Polarization of ferroelectric films through electrolyte.

A simplified model is developed to understand the field and potential distribution through devices based on a ferroelectric film in direct contact with an electrolyte. Devices based on the ferroelectric polymer polyvinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) were produced--in metal-ferroelectric-metal, metal-ferroelectric-dielectric-metal, and metal-ferroelectric-electrolyte-metal architectures--and used to test the model, and simulations based on the model and these fabricated devices were performed. From these simulations we find indication of progressive polarization of the films.

Agreement between ambulance nurses and physicians in assessing stroke patients.

Objectives: If an ambulance nurse could bypass the emergency department (ED) and bring suspected stroke patients directly to a CT scanner, time to thrombolysis could be shortened. This study evaluates the level of agreement between ambulance nurses and emergency physicians in assessing the need for a CT scan, and interventions and monitoring beforehand, in patients with suspected stroke and/or a lowered level of consciousness.

Methods: From October 2008 to June 2009, we compared the ambulance nurses' and ED physicians' judgement of 200 patients with stroke symptoms.

Copolythiophene-based water-gated organic field-effect transistors for biosensing.

This paper reports on the sensing of proteins using water-gated organic field-effect transistors. As a proof-of-concept, streptavidin and avidin were used, with a biotinylated polymer as the active sensing material. The latter is a copolythiophene modified to graft biotin by peptidic coupling.

Randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy vs standard treatment to prevent recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease: Secondary Prevention in Uppsala Primary Health Care project (SUPRIM).

Background: Psychosocial factors are independently associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality, but the effects of psychosocial factor intervention on CVD are uncertain. We performed a randomized controlled clinical trial of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to measure its effects on CVD recurrence.

Methods: The study included 362 women and men 75 years or younger who were discharged from the hospital after a coronary heart disease event within the past 12 months.

A comprehensive pharmacist intervention to reduce morbidity in patients 80 years or older: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patients 80 years or older are underrepresented in scientific studies. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of interventions performed by ward-based pharmacists in reducing morbidity and use of hospital care among older patients.

Methods: A randomized controlled study of patients 80 years or older was conducted at the University Hospital of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.

Psychosocial factors during the first year after a coronary heart disease event in cases and referents. Secondary Prevention in Uppsala Primary Health Care Project (SUPRIM).

Background: A large number of studies have reported on the psychosocial risk factor pattern prior to coronary heart disease events, but few have investigated the situation during the first year after an event, and none has been controlled. We therefore performed a case-referent study in which the prevalence of a number of psychosocial factors was evaluated.

Methods: Three hundred and forty-six coronary heart disease male and female cases no more than 75 years of age, discharged from hospital within the past 12 months, and 1038 referents from the general population, matched to the cases by age, sex and place of living, received a postal questionnaire in which information on lifestyle, psychosocial and quality of life measures were sought.

Markers of myocardial damage and inflammation in relation to long-term mortality in unstable coronary artery disease. FRISC Study Group. Fragmin during Instability in Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: In patients with unstable coronary artery disease, there is a relation between the short-term risk of death and blood levels of troponin T (a marker of myocardial damage) and C-reactive protein and fibrinogen (markers of inflammation). Using information obtained during an extension of the follow-up period in the Fragmin during Instability in Coronary Artery Disease trial, we evaluated the usefulness of troponin T, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen levels and other indicators of risk as predictors of the long-term risk of death from cardiac causes.

Methods: Levels of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen at enrollment and the maximal level of troponin T during the first 24 hours after enrollment were analyzed in 917 patients included in a clinical trial of low-molecular-weight heparin in unstable coronary artery disease.

No Prognostic Importance of Resistance to Activated Protein C in Unstable Coronary Artery Disease Despite Signs of Thrombin Activation.

Resistance to activated protein C (APC resistance) is the single most important hemostatic defect associated with venous thromboembolic disease. However, little is. Known about this defect in arterial disease.

Influences of sex and smoking habits on anticoagulant activity in low-molecular-weight heparin treatment of unstable coronary artery disease.

Background: In the FRISC trial, dalteparin 120 IU/kg body weight twice daily for unstable coronary artery disease was safe and reduced the risk of new coronary events. This risk reduction was maintained during the following extended treatment with a fixed dose of 7500 IU dalteparin once daily.

Methods And Results: Minor bleeding was more frequent in women compared with men: relative risk (CI) 2.

Increased fibrinogen levels are associated with persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in unstable coronary artery disease.

Aim: Increased levels of acute phase proteins, e.g., fibrinogen, are related to a poor outcome in unstable coronary artery disease, but the cause of inflammation is unknown.

Low-molecular weight heparin reduces the generation and activity of thrombin in unstable coronary artery disease.

Unstable coronary artery disease (UCAD) is associated with an increased risk of further coronary events. In the FRISC study, the risk was decreased during treatment with a high, twice-daily, dose of dalteparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin. However, lowering the dose resulted in raised risk of recurrences.

Prognostic influence of increased fibrinogen and C-reactive protein levels in unstable coronary artery disease. FRISC Study Group. Fragmin during Instability in Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: The prognostic influences of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein levels and their relations to myocardial damage in unstable coronary artery syndromes have not been well described.

Methods And Results: Fibrinogen and C-reactive protein were determined at inclusion and related to outcome after 5 months in 965 patients with unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction randomized to 5 weeks with low-molecular-weight heparin or placebo. The probabilities of death were 1.

[Serum level and organ deposits of beta 2-microglobulin in dialysis patients].

In radioimmunological estimation of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) significant higher serum values were found in 36 dialysis patients (44.4 +/- 20.3 mg/l) in comparison with healthy probands (1.