Search Results (14)

Heavy metals in agricultural systems pose a significant challenge to food security, especially in regions with long-term intensive land use. While the Pannonian Plain represents Croatia’s primary breadbasket, accounting for a significant portion of the nation’s cereal production, data on the soil-to-grain transfer of heavy metals and the associated human exposure risk are limited. The objective of this study was (i) to determine the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in agricultural soils and corresponding grains (wheat, barley, and maize) across four principal counties within the Pannonian region of Croatia; (ii) to evaluate the soil-to-grain transfer factors that varied regionally and among cereal types; and (iii) to assess the potential non-carcinogenic health risks for both adults and children highlighting differences in exposure due to body weight and consumption patterns. Soil and cereal grain samples were collected in 2019 and 2020, and metal concentrations were determined by ICP-MS after microwave acid digestion. The transfer of metals from soil to grain was estimated using the transfer factor (TF), while exposure assessment was conducted by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI). Due to the nonlinear distribution of the data and the lack of strictly matched soil and grain samples, median metal concentrations pooled across all studied regions were used for exposure assessment. For As, a conservative approach was applied, assuming that 50% of the total As is in inorganic form. Additionally, a probabilistic risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulations was conducted to account for variability in body weight and cereal intake, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of potential exposure. The results showed differences in metal accumulation among cereal species, with wheat and barley tending to accumulate more Cd than maize, while As and Pb concentrations in grains were low for all crops studied. Although soil metal concentrations in Međimurje County were generally low, elevated TF values for As and Pb were observed, indicating enhanced soil-to-plant transfer under specific local soil conditions. In contrast, high soil metal concentrations in Slavonski Brod–Posavina County were associated with low TF values, suggesting limited bioavailability and restricted transfer to cereal grains. Both deterministic and probabilistic assessments indicated that the HQ and HI for adults and children were below 1, suggesting low non-carcinogenic risk from cereal consumption. These findings highlight pronounced regional and crop-specific differences in soil-to-plant metal transfer and confirm that low soil contamination does not necessarily imply low transfer potential, emphasizing the importance of integrated soil–plant–grain monitoring for food safety assessment. Full article

Local horse breeds, particularly cold-blood types, are often marginalized in economic and social contexts, primarily due to the neglect of their economic, genetic, and cultural potential, as well as their role in preserving the identity of rural areas, local communities, and ecosystems. The valorization of these breeds is a crucial prerequisite for their economic repositioning. The Croatian Posavina horse is a local breed, well adapted to harsh, extensive production systems. Its sustainability is achieved through pasture-based meat production, primarily targeting foreign European markets. Ensuring the sustainability of conservation programs requires a thorough understanding of growth dynamics, carcass traits, and meat quality. This study assessed growth performance and carcass characteristics in a sample of 30 male foals, with ten animals selected for detailed analysis of fatty acid, amino acid, and volatile aromatic compound profiles. At eleven months of age, the foals reached a live weight of 347 kg and a dressing percentage of 60.62%. Color, tenderness, and water-holding capacity parameters were favorable for consumers. The meat’s high protein content (22.37%) and low intramuscular fat (3.61%) make it suitable for health-conscious or sensitive consumer groups. A high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (28.5%) and a nutritionally balanced ω-6/ω-3 ratio (3.46) highlight the meat’s functional properties. The essential-to-non-essential amino acid ratio (0.81) further supports its nutritional value. Sensory analysis confirmed an attractive appearance, desirable texture and flavor, and a rich aromatic profile. The carcass and meat quality results, when compared with the production traits of other horse breeds, indicate that Croatian Posavina foal meat is a high-quality and nutritionally valuable alternative to conventional red meat. With optimized conservation and production strategies, the Croatian Posavina horse holds strong potential for market repositioning within sustainable and functional meat production systems. Full article

