We investigated the threshold voltage (Vth) instability for various gate dielectrics (SiNx and SiOx) in amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs). The a-IGZO TFTs with SiNx 150 °C exhibited reasonable electrical performance (field-effect mobility of 8.1 cm2/V s and Ion/off ratio of >108) but showed huge Vth shift under positive gate bias. The TFTs with SiOx dielectrics exhibit smaller Vth instability than those of SiNx dielectrics. This behavior can be explained by using simple charge trapping into the gate insulators and the difference of Vth instability on various dielectrics may be originated from the hydrogen contents, providing high density of charge traps in gate dielectrics.
Background and Purpose: Elevation of serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is regarded as a specific marker of acute coronary syndrome. Serum cTnT can be increased in patients with acute ischemic stroke, but its clinical implications remain unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the relationships between elevated cTnT and stroke severity, location, and prognosis.Methods: From January 2005 to December 2006, this study recruited 455 consecutive patients who were admitted to Kangbuk Samsung Hospital due to acute ischemic stroke within 3 days of onset, which was confirmed by diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. A total of 416 patients was finally included and divided into 2 groups: an elevated cTnT group (n=45) and a normal cTnT group (n=371). The short-term prognosis was assessed by 30-day modified Rankin Scale responder analysis was compared between the two groups.Results: Serum cTnT was elevated in 10.8% of cases, with elevated cTnT associated with greater stroke severity, as assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, Insular-lobe involvement was more common in patients with elevated cTnT than in the normal cTnT group. Short-term prognosis was more unfavorable in the elevated cTnT group than in the normal cTnT group. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that elevated cTnT was independently related to insular involvement, cardioembolism, and unfavorable outcome.Conclusions: Elevated cTnT in acute ischemic stroke was associated with severe neurological deficits at stroke onset and damages to the insular lobe. The outcome of acute ischemic stroke was worse for patients with elevated cTnT than for those with normal cTnT. The pathomechanism underlying acute ischemic stroke and subclinical myocardial damage warrants further study.
Abstract. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is thought to have an influence on stroke outcomes. However, few reports demonstrate a favorable relationship between the two. We evaluated this association in acute ischemic stroke. From Jan 2005 to Jun 2008, 756 acute ischemic stroke patients were recruited within seven days of onset. The patients with overt hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism or other medical conditions that may affect thyroid function were excluded. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were measured within two days. Patients were divided into two groups: the SCH group (TSH > 5.0 μU/mL and normal FT4 levels) and the control group. Stroke outcomes were assessed using two different criteria. In the first outcome model, favorable outcomes [I] were simply defined by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores (≦ 1), while the favorable outcomes [II] were defined as follows: a) a mRS score of 0, if the baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were < 8, b) a mRS score of 0 or 1, if the NIHSS scores were 8-14, c) a mRS score 0-2, if the NIHSS scores were >14. The changes in mRS scores and the proportion of patients with favorable outcomes [I] p=0.003). We found that acute ischemic stroke patients with SCH at admission were more likely to show favorable functional outcomes than those without SCH. We can suggest preconditioning before the stroke combined with a reduced response to stress as a possible protective mechanism.
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