Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of carboxyl‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol) adipate‐modified epoxy networks: Effect of molecular weight

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rapidly fatal disease whose diagnosis, particularly through less invasive techniques such as analysis of pleural effusion, can be challenging. Currently, a commercially available diagnostic test based on microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns is purported to distinguish between mesothelioma and lung adenocarcinoma. Yet, the biological basis of this technology has not been reported in the literature, and little research has been aimed at determining how differential miRNA expression contributes to the differences in pathogenesis between these diseases, both of which can be caused by asbestos exposure. We sought to illuminate the molecular differences between mesothelioma and lung adenocarcinoma by using miRNA microarrays to identify patterns in the most differentially expressed miRNAs. From this, we identified a panel of miRNAs, including members of the miR‐200 gene family, that were all downregulated in MPM compared to lung adenocarcinoma. Using the more sensitive detection method of quantitative RT‐PCR on an independent series of tumors, we validated the specificity of these alterations in 100 MPMs and 32 lung adenocarcinomas. Statistical analysis reveals that these miRNAs exceed the current recommendations for biomarkers and could greatly aid in the differential diagnosis. Further examination led us to predict that they act as redundant regulators of wnt signaling and suggests a role for this pathway in tumor progression. This research points to novel approaches using miRNAs whose decreased expression is unique to mesothelioma as potentially suitable for rapid diagnosis and reveals prospective new targets for the treatment of this deadly disease.

Effects of the molecular weight of poly(ether imide) on the viscoelastic phase separation of poly(ether imide)/epoxy blends

“…The phase‐separation process of an epoxy prepolymer based on DGEBA with a thermoplastic PS was thermodynamically studied in the framework of the Flory–Huggins theory by Lopez et al14 The PS/DGEBA blend showed upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behavior, the miscibility increased with the temperature, and so when the temperature decreased, the phase separation advanced. The effects of the molecular weight of carboxyl‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol) adipate (CTPEGA) on the thermomechanical and viscoelastic properties of modified epoxy networks were investigated by Samui et al15 Although the same amount of CTPEGA was added to all the blends, the extent of the dispersed phase increased with an increase in the molecular weight of CTPEGA, as an increase in the molecular weight reduced the combinatorial entropy of mixing.…”

Effect of reactive poly(ethylene glycol) flexible chains on curing kinetics and impact properties of bisphenol‐a glycidyl ether epoxy

“…Impact strength increased 184.8% as reactive PEO content increased from 0 to 23 wt % at RT (57.8–164.6 kJ/m 2 ). This was due to the internal plasticization of the PEO chains to the epoxy network 33, 34. The mobility of chain segments in the epoxy network increased with increasing PEO content.…”

“…This was due to the internal plasticization of the PEO chains to the epoxy network. 33,34 The mobility of chain segments in the epoxy network increased with increasing PEO content. This can be confirmed by the change in glass transition temperatures (T g ) of the epoxy networks (Fig.…”

Development of epoxy/hyperbranched blends for resin transfer molding and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding applications: Effect of a reactive diluent

“…Another possibility for the toughening of epoxies is the use of high performance engineering thermoplastics, such as poly(ether imide)s [10,11], polycarbonate [12][13][14], poly(phenylene oxide) [15], and poly(ether sulphone) [16]. Interesting data on carboxyl terminated polyethylene glycol adipate [17] have been also reported. Engineering thermoplastics are favorable to rubbers because of their high glass transition temperature, high elastic modulus, better solvent resistance, and toughness.…”