The synthesis of the ribo(bc-rT)- and arabino(bc-araT)-version of bicyclothymidine (bc-dT) has been achieved. A conformational analysis by X-ray and/or (1)H NMR spectroscopy on the corresponding 3',5'-benzyl-protected nucleosides featured a rigid C(2')-endo conformation for the furanose ring, irrespective of the configuration of the OH group at C(2'). The conformation of the carbocyclic ring in these nucleosides was found to be less defined and thus more flexible. Both nucleosides were converted into the corresponding phosphoramidites and incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides by standard DNA chemistry. T(m)-data of duplexes with cDNA and RNA revealed that a bc-rT unit strongly destabilized duplexes with cDNA and RNA by 6-8 °C/mod, while bc-araT was almost T(m) neutral. A rationale based on a previous structure of a bc-DNA mini duplex suggests that the strong destabilization caused by a bc-rT unit arises from unfavorable steric interactions of the equatorial 2'-OH group with the sugar residue of the 3'-neighboring nucleotide unit.

Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Juniperus communis (L.), originated from east part of Kosova, was investigated. The essential oil from berries of J. communis (L.), obtained by hydro-distillation was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Antimicrobial properties of the essential oil of J. communis (L.) are investigated and results are submitted for their activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Hafnia alvei and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Applying the agar disc diffusion technique, we measured diameters of the inhibition zone around discs, which are previously wetted with DMF solution of the essential oil with three different concentrations, 1, 3 and 5 mg mL −1 . Analysis of the oil resulted in the identification of 41 peaks, representing 96% of the oil. Berry essential oil composed mainly of monoterpenoids which amounted to 83%, of which 69.4% was monoterpene hydrocarbons. The main monoterpene hydrocarbons were α-pinene (36.2%) and β-myrcene (21.1%). The sesquiterpene accounted for about 13.4% of the total oil composition. Germacrene D (2.2%), α-cadinol (1.6%), α-humulene (1.5%), spathulenol (1.4%), epi-α-bisabolol (1.3%) and germacrene B (1.1%) were the main constituents of the sesquiterpenes. The inhibition zone depends from concentrations and also from sort of bacteria. The inhibition zones differ from 0-39 mm. The present work presents the chemical composition of the hydrodistilled oil of J. communis (L.) from East part of Kosova and the results are compared to those reported in the literature. This study demonstrates the occurrence of α-pinene chemotype of J. communis (L.) from east part of Kosova. The essential oil of J. communis (L.) growing wild in Kosova, showed moderate to high activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Hafnia alvei. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is resistant to the essential oil of J. communis (L.) growing wild in east part of Kosova.

Kosovo is the one of the important diversity centers for Cucurbita pepo because of their adaptation to diverse agro ecological conditions as a result of natural and also farmer's selection. In Kosovo, in most cases C. pepo is grown both in maize fields and vegetable gardens as well as in other more intensive systems. Our expedition have identified different location in the part of Kosovo where were collected a samples at altitudes from 545 till 748 MASL. Kjeldahl method we have used to determine Protein content (PC). Lipids were determined by extraction using Soxhlet apparatus and diethyl ether was used as extraction solvent. The aim of the present investigation was carried out to study morphological diversity, protein and lipids content. Pumpkin populations show great diversity in morphological characteristics, particularly fruit weight (FW), fruit shape (FSH). All populations for FW were on higher genetic variability + 2556.9 g or 97.71%. The collection showed appreciable phenotypic variation in fruit shape (FSH). The greater part of variance was accounted for protein content (PC) and lipids content (LC). The estimation overall value µ in seed for PC and LC were 14.59%, and 32.99% respectively. This evaluation of traits variability can assist breeders to identify populations with desirable characteristics for inclusion in variety breeding programs.

