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Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major public health problem and patient safety threat worldwide. Scant information is available on the occurrence HAI and antimicrobial susceptibility of responsible pathogens in Ukrainian intencive care units (ICUs). The aim: To evaluate the prevalence of HAIs and antimicrobial resistance of the responsible pathogens. Materials and methods: The study included 642 patients and 262 samples isolated from patients with microbiologically proven HAI. The identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of the cultures were determined, using automated microbiology analyzer. Some antimicrobial susceptibility test used Kirby — Bauer antibiotic testing. Interpretative criteria were those suggested by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Results: Among 642 patients, 148 HAIs were observed (23.1%). Death during hospitalization was reported in 20.1% HAI cases. Pneumonia (47.3%), blood stream infection (21.6%), and urinary tract infection (14.9) together accounted for 83.8% of all HAIs reported. Most cases of these infections were device-associated. Considering all HAI types together, Klebsiella pneumoniae were most commonly reported, accounting for 21.8% of all organisms, followed by Acinetobacter baumanni (14.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.4%) and Escherichia coli (9.4%). 59.8% and 6.6% of Staphylococcus aureus were oxacillin and teicoplanin resistant, respectively. Third-generation cephalosporins resistancewas found in 53.8% of K.pneumoniae and 32.1% of E.coli isolates; and carbapenem resistance in 78.6% of A. baumanni and 29.3% of K. pneumoniae isolates. Conclusions: Infection control priorities in intensive care units should include preventing nosocomial pneumonia, blood stream infection, urinary tract infection and of deviceassociated infections.

In connection with the gradual reduction in the use of refrigerants of HFC groups, regulated by the Paris Agreement, its amendments and additions, the question arises of finding environmentally friendly working fluids with high thermodynamic efficiency in the thermal transformer cycle. The article discusses the possibility of using refrigerants from the HFO and propane group as environmentally friendly substitutes for R134a for combined vapor compression thermal transformers. The evaluation of the thermodynamic efficiency of the machines for the joint production of heat and cold, produced on the basis of the entropy method of thermodynamic analysis, is carried out. The results of modeling a single-stage combined heat transformer showed the thermodynamic feasibility of using R290 as a substitute for R134a. The analysis of the results obtained showed the limited possibility of effective use of refrigerants of the HFO group as working bodies of combined heat transformers.

Natural and synthetic surfactants are an essential component in the foaming compositions. The ability to absorption at the interphase boundary and aggregation in the bulk solution is significant for each surfactant [6,7]. Adsorbing at interfaces and forming micelles the surfactants contribute to dissolution, emulsification, foaming and some other processes that occur in solutions [4].Along with the surface activity of the surfactant itself, the foaming ability of a surfactant is characterized by the mechanical strength and viscosity of the films formed [2,4,6].Methods for determining the ability of the foaming ability can be divided into static and dynamic although this division is rather conventional; and taking into account the equipment used in the studies in some cases there is no difference between these methods [5,6]. Determination by dynamic methods is carried out under continuous mechanical action on the solution to prevent the possibility of running off the foam from it [3,5]. Under dynamic conditions the volume of the foam measured is determined by the ratio between the rate of its formation and its destruction, and the volume of foam under static conditions is dependent on the speed of bubbles dissolution. The foaming ability of surfactant solutions is the characteristic that must be considered when developing foam formulations. This is due to the fact that formation of a stable foam is a guarantee of quality of the foam formulation.The aim of this study was to investigate the foaming ability of some surfactants determining such indicators as the height of the foam column and foam stability. Materials that MethodsThe foaming ability of the surfactant solutions was determined on a Ross-Miles device at 50±2°C according to the GOST 22567.1-77 [1].The objects of the study were such surfactants as sodium lauryl sulfate, emulsifier No.1, OС 20 (macrogol cetostearyl ester), polysorbate 80, sorbitan laurate, sodium docusate, PEG 6 stearate (glycol stearate), sucrose palmitate, PEG 75 stearate (cetyl alcohol (and) glyceryl stearate), сocamidopropylbetaine, PEG 100 stearate (glyceryl stearate and PEG 100 stearate), glyceryl laurate, distilled monoglycerides, wax emulsion, dodecyl dipropylene triamine, polysorbate 20, dodecyl-dimethyl ammonium chloride, polyhexamethyleneguanidine, miramistin.Test solutions were prepared with the surfactant concentration of 7%.Results and Discussion Fig. 1 (A , B, C, D) presents the results of our studies in the form of a graphical dependence of the height of the foam column on time (300 s).A comparative analysis of the data in Fig. 1 shows that the indicator of the height of the foam column of such surfactants as PEG 6 stearate, PEG 75 stearate, PEG 100 stearate, wax emulsion, emulsifier No.1, distilled monoglycerides, sucrose palmitate and glyceryl laurate is inferior to the height of the foam column of such surfactants as sodium lauryl sulfate, OC 20, polysorbate 80, sorbitan laurate, sodium docusate, сocami-dopropylbetaine, dodecyl dipropylene triamine, polysorbate 20, dodec...

