[OBTAINING SAMPLES FOR EXAMINATION IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: PROBLEMS OF NORMATIVE REGULATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT].

The aim of the study is to identify topical issues of the regulatory framework and the application of legal provisions related to acquisition (collection) of samples for examination in criminal proceedings. To achieve this objective, as well as justify the results, a set of general scientific and special methods is used. The comparative legal method enables to analyze the criminal procedure legislation of Ukraine and other countries, as well as the practice of the European Court of Human Rights. The system-structural method enables to reveal the procedure for sample acquisition for examination. The technical-logical method is the basis for forming the conceptual apparatus in the framework of the subject under study. The statistical method is used in the course of summarizing and processing of the data of investigative and judicial practice. The analysis of the procedure for acquisition (collection) of samples for examination in criminal proceedings is carried out in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and international acts. The study states that the CPC of Ukraine, first, does not reveal the concept of "samples for examination," "biological samples"; second, does not fix the list of sample objects that can be obtained for comparative examination; third, does not provide the list of persons authorized to conduct this procedural action and persons, from whom they can be collected. Taking into account the study conducted, the author suggests how to improve the procedure and organization of sample acquisition for examination, as well as recommends how to resolve problematic issues arising during their collection.

[THE RELEVANT ISSUES ON PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF A PERSON IN RESPECT OF WHOM THE USE OF COMPULSORY MEASURES OF A MEDICAL CHARACTER IS INTENDED OR THEIR APPLICATION IS CONSIDERED].

The aim of this manuscript is to identify the current issues relating to protecting the rights of a person in respect of whom the use of compulsory measures of a medical character is intended or their application is considered. The complex of general scientific and special methods of legal science was used to achieve the goal of the study, solve the problems and prove the results of the research. The comparative legal method was used for analyzing the criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine, other countries and the practice of the European Court of Human Rights. The systematic structural method gave an opportunity to describe an order of closing a pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings for the application of compulsory measures of a medical character. The formal logical (dogmatic) method lies at the basis of the definitions' formation in the framework of the research's subject. The statistical method was used for summarizing and working on the statistical reports, materials of investigative and judicial practice. Special attention to this issue is due to the fact that there exists a separate category of people committed a socially harmful act, stipulated by the Ukrainian law on crimtinal responsibility, who were found legally insane, or committed a criminal offense in a state of sanity, but have caught a mental illness before sentencing. According to this fact, there are additional guarantees for the protection of the rights of such persons in the Chapter 39 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Ukraine, which are fully consistent with the international legal standards. Due to the conducted research, it has been proposed the following: firstly, to provide for mandatory participation of the legal representative of the person in respect of whom the use of compulsory measures of a medical character is intended or their application is considered at the legislative level; secondly, to change the name of the procedural document, which completes the pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings on the application of compulsory medical measures to the decision allowing the court to resolve the issue of the application of compulsory measures of a medical character; thirdly, to determine the content of this resolution by clearly specifying the list of information that should be contained in such resolution.

Morphological evaluation of the effectiveness of bipolar radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules.

Recently, radiofrequency ablation has been increasingly used for the treatment of thyroid nodules. The widespread introduction of this method, however, hampered by the lack of data on efficacy and safety of different devices that are currently on the market, the selection of the optimal mode of procedure also remains to be elucidated. Experimental data obtained during the application of the original patented device is presented. The results make it possible to move from ex vivo experiments to clinical practice.

Experience of thyroid gland status screening in postchernobyl period.

The main results of thirty-year period of repeated screening programs and observational studies in contaminated and non-contaminated regions of Belarus are analyzed. The possible reasons of discrepant and contradictory data about the consequences of Chernobyl catastrophe delivered by different study groups during early period after the accident are discussed. High incidence of thyroid nodular disease and cancer in children and adolescence after the catastrophe are described. The research shows high effectiveness of screening in early diagnosis thyroid disorders and radiation-induced thyroid cancer in different regions of Belarus and in various time points.

Influence of nitrate in drinking water on the prevalence of thyroid cancer and other diseases (literature review and experience in post-chernobyl period in Belarus).

In the last 60 years dramatically increased the content of nitrates in groundwater due to intensive use of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture. Research in post-Chernobyl period has shown that a sharp increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer depends not only on the level of thyroid dose, but also on the level of nitrates in groundwater.

[The use of complex tools ezetimibe, hepadyfu fosinopril and correction of blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and essential hypertension stage II].

