Minor Trauma, Major Discovery: The Ultrasound Identification of a Sternal Fracture Missed by Computed Tomography in an Older Patient Presenting With Acute Chest Pain.

This case report presents the diagnostic difficulties encountered by a 96-year-old woman with osteoporosis who experienced acute chest pain following minor trauma, eventually diagnosed with a sternal fracture. It highlights the nuanced presentation and diagnostic challenges associated with sternal fractures in older patients. Despite the prevalent use of chest radiography and computed tomography in acute trauma assessments, this case emphasizes their limitations, as both modalities initially failed to detect the sternal fracture. The successful identification of the fracture using ultrasound (US) underscores the utility of this modality in detecting subtle yet clinically significant injuries. This report advocates for a high index of suspicion for sternal fractures in older patients presenting with chest pain after minor trauma and suggests that US is a valuable, less invasive diagnostic tool. By illuminating the potential for minor trauma to cause major injury and the critical role of US in diagnosis, this case provides valuable insights into the management of sternal fractures in the geriatric population, urging clinicians to consider atypical presentations in diagnostic evaluations.

Single-Crystal Cage Framework with High Selectivity and Reversibility in Fullerene Binding.

Host-guest chemistry, a pivotal branch of supramolecular chemistry, plays an essential role in understanding and constructing complex structures through non-covalent interactions. Organic molecular cages, characterized by their intrinsic confined cavities, can selectively bind a variety of guest molecules. Their host-guest chemistry has been well studied in the solution phase, and several attempts have been made to encode well-defined molecular architectures into solid-state polymeric materials. However, only limited studies have explored their potential in the solid state, where their lack of robustness and less ordered networks significantly hinder practical applications. Herein, we report the synthesis of a single-crystal cage framework and a systematic study of its host-guest chemistry, spanning from the solution state to the solid state. Our studies reveal that the host-guest interactions inherent to the cage are successfully maintained in the solid-state polymeric material. Furthermore, the framework's robustness allows for the guest molecules (fullerene) to be released triggered by an organic acid (trifluoracetic acid), with subsequent regeneration of the framework through an organic base (triethylamine) treatment. Our findings represent the first synthesis of a robust, single-crystal cage framework exhibiting highly selective and reversible host-guest chemistry, thus showing great potential towards molecular separation application.

Understanding the structures and interactions in gaseous mixtures of water-alcohol by high-resolution infrared spectroscopy.

Interactions of water and chemical or bio-compound have a universal concern and have been extensively studied. For spectroscopic analysis, the complexity and the low resolution of the spectra make it difficult to obtain the spectral features showing the interactions. In this work, the structures and interactions in gaseous water and water-alcohol mixtures were studied using high-resolution infrared (HR-IR) spectroscopy. The spectral features of water clusters of different sizes, including dimer, trimer, tetramer and pentamer, were observed from the measured spectra of the samples in different volume concentrations, and the interactions of water and methanol/ethanol in the mixtures were obtained. In the analysis, a method based on principal component analysis was used to separate the overlapping spectra. In water-alcohol mixtures, when water is less, water molecules tend to interact with the OH groups on the exterior of the alcohol aggregate, and with the increase of water, a water cage forms around the aggregates. Furthermore, the ratio of the molecule number of methanol in the aggregate to that of water in the cage is around 1:2.3, and the ratio for ethanol is about 1:3.2.

A systematic review of risk factors and adverse outcomes associated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery over the past decade.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is one of the most frequently performed cervical surgeries in the world, yet there have been several reported complications. Objective: To determine the actual incidence of complications related to ACDF as well as any risk variables that may have been identified in earlier research. Methods: To evaluate the origin, presentation, natural history, and management of the risks and the complications, we conducted a thorough assessment of the pertinent literature. An evaluation of clinical trials and case studies of patients who experienced one or more complications following ACDF surgery was done using a PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar search. Studies involving adult human subjects that were written in the English language and published between 2012 and 2022 were included in the search. The search yielded 79 studies meeting our criteria. Results: The overall rates of complications were as follows: Dysphagia 7.9%, psudarthrosis 5.8%, adjacent segment disease (ASD) 8.8%, esophageal perforations (EPs) 0.5%, graft or hardware failure 2.2%, infection 0.3%, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy 1.7%, cerebrospinal fluid leak 0.8%, Horner syndrome 0.5%, hematoma 0.8%, and C5 palsy 1.9%. Conclusion: Results showed that dysphagia was a common postoperative sequelae with bone morphogenetic protein use and a higher number of surgical levels being the major risk factors. Pseudarthrosis rates varied depending on the factors such as asymptomatic radiographic graft sinking, neck pain, or radiculopathy necessitating revision surgery. The incidence of ASD indicated no data to support anterior cervical plating as more effective than standalone ACDF. EP was rare but frequently fatal, with no correlation found between patient age, sex, body mass index, operation time, or number of levels.

Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion Combined with Posterior Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Internal Fixation: Does Variability in Cage Position Influence Clinical Outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: The study investigates how cage positions in oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) combined with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation (PPSF) affect lumbar canal and foraminal decompression and postoperative outcomes, providing guidance for optimal placement and efficacy assessment. METHODS: This investigation assesses radiological outcomes and follow-up data in relation to cage position variability among 80 patients who underwent L4/5 single-segment OLIF+PPSF from 2018-2022. RESULTS: In the study, involving 80 participants, the combination of OLIF and PPSF significantly improved lower back and leg symptoms in patients, leading to positive clinical outcomes during follow-up. The intervertebral DH increased from an average of 8.10 ± 2.79 mm before surgery to 11.75 ± 2.14 mm after surgery (P < 0.001). Additionally, this surgical technique notably increased the FH (P < 0.001) and expanded the DCSA from 68.81 ± 53.89 mmˆ2 before surgery to 102.91 ± 60.46 mmˆ2 after surgery (P < 0.001). Linear results suggest that changes in the position of the cage do not affect spinal imaging parameters. There is no significant difference in the correction of spinal parameters or prognosis whether the cage is back, middle, ahead. CONCLUSION: In the OLIF+PPSF procedure, strict requirements for cage position are not necessary to achieve predetermined spinal biomechanical parameters. The practice of repeated fluoroscopy to adjust cage position post-implantation does not provide added clinical benefits to the patient.

[Ru3(CN)3(CO)9]3-: Building Block for Multimetallic Cages.

A cluster-ligand is disclosed in the form of [Ru3(CN)3(CO)9]3- ([1]3-). Produced by simple reaction of [Ru3(CO)12] with cyanide, [1]3- serves as a precursor to a series of µ-CN cages. When treated with [Ru3(CO)12], it readily forms the prism [Ru6(µ-CN)3(CO)18]3-. With 1.5 equiv of [Cu(MeCN)4]+ [1]3- reacts to give the expanded prism {Cu3[Ru3(µ-CN)3(CO)9]2}3-, which features three two-coordinate Cu(I) centers. Sources of Ni2+ and Fe2+ bind two equivalents of [1]3-, giving the double cages {M[Ru3(µ-CN)3(CO)9]2}4- (M = Ni, Fe) wherein the central metal is octahedral. The 1:1 reaction using [Fe(H2O)6]2+ gave the interpenetrated super-tetrahedrane {Fe4(µ4-O)[Ru3(µ-CN)3(CO)9]4}4-.

Are the facet joint parameters risk factors for cage subsidence after TLIF in patients with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis?

PURPOSE: To assess whether preoperative facet joint parameters in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DS) are risk factors for cage subsidence (CS) following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). METHODS: We enrolled 112 patients with L4-5 DS who underwent TLIF and were followed up for > 1 year. Preoperative demographic characteristics, functional areas of paraspinal muscles and psoas major muscles (PS), total functional area relative to vertebral body area, functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) of PS and lumbar spine extensor muscles, normalized FCSA of PS to the vertebral body area (FCSA/VBA), lumbar indentation value, facet joint orientation, facet joint tropism (FT), cross-sectional area of the superior articular process (SAPA), intervertebral height index, vertebral Hounsfield unit (HU) value, lordosis distribution index, t-scores, sagittal plane parameters, visual analog scale (VAS) for low back pain, VAS for leg pain, Oswestry disability index, global alignment and proportion score and European quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) were assessed. RESULTS: Postoperative CS showed significant correlations with preoperative FO(L3-4), FT (L3 and L5), SAPA(L3-5), L5-HU, FCSA/VBA(L3-4), Pre- T-score, post-6-month VAS for back pain and EQ-5D scores among other factors. According to ROC curve analysis, the optimal decision points for FO(L3-4), L3-SAPA, FCSA/VBA(L3-4), L5-HU, and Pre- T-score were 35.88°, 43.76°,114.93, 1.73, 1.55, 136, and - 2.49. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified preoperative FO, SAPA, preoperative CT, Pre- T-score and the FCSA/VBA as independent risk factors for CS after TLIF for DS. These risk factors should enable spinal surgeons to closely monitor and prevent the occurrence of CS.

