Publications by authors named "Suncica Kuzmic"

Inorganic gunshot residue (iGSR) analysis, crucial for linking suspects to firearm use, faces challenges from potential environmental contamination, notably in police vehicles. The present study aimed to explore the level of iGSR contamination in police vehicles from the Zagreb County Police Administration (Croatia), considering particle types and their position in vehicles, and to identify associated risk factors. From December 2021 to April 2022, 65 of 86 police vehicles (margin of error: ±6% at a 95% confidence level) were sampled with GSR stubs on the drivers' seats, back seats, and backrests and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM/EDX).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study explored using spray drying to create delivery systems based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), either alone or mixed with other substances like collagen and guar gum.
  • Results indicated that adding CMC improved both the yield and structural properties, achieving an impressive encapsulation efficiency (77-96%) for phenylethanoid glycosides (PGs).
  • The microparticles displayed low wettability, leading to a slow release of PGs, which is advantageous for enhancing the nutritional content of confections while also improving texture when kudzu starch was added.
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Ground ivy ( L.) has been known as a medicinal plant in folk medicine for generations and, as a member of the family, is characterized with a high content of rosmarinic acid. The aim of the present study was to formulate delivery systems containing bioactive compounds from ground ivy in encapsulated form and incorporated into candies.

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Conventional and innovative (microwave-assisted and subcritical water extraction) techniques were applied to investigate the bioactive content of traditional plant - Teucrium montanum. Verbascoside and echinacoside, identified and quantified using LC-MS/MS and HPLC-PAD, were found to be the predominant phenolics in all extracts. Infusion (30 °C, 30 min) was characterized with the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity and was further used for encapsulation into liposomes.

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Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) is a very serious and painful disease that often results in impaired vision. Cultivation of limbal stem cells for clinical application is usually performed on carriers such as amniotic membrane or surgical fibrin gel. Transplantation of these grafts is associated with the risk of local postoperative infection that can destroy the graft and devoid therapeutic benefit.

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Satureja montana and S. subspicata are used as spice, pepper substitute, for preparing tea, juice, and as a medicine. Fourteen populations (seven per species) of Satureja montana L.

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