Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences

Forensic-based remote healthcare monitoring system

Ofomata Chijioke Maxwell, Chukwudum Chiemeka Prince — Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper discussed the design and assessment of a remotely monitored patient health management system using innovative IoT, AI, and blockchain for handling issues of security and legal meaning for healthcare data in addition to system compatibility. A combination of qualitative and technical written methods was used. Self-administered questionnaires, focus-group discussions, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 healthcare professionals (HCPs), 10 lawyers, and 20 patients, which revealed doubt over data accuracy, data security risks, and requirements for forensic-level health care verification. The topic analysis resulted in critical themes where data security complexities were evident in 45 % of cases, legal inadmissibility questions were seen in 30 %, and forensic approaches were considered mandatory in 25% of cases. The technical feature included designing a prototype system with wearable health sensors for real-time vital signs, including pulse rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level. Blockchain technology provided a secure and immutable database, and AI algorithms predicted any unhealthy trends with 92% probability. Performance tests with 50 participants demonstrated the system’s high efficiency: Data Security and Encryption – 98 %, HIPAA and GDPR legal compliance – 95 %, Real-Time Monitoring – 96%. The results of cross-comparison between the forensicbased system and traditional healthcare systems showed that the new system recorded a higher score in data security (98% as compared to 75%), accuracy of monitoring (92% higher than 70%), and legal compliance (95% higher than 60%). The case-based approach even more supported the medico-legal system utilization in documenting injuries and chronic diseases and their ability to revolutionize health care. Despite such a promising concept, issues like data privacy, integrating the infrastructure of the system, and standardization issues that come along with its implementation need to be solved. Therefore, the present investigation established the feasibility of a forensic-based remote healthcare environment in improving the quality of a patient’s treatment, data confidentiality, and the legal advantages of remote healthcare systems in making continuous strides for remote healthcare facilities.

Antibacterial activity of Allium sativum (garlic) against bacterial isolates from urine samples

Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the antibacterial activity of Allium sativum (garlic) against bacterial associated with Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). Ten samples were collected from ten persons. Nutrient agar was used for the bacterial isolation and ten isolates were obtained. A total of six different bacterial species were identified as Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Escherichia coli had the highest percentage occurrence of 30%, Salmonella sp. had 10%, Enterococcus faecalis had 10%, Klebsiella pneumoniae had 20%, Proteus mirabilis had 10% and Staphylococcus aureus had 20%. Escherichiacoli showed sensitivity to all antibiotics except ampillin (AM), and amoxicillin (APX), Salmonella sp. was resistant to ciprofloxacin (CPX), ampicillin (AM) and amoxicillin (APX), Enterococcusfaecalis was sensitive to all antibiotics, Klebsiellapneumoniae was resistant to septrine (SXT), Proteusmirabilis was resistant to augmentin (AU), chloramphenicol (CH), ofloxacin (OFX) and zinnacef (Z) while Staphylococcusaureus was resistant to only ciprofloxacin (CPX). At 400 mg/ml, Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to ethanolic garlic extract while Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive at 400 mg/ml of aqueous garlic extract. From this study, it was shown that the ethanolic extract of garlic had larger zones of inhibition when compared to the aqueous garlic extract. Hence, garlic is a potential alternative treatment for Escherichiacoli associated with Urinary Tract Infection.

The use of web-based facial authentication systems in forensic analysis

CM Ofomata, CP Chukwudum — Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study explored web-based facial authentication systems’ development and challenges using semi-structured interviews of developers, cyber security experts, and users. The study demonstrated that facial recognition technology can easily be generalized to other domains of operation. However, current conditions in the environmental setup, such as lighting and user position, pose significant challenges affecting the system's performance. Introducing spoof attacks to fight requires the developer to always add and enhance the identification systems and motion-tracking algorithms, while deep fake technology presents constant system maintenance. This departure from the norm calls for concern as it concerns privacy protection, together with every legal aspect advanced as significant concerns, made the developers concentrate a lot on implementing strong encryption systems in compliance with GDPR norms. The study participants raised ethical concerns regarding abuses and violations of privacy in monitoring the surveillance system and the lack of new governance in biometric data. The assessment defined that system usability and operational speed required enhancement to support proper functioning in a heavy load usage environment. Facial online authentication is potentially viable, yet it requires technology and legal framework modifications regarding environmental, security, and ethical questions. The recommended strategies for improving this system include higher-level encryption, flexible user-oriented mechanics, and operational testing. Research directions for the future that need more attention for attaining user satisfaction and diverse ecosystem integration include discovering methods to protect user privacy using federated learning and more intense systematic testing across various environments.

