Analysis of the epidemic situation of the COVID-19 coronavirus infection in Ukraine.

The epidemic process of COVID-19 in the world developed rapidly. The situation with morbidity, despite the establishment of quarantine, the introduction of restrictive anti-epidemic measures, and vaccination, remains difficult. The results of research on the influence of meteorological factors on the dynamics of the incidence of COVID-19, hospitalization, and mortality are ambiguous and contradictory. The purpose of this study is to analyze the indicators of morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality from COVID-19 in Ukraine, and to establish the level of influence of meteorological factors on them. A high variation in morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality rates was observed in Ukraine, in 2020-2021. A total of 3 waves of disease growth were established. The curve of hospitalization indicators of patients with COVID-19 had a correlation dependence on the incidence curve r = 0.766 (р <0.05), the maximum rates of hospitalization and mortality were registered in September-December 2021. A direct strong correlation was established between the frequency of registration of cases of COVID-19 and mortality - r = 0.899 (р <0.05). Most cases of COVID-19 were registered in the cold season, the least in June-August. Inverse correlations of moderate strength were established between the indicators of morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality and air temperature levels (-0.370< r <-0.461). Direct correlations of average strength (0.538< r <0.632) were established with the levels of relative air humidity.

Molecular Oligogermanes and Related Compounds: Structure, Optical and Semiconductor Properties.

The optical (UV/Vis absorbance, fluorescence in the solid state and in solution) and semiconducting properties of a number of di- and trigermanes as well as related silicon- and tin-containing germanes, 1-6 ((p-Tol)3 GeGeMe3 (1), Ph3 SnGe(SiMe3 )3 (2), (C6 F5 )3 GeGePh3 (3), (p-Tol)3 GeSiMe2 SiMe3 (4), (p-Tol)3 GeGeMe2 Ge(p-Tol)3 (5), (p-Tol)3 GeSiMe2 SiMe2 Ge(p-Tol)3 (6)) were investigated. Molecular structures of 5 and 6 were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. All compounds displayed luminescence properties. In addition, a band gap (of about 3.3 eV) was measured for compounds 1-6 showing that those molecules display semiconductor properties.

Chronic exposure to endosulfan induces inflammation in murine colon via ß-catenin expression and IL-6 production.

Endosulfan (ENDO) is a widely used organochlorine (OC) pesticide and persistent organo-pollutant. Epidemiological studies have shown that high levels of OC exposure were related to colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate histological changes in the colon, as well as in in situ expression of ß-catenin and P-selectin, and serum levels of select pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice administered ENDO; there is a relationship between increased serum IL-6 and P-selectin levels in CRC patients and aberrant ß-catenin signaling is important in initiation/maintenance of most CRCs. Mice were exposed to ENDO (at dose < LD50) orally once a week for up to 24 weeks, and monitored (inclusive) for a total of 42 weeks. The experiment was comprised of three groups, one that did not receive ENDO (olive oil vehicle), one administered 2 mg ENDO/kg/week and a positive control (for induction of CRC) given a weekly 20 mg 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)/kg injection. The results indicated that oral administration of ENDO provoked moderate inflammation starting at six weeks, and severe colonic inflammation with an appearance of dysplastic formations (aberrant crypts) in mice treated with ENDO (or DMH) for 12 weeks or longer. Serum IL-6 levels significantly increased starting at six weeks and rose to a peak of 15-fold higher than in controls at 42 weeks; TNFα levels likewise significantly increased, with a later peak (≈four-fold higher than controls) at 30-42 weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis of the colon also showed that expression of ß-catenin and P-selectin increased with length of exposure to ENDO. Taken together, the results indicate that continued repeated oral exposure to ENDO induces increased expression of ß-catenin and P-selectin, inflammation in the colon, and, ultimately, local tissue dysplasia.

Aluminum complexes based on pyridine substituted alcohols: synthesis, structure, and catalytic application in ROP.

