ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Daily use and improper management of plastic materials by the public contributes to the occurrence of microplastic pollution. It can be acknowledged that knowledge and attitudes are one of the keys to reducing the release of microplastic into the environment. Therefore, enhancing student’s understanding may play an important role in effective solution innovation and readiness to take specific actions for environmental protection. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among university students using an online questionnaire to assess their knowledge and attitudes about microplastic pollution. For data analysis, Pearson’s Chi-square was conducted using SPSS version 26. Results: Findings revealed that students have moderate knowledge (4.66) and attitudes (5.42) towards microplastic pollution. However, neither age, gender, CGPA, nor the course in which they studied had any significant association with their level of knowledge and attitudes (p>0.05). In fact, the level of knowledge and attitude reported by respondents indicate that it is necessary to address this deficiency by providing education through structured education and mass media, along with vigorous policy enforcement and replacement of conventional plastics. Conclusion: Education on microplastics among the younger generation is key to curbing the problem of microplastic pollution. As future consumers, the demand for alternative products that does not contribute to microplastic can help encourage brands and markets to come up with better solution that is critical to prevent this problem from worsening.
ABSTRACT
Unani system of medicine (USM) is time tested, centuries old medicine based on teachings of Greek and Arab Scholars. Unani medicine has holistic approach of treating disease and illnesses. Drugs of either of three origins i.e. herbal, mineral or animal are used in USM. But the majority of drugs belong to herbs. Apium graveolens (Karafs) is one of the common drugs of USM, described by ancient scholars and found effective in modern world also. This paper aims at reviewing the importance of Apium graveolens with special reference to USM.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To determine the occurrence of class A and class C β-lactamase genes and their co-occurrence in Indian Enterobacteriaceae.@*METHODS@#52 third generation cephalosporin resistant isolates were phenotypically detected by combination disk method and screened by PCR to identify class A and class C type β-lactamase genes.@*RESULTS@#Of the 52 isolates, 94.2% (49) were found harboring any of the bla(ESBL(s)). bla(CTX-M), bla(SHV) and bla(TEM) were present in 82.6% (43/52), 59.6% (31/52), and 42.3% (22/52) isolates, respectively. Of the 49 ESBL positive isolates 57.1% (28/49) showed co-occurrence of bla(ampC) with bla(ESBL(s)). On the contrary, the collection from 2009 showed their co-occurrence in 81.4% isolates.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The comparative study shows a downward trend for co-existence of bla(ESBL(s)) with bla(ampC) from 2009 to 2010. Further large scale studies are needed to address the co-occurrence of class A and class C β-lactamases in India and the resistance trend occurring over a period of time.