Background and Objectives: It is unknown whether the tibial tuberosity–tibial intercondylar midpoint (TT–TIM) distance can be interchangeably measured on axial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of this retrospective cross-sectional comparative study was to evaluate the intermethod agreement of the TT–TIM distance on axial CT and MRI and its bias towards tibial rotation (TR), age, sex, and body side. Materials and Methods: On axial CT and MRI of 15 consecutive knee pairs where each pair belonged to the same patient with no pathology affecting the tibial circumference and tibial tuberosity, TT–TIM distance and TR were measured by two blinded radiologists at 2-week intervals. Upon checking the symmetry of distributions (Shapiro–Wilk test), differences between matched knee pairs (Wilcoxon signed-rank test), intermethod (Bland–Altman plot) and interrater agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), and correlations (Spearman rank correlation) were assessed. Results: The mean intermethod difference in TT–TIM distance was not statistically significant (−0.4 mm [−1.82, 0.96]; p = 0.52). The TT–TIM distance did not differ between knee pairs (p = 0.68), its interrater agreement was almost perfect (ICC > 0.81), and no bias towards TR (p > 0.66), age (p > 0.14), sex (p = 0.66), and body side (p > 0.37) was found. Conclusions: The TT–TIM distance can be interchangeably measured on axial CT and MRI with almost perfect interrater agreement, unbiased towards TR, age, sex, and body side. Full article

Understanding how breeders of local breeds view different social actors can be of great importance to the process of local breed conservation. The same goes for the motives in farming local breeds. However, there is little research that provides insight into these perspectives. The aim of this study was to investigate motives for farming and attitudes of Croatian breeders of two local cattle breeds (Istrian cattle and Buša), two local donkey breeds (Istrian donkey and Littoral Dinaric donkey), and one local horse breed (Croatian Posavina horse) towards consumers, the local population and the regional and national administration. In addition, the influence of motives, attitudes, and the socio-economic characteristics of the breeders on the planned scope of breeding over the next five years was investigated. The study was conducted on a sample of 204 breeders of selected local breeds. The results of the study show that the most important motive for keeping a local breed is the attractiveness (beauty) of the breed followed by its emotional and sentimental value. Around one-third of farmers have a relatively positive attitude towards all stakeholders, with the role of the local population and consumers being viewed most positively. Almost half of the farmers (49%) plan to increase the size of their herd and only 8% plan to reduce it or to stop farming. The planned farming volume over the next five years is significantly influenced by the importance of economic and traditional motives and the change in the number of animals over the last five years. This study represents a valuable contribution to understanding the views of farmers of local breeds towards key societal stakeholders, and the findings can be used in campaigns to promote the keeping of these valuable breeds. Full article

Ash dieback is a major issue affecting European ash populations, including narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl). An important factor contributing to the decline of narrow-leaved ash is the fungal disease caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. However, the mortality of trees also depends on stand structure that may influence the disease dynamics. In 2020, we analysed the stand structure of middle-aged, extensively managed, narrow-leaved ash stands growing on Humogley soil (Cariceto remotae-Fraxinetum angustifoliae, Jov., et Tom. 1979). This permanent sample plot is located in Posavina (Serbia), where we observed reduced tree vitality and mortality. The stand originates from natural regeneration after a succession of marsh habitats. At ages 20–25 years (1996) and 30–35 years (2006), selective thinning was carried out. Until the age of 45–50 years (2020), the stand was left unthinned, and the presence of ash dieback fungus was recorded in Serbia. In 2020, we measured the diameter at breast height (DBH) of each tree on the plot and assessed their crown class and degree of isolation. These parameters were evaluated in relation to the crown defoliation of the trees. The results indicate that reduced vitality and mortality of trees manifest in conditions of strongly expressed intraspecific competition in the stand, particularly during the stem exclusion stage. Healthy trees were observed primarily within the predominant/dominant crown class and exhibited the highest mean DBH. Trees classified as dead or dying (81%–100% defoliation) had a lower mean DBH compared to both healthy trees (<25% defoliation) and significantly defoliated trees (26%–80%). This was observed at both the stand level and in predominant/dominant trees, suggesting that tree mortality is primarily linked to their poor growth. Full article