Dipstick urinalysis and antibiogram of bacteria isolates from asymptomatic undergraduate female students of a tertiary institution in South-South Nigeria

Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among asymptomatic female students in a tertiary institution and evaluate the effectiveness of dipstick urinalysis in detecting bacteriuria. A total of 366 undergraduate female students in the university across different Departments between the ages of 18-37 years, who fulfilled the inclusive criteria for the study were sampled. Approximately 20–30 mL of midstream urine was collected from each participant in sterile, labeled containers and transported to the laboratory within 2 hours of collection. Dipstick urinalysis was carried out on each of the urine samples using Accu-Answer^® dipsticks according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Parameters measured include pH and protein, glucose, nitrites, urobilinogen, blood, ketone, bilirubin, and ascorbic acid contents. Urine samples were aseptically cultured on appropriate media to isolate bacterial strains, which were characterized using standard microbiological and biochemical methods. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results obtained from the dipstick urinalysis were recorded for each participant, and any abnormal findings were flagged for further bacteriological analysis. A total of 215 bacterial isolates were obtained from the samples, with 140 (68.37%) Staphylococcus aureus, followed by 61 (28.37 %) Escherichia coli, with 3 (1.40 %) Salmonella typhi and 4 (1.86 %) Shigella dysenteriae. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that all of the isolates were resistant to all the antibiotics tested. Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli strains showed average percentage resistance of 92.8 % and 86.85%, respectively, to all the antibiotics tested. However, both Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae had the highest level of resistance, with the majority of the antibiotics having 100 % resistance. The antibiotic resistance profiles of these isolates call for concern.

Evaluation of the anti-diabetic potential of methanol leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus (gale of the wind) on Streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetes mellitus in albino rats

Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Conventional synthetic medications used in the management of diabetes have presented a number of pitfalls, necessitating the need for safer options. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of the leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus in albino rats. Twenty-five adult male albino rats were divided into five groups of five rats per group. Group I was the normal control (administered 2 mL of distilled water). Groups II-V were induced with streptozotocin. Group II was not treated with Phyllanthus amarus extract (positive control), while Group III was treated with 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract. Group IV was treated with 400 mg/kg body weight, while Group V was treated with the standard drug (2.5 mg/kg body weight of metformin). The results obtained from this study showed the presence of steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins in the leaf of Phyllanthus amarus. The results further revealed steroids to be the most abundant (34.84±0.61 g/100 g) and flavonoids the least (0.56±0.90 g/100 g). It was also revealed through this study that the methanol leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus (Pa) significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose levels in a dose-_dependent manner (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg). The results also showed that body weights across groups were not significantly different (p>0.05). In conclusion, the methanol leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus has anti-diabetic potential, considering its ability to restore elevated blood glucose levels to normal and promoted the regeneration of the injured pancreas.

The prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase and Metallo-beta-lactamases/Oxacillinase enzymes in drug-resistant bacterial isolates from students’ toilet facilities in a Nigerian pharmacy school

N.H. Igbokwe, C.K. Ezenwaji, C.K. Ezejiegu, A.N. Oli — Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Enterobacteriaceae are human pathogens commonly responsible for pneumonia, urinary tract infections, peritonitis and septicemia. In recent years, there has been a rise in carbapenem resistance, particularly in these Enterobacteriaceae. This resistance is caused by the production of enzymes that inactivate carbapenems, known as Carbapenemases. Toilet infections are common among the female population and infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae pose a huge challenge, especially as they cause an increase in the cost of treatment as well as treatment failure. This study was designed to determine the presence and incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase/Metallo beta-lactamase/Oxacillinase enzymes among drug-resistant isolates from the female students’ hostel toilet facilities in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, School of Pharmacy, Agulu. Samples were first collected and processed, then isolated and purified. Microbial identification and characterization were carried out. The isolates were then subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and subsequently to carbapenem susceptibility testing using a Rosco kit to determine the enzymes implicated in resistance. From the result, it was observed that 100% of Escherichia coli strains produced oxacillinase enzyme and 6% of the strains produced metallo beta-lactamase, with no strain producing Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase. In Klebsiella pneumoniae, all strains produced oxacillinase, 38% produced metallo beta-lactamase and 5% produced Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase. For Salmonella spp., 23% produced metallo beta-lactamase and 9% produced Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase and all strains of Salmonella spp. produced oxacillinase enzyme. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 19% of the resistant strains produced Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase and 4% produced metallo beta-lactamase. This study confirmed the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase, Metallo-beta lactamase and Oxacillinase enzymes among the drug-resistant isolates in the female student hostel toilet facilities.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial and wound healing properties of cream formulations of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract

Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper is aimed at investigating the antimicrobial and wound healing properties of cream formulations of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract. Moringa oleifera leaves were air-dried, pulverized and extracted with water using Soxhlet apparatus. Phytochemical analysis of the extract was done using standard procedures. Antimicrobial tests were performed on the extract and cream formulations of the extract using the agar well diffusion method. The wound healing property of the cream formulations was then evaluated using excision wound model. The results show that the leaf extract contains alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, oil/fats but no tannin. The extract was found to inhibit various microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans at concentrations of 800 mg/ml and 600 mg/ml with the greatest activity against Escherichia coli (IZD = 9 mm and 7 mm respectively). The antimicrobial property of the cream formulations (1, 2 and 5% concentrations) was substantially greater than that of the aqueous extract which could suggest a synergistic interaction between the aqueous extract and cream base. The cream formulations showed greatest activity against Aspergillus niger (IZD = 16 mm at 5% concentration). Results from the wound healing studies show that the cream containing 2% aqueous extract showed the greatest wound contraction while the cream containing 5% aqueous extract showed the fastest contraction. Overall, the cream formulations showed better wound contraction than the negative control (blank cream) but did not outperform the positive control (1% Cicatrin cream formulation). This study shows the potentials of Moringa oleifera leaf as a good antimicrobial and wound healing agent, most likely due to its phytoconstituents and could be employed as standard topical antimicrobial and wound healing creams