Biomonitoring of human populations exposed to chemical substances that can act as potential mutagens or carcinogens, may enable the detection of damage and early disease prevention. In recent years, the comet assay has become an important tool for assessing DNA damage, both in environmental and occupational exposure contexts. To evidence the role of the comet assay in human biomonitoring, we have analysed original research studies of environmental or occupational exposure that used the comet assay in their assessments, following the PRISMA-ScR method (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews). Groups of chemicals were designated according to a broad classification, and the results obtained from over 300 original studies (n = 123 on air pollutants, n = 14 on anaesthetics, n = 18 on antineoplastic drugs, n = 57 on heavy metals, n = 59 on pesticides, and n = 49 on solvents) showed overall higher values of DNA strand breaks in the exposed subjects in comparison with the unexposed. In summary, our systematic scoping review strengthens the relevance of the use of the comet assay in assessing DNA damage in human biomonitoring studies.

Aim This study aimed to assess the impact of forced repeated swimming stress on serum adiponectin and endothelin-1 levels in Wistar rats, comparing the effects between those fed a standard diet and those on a high-fat diet. Methods Twenty adult male Wistar rats were divided into two dietary groups: a standard food diet group (NFD, n=10) and a high-fat diet group (HFD, n=10). Both groups underwent daily forced swimming stress for six days, with durations increasing from 5 to 30 minutes. The protocol finished in an acute bout of swimming exercise on the seventh day with a duration of 40 minutes. Adherence to ethical guidelines was strictly maintained, and serum adiponectin and endothelin-1 levels were measured pre- and post-exercise using the ELISA method. Results Before swimming, the mean adiponectin levels were 4.30±1.50 ng/mL in the NFD group and 3.53±0.70 ng/mL in the HFD group. Post-exercise, these levels significantly decreased to 2.4±0.84 ng/mL (p=0.003) and 1.58±0.23 ng/mL (p=0.001), respectively. Endothelin-1 levels also showed significant decreases from 0.86 pg/mL (0.74-0.87) to 0.49 pg/mL (0.43-0.62) (p=0.003) in the NFD group, and from 0.89 pg/mL (0.86-0.93) to 0.69 pg/mL (0.60-0.75) (p=0.027) in the HFD group after swimming. Conclusion The study highlighted the significant effects of forced swimming stress on lowering serum adiponectin and endothelin-1 levels in Wistar rats, with more pronounced decreases observed in rats on a high-fat diet. The results of the study suggest the potential of exercise as a crucial component of strategies aimed at managing obesity and improving cardiovascular health, emphasizing the interaction between physical stress and dietary factors on metabolic and cardiovascular biomarkers.

In addition to their undeniable importance for industry, natural plant products are widely used in the production of functional food, which, in addition to satisfying nutritional properties, also exhibits certain pharmacological and physiological effects on human health. Chokeberryfruit and products are considered to be excellent sources of polyphenoliccompounds. A large part of polyphenolic compounds from aronia berriesis found in the juice, but the flesh of the berry that remains behind in the juice production process is also richin these bioactive compounds. The aim of the conducted research was to examine the antioxidant potentialof thechokeberry juices from Bosnia and Herzegovina.The antioxidant potentialof chokeberryjuicesin this study wastestedbythe ferric reducing antioxidant power(FRAP)andtotal phenol content (FC). Tests were carried out in other juices for the same parameters in order to compare the obtained values.The research results show that the values of FRAP and total phenols in chokeberry juices vary (20-63 mmol Fe II/L; 850-4930 mgGAE/L), but are significantly higher than in other analyzed juices (7-25 mmol FeII/L; 220–1265 mgGAE/L). By comparing the content of total phenols and FRAP values in pasteurized and unpasteurized chokeberry juice samples, it can be concluded that they are higher in the sample prepared by the pasteurization process. Statistical parameters showthat thelinearcorrelation between thetotal phenols and the FRAP valuesof chokeberry juices (r=0,964; p ˂0,001) and other analysedjuices (r=0,960;p ˂0,001 ) isstatisticallysignificant. KEYWORDS:chokeberry(Aronia melanocarpaL.)juice,antioxidant potential, FC, FRAP

