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.

Effect of liraglutide on anthropometric measurements, sagittal abdominal diameter and adiponectin levels in people with type 2 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections: evaluations from a randomized trial (MDI-liraglutide study 5).

Abstract: Aim Use of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist liraglutide has been shown to reduce weight. Different types of anthropometric measurements can be used to measure adiposity. This study evaluated the effect of liraglutide on sagittal abdominal diameter, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and adiponectin levels in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with multiple daily insulin injections (MDI). Materials and methods In the multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled MDI-liraglutide trial, 124 individuals with T2D treated with MDI were randomized to either liraglutide or placebo. Basal values of weight, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, sagittal abdominal diameter and adiponectin were compared with measurements at 12 and 24 weeks after randomization. Results Baseline-adjusted mean weight loss was 3.8 +/- 2.9 kg greater in liraglutide than placebo-treated individuals (p < 0.0001). Waist circumference was reduced by 2.9 +/- 4.3 cm and 0.2 +/- 3.6 cm in the liraglutide and placebo groups, respectively, after 24 weeks (baseline-adjusted mean difference: 2.6 +/- 4.0 cm, p = 0.0005). Corresponding reductions in sagittal abdominal diameter were 1.1 +/- 1.7 cm and 0.0 +/- 1.8 cm (baseline-adjusted mean difference: 1.1 +/- 1.7 cm, p = 0.0008). Hip circumference was reduced in patients randomized to liraglutide (baseline-adjusted mean difference between treatment groups: 2.8 +/- 3.8 cm, p = 0.0001), but there was no significant difference between the groups in either waist-to-hip ratio (baseline-adjusted mean difference: 0.0 +/- 0.04 cm, p = 0.51) or adiponectin levels (baseline-adjusted mean difference: 0.8 +/- 3.3 mg L-1, p = 0.17). Lower HbA1c and mean glucose levels measured by masked continuous glucose monitoring at baseline were associated with greater effects of liraglutide on reductions in waist circumference and sagittal abdominal diameter. Conclusions In patients with T2D, adding liraglutide to MDI may reduce abdominal and hip obesity to a similar extent, suggesting an effect on both visceral and subcutaneous fat. Liraglutide had greater effects on reducing abdominal obesity in patients with less pronounced long-term hyperglycaemia but did not affect adiponectin levels.

The Game Lies in the Eye of the Beholder: The Influence of Expertise on Watching Soccer

Abstract: The Game Lies in the Eye of the Beholder: The Influence of Expertise on Watching Soccer Michael Smuc (michael.smuc@donau-uni.ac.at) Eva Mayr (eva.mayr@donau-uni.ac.at) Florian Windhager (florian.windhager@donau-uni.ac.at) Research Center KnowComm, Danube University Krems, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Str. 30 3500 Krems, Austria Abstract The influence of expertise on viewing soccer matches is already an area of extensive research focusing on training. However, free viewing of soccer matches did receive less attention. In an explorative eye-tracking study we compared the viewing behavior of novices, amateur players, and professional players watching soccer scenes freely. Overall, novices seem to view a soccer match quite similar to professional players, whereas amateurs engage in more visual work. The viewing behavior differs when watching soccer freely or with a task in mind – a result worth a second glance. Keywords: Soccer, viewing behavior, eye tracking, expertise Introduction Watching soccer without the corresponding experience and domain knowledge is a real challenge. Without knowledge about standard situations and tactical behavior, an unskilled observer is restricted to following the ball’s trajectory mainly. On the other extreme, a good commentator is able to take in the whole scene at once and comment on the events and possible next moves. But what is it that enables an experienced soccer viewer to direct his or her attention more strategically and to take in more relevant information in comparison to an inexperienced one? To answer this question, we review existing research on eye-movements in sports and their relation to expertise. We present a study that compares the television viewing behavior of soccer laypersons, amateurs, and professional players. Eye-Movements in Watching Television In general, viewing television is a complex activity (Josephson & Holmes, 2006): A huge amount of information has to be processed at a speed, which cannot be controlled by the viewer. Kirkorian (2007) assumes that watching television is nearest to perceiving scenes (e.g., Henderson, 2007). Both convey complex visual stimuli, but instead of viewing only one scene, television includes a series of static frames. To examine visual information processing, eye tracking technology provides a means to observe a viewer’s point-of- gaze (e.g., Rayner, 1998). In the past, eye tracking focused mainly on scene perception and reading under laboratory conditions (Henderson, 2007; Rayner, 1998); only in the last years, applications in more everyday settings (e.g., Hayhoe & Ballard, 2005; Mayr, Knipfer, & Wessel, 2009) became possible with the emergence of more usable technology. Central eye-movement measures are fixations and saccades. Saccades are shifts from one point of gaze to another; fixations indicate visual attention to that information (Rayner, 1998). In scene perception, top-down and bottom-up influences control where one looks (Henderson, 2007). Bottom-up influences are stimulus- driven, whereas top-down influences are viewer-driven. Bottom-up influences are mainly based on the visual salience of the stimulus, i.e., color, saturation, and – which is especially important in television – movement (Mahapatra, Winkler, & Yen, 2008). Also, research on eye- movements during film watching shows that a high degree of the fixations is within the center of the screen (Goldstein, Woods, & Peli, 2007). An open question is whether this is due to a trend to fixate the center or due to movie making conventions placing the most relevant information in the center of the screen. Top-down influences on the other hand are a viewer’s knowledge about the stimulus, his or her domain knowledge, and his or her goals (Henderson, 2003). It was shown that expectations about camera angles, cuts and close-ups determine television viewing behavior (Kirkorian, 2007). These expectations are learned and, therefore, get stronger with viewing experience. Another top-down influence is the viewer’s domain knowledge. Chase and Simon (1973) showed that due to their higher knowledge on possible configurations experts in chess can easier create chunks of information. A similar mechanism can be assumed in soccer experts and was already shown to be influential (Ward & Williams, 2003). A third top-down influence is the existence of specific goals. Only little research exists on humans watching television freely, i.e. without any task or instruction (see Goldstein et al., 2007, for an exception). However, Spanne (2006) showed that similar to viewing natural scenes (DeAngelus & Pelz, 2009) viewing behavior of movies differs according to the task at hand and in free viewing. But until now no research on free viewing behavior in soccer exists. Rather, most research asked players to anticipate the next move, recall the players’ positions (e.g., Ward & Williams, 2003), or actively pass the ball (Helsen & Starkes, As watching soccer for leisure purposes is a free viewing condition, it has to be questioned whether existing research

