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S Ho

Publications and source records attributed to S Ho.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Regionalization and intersegmental coordination of rhythm-generating networks in the spinal cord of the chick embryo.

We have examined the regionalization and coordination of rhythm-generating networks in the isolated spinal cord of the chick embryo between embryonic days 9 and 13, by recording the pattern of rhythmic activity recorded from muscle nerves and ventral roots following a variety of lesions. We found that the capacity for rhythmic activity is distributed along the rostrocaudal axis of the cord but can be expressed in a single, isolated segment. Specializations within the lumbosacral cord were investigated by isolating particular regions and recording their motor output. The rostral part of the lumbosacral cord generates more cycles than the caudal part, and this difference becomes more pronounced with development. In the unlesioned cord, motoneuron activity is synchronized along the rostrocaudal axis. Lesion experiments revealed that the synchronization of motoneuron activity and the synaptic drive to caudal motoneurons is mediated in part by propriospinal pathways traveling in the ventrolateral white matter tracts and by synaptic interactions within the gray matter. The dorsal fiber tracts may also be involved but their effects appear to be weak. Lesions in dorsal-ventral and mediolateral planes were used to localize regions critical for rhythmogenesis and for the alternation of flexor and extensor motoneurons. Rhythmic activity with alternation persisted in spinal cords in which the dorsal and medial half had been removed. Severe medial or dorsal lesions, resulting in a thin strip of lateral or ventral gray matter, altered the phasing of motoneuron activity from alternating to synchronous without effects on cycle timing. These results suggest that the critical neural components for alternation are located close to and dorsomedial to the lateral motor column, and that the capacity for rhythmogenesis is distributed widely throughout the ventral gray matter and is not localized to specific nuclei.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Adenosine modulation of potassium currents in preganglionic nerve terminals of avian ciliary ganglia.

Potassium currents in calyciform nerve terminals of the avian ciliary ganglion were analyzed using a single microelectrode voltage clamp. The modulatory affects of adenosine on these currents was also determined. Intracellular CsCl (1 M) blocked the steady-state outward current, indicating that it is mostly carried by K+. Tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 mM) blocked over 40% of the outward current at a command potential of -30 mV. If Ca2+ influx was blocked by CoCl2 (5 mM), the steady-state outward current was reduced by over 16% in the nerve terminals suggesting that about one fifth of the outward current passes through calcium-activated potassium channels IK(Ca). Adenosine (50 mM) decreased the outward steady-state current over a wide range of command potentials in most terminals studied but failed to decrease this current in the presence of CoCl2 (5 mM). It is concluded that adenosine blocks IK(Ca) in nerve terminals.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1992

Development of spinal motor networks in the chick embryo.

