Trace elements, including zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), are known to play important roles in human health. The present study aimed to assess the levels of Zn and Cu in cord blood and maternal milk and to analyze their association with maternal and infant characteristics and pregnancy outcomes in a Slovenian study population of mothers and their neonates recruited within the PHIME prospective cohort study. The study included 324 mothers, but the data on Zn and Cu levels in both cord blood and maternal milk was available for 243 mothers. Questionnaires were used to assess the socio-demographic and health status of the mothers, their lifestyle habits (including detailed nutritional habits), and their residential and occupational histories. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure Zn and Cu levels in cord blood and maternal milk. Low Zn levels in cord blood were associated with lower gestational age and birth weight and were correlated with an increased probability of the birth of small for gestational age (SGA) infants. Maternal smoking influenced the Cu levels in both cord blood and maternal milk. Cord blood Cu levels were higher and Cu levels in maternal milk were lower in smoking compared to non-smoking mothers. Most importantly, a decreased Zn/Cu ratio in cord blood was associated with lower gestational age and lower birth weight. This indicates the overall positive effects of Zn and negative effects of Cu on pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Identifying the optimal bone regions for DNA analysis is critical, as DNA preservation and quality vary significantly across bone types and structures and is defined as intra-bone variability. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between computed tomography (CT)-measured bone density and DNA preservation in small skeletal elements to identify optimal regions for DNA analysis. Methods: 137 bones from six skeletal elements excavated from a single burial site were analysed using Dual-Source CT (DSCT) to map compact and cancellous regions. DNA was extracted using a demineralisation method and quantified via real-time PCR to assess DNA quantity and degradation. Results: Among 461 bone regions analysed (137 bones; patellae, calcaneus, talus, the navicular bones, the cuboid bone, and the medial cuneiform bone), a significant difference in DNA quantity was observed only in the calcaneus, where the sulcus contained more DNA than the body. No significant differences in the degradation index were detected among bone segments or skeletal elements. Correlations between CT-measured bone density and DNA quantity or degradation index were region-specific. Higher bone density correlated positively with DNA quantity in compact regions of the calcaneus and talus. Regarding degradation, a positive correlation (higher bone density → higher degradation) was observed in the patella’s anterior surface, while a negative correlation (higher bone density → lower degradation) was found in the talus’s sulcus, the opposite side of the talar sulcus, the posterior calcaneal articular facet, and the cuboid’s tuberosity. No significant correlations were found in other bone segments. Conclusions: Our study identified small skeletal elements, particularly the patella and the navicular bone, as promising sources for DNA analysis. While bone density correlated with DNA preservation in some cases, the relationship was inconsistent. Our findings support the use of small bones in forensic and archaeological research and warrant further investigation.

The female reproductive axis essentially comprises of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and the mullerian-derived structures. The reproductive axis ages to a nonfunctional state (menopause) much earlier than the other organ systems do, at a time when a woman is otherwise healthy. The basis of reproductive senescence in women is oocyte depletion in the ovary. Perimenopause is defined by menstrual cycle and endocrine changes, such as disturbed ovarian-pituitary-hypothalamic feedback relationships, inaccurate estrogen levels, and decreased progesterone levels. Many psychopathological changes can take place, but most commonly women experience mild cognitive impairment, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and depression. Estrogens influence depression and depressive-like behavior through interactions with neurotropic factors and through an influence on the serotonergic system.

Aiming at triggering in-depth research of the problem of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) in Slovenia, we assessed the regional differences in POI incidence emphasising the relationship with social and physical environmental factors at the population level using a mapping approach. The differences in POI incidence between regions were tested by goodness-of-fit chi-square test, while Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the ecological relationship between POI incidence and selected environmental indicators. Significant indicators were mapped. The results showed highly significant interregional differences in POI incidence (p<0.001). Statistically significant ecological relationships were observed between POI incidence and prevalence of active smoking (p=0.001), passive smoking (p=0.017) and consumption of vitamins (p=0.008). The results could be used in diminishing interregional differences in POI. It was concluded that mapping is an effective tool in public health research, especially in triggering new activities.

Analysing genetic material from skeletonised human remains has become valuable in forensic and archaeological contexts. While the petrous bone is often preferred for DNA extraction, its availability is not guaranteed, and because of destructive sampling, it is not frequently used in forensic cases. This study explores the potential of patellae as an alternative source of bone material for genetic investigations. Forty-five patellae were sampled from a post-World War II mass grave and an archaeological Christian cemetery dated from the 13th to 19th centuries. A full demineralisation extraction method was used to obtain the DNA, and real-time PCR quantification was used to determine the quantity and quality of DNA. To evaluate the suitability of patellae for forensic and archaeological analyses, short tandem repeat (STR) typing was performed using the ESI17 Fast PCR amplification kit (Promega). To explore the difference in DNA yield, DNA degradation and STR typing success between the post-World War II and archaeological patellae, statistical analysis was performed. The results revealed significantly higher DNA yield and STR typing success in WWII patellae and higher degradation of DNA in archaeological patellae, highlighting the impact of environmental exposure time on genetic material preservation. Almost all WWII patellae achieved a high success rate in STR typing with full profiles generated. More than half of the archaeological patellae showed high STR typing performance and highly informative partial profiles were obtained, indicating the suitability of patellae not only for forensic purposes but also for archaeological genetic analyses.