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Biomedical subjects

W K Ho

Publications and source records attributed to W K Ho.

144 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Serum lipoproteins as inhibitors of haemafflutination by rubella virus.

The role of serum lipoproteins as non-antibody-like inhibitors of haemagglutination for rubella virus was investigated. Dissociation of lipoproteins into their respective lipid and protein components significantly reduced their inhibitory titre. This reduction was more prominent with the protein component. When mixtures of pure lipids were tested for their haemagglutination inhibitory activities, no inhibition was observed. Sonication of the three major lipoprotein fractions significantly increased the inhibitory activities of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) but not high density lipoproteins (HDL). Succinylation, acetylation, and methylation of the lipoproteins did not appear to affect their inhibitory titre. On the other hand, phospholipase A treatment significantly increased the inhibitory properties of all lipoproteins fractions. These results are discussed in terms of the possible mechanisms by which the lipoproteins interact with the rubella haemagglutinins.

Apolipoproteins↗
PubMed1976

Comparison of the activities in inhibition of haemagglutination by different togaviruses for human serum lipoproteins and their constituents.

The 3 major lipoprotein fractions of human serum were investigated for their ability to inhibit the haemagglutination of 24 different togaviruses including rubella virus and arboviruses from 5 antigenic groups. All viruses were inhibited by the 3 fractions and this was most evident with low and very low density lipoproteins; inhibitory activity appeared to be associated with the lipid part of the lipoproteins. When artificial dispersions of the lipids cholesterol, cholesteryl ester and triglyceride were emulsified with egg lecithin three categories of inhibitory activity were observed which were independent of virus antigenic grouping -- category 1, no activity; category 2, activity confined to cholesterol and category 3, activity for cholesterol and to a lesser extent the other lipids.

Arboviruses↗
PubMed1976

Removal of non-specific serum inhibitors of haemagglutination of rubella virus by treatment with dodecylamine-gel.

The suitability of using dodecylamine-gel for removing the serum non-antibody-like inhibitors of haemagglutination by rubella was studied. Compared with kaolin and MnCl2/heparin treatment this new procedure appears to have a higher specificity since it removes the non-antibody-like inhibitors from serum without affecting the immunoglobulin level significantly. The potential application of this procedure in routine serological analysis for rubella virus infection is discussed.

Amines↗
PubMed1975

Evaluation of serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in normal Chinese. The influence of dietary habit, body weight, exercise and a familial record of coronary heart disease.

The effects of dietary habit, body weight, physical activity and a familial record of coronary heart disease on serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in Chinese were examined. Increased dietary preference for animal meat products was associated with increased serum cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein levels. Increased carbohydrate intake and overweight were associated with increased serum triglyceride and pre-beta-lipoprotein levels. A familial record of coronary heart disease was associated with increased serum total lipid and pre-beta-lipoprotein levels. Based on these results, the factors which influence the serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in Chinese are probably similar to those in other ethnic groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Studies on the inhibitory activities of human serum lipoproteins for Japanese encephalitis virus.

Human serum lipoproteins were purified by ultracentrifuging and their concentrations adjusted as required to be within the normal male/female serum range for all assays. The activities in inhibition of hemagglutination (HAI) for Japanese encephalitis virus were--low density lipoprotein (LDL) greater than very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) greater than high density lipoprotein (HDL). Heating (56 degrees C/30 minutes) caused the LDL titer to fall and freeze-thawing (20 degrees C/room temperature) the VLDL titer to rise slightly, possibly as a result of alteration in lipoprotein structure. The additon of lipoprotein depleted serum appeared to dampen these effects and there was no nett change in titer when it was added to a lipoprotein mixture. Similarly, unfractionated normal serum showed no significant change in titer after these treatments. The lipoproteins lacked significant virus neutralizing (VN) activity and this remained so in spite of fluctuations in HAI titer after heating and freeze-thawing.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1972

A binding protein for fatty acids in cytosol of intestinal mucosa, liver, myocardium, and other tissues.

A protein of molecular weight approximately 12,000 which binds long-chain fatty acids and certain other lipids has been identified in cytosol of intestinal mucosa, liver, myocardium, adipose tissue, and kidney. Binding is noncovalent and is greater for unsaturated than for saturated and medium-chain fatty acids. This protein appears to be identical with the smaller of two previously described cytoplasmic anion-binding proteins. Binding of long-chain fatty acids by this protein is greater than that of other anions tested, including sulfobromophthalein, and does not depend on negative charge alone. The presence of this binding protein may explain previously observed differences in intestinal absorption among fatty acids, and the protein may participate in the utilization of long-chain fatty acids by many mammalian tissues.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of pain in cancer patients by intrathecal administration of dynorphin.

Dynorphin-(1-13) and -(1-10) were administered by intrathecal injection into six terminal cancer patients at doses of 7.5, 15, 30 and 60 micrograms. Compared with saline, both analogues of dynorphin were effective in suppressing pain. The duration of relief at doses of 15 micrograms and above was more than 4 hours on the average for both peptides. However, no proportional increase in response was observed when the dose applied was doubled. This lack of response might have been due to the development of tolerance.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comprehensive analysis of pharyngeal recurrence of laryngeal carcinoma after total laryngectomy.