We have examined the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying the genesis of alternating motor activity in the developing spinal cord of the chick embryo. Experiments were performed on the isolated lumbosacral cord maintained in vitro. Intracellular and whole cell patch clamp recordings obtained from sartorius (primarily a hip flexor) and femorotibialis (a knee extensor) motoneurons showed that both classes of cell are depolarized simultaneously during each cycle of motor activity. Sartorius motoneurons generally fire two bursts/cycle, whereas femorotibialis motoneurons discharge throughout their depolarization, with peak activity between the sartorius bursts. Voltage clamp recordings revealed that inhibitory and excitatory synaptic currents are responsible for the depolarization of sartorius motoneurons, whereas femorotibialis motoneurons are activated principally by excitatory currents. Early in development, the dominant synaptic currents in rhythmically active sartorius motoneurons appear to be inhibitory so that firing is restricted to a single, brief burst at the beginning of each cycle. In E7-E13 embryos, lumbosacral motor activity could be evoked following stimulation in the brainstem, even when the brachial and cervical cord was bathed in a reduced calcium solution to block chemical synaptic transmission. These findings suggest that functional descending connections from the brainstem to the lumbar cord are present by E7, although activation of ascending axons or electrical synapses cannot be eliminated. Ablation, optical, and immunocytochemical experiments were performed to characterize the interneuronal network responsible for the synaptic activation of motoneurons. Ablation experiments were used to show that the essential interneuronal elements required for the rhythmic alternation are in the ventral part of the cord. This observation was supported by real-time Fura-2 imaging of the neuronal calcium transients accompanying motor activity, which revealed that a high proportion of rhythmically active cells are located in the ventrolateral part of the cord and that activity could begin in this region. The fluorescence transients in the majority of neurons, including motoneurons, occurred in phase with ventral root or muscle nerve activity, implying synchronized neuronal action in the rhythm generating network. Immunocytochemical experiments were performed in E14-E16 embryos to localize putative inhibitory interneurons that might be involved in the genesis or patterning of motor activity. The results revealed a pattern similar to that seen in other vertebrates with the dorsal horn containing neurons with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-like immunoreactivity and the ventral and intermediate regions containing neurons with glycine-like immunoreactivity.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Expression of beta-2-microglobulin by nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Serum beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2M) levels of 274 Chinese patients with different stages of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at presentation and that of 35 patients who developed distant metastases post-treatment were assayed. beta 2M level was found to increase with advancing stage of disease, with statistically significant differences among early-stage, advanced-stage, and metastatic disease. Elevated pre-treatment beta 2M levels were expressed more frequently by tumours with lower degree of histological differentiation. The sensitivity of serum beta 2M for diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, however, is low.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Soluble interleukin-2 receptors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels in 72 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using an enzyme immunoassay. Their objectives were to determine the value of serum sIL-2R in estimating the tumor burden, and its predictive value in response to therapy and prognosis. The data showed that serum sIL-2R levels in patients were significantly higher than that of healthy controls. The serum levels correlated with clinical staging and hence the tumor burden of NPC. Serial measurement of serum sIL-2R provided an accurate prognostic index of the clinical response to radiotherapy in at least 89% of patients with raised serum sIL-2R at initial diagnosis (defined as mean + 2 SD of healthy controls) and a reliable predictive index in all patients who subsequently developed distant metastasis despite initial radiotherapy. Simultaneous measurement of Epstein-Barr virus-related serology (IgA-VCA and IgG-EA) failed to demonstrate predictive value comparable with that of serum sIL-2R. The authors conclude that monitoring serum sIL-2R levels has clinical and prognostic significance in patients with NPC and that prospective studies are indicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Probabilistic secretion of quanta from nerve terminals in avian ciliary ganglia modulated by adenosine.

1. The effects of adenosine on the probability of secretion of acetylcholine quanta and on presynaptic and postsynaptic action potentials was examined in the post-hatched avian ciliary ganglion. 2. Adenosine (20 microM) reduced the average size of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) by 33%. This was due to a decrease in quantal content of the EPSP (m). The effect was blocked by theophylline (50 microM). 3. Adenosine deaminase (2.5 i.u./ml) increased the size of the EPSP by 70%, suggesting that endogenous adenosine modulates synaptic transmission in the ciliary ganglion. However, theophylline (20-100 microM) did not affect the EPSP in a low [Ca2+]o of 1 mM and high [Mg2+]o of 6 mM. 4. Plateau-type action potentials with a large calcium component were generated in the ciliary neurones by bathing the ganglion in tetraethylammonium ions (TEA, 10 mM). Adenosine (20 microM) reduced the duration of these action potentials on short exposures (less than 20 min) but increased the duration on longer exposure (greater than 30 min). Adenosine did not affect the normal action potential recorded in the absence of TEA. 5. Adenosine (20 microM) hyperpolarized the nerve terminal and as a consequence increased the size of the presynaptic action potential and reduced its after-hyperpolarization. 6. Plateau-type action potentials with a large calcium component were generated in the nerve terminals using TEA (10 mM). The duration of these action potentials was significantly reduced by adenosine (20 microM). 7. Adenosines action on nerve terminals, to hyperpolarize the membrane and reduce calcium influx, may contribute to its effect in reducing m of the EPSP.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1991

Epstein-Barr virus in oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal secretions of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and control subjects.

