Background: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) is a complicated disease that affects millions of people all over the world. Previous studies have shown that PASC impacts 10% of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients of which 50–70% are hospitalised. It has also been shown that 10–12% of those vaccinated against COVID-19 were affected by PASC and its complications. The severity and the later development of PASC symptoms are positively associated with the early intensity of the infection. Results: The generated health complications caused by PASC involve a vast variety of organ systems. Patients affected by PASC have been diagnosed with neuropsychiatric and neurological symptoms. The cardiovascular system also has been involved and several diseases such as myocarditis, pericarditis, and coronary artery diseases were reported. Chronic hematological problems such as thrombotic endothelialitis and hypercoagulability were described as conditions that could increase the risk of clotting disorders and coagulopathy in PASC patients. Chest pain, breathlessness, and cough in PASC patients were associated with the respiratory system in long-COVID causing respiratory distress syndrome. The observed immune complications were notable, involving several diseases. The renal system also was impacted, which resulted in raising the risk of diseases such as thrombotic issues, fibrosis, and sepsis. Endocrine gland malfunction can lead to diabetes, thyroiditis, and male infertility. Symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, and taste were also among reported observations due to several gastrointestinal disorders. Skin abnormalities might be an indication of infection and long-term implications such as persistent cutaneous complaints linked to PASC. Conclusions: Long-COVID is a multidimensional syndrome with considerable public health implications, affecting several physiological systems and demanding thorough medical therapy, and more study to address its underlying causes and long-term effects is needed.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide but can also affect men. Although the detection and diagnosis of BC is advanced, there is a demand for more efficient approaches to treatment. This review summarizes the most important and latest discoveries in the diagnosis and prevention of breast cancer, using scientific discoveries done in vitro cell models, molecular and genetic markers, and data from different in silico analysis studies. Using Google Scholar and PubMed, scientific articles were searched systematically from inception to November 2023.  As search terms in this review, we used:  breast cancer, in vitro cell lines in BC, genetic and biochemical markers, and miRNA in BC. Based on the literature search, biochemical and genetic markers play essential roles in breast cancer research, whereas in vitro and silico research utilizes breast cancer cell models. Cell models are indispensable tools for the identification of potential new drugs, offering valuable findings on breast cancer growth dynamics. Molecular markers and innovative research methods not only aid in early detection but also contribute to our understanding of BC at various stages, offering treatment strategies and improving outcomes.

Aim Examination of the effectiveness of STR loci in proving sibship of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian village of Orahovica and the formation of a "grey zone". Methods The probability of sibship was determined by calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) parameter for each of the 15 observed STR loci and for each of the pairs of relatives and non-relatives. Cumulative sibship index (CSI) was calculated for each of the pairs by multiplying the LR values of all 15 loci and obtained values are used as CSI limit for separating relatives from non-relatives. By creating a grey zone for local populations, an attempt was made to obtain a line of demarcation between siblings and non-siblings. Results An analysis of the origin of the respondents' relatives was performed, up to the level of sibship in the third generation. The results of the CSI for pairs of relatives from the village of Orahovica showed that the highest CSI value, and therefore the sibship probability was recorded among relatives from the village of Orahovica (CSI=534211727.203;SP=99.999999812%). On the contrary, incredibly low CSI value was recorded among non-relatives,ranging from CSI=0.0000001 to 0.5261434 (SP=0.000009999% to 34.475357951%). Conclusion For the threshold value CSI=1 and for CSI=3, this method determined sibship in 100% of pairs of relatives and the absence of biological sibship in 100% of pairs of non-relatives in the village of Orahovica. The STR system is proved to be a successful method in determining sibship or absence of sibship in small local populations.

