EVALUATION OF MAIN FOODSTUFFS CONSUMPTION BY RESIDENTS OF PARTICULAR SETTLEMENTS ON RADIOLOGICALLY CONTAMINATED TERRITORIES OF UKRAINE. / OTsINKA SPOZhYVANNIa OSNOVNYKh KhARChOVYKh PRODUKTIV MEShKANTsIaMY OKREMYKh NASELENYKh PUNKTIV RADIOAKTYVNO ZABRUDNENYKh TERYTORIY̆ UKRAÏNY.

OBJECTIVE: evaluation of main foodstuffs consumption levels of residents in particular settlements on radiological- ly contaminated territories of Kyiv, Rivne and Zhytomyr regions and determination of the proportion of local house- holds products to goods purchased in the trade network in the daily ration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was conducted in 22 settlements of Kyiv, Rivne, Zhytomyr regions. For the study, the questionnaires were written for adults and children, which included 47 questions in 5 content blocks regarding the questionnaire data of the interviewed person; peculiarities of household management; levels of food consumption grown in local households and separately purchased in the trade network; levels of local wildlife products consumption; and the fifth - regarding the possession of information on radiation, received an individual dose of radiation from the «Chornobyl component¼, protective preventive measures. In total 539 people were inter- viewed, including 359 adults and 180 children aged 1 to 18 years. Information about children under 14 years of age was provided by their parents. Mathematical, statistical methods were used. RESULTS: According to the results of the survey, it can be stated that the main foodstuffs of residents of the sur- veyed settlements are milk and dairy products, potatoes and root crops of local cultivation, bread and bakery products purchased in the trade network. The analysis of the structure and dynamics of the diet of the popula- tion of the surveyed settlements showed a significant decrease in the consumption levels of basic food products, primarily purchased through the trade network, due to a decline in purchasing power of the population in recent years. CONCLUSIONS: The diet of the residents of the surveyed settlements consists mainly of products produced in private or local households. Fewer people use wildlife products - wildfowl, fish from local water bodies, fresh and canned wild berries, and fresh and dried mushrooms, but due to their significant 137Cs contamination, even small amounts of these products can result in a significant dose of radiation.

Phylogenetic relationships of two Ukrainian tomato isolates of potato virus M and genetic variability analysis of its population.

The aim of this study was to investigate biological and molecular properties of two Ukrainian tomato isolates of potato virus M (PVM), K-16 and Pol-14, to determine their phylogenetic relationships and the genetic variability of PVM isolates. Study of phylogenetic relationships of two Ukrainian tomato PVM isolates with 35 isolates represented in GenBank was conducted. It was found that the coat protein (CP) gene sequence identity between two Ukrainian PVM isolates is 94.3% at the nucleotide level and 100% at the amino acid level. The highest level of the sequence identity (97.0% and 96.5% nt and 100% aa) have the isolates K-16 and Pol-14 with the German potato isolate DSMZ PV0273, Indian potato isolates Del 123, Del 134, Del 147, M 34 and Chinese isolate from pepino GS-6-2 (isolate K-16), which testifies about their common origin. Ukrainian tomato isolates K-16 and Pol-14 belong together with all European, Chinese, Iranian, Indian isolates to PVM-o clade or group I. It was found that the nucleotide substitutions in the capsid protein gene of all tomato PVM isolates (except the Italian) are synonymous. Analysis showed that the global dN/dS ratio for the entire CP gene sequences used in the study was 0.041 (p Keywords: potato virus M; Solanum lycopersicum; phylogenetic analysis; genetic variability; selection pressure.

Randomized Comparison of Two Approaches to Initial Warfarin Dosing: Time in Therapeutic Range of International Normalized Ratio During Hospitalization.

AIM: To perform a randomized, open-label comparison of average time in therapeutic range (TTR) of international normalized ratio (INR) using two approaches to initial warfarin dosing during hospitalization: the standard method and the one using individual patient characteristics (clinical algorithm - the studied approach). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 60 patients with different indications for vitamin K antagonist therapy to the studied approach (n=31, intervention group) or to the standard method (n=29, control group). А target INR range for all patients was 2.0 to 3.0. RESULTS: The average TTR and portions of INR values within target range during the whole time of drug dosing turned out to be small. TTR was 22.4% with standard method and 21.4% with clinical algorithm, which was well below desired 60%. CONCLUSION: The opportunities for achieving target INR in inpatient settings, regardless of warfarin dosing regimen, are limited.

