughout usage, and allows multiple reuse of the fiber if desired. All of these factors can produce a net gain in the cost efficacy of laser prostatectomy.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1984

The prevalence of hand-mirror cells in acute myeloblastic and lymphoblastic leukemia.

To evaluate the prevalence and significance of hand-mirror cells (HMC) in acute leukemia, 214 cases were studied retrospectively. They were classified by FAB and included 102 pediatric and 112 adult cases. Greater than 10% HMC were found in 6.5%. No overall difference was noted with age group, though HMC were more common in lymphoblastic cases (10% versus 3%). However, the greatest number of HMC were found in four adult cases, three of which were myeloblastic. Of the lymphoblastic cases with greater than 10% HMC, T and B studies were done in three that were typed as one T cell and two non-T cell (L1, CALL+; L3, sIg+). Forty-eight other cases with less than 10% HMC included 13 T cell and 35 non-T cell. The authors conclude that HMC may not correlate with morphologic or immune cell type and they do not appear to be a specific marker for a type of lymphoblastic and/or T-cell leukemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Bio-Mirror project for public bio-data distribution.

Timely worldwide distribution of biosequence and bioinformatics data depends on high performance networking and advances in Internet transport methods. The Bio-Mirror project focuses on providing up-to-date distribution of this rapidly growing and changing data. It offers FTP, Web and Rsync access to many high-volume databanks from several sites around the world. Experiments with data grids and other methods offer future improvements in biology data distribution.

Biology↗
PubMed1999

Detection of an epileptic mirror focus after oral application of clonidine.

We report detection of an epileptic mirror focus approximately 2 h after administration of oral clonidine 150 micrograms in a patient with an intractable complex partial seizure disorder. The specific epileptic activity was documented by electroencephalographic (EEG) and magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings. The case illustrates a possible role of clonidine in facilitating specific discharges.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1991

Metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene and (-)-trans-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol by freshly isolated hepatocytes from mirror carp.

The metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and (-)-trans-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol [(-)-B[a]P-7,8-diol], a major putative proximate carcinogenic metabolite of B[a]P, was compared in freshly isolated hepatocytes from mirror carp, a strain of common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.). Hepatocytes incubated with 40 microM [3H]B[a]P produced 1.22 nmol equivalents of B[a]P metabolites/mg dry wt of cells/h. Conjugated derivatives represented approximately 65% of all B[a]P metabolites and included glucuronides (38%), glutathione conjugates (21%) and sulfates (6%). About 14% of the total accumulated metabolites of B[a]P determined after 1 h incubations were identified as unconjugated derivatives, predominantly B[a]P-9,10-dihydrodiol and B[a]P-7,8-diol (7.4 and 3.1% of total metabolites respectively), with only traces of B[a]P tetrols (less than 1%). Hepatocytes incubated with 40 microM (-)-[14C]B[a]P-7,8-diol produced 4.78 nmol equivalents of metabolites/mg dry wt during a 1 h incubation, yielding an average rate of metabolism during this time period approximately 53% of that determined after a 5 min incubation. The profile of (-)-B[a]P-7,8-diol metabolites remained constant with incubation time (glucuronides, 30-33%; conjugates with glutathione, 43-46%; polyhydroxylated B[a]P derivatives plus sulfate conjugates, 22-24%). HPLC analysis revealed that polyhydroxylated metabolites amounted to 18% of the total metabolites; thus sulfate conjugates amounted to only 4% of the total metabolites. The trans-2 B[a]P-tetrol, which is the major hydrolysis product of (+)-anti-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (anti-BPDE), represented approximately 11% of the accumulated metabolites of (-)-B[a]P-7,8-diol. Despite the much larger amounts of BPDE formed from (-)-B[a]P-7,8-diol than from B[a]P, the amounts of B[a]P equivalents covalently bound to cellular DNA were the same following 1 h incubations with either substrate (247 +/- 42 or 212 +/- 42 pmol/mg DNA respectively). Thus biochemical and physiological factors other than the production of BPDE are critically involved in determining the level of DNA adducts in hepatocytes as well as the role of these adducts in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Evidence for a rostral-to-caudal somatotopic organization in human primary somatosensory cortex with mirror-reversal in areas 3b and 1.

Medial-to-lateral somatotopy is a well-established feature of the human primary somatosensory cortex (SI); however, it is unknown whether, similarly to non-human primates, a rostral-to-caudal somatotopic arrangement exists as well. Therefore, in this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study on eight healthy human subjects, five circumscribed skin areas sequentially located on the third finger and the palm of the hand were stimulated with innocuous electrical pulses. Within area 3b of contralateral SI, successive cortical representation sites ordered in a rostral-to-caudal fashion were seen in the group analysis and in six individual subjects. The fingertip was located most rostrally, whereas the proximal parts of the finger as well as the distal palm were represented at more caudal locations. Within area 1, the group analysis revealed a similar pattern of discrete representations. However, in contrast to area 3b, the fingertip was located most caudally, whereas the more proximal parts of the finger were found to be represented rostrally within area 1. Thus, the representation pattern of area 1 appeared as a 'mirror image' of that of area 3b. In comparison to the representations of the finger and the distal palm, the proximal palm was found to be represented at a more medial position of the postcentral gyrus.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Anatomical differences in the mirror neuron system and social cognition network in autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with impaired social and emotional skills, the anatomical substrate of which is still unknown. In this study, we compared a group of 14 high-functioning ASD adults with a group of controls matched for sex, age, intelligence quotient, and handedness. We used an automated technique of analysis that accurately measures the thickness of the cerebral cortex and generates cross-subject statistics in a coordinate system based on cortical anatomy. We found local decreases of gray matter in the ASD group in areas belonging to the mirror neuron system (MNS), argued to be the basis of empathic behavior. Cortical thinning of the MNS was correlated with ASD symptom severity. Cortical thinning was also observed in areas involved in emotion recognition and social cognition. These findings suggest that the social and emotional deficits characteristic of autism may reflect abnormal thinning of the MNS and the broader network of cortical areas subserving social cognition.

Adult↗