Dataset for the model of a municipality competitiveness in relation to the geothermal resources exploitation in Poland.

This dataset corresponds with the manuscript "The impact of geothermal resources on the competitiveness of municipalities: evidence from Poland" [1]. In the paper, the geothermal resources are assumed as a local competitive advantage for the municipalities that exploit them. In order to examine the relation between the exploitation of the geothermal resources and local competitiveness we determine a model of municipality competitiveness in Poland. Concept of the local competitiveness is referred to place-based measures (Lovering [2], Mytelka and Farinelli [3], Plummer and Taylor [4], Kitson et al.[5]) and it is related to the management of local resources (Malecki [6], Turok [7]). Literature review suggests that the local competitiveness is best reflected in the indicators of economic welfare and sustainability (Meyer-Stamer [8], Audretsch et al.[9]). Therefore, we use an expert method to build the model of a municipality competitiveness indicators on the example of Poland. Throughout the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method engaged experts select the 24 indicators of local competitiveness. This method serves in situations of a problem complexity (Kamenetzky [10], Saaty [11]) and as a multicriteria method in the regional studies (Dinc et al. [12]). Aggregation of the AHP selected indicators yields a synthetic competitiveness index for each of the municipalities that we examine. This index constitutes the model dependent variable in the related research article. This procedure of building municipality competitiveness model sets an example of approaching a complex phenomenon such as the local competitiveness definition. The versatility of this method enables its application into related research cases.

Dynamic cerebral autoregulation is compromised in ischaemic stroke of undetermined aetiology only in the non-affected hemisphere.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation (CA) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke of undetermined aetiology, within 72h of stroke onset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 6 patients with ischaemic stroke of undetermined aetiology (aged 66±9 years, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score on admission: 4.0, range: 4-11), selected based on screening of 118 consecutive ischaemic stroke patients and in 14 volunteers (aged 62±10 years), we continuously monitored RR intervals (RRI), mean arterial pressure (MAP) by means of photoplethysmography, mean cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) and respiration during 2-min deep breathing paced at 6min(-1) (0.1Hz). To assess CA, we evaluated the impact of breathing-induced MAP oscillations on fluctuations of CBFV in the hemispheres with stroke, the non-involved hemispheres and randomly selected hemispheres of controls by applying cross-spectral analysis and calculating coherence, transfer function gain (CBFV-MAP gain) and phase shift angle between the two oscillating signals. RESULTS: Phase shift angle between MAP and CBFV oscillations showed values >0 and was significantly reduced in the hemispheres without stroke as compared to controls (0.39±0.95 vs. -1.59±0.33rad, p=0.015), whereas in the hemispheres with stroke, phase shift angle did not differ significantly from that observed in the control hemispheres. Clinical status of stroke patients significantly improved at discharge from the hospital (NIHSS: 2.0, range: 1-8, p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: During the first days of ischaemic stroke of undetermined aetiology, dynamic cerebral autoregulation is compromised in the non-affected hemisphere, but not in the hemisphere with ischaemic lesion.

Perfusion computed tomography and clinical status of patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is increasing availability of perfusion computed tomography (PCT) for assessment of acute ischaemic stroke patients. A semiquantitative evaluation of CT scans can be easily and quickly performed by the examining physician. In the current study, we investigated the correlation between the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) quantifying acute ischaemic changes on CT scans and clinical status of ischaemic stroke patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the data of 34 patients with hemispheric ischaemic stroke, in whom both non-contrast CT (NCCT) and PCT were performed within 12 hours after stroke onset. NCCT and PCT [colour-coded maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and time-to-peak (TTP)] were evaluated using ASPECTS. The correlations between ASPECTS and severity of neurological deficit, and prognostic value of ASPECTS for long-term clinical outcome were studied. RESULTS: We found a significant correlation between the baseline clinical status and ASPECTS for all CT techniques as well as between CBV and neurological deficit at discharge. ASPECTS l7 in all CT techniques had a high sensitivity and positive predictive value for prognosis of 3-month functional independency. CONCLUSIONS: ASPECTS used for PCT and NCCT shows a good correlation with clinical status and prognosis of ischaemic stroke patients.

