Salt stress results from excessive salt accumulation in the soil can lead to a reduction in plant growth and yield. Due to climate change, in the future climatic pressures, changed precipitation cycles and increased temperature will increase the pressures on agriculture, including increasing severity of salt stress. Brassica species contains oilseed and vegetable crops with great economic importance. Advances in understanding the mechanisms of salt stress in Brassica plants have enabled the development of approaches to better induce plant defense mechanisms at the time of their occurrence through the use of beneficial microorganisms or molecules. Both endophytic and rhizospheric microbes contribute to the mitigation of abiotic stresses in Brassica plants by promoting the growth of their host under stress conditions. In this review we summarized so far reported microorganisms with beneficial effects on Brassica plants and their mode of action. Another approach in mitigating the harmful effect of soil salinity may involve the application of different molecules that are involved in the stress response of Brassica plants. We reviewed and summarized their potential mode of action, methods of application and pointed out further research directions.

Agricultural waste has always been a global problem that causes environmental pollution, and thanks to the efforts of scientists, this agricultural waste has become not a neglected product, but rather a source of many effective chemical compounds that have industrial, pharmaceutical and food applications. Viral disease therapy has attracted a great deal of scientific interest worldwide. Therefore, the pace of research is increasing for effective and safe treatment. The potential inhibitory activity of pomegranate peel extract polyphenols against virus for effective viral disease therapy has attracted a great deal of scientific interest. The aim of this review was to present an overview of the pomegranate peel effects on viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Influenza virus, Norovirus, Adenovirus, Herpes simplex virus, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Pomegranate is consumed as fresh fruit and juice for its reported health benefits as antioxidant, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticarcinogenic activities, and improves cardiovascular as well as oral health. The health benefits of pomegranate have been attributed to its wide range of phytochemicals, which are predominantly polyphenols, ellagitannins, anthocyanins, and other polyphenols. Instead of the pomegranate peel being a neglected product, it is considered as a promising antiviral agent which also offers other health benefits without side effects.

Many drugs with different mechanisms of action and indications available on the market today are capable of inducing hepatotoxicity. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has been a treatment challenge nowadays as it was in the past. We searched Medline (via PubMed), CENTRAL, Science Citation Index Expanded, clinical trials registries and databases of DILI and hepatotoxicity up to 2021 for novel therapies for the management of adult patients with DILI based on the combination of three main search terms: 1) treatment, 2) novel, and 3) drug-induced liver injury. The mechanism of action of novel therapies, the potential of their benefit in clinical settings, and adverse drug reactions related to novel therapies were extracted. Cochrane Risk of bias tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment approach was involved in the assessment of the certainty of the evidence for primary outcomes of included studies. One thousand three hundred seventy-two articles were identified. Twenty-eight articles were included in the final analysis. Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were detected and for six the available data were sufficient for analysis. In abstract form only we found six studies which were also anaylzed. Investigated agents included: bicyclol, calmangafodipir, cytisin amidophospate, fomepizole, livina-polyherbal preparation, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG), picroliv, plasma exchange, radix Paeoniae Rubra, and S-adenosylmethionine. The primary outcomes of included trials mainly included laboratory markers improvement. Based on the moderate-certainty evidence, more patients treated with MgIG experienced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization compared to placebo. Low-certainty evidence suggests that bicyclol treatment leads to a reduction of ALT levels compared to phosphatidylcholine. For the remaining eight interventions, the certainty of the evidence for primary outcomes was assessed as very low and we are very uncertain in any estimate of effect. More effort should be involved to investigate the novel treatment of DILI. Well-designed RCTs with appropriate sample sizes, comparable groups and precise, not only surrogate outcomes are urgently welcome.

The micro-roughness represents the basic structure of the roughness of the treated surfaces and they are mainly a consequence of the machining during the production. The microgeometry of treated surfaces has a significant impact on the contact conditions of surfaces, which is reflected in the quality of gluing, pressing, and surface treatment and assembly, ie the interchangeability of structural details of the product, and thus the product quality. The roughness of treated wood surfaces is almost impossible to reliably determine theoretically using analytical models, and the application of experimental analysis of the investigated influential parameters is essential to improve the treatment regime, while maintaining the cost and quality of treatment at a satisfactory level. The aim of this paper is to examine the significance of the influential parameters of roughness of the treated surface, ie wood density, feed rate and cutting depth when turning solid wood elements, and analysis of experimental data for achieving lower roughness of the treated surface, without compromising the quality and total production costs. The purpose of the experimental plan is to generate a mathematical model that describes the process.