The article investigates the impact of complex tools fosinopril, hepadyf and ezetimibe for correction of functional state of the endothelium and changes in blood pressure in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, obesity and essential hypertension stage II.

Precision of the PET activity range during irradiation with10C,11C, and12C beams.

Objective. Beams of stable ions have been a well-established tool for radiotherapy for many decades. In the case of ion beam therapy with stable12C ions, the positron emitters10,11C are produced via projectile and target fragmentation, and their decays enable visualization of the beam via positron emission tomography (PET). However, the PET activity peak matches the Bragg peak only roughly and PET counting statistics is low. These issues can be mitigated by using a short-lived positron emitter as a therapeutic beam.Approach.An experiment studying the precision of the measurement of ranges of positron-emitting carbon isotopes by means of PET has been performed at the FRS fragment-separator facility of GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Germany. The PET scanner used in the experiment is a dual-panel version of a Siemens Biograph mCT PET scanner.Main results.High-quality in-beam PET images and activity distributions have been measured from the in-flight produced positron emitting isotopes11C and10C implanted into homogeneous PMMA phantoms. Taking advantage of the high statistics obtained in this experiment, we investigated the time evolution of the uncertainty of the range determined by means of PET during the course of irradiation, and show that the uncertainty improves with the inverse square root of the number of PET counts. The uncertainty is thus fully determined by the PET counting statistics. During the delivery of 1.6 × 107ions in 4 spills for a total duration of 19.2 s, the PET activity range uncertainty for10C,11C and12C is 0.04 mm, 0.7 mm and 1.3 mm, respectively. The gain in precision related to the PET counting statistics is thus much larger when going from11C to10C than when going from12C to11C. The much better precision for10C is due to its much shorter half-life, which, contrary to the case of11C, also enables to include the in-spill data in the image formation.Significance. Our results can be used to estimate the contribution from PET counting statistics to the precision of range determination in a particular carbon therapy situation, taking into account the irradiation scenario, the required dose and the PET scanner characteristics.

Complex study of air pollution in electroplating workshop.

A comprehensive analysis of the state of air inside an industrial workshop with electroplating production was carried out. The data of quantitative distribution of suspended particles by size fractions (PM0.3, PM0.5, PM1, PM3, PM5, PM10) are presented for 15 main processes of electroplating. Morphometric and chemical composition of the surface of particles were studied. We observed particles of rounded shape, various agglomerates with complex geometric shapes, acute-angular particles, which when inhaled pose a maximum threat to human health. Chemical analysis of these particles showed an absolute predominance of oxides of non-ferrous metals, the percentage of which varied depending on the type of electroplating bath. The content of highly hazardous substances of the 1st (Zn, Pb, and Cd) and the 2nd (Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, and Mo) hazard classes in each sample was recorded.

Thyroid cancer in infants and adolescents after Chernobyl.

Studies in children medically exposed to external irradiation more than 50 years ago revealed a considerably increased risk for thyroid cancer. Similarly, a strongly age-dependent risk for thyroid cancer was observed in the Japanese population after the atomic bomb explosions with the highest risk in the group of children below age of 10. After the Chernobyl accident, children from Belarus living in highly exposed regions received mean thyroid doses by radioactive fallout higher by a factor of approximately 2 as compared to the survivors of the atomic bomb explosions. This lead to a radiation related increase of thyroid cancer incidence in children and adolescents with the highest incidence in age group 0-4 years up to now totally amounting to approximately 5 000 cases. For screening of thyroid cancer in children, high resolution ultrasound is the method of choice which has to be complemented by fine-needle aspiration biopsy in suspicious cases. Diagnostic criteria for malignancy in childhood thyroid cancer by ultrasound are hypoechogenicity and irregularity of the outline, subcapsular location of lesions and increased peri-intranodular vascularisation. The treatment strategy for thyroid cancer in children does not differ substantially from the approach used in adults. Primary treatment consists of thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection. Careful and complete removal of the lymph nodes is of great clinical relevance in children because of very frequent node involvement (between 40% and 90%). Because of the high prevalence of lymph node metastases, ablation of thyroid remnants is mostly indicated in children with thyroid cancer. Distant metastases which need higher activities of radioiodine are less frequent with 10-20%. Even in advanced cases of childhood thyroid cancer, long-lasting remissions can be achieved. A specific finding in children is disseminated, milliary lung metastases with intense radioiodine uptake. In this situation, pulmonary fibrosis may be a severe side-effect so that the indication for repeated courses of radioiodine therapy has to be decided thoroughly. With respect to side-effects of radioiodine therapy, the risk of developing breast cancer has to be taken into account seriously since especially the female breast is exposed to a relatively high radiation dose. Generally, young patients treated with high activities of radioiodine should be carefully followed up during their whole lifespan.

