Usability of a visual feedback system to assess and improve movement disorders related to neck pain: Perceptions of physical therapists and patients.

A prototype visual feedback system has been developed to assess and improve movement disorders related to neck pain. The aim of this study was to assess the usability of the prototype in a rehabilitation setting. Twelve physical therapists integrated the device into their regular therapy programs for 24 neck pain patients with movement disorders. Each patient performed three individual therapy sessions with the device under physical therapist supervision. Usability was assessed by the physical therapists and patients using therapy diaries, the System Usability Scale, and focus group or personal interviews. Based on an overall usability rating of marginally acceptable, the visual feedback system was generally found to be a device with the potential to assess and train neck pain patients but needs improvement. To become a useful adjunct to regular physical therapy, improvements in the hardware and software, and further system developments are required.

Tetronomycin, a novel polyether of unusual structure.

Tetronomycin, C34H50O8, isolated from a strain of Streptomyces sp. nov. represents a novel polycyclic ionophore polyether. The crystal structure and absolute configuration were established by X-ray analysis of the mono-O-acetyltetronomycin silver salt. Tetronomycin is the first metabolic polyether which contains a tetronic acid moiety instead of the essential carboxylic acid function. A trisubstituted cyclohexane ring and an interesting molecular conformation of the silver salt represent additional unique structural features. Extensive NMR-studies enabled the assignment of chemical shifts and the correlation of the proton and carbon signals. Tetronomycin exhibits activity against Gram-positive bacteria.

Noboritomycins A and B, new polyether antibiotics.

Noboritomycins A and B, two new polycyclic ionophoric polyethers were isolated from a strain of Streptomyces noboritoensis. The crystal structure and absolute configuration of noboritomycin A were established by X-ray analysis of its silver salt C43/63O14Ag. Noboritomycin A is the first metabolic polyether possessing two carboxylic acid functions on the carbon backbone (C-31), namely a free acid and an additional carboxylic acid ethylester group. An unusual spiroketal system as well as a salicylic acid chromophore represent further remarkable elements. Noboritomycin A shows in this respect a structural relationship to salinomycin and lasalocid respectively. Comparison of physico-chemical data, in particular the interpretation of the 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra, revealed that noboritomycins A and B are structurally closely related, noboritomycin B carrying an ethyl substituent on the aromatic ring in the place of a methyl group present in noboritomycin A. Both metabolites exhibit activity against Gram-positive bacteria and against Eimeria tenella (chicken coccidiosis).

Septamycin, a polyether antibiotic. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and characterization.

Septamycin is a metal complexing polyether antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces hygroscopicus NRRL 5678. The metabolite, a monocarboxylic acid, was isolated as the sodium salt C48H81NaO16. The crystal structure and absolute configuration were established by X-ray analysis of the p-bromophenacyl derivative. Septamycin has a thirty-carbon backbone and contains seven heterocyclic rings. Supported by direct comparison septamycin proved to be identical with antibiotic A28695 A isolated from Streptomyces albus NRRL 3883. The metabolite is active against gram-positive bacteria and Eimeria tenella (chicken coccidiosis).