Waterproof textiles have wide applications in many fields such as sportswear, protective clothing, and orthopedic dressing. Breathability is an important factor of clothing comfort. Nanofibrous layers have application in these fields due to their interconnected porous area and high surface area. In this work, two different nanofiber layers were fabricated and examined as waterproof and breathable layers. Polyurethane (PU) and PU/nylon 66 (hybrid) nanofiber layers were produced via electrospinning set up with different electrospinning durations. Some of the samples' characteristics such as tensile strength, microindentation, air permeability, water vapor permeability (WVP), and contact angle of water were investigated. Moreover, a novel approach was applied for determining the performance of layers against acidic water to simulate acidic rain. The results show that the tensile strength, indentation force, and acidic waterproof ability of the layers increased with increasing the process duration, that is, while air permeability was decreased simultaneously. This work shows that the required force for indentation and strength of the hybrid layer was less than that of PU nanofiber layer. Also, the electrospun hybrid layers show better air permeability than the PU membrane but still have lower WVP, which affects the breathability of the layer. C 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Technol 2016, , 21568; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com.

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Prognostic studies of T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL) have been performed in small patient cohorts with conflicting results. We systematically reviewed 67 adult T-ALL patients diagnosed and treated at our institute to identify clinical and pathologic prognostic factors. The median initial WBC was 21.3 × 10⁹/l. Blasts expressed at least one myeloid-associated antigen in 33%. Karyotypes were abnormal in 32% of the cases. Fifty-six of 64 patients (88%) achieved complete remission (CR). In univariate analysis, age, gender, initial WBC, CD10, CD34 and abnormal karyotype did not predict CR. Patients expressing at least one myeloid-associated antigen had a CR of 74% compared to 94% (p = 0.04) for those not expressing myeloid antigens. None of the above factors affected relapse-free or overall survival in this cohort. Our study indicates that expression of myeloid-associated antigens is associated with a lower CR rate in adult T-ALL and may be considered in risk stratification for induction chemotherapy.

We retrospectively reviewed our experience of 63 adult T-ALL patients to identify clinical and pathologic prognostic factors and build a risk-stratification model for induction chemotherapy. At presentation, the patients’ median age was 30, 49 were male and 14 female, 69% had lymphadenopathy, 38% a mediastinal mass, 24% CNS involvement and 21% splenomegaly. The median initial WBC was 17.9 x 109/L (range 0.10–510.0). Blasts expressed CD34 in 42% of cases, CD10 in 33% and at least one myeloid-associated antigen (CD13 or CD33) in 27%. Karyotypes were abnormal in 34% of cases. Fifty-three of 61 patients (87%) who underwent induction chemotherapy achieved complete remission (CR) on protocols including vinca alkaloids, anthracyclines and corticosteroids. On univariate analysis; age, gender, initial WBC, CD10, CD34 and abnormal karyotype did not predict CR but patients expressing at least one myeloid-associated antigen had a CR of 71% compared to 93% (P=0.03) for patients not expressing myeloid antigens. The median follow-up was 19.2 months (95% CI: 0.1–172.8). Twenty-three patients relapsed with a median relapse-free survival (RFS) of 41.6 months (95%CI: 21.6–55.9). The RFS was longer for patients with an initial WBC of 3–50 x 109 and for cases expressing CD10 but neither was statistically significant (P=0.19, P=0.14). On follow-up, 34 patients died with a median overall survival (OS) of 31.3 months (95%CI: 16.8–56.8). Patients with CD10 expression had a longer median OS at 44.7 months (versus 19.2 months for CD10 negative patients) but again, the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.11). Age, gender, CD34, myeloid-associated antigen expression and karyotype did not influence RFS or OS. Our study indicates that expression of myeloid-associated antigens is an adverse prognostic factor for complete remission of adult T-ALL and should be considered for induction chemotherapy risk-stratification.