Smart technologies are increasingly used in agriculture, with drones becoming one of the key tools in agricultural production. This study aims to evaluate affordable drones for agricultural use in the Posavina region, located in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina. To determine which drones deliver the best results for small and medium-sized farms, ten criteria were used to evaluate eight drones. Through expert evaluation, relevant criteria were first established and then used to assess the drones. The selected drones are designed for crop monitoring and are priced under EUR 2000. Using the fuzzy A-SWARA (Adapted Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) method, it was determined that the most important criteria for drone selection are control precision, flight autonomy, and ease of use, all of which are technical attributes. The fuzzy MARCOS method revealed that the best-performing drones are also the most affordable. The drones D5, D4, and D8 demonstrated the best results. These findings were confirmed through comparative analysis and sensitivity analysis. Their features are not significantly different from those of more expensive models and can, therefore, be effectively used for smart agriculture. This study demonstrates that drones can be a valuable tool for small farms, helping to enhance agricultural practices and productivity. Full article

More than eight million premature deaths annually can be attributed to air pollution, with 99% of the world’s population residing in areas below recommended air quality standards. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the association between primary DNA damage and air pollution data among 123 participants enrolled between 2011 and 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia. While most measured air pollutants adhered to regulatory limits, benzo[a]pyrene concentrations bound to PM₁₀ exceeded them. Factorial analysis narrowed down air pollution data to four exposure factors (particulate matter, two metal factors, and other pollutants). Despite the absence of significant positive associations between modeled air pollution exposure factors and comet assay descriptors (tail length, tail intensity, tail moment, and highly damaged nuclei), the critical health implications of air pollution warrant further investigations, particularly with biomarkers of exposure and different biomarkers of effect in populations facing air pollution exposure. Full article

Intensive agricultural practices affect soil compaction, and their indirect and direct effects on crop growth and development are an increasingly important focus of scientific research. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of different tillage systems on soil compaction and to observe the influence of tractor tire pressure on penetrometer resistance during sowing. The three-year study was conducted on the heavy pseudogley soil of Brod-Posavina County in the Republic of Croatia. During the research, crops were observed in the following cropping sequence: soybean (Glycine max L.) in the first year, maize (Zea mays L.) in the second year and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the third year. The tillage systems as the main study factor were conventional tillage (CT) plowing to a depth of 35 cm, disc tillage (DH) to a depth of 15 cm, loosening (CH) to a depth of 30 cm, and undermining (SS) to a depth of 50 cm. The following pressures were used as a subfactor of this study, namely the pressure of the front and rear tires of the tractor during sowing: p₁ (front 1.0 bar/rear 0.8 bar), p₂ (front 2.0 bar/rear 1.6 bar), and p₃ (front 3.0 bar/rear 2.4 bar). The tillage systems applied resulted in different soil compaction, thus the deepest tillage SS had the lowest resistance and the DH tillage had the highest resistance in all three experimental years. Penetrometer measurements showed the influence of tire pressure p₁ on reducing compaction as early as the first year in 2017, while in the last year of research in 2019, tractor tire pressure p₃ during sowing contributed to a significant increase in soil compaction. Full article

Maize is the most represented grain crop on the world’s arable land. It is mostly grown using standard sowing at an inter-row distance of 70 cm. However, growing in two rows (double-row sowing) is increasingly common today. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of different spatial distributions of the same population of maize plants on the yield of maize grains in a larger range of the FAO maize hybrid maturing group. The experiment lasted 5 years and was set up at two locations in Jakšić (Požeško-Slavonia County) and Lužani (Brodsko-Posavina County). Maize sowing with standard sowing was carried out with a PSK OLT seed drill with an inter-row spacing of 70 cm, while double-row sowing was carried out with a MaterMacc Twin Row-2 seed drill in two rows spaced 22 cm apart in a zigzag arrangement and 48 cm apart between adjacent sowing furrows. In the experiment, a total of three types of maize hybrids were used: H1-Kashmir (FAO 390 maturing group), H2-Kapitolis (FAO 400 maturing group) and H3-Konfites (FAO 450 maturing group). With standard maize sowing, an average set of plants was achieved: 71,946 plants ha⁻¹ (Kashmir), 71,714 plants ha⁻¹ (Kapitolis) and 72,205 plants ha⁻¹ (Konfites), while the double-row sowing achieved a set of plants of 72,166 plants ha⁻¹, 72,104 plants ha⁻¹ and 72,576 plants ha⁻¹. The two-row sowing of the hybrid Kapitolis and Konfites recorded a statistically significant higher set of maize plants. The yield of maize grains in all three types of the hybrid was statistically and significantly higher by 943 kg ha⁻¹ using two-row sowing, and the highest yield was achieved by the Kashmir hybrid (13,406 kg ha⁻¹). Full article