[Randomized Comparison of Two Approaches to Initial Warfarin Dosing: Time in Therapeutic Range of International Normalized Ratio During Hospitalization].

AIM: To perform a randomized, open-label comparison of average time in therapeutic range (TTR) of international normalized ratio (INR) using two approaches to initial warfarin dosing during hospitalization: the standard method and the one using individual patient characteristics (clinical algorithm - the studied approach). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 60 patients with different indications for vitamin K antagonist therapy to the studied approach (n=31, intervention group) or to the standard method (n=29, control group). А target INR range for all patients was 2.0 to 3.0. RESULTS: The average TTR and portions of INR values within target range during the whole time of drug dosing turned out to be small. TTR was 22.4% with standard method and 21.4% with clinical algorithm, which was well below desired 60%. CONCLUSION: The opportunities for achieving target INR in inpatient settings, regardless of warfarin dosing regimen, are limited.

Efficiency of endothelial dysfunctioncorrection in children residents of radioactively contaminated areas using the method of intermittent normobaric hypoxi therapy. / EFEKTYVNIST' KOREKTsIÏ ENDOTELIAL'NOÏ DYSFUNKTsIÏ U DITEY̆ MEShKANTsIV RADIOAKTYVNO ZABRUDNENYKh TERYTORIY̆ ZA DOPOMOGOIu METODU PERERYVChASTOÏ NORMOBARYChNOÏ GIPOKSYTERAPIÏ.

Objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of intermittent normobaric hypoxi therapy as the means that can posi tively influence on the different links in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in children residents of radioactively contaminated areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disorders of personal and emotional sphere, symptoms of asthenic vegetative and neurot ic character, the signs of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, abdominal and dyspeptic syndromes are attrib uted to the clinical signs of endothelial dysfunction. There were determined the biochemical parameters of the con tent of stable metabolites of NO, L arginine, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes in the blood serum; the indices of cellular and humoral immunity; the instrumental indices of vascular endothelium dependent reaction to occlu sion test, ventilating ability of the lungs, the bioelectric activity of the myocardium. Intermittent normobaric hypoxi therapy (INHT) was performed using the individual device of mountain air of the «Borei¼ type produced by State Research Medical Engineering Center «NORT¼ NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The clinical examination showed that the administration of additional intermittent nor mobaric hypoxi therapy to the basic treatment of 44 children with endothelial dysfunction who live in the radioac tively contaminated areas, promoted to reduce the frequency of complaints and intensity of clinical manifestations in the mentioned symptom complex. An increase of serum L arginine in the absence of significant changes in the content of NO stable metabolites was revealed in the most examined children residents of radioactively contami nated areas by studying NO system after using the course of intermittent normobaric hypoxi therapy. Positive changes in vascular endothelium dependent reaction to occlusion test, indicating the reduction length of the recovery period for thermographic circulation index after occlusive test, were determined. The decrease in the inten sity of lipid peroxidation processes - a reduction of serum LPO end products content that react with thiobarbituric acid - was observed. The bronchospasm elimination was revealed in a large number of children with the study of the lung ventilation capacity. There were trends to reduce the imbalance of different chain of the heart rhythm man agement. The immunomodulatory effect was detected as: the increase in the functional activity of neutrophils, the normalization of humoral immunity link indices. Intermittent normobaric hypoxi therapy is an effective tool that can positively affect the condition of nitric oxide system and endothelium dependent functions of the organs and systems in children residents of radioactively contaminated areas.

Rationale treatment and preventive measures for correction of bone structure in children with acute leukemia, exposed to ionizing radiation due to the Chornobyl accident. / Ocinka likuval''no-profilaktychnyh zahodiv dlja korekcii' struktury kistkovoi' tkanyny u ditej z gostrymy lejkemijamy, jaki zaznaly vplyvu ionizujuchogo vyprominennja vnaslidok avarii' na ChAES.