The frequency of oropharyngeal excreters of the Epstein-Barr virus among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Hong Kong was compared with those of healthy adults in Hong Kong and California. 6 (3%) of 177 patients, 11 (12%) of 92 Hong Kong residents, and 20 (15%) of 132 Californians were excreters. The virus was detected in the nasopharyngeal secretion of only 1 of 67 patients and in 2 of 73 healthy adults. No convincing evidence for neutralizing antibody in the throat wash and nasopharyngeal secretions of the patients could be obtained. Epstein-Barr viral gene sequencing could not be detected in the throat washes from 27 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 8 patients with infectious mononucleosis, and 15 healthy adults and in the nasopharyngeal secretions of 35 patients and 17 controls. We conclude that patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma are no more likely to be oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal excreters of the Epstein-Barr virus than healthy adults. One possible explanation for this unexpected finding is that the virus infections in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells are predominantly nonproductive.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Phenotypic changes and proliferative activity of human gamma delta T cell receptor-bearing cells upon activation.

We first compared the proliferative activity of alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR) (beta F1+) and gamma delta TCR (TCR delta-1+) human T cells after phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation by using double-colour immunofluorescence staining with Ki67 and anti-BrdU monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). The dividing activity was higher within the alpha beta TCR cells: after 3 days of culture 69.9 +/- 5.9% of beta F1+ cells expressed Ki67, and 44.8 +/- 4.8% of these cells synthesized DNA as revealed by BrdU incorporation. In contrast, only 18.9 +/- 1.6% and 12.0 +/- 1.2% of TCR delta-1+ cells in the same samples were Ki67+ and BrdU+, respectively. Cells with V delta 1-J delta 1 usage (delta TCS-1+) showed a higher cycling activity than the rest of gamma delta TCR cells: after 3 days of PHA stimulation, 51.1 +/- 18.3% and 18.3 +/- 6.1% of such cells were in cycle and synthesized DNA, respectively. Next, we studied the expression of CD45 isoforms on peripheral blood alpha beta TCR and gamma delta TCR lymphocytes. Within the alpha beta TCR cells, two distinct subpopulations were distinguishable after labelling with SN130 (CD45RA) MoAb: 64.1 +/- 10.2% were bright, and 35.9 +/- 10.2% were dim or negative. Likewise, most TCR delta-1+ cells expressed SN130 (CD45RA): 87.5 +/- 3.0% were bright and 12.5 +/- 3.0% were dim. However, in contrast to alpha beta TCR+ cells, a high proportion (55.6 +/- 4.0%) of gamma delta TCR+ cells also expressed CD45RO molecules. Thus, most resting gamma delta TCR cells showed a pattern of CD45 isoform expression similar but not identical to that of 'memory' alpha beta TCR cells. Within the gamma delta TCR cell population the expression of CD45RO was heterogeneous because only 19.8 +/- 5.9% of cells bearing the V delta 1-J delta 1 form of the receptor (delta TCS-1+) were UCHL1 (CD45RO)+. Therefore, most gamma delta TCR cells with V delta 1-J delta 1 usage showed a CD45 isoform profile resembling that of 'naive' alpha beta TCR cells. These phenotypic features changed upon PHA stimulation: after 5 days of culture the proportion of TCR delta-1+ cells expressing UCHL1 increased to 86.0 +/- 3.1% and a two-fold increase in CD45RO expression was also observed in the delta TCS-1+ subpopulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Intake and blood levels of some minerals in an elderly Chinese population.

Twenty-four hour intakes of potassium, calcium, and iron, and plasma concentration of potassium, copper and zinc were determined in a cluster sample of 400 apparently healthy subjects aged 60 years and over living in the community. Potassium and calcium intakes were lower in older men and lower in men compared to women. Both were much lower than intakes reported among Caucasian elderly, while iron intakes are comparable. Plasma potassium concentration was lower than values from studies of all ages and from studies of Caucasian elderly subjects. Copper and zinc concentrations were comparable to published values for adults of all ages. The significance of low potassium and calcium intake among elderly subjects in the population is discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

An in vitro comparison of different bleaching agents in the discolored tooth.

