Evacetrapib and Cardiovascular Outcomes in High-Risk Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: The cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor evacetrapib substantially raises the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, reduces the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, and enhances cellular cholesterol efflux capacity. We sought to determine the effect of evacetrapib on major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with high-risk vascular disease. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial, we enrolled 12,092 patients who had at least one of the following conditions: an acute coronary syndrome within the previous 30 to 365 days, cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease, peripheral vascular arterial disease, or diabetes mellitus with coronary artery disease. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either evacetrapib at a dose of 130 mg or matching placebo, administered daily, in addition to standard medical therapy. The primary efficacy end point was the first occurrence of any component of the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: At 3 months, a 31.1% decrease in the mean LDL cholesterol level was observed with evacetrapib versus a 6.0% increase with placebo, and a 133.2% increase in the mean HDL cholesterol level was seen with evacetrapib versus a 1.6% increase with placebo. After 1363 of the planned 1670 primary end-point events had occurred, the data and safety monitoring board recommended that the trial be terminated early because of a lack of efficacy. After a median of 26 months of evacetrapib or placebo, a primary end-point event occurred in 12.9% of the patients in the evacetrapib group and in 12.8% of those in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.91 to 1.11; P=0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Although the cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor evacetrapib had favorable effects on established lipid biomarkers, treatment with evacetrapib did not result in a lower rate of cardiovascular events than placebo among patients with high-risk vascular disease. (Funded by Eli Lilly; ACCELERATE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01687998 .)

Dense ceramic membranes: A review of the state of the art

During the past several years the concepts of oxygen permeation through mixed valency ceramic membranes possess special interest. In this context, a classification and brief review of the major membrane ceramic materials will be presented. The focus will be on dense ceramic membranes as elements for advanced application. A discussion will be proposed for mixed conductor ceramics as perovskite ABO3 compounds. Dense membranes on perovskite base are the object of the present review and some details about processing and characterization of double (A- and B-site) substituted La1-x Sr(Ba)xCo0.8Fe0.2O3-d perovskites will be presented.<br><br>El concepto de permeación de oxígeno a través de membranas cerámicas de valencia mixta, ha venido adquiriendo especial relevancia a lo largo de los últimos años. En este contexto se hace se efectúa una clasificación y breve revisión de los materiales cerámicos más relevantes utilizados como membranas. En particular se orienta la descripción hacia las membranas cerámicas densas para aplicaciones avanzadas. Se propone un análisis de los conductores cerámicos mixtos, como los compuestos de tipo perovskita ABO3. Se realiza una revisión de los materiales de este tipo existentes, así como se describen algunos aspectos sobre el procesamiento y caracterización de las perovskitas tipo La1-x Sr(Ba)xCo0.8Fe0.2O3-d doblemente sustituidas (lugares A- y B-)

Assessment of Nd2-XSrXNiO4-d as a cathodic material for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell applications

The features and performance of each device and equipment is directly related to its composing materials. The efficiency and durability of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) also depend on their composing elements. Other important factors for the SOFC behavior are the working conditions (compositions, and humidity of the fuel and oxidant gaseous mixtures, temperature, pressure, etc.). These facts predetermine the necessity for detailed investigation of the behavior of each composing layer of SOFC. For this reason, the electrical characteristics of Nd2-xSrxNiO4-d as SOFC cathodic material were evaluated by high temperature electrochemical methods, durability tests, and posterior XRD and SEM characterization. As a result, the optimal composition and working conditions for the investigated material in assembled SOFC were determined. The obtained material reveals excellent durability and compatibility with the rest SOFC components

Assessment of Nd2-XSrXNiO4-d as a cathodic material for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell applications

The features and performance of each device and equipment is directly related to its composing materials. The efficiency and durability of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) also depend on their composing elements. Other important factors for the SOFC behavior are the working conditions (compositions, and humidity of the fuel and oxidant gaseous mixtures, temperature, pressure, etc.). These facts predetermine the necessity for detailed investigation of the behavior of each composing layer of SOFC. For this reason, the electrical characteristics of Nd2-xSrxNiO4-d as SOFC cathodic material were evaluated by high temperature electrochemical methods, durability tests, and posterior XRD and SEM characterization. As a result, the optimal composition and working conditions for the investigated material in assembled SOFC were determined. The obtained material reveals excellent durability and compatibility with the rest SOFC components