Potential of Endangered Local Donkey Breeds in Meat and Milk Production.

The problem of the erosion of animal genetic resources is evident in certain local donkey breeds, and their long-term sustainability can be achieved by economically repositioning them. To develop alternative and sustainable commercial programs, the meat and milk production characteristics of Istrian donkey and Littoral Dinaric donkey breeds were investigated. The meat production characteristics were examined in mature males, whose carcasses were dissected, and meat composition was determined using NIT spectrophotometry and gas chromatography. Milk yield and milk composition were determined in jennies in second or subsequent lactations by measuring milk volume and using infrared spectrometry and gas chromatography. Compared to the Littoral Dinaric donkey, the Istrian donkey has a higher carcass weight and dressing percentage (p < 0.001). The share of boneless meat in relation to live weight was 28.27% in the Istrian donkey and 26.18% in the Littoral Dinaric donkey. The absolute masses of primal cuts of meat in E, I, and II classes were significantly greater in Istrian donkeys than in Littoral Dinaric donkeys (p < 0.01), although the differences in the proportions of primal cuts were not significant. The breed did not have a significant impact on the color, pH, or meat composition. A significant influence of breed on milk yield, lactose, protein, and the fat content of milk was observed (p < 0.01). A significant influence of breed on the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA fatty acids in donkey milk was observed (p = 0.002). The values of the atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes were favorable, considering potential beneficial effects of donkey milk and meat on consumer health. The findings of this research suggest that local donkey breeds hold significant potential for meat and milk production, focusing on the uniqueness and quality of their products rather than the quantity of meat and milk they can produce.

Evaluation of the Conservation Status of the Croatian Posavina Horse Breed Based on Pedigree and Microsatellite Data.

The Croatian Posavina horse (CPH) is native Croatian breed under a conservation program and under various programs of economic use (ecosystem services, agrotourism, and meat production). The aim of this study was to analyze the status of the CPH population through an analysis of their pedigree (28,483 records), phenotype (292 licensed stallions, 255 mares), and genetic structure (292 licensed stallions). The average generation interval was 8.20 years, and the number of complete generations was 1.66. The effective number of founders and ancestors was 138 and 107, respectively, with a ratio of 1.29, and the genetic conservation index was 4.46. As for the morphometric characteristics, the average withers height of the stallions was 142.79 cm, the chest circumference was 194.28 cm, and the cannon bone circumference was 22.34. In mares, the withers height, chest, and cannon bone circumference were lower (139.71 cm, 190.30 cm, and 20.94 cm, respectively). Genetic microsatellite analysis of the 29 sire-lines showed high genetic diversity, expressed as the mean allele number (7.7), allele richness (4.0), and expected heterozygosity (0.740). There was no evidence of high inbreeding or a genetic bottleneck. The genetic and phenotypic data indicate that the CPH is an important and diverse reservoir of genetic diversity and can be conserved because of its special characteristics (adaptability).

Conservation of a domestic metapopulation structured into related and partly admixed strains.

Preservation of genetic diversity is one of the most pressing challenges in the planetary boundaries concept. Within this context, we focused on genetic diversity in a native, unselected and highly admixed domesticated metapopulation. A set of 1,828 individuals from 60 different cattle breeds was analysed using a medium density SNP chip. Among these breeds, 14 Busa strains formed a metapopulation represented by 350 individuals, while the remaining 46 breeds represented the global cattle population. Genetic analyses showed that the scarcely selected and less differentiated Busa metapopulation contributed a substantial proportion (52.6%) of the neutral allelic diversity to this global taurine population. Consequently, there is an urgent need for synchronized maintenance of this highly fragmented domestic metapopulation, which is distributed over several countries without sophisticated infrastructure and highly endangered by continuous replacement crossing as part of the global genetic homogenization process. This study collected and evaluated samples, data and genomewide information and developed genome-assisted cross-border conservation concepts. To detect and maintain genetic integrity of the metapopulation strains, we designed and applied a composite test that combines six metrics based on additive genetic relationships, a nearest neighbour graph and the distribution of semiprivate alleles. Each metric provides distinct information components about past admixture events and offers an objective and powerful tool for the detection of admixed outliers. The here developed conservation methods and presented experiences could easily be adapted to comparable conservation programmes of domesticated or other metapopulations bred and kept in captivity or under some other sort of human control.

Prevalence of periodontal diseases in North Herzegovina.

AIM: To investigate effects of smoking on periodontal tissue and the occurrence of periodontal disease in the population of North Herzegovina. METHODS: The study included 800 persons of 20-49 years of age (400 smokers and 400 non-smokers), inhabitants of Prozor-Rama Municipality, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Periodontal condition assessment was made by the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs index (CPITN) at representative teeth: 16, 17, 21, 26, 27, 36, 37, 31, 46, and 47.Statistically significant difference between non-smokers and smokers was tested by χ2 test with the level of significance set at p=0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of healthy periodontal tissues was lower in smokers than in non-smokers, 25 (6.3%)and 36 (9%), respectively. The prevalence of gingival bleeding, calculus, shallow and deep periodontal pockets was higher in smokers than in non-smokers, although it was not significant. There was a risk between occurrence of deep periodontal pockets and smoking (RR=2). A total of 64 (8%)participants neededonly instructions on proper oral hygiene, 654 (81.8%) prophylaxis and initial treatment,while 21 (2.6%) needed complex periodontal treatment. CONCLUSION: Obtained results indicate a high need of preventive measures and the improvement of oral health in the population of North Herzegovina.

