Objective: Iris species are widely used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications owing to their high content of bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to investigate the potential antibacterial effect of crude extracts (aqueous, 50% and 80% ethanol) of three Iris species ( I. pumila , while I. reichenbachii and I. illyrica are endemic) from Bosnia and Herzegovina against the multiresistant bacterial strain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 33591 (MRSA strain). Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial compounds in the crude extracts were identified using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their effects on the MRSA strain were tested using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution method. The binding affinities were analysed using molecular docking simulations. Results: We identified bioactive targeted compounds in these extracts, mainly flavonoids named isorhamnetin, hesperidin, quercetin, fisetin, genistein, and kaempferol. Antibacterial assays showed that extracts of all three Iris species inhibited MRSA. The binding affinity analysis showed that isorhamnetin and hesperidin had the highest affinity scores, stronger (isorhamnetin) or the same (hesperidin) as the positive control ceftobiprole. Conclusion: This in vitro and in silico study showed that Iris species represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds that can be used against multidrug-resistant strains such as MRSA. The potential use of these agents in multiple drugs is warranted, and further evaluation for human application is needed.

Many heavy metals (HMs) are essential micronutrients for the growth and development of plants. However, human activities such as mining, smelting, waste disposal, and industrial processes have led to toxic levels of HMs in soil. Fortunately, many plant species have developed incredible adaptive mechanisms to survive and thrive in such harsh environments. As a widespread and ruderal species, Geranium robertianum L. inhabits versatile soil types, both polluted and unpolluted. Considering the ubiquity of G . robertianum , the study aimed to determine whether geographically distant populations can tolerate HMs. We collected soil and plant samples from serpentine, an anthropogenic heavy metal contaminated, and a non-metalliferous site to study the physiological state of G. robertianum . HMs in soil and plants were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Spectrophotometric methods were used to measure the total content of chlorophylls a and b, total phenolics, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and proline. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate the potential correlation between HMs concentrations gathered from various soil types and plant samples and biochemical data acquired for plant material. A statistically significant difference was observed for all localities regarding secondary metabolite parameters. A positive correlation between Ni and Zn in soil and Ni and Zn in plant matter was observed ( p <0.0005) indicating higher absorption. Regardless of high concentrations of heavy metals in investigated soils, G. robertianum displayed resilience and was capable of thriving. These results may be ascribed to several protective mechanisms that allow G. robertianum to express normal growth and development and act as a pioneer species.

Abstract The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has prompted global health concerns. In response, researchers have been conducting investigations on active compounds in plants that may hold the potential to inhibit the proliferation of the virus. The aim of this study was to simulate and predict structural interactions of selected compounds isolated from 28 endemic plants of Bosnia and Herzegovina against the main protease (Mpro), papain-like protease (PLpro), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), spike glycoprotein and uridylate-specific endoribonuclease (NendoU) of SARS-CoV-2. The majority of compounds, especially hesperidin, showed great binding affinity to the target proteins. The highest affinity for Mpro was observed for genistein and hesperidin, while in terms of structural interactions, both compounds achieved interactions of interest. Hesperidin and luteolin were the compounds with the highest binding affinity for PLpro, but no significant interactions were observed. For RdRp, hesperidin and quercetin showed the highest binding affinity, where both compounds formed interactions of interest. Hesperidin and fisetin were the compounds with the highest binding affinity for spike glycoprotein, and both compounds achieved significant interactions. The highest affinity for NendoU was obtained for hesperidin and isorhamnetin, where both compounds formed interactions of interest. Although these findings appear encouraging, further research is needed, which includes in vitro and in vivo assessments, along with clinical trials, to provide evidence for the potential therapeutic uses of these plants.

ABSTRACT Due to its economic worth, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is grown in almost 70 countries and provides income for more than 250 million people. Therefore, producing cotton with having some desired characteristics that includes extended biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, improved fiber quality, promoted nutritional content and increased yield is the main objective for cotton biotechnology. To achieve this goal, many tissue culture and gene transfer techniques are being developed and used throughout the years. As applications for the gene transfer, the Agrobacterium-mediated, particle bombardment and pollen tube pathway-mediated methods are most successfully used and in conjunction with this, meristematic shoot tips as explants are efficiently utilized in gene transfer methods. In this study, the main objective was to report an efficient protocol for a greater recovery of transgenic cotton plant using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. For this, one of the cotton strains (Cukurova 1518) cultivated widely in Turkey was chosen and meristematic shoot tips as explant sources, and GFP and NPTII genes as reporter and marker genes were used, respectively. The effective post co-cultivation conditions were provided via using the selection regime in vitro. Finally, the current results showed highly reproducible protocol developed could be used to produce transgenic cotton plants expressing desired traits or can be utilized as a model system to study the expression of particular genes.