Objective. To justify and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and preventive measures taken to correct the bio-chemical and biophysical changes in the structure of bone in children exposed to ionizing radiation due to Chornobyl accident in the dynamics of leukemic process. Materials and methods. The study involved 144 patients with acute lymphoid and myeloid leukemia. Serum calcium, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, cortisol and thyroid-stimulating hormone were investigated, as well as calcium and phosphate excretion, amino acids composition in the urine, acid-base balance and buffer systems of blood, bone density. Results. A reduction of bone densitometry, calcium and cortisol levels and increase of serum alkaline phosphatase and urine oxyproline were found in children with acute leukemia in acute I phase and during the chemotherapy. In the period of remission the majority of patients did not differ from the comparison group. The signs of osteopenic syndrome that require monitoring of the bone structure status were revealed in 10.0 % of children of the comparison group. Radiation doses of leukemia patients were 3.66 ± 0.11 mSv. No relationship between radiation dose and indicators that reflect the state of the bone tissue structures has been established. The use of complex health care measures in children with acute leukemia in remission, contributed to the positive effect of 62.0 %. Worser effect was observed in patients with an unfavorable course of the disease. Conclusions. Results of the study of bone tissue metabolism prove fore a change in the organic and mineral matrix in patients with acute leukemia exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of the Chonobyl NPP accident, and persons without hematologic diseases, and the need for treatment and prevention.

Gut microbiota among children living in areas contaminated by radiation and having the cardiac connective tissue dysplasia syndrome. / Mikrobiocenoz kyshechnyka u ditej-meshkanciv radioaktyvno zabrudnenyh terytorij iz syndromom dyplazii' spoluchnoi' tkanyny sercja.

Objective. The study examined the gut (colonic) microbiota in children being domiciled in contaminated zones and suffering the cardiac connective tissue dysplasia syndrome (CCTDS). Materials and methods. The study included 99 children living in contaminated zones. Study subjects were divided into subgroup IA (a comparison subgroup) of 44 children with no signs of CCTDS and subgroup IB of 55 children having the CCTDS. The control group included 24 children aged from 7 to 17 years old. Study groups were of the same gender and age. Results. In the absence of any specific complaints the abnormal gut microbiota was revealed in children living in contaminated areas with a high incidence of 96.36 % featuring both quantitative and qualitative abnormalities that can be considered a dysadaptation phenomenon of both digestive system and body as a whole. Under the concomitant CCTDS these disorders are more expressive, being characterized by a significant decrease in the number of obligate gut flora and failure of its protective capabilities. Incidence of dysbacteriosis grade III in children having the CCTDS is significantly higher vs. children of the control group and comparison subgroup. Under CCTDS the gut microbiota abnormalities were represented with a severe bowel contamination by E. coli with altered enzymatic properties, various types of opportunistic microorganisms, and a high identification incidence of genus Candida fungi at the background of a significant depression of normal colonic flora. Presence of 3-5-component associations of opportunistic pathogens in the colon was found with high incidence. Conclusion. According to received results the examination of intestinal bacterial flora is expedient in children living in areas contaminated by radiation. Application of health care arrangements aimed at normalization of gut microbiota is obligate.

[Properties of potato virus M and potato virus Y isolates in Ukraine].

Monitoring of viruses of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was carried out. Twenty-seven varieties of tomatoes from different regions of Ukraine were tested for the virus presence. New symptoms, which had not been described before, were revealed. It was found out that the diseases were caused by Potato virus M and Potato virus Y. This is the first report about the infection of tomato plants with such viruses in Ukraine. Some biological, physical and chemical properties of the pathogens are studied. Differences between PVM, PVY and the known isolates were found in morphology and molecular weight of structural protein.

Effect of RBC concentrate transfusions on serum ferritin content in children with acute leukaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the serum ferritin levels in children with acute leukemia, depending on the number of transfusions of RBC concentrate and period of disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the red blood count, serum iron and ferritin levels in 54 patients with acute leukemia before chemotherapy, at the time of a standardized treatment protocol, and after transfusions of RBC concentrates. RESULTS: In the debute of acute leukemia just before treatment lauch the serum ferritin in 81.5% of children was 2.3-2.5 higher than normal. The need for transfusion of RBC concentrates was higher under serum ferritin level exceeding 500 ng/mL. The association was established between ferritin content and age of the children, variant of acute leukemia and period of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The level of serum ferritin can be used as a marker of ferrokinetic status for timely diagnosis of iron overload in children with acute leukemias and for application of treatment-and-prophylactic actions.

