Rapid industrial and technological development has impacted ecosystem homeostasis strongly. Arsenic is one of the most detrimental environmental toxins and its management with chelating agents remains a matter of concern due to associated adverse effects. Thus, safer and more effective alternative therapy is required to manage arsenic toxicity. Based on existing evidence, native and indigenous plant-based active biomolecules appear as a promising strategy to mitigate arsenic-induced toxicity with an acceptable safety profile. In this regard, various phytochemicals (flavonoids and stilbenoids) are considered important classes of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant and chelation effects, which may facilitate the removal of arsenic from the body more effectively and safely with regard to conventional approaches. This review presents an overview of conventional chelating agents and the potential role of flavonoids and stilbenoids in ameliorating arsenic toxicity. This report may provide a roadmap for identifying novel prophylactic/therapeutic strategies for managing arsenic toxicity.

УДК: 614.253.5:613.67:159.942(477)

Military events on the territory of Ukraine have acted as a factor influencing the state of mental health of the population. At the same time, healthcare professionals who provide medical care to the population, including the military, play an important role, which requires an assessment of their psychological state to ensure the proper quality of medical services.

Introduction: There is evidence that high titers of diphtheria antibodies are more often associated with an asymptomatic or less severe course of COVID-19. The aim of the study was to determine the features of the COVID-19 course in school-aged children depending on the state of postvaccination immunity against diphtheria toxin.

Methods. In total, 90 children aged 6 to 18 years were examined: 60 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and 30 children without signs of the disease (control group). There were 20 patients with a mild COVID-19 course, 31 patients with moderate disease severity and 9 patients with severe disease severity. All children were tested for the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against diphtheria toxin by immune-enzymatic analysis.
Results. Total serum immunoglobulin G against diphtheria toxin was 0.431 (0.113; 0.828) IU/mL. Antitoxic immunoglobulin G was 2.5 times higher in children in the control group than in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A decreased level of immunoglobulin G was associated with increased disease severity. In children with specific IgG 0.01-0.2 IU/mL revaccination is recommended; therefore, 4.2% of the children in the control group, 6.8% with a mild COVID-19 course, 50% with moderate disease severity and 100% of children with severe COVID-19 needed a booster dose of diphtheria toxoid. A moderate negative correlation was observed between the level of immunoglobulin G against diphtheria toxin and ESR (r=-0.38, p=0.004), CRP (r=-0.32, p=0.021), D-dimer (r =-0.35, p=0.009), duration of hyperthermia (r=-0.49, p=0.003), and duration of treatment (r=-0.43, p=0.012).
Conclusions. Children with manifested SARS-CoV-2 infection had significantly lower levels of immunoglobulin G against diphtheria toxin compared to the control group, indicating a lower level of humoral immunity. Children with a mild course of COVID-19 had a significantly higher level of specific IgG against diphtheria toxin than those with a moderate and severe disease course.

Abstract
Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex and is characterized by predominant lesions of the skin, cardiovascular system, nervous system and musculoskeletal system. We have described a clinical case of first- degree atrioventricular block in a 14-year-old boy caused by Lyme borreliosis. The disease started with the manifestations of cardiovascular system involvement. The patient and his parents did not recall observing a tick bite or manifestation of erythema migrans (EM). The boy was prescribed doxycycline. Three weeks after antibiotic therapy a second ECG examination was performed and showed no abnormalities.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disease characterized by mental retardation, as well as autism spectrum disorders, obesity and mood disorders. The aim of our study was to research a spectrum of genetic heterogenity and different clinical neurodevelopmental manifestations. Materials and methods: clinical, molecular, genetic and psychological methods were used. We observed 9 children (5 boys and 4 girls) with Prader-Willi syndrome from Lviv
and Ivano-Frankivsk regions (Western Ukraine) who were diagnosed and followed-up at the Institute of Hereditary Pathology, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv, for 4 years (2019–2022) and underwent molecular genetic testing. The ages of children ranged from 1 month to 7 years, with the mean value amounting to 3.6 years of age. Our study revealed that 6 (66.7%) out of 9 children with PWS had birth defects. At ultrasound during pregnancy, we observed certain clinical features of the fetus, including fetal intrauterine development delay –5 (55.5%), and higher nuchal translucency measurement – 3 (33.3%). According to the checklist of autism spectrum disorders (CASD), 3 of the examined children with autism syndrome were at risk and required further monitoring, while 5 children scored 18-20 points, which indicated the presence of autistic spectrum and required in-depth monitoring during diagnosis. Stereotypical and repetitive play as a manifestation of problems with social interaction was observed in 3 boys with PWS. In our study, parents had no complaints about aggressive behavior in children with this syndrome. In cases if the children have signs of autism or developmental delay, they should undergo genetic counseling.