Stroke risk factors and treatment variables in rural and urban Austria: An analysis of the Austrian Stroke Unit Registry.

Abstract: Background and objectives Differences in stroke risk factors and treatment variables between rural and urban regions in Austria were analyzed retrospectively as European data on this topic are scarce. Research design and methods We performed statistical analysis using group comparisons and time series analysis of data of the Austrian Stroke Unit Registry between 2005 and 2016. 87411 patients were divided into three groups (rural, intermediate, urban) according to the degree of urbanisation classification of the European Commission/Eurostat. Results Patients in the rural group were significantly younger, more often female, had a lower pre-stroke disability, and were more frequently transported by an emergency physician. Vascular risk factors were significantly higher in urban patients, leading to a higher rate of microangiopathic etiology. Onset-to-door (ODT) and Onset-to-treatment times were significantly higher in the rural group, but ODTs decreased over time. Door-to-needle times and time to first vascular imaging were significantly lower in the rural group. Intravenous thrombolysis and rehabilitation rates were lower in urban patients. Discussion and implications Contrary to previous literature predominantly from outside of Europe, vascular risk factors were higher in Austrian urban patients. Further, rural patients had higher intravenous thrombolysis and rehabilitation rates maybe because of lower pre-stroke disability. ODTs in rural patients were generally higher, but they decreased over time, which might be a consequence of better education of the public in noticing early stroke signs, better transportation and education of emergency medical personnel, better advance notification to the receiving hospital and implementation of Stroke Units in rural areas.

Sex, Age, and Bodyweight as Determinants of Extracellular DNA in the Plasma of Mice: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract: Extracellular DNA (ecDNA) is studied as a possible biomarker, but also as a trigger of the immune responses important for the pathogenesis of several diseases. Extracellular deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity cleaves ecDNA. The aim of our study was to describe the interindividual variability of ecDNA and DNase activity in the plasma of healthy mice, and to analyze the potential determinants of the variability, including sex, age, and bodyweight. In this experiment, 58 adult CD1 mice (41 females and 31 males) of a variable age (3 to 16 months old) and bodyweight (females 25.7 to 52.1 g, males 24.6 to 49.6 g) were used. The plasma ecDNA was measured using a fluorometric method. The nuclear ecDNA and mitochondrial ecDNA were quantified using real-time PCR. The deoxyribonuclease activity was assessed using the single radial enzyme diffusion method. The coefficient of variance for plasma ecDNA was 139%, and for DNase 48%. Sex differences were not found in the plasma ecDNA (52.7 ± 73.0 ηg/mL), but in the DNase activity (74.5 ± 33.5 K.u./mL for males, and 47.0 ± 15.4 K.u./mL for females). There were no associations between plasma ecDNA and bodyweight or the age of mice. Our study shows that the variability of plasma ecDNA and DNase in adult healthy mice is very high. Sex, age, and bodyweight seem not to be major determinants of ecDNA variability in healthy mice. As ecDNA gains importance in the research of several diseases, it is of importance to understand its production and cleavage. Further studies should, thus, test other potential determinants, taking into account cleavage mechanisms other than DNase.