The aim of this paper is focused on reducing sodium chloride content by partial replacement with potassium chloride and magnesium chloride in cooked cheese samples. For the production of cheese, standardized cow's milk from a domestic market producer was used, and the cheese was produced by heating the milk to a temperature of 95°C and coagulation with acetic acid. The one salted only with NaCl was designated as the standard sample, and the other samples were salted with combinations of salts in which NaCl reduction was performed: sample A1 had a ratio of 15% KCl:85% NaCl, sample A2 30% KCl:70% NaCl, sample B1 15% MgCl2:85% NaCl and sample B2 30% MgCl2:70% NaCl. The cheese samples were stored at + 4°C and color parameters and sensory properties were analyzed on the 1st, 3rdand 5thdays of storage. Based on the performed analyses, it was concluded that it is completely acceptable to replace sodium chloride with potassium chloride in the ratio of 15% KCl:85% NaCl. It is acceptable to replace sodium chloride with potassium chloride inthe ratio of 30% KCl:70% NaCl, with the note that on the 5thday of storage there is a gradual deterioration of the sensory properties compared to the samples analyzed on the 1stday of storage. Replacement of sodium chloride with magnesium chloride in the ratios 15% MgCl2:85% NaCl and 30% MgCl2:70% NaCl is not acceptable.As such, it is not recommended in the production of cooked cheeses due to the appearance of a metallic and bitter taste that is present in cheese samples from the 1st to the 5th day of storage. KEYWORDS:cooked cheese, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the short-term consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on pulmonary diffusion in patients with severe (but not critical) and moderately severe COVID-19 pneumonia during three months after COVID-19 infection. Methods: A prospective study included 81 patients with an RT-PCR-test confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection treated in the COVID Department of Lung Diseases of University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Inclusion criteria were ≥18-year-old patients, COVID-19 infection confirmed using real-time RT-PCR, radiologically confirmed bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia, and diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) one and three months after COVID-19 infection. The pulmonary function was tested using the MasterScreen Body Jaeger (Jaeger Corporation, Omaha, USA) and MasterScreen PFT Jaeger (Jaeger Corporation, Omaha, USA) according to American Thoracic Society guidelines one and three months after COVID-19 infection. Results: Forced vital capacity significantly increased three months after COVID-19 infection compared to the first-month control (p<0.0005). Also, a statistically significant increase in the FEV1 value (p<0.0005), FEV1%FVC ratio (p<0.005), DLCO/SB (p<0.0005), DLCO/VA value (p<0.0005), and total lung capacity (TLC) (p<0.0005) was observed in all patients. Conclusion: Our study showed that recovery of DLCO/VA and spirometry parameters was complete after three months, while DLCO/SB was below normal values even after three months. Therefore, one month after the COVID-19 infection patients had partial recovery of lung function, while a significant recovery of lung function was observed three months after the COVID-19 infection.

Toxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) can lead to serious liver injury. The aim of the study is to investigate the protective effects of oregano oil (Origanum minutiflorum extract oil) against CCl4‐induced liver injury. Two doses of oregano oil were used in the experiment: a low dose (LD; 20 mg/kg) and a high dose (HD; 60 mg/kg) during 2 weeks. CCl4 caused severe liver damage, nucleolus destruction in hepatocytes and cytogenetic changes in the nucleus. Indirectly, CCl4 causes decreased protein synthesis and significantly high creatinine and urea values. Hematological disorders have been recorded, such as decreased RBC and hemoglobin concentration, increased WBC and deformability of the erythrocyte membrane. Both doses of oregano oil had protective effects. Improved protein synthesis and high globulins level, creatinine and urea were found in both groups. Cytogenetic changes in the nucleus of hepatocytes were reduced. A high dose of oregano oil had maximal protective effects for RBC, but a very weak effect on hemoglobin synthesis. Also, WBC and lymphocyte values were low. Origanum stimulates protein synthesis and recovery of hepatocytes after liver injury, reduces the deformability of the erythrocyte membrane. High doses of oregano oil decreased WBC and lymphocytes which may lead to a weakening of the immune response. However, high doses are more effective against severe platelet aggregation than low doses, suggesting an effective treatment against thrombocytosis.

This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic activity of decidual lymphocytes and the mRNA/protein expression of cytotoxic proteins in various cell types in the context of preeclampsia (PE) compared to those of healthy pregnancies. We analyzed fresh decidua basalis tissue and tissue embedded in paraffin (FFPE) from PE pregnancies (n = 15) and compared them with those of healthy pregnancies (n = 15) of the corresponding gestational age. Using double immunofluorescence staining, we observed differences in the intensity and distribution of staining for granzyme K (GZMK) and FasL in extravillous trophoblasts. RT-qPCR analysis of FFPE placental tissue showed that GZMK mRNA expression was statistically higher (p < 0.0001) in PE compared to that of healthy controls. On the contrary, there was a low expression (p < 0.001) of FasL mRNA in PE compared to controls, while there was no statistically significant difference for IFN-γ mRNA between PE and controls. Although the level of cytotoxic activity changed depending on the ratio of effector and target cells, there was no significant difference observed between PE and controls in this in vitro study. In conclusion, in PE, extravillous trophoblasts exhibited increased expression of GZMK and decreased expression of FasL. These changes may contribute to impaired trophoblast invasion. However, these alterations did not appear to affect the cytotoxic properties of decidual lymphocytes. Additionally, the possibility of cell sorter separation of decidual lymphocytes would greatly contribute to a better understanding of single cells’ genetic profiles.