Optically transparent, mechanically durable, nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces enabled by spinodally phase-separated glass thin films.

We describe the formation and properties of atomically bonded, optical quality, nanostructured thin glass film coatings on glass plates, utilizing phase separation by spinodal decomposition in a sodium borosilicate glass system. Following deposition via magnetron sputtering, thermal processing and differential etching, these coatings are structurally superhydrophilic (i.e., display anti-fogging functionality) and demonstrate robust mechanical properties and superior abrasion resistance. After appropriate chemical surface modification, the surfaces display a stable, non-wetting Cassie-Baxter state and exhibit exceptional superhydrophobic performance, with water droplet contact angles as large as 172°. As an added benefit, in both superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic states these nanostructured surfaces can block ultraviolet radiation and can be engineered to be anti-reflective with broadband and omnidirectional transparency. Thus, the present approach could be tailored toward distinct coatings for numerous markets, such as residential windows, windshields, specialty optics, goggles, electronic and photovoltaic cover glasses, and optical components used throughout the US military.

Prevalence and Clinical Significance of FLT3 Mutation Status in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: FLT3-ITD mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are associated with a poor prognosis. In Latin America, little epidemiological data exist about these mutations and their influence on clinical evolution and prognosis. Standardization and well-established clinical correlation make FLT3 mutational analysis by molecular methods an invaluable tool to decide among treatment options and to determine AML prognosis. METHODS: We assessed the prevalence of FLT3-ITD mutations in 138 patients with AML at four hematology referral centers from Mexico and Colombia. Molecular methods based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed for determining FLT3-ITD status. RESULTS: Mutations were present in 28 patients indicating a prevalence of 20.28%. Median age was 47 years (5-96). The FLT3 mutation positive group was older, had higher WBC and hemoglobin values and lower platelet counts but without statistical significance. A not previously described mutation in the FLT3 gene was found in one patient involving a nucleotide exchange of timine for cytosine at the 66608 position. A high mortality was found in the FLT3-mutated group, 67.8 vs. 42.72% in the non-mutated group and median survival was 4.9 months vs. 20.4 months, p = 0.009. A mutated FLT3 did not confer poor prognosis to those with M3 AML. The mutated FLT3 population had poor overall survival (OS) despite hematoprogenitor stem cell transplantation (HSCT). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of FLT3-ITD mutation in AML was present in a proportion comparable to other populations and, when present, was associated with a very poor prognosis.

[Secondary chromosomic changes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in a reference hospital in Northeastern Mexico]. / Alteraciones cromosómicas secundarias en pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica, en un hospital de referencia del noreste de México.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to characterize the cytogenetic profile that displays a certain phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), offering new directions for investigation of the etiology to the molecular level. In Mexico, data does not exist in this regard; thus, the objective of the present study was to determine cytogenetic alterations in 56 Mestizo Mexican patients with LMC. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study (diagnosis and stage) was carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: samples of bone marrow of 56 patients with CML in different phases were analyzed using G banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with DNA probes for Philadelphia chromosome (Ph). RESULTS: 19% of patients in chronic stage showed secondary chromosomal alterations in contrast with an observed 60% in patients in accelerated stage. Most frequent alterations included trisomy 8 and 19, extra Ph chromosome, and isochromosome of the 17. CONCLUSIONS: We believe this to be the first work that determines secondary chromosomal alterations in Mexican racially mixed patients with LMC. These are in agreement with those reported for other populations at the worldwide level.

Alteraciones cromosómicas secundarias en pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica, en un hospital de referencia del noreste de México / Secondary Chromosomic Changes in Patients with Myeloid Leukemia in a Reference Hospital in Northeastern Mexico

Introducción: la caracterización del perfil citogenético que presenta una determinada fase de la leucemia mieloide crónica (LMC), está ofreciendo nuevas direcciones para la investigación de la etiología a nivel molecular. En México no existen datos de la descripción cromosómica de esta enfermedad, por lo que el objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar las alteraciones cromosómicas de 56 pacientes con LMC. Diseño: estudio transversal (diagnóstico y estadio). Material y métodos: las muestras de médula ósea de 56 pacientes con LMC en diferentes etapas, fueron sometidas a estudios citogenéticos mediante técnicas de bandeo G e hibridación in situ fluorescente (FISH), con sonda específica para cromosoma Filadelfia (Ph). Resultados: 19% (6/31) de los pacientes en etapa crónica mostró alteraciones cromosómicas secundarias, en contraste con 60% (15/25) observado en aquellos pacientes en etapa acelerada. Las alteraciones cromosómicas secundarias más frecuentes fueron: las trisomías 8 y 19, cromosoma Ph extra e isocromosoma de brazos largos del cromosoma 17. Conclusión: este es el primer trabajo que determina alteraciones cromosómicas secundarias en pacientes mestizos mexicanos con LMC, cuyas frecuencias están de acuerdo con lo reportado para otras poblaciones a nivel mundial.

Introduction: Our aim was to characterize the cytogenetic profile that displays a certain phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), offering new directions for investigation of the etiology to the molecular level. In Mexico, data does not exist in this regard; thus, the objective of the present study was to determine cytogenetic alterations in 56 Mestizo Mexican patients with LMC. Design: Cross-sectional study (diagnosis and stage) was carried out. Materials and Methods: samples of bone marrow of 56 patients with CML in different phases were analyzed using G banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with DNA probes for Philadelphia chromosome (Ph). Results: 19% of patients in chronic stage showed secondary chromosomal alterations in contrast with an observed 60% in patients in accelerated stage. Most frequent alterations included trisomy 8 and 19, extra Ph chromosome, and isochromosome of thell. Conclusions: We believe this to be the first work that determines secondary chromosomal alterations in Mexican racially mixed patients with LMC. These are in agreement with those reported for other populations at the worldwide level.