Public perception and behavior on the disposal of unused and expired drugs

Evidence demonstrates that inappropriate drug disposal creates a significant risk to global environmental safety. Study participants' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding the disposal of unwanted and expired medications were assessed. The study was carried out at Sebha city, in southwestern Libya, from October 2021 to April 2022. A self-administered questionnaire designed explicitly to be completed by a respondent without an interviewer's assistance was used. Out of 650, only 500 completed questionnaires was returned. The majority of the respondents admitted they have at least one medication stored at home (71.6%). Keeping expired drugs were reported by 28.2% of the respondents compared with unused medications in their house (51.2%). Almost half of the respondents (47.4%) declared that their medication were taking from the private pharmacies. “I’ll need it in the future” (48.8%), "Medicines change" (37.2%) and "Symptoms improve and recover" (32.6%) were the top three explanations given by participants. The majority of drugs reported were antibiotics (41.0%). This is followed by antipyretic and analgesic drugs, which were used by 29.8% and 27.8% of respondents, respectively. 52.2% of the respondents agreed that disposing of medicines in the garbage is the most appropriate method. Concordantly, the majority of them indicated they discarded unused or expired medicines whether they were solid (82.6%), liquid (58.4%), or semisolid (79.6%). The majority of participants indicated they were aware of the negative impact of drug waste on the environment (80.6%). More than three quarters of the participants said they had never been given instructions on how to properly dispose of medications and 60.8% thought a medical team would be the best source of knowledge. Despite acknowledging being aware of the harmful effects on the environment, the majority of participants admitted to keeping unneeded pharmaceuticals in their homes and throwing them out in the trash. The government should support the pharmacists' role in educating the public about how to properly dispose of their medications and establish the Return Unwanted Medicines Project in order to raise awareness and create cost-effective medication waste management programs.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Improvement of statcom with grid connected flicker minimization and power quality improvement

Abstract- The injection of the PV Grid power into an electric grid affects the power quality. The influence of the PV Grid in the grid system concerning the power quality measurements and the norms followed according to the guidelines specified in the International Electro technical Commission standard, are the active and reactive power variations, variation of voltages, flicker, harmonics and electrical behavior of switching operations. The work study demonstrates has overall good functional characteristics, better performance and faster response than existing systems. The proposed system of having STATCOM is smaller in size and less costly when compared to the existing system. In this proposed system static compensator (STATCOM) is connected at a point with a battery energy storage system to reduce the power quality issues. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme gives the reactive power demand of load and the induction generator. Simulation is done by using MATLAB / SIMULINK-Sim power system software.

deepak patel Deepak patel

A study to assess the determinants of quality of life among adults during covid-19 pandemic in south india

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is an important determinant in assessing the health status. It includes physical, psychological, and social well being. The aim of this research was to identify the intrinsic and extrinsic factors of QOL; and the association of QOL with socio-demographic, anthropometric variables and lifestyle variables. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Tamil Nadu among 327 adults during July 2020 through online using standardized WHOQOL-BREF tool to assess the quality of life along with socio-demographic variables, anthropometric variables and lifestyle variables. Principal component analysis method was used to identify the factors which influence the QOL of adults. The association between socio-demographic variables, anthropometric variables and lifestyle variables with quality of life was also assessed. Among the selected samples 165 were female and 162 were male. The structured questionnaire included Section A- socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, occupation, educational qualification, place of residence, marital status; Section B - anthropometric variables such as height, weight and BMI; Section C lifestyle variables such as type of diet and physical activity pattern; and Section D -consisted of Standardized WHO-BREF tool to assess the quality of life. Results: The identified intrinsic factors include Life style approach, Emotional stability and Health status; Safety & accomplishment, Financial support with societal information were identified as extrinsic factors. These factors played an influential role in QOL of the adults during pandemic crisis. The association between the type of residence (p=0.001), occupation (p=0.000) and marital status (p=0.022) with QOL was highly significant at 1 % and 5 % respectively. Conclusion: The identified factors during covid-19 pandemic had influenced the quality of life domains namely physical health, psychological, social relationship and environment. Intrinsic factors were dependent on individual’s perception towards accepting the new normal during the pandemic. Whereas, extrinsic factors were greatly influenced by the environment and society in which the study participants were exposed. One of the identified extrinsic factors (residence), showed high significant association with QOL.

