Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents a state of androgen-driven metabolic dysregulation where visceral adiposity and inflammation critically define cardiometabolic risk. Visceral adiposity is not a bystander in PCOS; it is an active endocrine organ driving insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and androgen persistence. Interventions that reverse adipocyte hypertrophy and inflammatory signaling may therefore alter the metabolic trajectory of PCOS. Beyond its chronobiotic role, melatonin exerts profound metabolic actions via MT1/MT2 receptors in adipose tissue, modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory gene expression. Yet its direct impact on androgen-induced visceral adiposity remains unclear. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin, metformin, and their combination on visceral fat accumulation in a testosterone-induced PCOS rat model. Material and methods: Thirty prepubertal female Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n=6): control, PCOS (testosterone 20 mg/kg/day), PCOS+metformin (500 mg/kg/day), PCOS+melatonin (2 mg/kg/day), and PCOS+melatonin+metformin. Treatments lasted 36 days. Estrous cyclicity was monitored by daily vaginal cytology, and somatometric parameters were recorded weekly. On day 36, serum, ovaries, and visceral fat were collected for biochemical and histological analysis. Results: Vaginal smear changes and ovarian pathological alteration due to prolonged testosterone exposure confirmed the successful induction of the PCOS model. Measures of central adiposity, including abdominal circumference and the TC/AC ratio, were significantly higher in the PCOS model than in controls (p < 0.001). Abdominal circumference (AC) increase was greatest in the PCOS model (p < 0.001), while all treatment groups showed significant reductions, most notably in the melatonin + metformin group, followed by melatonin monotherapy and then metformin (all p < 0.001 vs. PCOS). Melatonin was more effective than metformin (p=0.029). AC/TC reduction was greatest in the combined treatment group (p < 0.05). Total weight gain among groups did not reach statistical significance. While total visceral fat weight did not differ among groups, histology revealed a marked reduction in adipocyte number in treated animals, most pronounced in the melatonin group (p < 0.033). Conclusion: Our findings identify melatonin as a metabolic modulator of androgen-driven adiposity, supporting its potential as an adjunctive therapy targeting visceral fat and inflammation in PCOS

This document presents strategic guidelines and a development framework aimed at enhancing higher education programs in biotechnology within Bosnia and Herzegovina. It emphasizes the importance of aligning academic curricula, research capacities, and innovation ecosystems with global sustainable development goals (SDGs) and emerging scientific trends. Drawing on insights from the 2025 scientific-expert symposium "Next-Generation Biotechnologists – Skills of Future Educators," this work outlines key recommendations for modernizing educational approaches, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and fostering the next generation of biotechnologists equipped to meet societal and technological challenges. The framework is intended for academic institutions, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to advancing biotechnology education and innovation in the region.

AIM This study aimed to reveal the prevalence of the insulin resistance (IR) identified by triglyceride glucose index (TyG index) among students of University of Sarajevo. The impact of visceral fat level and waist to hip ratio measures on TyG value in students has been investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Study included 160 apparently healthy students, both genders, aged from 19-27 years. Two groups were formed: Group1, TyG <4,49 and Group 2, TyG³4,49. A short interview, questionnaire, anthropometric measures, visceral fat level (VFL), blood pressure and biochemical parameters were applied. The statistical level of significance was P<0,05. RESULTS Forty-five students (28, 1%) were insulin resistant. There was a significant difference in TyG value (P<0,001), [group 1- 4,19 (3,93-4,34 vs. group 2 - 4,59 (4,55-4,74)]. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid parameters-total cholesterol, triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC, TG and VLDL-C) were significantly higher in group TyG ³4,49 compared to TyG <4,49 group, with exception of HDL-C of LDL-C (P>0.05). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed significant impact of waist to hip ratio on TyG value (P=0,001). CONCLUSION The prevalence of IR measured by TyG in university students was 28,1%. The impact of waist to hip ratio on value of TyG index points on possible application of both parameters in visceral obesity and insulin resistance assessment in apparently healthy individuals.

