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.

Sudomotor Function as a Tool for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Level Evaluation: Comparison with Maximal Exercise Capacity

Abstract: Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) and metabolic disorders VO2max is the best method to assess cardio-respiratory fitness level but it is poorly adopted in clinical practice Sudomotor dysfunction may develop early in metabolic diseases This study aimed at comparing established CV risk evaluation techniques with SUDOSCAN; a quick and non-invasive method to assess sudomotor function A questionnaire was filled-in; physical examination and VO2max estimation using a maximal test on a bicycle ergometer were performed on active Finish workers Hand and foot electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) were measured to assess sudomotor function Subjects with the lowest fitness level were involved in a 12 month training program with recording of their weekly physical activity and a final fitness level evaluation Significant differences in BMI; waist and body fat were seen according to SUDOSCAN risk score classification Correlation between the risk score and estimated VO2max was r = −057, p < 00001 for women and −048, p < 00001 for men A significant increase in estimated VO2max, in hand and foot ESC and in risk score was observed after lifestyle intervention and was more important in subjects with the highest weekly activity SUDOSCAN could be used to assess cardio-metabolic disease risk status in a working population and to follow individual lifestyle interventions

Melatonin and agomelatine for preventing seasonal affective disorder

Abstract: Background Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a seasonal pattern of recurrent major depressive episodes that most commonly starts in autumn or winter and remits in spring The prevalence of SAD depends on latitude and ranges from 15% to 9% The predictable seasonal aspect of SAD provides a promising opportunity for prevention in people who have a history of SAD This is one of four reviews on the efficacy and safety of interventions to prevent SAD; we focus on agomelatine and melatonin as preventive interventions Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of agomelatine and melatonin (in comparison with each other, placebo, second-generation antidepressants, light therapy, psychological therapy or lifestyle interventions) in preventing SAD and improving person-centred outcomes among adults with a history of SAD Search methods We searched Ovid MEDLINE (1950- ), Embase (1974- ), PsycINFO (1967- ) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) to 19 June 2018 An earlier search of these databases was conducted via the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Controlled Trial Register (CCMD-CTR) (all years to 11 August 2015) Furthermore, we searched the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database and international trial registers (to 19 June 2018) We also conducted a grey literature search and handsearched the reference lists of included studies and pertinent review articles Selection criteria To examine efficacy, we included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on adults with a history of winter-type SAD who were free of symptoms at the beginning of the study For adverse events, we intended also to include non-randomised studies We planned to include studies that compared agomelatine versus melatonin, or agomelatine or melatonin versus placebo, any second-generation antidepressant, light therapy, psychological therapies or lifestyle changes We also intended to compare melatonin or agomelatine in combination with any of the comparator interventions mentioned above versus the same comparator intervention as monotherapy Data collection and analysis Two review authors screened abstracts and full-text publications, abstracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies independently We intended to pool data in a meta-analysis using a random-effects model, but included only one study Main results We identified 3745 citations through electronic searches and reviews of reference lists after deduplication of search results We excluded 3619 records during title and abstract review and assessed 126 full-text papers for inclusion in the review Only one study, providing data of 225 participants, met our eligibility criteria and compared agomelatine (25 mg/day) with placebo We rated it as having high risk of attrition bias because nearly half of the participants left the study before completion We rated the certainty of the evidence as very low for all outcomes, because of high risk of bias, indirectness, and imprecisionThe main analysis based on data of 199 participants rendered an indeterminate result with wide confidence intervals (CIs) that may encompass both a relevant reduction as well as a relevant increase of SAD incidence by agomelatine (risk ratio (RR) 083, 95% CI 051 to 134; 199 participants; very low-certainty evidence) Also the severity of SAD may be similar in both groups at the end of the study with a mean SIGH-SAD (Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Seasonal Affective Disorders) score of 83 (standard deviation (SD) 94) in the agomelatine group and 101 (SD 106) in the placebo group (mean difference (MD) -180, 95% CI -458 to 098; 199 participants; very low-certainty evidence) The incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events may be similar in both groups In the agomelatine group, 64 out of 112 participants experienced at least one adverse event, while 61 out of 113 did in the placebo group (RR 106, 95% CI 084 to 134; 225 participants; very low-certainty evidence) Three out of 112 patients experienced serious adverse events in the agomelatine group, compared to 4 out of 113 in the placebo group (RR 076, 95% CI 017 to 330; 225 participants; very low-certainty evidence)No data on quality of life or interpersonal functioning were reported We did not identify any studies on melatonin Authors' conclusions Given the uncertain evidence on agomelatine and the absence of studies on melatonin, no conclusion about efficacy and safety of agomelatine and melatonin for prevention of SAD can currently be drawn The decision for or against initiating preventive treatment of SAD and the treatment selected should consider patient preferences and reflect on the evidence base of all available treatment options

Efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a systematic literature review.

Abstract: Therapeutic strategies with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) counteract the immunosuppressive effects of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and ligand-1 (PD-L1). ICI treatment has emerged in...

Cerebrolysin: a multi-target drug for recovery after stroke.

Abstract: Introduction: Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide preparation with neurotrophic effects and promotes recovery after brain injury. Its preclinical profile promises wide applications due to its multi-targ...