Athina Deepa Prasanna Athina deepa prasanna

In vitro antagonistic activity of some actinomycetes and fungal spp. isolated from rhizosphere of maize against fusarium sp. by bio-control dual inoculation method

Rhizosphere actinomycetes are promising biocontrol agents for use in agriculture and have been isolated from various plant species. In the present investigation, actinomycetes were isolated from rhizospheric soil of maize to test antagonistic activity against Fusarium verticillioides and fungal strain (T. viride) were procured from National fungal culture collection of India (NFCCI), T. harzianum and A. niger were isolated from soil to test their antagonistic effects against Fusarium verticillioides. In the present study bio-control dual inoculum method were followed to evaluate the bacterial and fungal strains against the pathogen and reveals that Single Bacterial Inoculum (SBI) of S. cinereus shows more effective in controlling the growth of Fusarium verticillioides (28 mm in treated plate) compare to control (45 mm fungal growth). But in Dual Bacterial Inoculum (DBI), the combination of S. albosporous and S. cinereus shows more effective (08 mm fungal growth in treated plate) compare to control (52 mm fungal growth). Similarly, in Single Fungal Inoculum (SFI), T. harzianum were more effective (18.8 mm fungal growth) and in Dual Fungal Inoculum (DFI), T. viridae and T. harzianum act as a more effective (2.5 mm fungal growth) against Fusarium verticillioides compare to controls (60 mm and 52 mm fungal growth respectively). Overall interpretation of the present work reveals that DBI and DFI were more effective than SBI and SFI against Fusarium verticillioides.

Veerabhadraswamy AL Veerabhadraswamy al

Anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory activity of fruit peel of luffa cylindrica (l.) roem

Ethanol extract of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem. Fruit peel was evaluated for antiemetic and anti-inflammatory effects using the chick emesis model and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. The antiemetic effect was observed at 150 mg /kg body weight whereas the anti-inflammatory effect was observed at doses of 500, 750 and 1000 mg /kg body weight orally. Chlorpromazine 150mg/kg and indomethacin 10mg/kg orally were used as standard anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-emetic effect was determined by calculating the mean decrease in the number of retchings compared to those of the control group after 10 minutes of copper sulfate (50mg/kg orally) administration. The degree of paw oedema of all the groups was measured using a plethysmometer at the 5th hour of carrageenan (1% w/v) administration. The extract exhibited statistically significant anti-emetic (P< 0.001) and anti-inflammatory (P< 0.05) effects.

Dr. Salman Ahmed Dr. salman ahmed

Primes of form 6^n+1

We pose various congruences on the integers of form 6^n+1,n∈Z_+, which may encourage younger number theorists to research number theory and settle new dimensions in this field. We observed that there are only three prime numbers, namely 7,37, and 1297 of form 6^n+1,n∈Z_+, and no one Fermat numbers attains this form. Moreover, these integers end with 7, like Fermat numbers F_n,n≥2. Also, we discussed some congruences with number theoretic functions σ,φ and Möbious function μ.

Rajiv Kumar Rajiv kumar

A memetic algorithm for the inventory routing problem

In this article, we study an Inventory Routing Problem with deterministic customer demand in a two-tier supply chain. The supply chain network consists of a supplier using a single vehicle with a given capacity to deliver a single product type to multiple customers. We are interested in population-based algorithms to solve our problem. A Memetic Algorithm (MA) is developed based on the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Variable Neighborhood Search methods. The proposed meta-heuristics are tested on small and large reference benchmarks. The results of the MA are compared to those of the classical GA and to the optimal solutions in the literature. The comparison shows the efficiency of using MA and its ability to generate high quality solutions in a reasonable computation time.

