Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

 

Issue 56

 

 

 

Publication date: June 2021

 

Full version Bulletin

 

Table of contents



Determination of Sulfites in Fruit Juices and Meals for Infants and Toddlers Original Scientific Article

Marjanović, A., Đeđibegović, J., Lugušić, A., Šober, M.

 

DOI: 10.35666/2232-7266.2021.56.01

UDK: 615.9:663.81-053.3

Abstract: Plants possess various intrinsic mechanisms necessary to accumulate and either sequester or detoxify soil contaminants, including radionuclides. The aim of this study was to determine the bioconcentration factor of two fast growing plants Salvia offlicinalis L. (sage) and Ocimum basillicum L. (basil) that were cultivated in pH neutral soils artificially contaminated with three different concentrations of uranium (211, 352 and 470 mg/kg). The efficiency of citric acid was evaluated with respect to the enhancement of the phytoextraction process. The results showed that the bioconcentration factor did not differ significantly between the selected species (0.01 - 0.03). Citric acid was added in doses (50 mL, 30 mM) until the first effects of uranium phytotoxicity appeared. After four doses of citric acid, the bioconcentration factor reached 0.05 for both plants. The increase of uranium content taken up by the respective plants was more pronounced. Thus, the uranium content of sage grown in contaminated soil (470 mg/kg) increased from 6.03 to 21.28 mg/kg in citric acid-treated soil. The data obtained confirmed the efficiency of citric acid in enhancing phytoextraction of uranium and further suggest that even plants of a rather small biomass can be useful in phytoremediation given the appropriate treatment through induced phytoextraction with appropriate chemical agents.

 

Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina 56, 1-6.

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The Determination of Total Serum Bilirubin Concentration in Type 2 Diabetes patients Original Scientific Article

 

Mandal Šaćira

DOI: 10.35666/2232-7266.2021.56.02
 
UDK: 543.64:616.379-052
 

Abstract: Bilirubin represent a natural end-product of heme metabolism and is used as as a marker in diagnosis off hepatobiliary diseases. Recent studies demonstrated that serum bilirubin levels are related to the risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) development and subsequent complications. The aim of this study was to analyzed serum total bilirubin concentrations and its relationship with biochemical and clinical characteristics in T2D patients. Total of 109 participants were included in this study, 54 controls and 55 diabetic patients, both gender, while ages ranged from 35 to 70 years. Biochemical parameters were analyzed by standard IFCC methods while serum total bilirubin concentrations was determined by the method of Jendrassik/Gróf. All analyses and measurements were provided by using the chemical analyzer VITROS 350. Results showed a significant difference in concentrations of glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol) and bilirubin between T2D patients and controls (p<0.05). Also, significant association was found between bilirubin and glucose concentrations in two investigated populations (p<0.05). It appears that elevated concentration of bilirubin and biochemical characteristics are associated with the progression development of Type 2 diabetes and its related vascular complications. Therefore, total serum bilirubin concentrations could be used as potential T2D biomarker and therefore, as new therapeutic target.

 

Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina 56, 7-12.

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The Content of Essential and Toxic Metals in the Hair of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders Original Scientific Article

Pilić, S.,a Kalić, E.,a Selović, A.b

 

DOI: 10.35666/2232-7266.2021.56.03

UDK: 615.9:612.799-056.34(497.6)

 
 

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the possible relationship between the content of essential and toxic metals in the hair samples with the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Taking into account the age and gender of the child, in the study and control group, the samples were divided into three subgroups (1-5 years; 6-9 years; 10-14 years). Altered profiles of the values of the Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb in the study group were observed in comparison with the control group children with typical neuromotor development. Higher values of toxic metal concentrations (Co, Ni, Cd, Pb) were found in boys, compared to the girls in the study group. The content of Pb in the study group was higher in all three ages compared to their controls, with the difference being especially pronounced in the age group 1-5 years (6.64 mg/kg; 1.89 mg/kg). A strong correlation between the content of Pb and Cd (0.93) was confirmed. Lower values of Cr concentration and higher of Ni, Cu and Fe were recorded in the study group. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found in Zn concentrations (6-9 years; 10 -14 years) between the control and study groups. The findings help highlight the role of heavy metals as environmental factors in the etiology of ASD.

 

Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina 56, 13-20.

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Serum levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants in female dementia patients with respect to the degree of cognitive impairment Original Scientific Article

Lepara, O.a, Ibragić, S.b*, Rebić, D.c, Zukić, E.d, Krupić, F.e, Džubur, A.fFajkić, A.g, Pepić, E.g, Novaković, A.d, Gojak R.h

 

DOI: 10.35666/2232-7266.2021.56.04

UDK: 612.015:616.894-052

 

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the severity of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) and the serum antioxidant status of uric acid (UA), albumin (ALB) and bilirubin (BIL) in female patients. The cross-sectional study included 90 subjects, aged ≥65, divided into three groups: 30 patients with AD, 30 patients with VD and 30 control subjects. For cognitive assessment, all participants underwent the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Serum concentrations of ALB, UA and BIL were determined spectrophotometrically. The AD patients had a significant decrease of UA and increase of serum BIL. Upon stratification according to the degree of cognitive impairment, lower UA concentrations were found in patients with severe cognitive impairment, whereas increased BIL was found in patients with moderate cognitive impairment. Patients with VD were characterized by hypoalbuminemia and upon stratification this finding was evident among patients with severe cognitive impairment. The MoCA score correlated positively with BIL in AD patients. The obtained data supports the protective role of serum antioxidants in the pathogenesis of dementia. Further on, we suggest further longitudinal research to confirm the combined use of these parameters as potential biomarkers in AD and VD.

 

Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina 56, 21-28.

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Relationship between platelet indices and lipid status in chronic hookah consumption Original Scientific Article

Kurtović A.a, Fajkić A.b, Pepić E.b, Pleho-Kapić A.b, Lepara O.c, Lazzari D.d, Milaimi A.d, Milaimi A.d, Meštrovac A.d, Dervišević A.c, Mačkić-Đurović M.e, Mušanović J.f

 

DOI: 10.35666/2232-7266.2021.56.05

UDK: 688.932-056.83 : [616.155 + 611.1]

 

Abstract: Hookah smoking is a growing trend, both in the world and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of this study was to determine the value of platelet indices in hookah smokers and find out associations with lipid profile. Cross-sectional study included 60 students (30 chronic hookah smokers and 30 non-smokers). The complete blood count (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte and platelet indices), lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C) were determined.  The platelet count, mean platelet volume and MPV/Platelets ratio were statistically significantly higher in chronic hookah consumers in the student population than in the control group (p <0.001). In addition, platelet count was in significant positive correlation with values of total cholesterol, LDL-C and negative correlation with value of HDL-C, while there was a significant negative correlation between mean platelets volume, and MPV/Platelets ratio with  HDL cholesterol levels in chronic hookah smokers (p <0.05). These findings suggest that chronic hookah consumption could be associated with the development of atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels, which could lead to the development of long-term consequences on the cardiovascular system's function.

 

Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina 56, 29-34.

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