Specifics of motivation of volunteers participating in in a clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine

Background. The pandemic coronavirus infection has contributed to the development of effective preventive methods to slow the spread of the virus. Mass vaccination is the only way to protect oneself from infection. The development of drugs, including vaccines, involves clinical trials (CT). The problem of conducting a CT is recruiting the necessary number of volunteers. Goal: to identify specifics of motivation of patients participating in the clinical trial of COVID-19 vaccines, as it is a very important medical and sociological issue requiring more detailed study. Materials and Methods. The results of an anonymous questionnaire survey of volunteers participating in the “EpiVacCorona” vaccine CT are presented. Overall, 203 questionnaires were analyzed, containing 19 questions answered by the residents of Kaliningrad, aged 20 to 84 years. At the stage of completion of participation in the clinical trial, information was obtained about the respondent’s attitudes to the trial, the main factors of motivation or demotivation to participate, the degree of their trust in the trial. Results. Information disseminated through the employer was an effective way to organize patient recruitment for the vaccine CT; the effectiveness of using the media was quite low. The positives of participation in the CT for volunteers were ethical considerations. Negatives for participants were the risks associated with adverse reactions or receiving a placebo. Relatives had the greatest influence on the volunteers’ decision to participate in the CT, and medical professionals, media personalities, and scientists had less influence. Conclusion. The results will help to improve patient recruitment, patient awareness of the CT, and the benefits to medicine and society. Motivating and demotivating factors will improve patient recruitment

XPS Study of Ion Irradiated and Unirradiated UO2 Thin Films.

XPS determination of the oxygen coefficient kO = 2 + x and ionic (U(4+), U(5+), and U(6+)) composition of oxides UO2+x formed on the surfaces of differently oriented (hkl) planes of thin UO2 films on LSAT (Al10La3O51Sr14Ta7) and YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) substrates was performed. The U 4f and O 1s core-electron peak intensities as well as the U 5f relative intensity before and after the (129)Xe(23+) and (238)U(31+) irradiations were employed. It was found that the presence of uranium dioxide film in air results in formation of oxide UO2+x on the surface with mean oxygen coefficients kO in the range 2.07-2.11 on LSAT and 2.17-2.23 on YSZ substrates. These oxygen coefficients depend on the substrate and weakly on the crystallographic orientation. On the basis of the spectral parameters it was established that uranium dioxide films AP2,3 on the LSAT substrates have the smallest kO values, and from the XRD and EBSD results it follows that these samples have a regular monocrystalline structure. The XRD and EBSD results indicate that samples AP5-7 on the YSZ substrates have monocrystalline structure; however, they have the highest kO values. The observed difference in the kO values was probably caused by the different nature of the substrates: the YSZ substrates provide 6.4% compressive strain, whereas (001) LSAT substrates result only in 0.03% tensile strain in the UO2 films. (129)Xe(23+) irradiation (92 MeV, 4.8 × 10(15) ions/cm(2)) of uranium dioxide films on the LSAT substrates was shown to destroy both long-range ordering and uranium close environment, which results in an increase of uranium oxidation state and regrouping of oxygen ions in uranium close environment. (238)U(31+) (110 MeV, 5 × 10(10), 5 × 10(11), 5 × 10(12) ions/cm(2)) irradiations of uranium dioxide films on the YSZ substrates were shown to form the lattice damage only with partial destruction of the long-range ordering.The irradiation experiment was performed at the Grand Accelé rateur National d ́ ’Ions Lourds (GANIL) Caen, France, and supported by the French Network EMIR. The support in planning and execution of the experiment by the CIMAPCIRIL and the GANIL staff, especially I. Monnet, C. Grygiel, T. Madi, and F. Durantel, is much appreciated. The work was supported by RFBR grant no. 16-03-00914-a and partially supported by M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University Program of Development. A.J.P. acknowledges funding from the UK EPSRC (grant EP/I036400/1) and Radioactive Waste Management Ltd. (formerly the Radioactive Waste Management Directorate of the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, contract NPO004411A-EPS02), a maintenance grant from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (projects 13-03-90916) and CSAR bursary. Thanks are given to A.M. Adamska, G.I. Lampronti, V.A. Lebedev, P.G. Martin, L. Payne, and A.A. Shiryaev for their help in characterization of the samples

Politics of eurointegration and its role of Ukrainian national self-determination