Mohamed Salim Amri Sakhri Mohamed salim amri sakhri

A systematic review on self-reported questionnaires to assess medication adherence in diabetic patients

Adherence to pharmacological therapies are keys to effective treatments in diabetic patients. Previous reviews found that most adherence measurement studies on chronic diseases used a self-reported scale. However, there is no consensus on the best scale to measure adherence in diabetic patients. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the potential self-reported scale that could be considered for measuring medication adherence in diabetic patients and to provide recommendations for researchers or clinicians to determine appropriate adherence self-reported scales in diabetic patients. This review follows general guidelines in the implementation of systematic reviews. After further review, it was found that 33 studies met all inclusion criteria from 4 databases (Wiley, Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed). The articles were done by the PRISMA, while the keywords were determined by the PICO method. Most research was conducted in Asia (69.7%) and America (18.2%) on patients with type 2 diabetes (81.3%), patients in hospitals (54.5%), suffering for 1–6 months (54.5%), and using a cross-sectional study design (78.8%). HbA1c clinic data (57.6%) were used in most studies as biological markers of adherence. The measurement scales of medication adherence in diabetic patients are MMAS-8 (57,.5%), MMAS-4 (12.1%), BMQ (9%), MCQ (6%), ARMS (3%), ARMS-D (3%), GMAS (3%), LMAS-14 (3%), and MARS-5 (3%). This review provides information on the different self-reported scales most widely used in diabetic medication adherence research. Various aspects need to be considered before choosing the scale of adherence.

Much Ilham Novalisa Aji Wibowo Much ilham novalisa aji wibowo

Abundant wave solutions of the boussinesq equation and the (2+ 1)-dimensional extended shallow water wave equation

In this article, we establish the exact wave solutions of the Boussinesq equation and the (2 + 1)-dimensional extended shallow water wave equation by applying the new generalized (G'/G)-expansion method. When the condition of the fluid is such that the horizontal length scale is much greater than the vertical length scale, the shallow water equations are mostly suitable. In Ocean engineering, Boussinesq-type equations are commonly used in computer simulations for the model of water waves in shallow seas and harbors. We explained the new generalized (G'/G)-expansion method to seek further general traveling wave solutions of the above mentioned equations. The traveling wave solutions attained by this method are exposed in terms of hyperbolic, trigonometric and rational functions. The shape of the obtained solutions are bell shaped soliton, kink soliton, singular kink soliton, singular soliton, singular periodic solution and compaction. This method is very influential mathematical tool for extracting exact solutions of NLEEs which frequently arise in mathematical physics, engineering sciences and many scientific real world application fields.

Md khorshed alam

Screening of antimicrobial activity of murraya koenigii leaf extracts against pathogenic bacterial strains staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli isolated from contaminated water

Aim: Murraya koenigii is a widely used plant both as a potential medicinal agent and also for common cooking purposes. Aim of this present study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of Murraya koenigii leaf extracts on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Study Design: Screening and isolation of pathogenic bacterial strains from contaminated water. Preparation of Murraya koenigii leaf extracts using petroleum ether, acetone and ethyl acetate by using serial extraction method with Soxhlet apparatus. Place and Duration of Study: Department of microbiology, Agro biotec research centre Ltd, Poovanthuruthu, Kottayam, Kerala, India, between 2014 January to 2014 May. Methodology: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the bacterial strains used in this study. Morphological and biochemical analysis of microorganisms were conducted to identify the strains. Leaf extracts (petroleum ether, acetone and ethyl acetate) of Murraya koenigii were screened using MHA disc diffusion methods. Results: Various concentration of plant extracts were used to check its activity against isolated pathogens. Acetone extract of curry leaves exhibit maximum zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and petroleum ether extracts shown maximum inhibition against Escherichia coli.

