Provision of medical care to cancer patients in Ukraine during Russo-Ukrainian war: A survey of oncologists’ perceptions

Background

On February 24th, 2022, a full-scale armed conflict broke out in Ukraine, resulting in a significant impact on the healthcare system, as well as extensive damage to the country's infrastructure. The aim of this study was to assess the challenges faced by oncologists in providing cancer care to patients.

Methods

Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire administered using the Google survey tool and distributed to all participants.

Results

This was a cross-sectional study that involved 111 oncology specialists. Physicians practising in regions that were partially or temporarily occupied by the Russian army (Chernihiv and Zaporizhzhia) reported a significantly higher decline in patient numbers compared to physicians in unoccupied regions (70.0% vs 20.9%; p < 0.0001). Most physicians from both occupied and unoccupied regions reported an increase in the number of patients with advanced disease (65.0% vs. 65.9%; p = 0.735). The majority of physicians from both occupied and unoccupied regions did not see loss of information, changes in cancer treatment phases, and self-medication as a concern. The majority were satisfied with the availability of medicines and equipment.

Conclusion

This needs-based assessment is crucial for improving the quality of cancer care as it provides valuable information for designing public health interventions.

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Coenzyme Q10 for enhancing physical activity and extending the human life cycle

Background: Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an enzyme family that plays a crucial role in maintaining the electron transport chain and antioxidant defense. CoQ10 is the most common form of CoQ in humans. A deficiency of CoQ10 occurs naturally with aging and may contribute to the development or progression of many diseases. Besides, certain drugs, in particular, statins and bisphosphonates, interfere with the enzymes responsible for CoQ10 biosynthesis and, thus, lead to CoQ10 deficiency.

Objectives: This article aims to evaluate the cumulative studies and insights on the topic of CoQ10 functions in human health, focusing on a potential role in maintaining physical activity and extending the life cycle.

Results: Although supplementation with CoQ10 offers many benefits to patients with cardiovascular disease, it appears to add little value to patients suffering from statin-associated muscular symptoms. This may be attributed to substantial heterogeneity in doses and treatment regimens used.

Conclusion: Therefore, there is a need for further studies involving a greater number of patients to clarify the benefits of adjuvant therapy with CoQ10 in a range of health conditions and diseases.

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Effect of methylmercury on fetal neurobehavioral development: an overview of the possible mechanisms of toxicity and the neuroprotective effect of phytochemicals

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a global environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects. Exposure to MeHg via consumption of seafood and fish can severely impact fetal neurobehavioral development even when MeHg levels in maternal blood are as low as about 5 μg/L, which the mother tolerates well. Persistent motor dysfunctions and cognitive deficits may result from trans-placental exposure. The present review summarizes current knowledge on the mechanisms of MeHg toxicity during the period of nervous system development. Although cerebellar Purkinje cells are MeHg targets, the actions of MeHg on thiol components in the neuronal cytoskeleton as well as on mitochondrial enzymes and induction of disturbances of glutamate signaling can impair extra-cerebellar functions, also at levels well tolerated by adult individuals. Numerous herbal substances possess neuroprotective effects, predominantly represented by natural polyphenolic molecules that might be utilized to develop natural drugs to alleviate neurotoxicity symptoms caused by MeHg or other Hg compounds.

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