The problem of expanding the range of medicines that are used for the topical treatment of wound process, remains an important challenge for practical military medicine. In this aspect, there are topical ointments combining development for use in the first phase of wound process, which has a complex influence on the pathological processes and exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic activity. The aim of the study was substantiation of technological route of administration of the active pharmaceutical ingredients in the ointment base, depending on the antimicrobial activity of model compositions. The study included a model sample of ointment bases, cooked on a hydrophilic carrier containing active pharmaceutical ingredients – ofloxacin, nimesulide and lidocaine. Microbiological studies were performed by difution on solid agar medium, which is based on the ability of substances to inhibit the growth antibakterial microorganisms. Comparative analysis of experimental studies showed that the samples of ointments, which are based whith the active pharmaceutical ingredients ofloxacin, nimesulide and lidocaine was injected as a solution in DMSO showed the highest antimicrobial activity. As a result of study on the antimicrobial activity of ointments model samples determined that the optimal method of administering the basis AFI – ofloxacin, nimesulide and lidocaine – a method of administering them in the form of a solution in DMSO.

Treatment of wounds and wound infection remains an urgent medical problem today, especially in conditions of constant hostilities. Hydrogel bandages are quite effective means for local treatment of wounds, which are able to have a complex therapeutic effect and do not require frequent replacement in the process of medical supply to military personnel. Taking into account the relevance of this topic, our research is aimed at developing a hydrogel bandage with lidocaine hydrochloride, ceftriaxone and metronidazole. Aim. To study the physical and mechanical parameters of the polymer base and determine the optimal method for introducing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) into the base composition. Materials and methods. The study materials were APIs (lidocaine hydrochloride, ceftriaxone, metronidazole) and excipients. Physical and mechanical research methods were used in the work. Results and discussion. In order to develop the optimal technology for obtaining the polymer mass and determining technological indicators, we studied the indicators of physical and mechanical properties. Indicators of breaking force and relative elongation depend on such technological characteristics as homogeneity, uniformity of application on the substrate, the absence of air bubbles. It was found that the higher the physical and mechanical parameters, the higher the quality of the polymer mass applied to the substrate. Therefore, after obtaining a homogeneous mass it is necessary to deaerate air bubbles by centrifugation (No. 1-5) at 3000 rpm for 5-10 min. During the study of the ease of application of the polymer mass on the polyethylene terephthalate substrate, it was found that the drying process was affected by the thickness of the layer. It was proven that samples No. 1-5 had a uniform, adhesive layer and could be used for further research. The main technological indicators were the layer thickness of 0.40 mm, the centrifugation time of 5-10 min at 3000 rpm, homogeneity (mixing for 15 min at 36 rpm, an anchor stirrer). It was experimentally found that to obtain a layer thickness of 0.40 mm, it was necessary to apply 0.03 g of the sample per 1 cm2 of the substrate. We proved that polymers in the concentration of 10 % provided the optimal technological indicators. To confirm this, the dependence of the viscosity of the forming solution on the concentration / ratio of polymers was studied. We found that the technological indicators of homogeneity and uniformity directly affected the quality of the resulting product. Taking into account the fact that it was possible to introduce poorly soluble substances into the composition of model samples we conducted an experiment on their sedimentation in a polymer solution. It was found that APIs introduced into the polymer solution had different values of the sedimentation rate (time), which was probably related to the degree of solubility. In addition, the polymer concentration in the forming solutions also affected the sedimentation rate of API. The higher the viscosity, the slower the API particles settled. Conclusions. It has been found in the course of the study that satisfactory indicators of physical and mechanical parameters can ensure the quality of the polymer mass production technology as the base for choosing a polymer coating for obtaining a hydrogel with anesthetic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial effects. The main technological indicators determined are the layer thickness (0.40 mm), the centrifugation time (5-10 min at 3000 rpm), homogeneity (mixing for 15 min at 36 rpm, anchor stirrer). The results obtained will be used to develop the composition and the manufacturing technology for a pharmaceutical composition with lidocaine hydrochloride, ceftriaxone and metronidazole.

