Prognostic variables associated with improved outcomes in patients with stage III NSCLC treated with chemoradiation followed by consolidation Pembrolizumab: a subset analysis of a phase II study from the Hoosier Cancer Research Network LUN 14-179

Introduction HCRN LUN 14-179 is a phase II trial of consolidation pembrolizumab following concurrent chemoradiation for the treatment of patients with stage III NSCLC. Time to metastatic disease, progression free survival and overall survival appear superior to historical controls of chemoradiation alone. Unfortunately, not all patients benefit from consolidation immunotherapy. We performed a univariate analysis evaluating variables associated with PFS, metastatic disease, and OS. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis from patients enrolled on HCRN LUN14-179. Data collected included age, sex, stage, smoking status, PD-L1 status, >G2 vs G3 pneumonitis, duration of pembrolizumab (4 cycles), chemotherapy regimen, PS 0 vs 1, time to start pembrolizumab (4-6 vs. 6-8 weeks from radiation), V20 (20%). Univariable Cox regression was performed to determine the variables associated with 3 endpoints: TMDD; PFS; and OS. Results From April 2015 to December 2016, 93 patients were enrolled and 92 were included in the efficacy analysis (1 patient was ineligible). For TMDD, improved outcomes may be associated (p4 cycles of pembrolizumab, and V204 cycles of pembrolizumab, and V204 cycles of pembrolizumab. Conclusion Non-squamous NSCLC, longer duration of pembrolizumab, and V20< 20% may be associated with prolonged time to metastatic disease or death, PFS, and OS for patients with stage III NSCLC treated with chemoradiation followed by pembrolizumab

Difference Thresholds for the Perception of Sinusoidal Vertical Stimuli of Whole-Body Vibrations in Ranges of Amplitude and Frequency Relevant to Ride Comfort

Minor differences in the vibration characteristics of a vehicle may greatly influence the comfort experienced by the driver. Therefore, such characteristics are significant in the process of vehicle development. In this experimental study, just-noticeable differences were determined for sinusoidal vertical whole-body vibrations at the frequencies 1.3 Hz and 6.0 Hz, and for the vibration amplitudes 0.2 m/s², 0.5 m/s² and 1.2 m/s². The stimulation set up was realised using a test rig constituting a seating position similar to that in a real vehicle environment. A transformed one-up-three-down method, in conjunction with a two-interval forced choice procedure, was used to determine difference thresholds, in accordance with Weber’s Law, for 14 test subjects. Median relative difference thresholds in the range of 6.7% to 11.0% were observed, and were examined for statistical significance (α < 0.05) and practical importance on amplitude and frequency, with respect to this law. The results showed a frequency-dependence at the lowest vibration amplitude and an amplitude-dependence for both frequencies from a statistical point of view. However, the amplitude-dependence at 6.0 Hz was considered as negligible for practical use

Breadfruit Grinder

ME450 Capstone Design and Manufacturing Experience: Winter 2015Farmers in the Cooperative KGPB (Kolaborasyon Gwoupman Peyizan O’Boy) in Borgne, Haiti have identified breadfruit as one of the most wasted agricultural products in the area because it is hard to transport, store, and preserve. One problem for Haitian farmers in Bornge is that they lack the ability to store breadfruit for longer use. Breadfruit is also difficult to transport to market on the mountain goat paths, and everyone in the area harvests it at the same time, overwhelming the market. With so much breadfruit available at one time, the price drops, making transporting it not worth the effort. The goal of this project is to help the local people get through the hungry-season and make more profit by converting breadfruit into flour through several simple processes: shred, dry and grind. In flour form, it will be much easier for farmers to store and transport the product for future eating and selling. For this project, we would design and build a prototype food grinder that could be integrated with the shredding and drying systems under development by Multidisciplinary teams of students in a similar capstone course at RIT.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111324/1/05_Report.pd

Viscoelastic Properties of Plasma Membranes Varies with Cholesterol Level

Many of you told us in the User Survey how much you appreciate the exchange of experiences in Spore and how it should be expanded. Well, Mailbox is the perfect place. The floor is yours!MailboxMany of you told us in the User Survey how much you appreciate the exchange of experiences in Spore and how it should be expanded. Well, Mailbox is the perfect place. The floor is yours

Association of Immune-Related Adverse Events and Efficacy Outcomes With Consolidation Pembrolizumab After Chemoradiation in Patients With Inoperable Stage III Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Background Many patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immunotherapy experience immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Patients with metastatic NSCLC who receive checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) and experience irAEs generally receive fewer cycles of CPI without decreased efficacy. However, the association between irAEs and efficacy outcomes in patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with curative intent with CPI after chemoradiation has never been reported. Here we report a retrospective analysis of the association between irAEs and efficacy outcomes from the Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) LUN 14-179 single-arm phase 2 trial of consolidation pembrolizumab after chemoradiation in patients with stage III NSCLC. Patients and Methods A total of 92 eligible patients were enrolled from March 2015 to November 2016. Demographics, disease characteristics, and number of pembrolizumab cycles received were reported in patients with and without irAEs. Chi-square test was used for comparisons for categorical variables and Wilcoxon test for continuous variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze time to metastatic disease or death (TMDD), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). A log-rank test was used to compare groups. Results Any grade irAEs occurred in 55.4% of patients. There was no significant difference in number of pembrolizumab cycles received, TMDD, OS, or PFS in patients with and without irAEs. Patients who discontinued pembrolizumab early because of irAEs received significantly fewer cycles of pembrolizumab (5 vs 15, P = .0016) without a significant difference in TMDD, PFS, or OS. Similarly, patients who received immunosuppressive therapy received fewer numbers of cycles of pembrolizumab (4 vs 16, P < .001) without significantly reduced TMDD, PFS, or OS. Conclusion irAEs due to pembrolizumab, regardless of grade or number of irAEs, were not associated with decreased efficacy outcomes. Furthermore, early discontinuation of pembrolizumab because of irAEs and/or treatment of irAEs with immunosuppressive therapy was not associated with a decrease in treatment efficacy