Extracted teeth with intact crowns were stained to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of four bleaching agent combinations. Forty-two permanent and 12 deciduous teeth were used. The bleaching agents were placed into coronal pulp chambers and then evaluated and rated at 1-, 3-, 7-, and 14-day and 6-month intervals. New sodium perborate combined with fresh Superoxol was the most effective bleaching agent with 93% success (the final shade was as light as the prestained shade). New sodium perborate and 1-yr-old Superoxol was 73% successful. New sodium perborate with distilled water and old sodium perborate with distilled water were both 53% successful. Deciduous teeth demonstrated a response to bleaching agents similar to that of permanent teeth. Color regression after 6 months was found in 4% of the cases. When it occurred, the degree of color regression was minimal.

Borates↗
PubMed1988

Forearm bone loss in hemiplegia: a model for the study of immobilization osteoporosis.

Hemiplegia is associated with excessive bone loss in the paralyzed arm. The forearm bone mineral content was measured at a proximal cortical site and a distal trabecular site of both the normal and hemiplegic arms in 74 patients with hemiplegia. By comparing the ratios of bone mineral content in the two arms, the effect of immobilization could be quantitated independently of the large population variance in bone mineral content. Bone loss, estimated from this single comparison of bone mineral content in the normal and hemiplegic arms, at the trabecular and cortical sites was positively correlated with the duration of stroke and negatively correlated with reduction in forearm function. At the trabecular site females had a proportionately greater bone loss than males, indicating an interaction between gender and immobilization associated bone loss at this site. The regression line of excess bone loss in the hemiplegic limb against time had a negative slope of 1.3% and 1.5% a year of the starting value for the trabecular and cortical sites, respectively, over the 15 years studied. This study indicates that a reduction in function is associated with significant bone loss occurring over prolonged periods that may account, at least in part, for the significant osteoporosis seen in elderly people and in subjects with conditions resulting in reduced mobility such as arthritis, obstructive airways disease, and neurological disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

The formation of topographical maps in developing rat gastrocnemius muscle during synapse elimination.

1. The rat lateral gastrocnemius muscle (LG) is a complex of four muscle compartments, each defined in terms of its unique innervation by a single primary nerve branch of the muscle nerve. A study has been made of the topographical distribution of motor units in the medial compartment of the LG (LGM) both before and after the loss of polyneuronal innervation that accompanies development. 2. Glycogen depletion methods showed that the distribution of single motor units depended on the rostro-caudal origins of their axons in the spinal cord: rostral axons possessed motor units almost exclusively confined to the medial half of the LGM; intermediate axons possessed motor units primarily in the intermediate and lateral part of the LGM; caudal axons possessed motor units that were not restricted to any particular part of the LGM. 3. Myosin ATPase staining showed that about 80% of the LGM consists of type II A fibres, whilst the remainder are type II B. Physiological determination of the contractile properties of motor units indicated two classes of units: those that were relatively fatigue resistant and did not show a sag property (like fast-twitch, fatigue-resistant fibres or FR) and those that were relatively fatigable and did show a sag property (like fast-twitch, fatigable fibres or FF). 4. Glycogen depletion was also used to determine the distribution of motor units in the LGM at 7 days post-natal, when most fibres still receive a polyneuronal innervation. The LGM primary nerve branch innervated a confined sub-volume of muscle fibres which is similar to the mature pattern. However, rostral axons possessed motor units that extended into the lateral half of the LGM, a position from which they are excluded in the adult. 5. These observations suggest that the axons of rostral and intermediate units form a topographical map within adult FR motor units (type II A fibres) in the LGM. The results suggest that competition between axon terminals for synaptic sites plays a role in the elimination of inappropriately positioned terminals and subsequent emergence of the topographical map.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Vitamin A and E status in healthy elderly Chinese in Hong Kong.

Daily intakes of retinol and beta-carotene equivalents, plasma retinol, retinol binding protein and plasma vitamin E were estimated in a cluster sample of apparently healthy elderly subjects aged 60 years and over in Hong Kong leading an active life in the community. Intakes were available from 418 and plasma measurements from 385 subjects. There were no age or sex differences in intakes. Plasma retinol and retinol binding protein levels showed no sex- or age-related difference, while plasma vitamin E levels were higher in women. Retinol binding protein, plasma retinol and plasma vitamin E levels were comparable to published values for Chinese and Caucasians of all ages. Vitamin A and E status appears to be adequate in this elderly Chinese population.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Osteoarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint.