Modern medicines for the treatment of wounds are developed on the basis of knowledge about their phase healing. The main principle of wound treatment is the creation and maintenance of a moist environment, stable temperature, absorption of excess exudate, minimization of the risk of sensitization, increased intervals between dressings, easy removal of coatings from the surface of the wound. The implementation of this principle is the basis of our research on the creation of a cryogel – a supermacroporous hydrogel that is formed at subzero temperatures by polymerization of monomers or cryogel formation of oligomers without the use of toxic organic solvents and with controlled textural and structural characteristics. A comprehensive study of cryogels has like theoretical as practical interest, because they can serve as a perspectiving new material in pharmacy for obtaining new medicines. The purpose of our research was to substantiate the composition of the cryogel with lidocaine hydrochloride and decamethoxine based on the conducted pharmacotechnological, physicochemical and biopharmaceutical research methods. Model samples (№№ 1–10) with different contents of lidocaine hydrochloride, decamethoxine, and auxiliary substances were selected as research objects. Pharmacotechnological, physicochemical and biopharmaceutical research methods were used. The technological and biopharmaceutical factors of development pharmaceutical composition in the form of a cryogel with lidocaine hydrochloride and decamethoxine were studied. Based on the results of the research, we found that samples (№№ 1–10) are homogeneous without signs of delamination, no changes are observed (aggregation of particles, sediment, odor). Samples №№ 3, 9 and 10 differ in the presence/absence of API. It was shown that APIs do not affect the absorption capacity of the studied samples. Comparative studies confirm our assumption that the presence of PG in the cryogel increases the absorption of liquid by the samples. The prolongation of the action in the composition depends on the presence of PG in the sample of composition. The prolonged effect of pharmaceutical composition was established. For further research, sample № 10 (lidocaine hydrochloride – 0.4; decamethoxine – 0.03; PVA 15% – 20.0; PG – 10.0) was chosen.

The article is devoted to a promising direction in pharmacological mycology and biotechnology, namely the use of Basidiomycetes as a biologically active substance for preparation of pharmaceuticals. The anticancer and immunostimulating properties of Basidiomycetes result from the structural characteristics of the polysaccharides: the presence of β-(1 → 3) connections in the main chain and an additional β-(1 → 6) branched part of glucans. Attention is focused on Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) as a unique biosystem with a strong ability to be involved in the regulatory mechanism of human immunomodulation. The purpose of the theoretical and experimental study is development of a pharmaceutical preparation from Shiitake biomass (including its immune cells), the effectiveness of which is considered from the standpoint of the chemistry of natural compounds. Having a 3000-year history of cultivation and application, this mushroom is again of interest to scientists around the world because of investigation into its therapeutic and prophylactic potentials. For the first time, the biotechnological method of cultivating L. edodes biomass was developed with the use of deep cultivation, adapted to the plant raw material base of Ukraine. Malt wort was used as a nutrient medium without processing Humulus lupulus. The analysis of research and preclinical studies of specific activity of the designated biosystem showed a steady increase in human immune status, particularly the antitumor status. This gives special relevance to the evaluation of the properties of the designated biosystem in order to further develop the corresponding fungo-therapeutic immunomodulatory and antitumor drug. According to the results of technological research: physico-chemical characteristics of Shiitake biomass dry powder (including crystallographic) were studied; the possibility of its tableting using only antifriction auxiliaries was substantiated; the optimum technology of tablet manufacturing with an operating name "Shitavit" was presented, an integrated approach to its creation was presented, the qualitative and quantitative composition of the drug was experimentally developed. The direct compression method was rejected due to unsatisfactory performance of all samples of tablets. The chosen technology of using preliminary granulation and the possibility of short-term contact of the L. edodes dry powder with a granulation liquid and an adjustable temperature regime allows all the properties of the biologically active substances of the designated raw material to be preserved. The research results for all series of the designated object showed relative stability of parameters for all indicators in laboratory samples. The information presented in this article is a guide to further research, necessary for a better understanding of the healing properties of fungal polysaccharides, increasing the use of broad-spectrum fungi-based preparations,leading to improvement of the quality of human life.