Achievers Journal of Scientific Research

In Silico Investigation of 4-Hydroxyphenyl-3-nitrobenzoate Derivatives as Potential Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum Lactate Dehydrogenase Using Swiss Similarity, Molecular Docking, and ADMET Analysis

2026-06-28T14:34:23+00:00

Malaria remains a major global health challenge due to the increasing resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to existing antimalarial drugs. This study investigated structurally related analogues of 4-hydroxyphenyl-3-nitrobenzoate as potential inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH, PDB ID: 1CET) using SwissSimilarity screening, molecular docking, and ADMET analysis. Seven analogues were identified and evaluated alongside chloroquine and lumefantrine as reference compounds. Among the screened compounds, A3, A5, and A4 exhibited stronger binding affinities (−7.7, −7.5, and −7.4 kcal/mol, respectively) than chloroquine (−6.1 kcal/mol) and comparable affinity to lumefantrine (−7.1 kcal/mol). ADMET predictions revealed favorable pharmacokinetic properties for the lead compounds. Furthermore, A3 demonstrated stable binding interactions within the PfLDH active site through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. These findings suggest that A3 may serve as a potential lead compound for further experimental evaluation as an antimalarial agent.

Factors Influencing Provision of Antenatal Care to HIV Exposed Pregnant Women in Health Care Facilities in Ondo State

2026-07-01T11:13:24+00:00

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a public health issue as it’s a leading cause of death worldwide among women of reproductive age. In order to improve health outcome, individual and family related factors must be addressed. The study identified factors influencing the provision of antenatal care services to pregnant women living with HIV in Ondo state A pretested questionnaire was used to elicit responses from 135 HIV exposed pregnant women using a multi-stage sampling technique and in-depth interview for 8 midwives in Ondo state. Results showed that long waiting time (94.8%, mean 4.5±0.7), far distance from health care (63.7%, 3.6±0.7) facility, cost of drugs (74.8%, 3.8±0.9) non-understanding of test results are barriers to the use of ANC services, few numbers of midwives (97% mean 4.6±0.7). There was a statistically significant relationship between number of midwives attending to pregnant women resulting into long waiting time and quality of ANC services with p<0.05 at 95% CI. Self-stigmatization by pregnant women living with HIV is a major factor as they presume everyone is aware of their status despite high level of confidentiality. It is recommended that more midwives should be employed into the health sector and psychologists should join in counseling against self-stigmatization

Prevalence of Flatfoot and its Association with Foot Pain and Balance Performance among Secondary School Students in Owo, Nigeria

2026-07-01T14:38:31+00:00

Flatfoot is a common variation in foot posture during childhood and adolescence, yet its clinical significance remains debated. Although often considered benign, persistent flatfoot has been associated with foot pain and impaired balance in some populations. Evidence from Nigerian adolescents is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of flatfoot among junior secondary school students in Owo, Nigeria, and to examine its association with foot pain and balance performance. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 369 adolescents aged 10–15 years recruited from three secondary schools in Owo, Ondo State. Flatfoot was assessed using the Navicular Drop Test. Participants reporting foot pain completed a structured questionnaire. Static and dynamic balance were assessed using the Single-Leg Stance Test and the Tandem Walk Test, respectively. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and binary logistic regression with significance set at p < 0.05. The prevalence of flatfoot was 8.1% (95% CI: 5.3–10.9%), with a higher prevalence in males than females. Flatfoot was not a significant predictor of foot pain after adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.57–3.17; p = 0.50), and no significant differences were observed in static or dynamic balance performance between groups (p > 0.05). Flatfoot was relatively uncommon among adolescents in this population and showed no significant association with foot pain or balance performance, suggesting that it may represent a benign anatomical variation in this age group.