Journal of Integral Sciences

Molecular Genotyping, 16S rRNA Sequencing, and Evolutionary Matrix of Streptomyces sp. Strain ANU-27 Isolated from Estuarine Mangrove Sediments

Anusha Rani Yavvari — 2026-07-11

Estuarine mangrove environments are unique, highly dynamic habitats harboring a rich and unexplored diversity of bioactive actinobacteria. In this study, we highlight the extensive molecular identification, genetic sequencing, and evolutionary positioning of the bacterial isolate ANU-27, which exhibited superior broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy during initial phenotypic screenings. Genomic DNA was successfully extracted using the CTAB-lysozyme methodology, yielding634±32 µg/gof high-integrity DNA with a distinct genomic G+C content of 55.1% calculated via thermal denaturation midpoint (T_m= 92.3C).The 16S rRNA gene locus was targeted and amplified via PCR utilizing 27F and 1492R universal primers, generating a sharp ~1500 bp amplicon. Bidirectional Sanger sequencing resolved a definitive sequence spanning 1177 nucleotides with a high ribosomal G+C ratio 59.13%. Comprehensive homology mapping via NCBI BLASTn paired with a1000-replicate Maximum Parsimony cladogram clustered the strain with 100% sequence identity( E-Value = 0.0) within the genus Streptomyces, revealing an immediate phylogenetic node shared with Streptomyces maritimus strain SBK2-IR9 and Streptomyces rochei strain ABU8. These findings firmly clarify the taxonomic assignment of strain ANU-27, spotlighting its high secondary metabolic and biotechnological promise.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and combined DFT/GFN2-xTB study of ethyl 4-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,9-dioxo-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1,3-benzoxazepin-3-yl] benzoate

Rawaa Naeamah Abdullah — 2026-08-23

A new seven-membered oxygen/nitrogen heterocycle, ethyl 4-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,9-dioxo-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1,3-benzoxazepin-3-yl]benzoate (2), was synthesized in two steps from isovanillin and benzocaine. Acid-catalyzed condensation produced azomethine 1, followed by [2+5] cycloaddition with phthalic anhydride to form the seven-membered ring without loss of a small molecule. Both compounds were characterized by FT-IR and ¹H/¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Formation of 2 was confirmed by disappearance of the azomethine band at 1642 cm⁻¹ and appearance of lactone and lactam carbonyl bands at 1709 and 1674 cm⁻¹, respectively. The phenolic O–H bands shifted from 3369 cm⁻¹ in 1 to 3213 and 3113 cm⁻¹ in 2, indicating stronger hydrogen bonding. The azomethine carbon resonance at 162.1 ppm was replaced by lactam and lactone carbonyl signals at 174.9 and 169.2 ppm. Computational studies using B3LYP/6-31G(d), supported by ETKDG, MMFF94, and GFN2-xTB conformational analysis, showed that the heterocycle adopts a twist-boat conformation with a Cremer–Pople puckering amplitude of 0.892 Å. The HOMO–LUMO gap was 4.331 eV, with chemical hardness of 2.166 eV and electrophilicity of 3.241 eV. The molecule exhibits strong electrophilic and nucleophilic characteristics, with an electrostatic potential ranging from −38.0 to +45.3 kcal mol⁻¹.

Structure-Performance Relationships in Coupling Reagents: A Review of DFT- and QSPR-Guided Design of Azo Chromogens for Drug Determination

Walaa Mohammed Najem — 2026-08-24

Diazotization followed by azo coupling is still one of the most heavily used derivatization routes in pharmaceutical UV-visible spectrophotometry, and yet the selection of the coupling reagent is very often made by trial and error, or simply by copying whatever the previous paper in the same journal happened to use. This review asks a narrower question than the usual survey of applications: what structural features of a coupler actually control the analytical figures of merit, and how far can density functional theory (DFT) and quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR) replace that guesswork with prediction? We revisit the coupling step as an electrophilic aromatic substitution whose rate, regiochemistry and pH window are set by the ionization state of the coupler and by the electrophilicity of the arenediazonium ion generated from the drug. We then connect those variables to the quantities an analyst actually cares about: absorption maximum, molar absorptivity and colour stability. Conceptual-DFT indices, in particular the electrophilicity index, the nucleophilicity index and condensed Fukui functions, are shown to rationalize reagent behaviour that is otherwise reported as an empirical observation. Time-dependent DFT reproduces azo absorption maxima to within roughly 6-12 nm when the functional and the solvation model are chosen with care, while recent QSPR and machine-learning models predict λ_max across hundreds of azo dyes with external coefficients of determination approaching 0.9. A structure-performance map of the common couplers is assembled, recurring errors in present computational practice are identified, and a minimum reporting set is proposed.

