The study focuses on developing novel cottage cheese containing spices with acceptable sensory properties, increased biological value and extended shelf life. Thirty types of cheese with added fresh or dried parsley, dill, pepper, garlic and rosemary were produced. Characterisation of phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity of spices and cheese samples were evaluated. The cheese containing fresh pepper and fresh and dried herbs showed excellent sensory properties, with the best results obtained with fresh sweet red pepper. Dry rosemary had the highest antioxidant and antibacterial activity due to high mass fractions of caffeic and rosmarinic acids as well as high mass fractions of flavones and phenolic diterpenes. The plant extracts examined and effectively reduce numbers of foodborne pathogens like ,, , and therefore have potential as natural preservatives and antioxidants.

Introduction/Objective The aim of this paper was to verify the biocompatibility of the newly synthesized nanostructured material based on calcium aluminate after implantation into the subcutaneous tissue of rats. Methods The study included 18 rats aged 10-11 weeks, divided into two experimental groups (n = 9). In all animals, incision took place on the back and two pockets of 15 mm in depth were made, in which sterile polyethylene tubes with test materials [calcium aluminate cement (ALBO-CA), calcium silicate cement with the addition of hydroxyapatite (ALBO-CSHA), and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) for the control group) were implanted. Six rats of each group were sacrificed in three observational periods (seven, 15, 30 days). Pathohistological analysis included inflammation, bleeding, fibrous capsule, and tissue integrity around the implanted material. Results After seven days of treatment, ALBO-CA and ALBO-CSHA showed better tissue response compared to MTA, with a statistically significant difference in inflammation intensity (p = 0.2781). The difference in vascular congestion and thickness of the fibrous capsule after implantation of ALBO-CA material compared to MTA was also statistically significant (p = 0.5567). At the end of the 30-day evaluation period, an identical inflammatory response of connective tissue at the site of implanting ALBO-CA, ALBO-CSHA, and MTA (score of 0.7) was recorded. The formation of thick or moderately thick fibrous capsule was found to be the thickest in ALBO-CA (grade 3.7). There were no statistically significant differences between the parameters analyzed after 30 days. Conclusion Newly synthesized ALBO-CA showed a satisfactory tissue response and confirmed biocompatibility after implantation in subcutaneous tissue of rats.

Introduction. The biggest drawback of composite materials is polymerization contraction and the existence of microcracks, therefore the market is now offering a wide variety of new composite materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal seal using dye method of class V cavities restored with self-etching flowable composite material Vertise Flow polymerized with different light-curing techniques. Material and Methods. The study was conducted on 60 extracted intact human teeth (30 premolars, 30 molars). Two cavities Class V (3?2?2 mm) were prepared in all teeth. Cavities on buccal surfaces were filled with self-etching flowable composite Vertise Flow (Kerr Dental Products), and on lingual with flowable composite Tetric Flow (Ivoclar Vivadent) using the corresponding adhesive systems. Polymerisation was performed using Bluephase Led flashlight C8 (Ivoclar Vivadent). Microleakage was tested using dye in a silver nitrate solution. Dye penetration was measured using stereo loupes with micrometer scale and six times magnification. Results. Linear dye penetration in intact molars restored using the classical polymerization technique and Vertise Flow composite was 3.41 ?m while with Tetric Flow it was 4.23 ?m. In intact molars restored using soft-start polymerization technique and Vertise Flow the dye penetration was 1.25 ?m while for Tetric Flow it was 4.23 ?m. Mean dye penetration in intact molars restored using pulse curing technique and material Vertise Flow was 1.02 ?m while for the composite Tetric Flow it was 4.35 ?m. In intact premolars restored using conventional curing technique and Vertise Flow dye penetration was 1.14 ?m while for Tetric Flow it was 3.90 ?m. Dye penetration in intact premolars restored using soft-start polymerization technique and Vertise Flow was 0.75 ?m while for Tetric Flow it was 3.15 ?m. Using a pulse polymerization technique and Vertise Flow in intact premolars dye penetration was 1.45 ?m while for Tetric Flow it was 3.76 ?m. Conclusion. Vertise Flow, self-etching flowable composite showed better marginal seal than flowable composite resin Tetric Flow. Smaller microcracks with Vertise Flow were confirmed after applying all three light-curing polymerization techniques.

Hay fever or pollinosis is the allergic reaction of the human body to allergic pollen grains and is a seasonal phenomenon. Pollen concentrations depend on the climate, geographic features, and vegetation. Trees, grass, and weed pollinosis is frequent in Croatia, common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia L.) pollinosis in particular. Continuous monitoring of pollen air concentrations can provide timely information to the general public and can help sensitised patients and their physicians to prevent or alleviate allergic reactions. This is the task of health ecology services such as our Public Health Institute of the Brod-Posavina County. KEY WORDS: aerobiology, allergy, Europe, grass pollinosis, ragweed, tree pollinosis, weed pollinosis Nadih M, et al. AIR POLLEN EXPOSURE IN SLAVONSKI BROD IN 2008 Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 201263:35-40 Europe faces an increasing incidence of pollen allergy, particularly in the urban areas (1). Hay fever or pollinosis is the allergic reaction of the human body to allergenic pollen grains and is a seasonal phenomenon (2). From spring to autumn, pollen is in the air and its concentrations depend on the climate, geographic features, and vegetation (3-6). Pollinosis in Croatia is between the typical Mediterranean and central European, with grass (central European) and cypress pollen (Mediterranean) as the most frequent causes of pollinosis (1). Over the past few years, however, Croatia has seen a strong increase in the pollination of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), the source of the most potent pollen allergen in the country (7).Information about the levels of pollen grains in the air could be very useful for sensitised patients and physicians, as it can improve prevention and therapy of seasonal allergic symptoms (9-11).The aim of this study was to establish air levels of tree, grass, and weed pollens in Slavonski

Summary Introduction Currently, one of the most important ecological issues is exposure to lead in environment, since it is a metal with evident toxic effects on human organism. Hard dental tissues are suitable structures for assessing long-term effects of exposure to toxic metals. The aim of this paper was to determine the concentration of lead in hard dental tissues of a rat with experimentally induced DM using SEM/EDS analysis, after 14 and 30 days of exposing animals to lead. Material and methods The study was conducted in rats of Wistar strains divided into the three groups. The first group consisted of 8 rats (128 molars and premolars of the upper and lower jaws) with experimentally induced DM, taking lead in the course of 14 days at the concentration of 1500 ppm; the second group included 8 rats (128 molars and premolars of the upper and lower jaws) taking lead in the course of 30 days at the concentration of 1500 ppm, while the third control group consisted of 5 healthy rats (80 molars and premolars of the upper and lower jaws). Experimental animals received lead-acetate every day at the concentration of 1500 ppm via water ad libitum. In these animals, diabetes mellitus was induced by Alloxan. The teeth samples were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). EDS analysis determined the mass fraction of lead and other elements in hard dental tissues. Results No lead was detected in a single tooth layer in the teeth of rats that received lead in drinking water in the course of 14 days. The average values of the mass fraction of lead, calcium, and phosphorus in enamel of teeth of rats receiving lead in the course of 30 days amounted to: lead 0.36%, calcium 15.48%, and phosphorus 10.62%. Lead was registered only in enamel. Conclusion Lead was detected in enamel only in rats receiving lead in the course of 30 days while it was not detected in teeth after the course of 14 days.