Dr. Hemand Aravind | Sr.Research Scientist | ABTEC Ltd Dr. hemand aravind | sr.research scientist | abtec ltd

Surface modification of anhydrous borax with stearic acid by wet coating method

The wet coating of anhydrous borax powders with stearic acid (SA) to reverse their inherent hydrophilic surface properties was investigated. The coating procedure was based on the results from a previous study that revealed that the stearic acid solution (2 wt. % SA) mixed for 60 minute at 750 rpm on the magnetic stirrer was sufficient for the surface modification of anhydrous borax. For the experiments, stearic acid powders were first dissolved in water at 80 °C. The mixture obtained by adding anhydrous borax powders to this solution was vigorously mixed on a magnetic stirrer to initiation and completion the surface modification. Each of these solutions was then filtered using a filter paper to separate the undissolved particles, and the residue on paper was dried at 50 °C for 48 h until constant weighing was obtained. Wettability has been accepted as a key parameter for success in wet coating treatment. This parameter gained via the experimental characterization technique was used for an evaluation of the powder properties. The degree of wettability of anhydrous borax powders was measured and compared both after their surfaces were coated with stearic acid and after they were treated with water for a certain period of time in an aqueous environment. The stearic acid coating made the powder hydrophobic and this property was highly preserved after washing.

Journal of Characterization Journal of characterization

Correlation of vitamin d with glycemic control and body mass index in patients with type ii diabetes mellitus

Vitamin D deficiency and its effect have attracted a considerable research interest due to its relation to glucose homeostasis, insulin secretion, sensitivity and synthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate vitamin D levels in patients with type II diabetes mellitus aged between 35 - 65 years and investigating their relations with glycemic control and obesity. The study included 74 Libyan patients with known history of type II diabetes mellitus (33 males and 41 females). Serum glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and vitamin D levels were biochemically estimated in these patients. Further, body mass index (BMI) was calculated for all the diabetic patients (weight in kilogram per height in meter square). The mean level of plasma glucose level was 150.58 ± 63.82 mg/dl (mean ± SD). The mean of HbA1c level was 7.90 ± 8.48% (mean ± SD). The mean level of vitamin D was 22.7 5 ± 14.97 ng/ml. The mean of BMI was 26.55 ± 4.10 Kg per m2. The findings showed that 58.10% of the cases had vitamin D deficiency (Out of which 24.24% were males and 85.36% were females). This study showed statistical significance differences in glucose, HbA1c, vitamin D and BMI between male and female patients. Moreover, elderly ages for both sexes had adverse effects on vitamin D status. Vitamin D levels have negatively been correlated with levels of glucose, HbA1c and BMI. It is concluded that vitamin D deficiency has an adverse effect on glucose homeostasis in patients with type II diabetes mellitus and this can be a contributor risk factor in complications of type II diabetes mellitus development in Libyan patients.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Work-life integration and female lecturers’ task performance in higher educational institutions in imo state

This study examined work-life integration and female lecturers’ tasks performance in government-owned higher educational institutions in Imo state. The correlational research design was adopted for the study. Two research questions were answered while two hypotheses were tested. The population of the study comprised 1292 female lecturers in government-owned higher educational institutions in Imo State. The sample size of the study was determined using Taro Yamane formula. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to draw 406 respondents from the strata. Two sets of instruments titled; Female Lecturers’ Work-Life Integration Questionnaire (FLWLIQ) and Female Lecturers’ Task Performance Questionnaire (FLTPQ) were used for data collection. Face and content validities were ensured by experts including the researcher’s supervisor. The reliability coefficient of the FLWLIQ and FLTPQ was calculated to be 0.97 and 0.95 with the help of Cronbach Alpha. Multiple and simple regressions were used to answer the research questions. ANOVA associated with multiple regression and t-test associated with simple regression were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. It was found that self-management skills and effective communication system predict female lecturers’ tasks performance by 54% in government-owned higher educational institutions in Imo state. Based on the findings, it was concluded that work-life integration is positively and moderately significant to female lecturers’ tasks performance in higher educational institutions in Imo state. It was therefore recommended among others that; management of tertiary institutions in Imo state should consider the establishment of constructive outlets for female lecturers to vent any form of inconveniences that is inimical to their job functioning so as to reduce tension. Also, management in each of the institutions should communicate staff duties in an effective manner by setting up active communication channels in each faculty.

