Publications by authors named "Thomas K Ng"
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder due to degeneration of spinal cord motor neurons caused by deficiency of the ubiquitously expressed SMN protein. Here, we present a retinal vascular defect in patients, recapitulated in SMA transgenic mice, driven by failure of angiogenesis and maturation of blood vessels. Importantly, the retinal vascular phenotype was rescued by early, systemic SMN restoration therapy in SMA mice.
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- A study evaluated the effectiveness of an exercise program aimed at improving postural control and mobility in older adults aged 65 and above with type 2 diabetes, involving 93 participants.
- The intervention group engaged in ankle strengthening and mobility exercises twice a week for 10 weeks, resulting in significantly better scores in various balance tests compared to the control group.
- The findings suggest that targeted ankle exercises can enhance postural stability and potentially improve balance and mobility in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
Article Synopsis
- The study tested a new ultrasound foot scanner to measure the thickness and stiffness of soft tissue in healthy individuals while they were sitting and standing.
- Results showed high reliability in measurements, with significant changes in thickness (10-14% thinner) and stiffness (123-164% stiffer) when moving from sitting to standing.
- The device could be useful in clinical settings to assess foot health, particularly for the elderly or diabetic patients at risk for foot complications.
Article Synopsis
- Older adults with type 2 diabetes show poorer mobility compared to those without diabetes, linked to weaker ankle muscle strength and reduced joint range.
- The study involved 85 older adults assessing their mobility using tests like the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and measuring ankle characteristics such as proprioception and strength.
- Key findings revealed that factors like age, body mass index, ankle strength, and proprioception greatly influence mobility, accounting for nearly 60% of the variance in mobility performance.
Purpose: To examine the risk of fall for people with diabetes compared with healthy control subjects. Correlation between tactile sensation and postural control was examined for subjects with diabetes.
Methods: Subjects with type 2 diabetes were classified into two groups: (i) diabetes without neuropathy (n = 23) and (ii) diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) (n = 9).