An alternative approach to kinetic analysis of temperature-programmed reaction data.

To date, kinetic computations have been carried out efficiently for a great variety of physico-chemical processes including crystallization, melting and solid-solid transitions. However, appropriate methods for the kinetic analysis of chemical reactions, especially multi-staged reactions, are currently lacking. Here we report on an alternative way of treating temperature-programmed reaction data using the reduction of iron(iii) oxide as an example. The main principle in the suggested approach is to take into account every stage of the studied process, resulting in a system of kinetic differential equations. Kinetic parameters (activation energy and preexponential factors) are optimized for each of the stages, and cubic splines are used to approximate the conversion functions that reflect changes in reaction-specific surface area throughout the process. The applicability of the suggested method has been tested on temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) data for iron(iii) oxide samples produced from the original Fe2O3 powder by annealing it at 600, 700 and 800 °C. Results of kinetic analysis obtained at different temperature regimes demonstrate the good stability and performance of the method. Peculiarities of iron(iii) oxide reduction have been revealed, depending on the stage and heating rate. The influence of material morphology on the reduction kinetics has been assessed by comparing preexponential factors corresponding to the first reduction stage. This approach allows a comparison of the structural characteristics of the materials based on the kinetic analysis of the TPR data. Using optimized conversion functions, the initial particle size distribution has been reproduced. Theoretically found particle size distribution was found to correlate well with the experimental distribution obtained via laser diffraction.

Characterization of fume particles generated during arc welding with various covered electrodes.

Arc welding operations are considered to be risky procedures by generating hazardous welding fume for human health. This study focuses on the key characteristics, as well as dispersion models, of welding fumes within a work zone. Commercial and widely used types of electrodes with various types of covering (rutile, basic, acidic and rutile-cellulose) were used in a series of experiments on arc welding operations, under 100 and 150 amps of electric current. According to the results of this study, maximum levels of pollution with particles of PM10 fraction occur in the workspace during arc welding operations. Disregarding the types of electrodes used, the 3D models of dispersion of the РМ10 particles at the floor plane exhibit corrugated morphologies while also demonstrate high concentrations of the РМ10 particles at distances 0-3 m and 4-5 m from the emission source. The morphology of these particles is represented by solid and hollow spheres, 'nucleus-shell' structures, perforated spheres, sharp-edged plates, agglomerates of the tree-like (coral) shape. At last the bifractional mechanism of fume particle formation for this type of electrodes is also shown and described. In this article results are reported, which demonstrate the hazards of the arc welding process for human health. The results of the characterization of WFs reported improve our understanding of risks that these operations pose to human health and may strengthen the need for their control and mitigation.

Balancing the benefits and harms of thyroid cancer surveillance in survivors of Childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer: Recommendations from the international Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group in collaboration with the PanCareSurFup Consortium.

Radiation exposure to the thyroid gland during treatment of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer (CAYAC) may cause differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Surveillance recommendations for DTC vary considerably, causing uncertainty about optimum screening practices. The International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group, in collaboration with the PanCareSurFup Consortium, developed consensus recommendations for thyroid cancer surveillance in CAYAC survivors. These recommendations were developed by an international multidisciplinary panel that included 33 experts in relevant medical specialties who used a consistent and transparent process. Recommendations were graded according to the strength of underlying evidence and potential benefit gained by early detection and appropriate management. Of the two available surveillance strategies, thyroid ultrasound and neck palpation, neither was shown to be superior. Consequently, a decision aid was formulated to guide the health care provider in counseling the survivor. The recommendations highlight the need for shared decision making regarding whether to undergo surveillance for DTC and in the choice of surveillance modality.

Impact of parathyroid status and Ca and vitamin-D supplementation on bone mass and muscle-bone relationships in 208 Belarussian children after thyroidectomy because of thyroid carcinoma.

