Despite the fact that Asplenium scolopendrium L. is a wide spread fern which has been used as a human remedy for centuries, there are very poor or no data about activity and genotoxicity of A. scolopendrium extracts. In this work, vacuum dried water and ethanol extracts of A. scolopendrium fronds were tested for their antimicrobial, cytotoxic and genotoxic potential. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion assay (concentration of extracts 35 mg/ml, 7 mg/ml and 1,4 mg/ml) and there was no inhibition zone for all extracts and for all microorganisms examined (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans). Cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of extracts (70 mg/ml, 7 mg/ml and 0,7 mg/ml) was tested using cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay in human lymphocyte cultures. Ethanol blocked division of cells in negative control so only water extracts were analyzed. Extracts didn’t show genotoxic properties but they showed weak cytotoxic properties. NDI (nuclear division index) decreased with increasing concentration of extracts, but there was no statistical significance when compared to negative control (p=0,055).

INTRODUCTION: The primary value of DNA typing has been significantly increased in the last fifteen years due to introduction of short tandem repeat (STR) loci in routine paternity testing, as well as in forensic cases and mass disaster human identification. Nevertheless, ability to obtain DNA profiles from very small amounts of sample still presents certain types of challenges in forensic casework. As it is already known, low-copy number (LCN) DNA testing typically refers to examination of less than 100 pg of input DNA. In this analysis the number of PCR cycles is often increased to improve the amplification yield. Nevertheless, application of LCN results should be approached with caution due to the possibilities of allele dropout, allele drop-in, and increased risks of collection-based and laboratory based contamination. Therefore, sometimes, additional DNA analysis of these samples is required to be performed with an available miniSTR system.

POPULATION: We have analyzed the distribution of allele frequencies at two short tandem repeats loci (D2S1338 and D19S433) in a multinational sample of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) residents. A total of 110 unrelated male and female individuals (Caucasians) from different regions of B&H were sampled for the analysis. We ensured that the sample reflected approximate proportional participation of the three main ethnic groups in the population of B&H (Bosniacs‐Muslim [45%], Serbs [34%], Croats [21%]).

Standard molecular techniques, with only a slight modification, are very useful in obtaining and interpreting the final results in the field of forensic genetic. Data obtained through such analysis are highly reliable and can be used as a very powerful tool that produces valuable results. However, success and swiftness of DNA typing of biological evidence either that found at a crime scene or used in disputed paternity testing, depends on the optimization of numerous factors. One of the most important and critical phases that ensures reliability of the whole procedure is the choice of the most suitable volume for the amplification protocol. Buccal swabs were collected from volunteers. DNA was extracted by Qiagen Dnaeasy Tissue Kit. PowerPlex 16 kit was used to simultaneously amplify 15 STR loci by PCR. Amplification was carried out as described previously. The tested total working reaction volumes were 5, 10 and 25 microl. The PCR amplification was carried out in PE Gene Amp PCR System Thermal Cycler (ABI, Foster City, CA). Amplification products were analyzed on an ABI PRISM 377 instrument (ABI, Foster City, CA) in 5% bis-acrilamide gel. Amplification was generally successful for all the tested reaction volumes. Lower partial to complete DNA profiles ratio, the quality of obtained STR profiles, significantly reduced amount of reaction's components give advantage to 5 microl reaction volume over other two tested volumes in this case.