A series of substituted pyridine dialcohols (2,6-bis(hydroxyalkyl)pyridines), 1-4, was used for the synthesis of various types of aluminum complexes. Aluminum methyl derivatives, 2-4a, were obtained by the reaction of AlMe3 with the corresponding ligand or transmetallation reactions of germylenes. Aluminum chloride complexes, 3-4b, were obtained by substitution of the Me group under the action of chlorinating agents. Methoxy-, 2-4c, or benzyloxy-, 2d, aluminum complexes were synthesized in transalkoxylation reaction of Me2Al(OX) (X = Me, Bn) by the corresponding ligand. All complexes obtained were thoroughly investigated by multinuclear NMR and X-ray analysis. It has been established that the structure of the ligand (number of carbon atoms) determines the nature of the complexes formed. Compounds were used as initiators of ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide and ε-caprolactone and showed moderate activity with controlled or immortal character.

Crystal structure of (tert-butyl-dimethyl-sil-yl)tri-phenyl-germane, Ph3Ge-SiMe2(t-Bu).

In the title compound, Ph3Ge-SiMe2(t-Bu) or C24H30GeSi, the Si and Ge atoms both possess a tetra-hedral coordination environment with C-E-C (E = Si, Ge) angles in the range 104.47 (5)-114.67 (5)°. The mol-ecule adopts an eclipsed conformation, with three torsion angles less than 29.5°. In the crystal, neighbouring mol-ecules are combined to dimers by six T-shaped C-H⋯π inter-actions, forming sixfold phenyl embraces (6PE).

Endosulfan decreases cytotoxic activity of nonspecific cytotoxic cells and expression of granzyme gene in Oreochromis niloticus.

The effect of the organochlorinated insecticide endosulfan, on the cytotoxic activity of Nile tilapia nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) was assessed. Juvenile Nile tilapia were exposed to endosulfan (7 ppb) for 96 h and splenic NCC were isolated. Flow cytometric phenotyping of NCC was based on the detection of the NCC specific membrane signaling protein NCCRP-1 by using the monoclonal antibody Mab 5C6; granzyme expression was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. The cytotoxic activity of sorted NCC on HL-60 tumoral cells was assessed using propidium iodide (PI) staining of DNA in HL-60 nuclei, indicating dead cells. Nile tilapia splenic NCC had the ability to kill HL-60 tumoral cells, however, the exposure to endosulfan significantly reduced, by a 65%, their cytotoxic activity when using the effector:target ratio of 40:1. Additionally, the exposure to endosulfan tended to increase the expression of NCCRP-1, which is involved in NCC antigen recognition and signaling. Moreover, it decreased the expression of the granzyme gene in exposed group as compared with non-exposed group; however significant differences between groups were not detected. In summary, the acute exposure of Nile tilapia to sublethal concentration of endosulfan induces alteration in function of NCC: significant decrease of cytotoxic activity and a tendency to lower granzyme expression, severe enough to compromise the immunity of this species.

New oligogermane with a five coordinate germanium atom: the preparation of 1-germylgermatrane.

The first example of an oligogermane, N(CH2CH2O)3Ge-Ge(SiMe3)3 (1), containing a hypercoordinate germanium atom was prepared and characterized by various methods (NMR, UV/vis, and X-ray analysis). The electronic structure of compound 1 was investigated via DFT calculations.

Crystal structure of 2,2,3,3-tetra-methyl-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexa-phenyl-tetra-germane.

The mol-ecule of the title compound, C40H42Ge4, lies with its central Ge-Ge bond on an inversion centre giving rise to a zigzag backbone of four tetra-hedrally coordinated Ge atoms. The symmetrically independent Ge-Ge bonds are slightly shorter than in other organo-tetra-germanes whereas the Ge-CPh (Ph = phen-yl) and Ge-CMe (Me = meth-yl) distances have their usual values. In the crystal, (010) layers of Ph6Me4Ge4 mol-ecules with a parallel orientation of the Ge4 backbone exist, held together by van der Waals forces only. Main bond lengths in organo-substituted oligogermanes are compared.

Palladium complexes with stabilized germylene and stannylene ligands.

The syntheses of novel Pd complexes with germylene and stannylene ligands are reported. [MeN(CH2CH2NC6F5)2Sn]4Pd (2) and [MeN(CH2CPh2O)(CH2CH2O)Ge]4Pd (8) were obtained by different methods including ligand substitution in (Ph3P)4Pd or by the reaction of the free corresponding germylene or stannylene with (Ph3P)2PdCl2 or Pd(OAc)2. Crystal structures of complexes 2, 8 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic activity of complexes 2, 8 was examined in the Suzuki-Miyaura and Heck cross-coupling.