This observational study analyzes Ca-P metabolism and its impact on bone mass accrual and density and the muscle-bone mass/mass relationships in male and female children and adolescents who were parathyroidectomized because of thyroid carcinoma. Two hundred and eight children and adolescents (119 girls and 89 boys) from Gomel city (Belarus) and its rural surroundings were referred to our institution after having undergone total thyroidectomy for the treatment of advanced papillary thyroid cancer. A subgroup of children with demonstrated primary hypoparathyroidism received dihydrotachysterol (AT-10) and/or Ca supplementation. Among routine procedures over a maximum follow-up period of 5 years (average 3.7 years, maximum 8 visits), whole-body scans were taken using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at each visit in order to determine whole-body bone mineral content (TBMC), projected "areal" bone mineral density (TBMD), total lean mass (TLM) and total fat mass (TFM). The average serum Ca, P and AP concentrations over the whole observation period were significantly different between the groups; however, TBMC z-scores for all studied children were statistically similar in all visits. In girls, no between-group differences in height- and weight-controlled TBMC and TBMD or the TBMC/TLM ratio were observed (ANCOVA) and supplementation exerted no effect on these data, suggesting that the total bone mass accrual was not impaired by PTH deficiency in the studied conditions. However, non-supplemented boys showed lower values of the TBMC/TLM ratio than girls, and supplementation normalized these values in direct correlation with the induced improvement in serum P availability to bone. Results indicate that the primary impairment in parathyroid function and bone metabolism indicators in the thyroidectomized children was unrelated to any measurable change in crude bone mass values. However, in boys this condition impaired the TBMC/TLM ratio in such a way that the administered supplementation could normalize it as a function of improved P availability. Girls' skeleton seemed to have been naturally protected against the negative metabolic effect of the studied condition. An estrogen-induced enhancement of the biomechanical impact of muscle contractions on bone mass and structure could not be excluded in this group.

Systematic ultrasound screening as a significant tool for early detection of thyroid carcinoma in Belarus.

We report the results of ultrasound screening of the thyroid gland in 3,051 Belarus children 4-14 years of age exposed to radioactive fallout due to the Chernobyl accident. Screening was performed in 1990, 1993 and 1998. The study demonstrated that with time the prevalence of thyroid nodules in this contaminated region increased from 1.2% to 3.5%, mostly due to pathologically verified nodular goiter and non-verified small solid nodules and cysts. In contrast, the prevalence of thyroid carcinoma decreased from 0.6% in 1990 to 0.3% in 1993. We found 15 patients with carcinoma. On analysis of the ultrasound pattern of all carcinomas, we observed nodular and diffuse variants. Thus, we can conclude that systematic ultrasound screening is useful for the early detection of thyroid carcinoma in the population of Belarus exposed to radiation due to the Chernobyl accident.

[Anti-ischemic properties of the novel antioxidant enoxifol]. / Protivoishemicheskie svoistva novogo antioksidantnogo sredstva énoksifola.

The antiischemic properties of the new antioxidant drug enoxifol, representing a derivative of N9-imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole, was studied in rats on the models of a double-vessel occlusion of common carotid arteries under normal conditions and on the background of irradiation. In addition, we studied the effect of enoxifol on the rehabilitation of experimental animals in the early reperfusion period after total brain ischemia.

[Pharmacotherapeutic correction of gastric motility and emptying after gastric resection and vagotomy]. / Medykamentozna korektsiia motorno-evakuatornykh porushen', shcho vynykly pislia vykonannia rezektsiï shlunka i vahotomii.

Motor-evacuational function of stomach, duodenum and its draining loop after gastric resection and vagotomy in 82 patients is studied up. Two variants of medicinal correction of the stomach and efferent intestinal loop motor disorders are elaborated.

Dynamics of the recovery period in rats exposed to global cerebral ischemia.

Global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was modeled by thermocoagulation of the vertebrobasilar arteries followed by occlusion of both carotid arteries. Behavioral parameters, neurological status, and mnesic functions in rats were studied during the recovery period. It is concluded that this model of ischemia is reproducible and can be used for studying ischemia-reperfusion damages to the brain.

Characteristics of thyroid ultrasound pictures in children with nodular thyroid changes effected by radionuclides.

97 children with thyroid nodules found through screening programs in regions of White Russia (Belarus) affected by fallout from the Chernobyl disaster underwent thyroid ultrasound examination by one team at a central reference hospital. 46 of these children were operated on. 31 of these had thyroid carcinoma (30 papillary carcinoma, 1 follicular carcinoma), 9 adenoma, 3 nodular goitre, 2 thyroiditis and one colloid goitre. Sex distribution was equal in the carcinoma group while in all other groups females prevailed. In younger age groups (3-6 and 7-10 years) carcinomas were found more often than adenomas and cysts. A carcinoma was present most likely if there were a single nodule with a volume of more than 1.5 cm3, inhomogeneous echo structure, unclear, hypoechogenic margins, and enlarged regional lymph nodes.