Aims: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive multisystem disease caused by a mutation of the CFTR gene. To date, more than 1900 mutations of this gene are known. Studies have shown that the most common mutation is delF508. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the prevalence of individual mutations in the general population has not been thoroughly studied, so this study aimed to determine the prevalence of the mutation concerning the countries of the region and the rest of the world. Study Design: Retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Thirty-nine subjects with suspected Cystic fibrosis were referred to the Center for Genetics of the Medical Faculty in Sarajevo between 2018-2020. Methodology: 29 common CFTR gene mutations were analysed with the ELUCIGENE CF29 v2 kit (Elucigene Diagnostics, UK) using four multiplex PCR. Results: The most common mutation in our study was the F508 deletion, present in 14 subjects (73.68%). R347P and G542X mutations were confirmed in two subjects in the heterozygous state in combination with delF508 (M) 5.26% of each of these mutations. 621+1G>T was found in a homozygous state in one subject, while in another, it was in a heterozygous state in combination with delF508(M) mutation, 10.52%. Mutation 2184 delA was found in one subject in the homozygous state with a total frequency of 5.26%. Conclusion: Subjects with cystic fibrosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina are most often carriers of the delF508 mutation. Considering the existence of many mutations and that it is difficult to test them all, targeting the most common mutations in a clinical environment might help in approving therapy, and increasing patients’ quality of life.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic to severe disease with a high mortality rate. In view of the current pandemic and the increasing influx of patients into healthcare facilities, there is a need to identify simple and reliable tools for stratifying patients. Objective: Study aimed to analyze whether hemogram-derived ratios (HDRs) can be used to identify patients with a risk of developing a severe clinical form and admission to hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional and observational study included 500 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Data on clinical features and laboratory parameters were collected from medical records and 13 HDRs were calculated and analyzed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were included in the analysis. Results: Of the 500 patients, 43.8% had a severe form of the disease. Lymphocytopenia, monocytopenia, higher C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were found in severe patients (p < 0.05). Significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR (dNLR), neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (NPR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-to-platelet ratio (NLPR) and CRP-to-lymphocyte ratio (CRP/Ly) values were found in severe patients (p < 0.001). In addition, they have statistically significant prognostic potential (p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for CRP/Ly, dNLR, NLPR, NLR, and NPR were 0.693, 0.619, 0.619, 0.616, and 0.603, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 65.7% and 65.6% for CRP/Ly, 51.6% and 70.8 for dNLR, 61.6% and 57.3% for NLPR, 40.6% and 80.4% for NLR, and 48.8% and 69.1% for NPR. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that NLR, dNLR, CRP/Ly, NPR, and NLPR can be considered as potentially useful markers for stratifying patients with a severe form of the disease. HDRs derived from routine blood tests results should be included in common laboratory practice since they are readily available, easy to calculate, and inexpensive.

Abstract Background CYP3A5 enzyme encoded by CYP3A5 is important for drug metabolism in gut and liver, whereas P-glycoprotein by ABCB1, is an ATP-dependent drug efflux pump which exports endo- and exogenous substances outside the cell. Aim The study was to assess the prevalence of CYP3A5 alleles: *1, *2, *3, *4, *6 and *7, and C and T of ABCB1 in Poles, Belarusians and Bosnians and to compare it with the data reported from other European populations. Subjects and methods Overall, 511 unrelated healthy subjects from Poland (n = 239), Belarus (n = 104) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (n = 168) were included in this study. Allele frequencies and statistical parameters (AMOVA version 2.9.3) were determined. Results In Poles, Belarusians and Bosnians the *3 allele of CYP3A5 was the most common, and wild-type allele *1, were: 5.8%, 1.6% and 2.1%, respectively. Allele *2 was very rare, and alleles *4, *6 and *7 were not detected. For the populations mentioned above, the ABCB1 allele C was: 48.1%, 51.4%, 52.4%, respectively. Conclusion In compared populations, the distribution of CYP3A5 variants but not ABCB1, differed significantly. Alleles *4, *6 and *7 of CYP3A5 did not occur or occurred rarely.

BACKGROUND Cerebrospinal levels of isoprostanes (IsoPs) have been established as biomarkers of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). The value of peripheral levels in the diagnostics of these diseases is less conclusive. The aim of this study was to determine serum 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2alpha (8-iso-PGF2α) levels in Bosnian AD and VD patients and to establish whether there is an association between 8-iso-PGF2α serum concentration and cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with dementia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Serum levels of 8-iso-PGF2α were measured by enzyme immunoassay method in AD (n=30) and VD patients (n=30) and control subjects (CG, n=30). The AD and VD group were further stratified according to the level of CI. RESULTS The serum 8-iso-PGF2α levels were significantly higher in the AD (74.00 pg/mL) and VD groups (38.00 pg/mL) compared to the CG (17.50 pg/mL). A significant difference in serum 8-iso-PGF2α levels between patients with moderate and severe CI was not established in either AD or VD. CONCLUSION Serum 8-iso-PGF2α proved to be a good biomarker in AD and VD, however it cannot be recommended for the differentiation of moderate and severe CI.