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.

Magnetic microstructure machine learning analysis

Abstract: We use a machine learning approach to identify the importance of microstructure characteristics in causing magnetization reversal in ideally structured large-grained Nd$_2$Fe$_{14}$B permanent magnets. The embedded Stoner-Wohlfarth method is used as a reduced order model for determining local switching field maps which guide the data-driven learning procedure. The predictor model is a random forest classifier which we validate by comparing with full micromagnetic simulations in the case of small granular test structures. In the course of the machine learning microstructure analysis the most important features explaining magnetization reversal were found to be the misorientation and the position of the grain within the magnet. The lowest switching fields occur near the top and bottom edges of the magnet. While the dependence of the local switching field on the grain orientation is known from theory, the influence of the position of the grain on the local coercive field strength is less obvious. As a direct result of our findings of the machine learning analysis we show that edge hardening via Dy-diffusion leads to higher coercive fields.

Comparative Effectiveness of Combining MTX with Biologic Drug Therapy Versus Either MTX or Biologics Alone for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults: a Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

Abstract: Comparative effectiveness of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments remains uncertain. Compare benefits and harms of biologic drug therapies for adults with early RA within 1 year of diagnosis. English language articles from the 2012 review to October 2017 identified through MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, gray literature, expert recommendations, reference lists of published literature, and supplemental evidence data requests. Two persons independently selected studies based on predefined inclusion criteria. One reviewer extracted data; a second reviewer checked accuracy. Two independent reviewers assigned risk of bias ratings. We identified 22 eligible studies with 9934 participants. Combination therapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or non-TNF biologics plus methotrexate (MTX) improved disease control, remission, and functional capacity compared with monotherapy of either MTX or a biologic. Network meta-analyses found higher ACR50 response (50% improvement) for combination therapy of biologic plus MTX than for MTX monotherapy (relative risk range 1.20 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04 to 1.38] to 1.57 [95% CI, 1.30 to 1.88]). No significant differences emerged between treatment discontinuation rates because of adverse events or serious adverse events. Subgroup data (disease activity, prior therapy, demographics, serious conditions) were limited. Trials enrolled almost exclusively selected populations with high disease activity. Network meta-analyses were derived from indirect comparisons relative to MTX due to the dearth of head-to-head studies comparing interventions. No eligible data on biosimilars were found. Qualitative and network meta-analyses suggest that the combination of MTX with TNF or non-TNF biologics reduces disease activity and improves remission when compared with MTX monotherapy. Overall adverse event and discontinuation rates were similar between treatment groups. PROSPERO (available at http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42017079260 ).

Markers of cholesterol metabolism as biomarkers in predicting diabetes in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study.

Abstract: Background and aims We examined the effect of serum markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption on the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the randomized Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS). We also explored a possible interaction of ABCG8 rs4299376 on sterol levels and lifestyle intervention. Methods and results We conducted a prospective cohort study including overweight, middle-aged people with impaired glucose tolerance at baseline who participated in the randomized DPS. The primary outcome of the DPS was the diagnosis of T2D based on repeated oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs). After active intervention (median of four years, 1994–2001), non-T2D participants were further followed until T2D diagnosis, dropout or the end of 2009. Of these, 340 participants who had β-sitosterol, campesterol, lathosterol and desmosterol measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry during the active four-year follow-up and who were not using cholesterol lowering medications were analysed. Surrogate indexes of insulin sensitivity (IS) and secretion were calculated from an OGTT. In adjusted models, plant sterols during the four-year follow-up were associated with lower T2D incidence during the extended eight-year follow-up (HR for 1-SD change in β-sitosterol and campesterol: 0.76 [0.63–0.92], and 0.81 [0.67–0.99], respectively). Lathosterol levels were associated with higher T2D incidence (HR: 1.35 [1.13–1.62]). These associations, though, were not independent of IS. There was an interaction between rs4299376 and study group on β-sitosterol ( p = 0.001) and campesterol ( p = 0.004) levels during the follow-up. Conclusions Markers of low absorption and high synthesis of cholesterol were associated with the risk of developing T2D, mostly ascribed to IS.