[Detection of viral infection pathogens in medicinal plants grown in Ukraine].

Monitoring of viral infection on medicinal plant plantations is carried out. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Valeriana officinalis L., Plantago major L. with symptoms of viral infection were revealed. Viral nature of symptoms was proved with biotesting method. Morphology and sizes of virus particles, detected in Panax ginseng method. Morphology and sizes of virus particles, detected in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Valeriana officinalis L., Plantago major L., were determined with electron microscopy method. The paper is presented in Ukrainian.

[The virus infection progression in potato plants in conditions of simulated microgravitation].

The influence of simulated microgravitation (clinostating) on the proceeding of mixed virus infection in Zhuravushka variety potato plants, infected with potato viruses X and M (PVX, PVM) was investigated. It was shown, that sensitivity of "virus-plant" system to microgravitation depends both on pathogene species and clinostating mode. Vertical clinostating was found to be more effective than horizontal one. By means of biotest, PCR and ELISA it was detected that potato plants, infected with PVX and PVM are released from PVX under the influence of clinostating during 19-47 days. Assume, that microgravitation is able to induce some protective reactions in plants that influence virus reproduction.

Aspects of adaptive answering formation in virus-host plant pathosystem for different wheat cultivars under simulating microgravity condition.

Investigations of prolonged clinorotation effect on some morphological and physiological parameters under Wheat streak mosaic virus WSMW-infection of Apogee and Lada wheat cultivars were carried out. Experiments were held on universal clinostat CYCLE-2. Clinorotation caused changing of WSMV virions shape and reducing of the virus reproduction. Apogee wheat plants grown under two stress factors (infection and clinorotation) produced more kernels than stationary (motionless) plants, but the average weight of kernel was lower. Under clinorotation changes in host plant-virus system take place and adaptive reactions for simulated microgravity conditions form. These lead to reduction of potyvirus replication.

[Comparative characteristics of reproduction of the wheat striped mosaic virus in winter and spring Triticum aestivum L. in natural agrocoenosis and during clinostatting]. / Sravnitel'naia kharakteristika reproduktsii virusa polosatoi mozaiki pshenitsy v rasteniiakh Triticum aestivum L. ozimykh i iarovykh sortov v prirodnykh agrotsenozakh i v usloviiakh klinostatirovaniia.

Microgravity (a transformed environment) was produced with the use of a multi-purpose clinostat. Object of the investigation was wheat striped mosaic virus (WSMV) affecting a great variety of wheat species in natural agrocoenosis, and super-dwarf cultivar Apogee in the transformed environment. Enzyme immunodetection (das-ELISA) as well as electron microscopy were employed for virus identification. Viral reproduction was found high (titre 1/2560) in winter and spring wheat species in agrocoenosis (natural transmissible background). Clinostatting in the horizontal and vertical planes (R = 400 mm and R = 250 mm) inhibited virus reproduction by day 21, 25 and 18 post inoculation, respectively. Clinostatting improved health of WSMV-infected plants and resulted in harvesting the first Apogee crop. Productivity of WSMV-infected plants after clinostatting was increased owing to a large seed content of the heads as compared with stationary and clinostatted healthy crops. This experience of inhibiting virus reproduction should be taken into consideration in virus-free seed production biotechnology development.

Clinostating effects on biochemical characteristics and productivity of healthy and virus-infected wheat plants of dwarf Apogee variety.

The effects of clinostating on physiological processes and biochemical characteristics of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) both healthy and infected by the wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) were studied. In six experiments, each lasting over 30 days, healthy and infected plants of the dwarf Apogee variety were grown under conditions of continuous horizontal and vertical clinostating with 2 rpm at 21 +/- 2 degrees C and 6000 1x (the optimal moisture of a substrate being maintained). The control variants (healthy and infected) were simultaneously grown under the same conditions of temperature and illumination in stationary containers and in open pots. During the experiment, visual observations were carried out over the state of tested plants. After completing the experiment, biometric indices, pigment, carbohydrate and dry matter contents were determined in all the plants. It was shown that clinostating sharply reduced the reproductive function of healthy plants and considerably affected their biomass (productivity) and concentration of chlorophylls and sugars. The viral infection resulted in further reduction of these characteristics. In control variants the viral effect was more significant. We speculate that clinostating reduced the rate of reproduction and spread of the virus.

