The objective of this study was to confirm the effects of curcumin and to investigate the effects of its combination with a reduced dose of rosuvastatin in an adenine-induced model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated dyslipidemia in rats. Renal function and morphology, as well as lipid status, were assessed using laboratory parameters and histopathological analysis. Male Wistar rats (n=36) randomly divided into six groups, were treated for 24 days: normal control (standard diet), CKD control (adenine diet, 0.75% w/w adenine-supplemented diet), curcumin (100 mg/kg/day + adenine diet), rosuvastatin minimal therapeutic dose (MTD) (5 mg/day + adenine diet), rosuvastatin reduced dose (RD, 25% of rosuvastatin MTD + adenine diet), and rosuvastatin RD + curcumin (25% of rosuvastatin MTD + curcumin 100 mg/kg/day + adenine diet) group. While rosuvastatin alone showed only antilipemic action, both curcumin alone and its combination with a reduced dose of rosuvastatin showed better renal protection with lower serum creatinine levels and milder renal morphological alterations, as well as better antilipemic action with lower levels of triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterols compared with the levels in CKD control rats. Treatment with curcumin alone also resulted in a significantly higher estimated glomerular filtration rate, lower uric acid levels, and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, while the combined therapy additionally resulted in higher serum albumin levels, lower total cholesterol, and both atherogenic and coronary risk indexes compared with CKD control rats. The results of this study confirmed the beneficial effects of curcumin alone and provided new evidence for the beneficial effects of its combination with a reduced dose of rosuvastatin in rats with CKD and associated dyslipidemia.

Abstract Gut microbiota is known as unique collection of microorganisms (including bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes and viruses) that exist in a complex environment of the gut. Recently, this has become one of the most popular areas of research in medicine because this plays not only an important role in disease development, but gut microbiota also influences drug pharmacokinetics. These alterations in drug pharmacokinetic pathways and drug concentration in plasma and blood often lead to an increase in the incidence of toxicological events in patients. This review aims to present current knowledge of the most commonly used drugs in clinical practice and their dynamic interplay with the host’s gut microbiota as well as the mechanisms underlying these metabolic processes and the consequent effect on their therapeutic efficacy and safety. These new findings set a foundation for the development of personalized treatments specific to each metabolism, maximizing drugs’ therapeutic effects and minimizing the side effects because they are one of the major limiting factors in treating patients.

Background A pilot study conducted in academic 2017/18 among undergraduates of the University of Sarajevo showed energy drinks to be most frequently consumed during academic activity, less frequently mixed with alcohol in leisure, and rarely in the sports activity. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on energy drinks consumption among undergraduates of the same University, with a focus on their consumption during exams. Study design A cross-sectional study was conducted by an online questionnaire. Methods The questionnaire, mainly based on the Consortium Nomisma-Areté questionnaire, was customized to compare energy drinks consumption before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and distributed among students between July 26th, 2020 and April 3rd, 2021. Results Out of 1,045 students who chose to participate in the study (participation rate of 14.7%), 653 students, mostly women, attending the lower study years, reported energy drinks consumption. Both be-fore and during pandemic, overall energy drinks consumption was most frequently reported as rare [281 (43.9%) before, 326 (51.2%) during the pandemic], and exams-related energy drinks consumption as once or twice a week [156 (43.8%) before, 130 (42.1%) during pandemic]. The pandemic increased the number of frequent consumers (consumption of 4-5 energy drinks per week) in both overall [35 (5.5%) before, 46 (7.2%) during pandemic] and exams-related energy drinks consumption [42 (11.8%) before, 48 (15.5%) during pandemic]. Study year (OR=0.842; 95% CI 0.77-0.921; p<0.001), being single and living alone [OR=0.512; 95% CI 0.296-0.883; p=0.016), or living with a partner and children [OR=0.377; 95% CI 0.168-0.847; p=0.018) were identified as negative independent predictors for exams-related energy drinks consumption, while being a regular smoker (OR=0.429; 95% CI 0.223-0.875; p=0.011) appeared its new negative independent predictor during pandemic. Conclusions The pandemic seemed to decrease both the overall and exam-related energy drinks consumption among undergraduates of the University of Sarajevo with the exception of a portion of already frequent energy drinks consumers.

