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[...]the discovery of the human VNO was ascribed to Kölliker (1877) as Ruysch did not supply an accurate description or provide a name and according to Bhatnagar and Smith (2003) he described a “nasal canal,” too close to the palate to represent the VNO. [...]it was Kölliker (1877), who among eighteenth to nineteenth century investigators became known as the first to provide evidence of the human VNO as a histologically identifiable structure. [...]VNO is now also known as “Jacobson's organ,” largely due to Potiquet (1891), who supplied the first extensive discussion of the VNO in humans. According to Bhatnagar and Smith (2001), the presence and the location of the VNO is clearly demonstrated by serial sectioning of the nasal septum convincingly. [...]a part of the main olfactory bulbs of Amia calva, a living fossil, has been recognized as an AOB (Schnitzlein, 1964).

The paper aims to provide a review of literature that emphasizes students’ and teachers’ views on the nature of science (NOS) and associated instructional approaches to develop adequate understanding of the NOS that have been employed in different contexts. One hundred and seventy-two (172) studies were selected from ResearchGate, Academia, Google Scholar, and ERIC database from the year 2000 to 2022 and few important documents published before 2000. The paper presents an exploration of NOS aspects and identifies the gaps in the previous researches. The reviewed studies inform us that students have strong misconceptions on some NOS aspects such as relationship between theories and laws, observations, and scientific method, while teachers have strong misconception on relationship between theories and laws. The NOS instructional approaches discussed in reviewed papers have a positive effect in improving the NOS understanding. Reviewed literature suggests that some instructional approaches have positive effect to teach most of targeted NOS aspects such as explicit and reflective approach. In addition, the findings indicate that explicit and reflective instruction has been more documented and tried out into different contexts in which a considerable effect on students’ views on NOS was noted. Despite all efforts put in place, there is still a need for a lot to be done on active instructional approaches and interventions in this regard, particularly in developing countries with emphasis to the Sub-Saharan Africa education context.

Consumption of trans fatty acids (TFAs) has been unequivocally linked to several adverse health effects, with the increased risk of cardiovascular disease being one of the most well understood. To reduce TFA-related morbidity and mortality, several countries have imposed voluntary or mandatory measures to minimize the content of industrial TFAs (iTFAs) in the food supply. In 2018, Slovenia introduced a ban on iTFAs on top of preceding voluntary calls to industry to reduce its use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) as the main source of iTFAs. To investigate the consumption of TFAs, data available from the nationally representative dietary survey SI.Menu were analyzed. The survey consisted of two 24-h non-consecutive day recalls from 1248 study participants from three age groups (10–17, 18–64, 65–74 years old), combined with socio-demographic, socio-economic, and lifestyle parameters. The analyses demonstrated that, on average, TFAs accounted for 0.38–0.50% of total energy intake (TEI). However, 13% of adolescents, 29.4% of adults, and 41.8% of the elderly population still consumed more than 0.50% TEI with TFAs. The main sources of TFAs in the diet were naturally present TFAs from butter, meat dishes, and meat products, regardless of the age group. Results indicate that following the reformulation activities, the major sources of TFAs in the diets of the Slovenian population now represent foods which are natural sources of TFAs.

Vitamin D (VitD) is involved in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, bone health, and normal functioning of the immune system. VitD status is monitored using serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) as a biomarker. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations below 30 nmol/L indicate VitD deficiency and below 50 nmol/L indicate insufficiency. VitD can be synthesised endogenously in human skin when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. In the absence of sufficient UVB-light exposure, VitD intake becomes the main source of VitD, with a recommended daily intake of 20 μg. The aim of this study was to conduct a review and meta-analysis on the abovementioned topics, focusing on scientific studies in various Slovenian populations. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published scientific papers, academic theses, or conference contributions reporting serum 25(OH)D status and VitD intake across various Slovenian populations. A search was carried out using Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and the Slovenian library database. We identified 43 pertinent studies that addressed 25(OH)D status and 16 that addressed VitD intake. Serum 25(OH)D status was generally low across all populations, and notable seasonal variability was observed. VitD intakes were below 5 μg in all studies. A general observation is that various population groups across Slovenia are at high risk of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, particularly during wintertime. Regarding vitamin D intake, all included studies reported daily intakes below the recommended level. We also identified key research gaps that need to be addressed to support further public health decision-making.

