Applications of 95Mo NMR. 5—substituent effects in the 95Mo and 13C NMR spectra of benzyltricarbonyl(η5‐cyclopentadienyl)molybdenum(II) derivatives

A systematic study has been made of the effects of substituent induced chemical shifts in [(η‐CH)(CO)Mo(CHCHR)] compounds. Both Mo and C NMR shifts in the aromatic ring are reported. The (η‐CH)(CO)MoCH group is a reasonably strong resonance donor (σ° = −0.21) and weak inductive donor (σ = −0.07). The molybdenum chemical shifts are extremely sensitive to the effects of distant substituents (range c. 40 ppm). Since the shift correlates well with substituent constants in this series, it is suggested that the chemical shift is controlled by the paramagnetic term for this spin 5/2 nucleus

Setting a research agenda for medical overuse

Although overuse in medicine is gaining increased attention, many questions remain unanswered. Dan Morgan and colleagues propose an agenda for coordinated research to improve our understanding of the problemDaniel J Morgan, Shannon Brownlee, Aaron L Leppin, Nancy Kressin, Sanket S Dhruva, Les Levin, Bruce E Landon, Mark A Zezza, Harald Schmidt, Vikas Saini, Adam G Elshau

Response to treatment in NMOSD: the Australasian experience

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several therapies have been recommended for NMOSD and more recently clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy for three monoclonal antibody therapies. We present a retrospective observational study of treatment response in NMOSD. Methods: This was a retrospective, unblinded, observational study of treatment efficacy for rituximab and traditional immunosuppressive therapy in patients with AQP4 antibody positive NMOSD. Treatment efficacy was assessed using annualised relapse rates (ARR), time to first relapse and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores. Results: Complete relapse and treatment data were available for 43/68 (63%) of AQP4 antibody positive NMOSD cases covering 74 episodes of treatment. In a time to first relapse analysis rituximab showed a risk ratio of 0.23 (95% CI 0.08 – 0.65) when compared with no treatment and there was a non-significant reduction in ARR of 35% compared to pre-treatment. β-interferon (p = 0.0002) and cyclophosphamide (p = 0.0034) were associated with an increased ARR compared to pre-treatment. Rituximab (median 4.0 [range 0.0 – 7.0]; p = 0.042) and traditional immunosuppressive therapy (median 4.0 [range 0.0 – 8.0]; p = 0.016) were associated with a lower final EDSS compared to β-interferon (median 6.0 [range 4.0 – 7.5]). Conclusions: These data provide additional support for the use of rituximab in preference to traditional immunosuppressive agents and MS disease modifying therapies as first line treatment of NMOSD. NMOSD, neuromyelitis optica; AQP4, aquaporin-4 ARR, annualised relapse rate; EDSS, expanded disability status scale; CNS, central nervous system; MS, multiple sclerosis; SD, standard deviation; RR, relative risk; CI, confidence interval; LESCL, longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesion; IVMP, intravenous methylprednisolone; Rx, treatment; IRR, incidence rate rati