Danube University Krems

About: Danube University Krems is a education organization based out in Krems, Niederösterreich, Austria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Stroke & Population. The organization has 498 authors who have published 1572 publications receiving 68797 citations.

Coronary heart disease incidence and mortality, and all-cause mortality among diabetic and non-diabetic people according to their smoking behavior in Finland

Abstract: As type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients have a high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and all-cause mortality and smoking is a major single risk factor for total and CHD mortality, it is important to understand the impact of smoking to the outcome events in comparison to people without T2D. Studies of excess risk of CHD incidence and mortality, and all-cause mortality in T2D patients related to smoking are controversial. We aimed to assess the risk of CHD incidence and mortality, and all-cause mortality in a large Finnish population cohort consisting of people with and without T2Daccording to smoking status. Prospective follow-up of 28 712 men and 30 700 women aged 25–64 years living in eastern and south-western Finland. The data on mortality were obtained from the nationwide death register using the unique national personal identification number. Follow-up information regarding CHD was based on the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register for non-fatal outcomes. The Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between diabetes and smoking subgroups and the risk for total and CHD mortality. T2D patients who were smoking had higher all-cause mortality in both men (HR 3.76; 95% CI 2.95-4.78) and women (HR 4.51; 95% CI 2.91-7.00) than non-smoking diabetic men (HR 2.03; 95% CI 1.51-2.74) and women (HR 2.11; 95% CI 1.71-2.59). The CHD mortality risk for smoking men with T2D was higher (HR 6.15; 95% CI 4.22-8.96) than in non-smoking diabetic men (HR 2.62; 95% CI 1.60-4.29). Similar results were found in women revealing corresponding HR for CHD mortality of 6.92 (95% CI 2.79-17.19) for smoking, T2D women and 4.06 (95% CI 2.83-5.82) for non-smoking T2D women, respectively. Even though the risk of CHD incidence in T2D patients who had stopped smoking was statistically significantly higher than in their non-smoking non-diabetic counterparts, their CHD incidence was lower than in smoking T2D patients (HR in men 3.00; HR in women 2.80). It is important to address tobacco consumption in T2D patients, especially during primary health care contacts in order to reduce their high risk of CHD and all-cause mortality.

Applicability of Immersive Analytics in Mixed Reality: Usability Study

Abstract: Nowadays, visual analytics is mainly performed by programming approaches and viewing the results on a desktop monitor. However, due to the capabilities of smart glasses, new user interactions and representation possibilities become possible. This refers especially to 3D visualizations in the medical field, as well as, the industry domain, as valuable depth information can be related to the complex real-world structures and related data, which is also denoted as immersive analytics. However, the applicability of immersive analytics and its drawbacks, especially in the context of mixed reality, are quite unexplored. In order to validate the feasibility of immersive analytics for the aforementioned purposes, we designed and conducted a usability study with 60 participants. More specifically, we evaluated the effects of spatial sounds, performance changes from one analytics task to another, expert status, and compared an immersive analytics approach (i.e., a mixed-reality application) with a desktop-based solution. Participants had to solve several data analytics tasks (outlier's detection and cluster recognition) with the developed mixed-reality application. Thereby, the performance measures regarding time, errors, and movement patterns were evaluated. The separation into groups (low performer vs. high performer) was performed using a mental rotation pretest. When solving analytic tasks in mixed reality, participants changed their movement patterns in the mixed reality setting significantly, while the use of spatial sounds reduced the handling time significantly, but did not affect the movement patterns. Furthermore, the usage of mixed reality for cluster recognition is significantly faster than the desktop-based solution (i.e., a 2D approach). Moreover, the results obtained with self-developed questionnaires indicate 1) that wearing smart glasses are perceived as a potential stressor and 2) that the utilization of sounds is perceived very differently by the participants. Altogether, industry and researchers should consider immersive analytics as a suitable alternative compared to the traditional approaches.

