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Research Article
Synthesis, In vitro Antimicrobial, and In Silico Studies of
2-Hydroxy-1, 2-Diphenylethanone Derivatives
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, September 2026
Pages:
1-13
Received:
7 August 2026
Accepted:
19 August 2026
Published:
9 September 2026
Abstract: Infectious diseases place a significant impact on the healthcare system. It causes 7.7 million fatalities each year, with a disproportionately high burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Drug resistant pathogens attributed to 4.95 million and 1.27 million are illnesses of bacteria that are resistant to the current medications. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new, safe, and effective compounds to combat antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to synthesize new compounds derived from 2-hydroxy-1, 2-diphenylethanone using the Mannich reaction and evaluate their antimicrobial activities against 26 bacterial strains and 4 fungal strains. Three compounds were successfully synthesized and their structures were confirmed as 3 (diethylamino)-2-hydroxy-1, 2-diphenylpropan-1-one (2) 1-(2-hydroxy-3-oxo-2, 3 diphenylpropyl) urea (3), and 2-hydroxy-1, 2-diphenyl-3-(piperidin-1-yl) propan-1-one (4), using 1H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. All the synthesized compounds exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Compound (3) demonstrated the highest activity, with MIC of 10 µg/mL against Shigella sonnei 1, Shigella boydii D13629, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MDR1 and compound (4) demonstrated the highest antifungal activity, with MIC of 200 µg/mL against Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Aspergillus niger ATCC 6275, Penicillium funiculosum NCTC 287, and Penicillium notatum ATCC 11625. Molecular docking showed the compounds interact favorably with conserved residues in the binding site of E. coli DsbA (PDB ID: 8DN0) through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, with docking scores of –7.5 kcal/mol compound (3), –7.1 kcal/mol compound (4), and –6.5kcal/mol compound (2). This research suggests verify the molecular docking results experimentally and biological activities, such as antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties and evaluate the safety profile of the produced chemicals.
Abstract: Infectious diseases place a significant impact on the healthcare system. It causes 7.7 million fatalities each year, with a disproportionately high burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Drug resistant pathogens attributed to 4.95 million and 1.27 million are illnesses of bacteria that are resistant to the current medications. Therefore, there is an urgent ...
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Research Article
Formulation and Evaluation of Controlled-Release Repaglinide Tablets Using Eudragit RS100 and Carbopol P974 NF Polymer Combinations
Haseena Ghaffar,
Ghulam Mustafa Shahwani,
Abdul Ghaffar*
,
Ghulam Razzaq Shahwani,
Rasheed Ahmed,
Marvi
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, September 2026
Pages:
14-24
Received:
7 August 2026
Accepted:
21 August 2026
Published:
15 September 2026
Abstract: Repaglinide is a short-acting insulin secretagogue whose short half-life necessitates frequent dosing, compromising adherence. Controlled-release (CR) matrix tablets combining hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers can sustain drug release and reduce dosing frequency. To formulate and evaluate CR repaglinide tablets using Eudragit RS100 and Carbopol P974 NF at varying drug: polymer ratios, with and without natural co-excipients, and to characterise their physicochemical properties, in vitro release, and release kinetics. Nine formulations (CR-R1–CR-R9) were prepared by direct compression and wet granulation at drug: polymer ratios of 10:1, 10:2 and 10:3, with gum acacia and guar gum as co-excipients in selected batches. Pre-compression (Carr's index, Hausner's ratio, angle of repose) and post-compression (weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, drug content) parameters were assessed per pharmacopeial standards. In vitro release was studied by USP Method I and modelled with the Power Law equation; similarity (f2) and difference (f1) factors were calculated against a reference product. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test. All blends showed excellent-to-very-good flow (Carr's index 9.22–11.88%; Hausner's ratio 1.06–1.16; angle of repose 29.99–31.94°). All tablets met pharmacopeial limits for weight variation, hardness (6.5–7.2 kg/cm2), friability (<0.5%) and drug content (97.1–99.7%). Drug release at 2 hours ranged from 77.0% to 92.0%. Power Law fitting (r² = 0.988–0.997) indicated anomalous non-Fickian diffusion (n = 0.608–0.790) for all formulations. Eudragit RS100–Carbopol P974 NF matrices produced robust, pharmacopeia-compliant repaglinide CR tablets with diffusion/erosion-controlled release, supporting this polymer combination for sustained oral repaglinide delivery.
Abstract: Repaglinide is a short-acting insulin secretagogue whose short half-life necessitates frequent dosing, compromising adherence. Controlled-release (CR) matrix tablets combining hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers can sustain drug release and reduce dosing frequency. To formulate and evaluate CR repaglinide tablets using Eudragit RS100 and Carbopol ...
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Research Article
Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Camel Brucellosis in Two Selected Districts of Jarar Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, September 2026
Pages:
25-34
Received:
14 August 2026
Accepted:
26 August 2026
Published:
18 September 2026
Abstract: Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Camel brucellosis poses significant public health concerns and hampers socio-economic development in developing countries, particularly in pastoral regions. Despite its endemic status in many areas, limited attention has been given to the disease in camels. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of camel brucellosis in the Dagahbur and Dagahmadow districts of the Jarar zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2024 to May 2025. A total of 384 camels from six kebeles across the selected districts were included using a multi-stage sampling technique. Serum samples were tested using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and confirmed with Competitive ELISA (cELISA). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated risk factors. The overall seroprevalence was 27.86% by RBPT and 3.9% by cELISA. Camels with a history of abortion were over twice as likely to test positive (AOR = 2.23, p = 0.002), and those with retained fetal membranes had a sixfold increased risk (AOR = 6.27, p = 0.001). Demographic factors such as sex, age, and herd size showed no significant association. Camel brucellosis remains prevalent in the study area, with reproductive disorders identified as key risk factors. Coordinated efforts among stakeholders are needed to implement preventive and control measures, alongside increasing public awareness to curb the spread and reduce disease prevalence.
Abstract: Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Camel brucellosis poses significant public health concerns and hampers socio-economic development in developing countries, particularly in pastoral regions. Despite its endemic status in many areas, limited attention has been given to the disease in camels...
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Review Article
Downturns of Tertiary Healthcare Infrastructure and Services in Nigeria: Context, Dimensions, Consequences, Past Policy Interventions, and Roadmap for Reform
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, September 2026
Pages:
35-44
Received:
18 August 2026
Accepted:
27 August 2026
Published:
18 September 2026
Abstract: Nigerian tertiary healthcare centers are legally mandated to provide specialized clinical care, advance research, and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Decades of systemic, structural, and institutional dwindling infrastructure and medical services, however, have profoundly compromised this national mandate. This narrative review analyzes current evidence from public health, health economics, public policy, and clinical practice reports to examine the multidimensional crises plaguing these apex tertiary healthcare centers. Five primary drivers of the declining infrastructure and services of Nigeria's tertiary healthcare centers emerge from the search data: chronic underfunding coupled with misaligned budgets, severe infrastructure and technological deficits, widespread procurement corruption, weak regulatory oversight, and an unprecedented human resource crisis fueled by medical emigration ("brain drain"). By tracing the historical evolution of these challenges, we outline their direct consequences (degradation of patient outcomes and escalating mortality rates, the erosion of medical education and research output, and economic devaluation and the outflow of medical tourism) for patient outcomes and medical education, and detail critical lessons from past policy failures, including the multi-million United States dollar Vamed Engineering Project to equip apex tertiary medical centers during the 2000s, the 2014 National Health Act, and the Public-Private Partnerships. To reverse this infrastructure and medical services decline and advance toward universal health coverage, we propose a targeted framework centered on alternative health financing, public-private partnerships, institutional autonomy, clinical technology integration, and robust and aggressive workforce retention strategies.
Abstract: Nigerian tertiary healthcare centers are legally mandated to provide specialized clinical care, advance research, and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Decades of systemic, structural, and institutional dwindling infrastructure and medical services, however, have profoundly compromised this national mandate. This narrative r...
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Research Article
Prevalence and Predictors of Undernutrition Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Salale University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, September 2026
Pages:
45-53
Received:
22 June 2026
Accepted:
25 August 2026
Published:
18 September 2026
Abstract: Background: Maternal undernutrition remains a persistent and critical public health issue in Ethiopia, significantly elevating risks of maternal morbidity, preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased maternal mortality. Recent evidence shows that undernourished pregnant women have 2.5 times higher odds of delivering low birth weight babies. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women ranges from 14.4% to 52.6% across different settings. However, there is limited context-specific evidence on the magnitude and determinants of maternal undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Salale, Fiche. Objective: To assess prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Salale university comprehensive specialized, Fiche, North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia 2026. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 296 pregnant women attending antenatal care follow-up at Salale University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from December 22, 2025, to May 18, 2026. A systematic sampling technique was employed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements, including Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), designed using KoboToolbox. Dietary diversity was assessed using the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 10-food group system, and household food security was evaluated using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: In this study, the magnitude of undernutrition among pregnant women was 31.4% (95% CI: 26.4–36.92%). Multivariable analysis showed that consistent iron and folic acid supplementation significantly reduced the odds of undernutrition by 68.1% (AOR = 0.319; 95% CI: 0.152–0.672; p = 0.003). Higher household income and better dietary diversity also served as strong protective factors against maternal malnutrition (p < 0.003). Additionally, improved household food security heavily influenced outcomes, with targeted families showing a 78.3% lower risk of undernutrition (AOR = 0.217; 95% CI: 0.118–0.399; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Maternal undernutrition is a severe public health problem in the study area. Regular prenatal monitoring, enhancement of household food security intervention models, intensive nutritional counseling, and scaling up iron-folic acid supplementation uptake are highly recommended to address the underlying challenges.
Abstract: Background: Maternal undernutrition remains a persistent and critical public health issue in Ethiopia, significantly elevating risks of maternal morbidity, preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased maternal mortality. Recent evidence shows that undernourished pregnant women have 2.5 times higher odds of delivering low birth weight babies. In E...
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