Lignin-Based Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Cationic Conductivity.

The article presents the results of the preparation and study of a gel-polymer electrolyte based on lignin obtained from Pinus sylvestris. Sulfonation and subsequent chlorination of lignin make possible implementation of the principle of mono-ionic conductivity in a natural biopolymer matrix, which provides predominantly cationic conductivity of the electrolyte. Based on the results of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the synthesized samples, the mechanisms of the chemical conversion of the biopolymer, the structure models of the converted fragments of macromolecules, as well as the quantum-chemical calculation of their electronic and geometric parameters are presented. The key electronic characteristics of the gel polymer electrolytes (GPE) based on a composite of lignins with 20 wt.% polyvinyl alcohol are determined by impedance spectroscopy. The maximum value of the specific volume conductivity is 2.48 × 10-4 S cm-1, which is comparable with most commercial electrolytes of this type, but at the same time, record values are reached in the number of lithium cation transfer tLi+ of 0.89. The studies allow to identify the basic laws of the effect of chemical modification on the structure of GPE and describe the mechanism of ionic conductivity.

Water-Soluble Copper Ink for the Inkjet Fabrication of Flexible Electronic Components.

The aim of this work is preparation and investigation of copper conductive paths by printing with a different type of functional ink. The solutions based on copper-containing complex compounds were used as inks instead of dispersions of metal nanoparticles. Thermal characteristics of synthesized precursors were studied by thermogravimetry in an argon atmosphere. Based on the comparison of decomposition temperature, the dimethylamine complex of copper formate was found to be more suitable precursor for the formation of copper layers. Structure and performance of this compound was studied in detail by X-ray diffraction, test of wettability, printing on flexible substrate, and electrical measurements.

Bladder Cancer: Update on Risk Factors, Molecular and Ultrastructural Patterns.

OBJECTIVE: The molecular mechanisms of bladder cancer development and progression are not clear. Bladder cancer is an important focus for epidemiological studies and understanding clinical implications. GOAL: The primary aim of prevention is achieved by limiting exposure to non-genetic risk factors, such as smoking, diet, arsenic in drinking water, or aromatic amines at work or elsewhere. Current therapies for bladder cancer are affected by tumor morphology and associated acquired genetic mutations. METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, Google, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect databases to find studies of bladder cancer published between 1984 and early 2020. The focus was articles that address epidemiological risk factors and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Articles were selected that enabled our review of these factors as well as molecular and structural patterns. RESULTS: There are multiple views of bladder cancer. The literature offers several novel insights regarding the development and progression of bladder cancer and possible biomarkers that may be useful in clinical and diagnostic practice. CONCLUSION: There are several molecular pathways associated with bladder cancer that are frequently updated. In addition, genetic subtypes of bladder tumors are not distinguished clearly which requires future more detailed analysis.

[Cardiac valves lesions and its correction in the heart myxoma].

The experience of surgical treatment of 34 patients, suffering the heart valves affection in cardiac myxoma (CM), was summarized. In 29 patients the affection of a mitral valve (MV) was noted and in 5--of a tricuspid one. Functional disorders of valves was observed in presence of a large, moving, frequently calcified CM owing high density. Radical reconstructive-restoration interventions were performed with artificial blood circulation. In 9 patients the MV prosthesis was performed, in 3--the tumor excision, affecting undervalvular apparatus and in 4--the MV plasty (annuloplication). The MV cuspids deformity was corrected in 8 patients and for the MV chords rupture in 1 patient the plasty was performed, using sectored resection. The MV cuspids implantation was done in 9 patients. Late follow-up results were studied up in 26 patients in terms from 2 mo to 20 years postoperatively. Good result was achieved in 18 patients, fair--in 5 and unsatisfactory--in 3. Thus, the presence of CM may be accompanied by necessity to correct the coexistent valve affection, what improves the operation result.

[Explantation of synthetic net-like materials in the treatment of large postoperative abdominal wall hernia]. / Eksplantatsiia sinteticheskikh setchatykh materialov pri lechenii posleoperatsionnoi gryzhi briushnoi stenki bol'shikh razmerov.

The results of explantation of synthetic netted materials in 82 patients with vast and giant postoperative abdominal wall hernia were analyzed. Physical and biological properties of netted explants made from polypropylene permit to apply them while infectioning of the operative field occurs and providing measures of complex prophylaxis for purulent-inflammatory, broncho-pulmonary and cardio-vascular complications. The method of plasty choice depends on clinical situation present, the operative risk degree, the hernial defect size and magnitude and on the stage of prognosticated intraabdominal pressure raising. An early postoperative complications were noted in 14 (17%) of patients. Hernial recurrency had occurred in 3 patients in terms of follow-up from 1 to 5 years.

[Characteristics of isoelectric fractions of human serum albumin]. / Kharakteristika izoelektricheskikh fraktsii syvorotochnogo al'bumina cheloveka.

Amino acidic composition, dispersion of optic rotation, differential temperature-perturbation spectra, molecular weight and terminal amino acids are studied for certain isoelectric fractions of human serum albumin obtained by means of isoelectric focusing in the borate-polyol system. The isolated three isoelectric fractions with pI 4.7, 4.9 and 5.1 revealed no significant differences in the composition of amino acids. They also did not differ in molecular weight and N- and C-terminal amino acids. However certain differences in the conformation and number of perturbed thyrosils are detected by means of spectral methods.

[Isolation and purification of an unspecific component from human serum albumin, typical for pathology]. / Vydelenie i ochistka nespetsificheskogo komponenta syvorotochnogo al bumina cheloveka, kharakternogo dlia patologii.

Albumin from blood serum of healthy persons and from patients with various pathologies and different severity of diseases was characterized using isoelectric focusing in borate-polyol system. In all the pathologies studied a new component occurred, which had an isoelectric point at pH 5.5 and which was not found in fresh albumin preparations isolated from healthy persons. This fraction was isolated and purified. Its isoelectric point was near pH 4.5-4.6 in isoelectrofocusing with ampholines. The divergences were due to complex formation of albumin with ampholines. The modified protein corresponded immunochemically to the human blood serum albumin, did not contain polymers, had a decreased amount of alpha-helix structures as shown by dispersion of optic rotation and its molecular mass was similar to the mass of native albumin.