Profile of non-communicable Disease Risk Factors Among Nurses in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

Kayaroganam Rajarajan,Sarkar Sonali,Satheesh Santhosh,Tamilmani Santhi,Sivanantham Parthibane,Kar Sitanshu Sekhar 한국간호과학회 2022 Asian Nursing Research Vol.16 No.4

Purpose: The work nature of nurses and the associated lifestyle changes put them at high risk of developing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of NCD risk factors among nurses working in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry and to determine the associated factors among nurses. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among all nurses (N ¼ 1217) in the tertiary care hospital aged between 21 and 60 from May 2019 to April 2020. We assessed NCDs behavioral, physical, and biochemical risk factors using a self-administered questionnaire. The adjusted prevalence ratio was calculated using a generalized linear regression model to determine factors associated with NCD risk factors. Results: The response rate was 99.0% (1217/1229), and 77.5% of the participants were women. Current tobacco use and alcohol consumption were 1.5% (95% CI: 0.8e2.2) and 2.9% (95% CI: 2e3.9), respectively, with significantly higher prevalence among men. Overweight or obesity (body mass index 23 kg/m2) was 77.7%, with a significantly higher prevalence among those aged 30 and married. Prevalence of hypertension was 14.4% (95% CI: 12.5e16.4), and diabetes mellitus was 11.5% (95% CI: 9.7e13.6). Both were significantly higher among those aged 50 years. One-third of nurses, 34.3% (95% CI: 31.6e37.1), had hypercholesterolemia, significantly higher among men. Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of various NCD risk factors among the nurses. We highlight the urgent need for initiating health promotion interventions, especially to improve intake of healthy diet and physical activity among nurses aged 30 years.

Detection of aflatoxin producing Aspergillus flavus from animal feed in Karnataka, India

Pethannan Rajarajan,Katherin Sylvia,Malaiyarasa Pandian Periasamy,Maheswari Subramanian 환경독성보건학회 2021 환경독성보건학회지 Vol.36 No.3

Aflatoxins are toxic carcinogenic secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus and are responsible for contamination in animal feed. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in animal feed in Karnataka state, India. The screening was performed by desiccated coconut agar and quantification of aflatoxin by liquid ammonia vapor test, TLC and ELISA. A total of 29 samples received from different places of Karnataka were analysed for aflatoxin B1. Out of 29 animal feed sample aflatoxin B1 detected in 12 samples representing 41.38% at average concentration of 288.50 μg/kg. Out of 42 isolates screened in animal feed, Aspergillus flavus was found to be in 86.2% and Aspergillus niger was 24.1%. It was observed that out of 42 isolates analyzed from animal feed, aflatoxin B1 was detected in 12 samples. Aflatoxin B1 is the most common contaminant and the method is more sensitive in screening and detection of aflatoxin B1 in the animal feed.

Air pollution enhances susceptibility to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection - an impact study

S. Maheswari,Rajarajan Pethannan,Shanthi Sabarimurugan 환경독성보건학회 2020 환경독성보건학회지 Vol.35 No.4

On concurring to the current evidence, the myriad of vulnerable COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 19) transmission is acquiring through human-to-human transmission through droplets, which is depicting devastating pandemic. Urbanization and industrialization are the major contributing factors to the on-going change in global climate, with increased air pollution and poor air quality. As the global climate and air quality deteriorate, air pollutants remain as a fundamental concern to public health. Air pollution has been globally acknowledged as a major influence and exacerbating factor for human morbidity and mortality influenced on various respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, pneumonia, asthma, and influenza. Patients by long – term exposure to polluted air leads to chronic lung and heart conditions are less able to fight off lung infections and likely to die. Polluted air in developed countries is causing heart and lung damage and is responsible for early deaths in a year. This is also likely the case for COVID-19. The more severe impact by COVID-19 on city dwellers and those exposed to toxic fumes leads to the primary health damage such as respiratory infections than on others. The health damage inflicted on people by long-standing air pollution in cities is likely to increase the death rate by COVID-19. By lowering air pollution levels probability to reduce the spread of most vulnerable viruses by aerosol to fight against any possible future pandemics.

Effect of cylinder diameter and boat tail angle on the free vibration characteristics of a typical payload fairing

Ramamurti, V.,Rajarajan, S.,Rao, G. Venkateswara Techno-Press 2002 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.13 No.3

Three noded plate and shell finite element and 3D beam element in conjunction with Lanczos method are used for studying the effect of boat tail angle on the free vibration characteristics of a typical payload fairing for three different cylinder diameters with height to diameter ratio 1.5. Configurations without boat tail structural member are also studied. One half of the one side fairing structure is considered for the analysis and symmetric boundary conditions are used.

Visible light assisted photocatalytic performance of Ni and Th co-doped ZnO nanoparticles for the degradation of methylene blue dye

K. Vignesh,M. Rajarajan,A. Suganthi 한국공업화학회 2014 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.20 No.5

Nickel (Ni) and thorium (Th) co-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared by the coprecipitation method. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared catalysts was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation. XRD and SEM results revealed that Ni–Th–ZnO has a hexagonal and rods like morphology with an average crystallite size of 30 nm. Ni–Th–ZnO possesses excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB when compared to that of Ni–ZnO, Th–ZnO, ZnO and TiO2. The photocatalytic activity of Ni–Th–ZnO is obviously affected by the reaction parameters. The maximum MB degradation (93% with 70% COD removal) was achieved with Ni–Th–ZnO concentration of 0.375 g/L, initial MB concentration of 1.5 mM, pH 10 and irradiation time of 180 min. A possible photocatalytic mechanism has also been proposed. Moreover, the photocatalyst could be reused for four times without remarkable loss of its activity.