BACKGROUND Brucellosis is a ubiquitous emergent bacterial zoonotic disease causing significant human morbidity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. So far, a high rate of resistant Brucella has been found worldwide. This study prospectively analysed the rates of resistance among human Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) strains isolated in Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS This study included 108 B. melitensis isolates from 209 patients diagnosed at five medical centres in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The resistance profiles of the B. melitensis isolates for the 13 most commonly used antimicrobials were studied in standard Brucella broth (BB) and cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth (CAMHB) supplemented with 4% lysed horse blood or 5% defibrinated sheep blood. RESULTS Of the 209 patients, B. melitensis blood cultures were positive for 111 (53.1%). Among the 108 isolates investigated, 91 (84.3%) were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole on BB, but not on either CAMHB. Nearly all isolates (>90%) were resistant to azithromycin on BB and both CAMHBs. CONCLUSIONS We observed a high rate of B. melitensis resistance to azithromycin. The high rate of resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole that we observed was related to BB, so an alternative broth should be used, such as the enriched CAMHBs in this study, for evaluating resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Whole-genome sequencing studies are needed to understand the development of antimicrobial resistance in B. melitensis strains isolated from humans.

Aim To assess a psychosocial impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on health care workers and to quantify the size of depression symptoms, anxiety and stress levels. Methods This cross-sectional study used an anonymous online survey questionnaire as a research instrument and it included 114 health workers of all profiles from the Sarajevo Canton employed in private and public institutions. The research was voluntary, non-commercial and all participants provided an oral informed consent. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire was used for assessing emotional status of depression, anxiety and stress. Results The mean age of participants was 40.5±8.44 years with male:female ratio of 0.28. Prevalence of depression was 46.5%, anxiety61.4%, and 36.9% stress. Age and gender had no effect on emotional status, but it was revealed that women achieved higher depression, anxiety and stress scores than men (without statistical significance). The most notable effect on the emotional state was found for direct or indirect contact with COVID-19 patients. Medical workers in direct contact with COVID-19 patients achieved greater depression (p=0.005), anxiety (p=0.001), stress (p=0.030) and total DASS-21 (p=0.003) scores. Conclusion High prevalence of health workers affected by various psychological ailments during the COVID-19 pandemic was found. This evidence underscores the need to address adverse effects of the pandemic on mental health of health care workers.

Lenticulostriate vasculopathy (LSV) is a relatively common fi nding in routine cranial ultrasound examination that has been associated with many infectious and non-infectious conditions. The aim of this review was to provide a better understanding of LSV ultrasound fi nding, as well as the need for further laboratory and imaging examinations in infants. The most of the published studies represented small series, with few prospective long-term studies involving the control groups. Authors have mostly found an association between LSV, especially higher-grade (although there is no universally accepted classifi cation) with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, classifying those children as at risk for sensorineural hearing loss. In contrast, some authors pointed out that LSV could be found relatively often, and believe that isolated LSV, especially lower-grade, is not predictive for an unfavourable outcome and a long-term prognosis. Therefore, although 35 years have passed since the first publication of LSV, there is still no consensus among experts on the clinical signifi cance of isolated LSV, but caution is certainly needed given the fact that most infants with congenital CMV are asymptomatic.

The wastewater containing Cd, Co, Fe, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Pb ions are trace metal pollutants. Water pollution caused by increment in industrialization and overpopulation reveals a major threat to human health. Adsorption is recognized as the effective and optimum method to remove water contaminations. The amorphous and porous form of silicon dioxide is silica gel widely used as an adsorbent. It can absorb moisture with traces of the target heavy metal ions. This research elaborates a simplistic, and reliable preconcentration column method highly developed for the determination of Cd2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Pb2+ and Ni2+ ions in model solutions and real water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The proposed operation depends on the retention of the target ions from buffered model solutions on a silica gel filled up a column modified with vanadium(V) oxide sorbent followed by their desorption. SiO2/V2O5 is an efficient adsorbent due to its low cost, eco-friendly and high availability. The adsorbent morphological and interfacial physicochemical characterization was done using scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The 2.92 value achieved for the point of zero charges supports the experimentation for the heavy metal efficient adsorption. Quantitative recoveries were achieved at pH 10 with 50 mg of SiO2/V2O5 mass and adsorption capacity ranged from 28.96 μmol/g (Pb) to 214.86 μmol/g (Fe) with 1114.79 μmol/g in total. Simultaneous preconcentration effect was determined by the interference cations on the sorbent. The LOD varies from 8.42 to 50.56 μg/L and LOQ is achieved from 20.06 to 72.41 μg/L of 15 blank solutions. The developed preconcentration procedure was adequately implemented for the simultaneous analysis of eight metallic ions content in local river samples. The developed vanadium(V) oxide incorporated with silica gel is practicable as an economical and effective adsorbent to eliminate metallic ions from a liquid solution.

