[Features of the implementation of 12-step treatment programs for Alcoholics Anonymous and other programs for the treatment of alcohol use disorders].

Alcoholism remains an urgent problem, as alcohol-related mortality is approximately 10 times higher than that from all drugs and accounts for 5.1% of the total global burden of disease. The solution to this problem is multifaceted and includes a wide range of medical services. The article on alcohol use disorders provides an overview of one of the largest support programs for people with alcohol dependence - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It is noted that the initial AA intervention includes work through social communication and the «12 steps¼ program. Its purpose is to facilitate internal psychological, emotional and spiritual changes that are considered necessary to maintain the status of abstinence from alcohol.

[Risk factors and protective factors for substance abuse among adolescents].

The article presents a brief descriptive review aimed at identifying risk factors and protective factors of drug abuse among adolescents in three important areas - personality, family and society. Individual risk factors are described: high impulsivity, rebelliousness, violation of emotional balance, alexithymia. Family risk factors were prenatal smoking of the mother, and her poor psychological status, low education of parents, the presence of family members who use psychoactive substances. Among the risk factors in society was the presence of peers who abuse drugs in the environment of a teenager. Protective factors are also identified: individual optimism, the desire to preserve their health, etc.

[Some aspects of non-medical use of narcotic substances].

The article presents foreign data on the non-medical use of certain combinations of narcotic drugs, the range of their effects on the body of patients, as well as the development of state response measures and propaganda of the rejection of the use of narcotic drugs among populations at risk. It is noted that the use of narcotic drugs without medical indications is a global public health problem. In addition to the negative impact on health, the use of narcotic drugs aggravates existing mental illnesses, and on the other hand, the presence of mental pathology accelerates the formation of drug addiction.

[The impact of alcohol and other psychoactive substance use during the covid-19 pandemic: problems and consequences].

This article discusses issues related to the use of surfactants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global nature of this crisis has had a significant impact on the lives of people around the world, including their mental health. The introduction of quarantine and «isolation¼ measures have become one of the measures to control the spread of the disease, but such restrictions have led to various adverse psychological reactions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as cases of self-mutilation and even suicide. All of these factors can negatively affect other aspects of health and lead to increased use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances. Stress, social isolation, the unpredictability of the future, loss of a job or income - all these can be motivating factors for people to turn to alcohol or other substances in search of relaxation or emotional support. However, such strategies are short-term and irrational, since alcohol consumption only worsens the mental state and further increases the risk of developing mental problems.

The phospho-c-Jun (Ser63) content in mucosa cells under experimental development of gastric cancer.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the phosphorylated c-Jun content and reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio in gastric mucosa cells during the process of gastric cancer development in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric carcinoge-nesis was initiated in 80 white male rats by 10-week replacement of drinking water with 0.01% solution of N-methyl-N´-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, at the same time they were redefined on diet containing 5% NaCl. Then the animals were fed with standard vivarium diet till the end of 24(th) week. The gastric mucosa cells were examined at the end of 4(th), 6(th), 8(th), 10(th), 12(th), 18(th), and 24(th) weeks. Sandwich ELISA method was used to determine the content of phospho-c-Jun. The contents of GSH and GSSG were analyzed by spectrofluorymetric method with the use of orthophthalic aldehyde. RESULTS: At the end of 6(th), 8(th), 10(th) weeks of MNNG and NaCl treatment the gastric mucosa cells were characterized by 4-, 6.3-, 1.9-fold higher content of phospho-c-Jun compared to the control, respectively, and 12, 18 and 24 weeks there was registered a stable increase of phospho-c-Jun content on the average at 3.6-fold compared to control values. Starting from 6(th) week of gastric cancer development an average decrease of GSH/GSSG was 3.4-fold compared with the control. CONCLUSION: During gastric carcinogenesis there was registered the decrease of GSH/GSSG ratio and increased level of phosphorylated c-Jun what points on MAP-kinase cascade activation in prooxidant conditions.

[Phospholipid content of plasma membranes and phospholipase C activity in epithelial cells of the large intestine in colitis-associated carcinogenesis in rats].

The decrease of major cytoplasmic membrane phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine) content was established in mucosal epithelial cell under colon inflammation pathology--ulcerative colitis. It was shown that aforementioned changes were associated with the increase of phospholipids' hydrolyzing enzyme--phospholipase C activity and intracellular Ca2+ concentration enlargement. Carcinogenesis stimulation under inflammation was accompanied by phospholipase C activity increase when quantity of investigated phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinozytol, phosphatidylserine) separately decreased and cytoplasmic Ca2+ value normalization was established.