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Molecular-genetic diagnostics of polygenic diseases is a new and interesting area in laboratory diagnostics, especially in the area of cardiovascular diseases, as one of the leading causes of mortality in the world population. Aims: The aim of the paper was to analyse variants of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS3) (Glu298Asp/G894T) in the human population of Tuzla Canton in relation to cardiovascular diseases. Study Design: The study included 112 respondents of both sexes over 18 years old. The experimental group for the analysis of the polymorphism (Glu298Asp) of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene included 56 respondents of both sexes with cardiovascular disease (hypertension), while the control group comprised 56 healthy respondents of both sexes without a prior history of cardiovascular disease (sample/control). Place and Duration of Study: Blood sampling was performed at Medical Center "Plava Poliklinika", “Plava Medical Group”, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics, Tuzla. DNA isolation and molecular-genetic analysis of the samples were performed in Laboratory for scientific research at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Tuzla. Methodology: The genotyping of eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism for all respondents was determined by an optimized method based on PCR-RFLP reaction. Results: In the total sample of respondents, the highest genotype frequencies of the eNOS gene were recorded for the GG genotype (53.5%) and the GT genotype (35.7%). The lowest frequency was recorded for the TT genotype, which was 10.8%. Conclusion: The results obtained in the study provide good guidelines for further study of a molecular-genetic association between a high number of gene candidates and cardiovascular diseases, which will contribute to the incorporation of these results into the existing regional and European genetic database.

Aims: The aims of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates to antibiotics and essential oils - Origanum compactum, Origanum majorana and Thymus serpyllum. Study Design: Study included 30 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae obtained from clinical material provided from the University Clinical Center Tuzla. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tuzla, BiH, between September 2019 to September 2020. Methodology: Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The following commercially available antibiotic discs were used: amoxicillin (30µg), cefalexin (30 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), amikacin (30 µg), imipenem (10 µg), piperacillin (75µg), ampicilin (10 µg), meropenem (10 µg), ciprofloksacin (10 µg), ceftazidim (30 µg), cefotaksim (30 µg), ceftriaxone (30 µg), cefepime (30 µg) and aztreonam (30 µg). The antibacterial effect of the essential oils was tested for ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates using the diffusion method according to Clinical laboratory standards institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: O. compactum and O. majorana essential oils showed the same antimicrobial activity with 80.0% effect on ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates, Thymus serpyllum EO showed antimicrobial activity of 60.0%. The lowest MIC value had the O. compactum essential oil (MIC 6 mg/ml-10.5 mg/ml), followed by the T. serpyllum (MIC 17.2 mg/ml-43 mg/ml), while the O. majorana essential oil showed MIC values in range from 11 mg/ml to 39 mg/ml. Conclusion: The results of the study showed the exceptional sensitivity of ESBL K. pneumoniae clinical isolates to the essential oils from Origanum and Thymus genera, which highly suggests their potential application in the struggle against these pathogens in the future.

Pear as a fruit species has a special place because of its quality characteristic. The fact that about 20,000 pear seedlings are considered to be sold annually in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are autochthonous or spontaneously expanded varieties, also speaks in favor. The main goal of this research is to analyze the genetic variability of nine autochthonous pear varieties in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina to enable the conservation and expansion of existing genetic resources. The study included nine autochthonous pear varieties. Samples of young leaves were collected on the following localities: the town of Srebrenik, the town of Gradačac, the municipality of Čelić-Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the spring 2019. To determine genetic diversity, 12 SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) markers were genotyped. There were no cases of synonyms or homonyms in the analyzed set. Each of the nine tested varieties represents a unique genotype. Autochthonous pear cultivars analyzed in this paper represent an interesting genetic resource, with useful agronomic traits that can be used in future cultivation.

Aims: The basic precondition for apple breeding is the genetic diversity of varieties, which implies a large number of different, positive genes that enable adaptation to different weather conditions, resistance to new diseases and pests. One of the reliable sources of genetic diversity are indigenous varieties of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their genetic identification is the first step in a process that has as its ultimate goal the collection of genetic material. The main goal of this research is to analyze the genetic variability of five indigenous varieties of apple in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina in terms of contributing to the management of conservation and expansion of existing genetic resources, spreading this material through registered nurseries. Study Design: The research included fiveautochthonous apple varieties: "Ovčji nos“ “Dobrić“, "Šarenika“, "Rančica“ and "Petrovača“. Place and Duration of Study: Samples of young leaves were collected at the site of Donji Moranjci, City of Srebrenik,Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the spring of 2019. Methodology: In order to determine the genetic diversity of five indigenous apple varieties were genotyped ten SSR(Simple Sequence Repeats) markers. Results: No cases of synonyms or homonyms were found within the analyzed set.The results of the study indicate a pronounced differentiation, ie all five examined varieties represent unique genotypes. Conclusion: The examined sets of genotypes possess significant genetic variability, which is important especially when we consider that a relatively small number of samples have been analyzed.

