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

E.F. Olarinoye, D.F. Latona, Sunday Adeoye, O.N. Oladoye, Banjo Semire — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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

Y.S. Osinnuwa, S.J. Ayamolowo, H.F. Alemeru — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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.

GC-MS and Microbial Analysis of Oil Extract from Gums of Anacardium Occidentale (Cashew Gum), Khaya Senegelensis (African Mahogany Gum), and Terminalia Mantaly (Umbrella Tree Gum)

D.A. Oyegoke, F.O. Fasuyi, M.O. Arikeuyo — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Natural plant gums are valuable sources of bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical and industrial potential. This study investigated the chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and antimicrobial activities of oil extracts from the gums of Anacardium occidentale (cashew), Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany), and Terminalia mantaly (umbrella tree). Gum samples were collected, dried, pulverized, and extracted with ethanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The oils were characterized by determining flash point and refractive index, while their chemical constituents were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus spp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Botryodiplodia theobromae. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at p < 0.05. Flash point values ranged from 120.52 °C (K. senegalensis) to 157.37 °C (T. mantaly), while refractive indices ranged from 1.4545 to 1.4591. GC-MS identified 20 to 24 compounds, including vanillic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, squalene, and dl-α-tocopherol. T. mantaly exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against S. aureus, producing a 30 mm inhibition zone at 100 mg/mL, exceeding all standard antibiotics tested. K. senegalensis showed broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity with inhibition zones up to 24 mm, whereas A. occidentale demonstrated moderate activity. Significant differences in antimicrobial efficacy were observed (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that T. mantaly and K. senegalensis gum oils are promising natural antimicrobial agents with potential applications in pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical formulations, warranting further cytotoxicity, minimum inhibitory concentration, and in vivo studies.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, Mesogenic Properties and Thermal Studies of Six New Iridium(V) Long Carbon Chain Sulphate Chloride Complexes

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Six new iridium (V) complexes with long carbon chain sulphate chloride ligands, [Ir(SDS)₂Cl₂]Cl (1), [Ir(Myristyl sulphate)₂Cl₂]Cl (2), [Ir(Cetyl sulphate)₂Cl₂]Cl (3), [Ir(Stearyl sulphate)₂Cl₂]Cl (4), [Ir(Arachidyl sulphate)₂Cl₂]Cl (5) and [Ir(Behenyl sulphate)₂Cl₂]Cl (6), have been synthesized and characterized using various techniques, including IR, NMR, and mass spectrometry. The IR and NMR spectra confirmed the presence of alkyl sulphate and chloride ligands, while electronic absorption spectra and ionic conductivity revealed a low-spin d⁵ configuration for the Ir(V) complexes. Thermal analysis revealed that the complexes exhibit liquid crystal properties, with melting points and decomposition temperatures increasing with alkyl chain length. The complexes showed ionic conductivity, with conductivity values ranging from 13.67 to 18.68 Ω⁻¹ cm² mol⁻¹, indicating 1:1 electrolyte behaviour. Magnetic moment measurements confirmed a low-spin state for Ir⁵⁺. The complexes' thermal stability increased with alkyl chain length, with decomposition temperatures ranging from 250 °C to 300 °C. This study highlights the potential of these iridium(V) complexes in applications such as optoelectronics and catalysis, and demonstrates the importance of alkyl chain length in determining their thermal properties.

IoT-Enabled Smart Grid Monitoring and Control: A Comparative Study of Arduino-Based Automatic Source Selection and MATLAB GUI Simulation

A.S. Oluwole, M.O. Omojoyegbe, O. Akinsanmi, O.J. Famoriji — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid evolution of Smart Grid technologies has been accompanied by the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, enabling real-time monitoring, intelligent decision-making, and autonomous control of power systems. Such advancements are particularly critical in hybrid energy networks where distributed resources such as photovoltaic (PV) systems, inverters, batteries, and conventional generators must be coordinated to ensure efficiency, reliability, and resilience. However, one of the key challenges lies in developing low-cost yet effective platforms that can both demonstrate real-world switching and protection mechanisms and provide flexible environments for simulation, analysis, and education. This paper presents a comparative analysis of two complementary implementations for Smart Grid monitoring and control: an Arduino-based automatic source selector, and a MATLAB GUI-based power system simulator. The Arduino prototype demonstrates practical hardware-level switching between grid, generator, and inverter sources, with integrated protection mechanisms against over-voltage and undervoltage conditions, and real-time monitoring through LCD output. In contrast, the MATLAB GUI simulator provides a software-based environment for dynamic visualization of system states, parameter manipulation through interactive sliders and toggles, and graphical representation of AC/DC waveforms and battery charge profiles. Comparative evaluation highlights that while the Arduino system offers real-world applicability, deployability, and IoT-ready integration with sensors, the MATLAB simulator excels in flexibility, scalability, and pedagogical value for education and research. The findings reveal that combining hardware-oriented prototyping with software-centric simulation provides a cost-effective and holistic approach for smart grid innovation, validation, and capacity building, particularly in developing contexts where both operational reliability and academic training are equally critical.