Increasing drivers (i.e. pressures) on nature are present at the global scale, resulting in the upgrowth of the number of endangered species and habitats, as well as a decrease in the capacity of ecosystems to provide various benefits to the human population. Recent studies indicate that natural ecosystems are frequently unable to adequately and efficiently provide the flow of ecosystem services or nature’s contribution to people (i.e. NCP), emphasising that this negative trend will continue in the future. These trends can be linked with the existence of drivers or pressures on nature, which are numerous and have an increasing trend over time. Pressures on nature are all changes and disturbances in the functioning of biological processes and systems, followed by disruption of the ecosystem structure and the integration of the living world. In order to prevent the loss of biodiversity and ensure NCP, it is important to recognize and understand direct and indirect pressures on nature. In this sense, this paper presents the spatial distribution, intensity, trends and drivers of individual categories of pressures on nature in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as their combined effect. The presentation of pressures on nature is based on 16 broadly recognizable groups of ecosystems that include broad natural units (e.g. high mountain complexes), or a complex of ecological factors (e.g. dry and rocky meadows and pastures), the dominant type of use (e.g. agricultural areas) or the dominant type of pressures (e.g. urban areas) (Figures 2 and 3, Table 1). For the purposes of assessing the intensity of certain categories of pressures (direct and indirect) and their trends per ecosystem groups, an expert assessment procedure was carried out, using a structured research instrument, that enabled the analysis of experts’ views when it comes to the intensity and trend of certain categories of pressures for each ecosystem group (Tables 2 and 3). The results of this research indicate that the urban ecosystems, running water ecosystems and agricultural ecosystems are under the highest pressure, while the lowest pressures are associated with the underground and canyon ecosystems (Figures 4–13, 16). Direct pressures are generally rated as more intense than indirect pressures (Figures 14 and 15). For the majority of analysed direct and indirect pressures, similar effects and trends are confirmed as at the global level. According to the opinion of the experts, who participated in this research, overuse and pollution were assessed as the highest direct pressures on nature in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while institutional pressure was recognised as the highest indirect pressure. Keeping in mind that, according to their characteristics, institutional pressures are inseparable from the state authority and its institutions while, in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina, they are inevitably linked to the socio-political organization and numerous criticisms of the (non)functioning of institutions. Groups of ecosystems with a significant share in total area (e.g. arable land, lowland and mountain deciduous forests and shrubs, etc.) are also characterized by high pressure with a moderate or increasing trend. Although competent institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in various international processes, systemic and institutional activities that would result in the application of good practices of the international initiatives regarding nature protection and sustainable use of natural resources are often missing. In that sense, the results of this research provide the decision-makers and the scientific community with scientifically based arguments and overall directions for the decision-making process and conducting future research in the field of natural resources and their sustainable use.

Aim Chromosome translocations are considered as one of the most severe forms of genome defects. Because of the clinical significance of chromosome translocations and scarce data on the incidence of sporadic translocations in population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we aimed to report sporadic translocation frequencies in samples karyotyped in our laboratory. Methods The study group consisted of 108 samples. Whole blood was cultivated in complete medium for 72 hours with the thymidine application at 48th hour to synchronize the cell culture. Metaphases were arrested by colcemid 60 minutes before harvesting. Following hypotonic treatment, cells were fixed and cell suspension was dropped on coded slides. Dried slides were subjected to conventional GTG (G-banding with trypsin-Giemsa) banding and analyzed under 1000x magnification in the accordance with ISCN (International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature) and E.C.A. Cytogenetic Guidelines and Quality Assurance. Results The incidence of all detected sporadic translocations was 27.81 x 10-4 per metaphase. The incidence of sporadic translocations involving chromosomes 7 and 14, being considered as the most frequent sporadic translocations of the human karyotype in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated lymphocytes, was 15.89 x 10-4 per metaphase. The most frequent breakpoints were 7p21, 14q11 and 14q21. Other detected sporadic translocation breakpoints were: 1q25, 3p22, 7p13, 7q11.22, 7q33, 14q23 and 19q13.4. Conclusion Higher incidence of sporadic translocations compared to the similar studies was registered. Since potential explanations for this issue are smaller sample size and higher exposure of examined population to genotoxic agents, further monitoring of sporadic translocation incidences is recommended.

The use of wood in outdoor conditions is of great importance for the service life of wood, and the process of thermal modification (TM) directly affects the effective value of wood products. This paper presents theoretical and experimental studies of the parameters influencing TM of wood on the changes of its physical and mechanical properties. Experimental studies were performed on thermally modified wood samples for different values of the influential parameters of thermal modification: T (°C), t (h) and ρ (g·cm–3), while the tensile strength was obtained as the output parameter. The obtained experimental data were stochastically modelled and compared with the model obtained by genetic programming. The optimization of processing parameters was performed by classical mathematical analysis and compared with the results obtained by optimization with genetic algorithm. The results of the optimal design parameters obtained by different approaches to optimization were compared and based on that the analysis of the characteristics of the presented techniques was conducted.