Radiation monitoring of agricultural soils of the Volyn region in Ukraine.

Background: The development of effective environmental management programs requires an appropriate assessment of the current state of the environment and contributes to anticipating future changes in the state of the environment. Obtaining such information is one of the main objectives of monitoring the environment, which is subject to anthropogenic stress, including radiological contamination. The distribution of radionuclides and their ability to migrate in ecological chains and concentration in individual parts requires special control in contaminated areas. Objective: The purpose of the study was to analyze the content of radionuclides ( 137Cs and 90Sr) in soils near the settlements of the zone of radioactive contamination of the Volyn region and their spatial differentiation. Priority is given to agricultural lands, soils, crop products, which necessitates the organization of targeted monitoring of the agro industrial complex. Material and methods: Radioactivity from 137Cs and 90Sr in the soil originating in the Volyn region was studied from 1996 to 2018. Radiation control was carried out on the area of 59852 ha (arable land - 38897 ha, meadows and pastures - 20955 ha). Results: A significant part of the study area has elevated levels of radioactive contamination. The density of radionuclide contamination of agricultural soils in the settlements of the region has been determined. Density of pollution of all surveyed agricultural lands 137Cs ranges from 0.01 to 2.826 Ci/km2, and 90Sr from 0.01 to 0.048 Ci/km2. Conclusions: The radiological situation in the Volyn region (Ukraine) remains stable. There are slight fluctuations of 137Cs and 90Sr, which is due to changes in weather conditions, which leads to an increase or decrease in groundwater and as a consequence - the migration of radionuclides. The most polluted were the soils of administrative districts of Manevychi and Liubeshiv.

The role of macronutrients in the implementation of the corrective effect of low-mineralized water in experimental metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a widespread pathological condition, a group of interconnected metabolic disorders that contribute to the development of a number of severe noncommunicable diseases. Natural mineral waters of various compositions are widely used in the correction of MS. Their biological activity and specificity of action is associated with the presence of specific components (micronutrients, biologically active substances). At the same time, many researchers do not pay enough attention to the role of the biological activity of macro nutrients in low mineralized mineral waters. OBJECTIVE: To assess the corrective effect of macro-components of mineral waters based on a comparative analysis of changes in the structure of internal organs of white rats with the MS model, receiving mineral waters of the same balneological type, but with different quantitative composition of macro components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material for histological and histochemical tests were the internal organs of male white rats with body weight 280-320 g. Animals were ranked into 4 groups: I - rats served as a control, ӀӀ - rats with a model of MS; ӀӀӀ and ӀV - rats received the mineral waters against the background of MS modeling. The mineral waters used in the work were characterized by an increased (in close amounts) content of organic substances (C org.), similar in chemical but different in quantitative macro-component composition. At the same time, mineral waters practically did not differ in terms of total mineralization. Modeling of MS was carried out for 60 days by replacing 10% fructose solution in drinking water bowls, introducing white bread crackers into the diet, and excluding green mass from the diet. In groups where animals were corrected for MS, mineral waters were administered with an intragastric tube with olive at a dose of 1% of body weight daily, starting from the 60th day of the experiment, for 12 days. Upon completion of the experiment on day 72, histological sections (which were stained with hematoxylin-eosin) were prepared from the extracted pieces of the heart, stomach, liver and kidneys tissues. The succinate-dehydrogenase (SDH) and lactate-dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were determined on the prepared cryostat sections. Using a light microscope, changes in the structure of the above organs and changes in the activity of oxidative-restorative enzymes were evaluated. RESULTS: The activity of oxidative-restorative enzymes was approaching normal; some manifestations of changes in water metabolism in the animal organism persisted. At the end of the use of both mineral waters, a significant decrease was found in the content of visceral fat around the intestines, renal capsule, under the pericardium, which correlated with a decrease in the animal's body weight and restoration of the fasting blood glucose level to the cereal level. The authors believe that the established features of the corrective effect of both mineral waters on changes in the structure of internal organs are explained not so much by the difference in the content and ratio of the bioactive component (C org.), but by differences in the content of macronutrients. In mineral waters obtained by rats of group III, the content of Cl- and SO4+2 ions is 2.30 and 3.67 times, and Ca2+ and Мg2+ ions are 2.75 and 4.57 more than in mineral waters, which received rats of group IV. However, the content of HCO3-, Na+, K+ is 1.14 and 1.30 times higher in the mineral waters obtained by rats of group IV. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe that the macronutrients involved in the implementation of MWs biological activity affect the metabolic background of the organism, which creates the bioactive element - C org. conditions for the performance of more intensive corrective action.

Effect of a training program of overground walking on BTS gait parameters in elderly women during single and dual cognitive tasks.

We tested the hypothesis that a regular training program might reduce gait disturbances during dual cognitive-motor tasks in elderly women. This open-label experimental study comprised 53 postmenopausal women aged over 65, who were assigned to a 10-week training program (360 min/week). A BTS SMART system examination during free walking and during dual tasks [i.e., walking while performing either a simple (SCT) or a complex (CCT) cognitive task] was performed prior to the training program and again after it had finished. After the 10-week walking training program, a significant decrease was found in the duration of single support phase, double support phase, total support phase, and gait cycle, whereas values for such BTS parameters as swing speed, step length, and gait speed increased significantly. The greatest percentage deltas between the final and initial values of the respective BTS parameters concerned swing speed and gait speed irrespective of the kind of task undertaken while measurements were taken. A cognitive task, irrespective of the level of difficulty, performed during walking had the opposite effect on step width than expected. A 10-week training program significantly improved the cadency and manner of gait in elderly women, but did not change step width. Therefore, further study is needed to estimate the usefulness of cognitive-motor training programs for significant improvement in gait coordination during dual tasks in elderly women.

