Introduction The severity of SARS-CoV-2 induced coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) depends on the presence of risk factors and the hosts' gene variability. There are preliminary results that gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system can influence the susceptibility to and mortality from COVID-19. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) might be a gene candidate that exerts such influence. The aim of this study was to elaborate on the association between A1166C at1r polymorphic variants and the susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 in the Ukrainian population. Methods The study population consisted of the Ukrainian population (Poltava region) with COVID-19, divided into three clinical groups in accordance with oxygen requirement: patients without oxygen therapy ( n = 110), with non-invasive ( n = 136) and invasive ( n = 36) oxygen therapy. The A1166C polymorphism of the at1r was determined by polymerase chain reaction with subsequent restrictase analysis. In an attempt to better explain the role of the A1166C at1r polymorphism we compared its association with COVID-19, essential hypertension ( n = 79), renoparenchimal hypertension ( n = 30) and dyscirculatory encephalopathy ( n = 112). The data for this comparison were obtained by meta-analysis. Results We observed significant differences in the frequency of AA, AC and CC genotypes in the groups of COVID-19 patients with non-invasive and invasive oxygen therapy in comparison with control subjects as well as in the frequency of combined AC + CC genotype between the groups of COVID-19 patients with any types of oxygen therapy and patients without oxygen therapy. The frequency of the 1166C allele was higher in COVID-19 patients with invasive oxygen therapy (OR = 2.06; CI (1.20–3.53); p = 0.013). We obtained important results indicating that there were no differences between the frequency of at1r polymorphisms in patients with cardiovascular disease and severe COVID-19 with invasive oxygen therapy as well as those who died due to COVID-19. Conclusion Our study indicated the presence of an association between the A1166C at1r polymorphisms and the severity of COVID-19 in the Ukrainian population. It seems that in carriers of 1166C at1r , the severity of COVID-19 and oxygen dependency is higher as compared to the A allele carriers, possibly, due to cardiovascular disorders.

Background Older People Living with HIV (OPWH) combine both aging and HIV-infection features, resulting in ageism, stigma, social isolation, and low quality of life. This context brings up new challenges for healthcare professionals, who now must aid patients with a significant comorbidity burden and polypharmacy treatments. OPWH opinion on their health management is hardly ever considered as a variable to study, though it would help to understand their needs on dissimilar settings. Methods We performed a cross-sectional, comparative study including patients living with HIV aged ≥50 years old from multiple centers worldwide and gave them a survey addressing their perception on overall health issues, psychological problems, social activities, geriatric conditions, and opinions on healthcare. Data was analyzed through Chisquared tests sorting by geographical regions, age groups, or both. Results We organized 680 participants data by location (Center and South America [CSA], Western Europe [WE], Africa, Eastern Europe and Israel [EEI]) and by age groups (50- 55, 56-65, 66-75, >75). In EEI, HIV serostatus socializing and reaching undetectable viral load were the main problems. CSA participants are the least satisfied regarding their healthcare, and a great part of them are not retired. Africans show the best health perception, have financial problems, and fancy their HIV doctors. WE is the most developed region studied and their participants report the best scores. Moreover, older age groups tend to live alone, have a lower perception of psychological problems, and reduced social life. Conclusions Patients’ opinions outline region- and age-specific unmet needs. In EEI, socializing HIV and reaching undetectable viral load were the main concerns. CSA low satisfaction outcomes might reflect high expectations or profound inequities in the region. African participants results mirror a system where general health is hard to achieve, but HIV clinics are much more appealing to them. WE is the most satisfied region about their healthcare. In this context, age-specific information, education and counseling programs (i.e. Patient Reported Outcomes, Patient Centered Care, multidisciplinary teams) are needed to promote physical and mental health among older adults living with HIV/AIDS. This is crucial for improving health-related quality of life and patient’s satisfaction.

