Coal tar 10% / Salicylic acid 2% / Sulfur 2% in Generic Unguentum M cream

IntroductionPsoriasis is a common chronic disease with significant impairment in quality of life. As there is no cure, it often requires lifelong disease control to minimize the development of skin lesions and to relieve symptoms. The aim of this publication is to systematically review the role of currently used emollients and keratolytics in the treatment of psoriasis.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in Medline via PubMed regarding reviews, meta-analyses, and trials published from January 1983 to December 2013 dealing with topical administration of emollients and keratolytics in patients with psoriasis. A subsequent search in EMBASE regarding clinical trials published from 1983 to 2013 was performed to complement the findings.ResultsA total of 60 publications met the inclusion criteria for full-text evaluation. While current reviews, meta-analyses, and guidelines state that adjuvant therapy with emollients and keratolytics should be an obligatory part in the therapy of psoriasis to facilitate descaling and/or penetration enhancement, comprehensive trials on these agents are missing, with the exception of combination products containing salicylic acid and corticosteroids. In the mentioned trials, addition of salicylic acid was beneficial in inducing a more rapid onset of action as well as a reduction of severity parameters and the area affected. However, its use has substantial limitations in young children, in patients with renal/hepatic impairment, with widespread psoriasis, those undergoing phototherapy, or those concomitantly treated with calcipotriene/systemic salicylates.ConclusionIn view of these shortcomings, there is a need for well-designed studies on suitable keratolytic alternatives to salicylic acid offering an indisputable positive benefit-risk ratio.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

The demand for high-performance graphite continues to increase, particularly for applications such as batteries, metallurgy, and thermal management. This has driven the development of more energy-efficient synthesis technologies. This literature review discusses recent developments in pyrolysis-based catalytic graphitization methods utilizing two widely available aromatic carbon precursors: petroleum coke and coal tar pitch. The main focus includes the catalyst type used (Fe, Ni, Co, Mo, alkali/alkaline earth, B, Si), the application method (salt impregnation, mechanical mixing, or in-situ mineralization), and process configurations such as pitch pre-oxidation, heating rate, N2/Ar inert atmosphere, process temperature (800–1600°C), and residence time. Structural and performance parameters of the graphite products studied include d002 value, crystalline dimension (Lc/La), Raman ID/IG ratio, electrical conductivity, material strength, and final product yield. The study shows that transition metals are effective in lowering the graphitization temperature compared to uncatalyzed methods. The process involves a dissolution and precipitation mechanism through the formation of metastable carbides, which can reduce the d002 value to 0.335–0.339 nm while increasing the graphitic domains. Meanwhile, alkali and alkaline earth cations accelerate the reordering of aromatic rings but can trigger gasification, which reduces product yield. Boron also plays a role in increasing the regularity of the crystal lattice and reducing structural defects. Intrinsic characteristics of the precursor, such as sulfur, nitrogen, and ash content in petroleum coke, as well as the formation of mesophases and QI fractions in pitch, can affect the effectiveness of the catalyst or even inhibit its activity. Therefore, the need for pretreatment and purification is crucial.This approach faces several key challenges, such as balancing energy efficiency with final product purity. Acid protection to remove residual metals, technological scalability issues, and safety aspects are also important concerns. Optimal parameters identified include the use of 3–7 wt% catalyst, gradual heating, pre-oxidation of pitch before pyrolysis, and a process duration of 1–3 hours, which have shown promising results. However, further research is needed to address aspects such as multiscale mechanistic modeling, control of feedstock heterogeneity, continuous reactor design, catalyst recycling, and product lifecycle sustainability analysis. Overall, this catalytic graphitization method shows great potential for producing high-performance graphite at lower process temperatures. This technology has important implications for the manufacture of battery anodes, conductive composite materials, and refractories in large-scale, sustainability-oriented industries.

Abstract licence: CC BY