UDK: 582.323: 574.4(497.6)(234.422)          551.438.22(497.6)(234.422) Peatland ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina represent a relict remain of the vegetation, flora and fauna from the glaciation periods. Peatlands are widespread on the North, where they occupy large areas of northern Europe, Asia and Canada. Occurrence of this type of ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina contains an indication of nature conservation in general and represents an extraordinary natural value. The status of peatland ecosystems in the Balkans should be carefully monitored especially today, at the time of the already recognizable effects of climate change. The preserved structure and functionality of these ecosystems might indicate satisfactory degree of resilience to climate change, but adverse state warns on the need to take appropriate actions. Multiply drivers as overexploitation of natural resources, water, air and soil pollution and spread of invasive alien species, also have a negative effect on peatland ecosystems. In order to assess the conditions of peatland ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, researches were carried out on Vranica and Zvijezda mountain in central Bosnia. Researches was conducted including the following communities: Sphagno-Piceetum montanum Stef 1964, Sphagnetum recurvo-subsecundi Grgić et al. 1991, Menyanthi-Sphagnetum Grgić et al. 1991 Scirpetum silvatici Ht et H-ić, Calthaetum rostratae Lakušić et al. 1991, Abieti-Piceetum illyricum Fuk. 1960 Stef. 62 s.l ect. To investigate existing conditions state of the peatland ecosystems, floristic elements and life forms were determined for every plant species. A comparison of previous and today’s state of these communities was conducted, associated with analysis of Ellenberg’s indices for temperature, light, soil reaction etc. According to Lakušić et al., 1991., these type of ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina was satisfactory. However, today's finding shows severe changes. The loss of peatland habitats was recorded in the entire area of research. The main identified drivers are deforestation, habitat conversion and drainage of watercourses. In order to protect this type of ecosystems and important indicator species it is necessary to implement different conservation and restoration activities.

The content of macro- and microelements in dry samples of mushrooms of the species Macrolepiota procera, Boletus edulis and Cantharellus cibarius, collected at different areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was determined using the ICP-OES method (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). Of the macroelements, K is the most represented, followed by S, P, Mg, and the least represented Ca and Na. Zn is the most represented of the essential microelements, followed by Fe, Se, Cu, Mn and Co. Al is the most abundant of the other trace elements followed by Ni and Cr. Of the toxic metals, the most represented is Cd, followed by Pb and As. There are differences in the concentration of micro- and macroelements in the mushrooms analysed, depending on the area from which they were collected because natural geology and geochemistry influence the content of macro- and microelements in wild edible mushrooms. The results show that the analysed mushrooms can be considered a good source of essential elements. The study also assessed potential health risks of heavy metals and the target hazard quotient (THQ) for As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr in the analysed mushrooms was lower than the safe level. The carcinogenic risk index revealed that Cd and Ni are the most prevalent pollutants in the mushrooms studied.  

UDK: 582.661.51:631.53.027]:547.913 In order to investigate the effects of seed priming with silver fir and oregano essential oils on certain important seedling characteristic and seed vigour of interesting endemic and horticultural species Silene sendtneri, an experiment was conducted based on randomized completely design with three replications. Traits such as germination rate, water content, dry weight, vigour index and photosynthetic pigments were analysed. Results revealed that the seedlings obtained with priming seeds showed increased growth, water content, vigour and photosynthetic pigment contents but decreased germination rate and dry weight compared with that obtained with non-primed seeds. Analysis of seed priming effects had demonstrated even germination rate is smaller the seedling vigour is slightly higher especially with all oregano oil treatments. We suggest that oregano oil has a potential as a priming agent for improvement of seedling synchrony, although at lower rate of germination.

CD148 is a transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase that is expressed in multiple cell types. Previous studies have shown that CD148 dephosphorylates growth factor receptors and their signaling molecules, including EGFR and ERK1/2, and negatively regulates cancer cell growth. Furthermore, research of clinical patients has shown that highly linked CD148 gene polymorphisms, Gln276Pro (Q276P) and Arg326Gln (R326Q), are associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer. However, the biological effects of these missense mutations have not been studied.