Natural Products from Leaves of the Ancient Iranian Medicinal Plant Echium amoenum Fisch. & C. A. Mey.

For several millennia, leaves of Echium amoenum Fisch. & C. A. Mey., an important Iranian medicinal plant with nutritional value as nutraceutical, have been used as tea for the treatment of several conditions, including inflammation. The nutritional value of intake of E. amoenum tea has mainly been correlated to its rich content of mainly water-soluble antioxidants. Although the entire plant is utilized, only natural products of the flowers have previously been thoroughly investigated. The rare natural products bis(3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-2,3-dicarboxylate, 4-Oxy-(E)-caffeoyl-2,3-dihydroxybutanoic acid methyl ester and 4-Oxy-(Z)-caffeoyl-2,3-dihydroxybutanoic acid methyl ester, in addition to the widely distributed compounds rosmarinic acid methyl ester and (E)-caffeic acid, were purified and characterized from leaves of Echium amoenum. The structures were determined by a combination of several 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, circular dichroism spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The fact that bis(3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-2,3-dicarboxylate belongs to a rare group of natural products which have previously been patented for their significant anti-inflammatory activity may rationalize the traditional treatment of inflammations with E. amoenum.publishedVersio

Effectiveness of 'motivational interviewing' on sick leave: a randomized controlled trial in a social insurance setting

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) – a counselling approach offered by caseworkers at the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV) – on return to work (RTW) for individuals sick-listed for ≥8 weeks due to any diagnoses. MI was compared to usual case management and an active control during 12 months of follow-up. Methods In a randomized clinical trial with three parallel arms, participants were randomized to MI (N=257), usual case management (N=266), or an active control group (N=252). MI consisted of two MI sessions while the active control involved two sessions without MI, both were offered in addition to usual case management. The primary outcome was number of sickness absence days based on registry data. Secondary outcomes included time to sustainable RTW, defined as four consecutive weeks without medical benefits. Results The median number of sickness absence days for the MI group was 73 days [interquartile range (IQR) 31–147], 76 days (35–134) for usual care, and 75 days (34–155) for active control. In total 89%, 88% and 86% of the participants, respectively, achieved sustainable RTW. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for time to sustainable RTW was 1.12 (95% CI 0.90–1.40) for MI compared to usual case management and HR 1.16 (95% CI 0.93–1.44) compared to the active control. Conclusions This study did not provide evidence that MI offered by NAV caseworkers to sick-listed individuals was more effective on RTW than usual case management or an active control. Providing MI in this context could be challenging as only half of the MI group received the intervention.publishedVersio

Synergieffekter for veilederne på NAV-kontor med veilednings- og oppfølgingsloser: En kvalitativ studie om veilednings- og oppfølgingslosenes kompetanse har gitt en merverdi til andre veiledere på NAV-kontoret

Hensikten med denne studien har vært å få innsikt i hvilken nytteeffekt veiledere ved NAV-kontor har hatt av veilednings- og oppfølgingslosene. Samtidig har jeg sett på hvordan informantene har opplevd innovasjonsprosessen ved etablering av veilednings- og oppfølgingslosene. Jeg har gjennom fokusgruppeintervju intervjuet 12 veiledere ved NAV-kontorene i Trondheim. Jeg har sett på hvor godt veilederne på NAV-kontorene kjente til arbeidsoppdraget til veilednings- og oppfølgingslosene. Videre ble det undersøkt om informantene har opplevd at veilednings- og oppfølgingslosen har bidratt med intern kompetanseheving, og hvilke metoder som ble benyttet i forbindelse med kompetanseoverføringen. Det siste temaet er informantenes opplevelse og involvering i utviklingen av fagutviklingsprogrammet «Veilednings- og oppfølgingsloser» på NAV-kontoret Det var to funn som utpekte seg igjennom intervjuene. Det ene var at veilednings- og oppfølgingslosene fortsatt har mye å hente på å arbeide enda mere med kompetansespredning på NAV-kontoret. I den grad informantene har hatt direkte læring av veilednings- og oppfølgingslosene, virker det som om dette har foregått i uformelle fora i sofakroken med en kopp kaffe. Det andre var informantenes opplevelse av manglende involvering og samarbeid fra NAV-veiledere ved utvikling av stillingene som veilednings- og oppfølgingsloser. Her kan det virke som om sentrale føringer har tatt litt for stor del av utviklingsoppgaven uten å sikre tilstrekkelig lokalt involvering. Det som i utgangspunktet ikke var en stor del av undersøkelsen, men som allikevel kom tydelig fram fra informantene var at veilednings- og oppfølgingsloser bør bestå. Dette er en svært viktig stilling for NAV-kontoret uttrykte flere av informantene. Utfordringen til veilednings- og oppfølgingslosene kan være som en utrykte det: En alt for omfattende oppgave for en person. Dersom de både skal ha tett og individuell oppfølging av 20 brukere, være aktiv på nettverksarbeid og utvikle gode samarbeidsarena. Samtidig som de skal være en ressursperson inn i kontoret hvor en bedriver kompetanseoverføring, samt være en støtte og fagperson så må veilednings- og oppfølgingslosens være en «supermann». Nå er kanskje tiden inne for at veilednings- og oppfølgingslosene arbeider mere i forhold til kompetanseoverføring internt i NAV. &nbsp

