HEALTHCARE IN UKRAINE DURING THE EPIDEMIC: DIFFICULTIES, CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS.

Objective: The aim: Of this research was to investigate the impact of quarantine restrictions on the health care system in Ukraine, quality of providing and accessibility of health care services for population during quarantine; analyze the influence of economic and social outcomes of epidemy on state of health care.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: For this paper was made a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 morbidity statistics, economic indicators and governmental decrees aimed at resolving the problem of the spreading of coronavirus and ensuring the proper work of medical institutions at all levels of health care. This work includes analysis of data for the period since the beginning of quarantine on the territory of Ukraine in March 2020 till present time.

Assessing the Big Five personality traits using real-life static facial images.

There is ample evidence that morphological and social cues in a human face provide signals of human personality and behaviour. Previous studies have discovered associations between the features of artificial composite facial images and attributions of personality traits by human experts. We present new findings demonstrating the statistically significant prediction of a wider set of personality features (all the Big Five personality traits) for both men and women using real-life static facial images.

Development of fluorinated naphthofluoresceins for Cerenkov imaging.

In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of fluorinated derivatives of naphthofluorescein (NF), a fluorescent pH-sensitive probe that can be used for functional Cerenkov imaging. The compounds were prepared using electrophilic fluorination with dilute fluorine gas under acidic conditions. The fluorination of the NF molecule occurred in the positions to the hydroxyl moiety, producing mono-, di-, and tri-substituted derivatives.

[Application of the standardized protocol for fast track recovery after lung cancer surgery].

Objective: To assess standardized protocol for fast track recovery after lung cancer surgery.

Material And Methods: There were 201 patients. Patients underwent VATS lung resection, VATS lobectomy and various open resections of lungs.

Major threats of pollution and climate change to global coastal ecosystems and enhanced management for sustainability.

Coastal zone is of great importance in the provision of various valuable ecosystem services. However, it is also sensitive and vulnerable to environmental changes due to high human populations and interactions between the land and ocean. Major threats of pollution from over enrichment of nutrients, increasing metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and climate change have led to severe ecological degradation in the coastal zone, while few studies have focused on the combined impacts of pollution and climate change on the coastal ecosystems at the global level.

[Thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for metastatic lesion without pleural drainage: initial experience].

Aim: To analyze the possibility of thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for metastatic lesion without pleural drainage.

Material And Methods: There were 10 patients aged 53.8 years.

Synthesis of pH indicators for Cerenkov imaging by electrophilic substitution of bromine by fluorine in an aromatic system.

Direct electrophilic fluorination using molecular fluorine gas is used in organic synthesis to create novel fluorine-containing compounds with potential beneficial activity that could not be obtained by nucleophilic substitution. In this paper, we report a novel electrophilic substitution of bromine by fluorine in an aromatic system. The mechanism of this type of fluorination was explored using the reaction between bromothymolsulfonphthalein (Bromothymol Blue) and dilute fluorine gas under acidic conditions.

[Experience of 100 transthoracic needle biopsies of the lung under CT navigation].

The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the results of transthoracic needle biopsy of lung tumors under CT navigation. There were carried out more than 100 transthoracic needle biopsies of lung tumors. The analysis of immediate results of the applicability of this technique was performed.

Synthesis of F-18 labeled resazurin by direct electrophilic fluorination.

We present the synthesis and characterization of F18-labeled fluorinated derivatives of resazurin, a probe for cell viability. The compounds were prepared by direct fluorination of resazurin with diluted [F18]-F gas under acidic conditions. The fluorination occurs into the -positions to the hydroxyl group producing various mono-, di-, and trifluorinated derivatives.

Cerenkov-specific contrast agents for detection of pH in vivo.

Unlabelled: We report the design, testing, and in vivo application of pH-sensitive contrast agents designed specifically for Cerenkov imaging. Radioisotopes used for PET emit photons via Cerenkov radiation. The multispectral emission of Cerenkov radiation allows for selective bandwidth quenching, in which a band of photons is quenched by absorption by a functional dye.

Synthesis of F-labeled phenolphthalein and naphtholphthalein.

The fluorination of phenolphthalein and naphtholphthalein was performed with diluted fluorine gas under acidic conditions. For both compounds we observed an electrophilic fluorination into ortho position to the hydroxyl group. Through the use of this reaction we synthesized and characterized mono-and difluorinated derivatives of phenolphthalein and naphtholphthalein.

Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated derivatives of cresolsulfonphthalein.

The reaction between dilute fluorine gas and cresolsufonphthalein in acetic acid was investigated. The mono-, di-, and trifluorinated cresolsufonphthalein derivatives were isolated and characterized. These compounds possessed the properties of pH indicators with biologically relevant pK values (6.

Radiation dosimetry and biodistribution of the hypoxia tracer (18)F-EF5 in oncologic patients.

Unlabelled: The primary goals of this study were to determine the biodistribution and excretion of (18)F-EF5 in oncologic patients, to estimate the radiation-absorbed dose and to determine the safety of this drug.

Methods: Sixteen patients with histologically confirmed malignancy received a mean intravenous infusion of 217  MBq (range 107-364  MBq) of (18)F-EF5. Over a 4-6-hour period, four to five serial positron emission tomography (PET) or PET/computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained.

Direct fluorination of phenolsulfonphthalein: a method for synthesis of positron-emitting indicators for in vivo pH measurement.

We report a reaction of direct electrophilic fluorination of phenolsulfonphthalein at mild conditions. This reaction affords the synthesis of novel positron-emitting (18)F-labeled pH indicators. These compounds are useful for non-invasive in vivo pH measurement in biological objects.