Increased plasma fibrinogen predicts one-year mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Increased plasma fibrinogen is a risk factor for vascular diseases related to atherosclerosis. Its long-term predictive value in stroke survivors is not established. We conducted this study to establish the significance of hyperfibrinogenemia as the possible predictor of 30-day and one-year mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: We studied 900 unselected patients with ischemic stroke admitted to the hospital within 24 h after onset of symptoms. We noted demographic data, risk factors for stroke, neurological deficit and disturbances of consciousness on admission. We measured plasma concentration of fibrinogen and the body temperature on day 1 and registered vital status at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after stroke. RESULTS: Mean concentration of plasma fibrinogen was 2.9 g/L and 25.2% of patients had increased plasma concentration of fibrinogen (i.e. > or = 3.5 g/L) on day 1. Patients with hyperfibrinogenemia were more likely to die after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months than those with normal plasma fibrinogen (21.1% vs. 15.6%, 36.4% vs. 24.6%, 42.6% vs. 27.3%, 45.7% vs. 31.2%, respectively; P < 0.001 for the last three differences). Hyperfibrinogenemia did not predict short-term case-fatality, but increased concentration of plasma fibrinogen was an independent predictor of one-year case-fatality (P = 0.013; OR: 1.69 (95% CI 1.12-2.55)). Other independent predictors of one-year case-fatality were: neurological deficit on admission, age, white blood cell count, and body temperature on day 1. CONCLUSIONS: Increased concentration of plasma fibrinogen shortly after ischemic stroke independently increases risk of death within one year after stroke.

[Hemostatic markers of endothelial injury in ischaemic stroke caused by large or small vessel disease]. / Hemostatyczne wskazniki uszkodzenia sródblonka w udarze niedokrwiennym spowodowanym choroba duzych lub malych naczyn.

THE AIM: of the study was to compare hemostatic markers of endothelial injury in patients with ischaemic stroke caused by large vessel disease (LVD) or small vessel disease (SVD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 30 patients with LVD and 41 patients with SVD (recruited out of 585 patients with ischaemic stroke) as well as 30 control subjects. Etiology of ischaemic stroke was established according to the TOAST criteria. In patients being 3-12 months after stroke we registered age, sex and the presence of common risk factors for stroke. We measured serum concentration of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), activity of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and the level of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG). RESULTS: The concentration of fibrinogen was greater in patients with LVD (3.56 +/-0.88 g/L) when compared to patients with SVD (2.78 +/-0.69 g/L, p

[Predictors of one-year mortality in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with ischemic stroke]. / Czynniki rokownicze rocznej smiertelnosci po udarze niedokrwiennym mózgu wsród chorych na cukrzyce i bez cukrzycy.

The study was designed to compare the independent predictors of one-year mortality after ischemic stroke in patients with and without diabetes. We studied 667 patients with ischemic stroke, including 166 diabetic patients and 501 patients without diabetes. The diagnosis of ischemic stroke was confirmed in each case by computed tomography (CT) of the head. We collected data on patients' sex, age, and on the presence of major risk factors for stroke. The neurological deficit, including the disorders of consciousness, was assessed by Scandinavian Stroke Scale on admission. The body temperature was measured on admission and then every four hours during the first day of hospitalization. The outcome was measured by 30-day and one-year all cause mortality. The neurological deficit and the percentage of patients with large ischemic lesions in CT scanning were similar in patients with and without diabetes. Lacunar infarcts were more frequently seen in diabetics (30.1 vs 22.5%; p < 0.05). Diabetic and non-diabetic patients had similar 30-day and one-year mortality (16.3 vs. 17.6% and 41.0 vs. 35.1%, respectively; p = ns, chi2 test). One-year mortality among patients with non-lacunar infarcts was greater in diabetics (51.7%) than in non-diabetics (35.3%; p < 0.01). The multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that older age and greater neurological deficit were independent predictors of death within one year after stroke in diabetic patients, while older age, greater neurological deficit and increased body temperature during the first day of hospitalization independently predicted one-year mortality in non-diabetic patients.

[Microalbuminuria and blood pressure in patients with acute ischemic stroke]. / Mikroalbuminuria i cisnienie tetnicze w ostrym okresie udaru niedokrwiennego mózgu.

