Abstract Background: Tuzla Canton is the most populated region in the ethnically mixed territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose genetic analysis could provide an insight into past demographic events. Aim: Analysis of 23 Y-chromosome STR markers in the population of Tuzla Canton and investigation of the genetic relationship of the male population of the Tuzla Canton and that of the larger Bosnian and Herzegovinian population as well as neighbouring and other European populations. Subjects and methods: The study was conducted among 100 unrelated healthy adult males from Tuzla Canton that have been genotyped using 23 Y-STR loci included in the PowerPlex Y23 kit. Statistical parameters such as haplotype diversity and allele frequencies were calculated, as well as the Rst-based genetic distances between the new dataset and those from Bosnia and Herzegovina and elsewhere, which were then visualised through multi-dimensional scaling plot and neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree analyses. Results: The PowerPlex Y23 kit has shown high discrimination capacity, as all 100 individuals have unique haplotypes. The newly incorporated loci seem to be highly informative. Population comparison reveals no statistically significant differences between the study population and the general Bosnian-Herzegovinian population, and between the study population and neighbouring populations. Conclusion: These results could be used as an additional investigation of the genetic relationship between the regional populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring human populations, as well as for further human population and forensic genetics studies.

Aim To determine newest the most accurate allele frequencies for 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian population, calculate statistical parameters, and compare them with the relevant data for seven neighboring populations. Methods Genomic DNA was obtained from buccal swabs of 1000 unrelated individuals from all regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genotyping was performed using PowerPlex® 16 System to obtain allele frequencies for 15 polymorphic STR loci including D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, and FGA. The calculated allele frequencies were also compared with the data from neighboring populations. Results The highest detected value of polymorphism information content (PIC) was detected at the PentaE locus, whereas the lowest value was detected at the TPOX locus. The power of discrimination (PD) values had similar distribution, with Penta E showing the highest PD of 0.9788. While D18S51 had the highest value of power of exclusion (PE), the lowest PE value was detected at the TPOX locus. Conclusion Upon comparison of Bosnian and Herzegovinian population data with those of seven neighboring populations, the highest allele frequency differentiation was noticed between Bosnian and Herzegovinian and Turkish population at 5 loci, the most informative of which was Penta E. The neighbor-joining dendrogram constructed on the basis of genetic distance showed grouping of Slovenian, Austrian, Hungarian, and Croatian populations. Bosnian and Herzegovinian population was between the mentioned cluster and Serbian population. To determine more accurate distribution of allelic frequencies and forensic parameters, our study included 1000 unrelated individuals from all regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and our findings demonstrated the applicability of these markers in both forensics and future population genetic studies.

Stress is a part of human life, especially for urban citizens. Stress is inseparable characteristics of student life, especially exam days. Stress management is one of the first steps which can affect students success during the exams, especially in universities. Blood pressure is the first stress observation symptom to understand its level. Therefore, to understand the stress impact of university students during the exam weeks, a conditional experiment has been designed. 200 students were selected from Bosnian and Turkish female and male. The students` blood systolic, diastolic and heart rate were measured to detect the differences between non-exams days and exam days. The blood pressure measurement has been done 3 times in specific times, non-exam days, midterm and final days. Since non-exam days were taken as stress off days, they were supposed that these days were control data to compare with exam days to see the differences. As a result of the measurements, Bosnian females showed the highest increasing, systolic 13.2%, diastolic 9.3% and heart rate 8.5% during the midterm exam days. The group has been followed by Bosnian males, systolic 6.9%, diastolic 6.1% and heart rate 6.63 increased during the midterm days. Although Turkish students blood pressure and heart rate increased, the values were less than Bosnian students. Moreover, high correlation significance results belonged to Bosnian females and males, 0.722 and 0.698 respectively. Finally, it was concluded that if students have scholarship they have more blood pressure during the exams. While 95% of Bosnian females and 90% of Bosnian males have some scholarship, no Turkish students have scholarship demonstrated the differences between Bosnian and Turkish students blood measurements.

polymorphism prevalence in general population of six Balkan The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of RR, RX and XX genotypes of rs1815739 single nucleotide polymorphism of ACTN3 gene in general population of six Balkan countries. This SNP is currently thought to give genetic predisposition for advantageous sport performance, with its R allele positively correlating with better performance in strength/power sports, and X allele being present in higher frequency in elite athletes in endurance disciplines. A total of 483 individuals (281 males and 202 females) from seven populations from six countries was tested. Samples were collected by buccal swabbing method, DNA was isolated according to salting-out protocol and genotyping was performed using PCR and RFLP analysis. Obtained results suggest that RR and RX genotypes (43.7% and 44.1%, respectively) are overrepresented when compared to XX genotype (12.2%). The XX genotype in the study samples is present in lower frequency when compared to the global (16-18%) and European (18%) average. This study reports the first population data on genotype prevalence in sports-related genes for this part of Europe and is the beginning of research interests that intend to investigate genetic predispositions of elite athletes from this region competing internationally in different disciplines.