Heavy Metal Contents in Spices from Markets in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

U radu je praćen sadržaj teških metala Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb i Zn u začinskom bilju (papar, bosiljak, origano, mljevena crvena paprika, peršin, ružmarin) različitih proizvođača, slučajnim odabirom u trgovačkim centrima Sarajeva. Koncentracije metala određene su plamenom atomskom apsorpcijskom spektrometrijom. Sadržaj kroma i nikla u svim ispitivanim uzorcima bio je ispod 5 mg kg−1. Koncentracije bakra varirale su od 2,36 do 19,47 mg kg−1, željeza od 6,80 do 785,56 mg kg−1, mangana od 6,14 do 59,36 mg kg−1, olova od 0,74 do 20,35 i cinka od 6,93 do 85,44 mg kg−1. Dobiveni rezultati u skladu su s literaturnim podatcima, osim za olovo, za koje su nađene nešto više vrijednosti. Preračunat je dnevni unos metala i uspoređen s vrijednostima MRL-a koje su dane od strane ATSDR-a (2013.). Sadržaj olova u većini uzoraka bio je iznad maksimalno dopuštenih koncentracija koje preporučuje WHO i propisuje Pravilnik o najvećim dopuštenim količinama određenih kontaminanata u hrani Agencije za sigurnost hrane Bosne i Hercegovine.Spices are some of the most common foods in the human diet around the world. Spices are dried parts of plants used often as diet components to improve aroma and acceptability of food. The aim of this work was to determine the contents of seven heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in spices available at local markets in Sarajevo. Metal concentrations in six spice samples (black pepper (Piper nigrum), basil (Ocimum basilicum), oregano (Oreganum vulgaris), paprika (Capsicum annuum), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The content of chromium and nickel in all samples was below 5 mg kg-1 . Copper levels were in the range of 2.36-19.47 mg kg-1 , iron 6.80-785.56 mg kg-1 , manganese 6.14-59.36 mg kg-1, lead 0.74-20.35 and zinc 6.93-85.44 mg kg-1. These results were in agreement with other published data except in the case of Pb which content was slightly higher. Daily intake of different metals was calculated and compared with the MRL values given by ATSDR (2013). The content of lead in most of the samples was above the maximum permitted concentrations recommended by WHO and national regulations of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Feasibility, experiences and outcomes of using DIALOG+ in primary care to improve quality of life and mental distress of patients with chronic conditions: an exploratory non-controlled trial in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia and Uganda.

BACKGROUND: DIALOG+ is a resource-oriented and evidence-based intervention to improve quality of life and reduce mental distress. While it has been extensively studied in mental health care, there is little evidence for how to use it in primary care settings for patients with chronic physical conditions. Considering that DIALOG+ is used in existing routine patient-clinician meetings and is very low cost, it may have the potential to help large numbers of patients with chronic physical conditions, mental distress and poor quality of life who are treated in primary care. This is particularly relevant in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where resources for specialised services for such patients are scarce or non-existent. METHODS: An exploratory non-controlled trial will be conducted to primarily assess the feasibility and acceptability and, secondarily, outcomes of delivering DIALOG+ to patients with chronic physical conditions and poor quality of life in primary care settings in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia and Uganda. Thirty patients in each country will receive DIALOG+ up to three times in monthly meetings over a 3-month period. Feasibility will be assessed by determining the extent to which the intervention is implemented as planned. Experiences will be captured in interviews and focus groups with care providers and participants to understand acceptability. Quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression, objective social situation and health status will be assessed at baseline and again after the three-session intervention. DISCUSSION: This study will inform our understanding of the extent to which DIALOG+ may be used in the routine care of patients with chronic physical conditions in different primary care settings. The findings of this exploratory trial can inform the design of future full randomised controlled trials of DIALOG+ in primary care settings in LMICs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: All studies were registered prospectively (on 02/12/2020 for Uganda and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 01/12/2020 for Colombia) within the ISRCTN Registry. ISRCTN17003451 (Bosnia and Herzegovina), ISRCTN14018729 (Colombia) and ISRCTN50335796 (Uganda). Protocol version and date: v2.0; 28/07/2020 (Bosnia and Herzegovina), v0.3 02/08/2020 (Colombia) and v1.0, 05/11/2020 (Uganda)