В статті розглядаються питання європейської інтеграції України в контексті українського національного самовизначення. Увага приділяється проблемним питанням, які виникали на шляху Української євроінтеграції.The politics of European integration we mean purposeful activities of state and public institutions of Ukraine, designed to achieve the fullest possible inclusion in our state and its citizens in the European political, cultural and economic and business processes and relationships that most optimally achieved by joining the European Union. Europe ', in this sense is a practical realization of the "European choice" as the ideological and strategic component of national self-determination, exercised in conditions of obtaining and securing the independence and state sovereignty of Ukraine. Ukrainian project of European integration has not received the effective completion of the form, as he considered the political elite and society over the past ten years. This failure has led naturally to the crisis of the entire project of national self-determination, which euro integration perspective was closely associated. Together with the loss of hope for the full implementation of the "European choice" in the society spread despondency, apathy, against what has been a marked increase in social tension and political processes have moved in an overtly confrontational Race, becoming more and more conflict issues of identity – national, regional and civilization. Out of this crisis of national identity as possible in the way of rethinking the European integration project in the direction of its approach to the realities of international politics and a critical assessment of the situation in Ukraine, or b) by finding (or creating) alternative project Ukraine's full of foreign subjects significance of the Ukrainian state for the international community and its citizens.В статье рассматриваются вопросы европейской интеграции Украины в контексте украинского национального самоопределения. Особое внимание уделяется проблемным вопросам, которые возникали на пути украинской евроинтеграции

Efficacy and safety of Ergoferon versus oseltamivir in adult outpatients with seasonal influenza virus infection: a multicenter, open-label, randomized trial

Objectives Ergoferon is an antiviral complex drug containing released-active forms of antibodies to interferon gamma, CD4, and histamine. Its efficacy and safety in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections has been reported previously. The aim of this study was to compare Ergoferon with oseltamivir. Methods A multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial of patients aged 18 to 65 years, who had tested positive for influenza A or B antigens, was performed. A total of 156 patients were enrolled as the intention-to-treat population; these patients were assigned randomly to receive either Ergoferon or oseltamivir (n = 78 in each group). Results The percentage of patients achieving a normal body temperature (≤37.0°С) following 5 days of treatment did not differ significantly between the groups. The mean duration of fever in the Ergoferon and oseltamivir groups was 2.1 ± 1.5 days and 2.3 ± 1.6 days, respectively (p = 0.01). The average time to the resolution of influenza symptoms was approximately 3 days, with no significant between-group difference. Total quality of life scores were similar in the two groups following 5 days of drug administration. The incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly between the groups, nor were there any serious adverse events. Conclusions Ergoferon and oseltamivir were equally effective and safe in adult outpatients with seasonal influenza A or B virus infection. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01804946 © 2016 The Author(s

Antibiotic resistance of pathogens causing uncomplicated urinary tract infections in Russian Federation

Introduction. The choice of antibiotic for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) is mainly carried out empirically. At the same time, it should correspond to local data on the sensitivity of uropathogens to antibacterial drugs. If the level of uropathogen resistance in the region is more than 10-20% to any antibiotic, its use should be limited to empirical therapy.Purpose of research. Identify the structure of pathogens of uncomplicated UTIs and determine the dynamics of their sensitivity to the most commonly used antibacterial drugs.Materials and methods. This article presents a summary data of Russian multicenter epidemiological on the etiology of uncomplicated UTIs and the resistance of pathogens to antibiotics. The study are included female outpatients meeting the following criteria: 1) non-pregnant women over 18; 2) the presence of lower UTIs (acute or exacerbation of chronic cystitis); 3) uropathogen isolation > 103 CFU/ml with a positive test results for the presence of leukocytes in the urine and >105 CFU/ml for any test results for the presence of leukocytes in the urine.Results. The most frequent uropathogen causing uncomplicated UTI is E. coli, which is excreted in 72.4% - 90.6% of patients. Cephalosporins of the third generation (cefixime), Nitrofurantoin, Fosfomycin have a high microbiological activity against E. coli, the frequency of resistant strains to them is 0%, 0-1.9% and 0%, respectively. The persistently high resistance of E. coli strains is determined to Ampicillin (33.1% - 41.5%) and Co-trimoxazole (19.3% - 26.2%). For non-fluorinated and fluorinated quinolones, there is a tendency to increase the proportion of resistant strains during the study period.Conclusions. High generation Cephalosporins (cefixime), Nitrofurantoin, Fosfomycin have high activity against uropathogens сausing uncomplicated UTI. Ampicillin and Co-trimoxazole cannot be considered the drugs of choice for the treatment of uncomplicated UTI according to currently established criteria

Children of substance abusers: Observations and their mothers\u27 reports of childrearing practices

The widespread use of drugs includes women who are mothers and of childbearing age. A review of the literature shows that women who are substance abusers suffer from depression, low self-esteem, have poor health and nutrition, and histories of family violence and abuse. During pregnancy, addictive women often lack prenatal care. In utero exposure to drugs is associated with multiple postnatal outcomes which include prematurity, low birth weight, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Intelligence testing found that the children scored within the normal range but significantly lower than the children of drug-free controls. Conflicting views on the parenting of mothers who are substance abusers exist. Deprived and poorly nurtured in childhood themselves, they feel inadequate as parents. However, they love their children, are capable of learning developmental issues of childhood, and can respond with sensitivity to their needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the child-rearing attitudes and parental style of addicted mothers and the impact of their drug use, parental attitudes, and demographic variables on their interactions with their children. Forty-four mothers, forty-one drug users and three non-drug users, and nineteen infants participated in the study. Participants attended the Infant and Toddler Schools of the Center for Comprehensive Health Practice, Inc. Subjects completed the demographic sheet and the modified Child-Rearing Practices Report (CRPR). The child data was obtained from the agency and included the scores of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, the Checklist for Caregiver-Infant Observation, and the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment-Short Form (Home-SF). Generally, greater parental control and less expression of affection were adhered to as values by the participants of the study. Correlations as a function of drug usage and demographic variables suggested that the participants held both sound and inappropriate child-rearing attitudes. Length of treatment and the age of the youngest child emerged as the demographic variables most related to the parental attitude variables. The children scored within the average range of intelligence, however, the range of variation was highly significant

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF UNCOMPLICATED OUTPATIENT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Introduction. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections of practical interest to specialists in different areas. The most common form of UTI is acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC). To date, there is a limited number of studies devoted to the study of this problem in the Russian Federation.Purpose of research. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinical features of communitybased UTI in Russia.Materials and methods. The study was conducted in two stages, the first stage was completed in 2005- 2006, the second stage – in 2017, the method of questionnaire was used. During the first stage, young women were surveyed in organized groups (Universities and Colleges) using a paper traditional questionnaire in 20 cities of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and Kazakhstan. The second stage of the research was carried out using the technology of online surveys. Information about the online questionnaire was shared at specialized events in which mainly young people of 18-25 years participated – lectures at Universities, youth events, social networks, etc. During the second stage of the study, 20 cities of the Russian Federation were covered.Results. At the first stage of the study, 660 women were interviewed, the average age was 20.9 ± 1.6 (median - 18.0) years. At least one episode of dysuria was reported by 19.0% ± 1.5% of the respondents, with 22.9% of the respondents having recurrent cystitis. In the second stage of the study, 525 respondents were interviewed, the average age was 21.1 ± 1.8 years. The occurrence of at least one episode of dysuria during the life о21.1% ± 1.7 of the respondents, while 28.5% of ± 2.0 of the respondents reported the development of 3 or more episodes of the dysuria over the last 12 months.The median duration of cystitis symptoms was 2 days in both the first and second stages of the study. Most often, symptoms of dysuria persisted 1-3 days (64.1%), 4-5 days (23.0%) or 5-7 days (9.5%). The most correlated with the development of cystitis were family history (OR - 2.26-2.42), sexual activity and use of spermicides (OR – 1.69 and 2.43). From 40% to 50.9% of respondents in the case of dysuria do not seek medical care. When reached a medical care, most often consulted a doctor urologist (15.8% - 22.3%), gynecologist (16.7% - 17.7%), rarely a therapist (8.8 – 11.4) or other specialties (1.3% - 14.8%). No pharmacological treatments were used and 20.1% - 23.1% of the respondents, herbal medicine – 24.0% - 23.9%. Antibiotics, spasmolytic drugs and NSAIDs were the most commonly used. Over the past 12 years, there have been significant changes in the structure of antibiotics used in cystitis – the frequency of use of ampicillin, amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, gentamicin has clearly decreased. On the contrary, increased frequency of use of phosphomycin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin.Conclusions. According to the survey of young women, 19.1%-21.1% of respondents report the occurrence of symptoms of AUC. 22.9% - 28.5% of women report the development of 3 or more episodes of dysuria during the year. Usually clinical symptoms persist for 2 days (median), the duration of dysuria in the range of 1-3 days reported 64.1% - 70.9% of patients. The risk of AUC correlated with the activity of sexual life, family history of UTI, spermicides using – OR – 1.69, 2.42 and 2.43, respectively. 40.3-50.9% patients with AUC did not seek medical care, the main method of treatment of cystitis in an outpatient setting is the use of antibiotics.Disclosure: The study did not have sponsorship. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest

LOW DOSAGE ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID: A VARIETY OF FORMULATIONS

The most prevalent formulation of the low-dosage (ld) acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for prevention purposes is the gut soluble pill — 80,6% of the ldASA registered in pharmacy market. Formulations of ldASA mostly presented as ASA monodrugs (84,4%), containing only ASA as active substance, predominantly as 100 mg dosage. Amount of ASA of 81 mg has become widespread only in North America, that is related to nonmetric measurement system. Combinational ldASA with non-soluble antacide (magnesium hydroxide) are not broadly used throughout the world — 1,6% of all pharmacy market registered labels, and mostly in use in the regions of former USSR