Search

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) and CCL18 levels and the severity and progression of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS Patients enrolled in the Scleroderma Lung Study II (cyclophosphamide [CYC] versus mycophenolate mofetil [MMF]) were included. Baseline and 12-month plasma samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to assess CCL18 and KL-6 levels. The forced vital capacity (FVC) and the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) were measured every 3 months. Joint models were created to investigate the relationship between baseline CCL18 and KL-6 levels and the course of the FVC and DLco over 1 year according to treatment arm. RESULTS Baseline KL-6 and CCL18 levels each correlated with the extent of radiographic fibrosis. Levels of both CCL18 and KL-6 declined significantly at 1 year. In both treatment arms (n = 71 for CYC, n = 62 for MMF), a higher baseline KL-6 level predicted progression of ILD based on the course of FVC (P = 0.024 for CYC; P = 0.005 for MMF) and DLco (P < 0.001 for CYC; P = 0.004 for MMF) over 1 year. A higher baseline CCL18 level predicted progression of ILD based on the course of the FVC (P < 0.001 for CYC; P = 0.007 for MMF) and DLco (P = 0.001 for CYC; P < 0.001 for MMF) over 1 year, as well as mortality (P = 0.0008 for CYC arm only). CONCLUSION In a rigorously conducted clinical trial for SSc-related ILD, KL-6 and CCL18 levels correlated with ILD severity and declined with immunosuppression. Patients with higher baseline KL-6 and CCL18 levels were more likely to experience disease progression despite treatment. KL-6 and CCL18 levels could be used to identify patients with a progressive ILD phenotype who may benefit from a more aggressive initial treatment approach.

Poly(arylene ether) main-chain phosphonium ionomers were successfully synthesized and characterized. The reaction scheme involved first preparing the poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide) by a nucleophilic step or condensation polymerization of bisphenolates on activated aryl halides, wherein phenyl phosphine oxide was the activating group. High-molecular-weight, tough, film-forming polymers were produced with glass transition temperatures of 200°C or higher. The resulting materials were successfully reduced using phenylsilane in refluxing chlorobenzene. The derived phosphine or phosphine/phosphine oxide copolymer was reacted with alkyl halides to produce the phosphonium salts. The resulting materials showed enhanced hydrophilicity and in some cases could be successfully dispersed in water. In addition, chromophores such as Methyl Orange and Methyl Red were combined with the backbone ionomer to produce new film-forming, ionically linked species. The materials are of general interest for situations where water-dispersible intermediates, e.g. coatings, fiber sizings etc. are required. The phosphonium salts can be converted back to the phosphine oxide in fairly high yields by simple thermal methods and in quantitative yield by chemical methods (e.g. the Wittig reaction). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hydrolytically stable phosphorus-containing monomers, such as 4,4'-bis(fluorophenyl)methylphosphine oxide (BFPMPO), 4,4'-bis(hydroxyphenyl)methylphosphine oxide (BOHPMPO), and 4,4-bis(hydroxyphenyl)phenylphosphine oxide (BOHPPO), were synthesized and used in nucleophilic aromatic substitution polycondensation to prepare poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide) engineering thermoplastics. The synthesis and characterization of these novel polymers are described. It was determined that by incorporating the phosphine oxide moiety into the polymer backbone, certain properties of the resulting poly(arylene ether) were substantially improved, such as an increase in T g , thermal stability in air, modulus, and char yield compared with control poly(arylene ether sulfone)s. The high char yields obtained for these polymers in air along with observed intumescence indicates that these materials have improved fire resistance. Preliminary cone calorimetry measurements support this conclusion.

Poly(arylene ether) main-chain phosphonium ionomers were successfully synthesized and characterized. The reaction scheme involved first preparing the poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide) by a nucleophilic step or condensation polymerization of bisphenolates on activated aryl halides, wherein phenyl phosphine oxide was the activating group. High-molecular-weight, tough, film-forming polymers were produced with glass transition temperatures of 200°C or higher. The resulting materials were successfully reduced using phenylsilane in refluxing chlorobenzene. The derived phosphine or phosphine/phosphine oxide copolymer was reacted with alkyl halides to produce the phosphonium salts. The resulting materials showed enhanced hydrophilicity and in some cases could be successfully dispersed in water. In addition, chromophores such as Methyl Orange and Methyl Red were combined with the backbone ionomer to produce new film-forming, ionically linked species. The materials are of general interest for situations where water-dispersible intermediates, e.g. coatings, fiber sizings etc. are required. The phosphonium salts can be converted back to the phosphine oxide in fairly high yields by simple thermal methods and in quantitative yield by chemical methods (e.g. the Wittig reaction). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The electrochemical oxidation of Langmuir-Blodgett films of n-doxyl-stearates (n = 5, 7, 12, 16; present as their cadmium salts) on indium tin oxide electrodes has been studied. The n = 12 species gives cyclic voltammograms (CVs) that reveal split peaks consistent with the formation of an ordered partially oxidized layer with a structure controlled by interactions of longer range than nearest neighbor.