AttractAdria is a Horizon Europe initiative that strengthens research and innovation ecosystems in the Adriatic region by improving research careers and capacity in personalised preventive healthcare. Its ecosystem-based approach combines institutional reform, research-support hubs, mentorship, training, mobility and academia-industry collaboration. Transferable skills are developed alongside competencies in biomarkers, genomics, glycomics, digital health, artificial intelligence, and clinical and translational research. By linking widening-region institutions with international partners, healthcare providers, industry, policymakers and funders, the project aims to improve career development, talent circulation and the region's ability to translate multidisciplinary research into responsible preventive-health innovation.

Simple Summary This paper presents a narrative review of the legal and policy framework for the use of animals in scientific procedures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). Although the country has made progress in aligning its laws with European standards, important gaps remain in practice, including limited national coordination, lack of detailed guidance, insufficient training, and limited support for alternative methods that do not use animals. The review highlights the need for stronger coordination, clearer rules, better training, and more investment in alternative methods to improve animal welfare and research quality. It also discusses policy options, such as enhanced regional cooperation and a potential joint centre to promote humane and modern research methods, which could help Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring countries move closer to European standards. Overall, improving the ethical use of animals in research is important not only for animal protection, but also for scientific quality, reproducibility, and public trust.

The transition away from animal experimentation is gaining momentum across scientific disciplines, driven by technological advancements, ethical imperatives and policy support. At the forefront of this movement is the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). Rather than serving as mere substitutes for animal testing, NAMs represent a paradigm shift. Their growing acceptance has been reinforced by recent policy advancements, such as the US Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act 2.0 and the European Chemicals Agency's commitment to transitioning toward an animal-free regulatory system, both of which promote the adoption of NAMs. However, the term NAMs has become increasingly ambiguous, leading to confusion and potential misuse. To address this, we propose a unified definition: NAMs are species-specific methodologies, not including the use of living animals. NAMs prioritize the use of the target species in some form or another, eliminating the need for interspecies extrapolation. If the target species is human, this simple definition implies that working with experimental animals as a model never qualifies as a NAM. This distinction positions NAMs as a fundamentally different approach to the 3Rs framework of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, and practical examples are discussed. Critically, this definition extends beyond toxicology and regulatory science, encompassing basic, applied and translational research. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including organoids, organ-on-chip, microfluidics, 3D bioprinting, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, NAMs provide novel biological insights that differ from those obtained through animal models while enhancing species-relevant data accuracy. Although challenges remain, particularly in their validation and widespread adoption, continued innovation, policy support and interdisciplinary collaboration will be key to unlocking their full potential, fostering more sustainable, humane and human-relevant approaches in biomedical research.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) offer significant ecological and cosmetic potential. The conversion of SCG into safe and efficient cosmetic products promotes all aspects of sustainability and circular practices within the cosmetic industry.

Abstract Background and purpose Due to their unique application and action, inhalation products require specific quality tests, such as Uniformity of Delivered Dose and Aerodynamic Assessment of Fine Particles. While there's no current official requirement for dissolution tests, new draft guidelines are introducing them as a supportive or required measure; however, a universally accepted methodology for such testing remains elusive. The aim of the present study was to explore the discriminatory ability and in vivo predictability of the newly developed dissolution assembly. Experimental approach The applied experimental approach to biopharmaceutical characterization of inhalation products involved developing a biorelevant method for testing the dissolution rate of the selected active substances. Seven commercially available products, formulated as pressurized metered dose inhalers, containing either salmeterol xinafoate or beclomethasone dipropionate, have been studied. The research strategy combined in vitro testing within silico simulations. Key results The developed dissolution method did not detect significant differences in the case of products containing highly soluble salmeterol, but it did reveal differences for products containing poorly soluble beclomethasone dipropionate. Moreover, a correlation was identified between the dissolution test results and absorption constants for beclomethasone dipropionate. Conclusion The obtained results indicated that the investigated products would not be considered bioequivalent based on the aerodynamic particle size distribution. It was demonstrated that a discriminative dissolution method can be developed through a well-established paradigm of dissolution testing, while taking into account the specificities of the inhalation route of administration.

Many scientific breakthroughs have depended on animal research, yet the ethical concerns surrounding the use of animals in experimentation have long prompted discussions about humane treatment and responsible scientific practice. First articulated by Russell and Burch, the 3Rs Principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement have gained widespread recognition as basic guidelines for animal research. Over time, the 3Rs have transcended the research community, influencing policy decisions, animal welfare advocacy and public perception of animal experimentation. Despite their broad acceptance, interpretations of the 3Rs vary substantially, shaping statutory frameworks at various levels, with both technical and practical impacts.

