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Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a critical condition affecting pregnancies worldwide. Understanding its etiology, particularly the genetic factors, is vital. This study aims to investigate the association between ACE gene polymorphisms, specifically the ACE G2350A (rs4343) variant, and the predisposition to PE, offering insights into the genetic predisposition towards this complex condition. Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 140 participants without PE (Control Group) and 128 participants diagnosed with PE (PE Group). The study focused on comparing the prevalence of the rs4343 polymorphism between the groups. Results: The analysis identified a significantly reduced risk associated with the AG genotype and an insignificant increase in risk with the AA genotype. Statistically significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, such as BMI and marital status, were observed between the groups, suggesting a multifaceted risk profile for PE that includes genetic, environmental, and socio-economic factors. Conclusions: The study highlight the significant role of genetic variations, specifically the ACE G2350A (rs4343) polymorphism, in influencing PE predisposition. It highlights the intricate interplay between genetic predispositions and other risk factors in the development of PE. Further research is encouraged to expand on these findings and explore a wider range of genetic polymorphisms and their interactions with environmental factors.

The present study focuses on the chemical characterization of a dry extract obtained from the species Ajuga chamaepitys (L.) Schreb, evaluating its antioxidant properties, toxicity, and in silico profile. Quantitative analysis of the dry extract revealed a notable amount of phytochemical compounds: 59.932 ± 21.167 mg rutin equivalents (mg REs)/g dry weight, 45.864 ± 4.434 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents (mg ChAEs)/g dry weight and, respectively, 83.307 ± 3.989 mg tannic acid equivalents (TAEs)/g dry weight. By UHPLC-HRMS/MS, the following were quantified as major compounds: caffeic acid (3253.8 μg/g extract) and kaempherol (3041.5 μg/g extract); more than 11 types of polyphenolic compounds were quantified (genistin 730.2 μg/g extract, naringenin 395 μg/g extract, apigenin 325.7 μg/g extract, galangin 283.3 μg/g extract, ferulic acid 254.3 μg/g extract, p-coumaric acid 198.2 μg/g extract, rutin 110.6 μg/g extract, chrysin 90.22 μg/g extract, syringic acid 84.2 μg/g extract, pinocembrin 32.7 μg/g extract, ellagic acid 18.2 μg/g extract). The antioxidant activity was in accordance with the amount of phytochemical compounds: IC50DPPH = 483.6 ± 41.4 µg/mL, IC50ABTS•+ = 127.4 ± 20.2 µg/mL, and EC50FRAP = 491.6 ± 2 µg/mL. On the larvae of Artemia sp., it was found that the extract has a low cytotoxic action. In silico studies have highlighted the possibility of inhibiting the activity of protein kinases CDK5 and GSK-3b for apigenin, galangin, and kaempferol, with possible utility for treating neurodegenerative pathologies and neuropathic pain. Further studies are warranted to confirm the predicted molecular mechanisms of action and to further investigate the therapeutic potential in animal models of neurological disorders.

Background: The health development of a baby during pregnancy is greatly influenced by prenatal bonding. The purpose of this study is to assess maternal-fetal attachment in the second- and third-trimesters and explore how the mother’s mental health and socioeconomic circumstances may affect it. Additionally, this study takes into account other relevant aspects, and addresses the existing lack of relevant information in Romania. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 200 pregnant women in the second- and third-trimesters of pregnancy. Personal Information Form (PIF), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and Maternal-Foetal Attachment Scale (MFAS) questionnaires were collected. Results: There was no statistically significant correlation between the MFAS and the mental health of the mother. Moreover, subsequent comparative analyses revealed a significant difference only in the case of socio-economic conditions, with women with a moderate socio-economic status showed higher levels of maternal-foetal attachment. Conclusions: The degree of maternal-foetal attachment is not significantly influenced by social characteristics such as age, education level, socio-economic context, or place of residence. The MFAS measured the attachment relationship. However, the study found no statistically significant correlation between the mother’s mental health and this attachment.

