Patterns of sensory nerve conduction abnormalities in demyelinating and axonal peripheral nerve disorders

The pattern of an abnormal median-normal sural (AMNS) sensory response is associated with acute and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP and CIDP) and considered unusual in other types of neuropathy, although specificity and sensitivity of this pattern have not been evaluated. We compared sensory responses (patterns and absolute values) in patients with AIDP, CIDP, diabetic polyneuropathy (DP), and motor neuron disease (MND). Using strict criteria, the AMNS pattern occurred more frequently in recent onset AIDP (39%) compared with CIDP (28%), DP (14%–23%), or MND (22%) patients. This pattern was found in 3% of control subjects. The extreme pattern of an absent median-present sural response occurred only in AIDP and CIDP patients and in no other groups. Abnormalities of both nerves were more common in long-standing polyneuropathies such as CIDP and DP compared with AIDP or MND. Median nerve amplitudes were reduced significantly in AIDP, CIDP, and DP patients compared with MND patients, whereas sural nerve amplitudes were significantly reduced only in DP and CIDP patients. These findings may reflect early distal nerve involvement particularly in AIDP patients which is highlighted by differences in median and sural nerve recording electrode placement. We conclude that, in the appropriate clinical setting, the AMNS pattern, an absent median-present sural response pattern, or a reduced median amplitude compared with the sural amplitude supports a diagnosis of a primary demyelinating polyneuropathy. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/50157/1/880160304_ftp.pd

Perceived fit in activity-based work environments and its impact on satisfaction and performance

Activity-based work environments are widely adopted; however, research shows mixed findings regarding privacy issues, satisfaction with the work environment, and task performance. To further our understanding, two complementary studies drawing on Person-Environment fit theory were conducted: (1) A field study using experience sampling, and (2) A lab study in a virtual reality studio. The results from both studies confirm that perceived fit is a function of activity, work setting, and personal need for privacy, with indirect effects on satisfaction with the work environment (Studies 1 and 2) and task performance (Study 2). Across both studies, a misfit was perceived particularly among workers high in personal need for privacy when performing high-complexity tasks in an open office work setting. Hence, we recommend that organizations facilitate and stimulate their workers to create better fits between activities, work settings, and personal characteristics

Loss of the V-ATPase B1 Subunit Isoform Expressed in Non-Neuronal Cells of the Mouse Olfactory Epithelium Impairs Olfactory Function

The vacuolar proton-pumping ATPase (V-ATPase) is the main mediator of intracellular organelle acidification and also regulates transmembrane proton (H+) secretion, which is necessary for an array of physiological functions fulfilled by organs such as the kidney, male reproductive tract, lung, bone, and ear. In this study we characterize expression of the V-ATPase in the main olfactory epithelium of the mouse, as well as a functional role for the V-ATPase in odor detection. We report that the V-ATPase localizes to the apical membrane microvilli of olfactory sustentacular cells and to the basolateral membrane of microvillar cells. Plasma membrane V-ATPases containing the B1 subunit isoform are not detected in olfactory sensory neurons or in the olfactory bulb. This precise localization of expression affords the opportunity to ascertain the functional relevance of V-ATPase expression upon innate, odor-evoked behaviors in B1-deficient mice. This animal model exhibits diminished innate avoidance behavior (revealed as a decrease in freezing time and an increase in the number of sniffs in the presence of trimethyl-thiazoline) and diminished innate appetitive behavior (a decrease in time spent investigating the urine of the opposite sex). We conclude that V-ATPase-mediated H+ secretion in the olfactory epithelium is required for optimal olfactory function

Trade-offs between the natural environment and recreational infrastructure:A case study about peatlands under different management scenarios