PURPOSE: This study analyzes the incidence, risk factors, treatment results, and prognosis of local recurrence at the pharynx after total laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 292 patients who underwent total laryngectomy for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma between January 1978 and December 1990 were reviewed. RESULTS: Of these 292 patients, there were 24 patients who developed local recurrence at the pharynx. The 5-year actuarial cumulative local recurrence rate was 10%. There were 17 cases of pharyngeal recurrence alone, five cases of pharyngeal and nodal recurrence, one case of pharyngeal and tracheostomal recurrence, and one case of pharyngeal and distant metastasis. Ten (42%) patients were salvaged surgically; the 5-year actuarial survival rate after surgical salvage was 53%. The other 14 patients were treated with palliative treatment, and all died of tumor, with the longest period of survival being 28 months. CONCLUSION: Surgical salvage of pharyngeal recurrence has acceptable results. Close monitoring of patients is important to have an early diagnosis of salvageable recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Otorrhea after grommet insertion for middle ear effusion in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To document the incidence of complications after myringotomy and grommet insertion in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The focus is on the incidence of otorrhea and perforation. The possible risk factors for these conditions and treatment response were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records on 206 ears of 163 patients who suffered from nasopharyngeal carcinoma and underwent myringotomy and grommet insertion in a 7-year period. The follow-up period ranged from 4 weeks to 78 months (median, 9 months). RESULTS: The overall incidence of otorrhea in these ears was 38%. Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) had a significantly high incidence of postoperative discharge (chi2 test, P<.0001) compared with other patients who underwent myringotomy and grommet insertion. The mean interval between myringotomy and otorrhea was 19.8 weeks. Forty-seven per cent of the ears with a discharge developed otorrhea within 1 month. In 42%, the otorrhea responded to treatment and the ears became dry. After extrusion of the grommet, 29% of those ears with otorrhea ended with an eardrum perforation, and 24% of the ears showed recurrent effusion. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with NPC who underwent myringotomy, there was a significant risk of otorrhea (49%) and persistent perforation (29%), and these complications were difficult to manage. We conclude that myringotomy and grommet insertion should not be routinely offered to NPC patients with middle ear effusion.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunoassayable beta-endorphin level in the plasma and CSF of heroin addicted and normal subjects before and after electroacupuncture.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate if plasma or CSF beta-endorphin level can be induced to rise during the treatment of heroin addiction by electroacupuncture. Based on the examination of 30 addicts, we obtained no evidence indicating an increase of beta-endorphin level in either the plasma or the CSF after 30 min of acupuncture. In spite of this, the majority of the addicts experienced a reduction of withdrawal symptoms during treatment. Since electroacupuncture may only induce a highly localized secretion of beta-endorphin in the brain, our results cannot unequivocally exclude the possibility that this peptide is involved in mediating the action of acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinicopathological significance of p53 and p21 expression in the surgical treatment of laryngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at resolving the clinicopathological significance of p53 and p21 expression in patients undergoing surgical treatment for laryngeal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: p53 and p21 expression were studied by immunohistochemical method on surgical specimens of 193 patients. The expressions of p53 and p21 were correlated with the clinicopathological data. RESULTS: Of the 193 tumors, 60% had positive p53 expression and 46% had positive p21 expression. Nodal metastasis was significantly correlated with p53 overexpression, supraglottic involvement and moderate- to poor-differentiation of the tumor. There was significant cumulative effect with increasing risk of nodal metastasis with increasing number of risk factors: 0% without any risk factor, 13% with 1 risk factor, 37% with 2 risk factors and 55% with all 3 risk factors. CONCLUSION: Positive expressions p53 and p21 were common in laryngeal carcinoma. Overexpression of p53 but not p21 was associated with nodal metastasis. The use of p53 expression has added value in providing more accurate prognostic analysis of risk of nodal metastasis in conjunction with site of tumor involvement and tumor grade.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acupuncture in narcotic withdrawal: a preliminary report on biochemical changes in the blood and urine of heroin addicts.

Eight female heroin-addicted subjects were treated over a 10-day period by acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES). Their plasma ACTH, cortisol and c-AMP levels were reduced after initial AES treatment. The reduction of c-AMP was significant the most of the three. The suppression of these compounds may be associated with the temporary relief of withdrawl symptoms on and after each AES treatment in the first three days. On the third day, ACTH, cortisol and c-AMP levels did not show significant changes after AES. This was presumably due to the disappearance of withdrawal symptoms and possibly to the stabilizing effect of the treatment. Both the ACTH and c-AMP levels were generally lower at the end of the treatment period. Results of the present investigation suggest that plasma c-AMP may be the best parameter by which to gauge the response of heroin addicts to AES.

Acupuncture Therapy↗