Background With the continued demand for new, effective, and safe endodontic therapies, the aim of this study was assessment of efficiency of the ethyl acetate (EthOAc) extract of Tanacetum vulgare (L.) against Candida albicans . Material/Methods The antifungal effectiveness of the EthOAc extract of T. vulgare was determined using the agar disk diffusion method. The inhibition zones induced by the EthOAc extract were compared after 5 minutes, 60 minutes, and 24 hours to those induced by standard solutions (2% chlorhexidine, saturated calcium hydroxide, and 2% sodium hypochlorite). Statistical analysis of the results was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and one-way ANOVA. Results The inhibition zone of chlorhexidine against C. albicans was 30.3–19.3 mm, but in combination with EthOAc extract (100 mg/mL) of T. vulgare , this inhibition was from 32.7–30 mm, indicating that this combination exerted a marked synergistic effect against C. albicans . The inhibition zone of sodium hypochlorite (69.7–65 mm) was higher than the inhibition zone of EthOAc extract and chlorhexidine. The combination of EthOAc extract with sodium hypochlorite resulted in a loss of antifungal activity. Furthermore, the activity of the EthOAc extract against C. albicans was decreased after mixing the extract with dentine at a concentration of 25 mg/50 μL (30.3–20.7 mm). The EthOAc extract did not show a genotoxic effect on lymphocyte cells. Conclusions The EthOAc extract of T. vulgare may be a useful tool to discover natural bioactive agents that have antifungal activity against C. albicans and could be used as endodontic therapies.

Problem statement: We have analyzed the chemical nature of essential oil of Tanacetum parthenium (L.) from East part of Kosova. Approach: The essential oil from aerial part of Tanacetum parthenium (L.), obtained by hidro-distillation was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Results: Out of 25 peaks, 22 components, which constitute 88%, were identified in oil. The main compounds of Tanacetum parthenium (L.) from east region of Kosova, were camphor (63%) and camphene (9.6%). This study demonstrates the occurrence of camphor/camphene chemotype of Tanacetum parthenium (L.) from east part of Kosova. The present study showed the chemical composition of the hydro-distilled oil of Tanacetum parthenium (L.) from East part of Kosova and the results are compared to those reported in the literature. Conclusion: After comparison of our date with those reported in literature we can conclude that genetic and environmental factors play role in determining the composition of essential oil of Tanacetum parthenium (L.).

During February and August 2016 (winter and summer season), 192 samples of raw bulk tank milk have been collected from small dairy farms in five different regions of Kosova (Prishtina, Prizren, Peja, Mitrovica, and Gjilan). These samples were analyzed for aflatoxin M (AFM) contamination level by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The limit of quantification for AFM1 was 0.02 μg/L and recovery at 0.1-0.5 μg/L was 90-95% (coefficient of variation 15-25%). A total of 74 milk samples (38%) were found to be contaminated with AFM and 11 samples (5.7%) slightly exceeded the European Union maximum level of 0.05 μg/L. The maximum AFM level was at 0.082 μg/L. There was no relevant difference between summer and winter with regard to AFM frequency and levels. Although the frequency of AFM-positive samples varied between regions, from 7% (Prishtina) to 53% (Prizren), only minor regional differences were observed with regard to average and maximum toxin levels. The high percentage of milk samples which were non-compliant with AFM maximum levels indicates that efforts to reduce the contamination levels of aflatoxin B in cows feed in Kosovo are necessary.

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In this study the antibacterial efficiency of different organic extracts from Centaurea cyanus (L.) growing wild in Kosovo were examined. Methanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, diethyl ether, water and chloroform extracts were tested against three gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (food isolate), Staphylococus aureus (clinical isolate), Listeria monocytogenes (clinical isolate) one gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli (clinical isolate). The antibacterial activity was determined by using agar disc diffusion method. The inhibition zone of extracts was compared to that of penicillin G as standard. Based on the results, the most intense activity was shown by the plant's extracts with water and ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract showed activity in all of the concentrations 1, 3 and 5 mg/mL towards S. aureus (food isolate), E. coli (clinical isolate), S. aureus (clinical isolate) and L. Monocytogenes (clinical isolate). Ethyl acetate extract of the plant with concentration 5 mg/ mL showed a stronger antibacterial activity towards bacteria E. coli with inhibition zone of 12 mm. Aqueous extract of the plant with concentration 5 mg/ mL showed a stronger antibacterial activity against bacteria E. coli with inhibition zone of 12 mm. Also aqueous extracts of the C. cyanus (L.) showed a stronger antibacterial activity as penicillin G against bacteria S.s aureus (clinical isolate). From the obtained results, the most antibacterial activity has water and ethyl acetate extracts. The antibacterial activity of the C. cyanus (L.) was due to the presence of various secondary metabolites such as phenols and flavonoids. Hence, this plant can be used to discover bioactive natural products that may serve as leads in the development of new pharmaceuticals.