Weight gain and metabolic syndrome among young patients on antipsychotic medication: what do we know and where do we go?

OBJECTIVE

Childhood obesity and its sequelae, including metabolic syndrome, are reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. Young people treated with antipsychotic medication are particularly at risk as they experience significant weight gain as a side effect of second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) with consequent increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular morbidity and metabolic syndrome. However, surveillance for these side effects is not carried out nor intervention offered in routine clinical prctice. This paper examines the current state of evidence on this topic and suggests directions for future research and clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic monitoring and preventative programs aimed at weight gain and metabolic side effects should form an integral part of the comprehensive management of adolescents on SGAs.

Biorefinery: a design tool for molecular gelators

Molecular gels, the macroscopic products of a nanoscale bottom-up strategy, have emerged as a promising functional soft material. The prospects of tailoring the architecture of gelator molecules have led to the formation of unique, highly tunable gels for a wide spectrum of applications from medicine to electronics. Biorefinery is a concept that integrates the processes of converting biomass/renewable feedstock and the associated infrastructure used to produce chemicals and materials, which is analogous to petroleum-based refinery. The current review assimilates the successful efforts to demonstrate the prospects of the biorefinery concept for developing new amphiphiles as molecular gelators. Amphiphiles based on naturally available raw materials such as amygdalin, vitamin C, cardanol, arjunolic acid, and trehalose that possess specific functionality were synthesized using biocatalysis and/or chemical synthesis. The hydrogels and organogels obtained from such amphiphiles were conceptually demonstrated for diverse applications including drug-delivery systems and the templated synthesis of hybrid materials.

A computer-assisted recording, diagnosis and management of the medically ill system for use in the intensive care unit: a preliminary report

BACKGROUND

Computerized medical information systems have been popularized over the last two decades to improve quality and safety, and for decreasing medical errors.

AIM

To develop a clinician-friendly computer-based support system in the intensive care unit (ICU) that incorporates recording, reminders, alerts, checklists and diagnostic differentials for common conditions encountered in critical care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This project was carried out at the Medical ICU CMC Hospital, Vellore, in collaboration with the Computer Science Department, VIT University. The first phase was to design and develop monitoring and medication sheets. Terminologies such as checklists (intervention list that pops up at defined times for all patients), reminders (intervention unique to each patient) and alerts (time-based, value-based, trend-based) were defined. The diagnostic and intervention bundles were characterized in the second phase. The accuracy and reliability of the software to generate alerts, reminders and diagnoses was tested in the third phase. The fourth phase will be to integrate this with the hospital information system and the bedside monitors.

RESULTS

Alpha testing was performed using six scenarios written by intensivists. The software generated real-time alerts and reminders and provided diagnostic differentials relevant to critical care. Predefined interventions for each diagnostic possibility appeared as pop-ups. Problems identified during alpha testing were rectified prior to beta testing.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a computer-assisted monitoring, recording and diagnostic system appears promising. It is envisaged that further software refinements following beta testing would facilitate the improvement of quality and safety in the critical care environment.

1-Iodo-2 methylundecane [1I2MU]: an estrogen-dependent urinary sex pheromone of female mice

In our previous investigations, urine of female mice contained specific compounds, namely isocroctylhydrazine, 4-methyl-2-heptanone, and azulene during proestrus, whereas during estrus it contained 1-H-cyclopop.e.azulene, caryophyllene, and copanene. Furthermore, 1-iodo-2 methyl undecane (1I2MU), present during both proestrus and estrus, was regarded as a putative estrus-specific chemo-signal. The primary objective of the present study was to determine the estrogen-dependency of the above-mentioned compounds, including 1I2MU. Furthermore, the effect of these compounds on pre-mating behavior, e.g., sniffing, licking, and grooming, were recorded to determine their role as sex pheromones. Based on gas chromatography linked mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of urine samples, profiles in oophorectomized female mice had 14 major peaks. Furthermore, neither 1I2MU (nor other estrus-specific compounds) were detected in the urine of these mice, although they were detected in urine of proestrus and estrus mice. In addition, 1I2MU was not detected in urine of prepubertal mice. It was noteworthy that both 1I2MU and 4-methyl-2-heptanone reappeared in estrogen-treated females. Based on pre-mating behavioral analysis, 1I2MU was the compound most preferred by males. In conclusion, production of 1I2MU was estrogen-dependent in females, and it enhanced reproductive activities in males.