Air pollution is recognized as one of the most serious public health issues worldwide and was declared to be a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths. At the same time, the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay serves as a cancer predictive method that is extensively used in human biomonitoring for populations exposed to environmental contamination. The objective of this cross-sectional study is two-fold: to evaluate genomic instability in a sample (N = 130) of healthy, general population residents from Zagreb (Croatia), chronically exposed to different levels of air pollution, and to relate them to air pollution levels in the period from 2011 to 2015. Measured frequencies of CBMN assay parameters were in agreement with the baseline data for the general population of Croatia. Air pollution exposure was based on four factors obtained from a factor analysis of all exposure data obtained for the examined period. Based on the statistical results, we did not observe a significant positive association between any of the CBMN assay parameters tested and measured air pollution parameters for designated time windows, except for benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) that showed significant negative association. Our results show that measured air pollution parameters are largely below the regulatory limits, except for B[a]P, and as such, they do not affect CBMN assay parameters’ frequency. Nevertheless, as air pollution is identified as a major health threat, it is necessary to conduct prospective studies investigating the effect of air pollution on genome integrity and human health. Full article

High-voltage electrical discharge (HVED) is considered as a novel, non-thermal process and is currently being researched regarding its effect on microorganisms (decontamination of food), waste water treatment, and modification of different compounds and food components. In this paper, four native starches (maize, wheat, potato, and tapioca) were treated with HVED, phosphorylated with Na₂HPO₄ and Na₅P₃O₁₀, and modified by a combination of HVED with each phosphorylation reaction both prior and after chemical modification. Pasting properties, swelling power, solubility, gel texture, and particle size were analyzed. Although HVED induced lower contents of P in modified starches, it had an effect on analyzed properties. The results revealed that HVED treatment alone had a limited effect on pasting properties of starches, but it had an effect on properties of phosphorylated starches, both when it was conducted prior and after the chemical modification, reducing the influence of Na₅P₃O₁₀ and Na₂HPO₄ on the decrease of pasting temperature. With minor exceptions, the gel strength of starches increased, and the rupture strength decreased by all modifications. HVED treatment resulted in a decrease of the particle size after the modification of maize and wheat starches, while potato and tapioca starches were not significantly influenced by the treatment. Full article

The problem of elevated arsenic concentrations in water and environment is an increasing public health concern. The aim of the study was to assess the arsenic content in human hair in selected areas of eastern Croatia and to compare them with measured values after installation of a new water supply system. The hair samples were taken in the areas of wider Osijek and Vinkovci area and analyzed using the ICP–MS method. These data were also compared with data for Vinkovci previously published in 2004. Depending on the investigated area, the median concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.9 µg g⁻¹, whereby this last value exceeded the upper range of the reference value (0.319 µg g⁻¹). The arsenic concentrations from the Našice, Osijek and Vinkovci areas were within or slightly above the maximum allowed reference range. The highest median values in hair samples were detected in Čepin, with arsenic-contaminated potable water, while in areas where the water source was changed, the values were significantly lower. The results add to the conclusion that there has been significant reduction in hair arsenic concentrations in the population that was given access to clean, uncontaminated water from other regional sources. Full article

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). Full article

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. A large number of recent studies have provided an update on the disease characteristics and the distribution across Europe. In Croatia, most of the clinical cases, as well as the reports of the disease in animals, date from the 20th century. In that period, epidemic and epizootic research had given detailed information about endemic regions and their characteristics, including suspected animal hosts and vectors. The region along the middle course of the Sava River, called Middle Posavina, is described as an endemic region, i.e., a “natural focus” of tularemia, in Croatia. In the 21st century, cases of human tularemia are being reported sporadically, with ulceloglandular, oropharyngeal and typhoid forms of disease. A majority of the described cases are linked with the consumption of contaminated food or water. The disease outbreaks still occur in areas along the course of the river Sava and in northwest Croatia. In this review article, we have summarized epidemiologic and epizootic data of tularemia in the past and in recent Croatian history. Full article