Di-µ-oxido-bis-({2,2'-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(nitrilo-methanylyl-idene)]diphenolato}titanium(IV)) chloro-form disolvate.

In the title compound, [Ti2(C16H14N2O2)2O2]·2CHCl3, the Ti(IV) atom in the centrosymmetric complex has a distorted octa-hedral N2O4 coordination environment and is linked via two µ2-oxido bridges into a dinuclear centrosymmetric com-plex, with a Ti⋯Ti separation of 2.7794 (8) Å. In the salen (N,N'-ethyl-enebis(salicyl-imine)) ligand, the two salicyl-imine units make a dihedral angle of 45.31 (5)°. The complex mol-ecules are stacked parallel to [100], forming channels in which the solvent chloro-form mol-ecules are located. C-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions between the complex mol-ecules and the solvent mol-ecules consolidate the crystal packing.

{2,2'-[Ethane-1,2-diylbis(nitrilo-methan-yl-yl-idene)]diphenolato}(iso-propano-lato)aluminium di-chloro-methane hemisolvate.

In the title compound, [Al(C16H14N2O2)(C3H7O)]·0.5CH2Cl2, the salen complex is monomeric and the dichlormethane solvent mol-ecule lies on a crystallographic twofold axis. The central Al atom is fivefold coordinated and possesses a square-based pyramidal environment. The Al-OAlk( (i) prop-yl) bond [1.7404 (14) Å] is much shorter than the Al-OAr(salen) bond lengths [1.7974 (15) and 1.8094 (14) Å]. The iso-propyl-oxo group forms an intra-molecular C-H⋯N hydrogen bond. In the crystal, the complex mol-ecules are linked by weak C-H⋯O inter-actions.

6-Benzyl-2-methyl-1,3-bis-(penta-fluoro-phen-yl)-1,3,6,2-triaza-alumocane.

In the title compound, [Al(CH(3))(C(23)H(15)F(10)N(3))], the Al(III) atom is coordinated in a distorted tetra-hedral geometry by three N atoms from the tridentate amine and by one C atom of the methyl substituent. Further, there is a short intra-molecular Al⋯F contact [2.5717 (11) Å], leading to an overall distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment around Al(III).

Effects of low concentration of endosulfan on proliferation, ERK1/2 pathway, apoptosis and senescence in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) splenocytes.

Endosulfan is a potent organochlorinated pesticide that is known to induce side effects in aquatic organisms, including Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia). It has been previously shown that endosulfan induces oxidative stress and non-specific activation of splenic macrophages and exacerbated serum interleukin-2 synthesis in Nile tilapia. Endosulfan may promote proliferation of T cells through MAP kinase (MAPK) activated signal transductions. The ERK family of MAPKs includes ERK1 and ERK2. Phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) molecules are involved in many aspects of cellular survival, and are important for apoptosis or oxidative stress-induced senescence. In order to study the mechanisms by which endosulfan affects fish health, the present study was aimed at evaluating the in vitro effects of this insecticide on proliferation, the ERK1/2 pathway, apoptosis and cell senescence in splenocytes from Nile tilapia. Lymphoproliferation was evaluated by colorimetric method using the WST-1 assay. Flow cytometry was used to assess pERK1/2, apoptosis and senescence, using Annexin V-FITC and ß-galactosidase respectively. Experimental data showed that exposure to 7 µg mL(-1) of endosulfan per se increased cellular proliferation, but decreased the lymphoproliferative response to mitogenic stimulus with PMA + ionomycin. Splenocytes exposed to endosulfan for 15-180 min showed significantly higher levels of pERK1/2 than the non-exposed control. Endosulfan mediated a decrease in etoposide-induced apoptosis and provoked cell senescence. In conclusion, exposure of immune cells to a low concentration of endosulfan deregulates their function and may facilitate the development of multiple diseases.

Antitumoral activity of allicin in murine lymphoma L5178Y.

