Atomically controlled processing for dopant segregation in CVD silicon and germanium epitaxial growth

Atomically controlled processing has become indispensable for the fabrication of Si-based ultra-small devices and heterodevices for ultra-large scale integration. This is because high performance devices require atomicorder abrupt heterostructures and doping profiles as well as strain engineering which is obtained by the introduction of Ge into Si. Our concept of atomically controlled processing is based on atomic-order surface reaction control in Si and Ge-based CVD growth [1-4]. The fabrication of atomic-level steep doping profiles requires the suppression of dopant segregation during epitaxial growth [5,6]. In this work, P and B impurity segregation during in-situ doping in Si and Ge CVD epitaxial growth is reviewed. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Usefulness of Thoracoscopic Debridement for Chronic Empyema after an Extrapleural Pneumonectomy

We present the case of a 65-year-old Japanese man diagnosed with chronic empyema (without a bronchopleural fistula) that occurred 7 months after he underwent an extrapleural pneumonectomy for right malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Following thoracic drainage and irrigation for 1 month, we performed surgery by a thoracoscopic approach, in light of his general condition. We performed debridement and removal of the Gore-Tex polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch that had been used for the reconstruction of the diaphragm and the pericardium. The empyema had not relapsed when he died from recurrence of the MPM at 4 months after the thoracoscopic surgery. This patientʼs case suggests that thoracoscopic debridement and patch removal can be a therapeutic option for not only early-stage (exudative or fibrinopurulent) empyema but also late-stage (organized and chronic) empyema without a bronchopleural fistula, particularly for patients in poor general condition

Drug Resistance to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring an activating mutation within the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was defined as a clinically distinct molecular group. These lesions show oncogene addiction to EGFR and dramatic responses to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Several large Phase III trials have shown that EGFR-TKIs improved the progression-free survival of patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC compared to conventional chemotherapy. However, the long-term effectiveness of EGFR-TKIs is usually limited because of acquired drug resistance. To overcome this resistance to EGFR-TKIs, it will be essential to identify the specific mechanisms underlying the resistance. Many investigators have attempted to identify the mechanisms using preclinical models and drug-resistant clinical samples. As a result, several mechanisms have been showed to be responsible for the resistance, but not all of the relevant mechanisms have been uncovered. In this review, we provide an overview of mechanisms underlying drug-resistance to EGFR-TKIs, focusing on results obtained with preclinical models, and we present some possible strategies to overcome the EGFR-TKI resistance

Discharge Characteristic of Fluorinated Graphene-like Graphite as a Cathode of Lithium Primary Battery

The 64th special issue "Frontiers of Carbon Materials"Graphene-like graphite prepared by heating graphite oxide under vacuum at 800 degrees C was fluorinated by elemental fluorine in the presence of HF at room temperature. The interlayer spacing of the resulting material was 0.639 nm and it showed CxF type characteristics. The fluorine content of it (x = 1.7) was higher than that obtained from natural graphite (x = 2.3). The discharge capacity of it as a cathode of lithium primary battery reached 940 mAhg(-1) at a low current density, which was 50% larger than the theoretical capacity based on the 100% discharge of fluorine

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for seizure suppression in patients with extratemporal lobe epilepsy—A pilot study

SummaryWe evaluated the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on seizure frequency in adult patients with medically intractable extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE). Seven patients with medically intractable ETLE received low-frequency rTMS at 0.9Hz, basically two sets of 15min stimulation per day for five days in a week, with the stimulus intensity of 90% of resting motor threshold (RMT). The number of seizures during two weeks before and after the stimulation of one week was compared. Furthermore, RMT and active motor threshold (AMT) were measured before and after rTMS for each daily session. After low-frequency rTMS of one week, the frequency of all seizure types, complex partial seizures (CPSs) and simple partial seizures was reduced by 19.1, 35.9 and 7.4%, respectively. The patients with smaller difference between RMT and AMT before rTMS had higher reduction rate of CPSs. A favorable tendency of seizure reduction, though not statistically significant, during two weeks after low-frequency rTMS was demonstrated in medically intractable ETLE patients. As far as CPSs are concerned, smaller decrease of motor threshold by voluntary muscle contraction was associated with better response to rTMS

Longevity-associated NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit-2 237 Leu/Met Polymorphism Modulates the Effects of Daily Alcohol Drinking on Yearly Changes in Serum Total and LDL Cholesterol in Japanese Men

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase subunit 2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) polymorphism, is reportedly associated with longevity in the Japanese population. The ND2-237Met genotype may exert resistance to atherogenic diseases, such as myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disorders. To investigate whether ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism is associated with yearly changes in serum lipid levels, we conducted a longitudinal study of 107 healthy Japanese male subjects. Analysis of covariance revealed that the interaction between the ND2-237 Leu/Met genotypes and habitual drinking was significantly associated with yearly changes in serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels (p0.036 and p0.006, respectively). In multiple regression analysis, daily drinking was significantly and positively associated with yearly changes in serum LDLC levels in men with ND2-237Met (p0.026). After adjusting for covariates, yearly changes in serum LDLC levels were significantly lower in non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Met than in those with ND2-237Leu (p0.047). These results suggest that ND2-237Met has a beneficial impact on yearly changes in serum LDLC in non-daily drinkers but not in daily drinkers.</p

Silenced Expression of NFKBIA in Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients with a Never-smoking History

Nuclear factor of κ-light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells inhibitor α (NFKBIA), which is a tumor suppressor gene, was found to be silenced in lung adenocarcinomas. We examined NFKBIA expression, mutations in the EGFR and K-ras genes, and EML4-ALK fusion in 101 resected lung adenocarcinoma samples from never-smokers. NFKBIA expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. NFKBIA expression was negative in 16 of the 101 samples (15.8%). EGFR and K-ras mutations and EML4-ALK fusion were detected in 61 (60.5%), 1 (1.0%), and 2 (2.0%) of the 101 samples, respectively, in a completely mutually exclusive manner. Negative NFKBIA expression was observed significantly more frequently among the tumors with none of the three genetic alterations compared to those with such alterations (p＝0.009). In addition, negative NFKBIA expression was significantly more frequent among the EGFR-wild type samples compared to the EGFR-mutant samples (p＝0.013). In conclusion, NFKBIA expression was silenced in adenocarcinomas without EGFR/K-ras mutations or EML4-ALK fusion, suggesting that the silencing of NFKBIA may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of adenocarcinomas independent of EGFR/K-ras mutations or EML4-ALK fusion