Environmental Control on Biotic Development in Siberia (Verkhoyansk Region) and Neighbouring Areas During Permian-Triassic Large Igneous Province Activity

We propose an updated ammonoid zonation for the Permian-Triassic boundary succession (the lower Nekuchan Formation) in the Verkhoyansk region of Siberia: (1) Otoceras concavum zone (uppermost Changhsingian); (2) Otoceras boreale zone (lowermost Induan); (3) Tompophiceras morpheous zone (lower Induan); and (4) Wordieoceras decipiens zone (lower Induan). The Tompophiceras pascoei zone, previously defined between the Otoceras boreale and Tompophiceras morpheous zones, is removed in our scheme. Instead of this the Tompophiceras pascoei epibole zone is proposed for the lower part of the Tompophiceras morpheous zone. New and previously published nitrogen isotope records are interpreted as responses to climatic fluctuations in the middle to higher palaeolatitudes of Northeastern Asia and these suggest a relatively cool climatic regime for the Boreal Superrealm; however the trend towards warming across the Permian-Triassic boundary transition is also seen. The evolutionary development and geographical differentiation of otoceratid ammonoids and associated groups are considered. It is likely that the Boreal Superrealm was their main refugium, where otocerid, dzhulfitid and some other ammonoids survived the major biotic crisis at the end of the Permian. The similarity of ontogenetic development of suture lines of Otoceras woodwardi Griesbach and O. boreale Spath gives some grounds for suggesting a monophyletic origin of the genus Otoceras, having bipolar distribution

Type I IFN-mediated regulation of IL-1 production in inflammatory disorders.

Although contributing to inflammatory responses and to the development of certain autoimmune pathologies, type I interferons (IFNs) are used for the treatment of viral, malignant, and even inflammatory diseases. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a strongly pyrogenic cytokine and its importance in the development of several inflammatory diseases is clearly established. While the therapeutic use of IL-1 blocking agents is particularly successful in the treatment of innate-driven inflammatory disorders, IFN treatment has mostly been appreciated in the management of multiple sclerosis. Interestingly, type I IFNs exert multifaceted immunomodulatory effects, including the reduction of IL-1 production, an outcome that could contribute to its efficacy in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on IL-1 and IFN effects in different inflammatory disorders, the influence of IFNs on IL-1 production, and discuss possible therapeutic avenues based on these observations