Effect of cylinder diameter and boat tail angle on the free vibration characteristics of a typical payload fairing

V.Ramamurti,S.Rajarajan,G.VenkateswaraRao 국제구조공학회 2002 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.14 No.6

Effect of Shengmai-san on Cognitive Performance and Cerebral Oxidative Damage in BALB/c Mice

Vijayasree V. Giridharan,Rajarajan A. Thandavarayan,Tetsuya Konishi 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.6

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Shengmai-san (SMS) on learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice. The passive avoidance task (PAT) and Morris water maze (MWM) test served as the behavioral models for testing memory. To elucidate the mechanism of its cognitive-enhancing activity, the effects of SMS (2, 4, or 8 g/kg) on activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and antioxidant enzymes and levels of acetylcholine (ACh) and nitrite were evaluated in brain homogenate. Tacrine (THA) (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a reference drug. SMS (4 or 8 g/kg) significantly prevented scopolamine-induced impairments as measured by the PAT and MWM (probe trial session). SMS (4 or 8 g/kg) also significantly reduced the oxidative-nitrative stress, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde and nitrite levels and by its prevention of decreases in glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels. The activity of AChE was decreased in scopolamine-treated mice but was inhibited significantly by SMS treatment (4 or 8 g/kg) in both salt- and detergent-soluble fractions of brain homogenates. Further SMS treatment (4 or 8 g/kg) significantly increased the ACh levels in the brain homogenate to a level similar to that observed in THA treatment. Thus, the significant cognitive enhancement observed after 7 days of administration of SMS is closely related to the strong antioxidant properties of SMS in addition to its inhibition of brain AChE activity. These findings stress the critical impact of SMS on higher brain functions such as learning and memory.

Ocimum sanctum Linn. Leaf Extracts Inhibit Acetylcholinesterase and Improve Cognition in Rats with Experimentally Induced Dementia

Vijayasree Vayalanellore Giridharan,Rajarajan Amirthalingam Thandavarayan,Vasudevan Mani,Taranalli Ashok Dundapa,Kenichi Watanabe,Tetsuya Konishi 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.9

Cognitive disorders such as dementia, attention deficits, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been well investigated. However, effective interventions for the promotion and progression of AD are unavailable to date. The present work was undertaken to investigate the effects of the aqueous (300 and 500 mg/kg) and alcoholic (300 and 500 mg/kg) extracts of Ocimum sanctum Linn. leaves as an antidementic and anticholinesterase agent and also as an immunostimulant in rats. Maximal electroshock, atropine, and cyclosporine were used to induce dementia. The passive avoidance task was used for assessing memory. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was estimated in different parts of the brain, and immune status was studied using dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin sensitivity tests. In all the three models both aqueous and alcoholic O. sanctum extracts decreased the time taken to reach the shock-free zone and the number of mistakes and significantly decreased the AChE activity in rats. O. sanctum treatment significantly increased the induration in the DNCB skin test. Therefore, O. sanctum was shown to be useful for the management of experimentally induced cognitive dysfunctions in rats.

Fabrication of CdS and CuWO4 modified TiO2 nanoparticles and its photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

K. Vignesh,A. Suganthi,M. Rajarajan,R. Priyanka,R. Hariharan 한국공업화학회 2014 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.20 No.2

CdS and CuWO4 modified TiO2 nanoparticles (CdS–CuWO4-TiO2) were prepared by the chemicalimpregnation method. The as-prepared nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible-diffusereflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis-DRS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and B.E.T. surface area analysis techniques. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated based on the degradation of adye (eosin-Y) and inactivation of a bacterium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The results revealed that CdS–CuWO4-TiO2 showed high photocatalytic activity over CdS-TiO2, CuWO4-TiO2 and TiO2. Moreover thereusability and stability of the photocatalyst for the degradation of eosin-Y was also studied.

Fabrication of mesoporous BaTiO3/SnO2 nanorods with highly enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

S. Selvarajan,P. Malathy,A. Suganthi,M. Rajarajan 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.53 No.-

Novel UV–vis-light-driven BaTiO3/SnO2 nanocomposites with three different molar ratios (1%, 3%, 5%) were synthesized by hydrothermal and precipitation deposition methods. The successfully characterized by UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis (BET) techniques. The lmax of the prepared nanocomposite was highly red shifted from 220 nm to 410 nm compared to the bare metal oxides. The degradation of organic pollutants such as o-Chloroaniline (o-CLA) and methylene blue (MB) were studied using the prepared nanocomposite. The nanocomposite with molar ratio of 3% BaTiO3/SnO2 photocatalyst possesses excellent photocatalytic activity than the nanocomposite with molar ratio 1% BaTiO3/SnO2, 5% BaTiO3/SnO2, and the individual components BaTiO3, SnO2. The band edges of materials have been theoretically calculated on the basis of Mullikan electronegativity of atoms. The effect of operational parameters such as; pollutant concentration, pH, catalyst loading, OH radical trapping and COD (carbon oxygen demand) have been investigated in details. The kinetics of the photodegradation reactions were correlated with the pseudofirst- order model. The stability of nanocomposite was examined by recycling experiments.