Epidemiological studies link increased garlic (Allium sativum) consumption with a reduced incidence of cancer in various human populations. Experimental carcinogenesis studies in animal models and in cell culture systems indicate that several allium-derived compounds exhibit inhibitory effects and that the underlying mechanisms may involve apoptosis. To provide a better understanding of the effects of allium derivatives regarding prevention of cancer, we examined antitumoral activity of allicin, a major component of garlic, in L5178Y lymphoma bearing mice. For in vitro studies, we utilized cell proliferation and apoptosis in the same tumor cell line. We found that allicin inhibited the growth of tumor cells at doses two fold superior to that in normal splenocytes. Allicin also induced apoptosis, and this was associated with an increase in caspase3 activity.

Endosulfan increases seric interleukin-2 like (IL-2L) factor and immunoglobulin M (IgM) of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) challenged with Aeromona hydrophila.

Endosulfan is a persistent organochlorine insecticide which is extremely toxic to fish. It is known to induce immunological alterations in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) such as increases in phagocytic activity and reactive oxygen species production of spleen macrophages. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the effects of acute exposure to a sublethal concentration of endosulfan (7 ppb, 96 h) on parameters of the adaptive humoral immune response of the aforementioned aquatic organism. The effect of endosulfan on the capacity of immune cells to produce interleukin-2 like (IL-2L) factor and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in response to a challenge with (1/2) LD50 of the infectious bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila was evaluated. Experimental results indicate that short, sublethal, endosulfan exposure triggers a succession of events beginning with non-specific activation of macrophages followed by an exacerbated synthesis of the IL-2L factor by activated B cells. This leads to significantly increased secretion of IgM and could in turn facilitate autoantibody production and the development of autoimmune pathologies.

Crystal packing in the structures of diethanolamine derivatives.

Four distinct hydrogen-bonding topologies were observed in the structures of six diethanolamine ligands. These compounds are (1R*,2R*)-2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)(methyl)amino]-1,2-diphenylethanol, C(17)H(21)NO(2), (I), 1-[(2S)-2-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]-2-methylpropan-2-ol, C(21)H(27)NO(2), (II), 2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)(methyl)amino]-1,1-diphenylethanol, C(17)H(21)NO(2), (III), 1-{(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]amino}-2-methylpropan-2-ol, C(16)H(27)NO(2), (IV), 1-{[(2R)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl][(1S)-1-phenylethyl]amino}-2-methylpropan-2-ol, C(20)H(27)NO(2), (V), and (1R*,2S*)-2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)(methyl)amino]-1,2-diphenylethanol, C(17)H(21)NO(2), (VI). In each compound, all ;active' hydroxy H atoms are engaged in hydrogen bonding, but the N atoms are not involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding. In the structures of (I), (II) and (IV)-(VI), molecules are linked into chains by intermolecular O-H...O interactions. These chains are organized in such a way as to hide the hydrophilic groups inside, and so the outer surfaces of the chains are hydrophobic. The structure of (VI) contains two distinct non-equivalent systems of intermolecular O-H...O hydrogen bonds formed by disordered hydroxy H atoms.

Novel derivatives of hypervalent germanium: synthesis, structure, and stability.

Syntheses of a series of novel germanium complexes, viz. RN(CH(2)CH(2)NC(6)F(5))(2)GeHal(2) (, R = Me, Hal = Cl; , R = Me, Hal = Br; , R = PhCH(2), Hal = Cl; , R = PhCH(2), Hal = Br), as well as MeN[CH(2)(2-C(4)H(3)N)](2)GeHal(2) (, Hal = Cl; , Hal = Br), by the reaction of GeHal(4) with dilithium salts of corresponding triamines are presented. PhCH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)NSiMe(3))(2)GeCl(2) () was prepared analogously from triamine . Other approaches to the synthesized compounds were also tested. Unexpected complexes [N[upper bond 1 start](CH(2)CH(2)NSiMe(3))(2)Ge[upper bond 1 end](Hal)](2) (, Hal = Cl; , Hal = Br) were obtained by the reaction of GeHal(4) with dilithium salt of Me(3)SiN(CH(2)CH(2)NHSiMe(3))(2) (). DFT calculations on this reaction were carried out and discussed. Composition and structures of the novel compounds were established by elemental analyses, (1)H, (13)C, and (19)F NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray structural studies of and clearly indicated the presence of a transannular interaction N(ax)-->Ge for all studied compounds.