In vitro oxidative stress induced by conventional and self-ligating brackets.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the in vitro oxidative stress induced by conventional and self-ligating brackets made of different materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The concentration of oxidative stress marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in DNA of murine fibroblast cells L929 after in vitro exposure to three types of conventional and four types of self-ligating brackets was assessed. To determine viability and changes in the number of cells before and after exposure, trypan blue dye was used. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: No significant difference in cell viability was noted between metal, ceramic, and polymeric conventional brackets, and self-ligating brackets made of combinations of those materials, but viability was significantly higher compared with positive controls (P < .05). The conventional sapphire ceramic bracket (Inspire Ice) showed high viability, the largest increase in the number of cells, and the lowest oxidative stress. A higher concentration of markers of oxidative stress was observed in full metal conventional and self-ligating brackets (MiniSprint and Speed) and in conventional polyurethane brackets (Quantum) compared with negative controls (P < .05). CONCLUSION: All types of orthodontic brackets, regardless of the constituent materials, are a source of oxidative stress in vitro, but the highest stress was induced in the full metal and polyurethane brackets. Conventional ceramic brackets show the highest degree of biocompatibility compared with polymeric and metal brackets and self-ligating brackets made from combinations of these materials.

Prevalence of alcohol abuse and alcoholism in general population of Mostar region, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol abuse and alcoholism in the general population of Mostar region, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This study was conducted on a stratified sample of 704 participants. The prevalence of alcohol abuse was determined using standardized questionnaire on alcohol consumption--Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Prevalence of alcohol abuse with high risk for alcoholism was 9.9% and prevalence of alcohol addiction was 2.1%. In student population, there were 3.9% of alcohol addicts and 11.1% of persons with high risk of alcoholism. In high school population, there were 1.7% of alcohol addicts and 14.4% of persons with high risk of alcoholism. In Mostar region there was a high prevalence of alcoholism and problematic drinking, especially in high school and student population. There is a need for extensive preventive measures that have to include education, early diagnosis and intervention.

Health status of population in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 15 years of transitional period.

War in Bosnia and Herzegovina lasted from 1991 to 1995 and resulted in profound consequences marked by the large number of victims, increase in the diseases and disorders prevalence, that were not common before it occurred. The effects it had on health status of the entire population was reflected through many negative demographic trends, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the spread of a number of unhealthy behavioral patterns and a lot of migrations. All this presents a problem for institutions of health system which are attempting to control these negative influences especially during the transition period, marked by the direct adverse consequences of the 1991-1995 war. The present paper presents a summation of various sources which are attempting to provide a synthetic overview and provide basic information in relation to the health status of the population, and also to provide a baseline evaluation for deployment of public health interventions.

Managing occupational safety and health in aluminum production: case study of aluminum production factory, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

AIM: To assess the effect of modernization of the aluminium production on physical and chemical health hazards at work environment in the Aluminium Mostar factory. The modernization included introduction of automatic equipment, computerized management, and rationalized coke manipulation in Anoda, Electrolysis, and Cast House plants. METHOD: Periodical measurements of chemical (gas concentrations and aerosols) and physical (microclimatic factors, noise, and illumination) factors were performed at the same workplaces by the same methods of measurements before (1982-1988) and after the modernization (2004). The measured values were compared with the recommended Occupational Safety and Health Standards of Bosnia and Herzegovina. RESULTS: The number of workplaces with a high noise level was reduced from 65.0% (89/137) in 1982-1988 to 28.7% (51/178) in 2004. The best results were achieved in Cast House plant. The illumination of the workplace was partly improved. Values of microclimatic factors did not considerably change; they deviated from the recommended values at nearly all the workplaces in the factory. The concentrations of chemical agents were above the recommended standards in 56.3% (196/348) of the samples in 1982-1988, and in only 15.4% (99/645) of the samples tested in 2004. High concentrations of hydrogen fluoride have remained the primary pollutant in Electrolysis plant. CONCLUSION: The modernization of the factory has considerably reduced the amount of harmful substances at work environment in the Aluminum Mostar. However, the exposure to unfavorable physical factors has been only partly reduced.

Dental caries in postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina.

OBJECTIVES: To present the prevalence of dental caries in postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). METHODS: A survey focused on dmft and DMFT indices was carried out in four cantons of the Federation of BH in 1997. The dental health of 6- and 12-year-olds was assessed in random samples (n = 238 and 318, respectively). DMFT index in adult population was assessed in clients coming to dental offices in the same area (35-44-year-olds; n = 401). All the subjects were clinically investigated. RESULTS: During the 1991-95 war, all four cantons were affected by the migration of population. The population per dentist ratio considerably increased in three cantons. In 6-year-olds, the average dmft (+/-SD) was 4.9 +/- 4.0, and 86% of the children were affected with dental caries. The average DMFT of 12-year-olds was 6.2 +/- 3.9. On the average, 94% of the 12-year-olds were affected with dental caries. Mean DMFT of adult clients was 15.1 +/- 7.0. Almost every adult (98%) was affected with dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: The dental status in postwar BH is rather poor and the mean DMFT in all investigated age groups may be considered high. The detrimental effect of 1991-95 war on social conditions and the health care system should be considered in explaining such poor dental health. Despite the limitations, the presented data may be used to assess the treatment needs, assure the visibility for dental issues in BH, and help the west European countries to plan dental services for refugees from BH.