Electrodeposition of Silicon from Molten KCl-K2SiF6for Lithium-Ion Batteries

In this paper we report characteristics and electrochemical properties of silicon fibers used as lithium-ion battery anode. All samples were synthesized by potentiostatic electrodeposition from molten KCl K2SiF6. From molten KCl CsCl K2SiF6 deposition was carried out in galvanostatic mode. Despite the synthesis in inert atmosphere and absence of oxygen containing compounds in the melt resulting silicon after washing contains at least 15 at% oxygen. Silicon fibers synthesized at ?250 mV (vs Si) were the thinnest with diameter as small as 100 nm; average fiber length increased with increasing overvoltage. Addition of CsCl to the melt results in decrease of the average fibers diameter. Silicon fibers synthesized at ?250 mV (vs Si) in KCl K2SiF6 melt showed the best cycling performance with capacity of 1030 mAh g?1 at 0.2 A g?1 discharge current and capacity of 715 mAh g?1 after 10 cycles. Lithium diffusion coefficients calculated from galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) are common for silicon-based anode. The highest initial diffusion coefficient value of 6.68 10?11 cm2 s?1 was achieved for silicon synthesized from melt with addition of CsCl. Low capacity and rapid capacity fading for all samples can be caused by high silicon dioxide content, further treatment of synthesized silicon is necessary to achieve higher performance. © 2022 The Author(s).This work is performed in the frame of the State Assignment number 075-03-2022-011 dated 14.01.2022 (the theme number FEUZ-2020-0037)

Genetic Polymorphism of beta1-adrenergic Receptors and the Effect on the Clinical Efficacy of beta-adrenoblockers

Beta-adrenergic blockers are a valuable class of cardiovascular drugs and are widely used in the treatment of arterial hypertension (AH), coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure (CHF), cardiac arrhythmias, significantly improving the prognosis of patients. However, the clinical efficacy of betablockers is largely dependent on the genetic polymorphism of beta1-adrenergic receptors (ADRB1). The aim of the review was a systematic analysis of scientific data from pharmacogenetic studies on the role of beta1-adrenergic receptor polymorphism in the clinical efficacy of beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension, chronic heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. The results of clinical trials and meta-analyzes were used. Of greatest importance is the genetic polymorphism of beta1-adrenergic receptors of two loci – Arg389Gly and Ser49Gly; the frequency of occurrence of variant and less functionally active alleles Gly389 and Gly49 in Europeans reaches 27% and 15%. The variant Gly389 allele has reduced functional activity and carriers have a weak response to the use of beta-blockers. In carriers of variant alleles Gly389 and Gly49 a reduced hypotensive effect on the use of beta-blockers was observed, and in studies of long-term efficacy, carriage of variant alleles was accompanied by an increase in the frequency and risk of unfavorable outcomes of hypertension. In pharmacogenetic studies, a reduced effect of the effect on myocardial remodeling in patients with CHF for beta-blockers in carriers of the variant Gly389 allele were confirmed. According to two meta-analyzes of trials on use of beta-blockers in patients with CHF, the frequency of increased left ventricle ejection fraction was significantly higher in carriers of the wild Arg389Arg gene type (risk ratio=1.83, p=0,001). In contrast, in atrial fibrillation, the frequency of rhythm control with beta-blockers was achieved better in the presence of the variant allele Gly389 with “loss of function”. Another polymorphic Gly49 allele plays a role in desensitization and down-regulation of beta1-receptor activity, although clinically this effect has been less obvious and contradictory. However, in studies, a more pronounced clinical effect of beta-blockers was observed in carriers of the wild genotype Ser49Ser, as well as in carriers of the haplotype Ser49Ser/Arg389Arg. Thus, genetic polymorphism ADRB1 may be another important predictor of the effectiveness of beta-blockers in clinical practice, which must be taken into account in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Problems of Surgical Treatment of Hammer Toes (Review of Literature)

Introduction. The urgency of the problem of surgical treatment of hammer-like deformity of the toes is due to the incidence of pathology, the presence of unsatisfactory results and postoperative complications.Objective. Analysis of scientific literature devoted to the problems of surgical treatment of hammer deformities of the toes.Materials. Analyzed domestic and foreign scientific publications on the classification and surgical treatment of hammer toes.Results. The article presents an analysis of the classifications of hammer-like deformity of the toes and instability of the metatarsophalangeal joints and an analysis of treatment methods aimed at eliminating various manifestations of deformity, with a description of the complications that have arisen. The systematization of methods for correcting hammer-like deformity of the toes was carried out.Conclusion. Analysis of the literature data allowed us to determine that the problems of treating hammer-like deformity of the toes are associated with the lack of a classification that would reflect the condition of the forefoot of each individual patient and allow choosing the optimal effective methods of treatment, as well as an algorithm for choosing tactics for surgical treatment of hammer-like deformity, which systematizes the methods treatment depending on the manifestations of deformity of the entire forefoot

Phytopathological screening and molecular marker analysis of wheat germplasm from Kazakhstan and CIMMYT for resistance to tan spot

Tan spot caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis is an important leaf spot disease in wheat growing areas throughout the world. The study aims to identify wheat germplasm resistant to tan spot based on phytopathological screening and molecular marker analysis. A collection of 64 common wheat germplasms, including cultivars and breeding lines from Kazakhstan and CIMMYT, was assessed for tan spot resistance in greenhouse conditions and characterized using the Xfcp623 molecular marker, diagnostic for the Tsn1 gene. All wheat cultivars/lines varied in their reaction to tan spot isolate race 1, ranging from susceptible to resistant. Most accessions studied (53 %) were susceptible to Ptr race 1. Spring wheat cultivars were more susceptible to race 1 than winter wheat cultivars. As a result of genotyping, an insensitive reaction to Ptr ToxA was predicted in 41 wheat cultivars (64 %). The tsn1 gene carriers identified included 27 Kazakhstani and 14 CIMMYT cultivars/lines, demonstrating insensitivity to Ptr ToxA. The majority of the Tsn1 genotype were sensitive to race 1 and showed susceptibility to the pathogen in the field. Disease scores from seedling stage positively correlated with field disease ratings. Of particular interest are 27 wheat accessions that demonstrated resistance to spore inoculation by Ptr race 1, were characterized by insensitivity to ToxA and showed field resistance to the pathogen. The results of this study will contribute to wheat breeding programs for tan spot resistance with Marker Assisted Selection using the closely flanking markers

New method of surgical correction of lesser toes deformity

Background. Patients’ dissatisfaction with the results of surgical correction of lesser toes deformities, the shortcomings of methods aimed at eliminating the lateral deviation of the toe in the metatarsophalangeal joint necessitated the development of a new surgical method.The aim. To evaluate short-term results of the new surgical method for the treatment of patients with lesser toes deformity, accompanied with deviation of the toe.Materials and methods. A method of surgical treatment of deviated deformity of the small toes is proposed. The method includes precise marking of the metatarsal osteotomy line according to the previously calculated parameters of optimal shortening and displacement of the metatarsal bone, performing oblique diaphyseal osteotomy of the metatarsal bone, displacing its distal part along the osteotomy plane. According to the proposed method, nine patients were operated on who had a syndrome of nonrigid hammer-like deformity of the second toe with lateral deviation of the toe in the metatarsophalangeal joint. In all patients, the deformity of the second toe was associated with hallux valgus.Results. As a result of the application of the proposed method, it was possible to achieve deformity correction, eliminate the lateral deviation of the second toe in the metatarsophalangeal joint, restore congruence in the joint, achieve consolidation of bone fragments without loss of correction, and improve the appearance and function of the foot. Three months after the operation, a statistically significant improvement was determined, according to the AOFAS LMIS scale, having reached 94.5 ± 4.64 points, which made it possible to speak about the achievement of a good functional result of treatment. Patients noted the opportunity to wear standard footwear, to carry out their labor activity, to engage in physical culture, were satisfied with the result.Conclusion. The use of the proposed new surgical method for deflected deformity of the lesser toes makes it possible to correct the deformity, eliminate lateral deviation of the toe, relieve pain syndrome, achieve a good cosmetic and functional result, restoring the patients’ ability to wear standard shoes

Method for Surgical Treatment of Hammer Deformity of the Second Toe

The article presents a case of successful surgical treatment of a patient with hammer-like deformity of the second toe associated with deformity of the first toe. During the preoperative examination of the patient, the length of the required shortening of the second metatarsal bone relative to the length of the third metatarsal bone was calculated on the X-ray in frontal projection and the length of the required shortening of the first metatarsal bone was calculated using a known method. To eliminate the deformity of the first toe, the author’s method of surgical treatment was used. To correct the deformation of the second toe, the proposed method was used, which includes the following steps: marking the lines of osteotomies during the operation; performing osteotomies along the outlined lines; removal of a free bone fragment; precise implementation of  the required shortening of the second metatarsal bone; fixation of the osteotomized fragments of the second metatarsal bone with a cannulated screw. As a result of the performed surgical treatment, correction of the hallux valgus and hammer-like deformity of the second toe was achieved.The presented clinical case shows that in the surgical treatment of hammer deformity of the second toe, it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s foot condition, namely, the ratio of the length of the second and adjacent third metatarsal bones. Preliminary calculation of the length of the required shortening of the second and first metatarsal bones on the roentgenogram, precise markings of the  osteotomy lines and the implementation of the necessary shortening contribute to achieving a balance in the ratio of the lengths of the metatarsal bones, restoring the optimal load distribution on the heads of the metatarsal bones, more accurate correction of the deformity of the second and first toes, and improving statodynamic function of the foot and reducing the risk of postoperative failures

A new radiological method for examining patients with forefoot deformities

The aim of the study. To establish the possibility of using the X-ray method for determining the position of the metatarsal heads for preoperative planning in the treatment of patients with forefoot deformities.Material and methods. The proposed radiological method for determining the position of the metatarsal heads includes performing radiography on a special platform. On the X-ray image, the relative position of the metatarsal heads is determined. Using the proposed X-ray method, we examined 15 patients with transient metatarsalgia under the 3rd metatarsal head, which developed after surgical treatment of hallux valgus and hammertoe (2nd toe), and 28 patients with similar forefoot deformity without postoperative metatarsalgia.Results. As a result of the proposed X-ray method, we found that in in 86.67 % of patients with transient metatarsalgia, the 3rd metatarsal head was below the adjacent 2nd and 4th metatarsal heads. In 82.14 % of patients without postoperative complications, the 3rd metatarsal head was higher or at the same level as the adjacent 4th metatarsal head. The clinical application of the proposed method made it possible to determine the position of the 2nd, 3rd or 4th metatarsal heads and to establish normal variants and deviations from the norm.Conclusions. The proposed X-ray method makes it possible to effectively determine the relative position of the metatarsal heads and to choose the optimal surgical tactics for the treatment of patients with forefoot deformities. The proposed method for determining the position of the metatarsal heads is advisable to be included in the preoperative examination along with the standard X-ray of the foot bones, due to its reproducibility, as well as the value of the information obtained

Modern surgical treatment of forefoot deformities

В статье представлен анализ собственных результатов лечения 190 пациентов с деформациями переднего отдела стопы. Были использованы различные сочетания хирургических техник. В результате проведённого лечения были нормализованы основные рентгенологические параметры переднего отдела стопы, и было достигнуто улучшение оценки лечения до 93 баллов по шкале АОFAS. Общий процент послеоперационных осложнений составил 13,7 %. Использование комбинаций современных хирургических методик позволяет добиться отличных и хороших результатов лечения пациентов