Honey is a natural product that is an excellent source of energy containing mainly carbohydrates and water, as well as small amounts of organic acids, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and enzymes. Due to the presence of bioactive compounds, it has been shown that honey is beneficial for many diseases, e.g. gastrointestinal diseases, skin diseases, cancer, heart diseases, and neurological degeneration. The study of the physical and chemical properties of honey and the content of bioactive compounds has been increasingly applied in order to determine the quality of honey samples. The aim of this study is to investigate physicochemical properties as well as the total phenol content and antioxidant activity of seven multifloral honey samples from the Herzegovina region. Physicochemical parameters determined in the honey samples (moisture, acidity, electrical conductivity, reducing sugars, sucrose, and insoluble matter) were within the quality standard limits of the Regulation on methods for control of honey and other bee products. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and it ranged from 46.98 ± 6.36 to 152.94 ± 4.95 mg GAE/100 g of honey. To determine the antioxidant activity of the honey samples, two methods, FRAP and ABTS, were used. The total phenolic content of honey correlated positively with its antioxidant activity.

Novel benzo[b]thienyl‐ and 2,2′‐bithienyl‐derived benzothiazoles and benzimidazoles were synthesized to study their antiproliferative and antitrypanosomal activities in vitro. Specifically, we assessed the impact that amidine group substitutions and the type of thiophene backbone have on biological activity. In general, the benzothiazole derivatives were more active than their benzimidazole analogs as both antiproliferative and antitrypanosomal agents. The 2,2′‐bithienyl‐substituted benzothiazoles with unsubstituted and 2‐imidazolinyl amidine showed the most potent antitrypanosomal activity, and the greatest selectivity was observed for the benzimidazole derivatives bearing isopropyl, unsubstituted and 2‐imidazolinyl amidine. The 2,2′‐bithiophene derivatives showed most selective antiproliferative activity. Whereas the all 2,2′‐bithienyl‐substituted benzothiazoles were selectively active against lung carcinoma, the benzimidazoles were selective against cervical carcinoma cells. The compounds with an unsubstituted amidine group also produced strong antiproliferative effects. The more pronounced antiproliferative activity of the benzothiazole derivatives was attributed to different cytotoxicity mechanisms. Cell cycle analysis, and DNA binding experiments provide evidence that the benzimidazoles target DNA, whereas the benzothiazoles have a different cellular target because they are localized in the cytoplasm and do not interact with DNA.

– Within the last 20 years, there has been witnessed a significant increase of the urban population of Sarajevo, as a result of economic and social migrations. Consequently, this has caused an increasing demand for new housing which is mainly profit-oriented without any beneficial social, environmental or cultural implication. Primary objective of this research is to analyze the current situation and to assess the quality of the buildings not only as a housing solution, but as a complex that unites the community who inhabits it. This research will be conducted in a qualitative manner in analysis and statistical approach over the data related to the urbanization, building standards and positive effects of the building. Newly built parts of settlements Otoka and Stup will be used as case studies, since these parts of the city are most influenced by the mass production of the new housing solutions. This paper stresses out the correlation between high demand for the new housing and decreased quality of the housing without respecting minimum spatial and environmental standards, without basic amenities, social infrastructure and recreational and cultural activities. There is a need for improvements in contemporary housing design that will reflect with positive impacts on social, environmental, economic and cultural aspects of urban living.

ABSTRACT In order to determine the degree of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollution, a biomonitoring study was conducted using honey as a bioindicator. Bees are good bioindicators of environmental pollution, either via the presence of toxic molecules in their bodies or via the presence of residues in their products. In this study we investigated 10 honey samples collected from polluted and unpolluted areas in Herzegovina region for their contamination with 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Extraction was done in ultrasonic bath and was followed by chromatographic analysis by HPLC with UV/Vis detector. Results showed no presence of PAHs in six honey samples, while in four of them we detected low PAH concentrations with maximum values never higher than 7 µgkg−1 of fresh weight for the honey. Benzo⦋a⦌pyrene, which is the most potentially carcinogenic PAH, was detected in one sample. Indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene was found in all samples where PAHs were detected in the range < LOD to 2.56 µgkg−1 FW. Concentrations of all PAHs detected in investigated honey samples were low and safe to consume. The results of this study show that honey can be used as a bioindicator to assess environmental pollution.