Biodistribution and dosimetry of (18)F-EF5 in cancer patients with preliminary comparison of (18)F-EF5 uptake versus EF5 binding in human glioblastoma.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the biodistribution and radiation dose resulting from administration of (18)F-EF5, a lipophilic 2-nitroimidazole hypoxia marker in ten cancer patients. For three of these patients (with glioblastoma) unlabeled EF5 was additionally administered to allow the comparative assessment of (18)F-EF5 tumor uptake with EF5 binding, the latter measured in tumor biopsies by fluorescent anti-EF5 monoclonal antibodies.

Methods: (18)F-EF5 was synthesized by electrophilic addition of (18)F(2) gas, made by deuteron bombardment of a neon/fluorine mixture in a high-pressure gas target, to an allyl precursor in trifluoroacetic acid at 0° then purified and administered by intravenous bolus.

The radiation response of cells from 9L gliosarcoma tumours is correlated with [F18]-EF5 uptake.

Purpose: Tumour hypoxia affects cancer biology and therapy-resistance in both animals and humans. The purpose of this study was to determine whether EF5 ([2-(2-nitro-1-H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)-acetamide]) binding and/or radioactive drug uptake correlated with single-dose radiation response in 9L gliosarcoma tumours.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-two 9L tumours were grown in male Fischer rats.

Catalysis of fluorine addition to double bond: an improvement of method for synthesis of (18)F PET agents.

Catalysis for reaction of electrophilic fluorine addition to a fluorinated double bond is described. The presence of small amounts of iodine, bromine, or boron trifluoride increases an overall product yield and degree of fluorine incorporation, making the reaction a more efficient method for preparation of (18)F positron emission tomography agents. A possible mechanism of catalytic action of iodine is discussed.

Detection of reactive oxygen species via endogenous oxidative pentose phosphate cycle activity in response to oxygen concentration: implications for the mechanism of HIF-1alpha stabilization under moderate hypoxia.

The oxidative pentose phosphate cycle (OPPC) is necessary to maintain cellular reducing capacity during periods of increased oxidative stress. Metabolic flux through the OPPC increases stoichiometrically in response to a broad range of chemical oxidants, including those that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we show that OPPC sensitivity is sufficient to detect low levels of ROS produced metabolically as a function of the percentage of O2.

Mutation in G6PD gene leads to loss of cellular control of protein glutathionylation: mechanism and implication.

More than 400 million people are susceptible to oxidative stress due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Protein glutathionylation is believed to be responsible for loss of protein function and/or cellular signaling during oxidative stress. To elucidate the implications of G6PD deficiency specifically in cellular control of protein glutathionylation, we used hydroxyethyldisulfide (HEDS), an oxidant which undergoes disulfide exchange with existing thiols.

Environmental conditions in the Rudnaya River watershed--a compilation of Soviet and post-Soviet era sampling around a lead smelter in the Russian Far East.

The Rudnaya River valley in the Russian Far East contains a rich reserve of lead, zinc and boron and has been mined for nearly 100 years. Environmental contamination related to the area's mines and lead smelter was studied for over 30 years during the Soviet era, by members of the Pacific Geographic Institute (PGI). Due to government restrictions, much of the sampling focused on contamination of the river, the air, forests, vegetation, agricultural products and soil.

Noninvasive imaging of tumor hypoxia in rats using the 2-nitroimidazole 18F-EF5.

Tumor hypoxia is an important prognostic indicator for cancer therapy outcome. EF5 [2-(2-nitro-1[ H]-imidazol-1-yl)- N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)-acetamide] has been employed to measure tumor hypoxia in animals and humans using immunohistochemical methods. EF5 is a lipophilic molecule designed to have a very uniform biodistribution, a feature of obvious benefit for use in PET imaging.

Environmental lead contamination in the Rudnaya Pristan--Dalnegorsk mining and smelter district, Russian far East.

A preliminary survey of a remote mining and smelting region of the Russian Far East (RFE) indicates significant soil lead contamination and a high probability of childhood lead poisoning. Lead concentrations in residential gardens (476-4310 mg/kg, Gmean=1626 mg/kg) and in roadside soils (2020-22900 mg/kg, Gmean=4420 mg/kg) exceed USEPA guidance for remediation. Preliminary biokinetic estimates of mean blood levels suggest that preschool children are at significant risk of lead poisoning from soil/dust ingestion with levels predicted to average 13-27 microg/dl.

In vivo reflectance measurement of optical properties, blood oxygenation and motexafin lutetium uptake in canine large bowels, kidneys and prostates.

Motexafin lutetium (MLu) is a second-generation photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. We have developed and applied a diffuse optical reflectance spectrometer for in vivo measurement of MLu uptake, optical properties, haemoglobin concentration and haemoglobin oxygen saturation in normal canine large bowels, kidneys and prostates. The probe consists of a broadband fibre-optic-coupled light source and detector fibres placed at various distances from the source fibre to collect reflected light.

Preliminary report of photodynamic therapy for intraperitoneal sarcomatosis.

Introduction: Sarcomatosis is the disseminated intraperitoneal spread of sarcoma. It is a condition for which there is no effective treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment modality that uses a photosensitizing agent and laser light to kill cells.

[18F]-EF5, a marker for PET detection of hypoxia: synthesis of precursor and a new fluorination procedure.

There is a great deal of clinical and experimental interest in determining tissue hypoxia using non-invasive imaging methods. We have developed EF5, 2-(2-nitro-1[H]-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)-acetamide, with both invasive and non-invasive hypoxia detection in mind. EF5 and other 2-nitroimidazoles are used to detect hypoxia, because the rate of their bioreductive metabolism is inversely dependent on oxygen partial pressure.