The importance of peatlands for conservation and provision of public services has been well evidenced in the last years, especially in relation to their contribution to the net zero carbon emission agenda. However, little is known about the importance of recreation relative to conservation and their trade-offs. In this paper we address this knowledge gap by exploring the trade-offs between natural properties of peatlands and recreational infrastructures for different categories of recreationists (walkers, cyclists, anglers, and birdwatchers) of an open heather moors and peatlands landscape. We do so building on a series of management scenarios formulated through participatory methods and applying choice experiment related to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark in the UK. Results show a high degree of heterogeneity in landscape preferences across different user groups. Recreationists had a higher appreciation for semi-natural habitats compared to pristine or restored peatland (e.g., land rewetting). Walkers and cyclists were more sensitive to changes in the availability of recreational facilities than to environmental quality, while anglers’ and birdwatchers’ preferences were more aligned with values promoted by restoration policies. Overall, our results point to a potential value conflict between benefits generated by conservation and the benefits valued most by some groups of recreationists. To maximise success conflicts like the one revealed here need to be considered in strategies that provide a central role for peatlands in net zero climate mitigation strategies

Prognosis in long-term immunosuppressive treatment of refractory chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) frequently includes use of immunosuppressive agents. Controlled treatment trials demonstrating efficacy are available only for prednisone and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). When these fail to achieve lasting clinical improvement after reduction or cessation of therapy, subsequent regimens are empiric, often leading to prolonged immunosuppression. It is not possible to predict who will respond to which agent and when. Administered individually, immunosuppressive agents may pose an acceptable risk, but cumulative effects of multiple agents in refractory patients may suppress the immune system and contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment difficulties with refractory CIDP patients have not been emphasized, and long-term effects of immunosuppression have focused on the risk of malignancy. In reviewing our clinical experience treating over 100 CIDP patients we identified approximately 20 patients who could be considered refractory to multiple immunosuppressive therapies and dependent upon long-term intermittent TPE. Two of these patients exemplify the morbidity associated with CIDP and its associated treatment. Our review of the clinical course of these patients raised issues about the use of multiple immunosuppressive agents, long-term goals, and long-term prognosis in CIDP.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/30273/1/0000674.pd

AβA\beta alters the connectivity of olfactory neurons in the absence of amyloid plaques in vivo

The amyloid beta peptide aggregates into amyloid plaques at presymptomatic stages of Alzheimer's disease, but the temporal relationship between plaque formation and neuronal dysfunction is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the connectivity of the peripheral olfactory neural circuit is perturbed in mice overexpressing human APPsw (Swedish mutation) before the onset of plaques. Expression of human APPsw exclusively in olfactory sensory neurons also perturbs connectivity with associated reductions in odour-evoked gene expression and olfactory acuity. By contrast, olfactory sensory neuron axons project correctly in mice overexpressing wild-type human amyloid precursor protein throughout the brain and in mice overexpressing M671V human APP, a missense mutation that reduces amyloid beta production, exclusively in olfactory sensory neurons. Furthermore, expression of Aβ40 or Aβ42 solely in the olfactory epithelium disrupts the olfactory sensory neuron axon targeting. Our data indicate that altering the structural connectivity and function of highly plastic neural circuits is one of the pleiotropic actions of soluble human amyloid beta

Hubbard-U calculations for Cu from first-principles Wannier functions

We present first-principles calculations of optimally localized Wannier functions for Cu and use these for an ab-initio determination of Hubbard (Coulomb) matrix elements. We use a standard linearized muffin-tin orbital calculation in the atomic-sphere approximation (LMTO-ASA) to calculate Bloch functions, and from these determine maximally localized Wannier functions using a method proposed by Marzari and Vanderbilt. The resulting functions were highly localized, with greater than 89% of the norm of the function within the central site for the occupied Wannier states. Two methods for calculating Coulomb matrix elements from Wannier functions are presented and applied to fcc Cu. For the unscreened on-site Hubbard $U$ for the Cu 3d-bands we have obtained about 25eV. These results are also compared with results obtained from a constrained local-density approximation (LDA) calculation.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, 5 table