Genetic disruption of the vomeronasal organ (VNO), an organ responsible for pheromone processing, drastically alters socio-sexual behavior in mice. However, it is not known whether the VNO has a role during the pubertal organizational period when sex-typical socio-sexual behaviors emerge, or if disruption of the organ in adulthood is sufficient to alter socio-sexual behavior. To bypass the lifelong VNO disruption of genetic knockout models, we surgically ablated the VNO of male and female mice either during the peripubertal period [postnatal day (PND) 28–30] or adulthood (PND 58–60), with sham controls at both ages. We ruled out anosmia via the buried food test and assessed sexual odor preferences by simultaneously exposing mice to same- and opposite-sex soiled-bedding. We then measured territorial aggression with the resident-intruder paradigm and assessed sexual behavior in response to an encounter with an estrus-induced female. Neural activity approximated by FOS-immunoreactivity along the VNO-accessory olfactory pathway was measured in response to opposite-sex odors. We found that peripubertal VNO ablation decreased sexual odor preferences and neural activity in response to opposite-sex odors, and drastically reduced territorial aggression in male mice. Conversely, adult VNO ablation resulted in subtle differences in sexual odor preferences compared with sham controls. Regardless of the VNO condition, mice displayed sex-typical copulatory behaviors. Together, these results suggest that puberty is a critical period in development whereby the VNO contributes to the sexual differentiation of behavior and neural response to conspecific odors.

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) specializes in detection of chemosignals, mainly pheromones, which control social communication and reproduction in many mammals. These pheromones must solubilize with nasal fluids before entering the VNO, and it was suggested that they are delivered to and cleared from the VNO by active pumping. Yet, the details of this pheromone delivery process are unclear. In this study, we first constructed a high-resolution 3D morphological image of the whole adult mouse snout, by using ultra-high-resolution micro-CT. We identified a net of micro tunnels starting from the nostrils and extending around and through the VNO. These micro tunnels connect the nasal cavity with the VNO and the oral cavity via the nasopalatine ducts (NPD). Other micro tunnels connect the nasal cavity to the main olfactory epithelium. We next demonstrated that physical obstruction of the NPD severely impairs the clearance of dissolved compounds from the VNO lumen. Moreover, we found that mice with blocked NPD display alterations in chemosignaling-evoked neuronal activation in brain regions associated with the vomeronasal system. Finally, NPD-blocked male mice exhibit reduced preference for female chemosignals, and impaired social interaction behavior. Taken together, our findings indicate that the NPD in mice are connected to both the nasal and oral cavity, serving an essential role in regulating the flow of soluble chemosignals through the VNO, and are required for proper pheromone-mediated social communication.

Background Despite the diverse morphology of the adult squamate naso-palatal complex – consisting of the nasal cavity, vomeronasal organ (VNO), choanal groove, lacrimal duct and superficial palate – little is known about the embryology of these structures. Moreover, there are no comprehensive studies concerning development of the nasal cavity and VNO in relation to the superficial palate. In this investigation, we used X-ray microtomography and histological sections to describe embryonic development of the naso-palatal complex of iguanian lizard, the brown anole ( Anolis sagrei ). The purpose of the study was to describe the mechanism of formation of adult morphology in this species, which combines the peculiar anole features with typical iguanian conditions. Considering the uncertain phylogenetic position of the Iguania within Squamata, embryological data and future comparative studies may shed new light on the evolution of this large squamate clade. Results Development of the naso-palatal complex was divided into three phases: early, middle and late. In the early developmental phase, the vomeronasal pit originates from medial outpocketing of the nasal pit, when the facial prominences are weakly developed. In the middle developmental phase, the following events can be noted: the formation of the frontonasal mass, separation of the vestibulum, appearance of the lacrimal duct, and formation of the choanal groove, which leads to separation of the VNO from the nasal cavity. In late development, the nasal cavity and the VNO attain their adult morphology. The lacrimal duct establishes an extensive connection with the choanal groove, which eventually becomes largely separated from the oral cavity. Conclusions Unlike in other tetrapods, the primordium of the lacrimal duct in the brown anole develops largely beyond the nasolacrimal groove. In contrast to previous studies on squamates, the maxillary prominence is found to participate in the initial fusion with the frontonasal mass. Moreover, formation of the choanal groove occurs due to the fusion of the vomerine cushion to the subconchal fold, rather than to the choanal fold. The loss or significant reduction of the lateral nasal concha is secondary. Some features of anole adult morphology, such as the closure of the choanal groove, may constitute adaptations to vomeronasal chemoreception.

Background. Selection of mature sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has recently been made possible by hyaluronan, a naturally occurring substance found in the cumulus cells. Only fully mature sperm have the receptors on the head that effectively bind to the oocyte cumulus, or, to be more precise, to hyaluronan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in fertilization rates and in embryo development to the blastocyst stage after ICSI performed either with sperm selected by hyaluronan or by standard morphological sperm appearance. Methods. This retrospective study involved 17 couples undergoing ICSI. One half of sibling oocytes were fertilized with sperm selected by hyaluronan (84 oocytes), and the other half with sperm selected on the basis of morphological appearance (89 oocytes). The comparison between the two groups involved fertilization rates and the percentages of arrested embryos, and delayed (morulae) and advanced blastocysts. Blastocysts were classified as early, developed and expanded. Results. In the group with hyaluronan-selected sperm 65 % of oocytes fertilized, and in the group with sperm selected by morphological appearance 70 % of oocytes. The fertilization rates did not statistically differ between the two groups, and neither did the percentages of arrested embryos (47 % vs. 62 %), morulae (11 % vs. 11 %), and blastocysts (42 % vs. 26 %). In the group with hyaluronan-selected sperm the shares of expanded and early blastocysts were significantly greater (P ≤ 0.04 and P ≤ 0.002, respectively) than in the group with sperm selected according to morphological appearance. Conclusions. The use of hyaluronan for sperm selection in ICSI does not affect fertilization rates. Hyaluronan-selected sperm improves subsequent development of embryos. A larger study sample is required for the assessment of hyaluronan-selected sperm on the achievement of pregnancies.

Mineral elements are found in foods and drink of all different types, from drinking water through to mothers’ milk. The search for mineral elements has shown that many trace and ultratrace-level elements presented in food are required for a healthy life. By identifying and analysing these elements, it is possible to evaluate them for their specific health-giving properties, and conversely, to isolate their less desirable properties with a view to reducing or removing them altogether from some foods. The analysis of mineral elements requires a number of different techniques – some methods may be suitable for one food type yet completely unsuited to another. The Handbook of Mineral Elements in Food is the first book to bring together the analytical techniques, the regulatory and legislative framework, and the widest possible range of food types into one comprehensive handbook for food scientists and technologists. Much of the book is based on the authors’ own data, most of which is previously unpublished, making the Handbook of Mineral Elements in Food a vital and up-to-the-minute reference for food scientists in industry and academia alike. Analytical chemists, nutritionists and food policy makers will also find it an invaluable resource. Showcasing contributions from international researchers, and constituting a major resource for our future understanding of the topic, the Handbook of Mineral Elements in Food is an essential reference and should be found wherever food science and technology are researched and taught.

Slovene press has recently expressed concern for the health of children who ingest playground sand contaminated with lead. However, current assessments may be overestimating the health risk, as they assume that human body absorbs the whole amount of a contaminant. The aim of our study was to see how much lead in sand intended for playground sandboxes in Slovenia really is absorbed and what health risk it may present. To do that, we ran bioaccessibility tests to simulate metabolism and see how digestion affects lead levels. Our results show low bioaccessibility of lead from sand (0.01- 36.84 %). Taking into account lead bioaccessibility, we ran several scenarios of sand ingestion in children and established that in general the risk is negligible, except for pica behaviour with extremely high (20 g) ingestion of sand with highly mobilised lead (2.69 μg g-1). Further research should assess real-life exposure to lead from playground sand in children and perhaps update these preliminary bioaccessibility data. V zadnjem obdobju so se v Sloveniji pojavili številni pomisleki o varnosti mivke, ki je namenjena za otroške peskovnike. Ocena tveganja otrok, ki so izpostavljeni svincu temelji na predpostavki, da je celotna količina toksične kovine biološko dostopna. Zato je bil namen raziskave analizirati biološko dostopnost svinca v mivki, ki je namenjen za peskovnike otroških igrišč. Z simulacijo prebavnega trakta smo analizirali vpliv prebavnih sokov za izplavljanje svinca iz mivke. Rezultati kažejo na majhno biodostopnost svinca v mivki (0,01-36,84 %) slovenskih proizvajalcev. Na podlagi biološke dostopnosti smo simulirali različne scenarije vnosa in ugotovili, da je tveganje zanemarljivo, razen v primeru pica sindroma (zaužitje 20 g mivke) ter ob predpostavki največje dokazane biološke dostopnosti (2,69 μg g-1). Raziskave v prihodnosti bodo vključevale realno izpostavljenost otrok svincu iz peskovnikov in bodo morda nadgradile preliminarno raziskavo.