Growing with dinosaurs: natural products from the Cretaceous relict Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu & Cheng - a molecular reservoir from the ancient world with potential in modern medicine

After the sensational rediscovery of living exemplars of the Cretaceous relict Metasequoia glyptostroboides—a tree previously known exclusively from fossils from various locations in the northern hemisphere, there has been an increasing interest in discovery of novel natural products from this unique plant source. This article includes the first complete compilation of natural products reported from M. glyptostroboides during the entire period in which the tree has been investigated (1954–2014) with main focus on the compounds specific to this plant source. Studies on the biological activity of pure compounds and extracts derived from M. glyptostroboides are reviewed for the first time. The unique potential of M. glyptostroboides as a source of bioactive constituents is founded on the fact that the tree seems to have survived unchanged since the Cretaceous era. Since then, its molecular defense system has resisted the attacks of millions of generations of pathogens. In line with this, some recent landmarks in Metasequoia paleobotany are covered. Initial spectral analysis of recently discovered intact 53 million year old wood and amber of Metasequoia strongly indicate that the tree has remained unchanged for millions of years at the molecular level

Cytotoxic Natural Products Isolated from <i>Cryptogramma crispa</i> (L.) R. Br.

Parsley fern, Cryptogramma crispa, is a common fern in arctic–alpine regions, and even though this species has been known since ancient times and has been presumed to cause the poisoning of horses, its natural products have not previously been investigated. Here, we characterise 15 natural products isolated from the aerial parts of Cryptogramma crispa, including the previously undescribed compound 3-malonyl pteroside D. The structure determinations were based on several advanced 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, Circular Dichroism spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The pteroside derivatives exhibited selective moderate cytotoxic activity against the acute myeloid leukaemia MOLM13 cell line and no cytotoxicity against the normal heart and kidney cell lines, suggesting that their potential anticancer effect should be further investigated

Et arbeidstilsyn i endring

Det overordnede formålet med denne evalueringen er å vurdere hvorvidt forbedringsarbeidet som Arbeids­tilsynet har gjennomført de siste årene er på rett vei. Evalueringsrapporten skal brukes i det videre arbeidet med å øke kvaliteten på etatens utadrettete virksomhet. I evalueringen fokuserer vi særlig på Arbeidstilsynets tilsynsmetodikk og utvelgelse av tilsynsobjekter og satsinger, systemer og rutiner for enhetlig opptreden, kunnskap om betydningen av metoder i tilsynsvirksomheten, samt oppfølging og læring etter utførte tilsyn. OECDs 11 nøkkelprinsipper for gode tilsyn og revisjoner (OECD, 2014) står sentralt i vurderingen

A novel poly-oxygenated flavone glucoside from aerial parts of the Brazilian plant Neoglaziovia variegata (Bromeliaceae)

Neoglaziovia variegata is endemic to northeastern Brazil. The drought resistant plant produces edible fruits and is used as a fibre plant by rural communities in the Caatinga region where a variety of products are made from the white, soft and flexible fibres. Extracts of N. variegata have been reported to be of low toxicity and to exhibit antinociceptive effect, photoprotective potential, antioxidant effect, gastroprotective effects and antibacterial effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, however, the chemical constituents of this species are mainly unknown. The novel poly-oxygenated flavone glucoside 5,6,7,4’-tetrahydroxy-3’,5’-dimethoxy-flavone 7-O-b-glucopyranoside in addition to the rare poly-oxygenated flavone 5,4’-dihydroxy-6,7,3’-trimethoxyflavone 4’- O-b-glucopyranoside and the flavonol quercetin 3-O-(6’’-rhamnopyranosyl-bglucopyranoside) have been characterised from the leaves of N. variegata. 5,6,7,4’-tetrahydroxy-3’,5’-dimethoxy-flavone, which comprises the core structure of the novel compound, is a new flavonoid aglycone in nature. The structure determinations were based on extensive use of 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Both substances exhibited toxicity towards MOLM-13 acute myeloid leukaemia cells

