Ferroelectricity in Polar Polymer-based FETs: A Hysteresis Analysis

There is an increasing number of reports on polar polymer-based Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistors (FeFETs), where the hysteresis of the drain current - gate voltage (I_d-V_g) curve is investigated as the result of the ferroelectric polarization effect. However, separating ferroelectric effect from many of the factors (such as charge injection/trapping and the presence of mobile ions in the polymer) that confound interpretation is still confusing and controversial. This work presents a methodology to reliably identify the confounding factors which obscure the polarization effect in FeFETs. Careful observation of the I_d-V_g curves, as well as monitoring the I_d-V_g hysteresis and flat band voltage shift as a function of temperature and sweep frequency identifies the dominant mechanism. This methodology is demonstrated using 15-nm thick high glass transition temperature polar polymer-based FeFETs. In these devices, room temperature hysteresis is largely a consequence of charge trapping and mobile ions, while ferroelectric polarization is observed at elevated temperatures. This methodology can be used to unambiguously prove the effect of ferroelectric polarization in FeFETs.

Impact of influenza infection on children's hospital admissions during two seasons in Athens, Greece

A prospective epidemiologic surveillance of hospitalizations associated with influenza was conducted in order to calculate population-based hospitalization rates. Eligible children were 6 months to 13 years of age and were admitted to one of the two large children's hospitals in the Athens area during two influenza seasons. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were tested for influenza by a polymerase reaction assay. Influenza accounted for 9.9-11.8% of all admissions during the influenza season and the overall annual rate of hospitalizations was 13.6-16.8 cases per 10,000 children being highest for children under 5 years of age (26-31.2/10,000 children). Febrile seizures and acute otitis media were the two most common complications associated with influenza and antibiotics were administered to 61% of flu positive patients. Influenza is associated with high hospitalization rates among young children and these may be substantially reduced with the introduction of routine immunization.

Budesonide and formoterol inhibit inflammatory mediator production by bronchial epithelial cells infected with rhinovirus

BACKGROUND

Rhinoviruses (RVs) are responsible for the majority of acute asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. RVs infect the lower airways and induce the production of pro-inflammatory and remodelling-associated mediators. Budesonide (BUD) and formoterol (FORM) synergize in controlling asthma and COPD exacerbations; however, their effects on virus-induced inflammation and remodelling are less known.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether BUD and FORM synergize in suppressing RV-induced inflammation and remodelling in the airways.

METHODS

In vitro models of RV infection of BEAS-2B and primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were used. We assessed the effects of individual and combined drugs administered post-infection, at a clinically relevant concentration range (10(-6)-10(-10) m), on the production of CCL5, CXCL10, CXCL8, IL-6 and the remodelling-associated VEGF and bFGF, using ELISA and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

BUD effectively suppressed RV-mediated induction of all mediators studied, in a concentration-dependent manner. FORM alone suppressed the production of CXCL8 and bFGF. The combination of BUD and FORM had concentration-dependent, additive or synergistic effects in the suppression of RV-induced CCL5, CXCL8 and CXCL10 in both cell types as well as VEGF in NHBE only. Combination treatment also resulted in an enhanced suppression of RV-induced IL-6, and CCL5 at the mRNA level as compared with BUD or FORM alone.

CONCLUSION

BUD and FORM suppress RV-induced chemokines and growth factors in bronchial epithelial cells in a concentration-dependent, synergistic or additive manner. These data further support the combined use of BUD and FORM in asthma and COPD and intensification of this therapy during exacerbations.

The impact of cytotoxic chemotherapy--perspectives from patients, specialists and nurses

This study, carried out in three European countries, elicited the views and impact of three medical groups involved in patient care. Their views were compared with patients' perspectives of their condition. The main stage of the study was carried out by self-completion questionnaires by 300 patients across Italy, France and the U.K. The views of the medical profession were quantified via 150 hospital specialists, 75 cancer care nurses and 30 general practitioner interviews. Patients' symptoms most frequently seen by the medical profession were nausea, tiredness, loss of hair, vomiting, worrying and lack of appetite. On a scale of 1-4 (1 = not at all; 4 = very much) the frequency of these side effects were rated at 2.8 or over. Intensity of concern was highest for nausea and vomiting. These two symptoms was most frequently highlighted as one of the three highest concerns respectively for 74% and 54% of specialists, 64% and 60% of nurses and 50% of general practitioners. Patients on average reported a lower frequency of major symptoms. Most frequent were loss of hair, tiredness, lack of energy, nausea and decreased sexual interest. In terms of the impact of these problems, tiredness, nausea and loss of hair were the most frequently mentioned. Vomiting bothered them more than the frequency would suggest. 1 in 10 patients claim to have delayed their treatment because of previous experiences of side effects. The main impact on patient's quality of life related to the aspects of worrying and the effects on the family. In terms of communication, both the medical profession and the patients felt that patients were well informed about the disease and treatment. However, differences emerged between what patients claim to have been told about the disease and its treatment and what nurses and doctors claim to have said.