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Introduction. Otosclerosis is a disorder of the bone labyrinth and stapes resulting in conductive hearing loss. The genetic basis of otosclerosis still remains unknown. We aimed at reporting a comprehensive review of up-to-date knowledge on genetic basis of otosclerosis. Methods. Narrative literature review was undertaken to summarize the data about genetics of otosclerosis. Results. Genetics of otosclerosis has not been studied extensively and the literature on this topic is scarce. However, knowledge of genetic basis of otosclerosis is recently increasing. We have presented an overview of the knowledge of association of genetic markers with otosclerosis, gained from linkage analyses, candidate-gene studies, and modern high-throughput genomic studies. Conclusion. Due to its complex pathophysiology, otosclerosis is not a disease whose genetic base will be easily understood. Multiple omics analysis and bioinformatics will lead to elucidation of genetic basis of otosclerosis. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 451-03-68/2020-14/200042]

In order to assess heavy metal pollution in the city of Belgrade (Serbia) concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were measured on 18 topsoil samples collected in the proximity to central urban boulevards and in urban parks. In addition, concentrations of specified elements were determined in leaves of three evergreen plant species Buxus sempervirens L., Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. and Prunus laurocerasus L. so as to estimate their sensitivity to heavy metal pollution. Even though various types of soils from different quarts of Belgrade were sampled, their heavy metal contents were very similar, with somewhat higher concentrations of almost all elements detected in the proximity to high traffic roads. Generally, concentrations of heavy metals in leaves of investigated plant species paralleled the heavy metal concentrations found in their respective soils and were higher in plants sampled from boulevards then from urban parks. Since investigated plant show no visible injuries induced by detected heavy metal pollution these species are suitable for the successful urban landscaping. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173030]

Cyclohexane and methanol extracts of leaves and inflorescences of Ampelopsis brevipedunculata and Parthenocissus tricuspidata are shown to exert significant cytotoxic action on both estrogen-dependent (MDA-MB-361) and estrogen-nondependent (MDA-MB-453) breast cancer cell lines. Methanol extracts of P. tricuspidata exhibited higher cytotoxicity for the MDA-MB-453 cell line (inflorescence: IC50 =111.45 ± 2.56 μg/ml; leaves: IC50= 56.76 ± 7.11 μg/ml) than for MDA-MB-361. Cyclohexane extracts of A. brevipedunculata leaves exhibited high cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-453 (IC50 =78.32 ± 0.1 μg/ml) and the estrogen-dependent MDA-MB-361 cell line (IC50 =97.40 ± 2.61 μg/ml). The highest DPPH-scavenging ability was exhibited by methanol extracts of P. tricuspidata inflorescences, with IC50=7.55±0.07 μg/ml. The tested extracts possessed weak antimicrobial activity. Cikloheksanski i metanolni ekstrakti listova i cvasti Ampelopsis brevipedunculata i Parthenocissus tricuspidata pokazali su značajnu citotoksičnu aktivnost na estrogen-zavisne (MDA-MB-361) i estrogen-nezavisne ćelije raka dojke (MDA-MB-453). Metanolni ekstrakt P. tricuspidata ispoljio je veću citotoksičnost na MDA-MB-453 ćelije (cvast: IC50 =111.45 ± 2.56 μg/ml; listovi: IC50= 56.76 ± 7.11 μg/ml) u odnosu na MDA-MB-361 ćelije. Cikloheksanski ekstrakt listova A. brevipedunculata pokazao je visoku citotoksičnost na MDA-MB-453 (IC50 =78.32 ± 0.1 μg/ml), kao i na estrogen-zavisne MDA-MB-361 ćelije (IC50 =97.40 ± 2.61 μg/ml). Najveću sposobnost uklanjanja DPPH radikala imao je metanolni ekstrakt cvasti P. tricuspidata čija je IC50=7.55±0.07 μg/ml. Ispitivani ekstrakti poseduju slabu antimikrobnu aktivnost.