2.Pathological findings in a mouse model for Coxsackievirus A16 infection
Yuan Teng Hooi ; Kien Chai Ong ; David Perera ; Kum Thong Wong
Neurology Asia 2015;20(4):343-347
Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) is the leading cause of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), which usually
presents as mild and self-limiting symptoms in young children. Rarely, CV-A16 has been reported
to cause severe and fatal neurological complications but little is known about these complications.
In the present study, 1-day and 7-day old mouse models of CV-A16 were developed using a clinical
strain via subcutaneous inoculation. All infected mice exhibited clinical signs of infection, including
reduced mobility, limb weakness and paralysis between 3 to 6 days post-infection. Pathologically,
the main organs involved were the central nervous system (CNS), skeletal muscles and brown fat. In
the CNS, viral antigens as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, were localized mainly to neurons
in the brain stem and spinal cord, suggesting that CV-A16 is neurotropic although inflammation is
very mild. The skeletal muscles showed necrosis and myositis due to viral infection as evidenced by
the dense viral antigens. Focal viral antigens were also detected in the brown fat. These preliminary
pathological findings indicate that our mouse models can be further developed to be useful models
for pathogenesis studies, and vaccine and anti-viral drug evaluation.
Coxsackievirus Infections
3.Pathological findings in a mouse model for Coxsackievirus A16 infection
Yuan Teng Hooi ; Kien Chai Ong ; David Perera ; Kum Thong Wong
Neurology Asia 2015;20(3):343-347
Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) is the leading cause of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), which usually
presents as mild and self-limiting symptoms in young children. Rarely, CV-A16 has been reported
to cause severe and fatal neurological complications but little is known about these complications.
In the present study, 1-day and 7-day old mouse models of CV-A16 were developed using a clinical
strain via subcutaneous inoculation. All infected mice exhibited clinical signs of infection, including
reduced mobility, limb weakness and paralysis between 3 to 6 days post-infection. Pathologically,
the main organs involved were the central nervous system (CNS), skeletal muscles and brown fat. In
the CNS, viral antigens as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, were localized mainly to neurons
in the brain stem and spinal cord, suggesting that CV-A16 is neurotropic although inflammation is
very mild. The skeletal muscles showed necrosis and myositis due to viral infection as evidenced by
the dense viral antigens. Focal viral antigens were also detected in the brown fat. These preliminary
pathological findings indicate that our mouse models can be further developed to be useful models
for pathogenesis studies, and vaccine and anti-viral drug evaluation.
4.Japanese encephalitis virus: Biological clones from a clinical isolate quasispecies show differing neurovirulence in vitro and in a mouse model
Shu Pin Yu ; Kien Chai Ong ; Soon Hao Tan ; David Perera ; Kum Thong Wong
Neurology Asia 2020;25(3):279-284
The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a leading cause of encephalitis, exists as quasispecies in clinical
isolates. Using a limiting dilution method combined with immunohistochemistry to detect viral antigens,
10 biological clones were isolated and purified from a clinical JEV isolate (CNS138/9) derived from
an autopsy brain. These biological clones were tested for neurovirulence in SK-N-MC and NIE-115
neuronal cells, and a 2-week-old, footpad-infected, JE mouse model. Nine clones were found to be
neurovirulent; one clone neuroattenuated. Although further studies are needed to determine genotypic
differences, if any, in these clones, the limiting dilution purification and neurovirulence testing methods
described herein should be useful for phenotypic studies of quasispecies of neurotropic viruses in
general, and JEV and other flaviviruses in particular.
5.Bioinformatics advances in saliva diagnostics.
Ji-Ye AI ; Barry SMITH ; David T W WONG
International Journal of Oral Science 2012;4(2):85-87
There is a need recognized by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research and the National Cancer Institute to advance basic, translational and clinical saliva research. The goal of the Salivaomics Knowledge Base (SKB) is to create a data management system and web resource constructed to support human salivaomics research. To maximize the utility of the SKB for retrieval,integration and analysis of data, we have developed the Saliva Ontology and SDxMart. This article reviews the informatics advances in saliva diagnostics made possible by the Saliva Ontology and SDxMart.