A novel poly-oxygenated flavone glucoside from aerial parts of the Brazilian plant Neoglaziovia variegata (Bromeliaceae)

Neoglaziovia variegata is endemic to northeastern Brazil. The drought resistant plant produces edible fruits and is used as a fibre plant by rural communities in the Caatinga region where a variety of products are made from the white, soft and flexible fibres. Extracts of N. variegata have been reported to be of low toxicity and to exhibit antinociceptive effect, photoprotective potential, antioxidant effect, gastroprotective effects and antibacterial effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, however, the chemical constituents of this species are mainly unknown. The novel poly-oxygenated flavone glucoside 5,6,7,4'-tetrahydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxy-flavone 7-O-β-glucopyranoside in addition to the rare poly-oxygenated flavone 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,3'-trimethoxyflavone 4'-O-β-glucopyranoside and the flavonol quercetin 3-O-(6''-rhamnopyranosyl-β-glucopyranoside) have been characterised from the leaves of N. variegata. 5,6,7,4'-tetrahydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxy-flavone, which comprises the core structure of the novel compound, is a new flavonoid aglycone in nature. The structure determinations were based on extensive use of 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Both substances exhibited toxicity towards MOLM-13 acute myeloid leukaemia cells

Motivational interviewing in long-term sickness absence: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial followed by qualitative and economic studies

Abstract Background Motivational interviewing (MI), mainly used and shown effective in health care (substance abuse, smoking cessation, increasing exercise and other life style changes), is a collaborative conversation (style) about change that could be useful for individuals having problems related to return to work (RTW). The aim of this paper is to describe the design of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of MI on RTW among sick listed persons compared to usual care, in a social security setting. Methods The study is a randomized controlled trial with parallel group design. Individuals between 18 and 60 years who have been sick listed for more than 7 weeks, with a current sick leave status of 50–100%, are identified in the Norwegian National Social Security System and invited to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria are no employment and pregnancy. Included participants are randomly assigned to the MI intervention or one of two control groups. The MI intervention consists of two MI sessions offered by caseworkers at the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Service (NAV), while the comparative arms consist of a usual care group and a group that receives two extra sessions without MI content (to control for attentional bias). The primary outcome measure is the total number of sickness absence days during 12 months after inclusion, obtained from national registers. Secondary outcomes include time until full sustainable return to work, health-related quality of life and mental health status. In addition, a health economic evaluation, a feasibility/process evaluation and qualitative studies will be performed as part of the study. Discussion A previous study has suggested an effect of MI on RTW for sick listed workers with musculoskeletal complaints. The present study will evaluate the effect of MI for all sick listed workers, regardless of diagnosis. The knowledge from this study will potentially be important for policy makers, clinicians and other professionals` practical work. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03212118 (registered July 11, 2017)

Motivational interviewing in long-term sickness absence: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial followed by qualitative and economic studies

Background Motivational interviewing (MI), mainly used and shown effective in health care (substance abuse, smoking cessation, increasing exercise and other life style changes), is a collaborative conversation (style) about change that could be useful for individuals having problems related to return to work (RTW). The aim of this paper is to describe the design of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of MI on RTW among sick listed persons compared to usual care, in a social security setting. Methods The study is a randomized controlled trial with parallel group design. Individuals between 18 and 60 years who have been sick listed for more than 7 weeks, with a current sick leave status of 50–100%, are identified in the Norwegian National Social Security System and invited to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria are no employment and pregnancy. Included participants are randomly assigned to the MI intervention or one of two control groups. The MI intervention consists of two MI sessions offered by caseworkers at the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Service (NAV), while the comparative arms consist of a usual care group and a group that receives two extra sessions without MI content (to control for attentional bias). The primary outcome measure is the total number of sickness absence days during 12 months after inclusion, obtained from national registers. Secondary outcomes include time until full sustainable return to work, health-related quality of life and mental health status. In addition, a health economic evaluation, a feasibility/process evaluation and qualitative studies will be performed as part of the study. Discussion A previous study has suggested an effect of MI on RTW for sick listed workers with musculoskeletal complaints. The present study will evaluate the effect of MI for all sick listed workers, regardless of diagnosis. The knowledge from this study will potentially be important for policy makers, clinicians and other professionals` practical work