Neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis: Seeing differences through optical coherence tomography.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that preferentially targets the optic nerves and spinal cord. The clinical presentation may suggest multiple sclerosis (MS), but a highly specific serum autoantibody against the astrocytic water channel aquaporin-4 present in up to 80% of NMO patients enables distinction from MS. Optic neuritis may occur in either condition resulting in neuro-anatomical retinal changes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a useful tool for analyzing retinal damage both in MS and NMO. Numerous studies showed that optic neuritis in NMO typically results in more severe retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer thinning and more frequent development of microcystic macular edema than in MS. Furthermore, while patients' RNFL thinning also occurs in the absence of optic neuritis in MS, subclinical damage seems to be rare in NMO. Thus, OCT might be useful in differentiating NMO from MS and serve as an outcome parameter in clinical studies.journal articleresearch support, non-u.s. gov'treview2015 May2015 02 06importe

Website design in tourism and hospitality : a multilevel review

202206 bckwNot applicableOthersBeijing Social Science FoundationPublished24 month

Steel SIPs for Residential Building Construction: Lessons from Air Leakage and Thermography Analysis of Australian Houses

Freely access on publisher website Stick-frame residential construction is renowned for being leaky. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) theoretically resolve the issues with air and thermal leakage, but such construction systems are new to the Australian housing market. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a steel-skinned SIP construction product could resolve air leakage and thermal performance challenges in five climate zones across Australia in 2015. All houses used the same steel SIPs as the main construction element (walls and roof). Airtightness and thermography tests were conducted in each house in winter to identify air and thermal leakage paths. The results show that even first-time users of this product can produce well-sealed homes, but there is a need to address thermal bridging (because of the steel componentry) and to consider the house as a whole system (not just walls and roof). The results of the study raise questions about thermography test procedures and airtightness regulations for naturally ventilated homes in warm-temperature climates. Addressing these issues will assist in the diffusion of innovative construction products and methods to enhance the energy efficiency of housing