Abstract Although prostate cancer accounts for the highest number of newly diagnosed cases of cancer in men, it represents a specific diagnostic challenge in modern oncology. The standard diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma begins with the screening of serum concentrations of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen). If the concentration of serum PSA levels is above 4 ng/mL, the patient is further referred to a digital rectal examination in order to determine an increase in prostate volume. In cases where enlargement of the prostate is observed, the next step is biopsy of prostate tissue. This physically painful and invasive approach to confirm the diagnosis is often unnecessary because, in many cases, the patohistologic analysis determines diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and not a tumor. In this study, we investigated the possibilities of detection and measurement of the relative level of gene expression of the KLK3 (Kallikrein-related peptidase 3), PCA3 (Prostate Cancer Gene 3) and TEMPRSS: ERG (Transmembrane protease serine2 and in-ETS erythroblostosis virus E26 oncogene homolog) genes from the urine samples of patients with prostatic diseases and healthy controls. Urine was the sample of choice because it is taken in a non-invasive manner, and could potentially serve to make better selection to biopsy. One of the selected genes (KLK3) differed significantly in the samples of various pathological conditions of the prostate, and therefore we consider that its further investigation is reasonable.

Of the four species of the genus Satureja (Lamiaceae) that are recognized in Bosnia and Herzegovina, S. subspicata has the the widest distribution. It is taxonomically challenging species of geographically limited distribution and little data on its genetic diversity throughout its range is available. We sampled six geographically distinct populations from Bosnia and Herzegovina and applied nrDNA (ITS1, ITS2), chloroplast markers (matK and trnL) and AFLP to examine genetic diversity of S. subspicata in the center of its distribution range and to explore the possibility of establishing the species DNA barcode. AFLP analysis showed large genetic differentiation among populations as well as moderate correlation between genetic distance among populations and geographic distance among locations. MatK has not proven useful in distinguishing S. subspicata from sympatric species. However, nrDNA sequences provided necessary resolution power, with ITS2 being more informative. Estimates of evolutionary divergence between nrDNA sequences obtained in our research and homologous sequences of sympatric Satureja deposited in the GenBank reveal closer relationship between geographically proximate populations of different species and slight divergence within S. subspicata sequences pool. This outcome highlights the importance of considering overall genetic diversity across the distribution range of a species when assigning DNA barcode.

Incidence of breast cancer ranges from 27 per 100,000 in Middle Africa and Eastern Asia to 92 per 100,000 in Northern America. It is the fifth most common cause of death from cancer in women, with an estimated 522,000 deaths per year (6.4% of the total). Autosomal dominant inheritance of these cancers is characterized by transmission of cancer predisposition from generation to generation, with around 5-10% of all breast cancers being associated with inherited mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2 and other genes.  Breast and ovarian cancers are strongly associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. In this study, we genotyped BRCA1 gene for large genomic rearrangements in breast and ovarian cancer patients from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with aim to assess frequency of large BRCA1 mutations (exon deletions/duplications) in this group. We collected 59 breast cancer samples, as well as other data concerning patients’ histopathological parameters of tumor, like age at diagnosis, cancer type, TNM class, cancer grade, as well as estrogen, progesterone and Her2/neu expression. Following DNA extraction from breast cancer samples (tissue after biopsy), BRCA1 mutations were identified by Multiplex Ligase - Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) analysis. Biostatistical analyses were conducted using MedCalc v.9.2.0.0 software. In all statistical tests p<0.05 was considered significant. Mean age at diagnosis was 54±1.75 (range 17 – 80). BRCA1 genomic rearrangements were found in 22% of breast and ovarian cancer patients. Statistically significant associations and correlations were found between BRCA1 genomic rearrangements and cancer type, estrogen, progesterone and Her2/neu expression, but not cancer grade, size, invasiveness or patients’ age

Genetics, as a science of the future, is very important part of Biology teaching. Within educational system in Bosnia and Herzegovina it is studied in limited number of clasess with a minimum of practical excercises, in both elementary and secondary schools. Limited understanding of scientific facts result in prejudices or uninformed attitudes towards novel biotechnologies that are largely based on non-reviewed and non-scientific information often incorrectly or inadequately presented in mass-media. Purpose of this research was to estimate the level of knowledge about selected topics in genetics among high school students in three Mostar high school institutions and differences in the level of knowledge between students from different high school programs – grammar school and vocational medical school. The research was conducted in 2017 among students of fourth grade of three high school institutions: ''Grammar School Mostar'', ''Medical high school Mostar'' and Medical high school ''Sestre milosrdnice''. Notable differences in knowledge level between two vocational programs are observed as well as variance in learning outcomes of the same program presented in two formal languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina