Geissoschizine methyl ether <i>N</i>-oxide, a new alkaloid with antiacetylcholinesterase activity from <i>Uncaria rhynchophylla</i>

<div><p>Geissoschizine methyl ether <i>N</i>-oxide, a new oxindole alkaloid, along with 14 known alkaloids, was isolated from the aerial part of <i>Uncaria rhynchophylla</i>. Their structures were identified by comprehensive spectral methods, including 2D NMR experiments, and confirmed by comparing with the literature data. <i>In vitro</i> acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity assay showed that the new compound exhibited anti-AChE activity with IC₅₀ value of 23.4 μM.</p></div

Vibsatins A and B, Two New Tetranorvibsane-Type Diterpenoids from <i>Viburnum tinus</i> cv. variegatus

Vibsatins A (<b>1</b>) and B (<b>2</b>), a pair of 14,15,16,17-tetranorvibsane-type diterpenoids that feature a bicyclo[4.2.1]­nonane moiety formed by a new C-13/C-2 bond, were isolated from the twigs and leaves of <i>Viburnum tinus</i> cv. variegatus. The structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by a combination of NMR spectra, optical rotation, and X-ray diffraction experiments. A possible biogenetic pathway is also proposed. Moreover, vibsatin A (<b>1</b>) enhanced the neurite outgrowth of NGF-mediated PC12 cells at a concentration of 10 μM

Positions for spinal flexibility assessment.

<p>(a) standing (b) supine (c) prone (d) sitting with lateral bending (e) prone with lateral bending.</p

An effective assessment method of spinal flexibility to predict the initial in-orthosis correction on the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)

<div><p>Background</p><p>Spinal flexibility is an essential parameter for clinical decision making on the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Various methods are proposed to assess spinal flexibility, but which assessment method is more effective to predict the effect of orthotic treatment is unclear.</p><p>Objective</p><p>To investigate an effective assessment method of spinal flexibility to predict the initial in-orthosis correction, among the supine, prone, sitting with lateral bending and prone with lateral bending positions.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Thirty-five patients with AIS (mean Cobb angle: 28° ± 7°; mean age: 12 ± 2 years; Risser sign: 0–2) were recruited. Before orthosis fitting, spinal flexibility was assessed by an ultrasound system in 4 positions (apart from standing) including supine, prone, sitting with lateral bending and prone with lateral bending. After orthosis fitting, the initial in-orthosis correction was routinely assessed by whole spine standing radiograph. Comparisons and correlation analyses were performed between the spinal flexibility in the 4 positions and the initial in-orthosis correction.</p><p>Results</p><p>The mean in-orthosis correction was 41% while the mean curve correction (spinal flexibility) in the 4 studied positions were 40% (supine), 42% (prone), 127% (prone with lateral bending) and 143% (sitting with lateral bending). The correlation coefficients between initial in-orthosis correction and curve correction (spinal flexibility) in the 4 studied positions were r = 0.66 (supine), r = 0.75 (prone), r = 0.03 (prone with lateral bending) and r = 0.04 (sitting with lateral bending).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The spinal flexibility in the prone position is the closest to and most correlated with the initial in-orthosis correction among the 4 studied positions. Thus, the prone position could be an effective method to predict the initial effect of orthotic treatment on the patients with AIS.</p></div

An effective assessment method of spinal flexibility to predict the initial in-orthosis correction on the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) - Fig 2

<p>Ultrasound images in (a) standing position (b) supine position (c) prone position (d) sitting with lateral bending position (e) prone with lateral bending position. The left thoracolumbar curve ranged from T8 to L3 (apex at T11) with the magnitude of 26.6° in standing position, 13.5° in supine position, 12.3° in prone position, -19° in sitting with lateral bending position, and -12.8° in prone with lateral bending position (negative value refers to the curve being corrected to the opposite direction).</p

Patient demographic data.

<p>Patient demographic data.</p