This study investigates the genetic diversity and relatedness among a small local population in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In a genetic research study, a sample of 38 individuals was collected from the village of Vukotići, consisting of 21 male and 17 female subjects. The total genomic DNA was extracted using a modified Miller protocol. The QUANTIFILER DNA identification kit was used to quantify the total human DNA in the sample. The sibship relationship was assessed by computing the likelihood ratio for each of the 15 STR loci in both relatives and non-relatives. Results showed a higher homogeneity of the small local population compared to the mixed population within the larger population. Variability in peak height observed in the genetic analysis was attributed to differences in DNA concentration in the extracted samples. Probability of relatedness among participants in the Vukotići village was found to be low. Central tendency and variability measures revealed valuable insights into sample distribution and variation. The study concludes that CSI=1 and CSI=3 can be used as reliable tools to determine sibship in small local populations without a "gray zone".

Brassica oleracea var. acephala (kale) is a worldwide known vegetable plant, known for its heavy metal accumulation abilities. This study analyzed the phytoremediation potential of domestic BiH kale varieties, grown in a controlled environment and with different concentrations of Cadmium (Cd). Cd is a known pollutant found in small concentrations in soil under normal environmental conditions. Real-Time PCR was used to analyze the gene expression activity of Cd heavy metal correlated genes (MAPK2 and NRAMP6). The root analysis assay confirmed shorter root length after Cd treatment, confirming severe Cd impact on plant cell growth, implying shorter growth in roots in all treated kales. Gene expression results showed that Cd triggers the expression of MAPK2 and NRAMP6 suggesting their significant involvement in Cd metabolizing processes. Based on the combined results, kale from the Stolac region is found to be the most resistant variety, while the only hybrid kale, accumulates the most Cd suggesting its phytoremediation potential.

With a significant economic value, pepper (Capsicum annuum L., Solanaceae) represents a major vegetable crop worldwide. Simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and expressed sequence tags (EST-SSR) are powerful tools for genetic studies and the breeding of pepper. In this study, the genetic variability among local pepper species was assessed by using 8 EST/SSR markers. The pepper varieties were collected locally, based on old sorts, hybrids, and sorts found in markets, with a total of 14 pepper varieties.  Mean expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from s 0.30 to 0.83 in the populations studied, whereas the mean polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.62. The average polymorphic number of alleles per primer was 2.5 per locus. The genetic relationships among the populations revealed by Neighbor-Joining dendrogram showed a clear clustering to three sub-populations making distinct clusters.  As expected, all local varieties make up one cluster, together with the hybrid Istra, concluding that this hybrid evolved from the cross-breeding of local varieties.  These results indicate and confirm the regional and physiological differences between the pepper sorts.

Among numerous causative agents recognized as oncogenic drivers, 13% of total cancer cases occur as a result of viral infections. The intricacy and diversity of carcinogenic processes, however, raise significant concerns about the mechanistic function of viruses in cancer. All tumor-associated viruses have been shown to encode viral oncogenes with a potential for cell transformation and the development of malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Given the difficulties in identifying single mechanistic explanations, it is necessary to combine ideas from systems biology and viral evolution to comprehend the processes driving viral cancer. The potential for more efficient and acceptable therapies lies in targeted medicines that aim at viral proteins or trigger immune responses to either avoid infection or eliminate infected or cancerous cells. In this review, we aim to describe the role of viral infections and their mechanistic approaches in DLBCL tumorigenesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review summarizing the oncogenic potential of numerous viral agents in DLBCL development.

The ability to insert a gene into a plant’s nuclear or chloroplast genome enables the transformation of higher plants (e.g. tobacco, Arabidopsis thaliana, potato, tomato, and banana) into Bioreactors for the production of plant-derived pharmaceuticals. Biopharmaceuticals are generally produced on a commercial basis by scale fermentation in bacteria, yeast, or animal cells. Several plant-derived pharmaceuticals have undergone clinical trials and are close to market authorization, with antibodies and vaccines being the front runners. Plant-derived vaccines have been produced using recombinant plant viruses as transgenic expression vectors and Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation systems. During the last decade, several efficient plant-based expression systems have been examined, and more than 100 recombinant proteins, including plant-derived vaccine antigens. Besides, regulatory protocols are slowing down production. Industry requirements and public acceptance of the technology are important aspects in establishing successful products. This paper reviews the current status of development in the area of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines produced from transgenic plants.