1,649 research outputs found
Visual Multi-Metric Grouping of Eye-Tracking Data
We present an algorithmic and visual grouping of participants and eye-tracking metrics derived from recorded eye-tracking data. Our method utilizes two well-established visualization concepts. First, parallel coordinates are used to provide an overview of the used metrics, their interactions, and similarities, which helps select suitable metrics that describe characteristics of the eye-tracking data. Furthermore, parallel coordinates plots enable an analyst to test the effects of creating a combination of a subset of metrics resulting in a newly derived eye-tracking metric. Second, a similarity matrix visualization is used to visually represent the affine combination of metrics utilizing an algorithmic grouping of subjects that leads to distinct visual groups of similar behavior. To keep the diagrams of the matrix visualization simple and understandable, we visually encode our eye- tracking data into the cells of a similarity matrix of participants. The algorithmic grouping is performed with a clustering based on the affine combination of metrics, which is also the basis for the similarity value computation of the similarity matrix. To illustrate the usefulness of our visualization, we applied it to an eye-tracking data set involving the reading behavior of metro maps of up to 40 participants. Finally, we discuss limitations and scalability issues of the approach focusing on visual and perceptual issues
High PIRCHE Scores May Allow Risk Stratification of Borderline Rejection in Kidney Transplant Recipients
BackgroundThe diagnosis of borderline rejection (BLR) ranges from mild inflammation to clinically significant TCMR and is associated with an increased risk of allograft dysfunction. Currently, there is no consensus regarding its treatment due in part to a lack of biomarkers to identify cases with increased risk for immune-mediated injury.MethodsWe identified 60 of 924 kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with isolated and untreated BLR. We analyzed the impact of predicted indirectly recognizable HLA epitopes (PIRCHE) score on future rejection, de novo DSA development, and recovery to baseline allograft function. Additionally, we compared the outcomes of different Banff rejection phenotypes.ResultsTotal PIRCHE scores were significantly higher in KTRs with BLR compared to the entire study population (p=0.016). Among KTRs with BLR total PIRCHE scores were significantly higher in KTRs who developed TCMR/ABMR in follow-up biopsies (p=0.029). Notably, the most significant difference was found in PIRCHE scores for the HLA-A locus (p=0.010). PIRCHE scores were not associated with the development of de novo DSA or recovery to baseline allograft function among KTRs with BLR (p>0.05). However, KTRs under cyclosporine-based immunosuppression were more likely to develop de novo DSA (p=0.033) than those with tacrolimus, whereas KTRs undergoing retransplantation were less likely to recover to baseline allograft function (p=0.003).ConclusionsHigh PIRCHE scores put KTRs with BLR at an increased risk for future TCMR/ABMR and contribute to improved immunological risk stratification. The benefit of anti-rejection treatment, however, needs to be evaluated in future studies
Entering the Third Decade After Kidney Transplantation: Excellent Graft Function Refers to Superior Graft but Not Patient Survival
Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with ultralong-term survival represent a growing, yet insufficiently studied patient cohort. In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed 248 ultralong-term survivors (≥20 years). KTRs were classified into those with superior graft function (defined as eGFR ≥45 ml/min + proteinuria ≤300 mg/day + eGFR-slope ≤ 2 ml/min/1.73 m2/year) and inferior graft function regarding the risk of CKD progression. 20 years post-transplant, median eGFR was 54 ml/min (11-114), proteinuria 200 mg/24 h (0-7,620), eGFR decline 0.45 ml/min/1.73 m2/year (11.7 6.5) and DSA had been detected in 19.7% of KTRs. We identified 96 KTRs (38.7%) with superior (group 1) and 152 KTRs (61.3%) with inferior graft function (group 2). Donation after cardiac death, female sex, glomerulonephritis as primary disease, and early TCMR were independently associated with inferior graft function. Graft survival was significantly better in group 1 compared to group 2 (LogRank, p < 0.001). Besides group affiliation (HR 20.515, p = 0.003), multivariable analysis identified DSA development (HR 3.081, p = 0.023) and donor age (HR 1.032, p = 0.024) as independent factors. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in patient survival (LogRank, p = 0.350). In ultralong-term survivors, excellent graft function refers to superior graft survival but does not extend ultimate patient survival. DSA-formation should be taken seriously even in the ultralong-term.