The ABO and Rh blood group are the most important systems with various distributions reported for different populations. The ABO and Rh are known also to be associated with various diseases. Obesity is a complex chronic disease involving environmental, genetics, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral, and psychological components. The present study is aimed to explore the association and distribution of the ABO/Rh blood type and the risk of hypertension and obesity among students population. The study group consisted of 100 examinees, 14 males and 86 females, students aged 18 - 23. The blood group A was found to be the most prevalent (46 %), while the blood group AB was found to be the least prevalent (6%). The highest average value of the BMI was found in subjects with the blood group AB/Rh+ 22.36 ± 2.49 kg/m2 where the lowest value was in the blood group B/Rh+ 20.13 ± 2.64 kg/m2. The highest average value of systolic blood pressure was measured in subjects with A/Rh- 138.88 ± 16.63 mm Hg, while the lowest was in the blood group B/Rh- 118.50 ±7.55 mm Hg.

The aim of this paper is to present the preliminary results of the monitoring study of the frequency of congenital heart disease in newborns in Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and their distribution by sex of the newborn and maternal age. The study used the data from the book of protocols and case records of the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, the University Clinical Center in Tuzla. The analysis of 8,521 newborns between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008 has resulted in the frequency of 1.76%, i.e. 1.31% for the mature newborns and 0.45% for the premature newborns respectively. Of the total number of registered anomalies, 10% was associated with congenital anomalies of other systems. No statistically significant differences were found in the subsamples of both mature and premature newborns when it comes to the distribution of congenital heart disease by sex of newborns and maternal age. The frequency registered in the analyzed period suggests the necessity of screening and monitoring congenital heart disease in the observed population.

One from a number of problems that occur when attempting to establish a possible link between certain diseases and genetic polymorphisms is certainly the absence of data on the frequency of these polymorphisms in general populations. Any variation in allele frequencies between different populations may have clinical significance. Factors that may influence the association of alleles with disease, such as ethnic or gender effect, is not possible to determine without allele frequencies in the general population. Aim of the research was to analyze the polymorphism -590 C/T of IL-4 gene in general bosnian-herzegovinian population. From a total of 528 patients analyzed for the polymorphism of IL-4 -590 C/T, 22 had the TT genotype, 150 TC and 356 CC genotype. Genotyping was performed by PCR - RFLP method. Comparing the frequencies of genotypes by gender did not determine statistically significant difference. The distribution of genotypes in the total sample was consistent with Hardy-Wainberg's equilibrium (p = 0.2251). Analysis of the -590 C/T polymorphism determined the allele frequencies T 0.18 and C 0.82 in the total sample. Comparing the allele frequency with the frequencies determined in other European general populations found no statistically significant difference. Further investigations that would be in relation to the association of certain genotypes and specific immune phenomena would be important for explaining the basic biological processes and indicating ways of prediction, prevention or repair of adverse situations in immunological diseases.

We evaluated possible roles of interleukin-8 gene polymorphisms (1633T/C-rs2227543, 251A/T-rs4073) and interleukin-18 gene polymorphisms (-607C/A-rs1946518, -137G/C-rs187238) in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes. 271 patients with DR and 113 without diabetic retinopathy were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. We did not observe an association between either interleukin-8 gene polymorphisms (1633T/C, 251A/T) or interleukin-18 gene polymorphisms (-607C/A, -137G/C) and diabetic retinopathy in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes. We did not find statistically significant differences in interleukin-8 serum levels between diabetics with the TT and AA genotype and those with other genotypes. The interleukin-18 serum levels between diabetics with the CC genotype of the -607C/A polymorphism and those with other genotypes (AA, AC) were not significantly different. Moreover, we did not observe a statistically significant effect of the tested polymorphisms of either interleukin-8 or interleukin-18 genes on serum levels in diabetics. In conclusion, our study indicates that the examined polymorphisms of interleukin-8 (1633T/C, 251A/T) and interleukin-18 (-607C/A or the -137G/C) genes are not genetic risk factors for diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, they may not be used as genetic markers for diabetic retinopathy in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes.