The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on the Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Theophylline

Baskaran, Rengarajan,Shanmugam, Srinivasan,Nagayya-Sriraman, Santhoshkumar,Kim, Ju-Hyun,Jeong, Tae-Chun,Yong, Chul-Soon,Choi, Han-Gon,Yoo, Bong-Kyu 대한약학회 2008 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.31 No.7

Interaction of a drug with other drugs and dietary supplements is becoming an emerging issue for patients and health insurance authorities due to awareness of adverse drug event. In this study, we examined the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), one of the most popular dietary supplements, on the pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline in rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline changed significantly when the drug was administered after five consecutive days of pretreatment with CoQ10. Time to reach maximum plasma concentration of theophylline delayed when the drug was administered after the pretreatment with CoQ10. Maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve of theophylline were about two-fold increased and other pharmacokinetic parameters such as half-life and volume of distribution were also changed significantly. Therefore, although CoQ10 is generally considered a safe dietary supplement, it appears that patients on theophylline therapy should use caution when they take CoQ10.

Chemopreventive Potential of Coumarin in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene Induced Hamster Buccal Pouch Carcinogenesis

Baskaran, Nagarethinam,Manoharan, Shanmugam,Karthikeyan, Sekar,Prabhakar, Murugaraj Manoj Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemopreventive effect of coumarin against 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis by monitoring tumor incidence and histopathological changes as well as by analyzing the status of biochemical markers (lipid peroxidation, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, phase I and phase II detoxification enzymes). Oral squamous cell carcinomas were induced in the buccal pouch of Syrian golden hamsters by painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks. We noted 100% tumor formation with marked abnormalities in the biomarkers status in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration of coumarin at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight (bw) to DMBA treated hamsters completely prevented the tumor formation as well as restored the staus of biochemical variables. The results of the present study thus suggest that the chemopreventive effect of coumarin is probably due to its anti-lipid peroxidative potential and modulating effect on carcinogen detoxification agents in favor of the excretion of ultimate carcinogenic metabolites of DMBA during DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

Perceived Susceptibility, and Cervical Cancer Screening Benefits and Barriers in Malaysian Women Visiting Outpatient Clinics

Baskaran, Pryma,Subramanian, Pathmawathi,Rahman, Rasnah Abdul,Ping, Wong Li,Taib, Nur Aishah Mohd,Rosli, Roshaslina Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Aims: A main reason for increasing incidence of cervical cancer worldwide is the lack of regular cervical cancer screening. Coverage and uptake remain major challenges and it is crucial to determine the perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer, as well as the benefits of, and barriers to, cervical cancer screening among women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 369 women attending an outpatient centre in Malaysia and data were collected by administering a self-report questionnaire. Results: The majority of the participants (265, 71.8%) showed good level of perception of their susceptibility to cervical cancer. Almost all responded positively to four statements about the perceived benefits of cervical cancer screening (agree, 23.1% or strongly agree, 52.5%), whereas negative responses were received from most of the participants (agree, 29.9%or strongly agree, 14.6 %) about the eleven statements on perceived barriers. Significant associations were observed between age and perceived susceptibility($x^2$=9.030, p=0.029); between employment status (p<0.001) as well as ethnicity and perceived benefits (p<0.05 [P=0.003]); and between education and perceived barriers to cervical cancer screening (p<0.001). Conclusions: Perceived susceptibility, including knowledge levels and personal risk assessment, should be emphasized through education and awareness campaigns to improve uptake of cervical cancer screening in Malaysia.

Application of numerical models to determine wind uplift ratings of roofs

Baskaran, A.,Borujerdi, J. Techno-Press 2001 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.4 No.3

Wind uplift rating of roofing systems is based on standardised test methods. Roof specimens are placed in an apparatus with specified table size (length and width) then subjected to the required wind load cycle. Currently, there is no consensus on the table size to be used by these testing protocols in spite of the fact that a table size plays a significant role in evaluating the performance. This paper presents a study with the objective to investigate the impact of table size on the performance of roofing systems. To achieve this purpose, extensive numerical experiments using the finite element method have been conducted to investigate the performance of roofing systems subjected to wind uplift pressures. Numerical results were compared with results obtained from experimental work to benchmark the numerical modeling. Required table size and curves for the determinations of appropriate correction factors are suggested. This has been completed for various test configurations with thermoplastic waterproofing membranes. Development of correction factors for assemblies with thermoset and modified bituminous membranes are in progress. Generalization of the correction factors and its usage for wind uplift rating of roofs will be the focus of a future paper.

Application of numerical models to evaluate wind uplift ratings of roofs: Part II

Baskaran, A.,Molleti, S. Techno-Press 2005 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.8 No.3

Wind uplift rating of roofing systems is based on standardized test methods. Roof specimens are placed in an apparatus with a specified table size (length and width) then subjected to the required wind load cycle. Currently, there is no consensus on the table size to be used by these testing protocols in spite of the fact that the table size plays a significant role in wind uplift performance. Part I of this paper presented a study with the objective to investigate the impact of table size on the performance of roofing systems. To achieve this purpose, extensive numerical experiments using the finite element method have been conducted and benchmarked with results obtained from the experimental work. The present contribution is a continuation of the previous research and can be divided into two parts: (1) Undertake additional numerical simulations for wider membranes that were not addressed in the previous works. Due to the advancement in membrane technology, wider membranes are now available in the market and are used in commercial roofing practice as it reduces installation cost and (2) Formulate a logical step to combine and generalize over 400 numerical tests and experiments on various roofing configurations and develop correction factors such that it can be of practical use to determine the wind uplift resistance of roofs.

An Efficient Plant Regeneration System for Sorghum bicolor - a Valuable Major Cereal Crop

Baskaran P.,Jayabalan N. The Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology 2005 Plant molecular biology and biotechnology research Vol.7 No.4

An efficient, rapid and large-scale in vitro clonal propagation of agronomically important Indian cereal crop genotypes (NSH27 & K5) of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. by enhanced shoot proliferation in shoot tip segments was designed. MS medium fortified with plant growth regulators and coconut water markedly influenced in vitro propagation of Sorghum bicolor. In vitro plantlet production system has been investigated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with the synergistic combination of 6-benzyladenine ($22.2\;{\mu}M$), kinetin ($4.6\;{\mu}M$), adenine sulphate ($2.8\;{\mu}M$), 5% coconut water and 3% sucrose which promoted the maximum number of shoots as well as beneficial shoot length. Subculturing of shoot tip segments on a similar medium enabled continuous production of more than 100 healthy shoots with similar frequency. When the healthy shoot clumps were cultured on MS medium fortified with 6-benzyladenine ($22.2\;{\mu}M$), kinetin ($4.6\;{\mu}M$), adenine sulphate ($2.8\;{\mu}M$), ${\alpha}$-naphthaleneacetic acid ($2.7\;{\mu}M$), ascorbic acid ($30.0\;{\mu}M$) and 5% coconut water, a rapid production of axillary and adventitious buds was developed after 8 wk culture. More than 300 shoots were produced 10 wk after culture. Rooting was highest (100%) on half strength MS medium containing 22.8 mM IAA. Micropropagated plants established in garden soil, farmyard soil and sand (2:1:1) were uniform and identical to the donor plant with respect to growth characteristics. These plants grew normally without showing any traits.

Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses in the Prevention of Cervical Cancer in India

Baskaran, Krishnan,Kumar, P Kranthi,Karunanithi, Santha,Sethupathy, Subramanian,Thamaraiselvi, B,Swaruparani, S Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.18

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect epithelial tissues. Specific genotypes of human papillomavirus are the single most common etiological agents of cervical intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer. Cervical cancer usually arises at squamous metaplastic epithelium of transformation zone (TZ) of the cervix featuring infection with one or more oncogenic or high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types. A hospital-based study in a rural set up was carried out to understand the association of HR-HPV with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and cervical cancer. In the present study, HR-HPV was detected in 65.7% of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), 84.6% of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) and 94% of cervical cancer as compared to 10.7% of controls. The association of HPV infection with SIL and cervical cancer was analyzed with Chi square test (p<0.001). The significant association found confirmed that detection of HR-HPV is a suitable candidate for early identification of cervical precancerous lesions and in the prevention of cervical cancer in India.

Generalized load cycles for dynamic wind uplift evaluation of rigid membrane roofing systems

Baskaran, A.,Murty, B.,Tanaka, H. Techno-Press 2011 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.14 No.5

Roof is an integral part of building envelope. It protects occupants from environmental forces such as wind, rain, snow and others. Among those environmental forces, wind is a major factor that can cause structural roof damages. Roof due to wind actions can exhibit either flexible or rigid system responses. At present, a dynamic test procedure available is CSA A123.21-04 for the wind uplift resistance evaluation of flexible membrane-roofing systems and there is no dynamic test procedure available in North America for wind uplift resistance evaluation of rigid membrane-roofing system. In order to incorporate rigid membrane-roofing systems into the CSA A123.21-04 testing procedure, this paper presents the development of a load cycle. For this process, the present study compared the wind performance of rigid systems with the flexible systems. Analysis of the pressure time histories data using probability distribution function and power spectral density verified that these two roofs types exhibit different system responses under wind forces. Rain flow counting method was applied on the wind tunnel time histories data. Calculated wind load cycles were compared with the existing load cycle of CSA A123.21-04. With the input from the roof manufacturers and roofing associations, the developed load cycles had been generalized and extended to evaluate the ultimate wind uplift resistance capacity of rigid roofs. This new knowledge is integrated into the new edition of CSA A123.21-10 so that the standard can be used to evaluate wind uplift resistance capacity of membrane roofing systems.

An In-Depth Bibliometric Analysis and Current Perspective on Male infertility Research

Baskaran Saradha,Agarwal Ashok,Leisegang Kristian,Pushparaj Peter Natesan,Panner Selvam Manesh Kumar,Henkel Ralf 대한남성과학회 2021 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.39 No.2

Purpose: Male infertility is emerging as a major, escalating global health problem that imposes the need to investigate research trends in male infertility. The purpose of this study is to analyze male infertility research trends in the past 20 years using the bibliometric database from Scopus. Materials and Methods: In order to perform an in-depth bibliometric analysis, we propose a ‘Funnel Model’, which includes several layers representing different sub-areas of male infertility research. Adopting this Funnel Model, using Scopus, we retrieved relevant bibliometric data (articles per year, authors, affiliations, journals, and countries) for various areas of male infertility research and performed descriptive statistics. Results: The bibliometric analysis showed an exponential increase in male infertility research in the last 20 years. USA dominated in research output, with Agarwal, A. as the most prolific researcher. Testicular cancer, obesity and metabolic syndrome, and azoospermia were found to dominate male infertility research, whereas erectile dysfunction and unexplained male infertility had lesser attention. Interestingly, prognostic/diagnostic and mechanistic studies have significantly increased in parallel over the last 20 years. Furthermore, our bibliometric analysis revealed fewer publications in proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics when compared to genomics. Also, an increasing trend in publication was seen in assisted reproductive technology (ART) research. Conclusions: An integrated and steep escalation in the field of omics and ART research appears to be a prerequisite for further development of future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for male infertility.

A Study on Behavioral Traits of Library and Information Science Students in South India

Baskaran, S.,Babu, B. Ramesha,Gopalakrishnan, S. Korea Institute of Science and Technology Informat 2013 Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice Vol.1 No.1

Human behaviour normally depends on the environment of the incident and the time of its occurrence. The behaviour of people depends on many factors and these behaviour traits are an important aspect in the Library and Information Science (LIS) field. Hence in this paper an attempt has been made to examine the behaviour traits of LIS students in South India. Out of 400 questionnaires distributed 367 have responded and the response rate is 91.75%. In this survey three aspects comprising student behaviour have been analysed such as Work Environment, Natural Environment, and Social Environment. In the case of Work Environment the respondents were grouped as Workaholic, Impatience, Achievement oriented, Rash nature, and Punctuality. Further, in respect to Natural environment, the respondents are grouped as Complacent, Patience, Easygoing, and Relaxed. Last, the respondents were grouped in the Social Environment as Balancing nature, Magnanimity, Naturalistic, Assertive nature, Dependency, Lucrative, Lonely nature, and Time Based personality. Finally the authors conclude that LIS students need to possess these qualities and behaviours to work in different environments.