The aim: To analyze the epidemiological data and clinical course of pneumonia as a complication of influenza in the Poltava region, depending on the etiological agent. Materials and methods: We have analysed the data of the official reporting documentation provided by the State Institution “Poltava Regional Laboratory Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” and the chart of patients with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis of influenza who were in inpatient treatment at the Poltava Regional Clinical Infectious Hospital (PRCIH) in 2016-2018 years. In more detail, we examined 95 patients with pneumonia, which complicated the course of the flu. There were 43 (45.26%) female patients, − 52 (54.74%) male patients, aged 18 to 80 years. Results: Studies have shown that despite a decrease in the incidence of influenza in recent years, the incidence of pneumonia, which complicated the course of the flu, remained consistently high (19.7% – 20.8%) with bacteriological isolation of S.pneumoniae (22.11%), S.aureus (13.68%), Haemophilus influenza (4.21%) and E.coli (3.16%). Severe course of pneumonia with bloody sputum, evident shortness of breath, bilateral lung damage, and need for oxygen support were significantly more frequently reported in patients with isolated S.pneumoniae and S.aureus. However, the severe course of the disease with the formation of abscesses in the lungs was observed only in the group S.aureus despite the relatively young age of such patients and significantly fewer risk factors for severe influenza and comorbidities. Conclusions: The study showed a consistently high incidence of pneumonia, which complicated the flu and caused by S.pneumoniae, S.aureus, Haemophilus influenza and E.coli. Pneumonia caused by S.pneumoniae and S.aureus, were characterized the most severe course; however, a severe course with the formation of abscesses in the lung tissue was observed only in the group of S.aureus. KEY WORDS: influenza-associated pneumonia, etiological structure, risk factors, clinical features

The purpose of the article is to assess the main trends in the functioning of the world market for sheep products to determine the strategic guidelines for the industry in Ukraine. Research methods. In the process of research, the dialectical method of cognition, a systematic approach to the study of economic phenomena and processes were used; abstract-logical method - for generalizations and formulation of conclusions; monographic - for detailing the conjunctural components of the world market for sheep products; empirical - for a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the research object; historical - for structuring in time the main trends in the development of the market under study; comparative analysis - to compare indicators and identify the dynamics of their changes over time; tabular - to reflect the results of research, graphic - to visually display the results of the price ranks of the main products of sheep breeding; statistical groupings - for the distribution of countries into groups according to different factors. Research results. The retrospective and the current state of the market of sheep products in the world have been investigated. The analysis of production volumes and livestock of sheep in the world in the context of the largest producers is carried out. It was revealed the strengthening of specialization in the meat and dairy direction in the world sheep breeding. The countries of the world have been ranked according to the level of purchase prices for 1 ton of sheep meat, 1 ton of wool and 1 ton of sheep milk. The dynamics of exports and imports of live sheep, sheep meat, wool and sheep cheese in the context of the main exporters and importers for the period 2012-2018 is considered. It has been established that, taking into account the global trends in the development of the sheep products market, in Ukraine it is advisable to increase the production of sheep meat in large-scale farms, which will satisfy the existing demand for these products in the world. Also, one of the promising areas for the development of the industry can be the production of elite sheep cheeses, starting with small craft production of regional brands. Scientific novelty. The analytical assessment of the world market situation for the main types of sheep products from the standpoint of Ukraine's integration into the international market for these products was further developed. Practical significance. The research results can be used by public administration bodies in determining the national policy of sheep industry development, the formation of a strategy for its development, taking into account export opportunities in the short and long term. Tabl.: 8. Figs.: 3. Refs.: 13.

West Nile Fever (WNF) is the most common arbovirus infection caused by West Nile Virus (WNV), which has been responsible for numerous epidemic outbreaks of disease among humans, birds and horses on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica, over the past two decades. On the territory of Ukraine, the earliest reports of cases of WNV circulation in humans and birds relate to the 70s of the XX century. In Poltava region WNF was first registered in 2011. Though the epidemiological and clinical patterns of WNF in Ukraine and Poltava region remain understudied, primarily due to the lack of alertness of practitioners to the problem of WNF and to broader access to laboratory diagnosis of the disease. The first clinical case of West Nile Viral encephalitis, registered on the territory of Poltava region, has been given and analyzed.