The study was designed to investigate the association between blood pressure (BP) and urinary albumin excretion in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. A group of 54 patients were studied with first-ever ischaemic stroke, admitted within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Urinary albumin excretion was measured immunonephelometrically on the second day of hospitalisation in 24-hour urine collection. BP was measured on admission and then every 4 hours during 48 hours after admission. Microalbuminuria (MA) was found in 23 patients (42.5%). Microalbuminuric patients had higher BP during 48 hours after admission than patients without MA (P < 0.05, ANOVA with repeated measures). Mean daytime diastolic BP values (88.6 +/- 9 vs 82.7 +/- 9) as well as night-time systolic (148.0 +/- 18 vs 134.3 +/- 15) and diastolic BP (88.5 +/- 10 vs 80.4 +/- 7) were higher in patients with MA (p < 0.05, Student t-test). Patients with MA demonstrated no physiological decrease of night-time systolic and diastolic BP, contrary to those with normal urinary albumin excretion. Mean night-time systolic and diastolic BP correlated with urinary albumin excretion (rs = 0.37, p = 0.006 and rs = 0.39, p = 0.004, respectively, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient). On multivariate analysis the night-time diastolic BP was the most important factor influencing the occurrence of microalbuminuria (p = 0.007, logistic regression model).

Hyperthermia is not an independent predictor of greater mortality in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to identify independent early predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with medically treated primary intracerebral hemorrhage (PICH), and to assess the prognostic significance of hyperthermia in these cases MATERIAL/METHODS: We prospectively studied 152 patients with supratentorial PICH confirmed by CT on admission. We recorded gender, age, severity of neurological deficit on admission (Scandinavian Stroke Scale), level of consciousness at admission and one day later, and maximum body temperature for the first three days after onset. Hematoma size and midline shift were assessed by CT scans. Outcome was measured by either mortality or Barthel Index functional status 30 days after stroke. RESULTS: 59 patients (38.8%) died within 30 days. Patients who died had greater neurological deficit on admission and higher maximum temperature within the first 24 hours after admission, and were more likely to have impaired consciousness on admission and after 24 hours, as well as large hematoma and midline shift (P<0.05 for all differences). However, statistically only severity of neurological deficit was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality. The functional status of survivors who had hyperthermia was much worse than those who were normothermic on Day 1. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of neurological deficit predicts greater 30-day mortality in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage. Patients with hyperthermia on the first day of hospitalization have greater 30-day mortality and worse functional status 30 days after stroke, but increased body temperature is not an independent predictor of 30-day mortality after PICH.

Microalbuminuria in nondiabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke: prevalence, clinical correlates, and prognostic significance.

Microalbuminuria is a frequent finding in several acute clinical conditions and predicts poor outcome; its role in acute ischemic stroke, however, is unknown. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and predictive power of microalbuminuria in acute stroke patients and to establish the relationship between microalbuminuria and the patients' clinical status. We studied 60 patients admitted within 24 h of their first ischemic stroke, 50 patients with a history of ischemic stroke, and 30 control subjects without known cerebrovascular diseases. Neurological deficit was assessed by the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) on admission and on days 1, 7, 14, and 30. Urinary albumin excretion was measured using immunonephelometric method, with 24-hour collections performed on day 2. Outcome was assessed by 30-day, 90-day and 1-year mortality. Microalbuminuria was found in 46.7% of patients with acute stroke, 16% of subjects with a history of stroke, and 16.7% of controls. On admission, acute stroke patients with microalbuminuria had more severe neurological deficit (median of SSS score on admission was 28 vs. 40, and on day 1, 22 vs. 39, both p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U test) and more often had a decreased level of consciousness (32 vs. 10%, p < 0.05; Fisher exact test). Mortality was higher in the group of patients with microalbuminuria in acute stroke (21 vs. 3% after 30 days, 39 vs. 6% after 90 days and 50 vs. 9% after 1 year, p < 0.05 for all differences; Fisher exact test). In logistic regression analysis, microalbuminuria was found to be an independent predictor of 1-year mortality after ischemic stroke (OR = 6.0; p = 0.022; 95% CI = 1.3-27.7).