Open and Closed Cage Silsesquioxane Dimers.

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) is an organic-inorganic hybrid molecule with two structural variations, closed- and open-cage configurations, referred to as completely condensed POSS (CC-POSS) and corner-opened POSS (CO-POSS), respectively. In this study, we synthesized 12 dimers by combining CC- and CO-POSS variants decorated with isobutyl or phenyl substituents to explore their structure-property relationships. The choice of substituents, both at the cage vertices and open sites, significantly affected the thermal and optical properties of the materials. Modifying the substituents on CO- and CC-POSS, which are isomers, led to significant alterations in the material properties. Notably, isomer-bearing carbazole substituents exhibited a substantially higher quantum yield (0.32) than its counterpart isomer (0.13), underscoring the crucial role of structural nuances in determining material performance. These results offer valuable insights for the design of novel silsesquioxane-based materials.

New Axially Expandable Oblique Cage Designed for Anterior to Psoas (ATP) Approach: Indications-Surgical Technique and Clinical-Radiological Outcomes in Patients with Symptomatic Degenerative Disc Disease.

Background: Standard oblique cages cannot cover endplates side-to-side, which is an important biomechanical factor for reducing the risk of cage subsidence and for restoring correct segmental lordosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the radiological and clinical results of a new oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) axially expandable cage. Methods: This is a prospective observational case-control study. From March 2018 to June 2020, 28 consecutive patients with lumbar degenerative disease underwent an ATP approach, with the insertion of a new axially expandable cage, which was used as a stand-alone procedure or followed by posterior percutaneous pedicle fixation. Results: Twenty-eight patients in both groups met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up time was 31.2 months (range of 13-37). The clinical results were not significantly different, although in the control group, two major intraoperative complications were recorded, and slight improvements in ODI and SF-36 scores were observed in the study group. The radiological results showed a less frequent incidence of subsidence and a higher rate of fusion in the study group compared to controls. Conclusions: The axially expandable oblique cage for lumbar inter body fusion, specifically designed for the ATP approach, represents an innovation and a technical improvement. The insertion and the axial expansion technique are safe and easy. The large footprint could obtain solid and effective arthrodesis, potentially reducing the risk of subsidence.

Dislodgment Effects of Different Cage Arrangements in Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Finite Element Study.

The vertebral cage has been widely used in posterior lumbar interbody fusion. The risk of cage dislodgment is high for patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to use a lumbar fusion model to investigate the effects of cage dislodgment on different cage arrangements after PLIF. Finite element analysis was used to compare three PEEK cage placements, together with the fibula-type cage, with respect to the four kinds of lumbar movements. The results revealed that a horizontal cage arrangement could provide a better ability to resist cage dislodgment. Overall lumbar flexion movements were confirmed to produce a greater amount of cage slip than the other three lumbar movements. The lower part of the lumbar fusion segment could create a greater amount of cage dislodgment for all of the lumbar movements. Using an autograft with a fibula as a vertebral cage cannot effectively reduce cage dislodgment. Considering the maximum movement type in lumbar flexion, we suggest that a horizontal arrangement of the PEEK cage might be considered when a single PEEK cage is placed in the fusion segment, as doing so can effectively reduce the extent of cage dislodgment.

Internal Organ Colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in Layer Pullets Infected at Two Different Ages During Rearing in Cage-Free Housing.