FXintegrity Publishing Fxintegrity publishing

Hybrid cryptography algorithms for enhanced adaptive acknowledgment secure in manet

The mobile adhoc network is a group of mobile nodes without having the fixed infrastructure. Due to the infrastructure less network and distributed nature, make mobile adhoc network susceptible to malicious attackers. So, we use an intrusion detection system called Enhanced Adaptive ACKnowledgement (EAACK) especially for mobile adhoc networks. Based on the digital signature algorithm (DSA) and RSA the EAACK is designed. To enhance the strength of the security in the mobile adhoc networks, we introduce an innovative approach called Hybrid Security Protocol that provides integrity, confidentiality and authentication. This Hybrid Security Protocol consists of Cryptography based on Elliptic curve, Dual-RSA algorithm and Message Digest MD5. Encryption is achieved by using Elliptic Curve Cryptography, Dual-RSA algorithm for authentication and MD-5 for integrity. By using a combination of both symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic techniques, we achieve better security with integrity.

Dr H Shaheen Dr h shaheen

Psychological impact of covid-19 pandemic on medical students: an online cross-sectional study

COVID-19 pandemic has spread all over the world and has caused psychological impacts. Medical students are known to be vulnerable population, experiencing higher levels of anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders compared to non-medical students. The nature of life changes like what happened and still happening during the pandemic have its impact on mental health of the students. The aim of this study was to identify the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on medical students among different universities to develop profiles to characterize students' anticipated levels of psychological impacts during the pandemic. Also, to search for potential risk factors that could make students more likely to experience these impacts. An online survey was filled by medical students (n = 100) at faculties of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and medical sciences of different universities: University of Benghazi, Libyan International Medical University, Omar Almokhtar University, Cairo University and Alexandria University. The students were taken to the further analysis. Thus, 55% of the participants had psychological impacts due to the pandemic and 17% had severe effect. Some of these impacts were actually positive as a large number (58%) of the participants felt relaxed during the pandemic. Multiple stressors were identified that contributed to the increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression. These included concern about academic performance (80%), concern about self/dear-one’s health (90%), difficulty with concentration (46%), disruption to sleeping patterns (78%), increased social isolation (26%), disruption to eating patterns (48%), changing in the living environment (26%), financial difficulties (34%) increased class workload (20%) depressive thoughts (37%) and suicidal thoughts (07%). In conclusion, the study indicates that COVID-19 pandemic have positive and negative impacts on medical students. Thus, it is suggested that measures need to alleviate students’ stress, which might have harmful effects in different aspects.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Assessment of drug prescribing pattern and prescription errors in elderly patients

The rate of aging is rapidly increasing and the term of geriatric refers to offer a medical care to elderly people. Drug consumption study on geriatric population is a vital issue since this group is totally neglected in Libya. The aim of this study was to assess drug utilization pattern among elderly patients in terms of world health organization core prescribing indicators and to evaluate the treatment cost. A total of 106 prescriptions were randomly collected from different community pharmacies located in Tripoli during the summer 2019, and were evaluated (total number of prescribed drugs is 359) for their clinical efficacy and safety. The findings revealed that 60 drugs acting on GIT (16.7%), 50 antimicrobial drugs (13.9%), 31 antihypertensive drugs (8.6%) and 30 drugs for respiratory diseases (8.4%) were prescribed to patients who are 65 years old or more. With regard to disease pattern in the elderly Libyan patients, 27 drugs were prescribed for diabetes mellitus (7.5%), 24 drugs for cardiovascular drugs (6.7%) and 14 drugs for anti-hyperlipidemia (3.9%). According to the WHO core drug use indicator pattern, the average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 3.3. Prescription by generic name was low (41.5%). Antibiotics were 36.8% while injections were 26.6%. Thus, this study suggest that geriatric medicine and rational drug use should strongly be implanted in medical schools and teaching hospitals. Besides, a drug pattern use of the Libyan community is urgently required to avoid drug prescribing errors.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

