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.

Dilative arteriopathy in metabolic myopathies, particularly Pompe’s disease

Abstract: There is increasing evidence that some metabolic myopathies are associated with dilative arteriopathy. This review aimed at summarizing recent findings concerning the pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of dilative arteriopathies in patients with metabolic myopathies. Dilative arteriopathy manifests as ectasia or aneurysms. Dilative arteriopathy most frequently occurs in patients with Pompe’s disease. More rarely, dilative arteriopathy occurs in other glycogenoses or mitochondrial disorders. Complications of dilative arteriopathy may be intracerebral or subarachnoid bleeding, dissection of the arterial wall or ischemic stroke. Because of the often fatal complications, patients at risk for developing dilative arteriopathy should be screened for it as soon as the diagnosis of a metabolic myopathy has been established. Dilative arteriopathy is a phenotypic feature, particularly of Pompe’s disease. Early recognition of ectasias and aneurysms and appropriate interventions by enzyme replacement therapy, stenting, coiling or surgery may prevent mild or severe cerebrovascular complications or even death in some of these patients.

Attractiveness of jobs in academia: a cross-country perspective

Abstract: Asymmetric international mobility of highly talented scientists is well documented. We contribute to the explanation of this phenomenon, looking at the “competitiveness” of research universities in terms of being able to attract talented early stage researchers. We propose a new hybrid quantitative-qualitative methodology for comparing the top tier of national higher education systems: We characterise a country’s capability to offer attractive entry positions into academic careers building upon the results of a large scale experiment on the determinants of job choice in academia, using a mix of data and expert-based assessment. We examine salary level, quality of life, career perspectives, research organisation, balance between teaching and research, funding and the probability of working with high quality peers. Our results in the form of a job attractiveness index indicate that overall, the US research universities offer the most attractive jobs for early stage researchers, consistent with the asymmetric flow of talented scientists to the US. By comparison with rankings that use survey results or bibliometric data, our methodology offers the advantage of comparing structures and factors shaping the process of research rather than results of research. The findings are hence directly relevant for policies aiming at improving the attractiveness of research universities.

Pathways and composition of dissolved organic carbon in a small agricultural catchment during base flow conditions

Abstract: The amount and composition of organic carbon are major controls on water quality and ecological processes in streams. In this study we explored the fate of the quantity of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in an agricultural hillslope - stream network system. We conducted our study in the 66 ha HOAL (Hydrological Open Air Laboratory) in Lower Austria. We measured DOC of the soil eluates from different land use units, water samples from the stream and from seven tributaries, and estimated DOM components by fluorescent spectrophotometry and PARAFAC analyses. Soil DOC shows the highest concentrations in summer, but DOC concentrations in the tributaries are lower in summer than in winter by between 19% and 31%. DOM composition of the soil eluate differs between land use units. The forest site exhibits the largest fractions of humic-like fluorophores and less labile DOM. DOM composition in the tributaries is, in addition to DOC, controlled by soil moisture. We estimated the DOC import from the tributaries into the stream as 125 kg during base flow conditions in the period February to December 2017 and the instream DOC production as 38 kg, considering mass balance and exchange with groundwater. Six out of seven DOM components have a positive net production along the stream, only aliphatic DOM with low molecular weight is consumed (65 % of its input). These findings suggest that agricultural land use increases DOC input into streams and alters their DOM quality. Instream processes modify DOM quality over short distances.

Tracking the global burden of stoke and dementia: World Stroke Day 2020.

Abstract: This World Stroke Day edition of the International Journal of Stroke (IJS) celebrates World Stroke Day, which is commemorated each year on 29th October. This annual focal point of the World Stroke Organization’s (WSO) public awareness activities was started in 2004 at the World Stroke Congress in Vancouver, Canada. On this day annually organizations around the world come together to increase visibility for stroke through community and policy events and online communication aimed at improving public awareness of stroke prevention and symptoms. World Stroke Day focuses on a particular theme each year. In 2020 the WSO’s commitment to stroke prevention continues with a campaign that builds on the momentum of 2019 #DontBeTheOne which highlighted the one in four life-time risk of stroke and the importance of addressing individual risk factors for stroke. This year, the campaign focuses on the importance of physical activity for stroke prevention. This is combined with a call to action to ‘‘Join The Movement’’ which points people to the Stroke Riskometer (https://www.strokeriskometer.com/), the WSO endorsed mobile app that supports individual risk assessment and access to information about the top 10 stroke risk factors and how these can be reduced. Despite many advances in stroke prevention and care, the most recent WSO analysis of Global Burden of Disease data found that the adult lifetime risk of stroke remains at 1 in 4 and 13.7 million people suffer stroke annually, accounting for 116 million days of healthy life lost each year. Tackling this epidemic requires national stroke prevalence, outcome and treatment data, alongside evidence-based frameworks, to guide the effective deployment of resources, workforce, and interventions. Prevention is by far the most effective strategy to reduce the global burden of stroke. While secondary prevention, or identification of highrisk groups, is effective for the individuals concerned, to have a major impact on a global basis a population-based approach is required. Studies such as INTERSTROKE suggest that 90% of stroke risk is accounted for by a limited number of potentially modifiable risk factors, and increasing evidence suggests that tackling these modifiable risk factors can result in a significant reduction in stroke incidence. The WSO recommends that primary stroke prevention interventions meet the following criteria: (a) sufficient evidence of efficacy, (b) potential population-wide coverage, (c) applicability for both stroke and dementia prevention, and (d) low cost and affordability even in lowand middle-income countries (LMIC). Of the available strategies analyzed by the WSO, only four were found to meet these criteria; population-based strategies to reduce exposure to risk factors (for example, pollution), community health worker interventions to reduce modifiable risk factors, a polypill strategy (consisting of blood pressure drugs and lipid lowering medication for adults at risk of cardiovascular disease), and a motivational e-health app. All approaches are applicable even in LMIC; for example, a study in Iran demonstrated that a polypill approach (contacting hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg, aspirin 81mg, atorvastatin 20mg, and enalapril 5mg) was effective for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease including stroke. Using a combination of these approaches, the WSO has adopted an ambitious plan to ‘‘cut stroke in half.’’ Responding to prevention and patient needs requires detailed knowledge on national stroke incidence and outcome, as well as data on the provision of stroke care. This month, as part of our contribution to World Stroke Day, we publish Global Stroke Statistics 2019. This provides informative data on the current incidence, mortality, and case fatality of stroke and its variation across the globe. Once again it shows striking regional differences in incidence and mortality, although also highlights that more up to date data is required from many countries. There are some striking success stories. For example, Kazakhstan has moved from worst place in terms of mortality rating, to 38th among those countries where data is available. This is a commendable improvement in stroke mortality over the 12-year period from 2003 to 2015. But such impressive declines in mortality are not consistent worldwide. The stroke unit care statistics also make interesting, and salutary reading. Although data was not available from many countries, stroke unit coverage varied widely with the proportion being treated within a stroke unit ranging between 1% and 90%, despite strong evidence that stroke units improve outcome. Papers such as this are vital and provide baseline data for countries around the world helping them better plan and track strategies to reduce the global burden of stroke.