The chemical composition of Pulicaria dysenterica(L.) Bernh. aerial parts essential oil (EO), growing wildin Bosnia and Herzegovina, was presented in the study. In addition to the EO composition, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were also tested. The aerial parts of P. dysentericacontained 0.3% of yellow, liquid, fragrant EO. The 51 components identified accounted for 81.09% of the oil. The EO was characterized by the presence of a high concentration of oxygenated sesquiterpenes 51.83% while oxygenated monoterpenes constituted 15.57%, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons 9.32% and non-terpene compounds presented 4.37% of the EO. The dominant compounds were the sesquiterpenes caryophyllene oxide, (E)-nerolidol, β-caryophyllene and monoterpene nerol. The antimicrobial activity of EO was tested against selected ATCC strains of microorganisms, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Escherichia coli, and the fungus Candida albicans. The results showed that the investigated EO inhibited the growth of all selected ATCC strains of microorganisms. The best result was obtained against Escherichia colibacteria with MIC value of 1 mgmL-1. The cytotoxicity of EO was measured against the HeLa cell line using the MTT method with IC50of 188.52 μgmL-1.This study has provided scientific baseline data on the therapeutic properties of P. dysenterica. KEYWORDS:Pulicaria dysenterica, essential oil,antimicrobial activity,citotoxicity

Toxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) can lead to serious liver injury. The aim of the study is to investigate the protective effects of oregano oil (Origanum minutiflorum extract oil) against CCl4‐induced liver injury. Two doses of oregano oil were used in the experiment: a low dose (LD; 20 mg/kg) and a high dose (HD; 60 mg/kg) during 2 weeks. CCl4 caused severe liver damage, nucleolus destruction in hepatocytes and cytogenetic changes in the nucleus. Indirectly, CCl4 causes decreased protein synthesis and significantly high creatinine and urea values. Hematological disorders have been recorded, such as decreased RBC and hemoglobin concentration, increased WBC and deformability of the erythrocyte membrane. Both doses of oregano oil had protective effects. Improved protein synthesis and high globulins level, creatinine and urea were found in both groups. Cytogenetic changes in the nucleus of hepatocytes were reduced. A high dose of oregano oil had maximal protective effects for RBC, but a very weak effect on hemoglobin synthesis. Also, WBC and lymphocyte values were low. Origanum stimulates protein synthesis and recovery of hepatocytes after liver injury, reduces the deformability of the erythrocyte membrane. High doses of oregano oil decreased WBC and lymphocytes which may lead to a weakening of the immune response. However, high doses are more effective against severe platelet aggregation than low doses, suggesting an effective treatment against thrombocytosis.

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine whether fear and prejudice in relation to organ donation and the transplantation of organs may influence the decision to become an organ donor. Materials and Methods. Data were collected through four group interviews using open-ended questions and qualitative content analysis. Forty participants, 16 males and 24 females from seven countries, participated in the focus group interviews. Results. The analysis resulted in three main categories, and nine subcategories. Fears and prejudice caused by tradition and customs, approval of organ donation by family members, perception of the body as a gift from parents, the influence of religious leaders, knowledge about the religious understanding of organ donation, influence of social ambience on respondents, knowledge of the donation process in the healthcare system, including knowing about life after eventual organ donation, were some of predictors in the decision to agree to organ donation. Conclusion. More education on the factors that influence organ donation, more information in schools, health institutions and through the media, as well as more research with the aim of “dispelling” fears and prejudice about organ donation would significantly improve the current situation and result in a larger number of potential organ donors.

Introduction: There are concerns with rising rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across countries with appreciable impact on morbidity, mortality and costs. Amongst low- and middle-income countries, a key driver of AMR is the excessive use of antibiotics in ambulatory care, with a critical area being the appreciable selling of antibiotics without a prescription often driven by patient demand and limited knowledge. There is currently conflicting evidence in South Africa regarding this practice. Consequently, there is a need to explore these critical issues amongst patients, especially in more rural areas of South Africa. A pilot study was undertaken to address this. Methods: A two-step descriptive approach was undertaken. This involved two questionnaires amongst patients exiting chain and independent community pharmacies followed by cognitive interviews. Results: Overall, 21 patients were approached for an interview, including 11 for Part 1 of the questionnaire with 3 declining, and 10 for Part 2, with 2 declining. Subsequently 8 patients completed each part of the questionnaire.. On average, it took 2 min 13 s to complete both parts. 3 of the 5 patients being dispensed an antibiotic were dispensed one without a prescription, with all 3 patients exiting from independent pharmacies. Key reasons for self-purchasing included money and convenience. There was mixed knowledge regarding antibiotics and AMR amongst the 8 patients interviewed with Part 2. Overall, there was a satisfactory understanding of the Part 1 questions, although some modifications were suggested. Some participants had difficulty with fully understanding the questions in Part 2, with a number of suggestions made to improve this for the main study. Conclusion: There were concerns with the extent of purchasing antibiotics without a prescription in this pilot study as well as the knowledge of patients regarding antibiotics and AMR. Both areas need addressing and will be explored further in the main study.