Adsorptive removal of Congo red from aqueous solution using a chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid) hydrogel: equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics

Qusay K Mojar — 2026-08-29

Textile effluent carrying Congo red (CR) is hard to treat, because the dye is highly soluble, chemically stable and toxic at low concentration. Here a hydrogel was prepared by graft copolymerising acrylic acid (AA) and itaconic acid (IA) onto chitosan, giving CH-g-poly(AA-co-IA), with potassium persulfate as initiator and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker. It was examined by FTIR, XRD and FESEM, then tested on CR in batch mode. Uptake was strongly pH dependent: removal peaked at pH 3 (91.6 %) and fell to 14.2 % at pH 10, placing the protonated amine groups of the chitosan backbone at the centre of the binding step. A dose of 2 g L⁻¹ removed more than 90 % of the dye from a 50 mg L⁻¹ solution, and equilibrium was reached at about 210 min. Kinetic data were described best by the pseudo-second-order equation (R² = 0.9974 by non-linear fitting, 0.9991 in linear form); the intraparticle diffusion plot was multilinear, with a fast diffusion-controlled stage followed by a much slower approach to equilibrium. Equilibrium data followed the Freundlich model (R² = 0.9981, n = 2.20) more closely than the Langmuir model, which indicates an energetically heterogeneous surface; the Langmuir capacity was 100.7 mg g⁻¹ at 298 K. The mean free energy from the Dubinin–Radushkevich model was 11.5 kJ mol⁻¹. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° = +22.92 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS° = +88.74 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, ΔG° = −2.61 to −6.14 kJ mol⁻¹) describe a spontaneous, endothermic and entropy-driven process.

Preparation and characterization of five membered heterocyclic derivatives from chalcone and evaluation of their biological activity as antioxidant and physical property

Ahmed Kamil Hussein — 2026-09-23

Five-membered heterocycles were prepared in two steps. In the first step, 2-acetylnaphthalene was condensed with 4-(2-pyridyl)benzaldehyde or with biphenyl-4-carboxaldehyde in basic ethanol to give chalcones (A) and (B). In the second step, each chalcone reacted with hydroxylamine hydrochloride, phenylhydrazine, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine or hydrazine. This gave two isoxazolines (1, 5) and six pyrazolines (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8). The ring closures were run in ethanol at 40 °C for 22–26 h. FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectra were used to assign the structures. For all ten compounds, the colour, melting point, R_f value and molecular weight were recorded. Melting points ranged from 213–215 °C for compound (A) to 288–290 °C for compound (7). The biological activity of compounds (3), (4), (5) and (6), which have a strong inhibitory effect, was then studied with the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Five concentrations from 500 to 2500 µg/mL were tested, with ascorbic acid as the reference. Compound (5) gave the highest scavenging value, 93.1 % at 2500 µg/mL. Compound (6) gave the lowest, 38.9 % at 500 µg/mL.

Colony strength shapes the removal of greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) eggs and larvae by honey bee workers and the spread of comb damage in Apis mellifera colonies

Jenan M Ubaid — 2026-09-28

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, is a common pest of honey bee combs, and beekeepers usually meet its worst damage in weak colonies. Yet the path from colony strength to worker removal of the pest, and then to comb damage, has rarely been measured in one trial. We infested 24 Apis mellifera colonies (eight each with 10, 6 or 3 frames of bees) with wax moth eggs placed on open comb or in crevices, and with young (1st-2nd instar) and old (4th-5th instar) larvae. Eggs and larvae were counted from 2 to 72 h, and comb damage was followed for 21 days. Strong colonies removed 92.5% of young larvae within 24 h, against 74.8% in medium and 41.2% in weak colonies. Old larvae were removed less often at every strength level (strength F_2,21 = 344.6; larval age F_1,21 = 87.7; both P < 0.001). Removal followed first-order kinetics, and the rate constant fell from 0.240 to 0.089 h⁻¹ as colonies weakened. Eggs hidden in crevices were poorly removed (36.5% versus 94.3% on open comb), and 52.8% of them hatched. By day 21, weak colonies carried 142.6 cm² of damaged comb against 4.0 cm² in strong ones, and their damage doubled every 5.5 days. Damage rose as a power function (exponent 1.56) of the share of young larvae left unremoved. Dark, brood-used combs gave 2.7 times higher larval survival than new comb. Keeping colonies strong, removing surplus unguarded combs and closing crevices should limit wax moth losses.

Interactive Effects of Soil-Applied Nitrogen and Foliar Nano-Urea on Growth and Grain Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Amal Abdul-Razzaq Nashi — 2026-08-29

A field experiment was conducted in the spring season of 2025 in Sumer district, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq, to study the combined effect of soil applied nitrogen and foliar nano nitrogen spray on the growth and grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.). The factorial experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Three levels of soil nitrogen were tested, namely: N0 (unfertilised control), N1 (50% of the recommended dose) and N2 (100% of the recommended dose). Four concentrations of foliar nano-nitrogen were applied: F₀ (unsprayed control), F₁ (2 mL L⁻¹), F₂ (4 mL L⁻¹), and F₃ (6 mL L⁻¹). X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy characterised the fertiliser as crystalline urea as the main phase with a mean particle diameter of 38.5 nm. Ten growth and yield traits were measured. Main and interaction effects were significant (P < 0.05) for most traits. The N₂F₂ combination produced the highest plant height (226.8 cm), chlorophyll content (49.6 SPAD), kernels per ear (548), 100-kernel weight (34.7 g), and grain yield (8.62 t ha⁻¹), representing an 82.6% yield increase over the N₀F₀ control (4.72 t ha⁻¹). Raising the spray to 6 mL L⁻¹ gave no significant further gain. N₁F₂ (half the soil nitrogen dose plus 4 mL L⁻¹) gave a grain yield (6.86 t ha⁻¹) statistically equal to that of N₂F₀ (full soil dose without spray, 6.58 t ha⁻¹). Combining soil nitrogen with foliar nano-nitrogen therefore raises maize yield and may reduce soil fertilizer inputs.

Rice-Straw Incorporation with a Cellulolytic Bacillus Inoculant versus Straw Burning: Nitrogen and Potassium Supply to the Following Wheat Crop

Ali Mohsen Essa — 2026-10-09

Burning is the quickest way to clear rice straw before wheat, but it wastes nutrients and pollutes the air. Incorporating the straw keeps those nutrients on the field, yet its slow breakdown can lock up soil nitrogen (N) when young wheat needs it. We tested whether a cellulolytic Bacillus inoculant makes incorporation a better N and potassium (K) source than burning. A four-block field trial compared straw removal (T1), burning with the ash retained (T2), incorporation (T3) and incorporation plus Bacillus (T4), each with 6 t straw dry matter ha⁻¹, 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and no mineral K. Litterbags, soil mineral N, exchangeable K and crop uptake were followed for one season. The inoculant raised the straw decay constant by 28% (half-life 67 vs 86 d) and turned early net N retention in the straw into net release. Incorporation lowered soil mineral N at sowing, but T4 held the most mineral N at stem elongation (25.6 mg kg⁻¹) and the most exchangeable K at harvest (159 mg kg⁻¹). Compared with burning, T4 took up 19.4 kg more N ha⁻¹ (+19.5%; Bonferroni-adjusted P < 0.001) and 20.4 kg more K ha⁻¹ (+20.8%; P_adj = 0.028), and grain yield rose by 8.5% (P_adj = 0.088). A block-paired sensitivity test confirmed the N gain, strengthened the yield gain (P_adj = 0.013) and weakened the K gain (P_adj = 0.21). Inoculated incorporation is thus a credible replacement for burning, mainly through better N supply. Multi-season trials with labelled N are needed.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) and LIF Receptor (LIFR) Gene Polymorphisms and Implantation and Pregnancy Outcomes After Assisted Reproduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Durar Kamil Jabbar — 2026-10-08