EXPRESSION OF THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM COMPONENTS IN ONCOLOGIC DISEASES.

The literature devoted to changes in the expression of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) proteins of cancer cells was analyzed. The dynamics of RAS protein expression in malignant tumors and the possible role of epigenetic mechanisms in these processes are briefly reviewed. Through research of the epigenetic mechanisms in cancer, principally new techniques for their correction based on the use of selective regulatory systems of covalent modification of histone proteins (for example, deacetylase inhibitor) and microRNA synthesis technologies have been developed. Literature data show promising pharmacological correction of epigenetic modification of chromatin in the treatment of cancer.

Causal Neuro-immune Relationships at Patients with Chronic Pyelonephritis and Cholecystitis. Correlations between Parameters EEG, HRV and White Blood Cell Count.

We aim to analyze in bounds KJ Tracey's immunological homunculus conception the relationships between parameters of electroencephalogram (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV), on the one hand, and the parameters of bhite blood cell count, on the other hand. METHODS: In basal conditions in 23 men, patients with chronic pyelonephritis and cholecystitis in remission, recorded EEG ("NeuroCom Standard", KhAI Medica, Ukraine) and HRV ("Cardiolab+VSR", KhAI Medica, Ukraine). In portion of blood counted up white blood cell count. RESULTS: Revealed that canonical correlation between constellation EEG and HRV parameters form with blood level of leukocytes 0.92 (p<10-5), with relative content in white blood cell count stubnuclear neutrophiles 0.93 (p<10-5), segmentonucleary neutrophiles 0.89 (p<10-3), eosinophiles 0.87 (p=0.003), lymphocytes 0.77 (p<10-3) and with monocytes 0.75 (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Parameters of white blood cell count significantly modulated by electrical activity some structures of central and autonomic nervous systems.

Use of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of background HCV infection cannot be overestimated in view of the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C and the risk of adverse outcomes of this disease. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined use of antiviral therapy (Roferon + Vero-Ribavirin) and resort factors in patients with chronic hepatitis C in the phase of replication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We observed 48 patients with chronic hepatitis C; the minimum level of activity of the process defined the phase of replication. Markers of HCV infection were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (a-HCV and HCV-Ig M). HCV RNA was determined twice by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping of hepatitis C virus was performed. Biochemical blood analysis and the study of HCV infection markers were carried out four times. Results of therapy were assessed immediately after the end of the resort (spa) treatment, then at 3, 6 and 12 months after starting treatment. At 12 months after starting treatment, all the observed patients had persistent clinical and biochemical remission. Elimination of the virus from the blood was noted in 56% of the control group and 74% of patients in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with moderately active HCV, the replication phase was characterized by asthenic-vegetative syndrome (100% of patients) with severe depression (22.92%), pain (77.08%) and dyspeptic syndrome (33.33%), moderate hypertransferaseemia (100%), slightly pronounced cholestasis (33% of patients), and signs of mesenchymal-inflammatory response.

The influence of active exercise in low positions on the functional condition of the lumbar-sacral segment in patients with discopathy.

BACKGROUND: Pain in the lower segments of the spine is among the most frequent symptoms in industrialized countries. Injuries to intervertebral discs are the cause of this kind of discomfort in 90% of cases. The factors promoting the disease are: physical activity limitation, prolonged sitting position, overweight and bad movement stereotypes. New methods of treating sacral pain ignore the aspect of weakening the muscle force and do not introduce active exercise to the program of rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the work was to describe the influence of active exercise in low positions on the functional condition of patients with L-S segment discopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination group consisted of 20 patients, including 17 women and 3 men. The examination was conducted twice, before and after a two-week long series of rehabilitation. The examined patients practiced a 20-minute exercise program for 10 days. The subjective part of the examination referred to pain discomfort felt by the patients and existing difficulties in performing everyday activities. The objective part included the measurement of movement range of the lumbar segment with the use of Schober's test, finger-to-floor test and spine rotation in the sitting position. RESULTS: It was shown that intervertebral disc disease may lead to spine flexibility limitation and to pain occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Practicing active exercise in low positions significantly improves the movement range and body posture and it reduces pain in the lower segments of the spine. Moreover, the patient's functional abilities are improved while performing everyday activities.

Discopathy of the lumbar-sacral segment and its influence on sexual dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc disease is a widespread medical and social problem. Degeneration of intervertebral discs can lead to disc disease, commonly known as discopathy. One of the consequences of discopathy is pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots that supply the genitals and sexual centers located in the core. In addition, the accompanying pain and limitation of mobility can lead to the occurrence of sexual dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: The goal of the study was to ascertain the influence of discopathy in the lumbosacral (L-S) segment on the occurrence of sexual dysfunction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 50 hospitalized patients with discopathy in the L-S segment were asked to complete a specially prepared questionnaire (11 questions). The goal of the survey was to compare the patients' satisfaction with their sex life before and after the disease. The questions were constructed in a way that excluded other indicators that could affect their sexual activity, i.e.: bad moods, bad family relations, or a lack of sexual activity due to age or the lack of a partner. RESULTS: Discopathy in the lumbar-sacral segment has an influence on sexual activity. A decrease in the assessment of satisfaction with one's sex life can be observed among patients with discopathy. CONCLUSIONS: The pain and neurological symptoms associated with intervertebral disc disease reduce the patients' satisfaction with their sex lives. Patients in the group surveyed noted a change in sexual performance, often resulting in passivity, discouragement, weakness or a complete lack of interest in sex. The disorders also affect the emotional state. The patients also noted a significant decrease in physical activity.