Keywords: TCMR; de novo DSA; kidney allograft function; kidney transplantation; survival
Protokolle des Ministerrates der Zweiten Republik der Republik Österreich, Kabinett Leopold Figl I, Band 9 (27. Jänner 1948 bis 23. März 1948)
The Edition of the Minutes of the Cabinet Meetings Figl I constitutes an important contribution to research on the early years of Austria’s Second Republic and the reconstruction and renewal of the state and its political components after World War II. The minutes of the cabinet meetings have to be regarded as central source materials on this early and complex phase of the Second Republic. Volume 9 of the Edition encompasses the minutes of meeting No. 97 of January 27, 1948 to meeting No. 105 of March 23, 1948 as well as the accompanying minutes of the Wirtschaftliches Ministerkomitee from that period of time.Die Edition der Ministerratsprotokolle der Zweiten Republik, Kabinett Leopold Figl I, stellt einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Erforschung der frühen Jahre der Zweiten Republik, des Wiederaufbaus Österreichs und seiner politischen Organe nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg dar. Die Ministerratsprotokolle müssen als zentrale Quelle für diese frühe und komplexe Phase der Zweiten Republik betrachtet werden. Band 9 der Edition umfasst die Protokolle Nr. 97 vom 27. Jänner 1948 bis Nr. 105 vom 23. März 1948 sowie begleitend die in diesen Zeitraum fallenden Protokolle des Wirtschaftlichen Ministerkomitees
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Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic Features, and Mortality in Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
BACKGROUND: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common degenerative dementia in older people. However, rates of misdiagnosis are high, and little is known of its natural history and outcomes. Very few previous studies have been able to access routine clinical information for large, unbiased DLB cohorts in order to establish initial presentation, neuropsychological profile, and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To examine in detail, symptom patterns at presentation and their association with outcomes, including mortality, in a large naturalistic DLB cohort from a secondary care sample. METHODS: A retrospective cohort design was used to identify a DLB cohort (n = 251) from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT). Information relating to first consultation, diagnosis, and DLB diagnostic features were extracted. RESULTS: A wide range of presenting complaints and differential initial diagnoses were identified for the cohort. Along with memory loss (27.1%) and hallucinations (25.4%), low mood (25.1%) was noted as a key presenting complaint among the DLB cohort. Rates of REM sleep disorder were considerably lower (8.4%) than would be expected. Deficits in non-amnestic cognitive domains were associated with reduced mortality compared with amnestic-only presentations. CONCLUSION: Individuals later diagnosed with DLB present initially to secondary care with a wide range of symptoms and complaints, some of which are not immediately suggestive of a DLB diagnosis. More examinations of large cohorts such as this are needed to further elucidate the complex presentation and clinical course of DLB, and to confirm whether amnestic-only presentation confers a worse outcome.Alzheimer's Society; CPFT; NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centr
DJEVOJKA S TAKAYASU ARTERITISOM PROGRESIVNOG TIJEKA S MULTIPLIM KIRURŠKIM INTERVENCIJAMA
Takayasu arteritis is a rare large-vessel vasculitis but it can be associated with high mortality rates in childhood. Granulomatous vasculitis usually affects the aorta and/or main branches but also coronary and pulmonary arteries. The course of the disease is unpredictable and management is based on controlling infl ammation and preventing end-organ damage. In this case we describe a patient with progression of vasculitis but so far successful prevention of possible ischemic consequences using immunosupressive and biologic therapy and multiple surgical interventions over the course of the disease. A 14-year-old girl presented with precordial pain and numbness of the left arm. Physical examination revealed the absence of the radial pulse in the left arm. Computed tomography angiography showed subtotal occlusion of the left main coronary artery, subtotal occlusionof the left common carotid artery, subtotal occlusion of the left subclavian artery and stenosis of thoracic aorta below isthmus of aortae. Despite aggresive conservative therapy and cardiosurgical treatment the course of the disease was complicated with restenoses which were resolved with subsequent revascularization procedures. Here we present an adolescent girl with progressive vasculitis and with multiple surgical interventions. Carefully monitoring of the patient and good collaboration between pediatric cardiologist and rheumatologist with radiologists and cardiac surgeons improved life-quality of the patient which now studies at the University and has good physical and mental status.Takayasu arteritis je vaskulitis velikih krvnih žila koji zahvaća aortu i njezine ogranke ali i pulmonalne i koronarne krvne žile. Tijek bolesti je nepredvidiv i terapija obuhvaća smirivanje upalnog procesa i prevenciju oštećenja organa. Prikazujemo bolesnicu s progresivnim tijekom bolesti koji je zasada uspješno obuzdavan uz pomoć imunosupresivne i biološke terapije kao i multiplim kirurškim postupcima. 14-godišnja djevojčica se očitovala prekordijalnim bolovima i utrnućem lijeve ruke s gubitkom pulsa radijalne arterije. CT angiografi jom je nađena totalna okluzija debla lijeve koronarne arterije, subtotalna okluzija lijeve zajedničke karotidne arterije i lijeve potključne arterije te stenoza torakalne descendentne aorte ispod razine istmusa. Unatoč agresivnoj konzervativnoj terapiji i kardiokirurškom tretmanu daljnji tijek bolesti je kompliciran restenozama koje su razriješene postupcima revaskularizacije. Pažljivim praćenjem bolesnice kao i dobrom suradnjom pedijatrijskih kardiologa i reumatologa s kardiokirurzima te radiolozima omogućena je dobra kvaliteta života u djevojke koja se uspješno školuje te je u dobrom fi zičkom i mentalnom stanju
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