The poultry-housing environment plays a significant role in the transmission and persistence of the egg-associated pathogen Salmonella Enteritidis in laying flocks. The commercial egg industry is in the midst of a transition toward cage-free housing, but the food safety ramifications of this shift are not yet certain. The present study assessed internal organ colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in layer pullets reared in cage-free housing and infected at two different ages. Groups of 280 pullets were transferred from the rearing facility (at 9 wk of age in one trial and 15 wk in another) to a containment facility with four isolation rooms simulating commercial cage-free barns with perches and nest boxes (70 birds/room). Twenty-four pullets in each room were orally inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis immediately after placement in the containment facility. At 1-2 wk postinoculation in each trial, samples of liver, spleen, and intestinal tract were collected from all birds in two rooms for bacteriologic culturing to detect Salmonella Enteritidis. At 21-22 wk of age, samples of spleen, ovary, and intestinal tract were similarly collected and tested from all birds in the remaining two rooms. Among samples collected at 1-2 wk postinoculation, Salmonella Enteritidis was isolated significantly more often from groups of pullets infected initially at 15 wk of age than from those infected at 9 wk (61% vs. 38% of livers, 59% vs. 31% of spleens, and 84% vs. 57% of intestines). Among samples collected at 21-22 wk of age, the frequency of recovery of Salmonella Enteritidis was again significantly greater in birds infected at 15 wk of age than in those infected at 9 wk (16% vs. 6% of spleens, 9% vs. 1% of ovaries, and 26% vs. 10% of intestines). These data suggest that Salmonella Enteritidis infections introduced into flocks during the later stages of pullet rearing have greater potential to persist into the early phase of egg production.

Nota de investigación- Colonización de órganos internos por Salmonella Enteritidis en pollitas de postura infectadas en dos edades diferentes durante la crianza en alojamiento sin jaulas. El ambiente en alojamientos avícolas juega un papel importante en la transmisión y persistencia del patógeno asociado a los huevos Salmonella Enteritidis en parvadas postura. La industria comercial del huevo se encuentra en medio de una transición hacia alojamientos sin jaulas, pero las ramificaciones de este cambio en la seguridad alimentaria aún no están determinadas. El presente estudio evaluó la colonización de órganos internos por Salmonella Enteritidis en pollitas de postura criadas en alojamientos sin jaulas e infectadas a dos edades diferentes. Se transfirieron grupos de 280 pollitas desde las instalaciones de cría (a las 9 semanas de edad en un ensayo y a las 15 semanas en un segundo ensayo) a una instalación de contención con cuatro salas de aislamiento que simulaban alojamientos comerciales sin jaulas con perchas y nidos (70 aves/sala). Veinticuatro pollitas en cada sala fueron inoculadas oralmente con Salmonella Enteritidis inmediatamente después de su colocación en la instalación de contención. En cada ensayo, de una a dos semanas después de la inoculación, se recolectaron muestras de hígado, bazo y tracto intestinal para cultivo bacteriológico de todas las aves en dos salas para detectar Salmonella Enteritidis. A las 21-22 semanas de edad, se recolectaron y analizaron de manera similar muestras de bazo, ovario y tracto intestinal de todas las aves en las dos salas restantes. Entre las muestras recolectadas entre una y dos semanas después de la inoculación, Salmonella Enteritidis se aisló significativamente con mayor frecuencia en grupos de pollitas infectadas inicialmente a las 15 semanas de edad que en aquellas infectadas a las 9 semanas (61% contra 38 % en los hígados, 59% contra 31% de bazos y 84 % contra 57% en intestinos). Entre las muestras recolectadas a las 21-22 semanas de edad, la frecuencia de recuperación de Salmonella Enteritidis fue nuevamente significativamente mayor en aves infectadas a las 15 semanas de edad que en aquellas infectadas a las 9 semanas (16% contra 6% de bazos, 9% contra 1% en ovarios y 26% contra 10% de los intestinos). Estos datos sugieren que las infecciones por Salmonella Enteritidis introducidas en las parvadas durante las últimas etapas de la cría de pollitas tienen un mayor potencial para persistir en la fase inicial de la producción de huevos.

Crystal Structure Complexity and Approximate Limits of Possible Crystal Structures Based on Symmetry-Normalized Volumes.