Most patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint should be managed nonoperatively. When operative intervention becomes necessary, therapeutic options include joint fusion or flexible implant arthroplasty. Both relieve pain; however, an implant, while preserving mobility, is subject to fatigue and ultimate failure.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1986

Competition between segmental nerves at end-plates in rat gastrocnemius muscle during loss of polyneuronal innervation.

1. The segmental innervation of the rat lateral gastrocnemius (l.g.) muscle is from lumbar nerves L4 and L5. A study has been made of changes in the innervation of the l.g. muscle by nerves L4 and L5 before and after removal of L4 during the loss of polyneuronal innervation which occurs over the first 2 weeks postnatal. 2. The rat l.g. muscle is a complex of three unipennate muscles; the lateral, intermediate and medial heads. Each of these has a characteristic distribution of type I and type II muscle fibres of different diameter by 12 days postnatal. Following the removal of nerve L4 at birth there is no change in the distribution of fibre types in the different heads of the l.g. muscle at 12 days postnatal. 3. The number of fibres in the l.g. muscle doubled between birth and 12 days postnatal and the maximum tetanic force generated by the muscle increased by fourfold. Removal of nerve L4 at birth did not alter the increase in fibre number and there was no difference between the tension generated by the l.g. muscle in the ipsilateral and contralateral limbs of operated animals. 4. The number of detectable motor units in a extracellular calcium concentration [( Ca]o) of 2 mM remained constant in L4 at about fifteen between birth and 12 days postnatal; the number of detectable motor units in L5 declined over this period from about fifteen to six in a [Ca]o of 2 mM. Following the removal of L4 at birth, the number of motor units in L5 increased to twenty by 3 days postnatal and remained there for at least 12 days in a [Ca]o of 2 mM. 5. The mean size of motor units and the range of motor unit sizes declined for both L4 and L5 during the postnatal period. Following the removal of L4, the mean size of motor units and the range of motor unit sizes in L5 failed to decline. 6. The number of motor units detected at birth in a raised [Ca]o of 3-5 mM increased in L4 and L5 to about twenty; this estimate in high [Ca]o remained constant during the postnatal period. Estimates of the size of the large, low threshold motor units declined whether these were made in low or high [Ca]o.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1985

Proton NMR of aequorin. Structural changes concomitant with calcium-independent light emission.

Aequorin, a Ca(II)-sensitive bioluminescent protein from jellyfish, emits light at 469 nm from an excited state of a substituted pyrazine (oxyluciferin) which results from the oxidation of a chromophore molecule that is noncovalently bound to the protein. The chromophore is oxidized when Ca(II) or other activating metal ions are bound by aequorin. In the absence of Ca(II), spontaneous emission of light, referred to as Ca(II)-independent light emission, occurs at a rate less than 10(-6) of that for Ca(II)-induced emission. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence were used to study structural changes of aequorin accompanying Ca(II)-independent light emission. Time course studies by 1H NMR and CD demonstrate that as a result of Ca(II)-independent light emission, aequorin progressively changes from a rigid, fully active form showing little segmental mobility to a practically unfolded, discharged (i.e., inactive) form in which a number of amino acid residues are significantly mobile. This slow discharged protein (SDP) is distinct in nature and conformation from aequorin which has been discharged by Ca(II), i.e., the blue fluorescent protein. The rate of Ca(II)-independent discharge of aequorin is substantially reduced in the presence of excess Mg(II); the time constant for inactivation at 5 degrees C is 30 days with no Mg(II) present and 70 days with Mg(II) present. The NMR spectra are nearly identical at a given stage of inactivation whether or not Mg(II) is present. Oxyluciferin remains bound to SDP. If it is removed, however, by column chromatography, the resulting apo-SDP partially refolds, and the segmental mobility acquired in the formation of SDP is significantly attenuated particularly for some of the aromatic amino acid residues.

Aequorin↗