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.

Industrial hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) shows strong potential for phytoremediation due to its deep root system and high biomass; however, its ability to accumulate heavy metals raises concerns regarding its medicinal use. The aim of the study was to determine and compare the presence of five metals (Cd, As, Pb, Zn, and Fe) in three different plant organs/tissues and in inflorescence extracts in order to assess their suitability for food or medicinal use. Zinc was included as an essential micronutrient for comparison with toxic metal accumulation. The results demonstrate that hemp grown on contaminated soils accumulates elevated levels of cadmium and lead, primarily in the roots, while metal transfer to inflorescences and extracts remains limited. Genetic differences among breeding lines had little effect on metal uptake, indicating that cultivation for food, dietary supplement, or medicinal purposes should be restricted to uncontaminated soils in order to minimise health risks to patients and consumers.

Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations were analysed in 18 bottled drinking water samples from the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) market, classified as natural spring water or still natural mineral water. Metal concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomisation in a graphite furnace. Cr was quantified in two samples, Pb in four samples, while Cd concentrations were below the limit of detection in all samples. All concentrations were below national regulatory limits. Health risks associated with Cr and Pb exposure through bottled water consumption were assessed for adolescents, adults, and pregnant women by calculating the hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), carcinogenic risk (CR), and total carcinogenic risk (TCR). Some exposure scenarios exceeded HQ and HI thresholds, suggesting potential non-carcinogenic effects, primarily due to Pb exposure. CR and TCR values across all exposure scenarios were below established thresholds, indicating generally acceptable or negligible carcinogenic risk. Given the limited sample set, the data on Cd, Cr, and Pb content, along with the health risk assessment, should be regarded as preliminary, serving as a starting point to guide future research. Considering the health implications of heavy metal exposure, continuous water-quality monitoring and a more comprehensive health risk assessment, including additional heavy metals and a larger sample set, are essential, as regulatory compliance does not necessarily imply the absence of health risks.

In the realm of preventive medicine, reinforcement of a zero-tolerance stance on cigarette smoking is imperative. The use of heat-not-burn (HnB) technology by individuals who are unable to quit smoking has prompted strong discussions in both the public health and clinical domains. This raises the question of whether exposure to cigarettes or HnB products has a different effect on blood pressure (BP) values and whether this effect depends on the concentration of heavy metals. A total of 33 participants were divided into four exposure groups: passive HnB exposure (n=7), active HnB users (n=4), passive cigarette smokers (n=11), and active cigarette smokers (n=9). Blood concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) using a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, Agilent 240Z AA (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Samples were prepared by wet digestion with nitric acid solution. After centrifugation, the supernatant was transferred into vials for AAS analysis. Concentrations of Cd and Pb were measured before and after exposure, and changes were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLM) adjusted for sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). All participants were smokers who had stopped smoking five days prior to the experiment. None of the participants had any chronic diseases. After a five-day abstinence (washout period), they were exposed to active and passive consumption of HnB or traditional cigarettes. BP was measured before and after exposure to tobacco smoke. Average Cd levels were similar across all groups (p = 0.55): passive HnB 1.59 µg/L, active HnB 1.29 µg/L, passive cigarette smokers 1.65 µg/L, and active cigarette smokers 1.64 µg/L. Pb levels varied significantly by exposure type (p = 0.006), as follows: 35.95 µg/L with passive HnB exposure, 26.98 µg/L with active HnB exposure, 52.45 µg/L and 36.50 µg/L in passive and active cigarette smokers, respectively. Upon monitoring, an elevation in Cd levels was significantly associated with a rise in systolic pressure (p = 0.026) and a decrease in diastolic pressure (p = 0.006), indicating an increase in pulse pressure and potential arterial stiffness. Pb concentration showed no direct effect on hemodynamic parameters. These findings suggest that Cd and Pb levels vary based on type of exposure. There was a significant difference between traditional cigarettes and HNB products, with the latter exhibiting lower concentrations, as well as between active and passive exposure. Changes in BP tend to be more closely linked to Cd, as higher levels correlate with increased systolic and decreased diastolic pressures, indicating its role in arterial stiffness and early vascular dysfunction.

Cornus mas L. is traditionally used for various medicinal purposes, although systematic data on its pharmacognostic properties are still limited. Considerable variation was observed among plant organs, so phenolic and flavonoid content varied by plant part, with location-related differences among samples, with the highest in leaf and fruit from Bijeljina and the lowest in leaf from Sarajevo. Antioxidant activity was much better in leaf and bark than in fruit. Extracts inhibited ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, with MICs mainly at 125 µg/mL; bark extract (Tuzla) showed 250 µg/mL and reduced biofilm formation. Leaf and bark extracts showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity against PC-9, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cells, while fruit extracts were weaker. In human lymphocytes, bark (Bileća) and leaf (Tuzla) extracts decreased nuclear division and induced micronuclei at 200 µg/mL. Molecular docking indicated strong bacterial target binding for loganin and cornuside, supporting the antibacterial and antitumor potential of C. mas.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants. Due to their chemical stability, bioaccumulative potential, and use in industrial and consumer products, human exposure to PFAS has become unavoidable. The prenatal period represents a sensitive developmental window, during which even low-level exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may interfere with fetal programming and contribute to long-term health outcomes. PFAS are of particular concern because they can cross the placental barrier. Prenatal exposure has been associated with disturbances in endocrine, metabolic, immune, and developmental pathways, with consequences that may become evident later in life. The concept of PFAS as “silent programmers” of human health reflects their capacity to alter biological processes during critical stages of development, often without immediate clinical manifestations. Lowdose effects, non-monotonic dose–response relationships, and combined exposure to chemical mixtures further complicate toxicological risk assessment. Human biomonitoring studies based on paired maternal and umbilical cord blood samples, placental tissue, and early-life biomarkers are essential for understanding maternal–fetal transfer and early biological responses. Regional mother–child cohort studies, including TOXMOM and PrenTox, contribute to evidence on prenatal exposure to PFAS and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, particularly in populations with limited biomonitoring data. Prenatal PFAS exposure represents an important issue at the intersection of environmental toxicology, reproductive health, child development, and public health prevention. Improved exposure assessment, early preventive strategies, and communication among researchers, healthcare professionals, pharmacists, policymakers, and the public are needed to reduce risks for future generations.

Abstract Parabens, often used as preservatives in consumer products, have raised concerns due to their endocrine-disrupting properties. The aim of this study was to quantify the levels of methyl and propyl paraben in adult urine samples and to assess potential health risks. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), methyl and propyl parabens were detected in 20 participants at different concentrations. Methylparaben was more prevalent than propylparaben. Risk assessment was performed by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI) and the hazard quotient (HQ), with HQ values indicating no significant health risk for the participants. Although current exposure levels appear to be safe, the long-term effects of chronic exposure remain uncertain, highlighting the need for further research. This preliminary study provides insight into paraben exposure in adults and contributes to the growing literature on the safety and prevalence of parabens.