Activation of dinitrogen plays an important role in daily anthropogenic life, and the processes by which this fixation occurs have been a longstanding and significant research focus within the community. One of the major fields of dinitrogen activation research is the use of multimetallic compounds to reduce and/or activate N2 into a more useful nitrogen-atom source, such as ammonia. Here we report a comprehensive review of multimetallic-dinitrogen complexes and their utility toward N2 activation, beginning with the d-block metals from Group 4 to Group 11, then extending to Group 13 (which is exclusively populated by B complexes), and finally the rare-earth and actinide species. The review considers all polynuclear metal aggregates containing two or more metal centers in which dinitrogen is coordinated or activated (i.e., partial or complete cleavage of the N2 triple bond in the observed product). Our survey includes complexes in which mononuclear N2 complexes are used as building blocks to generate homo- or heteromultimetallic dinitrogen species, which allow one to evaluate the potential of heterometallic species for dinitrogen activation. We highlight some of the common trends throughout the periodic table, such as the differences between coordination modes as it relates to N2 activation and potential functionalization and the effect of polarizing the bridging N2 ligand by employing different metal ions of differing Lewis acidities. By providing this comprehensive treatment of polynuclear metal dinitrogen species, this Review aims to outline the past and provide potential future directions for continued research in this area.

A CuO nanopowder-catalyzed coupling reaction of aryl, alkyl, and heteroaryl iodides with elemental selenium and tellurium takes place in the presence of KOH at 90 degrees C in DMSO. A wide range of substituted symmetrical diselenides and ditellurides were afforded with good to excellent yields.

This study examined the effects of obesity level, standing time and their interaction on postural sway during a prolonged quiet upright standing task. Ten extremely obese (BMI > 40 kg/m(2)) and 10 non-obese (18.5 kg/m(2) < BMI < 24.9 kg/m(2)) participants performed quiet upright standing on a force plate for over 18 min. Eleven postural sway measures were computed for each 1-min time interval based on the centre-of-pressure data from the force plate. ANOVA and regression analyses showed that for all the 11 postural sway measures, the extremely obese group had higher postural sway than the non-obese at the beginning of the prolonged standing task and postural sway increased significantly faster for the extremely obese group than the non-obese over time. The results suggest that obesity may impair postural control and may be a risk factor of balance loss and falls, especially during prolonged physical work activities. The research findings are relevant to identifying and reducing risks of balance loss and falls in various workplace settings for a wide variety of workers.

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OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to provide a systematic and comprehensive review of the existing literature regarding postfusion rehabilitation.METHODSUsing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the authors conducted an exhaustive review of multiple electronic databases. Potential articles were screened using inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two authors independently analyzed these studies using predefined data fields, including study quality indicators such as level of evidence and availability of accepted patient-reported outcomes measures. These findings were synthesized in a narrative format. A third author resolved disagreements regarding the inclusion of a study.RESULTSTwenty-one articles with I or II levels of evidence were included in the review. The authors divided the findings of the literature review into several groups: rehabilitation terminology, timing and duration of postfusion rehabilitation, the need for rehabilitation relative to surgery-related morbidity, rehabilitation's relationship to outcomes, and cognitive and psychosocial aspects of postsurgical rehabilitation. Current evidence generally supports formal rehabilitation after lumbar fusion surgery. Starting physical therapy at the 12-week postoperative mark results in better outcomes at lower cost than an earlier, 6-week start. Where available, psychosocial support improves outcomes. However, a number of the questions could not be answered with high-grade evidence. In these cases, the authors used “best evidence available” to make recommendations. There are many cases in which different types of caregivers use clinical terminology differently. The data supporting an optimal protocol for postfusion rehabilitation remains elusive but, using the data available, the authors have crafted recommendations and a model protocol, which is currently undergoing prospective study.CONCLUSIONSRehabilitation has long been a common feature in the postoperative management of patients undergoing spinal fusion. Although caregivers from multiple disciplines agree that the majority of their patients will benefit from this effort, the supporting data remain sparse. In creating a model protocol for postlumbar fusion rehabilitation, the authors hope to share a starting point for future postoperative lumbar fusion rehabilitation research.

Background: The basivertebral nerve (BVN) has been a recently discovered target as a potential source for vertebrogenic chronic low back pain (CLBP). Prior randomized controlled trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy of BVN ablation for vertebrogenic CLBP, but minimal data exists regarding BVN ablation's clinical effectiveness with broader application outside of strict trial inclusion criteria. Methods: Prospective, single arm, open label effectiveness trial of 48 patients from community spine and pain practices treated with BVN ablation. Inclusion criteria required more than 6 months of CLBP and type 1 or 2 Modic changes on MRI to be enrolled. Patients were followed post procedure for 12 months using ODI, VAS, EQ-5D-5L and SF-36 patient reported outcome metrics.Results: 47 patients successfully received BVN ablation and 45 patients completed 12 months of follow up. Mean reduction in ODI at 12 months was 32.31 +/-14.07 (p < 0.001) with 88.89% (40/45) patients reporting a ≥ 15 point ODI decrease at 12 months. Mean VAS pain score decrease was 4.31+/-2.51 at 12 months (p < 0.001) and more than 69% reported a 50% reduction in VAS pain scale. Similarly, SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L scores improved 26.27+/-17.19 and 0.22+/-0.15 (each p < 0.001). Conclusions: This data supports the clinical effectiveness of BVN ablation in the community practice setting, with similar 12 month improvements in patient reported outcomes as seen in previously published randomized control trials.

Purpose A prospective, single-arm, open-label study to evaluate the effectiveness of intraosseous radio frequency (RF) ablation of the basivertebral nerve (BVN) for the treatment of vertebrogenic-related chronic low back pain (CLBP) in typical spine practice settings using permissive criteria for study inclusion. Methods Consecutive patients with CLBP of at least 6 months duration and with Modic Type 1 or 2 vertebral endplate changes between L3 and S1 were treated with RF ablation of the BVN in up to four vertebral bodies. The primary endpoint was patient-reported change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) from baseline to 3 months post-procedure. Secondary outcome measures included change in visual analog scale (VAS), SF-36, EQ-5D-5L, and responder rates. Results Median age was 45 years; baseline ODI was 48.5; VAS was 6.36. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the study patients reported LBP symptoms for ≥ 5 years; 25% were actively using opioids; and 61% were previously treated with injections. Mean change in ODI at 3 months posttreatment was − 30.07 +14.52 points (p < 0.0001); mean change in VAS was − 3.50 + 2.33 (p < 0.0001). Ninety-three percent (93%) of patients achieved a ≥ 10-point improvement in ODI, and 75% reported ≥ 20-point improvement. Conclusions Minimally invasive RF ablation of the BVN demonstrated a significant improvement in pain and function in this population of real-world patients with chronic vertebrogenic-related LBP. Graphical abstractThese slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material. Key pointsTake Home Messages 1. Patients treated with RF ablation of the BVN reported significant improvements from baseline in ODI, VAS, SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L at 3 months.2. This study reaffirms, using a "real-world" environment, the results of a prior efficacy trial on the role of radiofrequency ablation of the BVN for treatment of vertebrogenic CLBP.3. Using straight-forward, objective MRI findings for patient selection, these data collectively support a favorable risk/benefit profile for RF ablation of the BVN in a population of CLBP patients with few validated treatment alternatives.