A mathematical approach for formulation of generalized field data based model for productivity enhancement of cylinder head moulding operation

In this paper, an approach for formulation of generalized field data based model for cylinder head moulding operation. The aim of field data based modeling for cylinder head moulding operation is to improve the output by correcting or modifying the inputs. The goal of the research is to reduce human energy input required while performing cylinder head moulding operation. With the reduction in human energy input, automatically, the productivity of the process will also increase. The study identifies important ergonomic and other work environment related parameters which affect productivity. The identified parameters are properties of sand, physical dimensions of tools, energy outflow of workers, anthropometric data of the workers, working conditions like relative humidity, ambient temperature. Out of all the variables, responses and causes are identified. After dimensional analysis relationship between the dependent and independent parameters, a mathematical model is established having a relationship between output parameters and input. To get the optimized values model is optimized using the optimization technique. Sensitivity analysis is a tool which can be used to find out the effect of input one parameter over the other. The model will be useful for an industrialist to select optimized inputs so as to get targeted responses.

Rahul bachute

Linkage planning of qtl for agronomic and root qualities utilizing ib370 × mas25 (oryza sativa l.)‑f2 population developed under water restricted conditions

Abstract In the existing investigation, experiments were carried out to assess the F2 population’s resultant of crosses between improved Basmati 370 and MAS25 for various agronomical and root traits cultivated under aerobic water conditions. Large variations for grain yield, root length, root dry biomass, root thickness and length/breadth ratio of grain have been displayed in segregating F2 populations. A close examination of phenotypic correlation exhibited that in the F2 population, root length was certainly matched up (r = 0.496) with root thickness. A DNA fingerprinting catalog for the currently studied F2 generation was arranged using 61 polymorphic SSR markers. Composite Interval Mapping (CIM) inspection with WinQTL cartographer version 2.5 disclosed 13 putative QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci), out of which 6 QTL were for root characters 7 QTL for agronomical characters situated on 1, 2, 3, 8 and 10 chromosomes. The QTL documented in the above-said generation, some promising F2 plants were also scrutinized and found in the homozygous or heterozygous state with high repetitions.

Rajesh Yogi Rajesh yogi

Chemical analysis and analgesic activity of methanol extract of crinium jagus bulb in balb/c mice

Crinum jagus, family- Amaryllidaceae, commonly called river lily is an important medicinal plant used in the treatment of cough. It is an anti-venom agent used among the rural people in south-western Nigeria. The research is aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents and analgesic activity of Cinium jagus bulb in BALB/c mice. The bulb was extracted with methanol in a soxhlet extractor apparatus. Phytochemical screening was performed according to standard methods. Alkaloid fraction was obtained using separation by extraction and characterized by infra-red (I.R) analysis. Acute toxicity test was done before analgesic activity was determined in BALB/c albino mice using the hot plate model. The result indicated the presence of some bioactive constituents like alkaloids, terpenoids and saponin. I.R bands were observed at 1064.74 cm 1 (C-O) stretch of alcohol; 1415.80 cm-1 (C-H) bend of alkyl groups and 1639.55 cm-1 (N-H) stretch of amine among others. The extract significantly increased the mean latency time of mice on the hot plate when compared with control with 100 mg/kg at 120 minutes. This study indicates that the Crinum Jagus bulb possesses analgesic potential.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Geotextile can be worth their cost in pavement

Geotextiles have been successfully used for reinforcement of soils to improve the bearing capacity. In this study geotextile as a tensional material have been used for reinforcement of granular soils. Laboratory California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests were performed to investigate the load-penetration behavior of reinforced soils with geotextile. Samples of granular soil are selected and tested without reinforcement. Then CBR tests were performed by placing geotextile in one or two layers at various depths in soil sample. The effect of the number of geotextile on the increase in bearing capacity of reinforced granular soil is discussed.

Mayura

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