Purpose Educational interventions have already been shown to positively affect awareness of clinical trials (CTs) among medical students. We aimed to explore basic knowledge and attitudes about CTs among medical students in terms of educational interventions that should be reflected in their further involvement in performing CTs and their role in raising awareness about CTs. Methods This cross-sectional, self-report anonymous online survey involved undergraduate medical students of the Medical Faculty University of Sarajevo enrolled in classes held within the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the academic year 2015–2016. To include all accessible subjects for better representation of the whole population, consecutive sampling was applied. Results Among 142 students who completed questionnaire, 50% of them expressed partial or full agreement with the questionnaire statement that they were satisfied with the available information on CTs. Only 38% said they would participate in a CT, 21% would not, while 41% were not sure. Positive correlations were detected for composite subscale scores of agreement with questionnaire statements conveying the student’s knowledge about ethical and legal aspects of CTs and their perception about reliability/integrity and impact of CTs on medical practice. Conclusion Students have knowledge of the basic design and ethical aspects of CTs. Positive attitudes toward the impact of CTs on medical practice were shown in students of higher years of study, where educational intervention of additional knowledge of CTs was inserted and those students expressed better knowledge of CTs. However, no significant impact was detected between knowledge and willingness to participate in CTs, irrespective of years of study, reflecting the third of students that would participate in CTs. Changes in medical curricula led to the change in students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding CTs as well as their involvement in CTs.

BACKGROUND Indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms affects children's health and academic perfor-mance. The aim of this pilot study was to determine IAQ in elementary schools different in their inter-nal and external characteristics, in settings of COVID-19 epidemics. METHODS IAQ parameters: fine particulate matter (PM2,5) mass concentration, CO2 concentration, tempera-ture and relative humidity were measured in parallel in four elementary schools/classrooms during October (non-heating season) and four months (including holiday in January) of heating season. IAQ parameters were measured in settings of anti-epidemic restrictions (≤13 students in classroom, frequent ventilation). RESULTS During October, except in one school, PM2,5 concentrations were below the upper recommended value (25 μg/m³), but started rising in all schools in the heating season. The highest concentrations of PM2,5 were registered in two schools with closed or shortly opened windows. CO2 concentrations were mostly in the recommended range (up to 1000ppm) except in the school with constantly closed windows and in three schools in February when concentrations were higher. Except in one, the same school, and in January, both temperature and relative humidity were out of the recommended range (24,0-27,0°C in non-heating; 20,0-24,0°C in heating season; and 45-55%), with temperature mainly above and relative humidity mainly below it in three schools. The largest deviation in temperature and relative humidity were registered in urban schools. Registered differ-ences may be explained by different internal and external characteristics. CONCLUSION Despite anti-epidemic restrictions, most of the measured IAQ parameters were out of the recom-mended values in heating season. In addition, further deterioration of IAQ could be expected if all students had been presented in the classroom. Finally, to assure a healthy school environment in heating season, further optimisation of both indoor and outdoor conditions is needed in both pandemic and non-pandemic settings.

BACKGROUND Energy drinks (EDs) are non-alcoholic beverages that contain caffeine and other ingredients, marketed for their actual or perceived effects as stimulants, energizers and performance enhancers. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate patterns of EDs consumption in leisure, sports, and academic activities over the last year among a group of pregraduate students of the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study conducted by an online questionnaire-based survey. METHODS An anonymous questionnaire was mainly based on a Consortium Nomisma-Areté questionnaire [background information and consumer profile, general EDs consumption practices and reasons; alcohol mixed with EDs (AmEDs) consumption, EDs consumption in sports, consumption of other caffeinated beverages], and an additional part to evaluate EDs consumption during academic activities. RESULTS Out of 812 respondents from 22 faculties (participation rate of 23%), mean age 21.37 ± 1.98 years, 498 (61.7%) reported EDs consumption over the last year. Three main reasons for EDs consumption were to stay awake (58.2%), to enjoy the taste (46.8%), and to boost energy (38.0%). Energy drinks were mainly consumed less than once a month (70.5%), most frequently during academic activity (50.4%), less frequently mixed with alcohol for relaxation (21.5%), and only rarely in association with sports or other physical activity (10%). Drinking coffee (OR = 2.022; 95% CI 1.416-2.830; p < 0.001) and being a higher year student (OR = 0.723; 95% CI 0.639-0.819; p < 0.001) were independent predictors for EDs consumption; being single and living with parents (OR = 17.138; 95% CI 1.328-221.528; p = 0.030) for consumption of AmEDs; and being a man (OR = 2.251; 95% CI 1.493-3.392; p < 0.001) and living in urban environment (OR = 1.193; 95% CI 1.125-3.251; p = 0.017) for consuming EDs in association with sports or other physical activity. CONCLUSION Based on these preliminary data and taking low participation rate into account, EDs consumption seems not to be alarming among university students in our region. EDs are most frequently consumed during academic activity, less frequently mixed with alcohol for relaxation, and only rarely in association with sports or other physical activity. However, as EDs are increasingly aggressively promoted and easily accessible, the larger study is warranted to provide more reliable and up to date conclusions, and if necessary, to inform measures preventing health risks associated with EDs consumption.