Biomonitoring of human populations exposed to chemical substances that can act as potential mutagens or carcinogens, may enable the detection of damage and early disease prevention. In recent years, the comet assay has become an important tool for assessing DNA damage, both in environmental and occupational exposure contexts. To evidence the role of the comet assay in human biomonitoring, we have analysed original research studies of environmental or occupational exposure that used the comet assay in their assessments, following the PRISMA-ScR method (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews). Groups of chemicals were designated according to a broad classification, and the results obtained from over 300 original studies (n = 123 on air pollutants, n = 14 on anaesthetics, n = 18 on antineoplastic drugs, n = 57 on heavy metals, n = 59 on pesticides, and n = 49 on solvents) showed overall higher values of DNA strand breaks in the exposed subjects in comparison with the unexposed. In summary, our systematic scoping review strengthens the relevance of the use of the comet assay in assessing DNA damage in human biomonitoring studies.

Aim This study aimed to assess the impact of forced repeated swimming stress on serum adiponectin and endothelin-1 levels in Wistar rats, comparing the effects between those fed a standard diet and those on a high-fat diet. Methods Twenty adult male Wistar rats were divided into two dietary groups: a standard food diet group (NFD, n=10) and a high-fat diet group (HFD, n=10). Both groups underwent daily forced swimming stress for six days, with durations increasing from 5 to 30 minutes. The protocol finished in an acute bout of swimming exercise on the seventh day with a duration of 40 minutes. Adherence to ethical guidelines was strictly maintained, and serum adiponectin and endothelin-1 levels were measured pre- and post-exercise using the ELISA method. Results Before swimming, the mean adiponectin levels were 4.30±1.50 ng/mL in the NFD group and 3.53±0.70 ng/mL in the HFD group. Post-exercise, these levels significantly decreased to 2.4±0.84 ng/mL (p=0.003) and 1.58±0.23 ng/mL (p=0.001), respectively. Endothelin-1 levels also showed significant decreases from 0.86 pg/mL (0.74-0.87) to 0.49 pg/mL (0.43-0.62) (p=0.003) in the NFD group, and from 0.89 pg/mL (0.86-0.93) to 0.69 pg/mL (0.60-0.75) (p=0.027) in the HFD group after swimming. Conclusion The study highlighted the significant effects of forced swimming stress on lowering serum adiponectin and endothelin-1 levels in Wistar rats, with more pronounced decreases observed in rats on a high-fat diet. The results of the study suggest the potential of exercise as a crucial component of strategies aimed at managing obesity and improving cardiovascular health, emphasizing the interaction between physical stress and dietary factors on metabolic and cardiovascular biomarkers.

Delivery of care for kidney failure (KF) globally has a significant disparity; even in some countries, it means end of life for the person. The International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) tries to address gaps in KF care and standardize global nephrology care. From the third iteration of the ISN-GKHA, we present data for countries in the ISN Eastern and Central Europe region. The median prevalences of chronic kidney disease (12.8%) and treated KF (873.5 pmp) were higher than the global rates, respectively. Hemodialysis was the most preferred modality for KF in adults, whereas kidney replacement therapy was more balanced in children. Although most of the countries in the region had lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income levels, health expenditures for kidney health care were almost generally covered publicly. Nephrologists were responsible for the medical kidney care of people with KF in all countries. There was adequate infrastructure to provide all kinds of treatment for kidney care in the region. Regional characteristics such as high levels of obesity, smoking, and Balkan nephropathy as an endemic disease coupled with a shortage of workforce and finance continued to affect kidney care in the region negatively. By making organizational and legislative arrangements, partnerships with national authorities and societies may accelerate the improvement of kidney health care in the region.

Background and Objectives: Differentiating between a high-grade glioma (HGG) and solitary cerebral metastasis presents a challenge when using standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alone. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), an advanced MRI technique, may assist in resolving this diagnostic dilemma. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), an amino acid found uniquely in the central nervous system and in high concentrations in neurons, typically suggests HGG over metastatic lesions in spectra from ring-enhancing lesions. This study investigates exceptions to this norm. Materials and Methods: We conducted an MRS study on 49 histologically confirmed and previously untreated patients with brain metastases, employing single-voxel (SVS) techniques with short and long echo times, as well as magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). Results: In our cohort, 44 out of 49 (90%) patients demonstrated a typical MR spectroscopic profile consistent with secondary deposits: a Cho peak, very low or absent Cr, absence of NAA, and the presence of lipids. A peak at approximately 2 ppm, termed the “NAA-like peak”, was present in spectra obtained with both short and long echo times. Among the MRS data from 49 individuals, we observed a peak at 2.0 ppm in five brain metastases from mucinous carcinoma of the breast, mucinous non-small-cell lung adenocarcinoma, two metastatic melanomas, and one metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. Pathohistological verification of mucin in two of these five cases suggested this peak likely represents N-acetyl glycoproteins, indicative of mucin expression in cancer cells. Conclusions: The identification of a prominent peak at 2.0 ppm could be a valuable diagnostic marker for distinguishing single ring-enhancing lesions, potentially associated with mucin-expressing metastases, offering a new avenue for diagnostic specificity in challenging cases.