Publications by authors named "Ivan Hong"
The analysis of neural circuits has been revolutionized by optogenetic methods. Light-gated chloride-conducting anion channelrhodopsins (ACRs)-recently emerged as powerful neuron inhibitors. For cells or sub-neuronal compartments with high intracellular chloride concentrations, however, a chloride conductance can have instead an activating effect.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLow intensity repetitive magnetic stimulation of neural tissue modulates neuronal excitability and has promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of neurological disorders. However, the underpinning cellular and biochemical mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the behavioural effects of low intensity repetitive magnetic stimulation (LI-rMS) at a cellular and biochemical level.
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- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a technique that modulates brain plasticity, with high-intensity rTMS used clinically to target specific brain areas while also affecting nearby regions at lower intensities.
- This study focused on the effects of low-intensity repetitive magnetic stimulation (LI-rMS) on layer 5 pyramidal neurons' excitability, finding that it does not affect passive membrane properties but does lower action potential thresholds and increase spike-firing frequency.
- The findings suggest that even regions outside the high-intensity rTMS target can be impacted, highlighting the potential for these methods to induce changes in neuronal excitability and contribute to overall neural plasticity.
The human concentrative nucleoside transporter 2 (hCNT2) plays a major role in the intestinal absorption of naturally occurring nucleosides as well as some nucleoside analog drugs. To determine if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of hCNT2 affect gene expression, we examined approximately 1 kb upstream the hCNT2 transcription start site. Ninety Chinese samples were screened and seven SNPs were identified: -115T>G, -146T>A, -264A>G, -564G>A, -861A>C, -880T>C and -906C>T.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHope among terminally ill patients in Singapore: an exploratory study.
Soc Work Health Care
November 2007
This study presents an exploration into hope, a source of strength among the terminally ill patients in Singapore. It explores, from the conventionally neglected patients' perspective, their definition of hope, factors that cause changes in their hope and roles that the formal service providers can play to instill hope in patients. All the respondents who participated in this study were diagnosed with terminal cancer and were staying in Dover Park Hospice, a hospice in Singapore for the terminally ill.
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