Unveiling the Chemical Diversity of the Deep-Sea Sponge Characella pachastrelloides.

Sponges are at the forefront of marine natural product research. In the deep sea, extreme conditions have driven secondary metabolite pathway evolution such that we might expect deep-sea sponges to yield a broad range of unique natural products. Here, we investigate the chemodiversity of a deep-sea tetractinellid sponge, Characella pachastrelloides, collected from ~800 m depth in Irish waters. First, we analyzed the MS/MS data obtained from fractions of this sponge on the GNPS public online platform to guide our exploration of its chemodiversity. Novel glycolipopeptides named characellides were previously isolated from the sponge and herein cyanocobalamin, a manufactured form of vitamin B12, not previously found in nature, was isolated in a large amount. We also identified several poecillastrins from the molecular network, a class of polyketide known to exhibit cytotoxicity. Light sensitivity prevented the isolation and characterization of these polyketides, but their presence was confirmed by characteristic NMR and MS signals. Finally, we isolated the new betaine 6-methylhercynine, which contains a unique methylation at C-2 of the imidazole ring. This compound showed potent cytotoxicity towards against HeLa (cervical cancer) cells.

Anverenes B⁻E, New Polyhalogenated Monoterpenes from the Antarctic Red Alga Plocamium cartilagineum.

The subtidal red alga Plocamium cartilagineum was collected from the Western Antarctic Peninsula during the 2011 and 2017 austral summers. Bulk collections from specific sites corresponded to chemogroups identified by Young et al. in 2013. One of the chemogroups yielded several known acyclic halogenated monoterpenes (2-5) as well as undescribed compounds of the same class, anverenes B-D (6-8). Examination of another chemogroup yielded an undescribed cyclic halogenated monoterpene anverene E (9) as its major secondary metabolite. Elucidation of structures was achieved through one-dimensional (1D) and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Compounds 1-9 show moderate cytotoxicity against cervical cancer (HeLa) cells.

Field-side and prehospital management of the spine-injured athlete.

Rapid on-field diagnosis and early stabilization can help to optimize the outcomes of spinal injury, which can have devastating consequences. Several basic principles will guide the rescuer through this process. Preinjury planning should include appointing a team leader, assessing the athletes' equipment, acquiring appropriate equipment to facilitate stabilization, and establishing lines of communication to emergency medical services (EMS). When an athlete is down, the team leader should proceed to quickly assess airway, breathing, circulation, level of consciousness, and activation of EMS. This should be followed by stabilization of the head and neck, a coordinated log roll, and ultimately complete spinal immobilization for transport. Specific techniques for stabilizing the cervical spine, removing the facemask, log rolling the athlete, and lifting the athlete, will improve outcome. The helmet and shoulder pads should remain in place during transport unless specific indications require their removal, in which case a specific protocol should be strictly followed.

Anatomy and biomechanics of the lateral side of the knee.

The posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee is a critical element for a functional lower extremity. It consists of an array of complex ligamentous and musculotendinous structures. The primary function of the PLC is to resist varus and external rotation and posterior translation of the tibia. Injuries to these structures can cause significant disability and compromise activities of daily living and work, recreational, and sporting activities. A thorough understanding of the complex anatomy and biomechanics of the PLC will aid the clinician in this challenging diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The first section of this paper describes the anatomy of the PLC of the knee focusing on the intricate insertion sites of the individual structures. The second section discusses how the anatomy influences the biomechanics of the PLC.