Taxation of the fat content of foods for reducing their consumption and preventing obesity or other adverse health outcomes

Abstract: BACKGROUND Overweight and obesity are increasing worldwide and are considered to be a major public health issue of the 21st century Introducing taxation of the fat content in foods is considered a potentially powerful policy tool to reduce consumption of foods high in fat or saturated fat, or both OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of taxation of the fat content in food on consumption of total fat and saturated fat, energy intake, overweight, obesity, and other adverse health outcomes in the general population SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, Embase, and 15 other databases and trial registers on 12 September 2019 We handsearched the reference lists of all records of included studies, searched websites of international organizations and institutions (14 October 2019), and contacted review advisory group members to identify planned, ongoing, or unpublished studies (26 February 2020) SELECTION CRITERIA In line with Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (EPOC) criteria, we included the following study types: randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-randomized controlled trials (cRCTs), non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs), controlled before-after (CBA) studies, and interrupted time series studies We included studies that evaluated the effects of taxes on the fat content in foods Such a tax could be expressed as sales, excise, or special value added tax (VAT) on the final product or an intermediary product Eligible interventions were taxation at any level, with no restriction on the duration or the implementation level (ie local, regional, national, or multinational) Eligible study populations were children (zero to 17 years) and adults (18 years or older) from any country and setting We excluded studies that focused on specific subgroups only (eg people receiving pharmaceutical intervention; people undergoing a surgical intervention; ill people who are overweight or obese as a side effect, such as those with thyroiditis and depression; and people with chronic illness) Primary outcomes were total fat consumption, consumption of saturated fat, energy intake through fat, energy intake through saturated fat, total energy intake, and incidence/prevalence of overweight or obesity We did not exclude studies based on country, setting, comparison, or population DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods for all phases of the review Risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the criteria of Cochrane's 'Risk of bias' tool and the EPOC Group's guidance Results of the review are summarized narratively and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach These steps were done by two review authors, independently MAIN RESULTS We identified 23,281 records from searching electronic databases and 1173 records from other sources, leading to a total of 24,454 records Two studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review Both included studies investigated the effect the Danish tax on saturated fat contained in selected food items between 2011 and 2012 Both studies used an interrupted time series design Neither included study had a parallel control group from another geographic area The included studies investigated an unbalanced panel of approximately 2000 households in Denmark and the sales data from a specific Danish supermarket chain (1293 stores) Therefore, the included studies did not address individual participants, and no restriction regarding age, sex, and socioeconomic characteristics were defined We judged the overall risk of bias of the two included studies as unclear For the outcome total consumption of fat, a reduction of 418 grams per week per person in a household (P < 0001) was estimated For the consumption of saturated fat, one study reported a reduction of 42% from minced beef sales, a reduction of 58% from cream sales, and an increase of 05% to sour cream sales (no measures of statistical precision were reported for these estimates) These estimates are based on a restricted number of food types and derived from sales data; they do not measure individual intake Moreover, these estimates do not account for other relevant sources of fat intake (eg packaged or processed food) or other food outlets (eg restaurants or cafeterias); hence, we judged the evidence on the effect of taxation on total fat consumption or saturated fat consumption to be very uncertain We did not identify evidence on the effect of the intervention on energy intake or the incidence or prevalence of overweight or obesity AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Given the very low quality of the evidence currently available, we are unable to reliably establish whether a tax on total fat or saturated fat is effective or ineffective in reducing consumption of total fat or saturated fat There is currently no evidence on the effect of a tax on total fat or saturated fat on total energy intake or energy intake through saturated fat or total fat, or preventing the incidence or reducing the prevalence of overweight or obesity

Predicting factors for severity of rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective multicenter cohort study of 172 patients over 3 years

Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis may take an unfavourable course leading to rapid functional decline in a certain percentage of patients. Early identification of these patients is desirable. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and laboratory parameters for their value in the prediction of bad outcome. A total of 172 patients with early arthritis were followed for 3 years. Higher initial values for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, IgG and IgM rheumatoid factor, serum concentration of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, Larsen score of feet, disease activity score, and swollen and tender joint count predicted worse outcome. An association with the presence of IgA rheumatoid factor or anti-cyclic-citrullinated peptide could not be established. We conclude that prognosis in an individual with rheumatoid arthritis depends on many factors. The determination of independent prognostic factors for progression of rheumatoid arthritis is a valuable tool in early arthritis to select patients for more aggressive therapy.