Self-Curing Phthalonitrile Resin with Disulfide Bond as the Curing Group

To further investigate the presence of a radical mechanism in the curing process of phthalonitrile resins, a conventional radical initiation unit (disulfide segment) was introduced into phthalonitrile resins for the first time. A disulfide-bond-containing phthalonitrile monomer (DPBPN) was successfully synthesized. Its self-curing reaction could be promoted by disulfide segments in the precursor. Rheological measurements and differential scanning calorimetry showed that DPBPN exhibited a low melting point (124.5 °C) and a wide processing window (120 °C). Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the formation of isoindoline, triazine, and phthalocyanine structures in the product. Thermal gravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis suggested the outstanding thermal stability and high glass transition temperature (Tg) of the cured resin with a moderate curing process

Differences between groups analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post hoc tests.

<p>Levels of leptin, ICAM-1, and PDGF-BB were assayed in healthy patients and patients with sarcoidosis or tuberculosis. Statistical significance is indicated. Error bars denote S.D. The results showed that the expression levels of leptin and ICAM-1 in the SA group were significantly different from those in the HC and TB groups, respectively (<i>P</i> < 0.001). Interestingly, no significant differences were observed between the HC and TB groups (<i>P</i> > 0.05). Additionally, there were no significant differences in PDGF-BB expression levels among the 3 groups (<i>P</i> > 0.05).</p

Identification of differentially expressed proteins in the SA and TB groups using protein microarray analysis.

<p>*a SA = sarcoidosis, TB = tuberculosis, HC = healthy control.</p><p>*b <i>P</i> < 0.05; “/” indicates not detected.</p><p>Identification of differentially expressed proteins in the SA and TB groups using protein microarray analysis.</p

General information and clinical indices of the SA, TB, and HC groups included in the ELISA analysis.

<p>*a. CXR = chest X-ray; N/A = not applicable; CXR stage: 0 = no adenopathy, no lung infiltrates; Stage I = hilar and mediastinal adenopathy only; Stage II = hilar and mediastinal adenopathy plus lung infiltrates; Stage III = lung infiltrates only; Stage IV = pulmonary fibrosis.</p><p>*b. BMI (body mass index) = weight/height², SA vs. TB (<i>P</i> < 0.00001), SA vs. HC (<i>P</i> > 0.05).</p><p>*c. SA vs. TB (<i>P</i> < 0.05).</p><p>*d SA = sarcoidosis, TB = tuberculosis, HC = healthy control.</p><p>General information and clinical indices of the SA, TB, and HC groups included in the ELISA analysis.</p

IHC analysis of lung sections from patients in the SA and TB groups.

<p>Staining for ICAM-1 is shown (×200). ICAM-1 showed scattered, clustered, strong expression in the lungs and lymph nodes of patients in the SA group but exhibited nonspecific staining or weak expression in the lungs of patients in the TB group. Additionally, a hazel-colored region was observed in the tissues adjacent to the granuloma (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0132466#pone.0132466.g003" target="_blank">Fig 3</a>).</p

Procedure for recruiting SA patients.

<p>Procedure for recruiting SA patients.</p

IHC analysis of lung sections from patients in the SA and TB groups. Staining for leptin is shown (×200).

<p>In the SA group, leptin exhibited positive expression in the lung and was scattered in the granuloma and its adjacent tissues. In the TB group, it showed nonspecific staining, although some hazel-colored regions could be imaged in the adjacent tissues. Leptin accumulated in the center of the lymphoglandulae granuloma in the SA group, exhibiting strong positive expression, while that in the TB group showed significantly weaker expression (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0132466#pone.0132466.g002" target="_blank">Fig 2</a>).</p

General information and characteristics of the SA, TB, and HC groups included in the protein microarray analysis.

<p>*a SA = sarcoidosis, TB = tuberculosis, HC = healthy control.</p><p>*b N/A = not applicable.</p><p>General information and characteristics of the SA, TB, and HC groups included in the protein microarray analysis.</p

Procedure for recruiting TB patients.

<p>Procedure for recruiting TB patients.</p

Sensitivity and specificity of the parallel and serial tests for differential diagnosis of SA and TB.

<p>*a. Parallel test: If one of the indices was positive (greater than or equal to the cutoff value), the patient was diagnosed with sarcoidosis.</p><p>*b. Serial test: If both of the indices were positive (greater than or equal to the cutoff value), the patient was diagnosed with sarcoidosis.</p><p>Sensitivity and specificity of the parallel and serial tests for differential diagnosis of SA and TB.</p