Background: Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signals through the LIF receptor (LIFR)–gp130 complex, and mice that lack uterine LIF cannot implant their embryos. Whether variants in LIF or LIFR shape the outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is still debated. Methods: PubMed and supplementary sources were searched up to 29 September 2026 for studies that genotyped LIF or LIFR in women treated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), including women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Genotype counts were taken from the original tables, quality was scored with the Newcastle–Ottawa scale, and odds ratios (ORs) were pooled under six genetic models. Results: Eleven studies (4,556 genotyped women) were included and six entered meta-analyses. Poolable ART-outcome data existed only for LIF rs929271, a 3′ untranslated region variant. In three cohorts (742 women), the GG genotype was linked to lower odds of failing to reach an ongoing pregnancy or live birth (GG vs TT+TG: OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29–0.86; I² = 19%), and in two cohorts G carriers had fewer miscarriages (OR 0.49, 0.28–0.86). The signal lost significance with the Hartung–Knapp–Sidik–Jonkman correction, rested mainly on one Brazilian center, and was absent when women with IVF failure were compared with fertile women (G vs T: OR 1.26, 0.91–1.75). Rare LIF variants showed no consistent effect, and no study has tested LIFR against ART outcomes. Conclusions: Certainty of evidence is very low. LIF or LIFR genotyping should not guide IVF practice until larger, ancestry-aware studies with clear outcome definitions confirm these findings.

Lactoferrin for Infants and Children: A Review of Its Mechanisms of Action and the Mixed Clinical Evidence

Adel Jabbar Hussein — 2026-10-13

Infections remain a leading cause of illness and death in infants and young children, and the steady rise of antimicrobial resistance makes the search for safe host-directed agents more pressing. Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein of the transferrin family, is abundant in human colostrum and is now produced at scale from bovine milk and by recombinant routes. This narrative review brings together experimental and clinical work on its use in pediatric infectious and inflammatory disease. We first outline its structure, natural sources and iron forms. We then describe how it acts against bacteria, viruses and fungi: by withholding iron, damaging microbial membranes, releasing the cationic peptide lactoferricin, degrading virulence factors and blocking biofilm formation. Its immunomodulatory side is discussed next, including neutralization of lipopolysaccharide, dampening of NF-κB-driven cytokine release, support of phagocyte and dendritic-cell function, and regulatory T-cell responses. A third section covers its effects on the immature gut, namely epithelial growth and maturation, barrier tightening and the promotion of bifidobacteria. The clinical record is then examined. Early trials in very-low-birth-weight neonates, led by an 11-center Italian trial, reported large falls in late-onset sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis, but two large multicenter trials, ELFIN and LIFT, found no significant benefit. Newer small trials and pooled analyses still point to a low-certainty fall in late-onset sepsis. Trials in older infants and children suggest modest effects on the severity of diarrheal and respiratory illness. We close by discussing product quality, dosing, safety and the trial designs needed to settle where lactoferrin truly helps sick children.

DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF AIR SUSPENSION MICROENCAPSULATION PROCESS

Jameela Shaik — 2026-06-16

Microencapsulation is a versatile and well-established technology used to entrap solid, liquid, or gaseous core materials within a protective coating to enhance stability, control release, and improve handling properties. The analyzed articles collectively highlight the fundamental principles, materials, techniques, and applications of microencapsulation across pharmaceutical, food, agricultural, textile, and construction industries. Various core and coating materials, including polymers, proteins, and lipids, are discussed with emphasis on their compatibility, biodegradability, and release characteristics. The articles also address microcapsule morphology, release mechanisms, and factors influencing encapsulation efficiency. Despite its advantages, challenges such as high production costs, scalability issues, and non-uniform particle size are noted. Overall, the reviewed literature demonstrates that microencapsulation is a critical enabling technology with significant potential for innovation, especially when optimized materials and methods are selected to meet specific application requirements.

NOVEL NANO PARTICLES APPROACHES IN TRAGETED THERAPY OF BRAIN CANCER

Karim Basha Shaik — 2026-06-11

Brain cancer, particularly glioblastoma, remains one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat malignancies due to the restrictive nature of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–brain–tumour barrier (BBTB). The reviewed articles collectively highlight the transformative role of nanotechnology in improving the diagnosis, imaging, and treatment of brain tumours. Nanoparticles (NPs), including lipid-based, polymeric, metallic, carbon-based, virus-based, and biomimetic nanomaterials, demonstrate enhanced permeability, targeted delivery, and multifunctional capabilities. Their nanoscale size, high surface area, and modifiable surfaces enable efficient BBB penetration, tumour-specific targeting, drug encapsulation, and controlled release. In addition to therapeutic applications, nanostructures offer optical, magnetic, and photodynamic properties that significantly enhance imaging precision and multimodal diagnostics. While nanotechnology presents substantial clinical promise, concerns regarding neurotoxicity and long-term. safety necessitate standardized toxicological evaluation. Current research emphasizes improving specificity, minimizing adverse effects, and developing biocompatible and cell membrane-coated systems for safer clinical translation. Overall, nanotechnology-based platforms represent a rapidly advancing strategy that integrates targeted therapy and advanced imaging, offering improved efficacy and potential breakthroughs in brain cancer management while underscoring the importance of safety optimization.

ORGAN ON A CHIP INNOVATION IN PRECISION MEDICINE AND DRUG DESIGN

Reshma Shaik — 2026-06-16

Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology is an advanced microengineered system that recreates the structure and function of human organs on a small, chip-based platform. By combining cell biology, biomaterials, engineering, and microfluidics, these devices imitate the natural environment of tissues, including fluid flow, mechanical forces, and cell interactions. Unlike traditional 2D cell cultures and animal testing, OOC systems provide more realistic physiological conditions while reducing cost and ethical concerns.Various organ models such as lung, liver, kidney, heart, intestine, skin, and brain have been successfully developed. These systems are widely used in drug screening, toxicology studies, disease modeling, pharmacokinetics, and personalized medicine research.

THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF PHYTO CHEMICALS IN DIABETES CARE

David Kery Sikha — 2026-06-16

The Therapeutic possibilities of plant based treatments the management of diabetetes of mechanism of the action. Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic Illness that serious danger at around the entire world. the properties of following plants are Alstonia scholaris, Annona squamosa, momordica charantia, cinnamon, fenugreek, Allium sativum, Neem, Ocimum sanctum, Ginseng berry, Aloe vera this data process are identify potiential phytoconstituents for treatment of diabetes mellitus.Herbal drugs are controlling diabetes safely effectively and different methods of action experiments on animals and humans. This review important discoveries and medicinal uses herbal treatment for diabetes WHO acknowledges the potiential of herbal drugs in treating different health issues, such as diabetes utilized conventional therapies. It is important to emphasize that herbal treatments are displayed potential diabetes they should be healthcare experts.herbal remedies have been traditionally treat to diabetes.the parts used test models hypoglycaemic [blood-sugar-lowering] active compounds of 20 plant species for 12 families crucial role of plant diabetes. The plants can delay complications from diabetes and metabolic imbalance.This review can attempt to cover for herbal plants like melon, fenugreek, ginseng cinnamon, garlic, gymnema managing blood glucose level due to saponin, terpenoids,flavonoids useful controlling diabetes descrption of gymnema gurmarin possible mechanism the gumarin helps manage taste buds receptors TIR1,TIR3 both β-cells and islets, PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma) β-cells is stimulated by gymnema. Plant culture methods gymnemic acid production Diabetes mellitus affecting over 537 million people poses health challenges prevalence and complications like Neuropathy, cardiovascular sylvestre, momordica charantia, trigonella, foenum-graecum cinnamomum veum, Aloe vera and clinical efficacy through results vary due to standardization issues.

HE POWDER OF PLANTS: EXPLORING HERBAL NUTRACUETICLES

Uma Shankar Some — 2026-06-17

Nutraceuticals are bioactive compounds derived from food sources that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. This seminar report presents an extensive overview of nutraceuticals, including their definition, classification, advantages, bioactive components, probiotics, safety considerations, regulatory frameworks, and future prospects. The increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related disorders has created demand for preventive healthcare strategies, where nutraceuticals play a vital role. Functional foods, dietary supplements, antioxidants, and probiotic-based products contribute to maintaining physiological balance and improving quality of life. Advances in nanotechnology, nutrigenomics, and microbiome research are shaping the future of nutraceutical development. This report highlights the importance of scientific validation, quality control, and standardized regulatory practices to ensure safety and efficacy in modern healthcare.