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Background: This study aimed to identify the associations between individual KRAS, STK11, KEAP1, or TP53 mutations, as well as the comutation status of these genes, and the tumor mutation burden (TMB) with clinical outcomes of lung adenocarcinoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods: We collected data from patients with lung adenocarcinoma treated with ICIs from the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT) database between June 2019 and August 2023. The main endpoints were the treatment response and overall survival (OS). Results: Among 343 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, 61 (18%), 69 (20%), 41 (12%), and 222 (65%) patients had KRAS, STK11, KEAP1, and TP53 mutations, respectively. An overall objective response was observed in 94 of 338 patients (28%), including 2 (1%) who achieved a complete response and 92 (27%) who achieved a partial response. Patients with STK11, KEAP1, or TP53 mutations had a significantly greater TMB (P<0.001). According to the univariate analysis, the treatment response was significantly correlated with TP53 mutation in both the general (P = 0.041) and KRAS wild-type (P = 0.009) populations. KEAP1 and TP53 mutations were associated with worse OS among assessable patients (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.027, P = 0.002; HR = 1.673, P = 0.007, respectively) and among patients without KRAS mutations (HR = 1.897, P = 0.012; HR = 1.908, P = 0.004, respectively). According to the multivariate analysis, KEAP1 (HR = 1.890, P = 0.008) and TP53 (HR = 1.735, P = 0.011) mutations were found to be independent factors for OS. Conclusions: STK11, KEAP1, and TP53 mutations are significantly associated with a high TMB. TP53 mutation could affect the treatment response to some degree, and both KEAP1 and TP53 mutations resulted in inferior OS in the general patient population and in those with KRAS-wild-type lung adenocarcinoma, indicating that KEAP1 and TP53 mutations might act as prognostic factors for ICI treatment in lung adenocarcinoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effects of varying argon (Ar) and carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) gas flow rates on the etching of monocrystalline silicon substrates using surface discharge plasma. While previous research has primarily focused on the fundamental characteristics and applications of surface discharge plasma in silicon etching, the influence of the gas flow rate on etching efficacy remains insufficiently explored. The aim of this study is to elucidate the relationship between mixed gas flow rates and the rate and quality of silicon etching, both of which are critical for optimizing manufacturing processes in the semiconductor industry. Utilizing a setup equipped with a USB4000 spectrometer for emission spectroscopy, we varied the Ar/CF4 flow rates from 0 to 6000 sccm while maintaining a fixed discharge-sustaining voltage of 9.4 kV. We observed and analyzed the discharge power, plasma emission intensities, and resulting etch profiles of the silicon substrates. Particularly, we analyzed the emission spectra for peaks corresponding to active species such as F, F2, and CFn, indicative of the plasma's etching capabilities. The findings revealed that higher flow rates significantly enhanced the generation of key active species, leading to increased etching rates in both depth and width directions of the silicon substrates. Importantly, an increase in flow rate also facilitated the diffusion of these species across a broader area, thereby advancing the etching process and inhibiting the deposition of etching byproducts. These results underscore the importance of optimizing gas flow rates to enhance etching efficiency and quality. In conclusion, this study confirms that adjusting the flow rates of Ar and CF4 in surface discharge plasma etching can significantly influence the effectiveness of the silicon etching process. This outcome will contribute to the realization and development of semiconductor etching technology, such as solar cell manufacturing, as well as the further advancement of atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma surface treatment technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The effects of hydrocortisone (HDC) administration to extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants on later development remain unclear. This study examined the association between HDC dosage during neonatal period and neurodevelopmental outcomes in ELBW infants. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study conducted in eight centers in Japan. The subjects of this study were ELBW infants born between April 2015 and March 2017. The association between postnatal total HDC dosage up to 36 weeks postmenstrual age and the developmental quotient (DQ) at 3 years of age was examined. Multiple linear regression evaluated the association, adjusting for weeks of gestation, birth weight, and the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, late-onset circulatory collapse, intracranial hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis. Results: This study included 218 ELBW infants, of whom 144 underwent a developmental test at 3 years of age. Simple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between total HDC dosage and DQ at 3 years of age (coefficients: −2.65, 95% CI: −3.73, −1.57). Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and late-onset circulatory collapse also revealed a significant association between total HDC dosage and DQ at 3 years of age (coefficients: −2.66, 95% CI: −3.89, −1.42). Conclusion: Higher total HDC dosage up to 36 weeks postmenstrual age in ELBW infants was associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes. Although HDC is often needed in the treatment of ELBW infants, clinicians should be aware that an increased dose of HDC may be associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Microsoft Kinect V2® (Kinect) is a peripheral device of Xbox® and acquires information such as depth, posture, and skeleton definition. In this study, we investigated whether Kinect can be used for human gait analysis. Methods: Ten healthy volunteers walked 20 trials, and each walk was recorded by a Kinect and infrared- and marker-based-motion capture system. Pearson’s correlation and overall agreement with a method of meta-analysis of Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to assess the reliability of each parameter, including gait velocity, gait cycle time, step length, hip and knee joint angle, ground contact time of foot, and max ankle velocity. Hip and knee angles in one gait cycle were calculated in Kinect and motion capture groups. Results: The coefficients of correlation for gait velocity (r = 0.92), step length (r = 0.81) were regarded as strong reliability. Gait cycle time (r = 0.65), minimum flexion angle of hip joint (r = 0.68) were regarded as moderate reliability. The maximum flexion angle of the hip joint (r = 0.43) and maximum flexion angle of the knee joint (r = 0.54) were regarded as fair reliability. Minimum flexion angle of knee joint (r = 0.23), ground contact time of foot (r = 0.23), and maximum ankle velocity (r = 0.22) were regarded as poor reliability. The method of meta-analysis revealed that participants with small hip and knee flexion angles tended to have poor correlations in maximum flexion angle of hip and knee joints. Similar trajectories of hip and knee angles were observed in Kinect and motion capture groups. Conclusions: Our results strongly suggest that Kinect could be a reliable device for evaluating gait parameters, including gait velocity, gait cycle time, step length, minimum flexion angle of the hip joint, and maximum flexion angle of the knee joint.

Introduction: Trochanteric femoral fracture is one of the most common fractures in the elderly. Trochanteric femoral fracture with involvement of the lesser trochanter is considered unstable and recognized as having a poor prognosis. However, fixation of lesser trochanter fragment is scarce because of technical difficulties. In this study, we reported the simple surgical procedure and the effect of using nonabsorbable tape in lesser trochanter fixation. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2017, 114 patients treated with proximal intramedullary nailing for trochanteric fractures with the lesser trochanter fragment were reviewed. Among patients enrolled in this study, 73 were followed up until radiographic bone union, of which 26 were treated with lesser trochanter fragment banding (group B) and 47 without banding (group N). Radiographs and/or computed tomography images were used to evaluate bone union of the lesser trochanter fragment at three months postoperatively. Results: The bone union of the lesser trochanter fragment was achieved in 24 cases (92%) in group B and 30 cases (64%) in group N. Compared with group N, group B showed a significantly increased number of mild and moderate deformities but decreased number of severe deformity and nonunion (P < 0.001). Postoperative complications were not observed in both groups. Conclusions: From the viewpoint of increasing lesser trochanteric bone union ratio, fixation of the lesser trochanter fragment using nonabsorbable tape in the treatment of trochanteric fractures could be an effective procedure.