Clinostating effects on Apogee wheat resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus.

The effects of vertical and horizontal clinostating with container velocity 2 rpm and platform velocity 1 rpm on Apogee wheat resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) were studied. For the first time the yield of grain was obtained from both, healthy and the WSMV-infected wheat plants under conditions of simulated microgravity (clinorotation) which is accounted for by the inclusion of various mechanisms in the process of plant adaptation to the factors of stresses. For the first time the stages of viral infection development were elucidated under the conditions of prolonged clinostating and the presence of the WSMV was detected in wheat plants on the 18th day after inoculation employing the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the test variant with vertical clinostating (R=1,0) the least favorable conditions for viral reproduction were identified. In the same variant the increases of the total nitrogen content in the ears were observed which may be an evidence of interferon-like protein synthesis in plant similar to the interferon system functioning in animals.

[Effect of irbesartan, an antagonist of AT-1 receptors for angiotensin II, on L-arginine metabolism in arterial hypertension]. / Diia irbezartanu--antahonista AT1-retseptoriv anhiotenzynu II na obmin arhininu za umov arterial'noï hipertenziï.

Effects of an antagonist of AT-1 receptors for angiotensin-II (Ang-II) irbezantane on the NO-synthase and arginase ways of the metabolism of L-arginine were studied in plasma and erythrocytes of the patients with arterial hypertension. The intensity of the non-oxidative arginase way of L-arginine metabolism in plasma and erythrocytes has been shown to be inhanced at hypertension versus the normotensive patients, while the activity of the alternative oxidative NO-synthase way was reduced. Inhibiting AT-1 receptors for Ang-II with high-affinity antagonist irbezantane normalized the ratio between two alternative ways of L-arginine metabolism through inhibiting the arginase way and reciprocal activating the NO-synthase way both in human plasma and erythrocytes.

Influence of simulated microgravity on physiological reactions in healthy and virus infected wheat plants of different varieties.

The effects of clinorotation on the 3 varieties of the wheat plants were studied. The chlorophyll content, photochemical activity of the chloroplasts and changes in wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) were analysed. It is established that photosynthetic apparatus in wheat plants, particularly in bred Apogee variety, possesses considerable adaptation potential for the cultivation of plants under the spaceflight conditions.

[Improvement of a series of agriculturally valuable traits by pollen selection in Linum usitatissimum L]. / Uluchshenie riada khoziaistvenno tsennykh priznakov putem pyl'tsevogo otbora u Linum usitatissimum L.

Influence of selection of F1 high temperature tolerant pollen on the structure of BC1 segregating populations was studied for a number of agronomically important traits in oil flax. It was found that heat treatment of heterogeneous pollen population considerably changed genetic composition of plant population not only for tolerance to drought but for duration of seedling emergence--flowering period and quantity and inclination angle of side shoots as well. It is supposed that genes which confer these traits are at least partially linked to the genes responsible for pollen sensitivity to high temperature.

[The functional status of the thyroid system in those irradiated as a consequence of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station (based on screening study data)]. / Funktsional'nyi stan tyreoïdnoï systemy u oprominenykh vnaslidok avariï na ChAES (za danymy skryninhovoho doslidzhennia).

A screening study was made of functional indices for the status of the thyroid system in 1097 persons who took part in the elimination of the effects of the Chernobyl accident (PChAEE) during the "iodine" and "non-iodine" periods of irradiation. In 94.6% of the "iodine" period PChAEE, the basal levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were in the normal range, 4.79% displayed a rise in the parameter. 90.06% of the "non-iodine" period had normal range TSH, 8.77% exhibited augmented levels. 94.68% of the "iodine" period PChAEE showed normal range for the basal levels of free thyroxin, in 3.72% there was a rise, in 1.6% a decrease in the values. Among the examinees of the "non-iodine" period, the levels of free thyroxin were within normal range in 92%, above norm in 5%, decreased in 3%. The level of antibodies to thyroglobulin in 86.38% of the "iodine" period examinees was in the normal range, in 90.99% of the "non-iodine" period it was also normal. There were no statistically significant differences suggesting effects of radiation factors of the "iodine" period of irradiation on the functional indices for the hypophysis-thyroid system during the first 7 years following irradiation.