Increasing the net fixed-charge density in multilayer polyelectrolyte membranes using postdeposition reactions results in large enhancements of ion-transport selectivity. To control the fixed-charge density in poly(acrylic acid)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAA/PAH) films, we partially derivatized PAA using 2-nitrobenzyl bromide. The underivatized −COO- groups still allow adsorption of PAA/PAH membranes on a permeable support, while postdeposition UV irradiation of these films cleaves the 2-nitrobenzyl esters to form fixed-charge sites. Diffusion dialysis experiments show that PAA/PAH membranes prepared with 23%, 50%, and 65% 2-nitrobenzyl esterified PAA exhibit Cl-/SO4 2- selectivities of 100, 150, and 170, respectively (after photolysis). Underivatized PAA/PAH membranes show a selectivity of only 10. The order of magnitude increase in selectivity resulting from derivatization occurs with a minimal decrease in Cl- flux. By modifying PAH with photolabile 2-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl groups, we also introduced net, fixed positive charge into PAA/PAH films and improved cation (Na+/Mg2+) selectivity. Transport simulations suggest that both Donnan exclusion and selective diffusion contribute to selectivity.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in a large group of schizophrenic patients. Methods: Sociodemographic and treatment data were collected from medical records of 1,103 inpatients and outpatients treated for schizophrenia at Seoul National Hospital in Seoul, Korea. Anthropometric measurement and blood testing were conducted for collection of physical and biochemical data and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Data for metabolic syndrome prevalence were compared by sex, age, metabolic syndrome markers present, treatment of markers, and types of antipsychotics and individual drug agents used. Results: Mean prevalence of metabolic syndrome in all subjects was 43.9% and 40.1% according to adapted Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-IIIa) and International Diabetes Federation criteria, respectively. No significant differences were found in prevalence according to ATP-IIIa criteria between men (42.6%) and woman (45.9%). A trend toward higher prevalence with age was observed for both sexes until 50 years, followed by a continued increase for women but a decrease for men. Use of a combination of atypical antipsychotics was associated with the highest metabolic syndrome prevalence and use of aripiprazole with the lowest. High percentages of subjects with hypertension and dyslipidemia were not being treated for these conditions. Conclusion: Despite their higher prevalence in schizophrenic patients, metabolic syndrome and its markers are not being adequately managed in these patients. Treatment of schizophrenic patients requires attention to not only their psychiatric conditions but also associated medical conditions by individual health care practitioners and hospitals as well as the public health care sector as a whole.

These data support a significant benefit of 80- to 120-mg once daily atomoxetine versus placebo for treatment of ADHD in adult Korean patients. A high placebo response rate was observed in this adult Korean sample; a higher discontinuation rate was also observed in atomoxetine-treated patients. These observations warrant further investigation.

ObjectiveAtypical antipsychotic (AAP) treatment is associated with weight gain and metabolic disturbances such as dyslipidemia and dysglycemia. The metabolic disturbances are usually considered to develop secondary to weight gain. We performed the comparison of metabolic disturbances of three AAP group with different risk of metabolic side effect after adjusting for body mass to investigate whether any metabolic disturbances develop independently from body mass index (BMI).MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 174 subjects with schizophrenia who were on 1) monotherapy with clozapine (CL), olanzapine (OL), or quetiapine (QT) (n=61), 2) monotherapy with risperidone (RSP) (n=89), or 3) monotherapy with aripiprizole (ARP), or ziprasidone (ZPS) (n=24) more than 1 year. Association between the prevalence of metabolic disturbances and groups were analysed using logistic regression after adjusting confounding variables including BMI. Analysese of covariance were used to compare the AAP groups in terms of the levels of metabolic parameters.ResultsThere were significant differences among groups in terms of the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.015), low HDL-cholesterol (p=0.017), and hyperglycemia (p=0.022) after adjusting for BMI. Triglyceride level (p=0.014) and the ratio of triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol (p=0.004) were significantly different among groups after adjusting for BMI.ConclusionIn conclusion, metabolic disturbances are significantly different in AAP groups even after adjusting BMI. AAPs may have direct effect on metabolic parameters. Blood lipid and glucose levels should be monitored regularly regardless of whether patients tend to gain weight.

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