In the Middle Anisian the opening of the Neo‐Tethys started and this is characterized by a significant change in deposition in the whole Western Tethys Realm. In the Dinarides the Middle to Late Anisian tectonostratigraphic and basin evolution is mirrored by their sedimentary successions. In the Middle Anisian, the evolution of the shallow‐water Ravni Carbonate Ramp ended relatively abrupt in the late Pelsonian: a rapid decrease of carbonate production is accompanied by formation of a horst‐and‐graben topography. This change is expressed by the change in deposition from shallow‐water carbonates to deepwater sedimentary rocks, i.e. the Ravni Carbonate Ramp experienced a drowning. Contemporaneously neptunian dikes were formed in the underlying Ravni Formation, filled with deep‐water limestones. In the grabens, near to the newly formed escarpments mass transport deposits accumulated. During the time span late Pelsonian to middle Illyrian a general deepening trend is mirrored in the sedimentological trend and the microfacies characteristics. Fossilla ‐ gerstätten (mainly cephalopods) and hardgrounds occur widespread in the deeper‐water red nodular limestones formed widespread above the Ravni Carbonate Ramp. Around the middle/late Illyrian boundary a second intense pulse of tectonic motions, related to the onset of volcanic activity, resulted in a crosscut of the older horst‐and‐graben topo graphy. A second generation of neptunian dikes was formed, the blocks tilted, and again mass transport deposits accumulated near to escarpments. The late Illyrian is characterized by an overall deepening trend expressed also in a change in the microfacies characteristics to radiolarian‐rich wacke‐ to packstones. In cases even radio larites or silicified limestones are characteristic sedimentary rocks in late Illyrian to Ladinian times beside silicified volcano‐sedimentary rocks. This paper will define the late Middle‐Late Anisian red nodular limestones and related sedimentary rocks with mass transport deposits overlying the Ravni Carbonate Ramp on base of new sedimen tological, stratigraphic and micro facies data following the international rules and standards. The palaeo geographic position together with characteristic litho‐ and microfacies features cause the lithostratigraphic definition of the different units. Included in the newly introduced Bulog Group are: 1) the emended and formalized Bulog Formation and 2) the newly introduced and defined Komarani Formation. The type‐section of the Bulog Formation east of Sarajevo (Han Vidović, central Bosnia and Herzegovina) is revisited. The Komarani Formation is introduced with the type‐section in Komarani village (Zlatar Mt. in SW Serbia). The reference sections for the Bulog Formation in SW Serbia (Klisura quarry on Zlatibor Mt.), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Pridvorica locality at Romanija Mt.) and in Montenegro (Boljevići near Virpazar), are defined. In the reference sections some characteristic lithological and microfacies features are better preserved as in the type‐section and included in the emendation and formalization of the Bulog Formation. The Bulog Formation at the type‐section and all reference sections are in the Late Triassic overlain by the shallow‐water carbonates of the Wetterstein and Dachstein Carbonate Platforms. Age and facies equivalent red nodular limestones deposited in the outer shelf region are part of the Middle to Late Triassic Hallstatt Limestone succession. In the type‐region of the Hallstatt Limestones these late Middle to Late Anisian red nodular limestones are named Schreyeralm Limestones. The name Schreyeralm Limestone was introduced earlier as the name Bulog Limestone. It is discussed if also in the Dinarides the name Schreyeralm Limestone should be used for such Anisian red nodular limestones deposited in the outer shelf region, for priority reasons, or if they should be included into the Bulog Formation to avoid confusion, for historical reasons.