Trace Metal Concentrations in Size-Fractionated Urban Atmospheric Particles of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

A study of the atmospheric particulate size distribution of total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) and associated heavy metals concentrations has been carried out for the urban part of Sarajevo city, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Urban particles (n=150) were collected using a high volume air sampler equipped with a 6-stage impactor. Apart from Fe which has been determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), all measurements (Co, Cu, Mn) have been carried out by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The average concentrations of particulate matter are 37%, 18%, 15%, 8%, 15% and 6% (averaged over all the observations) of total suspended particulate for PM 7.2, respectively. Metal concentrations in size-fractionated urban particles ranged from 0.01-3.83 ng/m3 for Co, 6.30-179.20 ng/m3 for Cu, 5.00-208.70 ng/m3 for Mn and 0.35-6.82 g/m3 for Fe. Major concentrations of investigated metals are associated with the PM 7.2-3.0 μm. Overall, the decreasing trend of average trace element concentrations (24-h) in the particulates revealed the following order: Fe>Mn>Cu>Co

Trace Metal Concentrations in Size-Fractionated Urban Atmospheric Particles of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

A study of the atmospheric particulate size distribution of total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) and associated heavy metals concentrations has been carried out for the urban part of Sarajevo city, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Urban particles (n=150) were collected using a high volume air sampler equipped with a 6-stage impactor. Apart from Fe which has been determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), all measurements (Co, Cu, Mn) have been carried out by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The average concentrations of particulate matter are 37%, 18%, 15%, 8%, 15% and 6% (averaged over all the observations) of total suspended particulate for PM< 0.49, PM0.95 – 0.49, PM1.5 -0.95, PM3.0 – 1.5, PM7.2 – 3.0 and PM> 7.2, respectively. Metal concentrations in size-fractionated urban particles ranged from 0.01-3.83 ng/m3 for Co, 6.30-179.20 ng/m3 for Cu, 5.00-208.70 ng/m3 for Mn and 0.35-6.82 g/m3 for Fe. Major concentrations of investigated metals are associated with the PM 7.2-3.0 μm. Overall, the decreasing trend of average trace element concentrations (24-h) in the particulates revealed the following order: Fe>Mn>Cu>Co

The effectiveness of volunteer befriending for improving the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia in Bosnia and Herzegovina - an exploratory randomised controlled trial

AIMS: Social isolation in people living with schizophrenia is associated with poor quality of life and increased symptom severity. Volunteer befriending interventions are a potential strategy for addressing social isolation, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We assessed the experiences of volunteer befriending and tested its effectiveness for improving the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia in Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: Between March 2018 and July 2020, we conducted a parallel-group, randomised controlled trial in adults with schizophrenia and poor quality of life at an outpatient clinic in Sarajevo. Patients were randomised to either the intervention, in which they were matched with a volunteer befriender with whom they met fortnightly over the 6-month intervention period, or treatment as usual. The primary outcome was quality of life measured on the Manchester Short Assessment and secondary outcomes were psychiatric symptoms and objective social outcomes. Outcome measurement was conducted by blinded researchers at 6- and 12-months. RESULTS: In total, 65 patients were randomised into the intervention (n = 33) and control arms (n = 32) and 55 (85%) completed follow-up assessments at 6 months. Patients in the intervention showed a significantly more favourable quality of life at 6 months (primary outcome; mean difference: 0.7, 95% CI [0.3-1.1], p = 0.003) and 12 months (mean difference: 1.7, 95% CI [1.1-2.3], p < 0.001). They also had significantly lower symptom levels at both follow-ups, and a significantly more favourable objective social situation after 12 months. Participants reported largely positive experiences. CONCLUSION: The exploratory trial conducted at one site found sustained improvements in quality of life and reductions in psychiatric symptoms. This suggests that volunteer befriending may be a feasible and effective treatment for patients with schizophrenia in resource-limited contexts, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina