Research Perspective on Biological Science Vol. 12

Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential of Cochlospermum tinctorium A Rich. (Bixaceae): A Biochemical Study

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cochlospermum tinctorium A. Rich. (Bixaceae) is a widespread herbaceous plant in the African Sahelian and Sudanian zones. Its root is used as a food and medicinal plant. This research aimed to use the C. tinctorium root as an efficient medicinal vegetable organ. The factors of hepatic diseases are multiple, and developing a single agent capable of preventing hepatic diseases at all times appears elusive. Finding a potent drug that can regenerate hepatic functions irrespective of the initial cause of the damage appears more feasible by using C. tinctorium. Studies of parameters were realised according to standard laboratory methods. At a threshold of \(\alpha\) = 0.05, significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between secondary metabolite contents and functional activities such as radical scavenging activity of antioxidant component or hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The value of DPPHH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) was 95.56 ± 0.94% for Cochlospermum tinctorium (CT) inner Matrix, with a variation of 0.12% for CT Soaked inner Matrix and 1.63% for CT Peeler. But Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity (HRSA) was 37.14 ± 5.71 for CT inner Matrix, with a variation of -38.46% for CT Soaked inner Matrix and -71.79% for CT Peeler. Free radicals and other reactive species are thought to play an important role in many human diseases. Radical scavenging activities are very important due to the deleterious role of free radicals in biological systems. Cochlospermum tinctorium root has exhibited efficiency in healing many diseases thanks to multiple bioactive compounds. In addition, the colour of powders depended on chemical compounds. Finally, Cochlospermum tinctorium root was found to neutralise organic radicals and reactive oxygen species. The ability of C. tinctorium root extract to give hydrogen to neutralise free radicals enhances its application in multiple ways, such as treatments of hepatitis or in biochemical reactions, i.e., chelating of free radicals. Meanwhile, further investigations are necessary to facilitate the usage of the C. tinctorium, even combined with other medicinal vegetables.

Portable Point-of-Care Device for Simultaneous Quantification of G6PD Activity and Haemoglobin in Resource-Limited Settings

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is one of the most prevalent enzymatic disorders worldwide. It carries significant clinical implications, particularly in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and the safe administration of oxidative medications in malaria-endemic regions. Accurate and timely detection of G6PD deficiency is therefore essential to minimise the risk of severe, potentially life-threatening hemolytic crises, thereby improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

This study evaluates the MyG6PD device, a novel quantitative point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic tool that simultaneously assesses haemoglobin concentration and G6PD enzyme activity. The analytical performance of the device was benchmarked against gold-standard laboratory spectrophotometry and the commercially available STANDARD G6PD Analyzer™. MyG6PD exhibited exceptional Linearity (R2 ≥ 0.99), high accuracy (bias < ±15%), and robust precision (CV < 15%) across deficient, intermediate, and normal activity ranges. Crucially, it successfully identified heterozygous females presenting with intermediate phenotypes. MyG6PD demonstrated greater precision and reproducibility in detecting intermediate G6PD phenotypes than the SD Biosensor, enabling clear differentiation between normal and mosaic expression. Furthermore, its lower manufacturing and per-test costs inherently enhance its scalability for global health initiatives. Characterised by a compact, battery-operated architecture, rapid turnaround times, and minimal training requirements, the device is uniquely suited for decentralised, resource-limited environments. Its cost-effective consumables and reliable detection of intermediate G6PD activity underscore its immense potential for large-scale clinical deployment. Ultimately, MyG6PD delivers an accessible, reliable, and clinically actionable screening solution that enables the safer administration of oxidative therapies and improves patient outcomes in high-risk demographic zones. Capable of reliably identifying deficient and intermediate Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency phenotypes, MyG6PD represents a highly feasible and cost-effective intervention to support the safe administration of oxidative therapies and reduce the risk of hemolytic crises among vulnerable populations in resource-limited settings.

Purification and Physicochemical Characterisation of Glycolate Oxidase from Pea (Pisum sativum L.) and Sorghum (Sorghum sudanense) via Ion-Exchange Chromatography

Saba Hadi, Zahraa B. Mohammed, Sara H. Oubid, Majid A. AL-Bayati — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The glycolate oxidase enzyme, a core photorespiratory enzyme in green plants, oxidises glycolate to glyoxylate, playing an adaptive role in roots during hypoxia to normoxia transition. Despite increasing interest in the physiological significance of these enzymes, comparative biochemical characterisation of Lactate oxidase-like (LCO) glycolate oxidase from agronomically important species remains limited. The present study aimed to purify glycolate oxidase enzymes from peas (Pisum sativum L.) and sorghum (Sorghum sudanense J.), and investigate their physicochemical and regulatory properties. The activity of one of the glycolate oxidase isoforms (LCO-like glycolate oxidase) was induced in pea and sorghum leaves. The enzymes were purified to an electrophoretically homogeneous condition. The purified enzymes' specific activity, molecular mass, and physicochemical characteristics were determined. Electrophoretically homogeneous LCO-like glycolate oxidase preparations were successfully obtained from both plant species. The results showed that the LCO-like glycolate oxidase enzyme from pea leaves was 314.37E/mg proteins, the degree of purification was 207 times, and the yield was 11.5%. The sorghum leaf enzyme was 274.22E/mg proteins with the degree of purification and yield, estimated at 143 times and 13.8%, respectively. The molecular mass of the native enzymes was 182 and 168kDa for peas and sorghum, respectively. It was revealed that the enzyme consisted of four subunits with a molecular mass of 45 and 42kDa for glycolate oxidase from pea and sorghum leaves, respectively, indicating a homo-tetramer. The sorghum leaf enzyme exhibited a higher affinity for lactate substrate with an optimal temperature of 55°С and pH of 7.2. Meanwhile, the optimal temperature and pH of pea leaf enzyme were 50°C and 7.5, respectively. The study successfully established a multistep purification strategy for obtaining homogeneous LCO-like glycolate oxidase enzymes from pea and sorghum leaves. The availability of homogeneous specimens provides opportunities to investigate the role of LCO-like glycolate oxidase in the adaptive reactions of cellular plant metabolism.

Neighbourhood Watch: A Global Review of Protective Nesting Associations involving Owls

Heimo Mikkola, Alan Sieradzki — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Nest predation is the primary source of reproductive failure in birds and a major driver of avian breeding strategies. In some cases, minimising predation risk has led certain species to exploit the nest-defence behaviour of others. In these protective nesting associations, a passive defender species benefits from the aggressive nest defence of a protector species, which may deter or kill nest predators while defending its own nest or territory.

Breeding birds show considerable behavioural flexibility in assessing and responding to predation risk. Such flexibility requires that birds can evaluate local predation pressure, either through direct encounters with predators or by interpreting indirect cues such as prey abundance. Most documented protective associations occur in Arctic and northern regions, highlighting the need to determine their broader geographical extent. It remains unclear whether these associations are genetically encoded or culturally learned. Such strategies are expected to persist through evolutionary time if they confer measurable fitness benefits, particularly reduced nest predation. In this review, we focus on protective breeding associations involving owls, as well as certain raptors such as goshawks that frequently live in close proximity to several owl species. We then examine the functional link between predation on mesopredators and the resulting protection of small prey species, including songbirds. Finally, we address nest-site competition and its potential connections to interspecific interactions.

Assessment of β2-Microglobulin, Interleukin-17, Endostatin, and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in Kirkuk, Iraq

Zina Abdulmunem Abdulrazaaq — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Chronic kidney disease is the most common disease in developed countries of the world and thus poses a major challenge to public health throughout the world.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the levels of β2-microglobulin, IL-17, endostatin, and some biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, uric acid, and ferritin) in patients with chronic kidney disease and compare them with those of healthy individuals to investigate their association with renal dysfunction.

Method: A total of 55 blood samples were collected from patients with CKD aged 40–75 years during the period from 1/6/2024 to 25/10/2024 from Kirkuk General Hospital and outpatient clinics in Kirkuk, Iraq. In addition, 30 blood samples were collected from healthy people as a control group. 5 ml of blood sample was collected from patients and healthy people and separated using a centrifuge to obtain the serum, after which the level of the studied variables, represented by β2-microglobulin, Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Endostatin, and some biochemical variables, which included (Urea, Creatinine, Uric acid, Ferritin). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.

Result: The results showed a highly significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in serum β2-MG, IL-17, endostatin, ferritin, urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels in CKD patients compared with healthy controls. The mean serum levels of β2-MG were 6.32 ± 1.76 ng/mL in patients versus 2.55 ± 0.876 ng/mL in controls, while IL-17 levels were 30.54 ± 5.21 pg/mL in patients compared with 6.87 ± 1.43 pg/mL in controls. Endostatin levels also increased markedly in CKD patients (570 ± 110.67 pg/mL) compared with healthy subjects (250.54 ± 60.67 pg/mL).

Conclusion: The elevated levels of these biomarkers in CKD patients indicate their close association with impaired renal function and suggest their potential usefulness as indicators for monitoring chronic kidney disease progression. Further studies are recommended to evaluate their diagnostic and prognostic significance in CKD.

An Update on the hnRNPs Class of RNA Binding Proteins: Basics Biology, Cellular and Genome Roles with an Emphasis on CNS

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a diverse group of RNA-binding proteins involved in the regulation of gene expression at multiple levels. This chapter reviews their basic biology, structural domains, cellular distribution and functional roles, with emphasis on the central nervous system (CNS). These proteins interact with pre-mRNA and mature RNA molecules and contribute to RNA splicing, stability, transport, localisation, translation, and degradation. Their distribution between the nucleus and cytoplasm supports their roles in nucleocytoplasmic transport and post-transcriptional gene regulation. The structural diversity of hnRNPs, including RNA-recognition motifs, KH domains, RGG-rich regions, and nuclear localisation or export signals, enables interactions with different RNA targets and regulatory partners. This chapter reviews the basic biology, structural organisation, cellular localisation, and functional roles of hnRNP proteins, with particular attention to their involvement in the central nervous system. In neuronal and glial cells, hnRNPs contribute to mRNA trafficking, axonal and dendritic regulation, synaptic organisation, cytoskeletal control, and activity-dependent RNA metabolism. The chapter also discusses the participation of hnRNPs in chromatin organisation, epigenetic regulation, telomere-related processes, and genome stability. Dysregulation of hnRNP expression, localisation, or RNA-binding activity is associated with several neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, including multiple sclerosis, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, congenital myasthenic syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and related disorders. Therapeutic approaches involving RNA-based strategies, antisense oligonucleotides, small molecules, proteostasis modulation, and genome-editing methods are discussed as emerging areas of interest. However, selective targeting of hnRNPs remains challenging because of their multifunctional roles, overlapping activities, and broad involvement in essential cellular processes. A clearer understanding of hnRNP-mediated mechanisms may support future biomarker discovery and the development of more precise therapeutic strategies for CNS and other human diseases.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Three Salak (Salacca zalacca) Populations by Using SCOPA Markers

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Salacca zalacca (Gaert.) Voss, commonly known as salak, is a native Indonesian fruit with high economic value. Developing superior salak varieties is crucial for enhancing national production, and high genetic uniformity is one key requirement for varietal release. This study aimed to analyse the genetic diversity of three salak populations (F3 female, F4 female, and F4 male) generated from a cross between the Pade Bali and Mawar cultivars, both sourced from PT. Benih Sumber Andalan. DNA was amplified using SCOPA markers, an improved version of SCAR markers, and analysed using NTSYS-pc 2.1 and GenAlEx. Amplification with four SCOPA primers (SCOPA-1, SCOPA-3, SCOPA-5, and SCOPA-6) produced 23 loci, of which 22 were polymorphic (95.65% polymorphism), indicating high effectiveness in detecting genetic variation. The F3 female population had the lowest heterozygosity value (0.139), followed by the F4 male (0.261) and F4 female (0.343) populations, suggesting greater genetic segregation in populations with larger sample sizes. AMOVA results showed that 89% of genetic variance occurred within populations and 11% between populations. PCoA and dendrogram analyses revealed relatively consistent clustering patterns and identified individuals with potentially unique alleles. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of SCOPA markers in evaluating genetic diversity and their potential use in the early sex determination of salak seedlings. The genetic information obtained provides a foundation for future salak breeding programmes, particularly for the selection of elite genotypes and the conservation of valuable germplasm.

Climate-Smart Dairy Farming: Sustainable Strategies for Productivity, Welfare and Emissions Reduction

Rupal Pathak, Raina Doneria, Mehtab Singh Parmar — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The global dairy sector faces the dual challenge of sustaining and enhancing productivity to meet rising demand for animal-sourced foods while simultaneously reducing its contribution to climate change. Dairy farming is a significant source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, principally methane from enteric fermentation, nitrous oxide from manure management, and carbon dioxide from energy use and land-use change. Climate-smart dairy farming (CSDF) has emerged as an integrative paradigm that seeks to reconcile these competing demands by optimising productivity, safeguarding animal welfare, and reducing emissions per unit of output. This review synthesises the current state of knowledge across five interrelated domains: enteric methane mitigation, manure management, carbon sequestration through land and pasture management, productivity enhancement via precision technologies and genetic improvement, and the adaptation of animal welfare practices to a warming climate. Evidence from peer-reviewed literature and authoritative reports indicates that a range of dietary, genetic, technological, and managerial interventions can collectively reduce GHG intensity by 20–50% without compromising milk yield. However, the implementation of these strategies requires coherent policy frameworks, financial incentives, and region-specific adaptation. The review further highlights that animal welfare and climate outcomes are frequently synergistic: improved health, thermal comfort, and nutritional management simultaneously reduce emissions and increase productive efficiency. Despite significant advances, knowledge gaps persist regarding the long-term efficacy of mitigation measures, trade-offs between different strategies, and the scaling of interventions across diverse farming systems globally. The review concludes that climate-smart dairy farming constitutes a viable, evidence-based pathway towards a low-emissions dairy sector capable of feeding a growing global population within planetary boundaries.

Effect of Poultry Fermentation Ways (Composting, Soaking and Bioreactor) on Its Chemical Composition and Some Soil Properties Treated with Traditional Recommended Fertiliser

Nabbaa O. Alburih, Zainab K. Hasan — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Traditional fermentation methods for animal residues, such as poultry manure, may reduce their nutritional value and the availability of essential elements for crops, while also contributing to environmental pollution and health concerns. Biogas technology may improve organic fertiliser quality because anaerobic digestion occurs under oxygen-free conditions and depends on a balanced microbial system dominated by specialised obligate anaerobic bacteria. This study recycled accumulated raw poultry manure at the research station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Karma Ali, Basra, Iraq. Traditional fermentation methods, including composting and soaking, were compared with a locally manufactured bioreactor equipped with a rotating sieve operating at 4000 rpm min.-1 to separate the produced slurry into solid and liquid fractions. The carboxylic and phenolic groups of the produced organic fertiliser were analysed, and the fertiliser was applied with 0, 50, 75 or 100% of the recommended doses of urea (46% N), superphosphate (47% P2O5) and potash (43% K2O). Treatments were arranged in a randomised complete block design (P < 0.05). The results showed that the highest percentage areas of carboxylic and phenolic groups were recorded in the solid fraction from the bioreactor (68.09 and 2.07%, respectively), compared with soaking (46.38 and 13.18%) and composting (9.41 and 2.07%). Improvements were also observed in soil pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, total porosity and mean weight diameter. The solid bioreactor fraction, particularly when supported with 75 or 100% of the traditional recommendation, showed the most favourable response.