[Assessment of in vitro immune response in a young population exposed to atmospheric contamination of Guadalajara]. / Evaluación de la respuesta inmunológica in vitro en una población joven expuesta a la contaminación atmosférica de Guadalajara.

BACKGROUND: Atmospheric pollutants may cause alterations on health of persons exposed to urban environment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in vitro immunological response in young population exposed to different levels of atmospheric pollution. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The study was performed in two groups of young men, one from Guadalajara, and the other from Tlajomulco. The volunteers had to be healthy and without precedents of atopia. The immunological responses studied on PBMC were: stimulation index by timidin incorporation, CD25 expression by flow citometry, and production of citokines IL-2 and IL-4 by ELISAtest. Atmospheric parameters monitored were: NO2, O3, SO2, CO and PM10. RESULTS: In Guadalajara the concentrations of NO2 and PM10 exceeded in 30% and 40%, respectively, the index established by WHO. Stimulation index of PBMC of the young men to Guadalajara was 18 +/- 4, whereas that of the volunteers from Tlajomulco was 23 +/- 3. Expression of CD25 did not show a significant difference between studied groups. IL-2 and IL-4 levels were similar between the young men of the city and those from the rural area. CONCLUSION: The environmental pollution in Guadalajara did not modify in a significant way proliferation, CD25 expression, nor secretion of IL-2 and IL-4 on PBMC. This demonstrates that healthy young men are less susceptible than other groups to the alterations caused by exposure to moderate levels of atmospheric pollutants.

Oxidative stress in macrophages from spleen of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to sublethal concentration of endosulfan.

Endosulfan is a widely used insecticide with immunosuppressive or immunopotentiating effects which alters the immune response of fish. The effects of the acute exposure to endosulfan on a series of parameters of the innate immune response (IIR) of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated-phagocytosis, production of oxygen reactive species, lipoperoxidation as well as spleen cell viability, relative spleen weight and splenocyte concentration-to fully document the effects of this pesticide on Nile tilapia. Juvenile Nile tilapia were exposed in vivo and for 96h to each one of nine concentrations of endosulfan in order to determine the pesticide's acute toxicity level and calculate the lethal concentration of endosulfan to these organisms (LC(50)=12,795ppb). Functional assays showed that endosulfan, at a level equivalent to (1)/(2)LC(50), altered some parameters of the spleen macrophages of Nile tilapia. Phagocytosis, production of oxygen reactive species, and lipoperoxidation increased significantly in exposed fish. Spleen cell viability and relative spleen weight were lower in exposed organisms compared to non-exposed ones, without reaching statistical significance. Splenocyte concentration was not altered in the present experimental conditions. Thus, in vivo exposure (7ppb) of juvenile organisms stimulated the phagocytic activity up to significant oxidative stress levels as indicated by the increased lipid peroxidation in plasma. It can be concluded that short exposure to low concentration of endosulfan stimulated macrophage activity but that there was no significant reduction in the structural parameters of the IIR.

Effects of diazinon and diazoxon on the lymphoproliferation rate of splenocytes from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): the immunosuppresive effect could involve an increase in acetylcholine levels.

The lymphoproliferation rate of spleen cells from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to the organophosphorus pesticide diazinon, to its metabolite diazoxon and to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, was evaluated in order to explore the immunotoxic mechanism of action of this widely used insecticide. The lymphoproliferative response of spleen cells to mitogenic stimulus was not affected by either diazinon or diazoxon, indicating that these xenobiotic substances do not have direct immunotoxic properties. Conversely, ex vivo assays showed that spleen from fish exposed to diazinon presented a lower acetylcholinesterase activity and a higher acetylcholine concentration than non-exposed controls. Lymphoproliferation assays also indicated that pre-exposure to acetylcholine depleted the proliferative function of spleen cells. Thus the combined information from in vitro and ex vivo experiments suggest that the immunotoxic properties of diazinon in Nile tilapia are indirect and could involve the cholinergic system of lymphocytes.