Abstract The extent and rate of release of active substances from topical products must be sufficient to ensure their effectiveness, which depends on selecting the most appropriate formulation. This study examined allantoin emulsions and gel formulations. In water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, the main emulsifier was varied, while the same gelling agent was used in all formulations to test the effects of oil phase presence and emulsifier type on allantoin release, as well as the formulations’ rheological and textural characteristics. O/W emulsions exhibited similar release rates and the overall amount released over six hours (11–14.8%), while the highest amount of allantoin (20.9%) was released from the gel formulation. Conversely, the amount of allantoin released from the W/O emulsion (0.77%) was insufficient. Experimental data generally fit best with the Higuchi model kinetics. The formulations demonstrated shear-thinning thixotropic behavior. The greatest deviation from the Newtonian type of flow, with the smallest value of constant n (0.106-0.13) and the largest thixotropic loop area (6602.67-8140 Pas-1) were shown by O/W emulsions. The W/O emulsion exhibited the highest constant n (0.70) and smaller hysteresis area (991.23 Pas-1). Firmness and consistency values increased in the order: gel < W/O emulsion  < O/W emulsions. The O/W emulsions showed similarity in microstructure and textural characteristics, likely explaining their similar release behavior. Graphical Abstract

In order to raise and harmonize the quality standards of pharmaceutical studies at the national level of Bosnia and Herzegovina and thus get closer to the implementation and quality assurance of study programs of EU countries, a team of professors from the University of Sarajevo-Faculty of Pharmacy prepared and was awarded the Erasmus+ project IQPharm. IQPharm (Innovating quality assessment tools for pharmacy studies in Bosnia and Herzegovina) aims at capacity building of quality management, and aims to introduce new tools for quality improvement, digitization and modernization of pharmacy studies at public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including strengthening semi-structured experiential education in line with EU standards and higher education regulations for regulated professions. The introduction of new tools for the assessment of the quality of study programs (KREF) enables the development of evidence-based recommendations for change, modification and innovation of existing methods of knowledge transfer, didactic approaches and curricula. The introduction of a new system of proficiency testing through experiential education (OSCE) sets equal standards at the national level for the learning outcomes of graduate pharmacists. The development of E-platform ensures the digitization and modernization of experiential education management. Experiential education at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be significantly improved through the introduction of the E-platform, by raising the standards of the practice itself and facilitating its implementation by student services, students and their mentors. A special part of this project is the development of free modules, which are extracurricular subjects intended to enrich the knowledge of students and graduates of pharmacy, They should track the labor market trends, and thus make higher education more agile and attractive.

OBJECTIVE To examine the influence of vehicles on the stability of extemporaneous suspensions of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), to single out the formulation most suitable for children, providing appropriate evidence and arguments. METHODS A review was performed of data identified from Medline, Embase, Science Direct, as well as public digital archive PubMed, including reference texts, related to the field of stability testing of extemporaneous PPI suspensions. RESULTS Fourteen selected formulations of extemporaneous suspensions are presented and discussed. Depending on the vehicle and its composition, which was analyzed and explained in detail, the suspensions had various beyond-use dates (BUDs). CONCLUSIONS Selected vehicles and the process of preparation had great influence on the stability of extemporaneous PPI suspensions. The suspension with the longest BUD has been singled out, which is especially suitable for use in newborns. Because an explanation is provided for the influence of individual vehicle components on the stability of the mentioned suspensions, this can aid not only in the selection of an adequate formulation, but also in the development of new ones, which will be suited to individual patients.

Plant-derived products are frequently found as ingredients in cosmetics. However, the current data show non-neglectable skin sensitizing potential of these preparations suggesting an urgent need for data regarding their health safety profile. The aim of this study was to assess the skin sensitization potential of commercial essential oils by selected Lamiaceae species (Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Mentha longifolia, Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, and Rosmarinus officinalis) using a chemistry-based Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (DPRA) in order to predict their potential allergic properties. In the DPRA assay, nucleophile-containing synthetic peptides (cysteine peptide and lysine peptide) were incubated with the test substance for 24 h. Depletion of the peptide in the reaction mixture was measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) using UV detection and the average peptide depletion data for cysteine and lysine was then calculated. Menthae longifoliae aetheroleum showed no or minimal reactivity with 4.48% cysteine depletion, Rosmarini aetheroleum and Salviae aetheroleum showed low reactivity with the 12.79% and 15.34% of cysteine depletion, respectively, while the other analyzed essential oils showed moderate reactivity with the cysteine depletion between 23.21 and 48.43%. According to DPRA predictive analysis, only Menthae longifoliae aetheroleum can be classified as negative, while all other essential oils may be classified as positive, thus having the potential to cause skin sensitization.