Rilonacept and Anakinra in Recurrent Pericarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) has been indicated as a mediator of recurrent pericarditis. Rilonacept, a soluble IL-1 receptor chimeric fusion protein neutralizing interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), has demonstrated promising results in a phase II study in recurrent or refractory pericarditis. Anakinra is a recombinant inhibitor of the IL-1 receptor with a demonstrated reduction in the incidence of recurrent pericarditis. Definite pharmacological management of pericarditis is key to preventing recurrences, mostly treatment options for recurrent pericarditis refractory to conventional drugs. Here we critically discuss the existing therapy options for recurrent pericarditis, with a focus on new pharmacological approaches: rilonacept and anakinra. A systematic search was conducted across online databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase to obtain clinical trials that assess the effectiveness of anti-interleukin 1 therapy such as anakinra and rilonacept in the management of recurrent pericarditis. Our study concluded that anti-interleukin 1 therapy significantly improved both the quality of life and the clinical outcomes of the study population. These outcomes were most prominent with the use of rilonacept and anakinra in the trial treatment. Rilonacept and anakinra are valuable options in case of recurrent pericarditis refractory to conventional drugs

Mobility of copper in zeolite-based SCR catalysts

Selective catalytic reduction with ammonia (NH3-SCR) is a well-established and effective method to eliminate nitrogen oxides (NOx) in oxygen excess for stationary and mobile applications. Vanadia supported on titania was the first NH3-SCR catalyst that was commercialized. This type of catalyst is effective around 300-450\ub0C, however at lower or higher temperatures, the efficiency of the catalyst to reduce NOx decreases. To increase the overall NOx reduction, high SCR activity around 200\ub0C is required and copper-exchanged zeolites are interesting candidates in this respect. Solid-state ion-exchange in a mixture of copper oxide and zeolite is an efficient method to prepare such catalysts, but the process usually requires high (>700\ub0C) temperatures. The ion-exchange process with copper oxides and zeolites can be considerably affected inpresence of reactive atmospheres. It is shown that the copper-exchange is possible at unprecedented low temperatures, as low as 250\ub0C, when facilitated by ammonia. The influence of the treatment conditions on the copper-exchange and the mechanism of the ion-exchange process will be presented and discussed. Such copper-exchanged zeolite structures with high copper loading are potentially interesting catalysts for a number of technical applications.Powder mixtures of CuO or Cu2O and zeolite with either the MFI, *BEA or CHA framework structure were exposed to well-defined gas atmospheres at constant temperature. After the treatment the SCR activity was determined by steady state and transient flow reactor experiments, and the physico-chemical properties of the samples were characterized with bulk and surface sensitive characterization techniques. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations were used to investigate the energetic conditions for the ion-exchange process. We show that copper in the presence of ammonia becomes mobile at considerably lower temperatures

Copper mobility in zeolite-based SCR catalysts

Selective catalytic reduction with ammonia (NH3-SCR) is an effective, well-established method to eliminate nitrogen oxides (NOx) in oxygen excess for stationary and mobile applications. Titania-supported vanadia catalysts are traditionally used for NH3-SCR. This type of catalyst is effective in the range 300-450\ub0C, but the NOx reduction efficiency decreases at both lower and higher temperatures. The efficiency of the NH3-SCR process can be improved significantly by using catalysts based on copper-exchanged zeolites and zeotypes, due to their high activity around 200\ub0C. Solid-state ion-exchange in a mixture of copper oxide and zeolite is an efficient way to prepare such catalysts, but this process usually requires high (>700\ub0C) temperatures. The ion-exchange can be considerably affected by appropriate choice of atmosphere during the process. It is shown that the copper-exchange is possible at unprecedented low temperatures, as low as 250\ub0C, in presence of ammonia. The influence of the treatment conditions on the copper-exchange and the mechanism of the reaction-driven ion-exchange process will be presented and discussed. Such copper-exchanged zeolite structures with high copper loading are potentially interesting catalysts for a number of technical applications.Powder mixtures of Cu2O or CuO and zeolite with either CHA, MFI or *BEA framework structure were exposed to well-defined gas atmospheres at constant temperature. After the treatment, the SCR activity of the samples was determined by steady state and transient flow reactor experiments, and the physicochemical properties of the samples were characterized with bulk and surface sensitive characterization techniques. Furthermore, first-principles calculations were used to investigate the energetic conditions for the ion-exchange process.We show that in the presence of ammonia, copper becomes mobile at considerably lower temperatures

Solid-State Ion-Exchange of Copper into Zeolites Facilitated by Ammonia at Low Temperature

The effect of the gas phase during solid-state ion-exchange of copper into zeolites was studied by exposing physical mixtures of copper oxides (Cu^I₂O and Cu^IIO) and zeolites (MFI, *BEA, and CHA) to various combinations of NO, NH₃, O₂, and H₂O. It is shown that heating these mixtures to 250 °C results in active catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH₃ (NH₃-SCR), indicating that the Cu has become mobile at that temperature. Such treatment allows for a fast (<5–10 h) preparation of copper-exchanged zeolites. Scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis of Cu-CHA prepared using this method shows homogeneous distribution of the Cu in the primary particles of the zeolite. In situ XRD reveals that the Cu ion-exchange is related to the formation of Cu^I₂O. When the zeolite is mixed with Cu^IIO, addition of NO to the NH₃-containing gas phase enhances the formation of Cu^I₂O and the Cu ion-exchange. The mobility of Cu at low temperatures is proposed to be related to the formation of [Cu^I(NH₃)_<i>x</i>]⁺ (<i>x</i> ≥ 2) complexes

Measures to reduce discharges and emissions

Discharges and \ue9missions from shipping can be reduced through different technical measures, many of which apply similar principies, e.g., filtration or absorption. Ballast water treatment systems can be used to limit the spread of invasive species. Selective catalytic reduction units and exhaust gas recirculation can be used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, and scrubbers and diesel particulate filters can be used to reduce sulphur dioxide and particle emissions. The restoration or remediation of natural environments may also be required after large oil spills. Possible remediation methods include booms, mechanical techniques and dispersant chemicals. These and several additional technical measures to reduce discharges and emissions are described in this chapter, including measures to reduce the impact of the infrastructure related to the shipping industry

Selective sweep on human amylase genes postdates the split with Neanderthals

Humans have more copies of amylase genes than other primates. It is still poorly understood, however, when the copy number expansion occurred and whether its spread was enhanced by selection. Here we assess amylase copy numbers in a global sample of 480 high coverage genomes and find that regions flanking the amylase locus show notable depression of genetic diversity both in African and non-African populations. Analysis of genetic variation in these regions supports the model of an early selective sweep in the human lineage after the split of humans from Neanderthals which led to the fixation of multiple copies of AMY1 in place of a single copy. We find evidence of multiple secondary losses of copy number with the highest frequency (52%) of a deletion of AMY2A and associated low copy number of AMY1 in Northeast Siberian populations whose diet has been low in starch content

Candidate cell and matrix interaction domains on the collagen fibril, the predominant protein of vertebrates.

Type I collagen, the predominant protein of vertebrates, polymerizes with type III and V collagens and non-collagenous molecules into large cable-like fibrils, yet how the fibril interacts with cells and other binding partners remains poorly understood. To help reveal insights into the collagen structure-function relationship, a data base was assembled including hundreds of type I collagen ligand binding sites and mutations on a twodimensional model of the fibril. Visual examination of the distribution of functional sites, and statistical analysis of mutation distributions on the fibril suggest it is organized into two domains. The “cell interaction domain” is proposed to regulate dynamic aspects of collagen biology, including integrin-mediated cell interactions and fibril remodeling. The “matrix interaction domain” may assume a structural role, mediating collagen cross-linking, proteoglycan interactions, and tissue mineralization. Molecular modeling was used to superimpose the positions of functional sites and mutations from the two-dimensional fibril map onto a three-dimensional x-ray diffraction structure of the collagen microfibril in situ, indicating the existence of domains in the native fibril. Sequence searches revealed that major fibril domain elements are conserved in type I collagens through evolution and in the type II/XI collagen fibril predominant in cartilage. Moreover, the fibril domain model provides potential insights into the genotype-phenotype relationship for several classes of human connective tissue diseases, mechanisms of integrin clustering by fibrils, the polarity of fibril assembly, heterotypic fibril function, and connective tissue pathology in diabetes and aging