Serum Soluble TACI, a BLyS Receptor, Is a Powerful Prognostic Marker of Outcome in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

BLyS is involved in CLL biology and its low soluble serum levels related to a shorter time to first treatment (TFT). TACI is a BLyS receptor and can be shed from cells' surface and circulate in soluble form (sTACI). We investigated the impact of serum BLyS and sTACI levels at diagnosis in CLL patients and their relationship with disease parameters and patients' outcome. Serum BLyS was determined in 73 patients, while sTACI in 60. Frozen sera drawn at diagnosis were tested by ELISA. sTACI concentrations correlated with BLyS ( = −0.000021), b2-microglobulin ( = 0.005), anemia ( = −0.03), thrombocytopenia ( = 0.04), Binet stage ( = 0.02), and free light chains ratio ( = 0.0003). Soluble BLyS levels below median and sTACI values above median were related to shorter TFT ( = 0.0003 and 0.007). During a ten-year followup, sTACI levels, but not BLyS, correlated with survival ( = 0.048). In conclusion, we confirmed the prognostic significance of soluble BLyS levels with regard to TFT in CLL patients, and, more importantly, we showed for the first time that sTACI is a powerful prognostic marker, related to parameters of disease activity and staging and, more importantly, to TFT and OS

Evaluation of a thermal consolidation process for the production of enhanced technical fabrics

Fiber reinforced composites are increasingly used in high value applications. A novel technology (NanoWeld® ) enhancing the structural integrity of the interlayer has demonstrated promising results; however, manufacturing issues related to scalability need to be overcome. The developed technology relies on consolidating thermoplastic nanofiber nonwoven veils onto technical dry fabrics through roll-to-roll ultrasonic welding. The enhanced technical dry fabrics can be further processed as any other technical fabrics for the composites industry. An alternative solution for consolidation is proposed here, based on a thermo-compressive approach to address the scala-bility issue. A finite element model has been employed to simulate the operating conditions and provide information for optimization of the process. Its results demonstrate that consolidation is achieved rapidly, indicating that the production rate could be accelerated. The quality of enhanced technical dry fabrics produced using the proposed consolidation assembly has been evaluated using scanning electron microscopy as well as mechanical testing of fiber reinforced composites. The mechanical response of such manufactured composites has been compared against benchmark Nan-oWeld® composites, demonstrating superior performance

Serum Soluble TACI, a BLyS Receptor, Is a Powerful Prognostic Marker of Outcome in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

BLyS is involved in CLL biology and its low soluble serum levels related to a shorter time to first treatment (TFT). TACI is a BLyS receptor and can be shed from cells’ surface and circulate in soluble form (sTACI). We investigated the impact of serum BLyS and sTACI levels at diagnosis in CLL patients and their relationship with disease parameters and patients’ outcome. Serum BLyS was determined in 73 patients, while sTACI in 60. Frozen sera drawn at diagnosis were tested by ELISA. sTACI concentrations correlated with BLyS (P=-0.000021), b2-microglobulin (P=0.005), anemia (P=-0.03), thrombocytopenia (P=0.04), Binet stage (P=0.02), and free light chains ratio (P=0.0003). Soluble BLyS levels below median and sTACI values above median were related to shorter TFT (P=0.0003 and 0.007). During a ten-year followup, sTACI levels, but not BLyS, correlated with survival (P=0.048). In conclusion, we confirmed the prognostic significance of soluble BLyS levels with regard to TFT in CLL patients, and, more importantly, we showed for the first time that sTACI is a powerful prognostic marker, related to parameters of disease activity and staging and, more importantly, to TFT and OS