Biomarkers
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chemistry
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Computational Biology
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methods
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Databases, Protein
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Genomics
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methods
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Humans
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Metabolomics
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methods
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Proteomics
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methods
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Saliva
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chemistry
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Salivary Proteins and Peptides
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chemistry
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classification
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physiology
6.Randomized control trial of using tongue acupuncture in autism spectrum disorder
Wong Chun-Nei VIRGINIA ; Sun JIE-GUANG ; Yeung Wai-Chow DAVID
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2014;1(1):62-72
Objective:The therapeutic approach of traditional chinese Medicine (TCM) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a functional one.To study the efficacy,safety and functional brain change from the use of tongue acupuncture (TAC) on ASD children.Methods:21 autistic boys (3-16 years old) were randomly assigned to TAC group (TAC:n =12;receiving daily TAC for 8 weeks) or control (C:n =9;no acupuncture).Primary outcome mea-sures included Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC),Reynell Language Develop-mental Scale,Symbolic Play Test (SPT),Functional Independence Measure for Children(WeeFIM),Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale and Cerebral FDG Metabolism by PET.Results:There were significant improvement in speech domain of ATEC (p =0.030),Self-care domain of WeeFIM (p =0.021),cognition domain of WeeFIM (p =0.001) and Total score domain of WeeFIM (p =0.001) in TAC group compared to the C group.There were significant difference in positive clinical response between C and TAC group in language (p =0.0211),functional (p =0.0011),parental Impression criteria (p =0.0003) and overall cerebral glucose metabolism (p =0.0451) using ROC criteria.No significant association of PET Glucose Meta-bolism with Clinical response was found.None of the children developed any side-effects.Conclusion:A short course of TAC can improve specific functions in children with autism spec-trum disorder,especially speech and cognition function.No statistical significant association of PET Glucose Metabolism with Clinical response.Larger scale with more sample size trial should be done for further investigation.
7.Testing for COVID-19 cases in ASEAN
David SQ Koh ; Sheena XM Wong ; Justin Wong
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2020;11(4):43-45
In ASEAN, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is reported with little information on the number of screening tests performed or the criteria for who is tested. We highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and reporting of the number of people screened and screening criteria when testing capacity is limited.
9.Can the sequential use of conventional silicone oil and heavy oil be a strategy for the management of proliferative vitreoretinopathy?
David WONG ; Sunildath CAZABON ; Haslina ALI ; Indu KUMAR ; Xavier VALLDEPERAS ; Carl GROENEWALD ; Ian PEARCE
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2006;35(3):181-184
INTRODUCTIONDensiron is a novel long-term tamponade. Its specific gravity is 1.06 g/mL and as such it is heavier than water and provides support for the inferior retina. As proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) has a propensity for the inferior retina, we used Densiron on a consecutive series of 97 cases with inferior pathology. We hypothesised that the sequential use of conventional and heavy silicone oil is a strategy for the management of PVR.
MATERIALS AND METHODSA consecutive interventional case series involving the use of Densiron for PVR cases was studied. Patients were selected if conventional silicone oil and Densiron were used sequentially. Anatomical success was defined as total re-attachment in the absence of any tamponade agent for at least 3 months post oil removal.
RESULTSOf the 97 patients, 10 patients fulfilled the criteria. Surgery involving Densiron was successful in re-attaching the retina in 7 of 10 cases, with one sequence of alternating light then heavy oil operation, and with one further surgery using silicone oil in the remaining 3 cases. The mean LogMAR preoperative vision was 1.57 and the postoperative vision was 0.82. In 8 of 10 patients, the final vision was 20/200 or better; in 5 of 10 patients, 20/80 or better. The mean follow-up was 19.5 months (range, 9 to 45).
CONCLUSIONSThe sequential use of conventional silicone oil and Densiron may be a strategy in reducing the number of re-operations. Our case series shows that despite multiple surgical procedures, favourable visual outcome can be achieved.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Detachment ; therapy ; Silicone Oils ; administration & dosage ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative ; therapy
10.A comprehensive review of the sinuvertebral nerve with clinical applications
Brian SHAYOTA ; T L WONG ; Donald FRU ; Glen DAVID ; Joe IWANAGA ; Marios LOUKAS ; R Shane TUBBS
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2019;52(2):128-133
The anatomy and clinical significance of the sinuvertebral nerve is a topic of considerable interest among anatomists and clinicians, particularly its role in discogenic pain. It has required decades of research to appreciate its role, but not until recently could these studies be compiled to establish a more complete description of its clinical significance. The sinuvertebral nerve is a recurrent nerve that originates from the ventral ramus, re-entering the spinal canal via the intervertebral foramina to innervate multiple meningeal and non-meningeal structures. Its complex anatomy and relationship to discogenic pain have warranted great interest among clinical anatomists owing to its sympathetic contribution to the lumbar spine. Knowledge of the nerve has been used to design a variety of diagnostic and treatment procedures for chronic discogenic pain. This paper reviews the anatomy and clinical aspects of the sinuvertebral nerve.
Anatomists
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Humans
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Meninges
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Spinal Canal
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Spine