The opening of the Neo‐Tethys started in the Middle Anisian and is recorded in the drowning succession of the shallow‐water Ravni/Steinalm Carbonate Ramp and the subsequent deposition of deep‐marine limestones, e.g., the red nodular limestones of the Bulog Group and equivalents. In the Inner Dinarides of southwest Serbia the continental break‐up of the Neo‐ Tethys Ocean is characterized by the formation of a horst‐and‐graben topography. The change from deposition of shallow‐water carbonates formed in an epicontinental sea (graben stage of the Neo‐Tethys Wilson Cycle) to red nodular deep‐marine limestones (Bulog Limestone) in the late Pelsonian (Middle Anisian) is relatively abrupt due to the rapid decrease of carbonate production. The deeper‐water Bulog Limestone, deposited in the early stage of the passive continental margin evolution of the western Neo‐Tethys can be dated by conodonts and in rare cases also by ammonoids quite exactly, and therefore it is possible to reconstruct the Pelsonian to Illyrian sedimentological evolution precisely: 1) The late Pelsonian is characterized by the drowning of the shallow‐water Ravni Carbonate Ramp and a rapid deepening of the depositional realm. Extension led to the formation of neptunian dikes in the shallow‐water Ravni Formation, filled with deeper‐marine red micrite, and the formation of a horst‐and‐graben morphology. Whereas some of the horsts uplifted and emerged in the grabens near to the newly formed escarpments thick breccia successions were deposited with a fining‐upward trend during the early‐middle Illyrian. On top of other horsts, the grabens, or the newly formed gentle slopes red nodular limestones were deposited. In cases layers with enriched ammonoids formed (Fossillagerstätten). 2) The early‐middle Illyrian ongoing subsidence resulted in the deposition of more and more condensed red nodular limestones with hardground formation. 3) Around the middle/late Illyrian boundary a new pulse of tectonic motions resulted in the tilting of blocks, the formation of new escarpments and again mobilization of mass transport deposits. In addition, a second generation of neptunian dikes was formed. They crosscut the late Pelsonian to middle Illyrian Bulog Limestone, the Pelsonian Ravni Formation, and the older generation of neptunian dikes in the shallow‐water Ravni Formation. All formerly emerged horsts flooded and red nodular limestones were deposited on the karstified shallow‐water Ravni Formation after a gap. This second pulse of tectonic motions is related to the widespread volcanism in the Dinarides as visible in the appearance of mm‐sized biotite clasts in the late Illyrian Bulog Limestone. In contrast to the Outer Dinarides, where thick volcanics are intercalated in the Illyrian sedimentary succession, in the Bulog Limestone successions of the Inner Dinarides volcanics are missing. In general the Pelsonian‐Illyrian sedimentary succession is characterized by a stepwise deepening of the depositional realm.

The Middle to Late Anisian sedimentary succession preserved in the Klisura quarry in Sirogojno (Zlatibor Mt., SW Serbia) preserves the most complete deepening depositional history in the Inner Dinarides in Serbia. In this section, extensional tectonic movements that took place in connection with the Neo-Tethys break-up are reflected in the exceptional well-preserved record of the depositional history. The Pelsonian Ravni Formation at the base of the section is dissected by two generations of neptunian dikes formed in A) the late Pelsonian, and B) the late Illyrian. Above the late Pelsonian drowning unconformity a deepening trend of the depositional environment is mirrored by the litho- and microfacies characteristics of the more than 21 meter thick red nodular limestones of the Bulog Formation. Periods of starvation with deposition of Fossillagerstatten beds and hardgrounds mark characteristic changes in deposition. Two phases of distinct tectonic motions result in unconformities and a stepwise deepening of the depositional realm. The first and major unconformity is the drowning surface on the top of the Ravni Carbonate Ramp which led to the nearly total demise of shallow-water carbonate production, i.e. the change in deposition from shallow- to deepwater limestones. The second phase of tectonic motions is expressed by the formation of an angular unconformity after a phase of starvation in the basin. No Bulog Limestone section in the Dinarides, even not in the type region near Sarajevo, preserves all these characteristic sedimentological features as preserved in the Klisura quarry section in Sirogojno. Therefore this section is proposed to be the reference section for the sedimentological evolution and depositional environment reconstruction of the Bulog Formation in the Inner Dinarides, located in SW Serbia.