Rules that control the arrangement of chemical species within crystalline arrays of different symmetry and structural complexity are of fundamental importance in geoscience, material science, physics, and chemistry. Here, the volume of crystal phases is normalized by their ionic volume and an algebraic index that is based on their space-group and crystal site symmetries. In correlation with the number of chemical formula units Z, the normalized volumes exhibit upper and lower limits of possible structures. A bottleneck of narrowing limits occurs for Z around 80 to 100, but the field of allowed crystalline configurations widens above 100 due to a change in the slope of the lower limit. For small Z, the highest count of structures is closer to the upper limit, but at large Z, most materials assume structures close to the lower limit. In particular, for large Z, the normalized volume provides rather narrow constraints for the prediction of novel crystalline phases. In addition, an index of higher and lower complexity of crystalline phases is derived from the normalized volume and tested against key criteria.

Laying Hens: Why Smothering and Not Surviving?-A Literature Review.

The proliferation of rearing systems providing opportunities for birds to engage in natural behaviors can trigger behavioral repertoires that when not manageable compromise animal welfare and the economic viability of the flock. Smothering in laying hens has long been perceived as "natural" or the result of hysteria among birds in the flock. However, the current literature has recognized smothering as an abnormal outcome with the potential to result in significant losses in cage-free poultry systems. Recent studies have specifically aimed to categorize the organization of smothering behavior and highlight its potential causes and consequences. In this study, literature review and bibliographic mapping, drawing on published articles and engagement with poultry farmers through extension and rural technical assistance, were employed. The findings indicate that smothering is a behavior triggered by factors related to the environment in which the laying hens are kept. This study concludes that there is a critical need for more rigorous and detailed research to elucidate the nuances of avian behavioral physiology and assess the impact of production systems on animal welfare and the economic impacts on the flock. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of bird behavior in high-production environments and provides practical insights for the poultry industry.

Mitigating the Blurring Effect of CryoEM Averaging on a Flexible and Highly Symmetric Protein Complex through Sub-Particle Reconstruction.

Many macromolecules are inherently flexible as a feature of their structure and function. During single-particle CryoEM processing, flexible protein regions can be detrimental to high-resolution reconstruction as signals from thousands of particles are averaged together. This "blurring" effect can be difficult to overcome and is possibly more pronounced when averaging highly symmetric complexes. Approaches to mitigating flexibility during CryoEM processing are becoming increasingly critical as the technique advances and is applied to more dynamic proteins and complexes. Here, we detail the use of sub-particle averaging and signal subtraction techniques to precisely target and resolve flexible DARPin protein attachments on a designed tetrahedrally symmetric protein scaffold called DARP14. Particles are first aligned as full complexes, and then the symmetry is reduced by alignment and focused refinement of the constituent subunits. The final reconstructions we obtained were vastly improved over the fully symmetric reconstructions, with observable secondary structure and side-chain placement. Additionally, we were also able to reconstruct the core region of the scaffold to 2.7 Å. The data processing protocol outlined here is applicable to other dynamic and symmetric protein complexes, and our improved maps could allow for new structure-guided variant designs of DARP14.

Cage-by-cage supramolecular polymerization via panel-decorated triphenylphosphine organic cage.

Significant efforts have been dedicated to designing porous organic cage compounds with geometric complexity and topological diversity. However, the use of these cage molecules as premade building units for constructing infinite cage-based superstructures remains unexplored. Here, we report the use of a panel-decorated phosphine organic cage as a special monomer to achieve supramolecular polymerization, resulting in cage-by-cage noncovalent polymers through the synergy of metal-coordination and intercageπ-πdimerization. At a monomer concentration of 122 mM, the average degree of polymerization reaches 17, corresponding to a molecular weight of 26 kDa. The obtained cage-based supramolecular polymers can further hierarchically self-assemble into vesicular morphologies or one-dimensional nanofiber architectures. Selective control over the cosolvents can regulate their structural hierarchy and assembled morphology. This approach paves a new way for the construction of cage-based hierarchical assemblies and materials.

A singular chromatographic column breakthrough: Achieving full polarity range separations with the epoxy propanol molecular cage bonded silica stationary phase.

The epoxy propanol molecular cage bonded silica stationary phase, RCC3-GLD@silica, synthesized through the ring-opening reaction of secondary amine with epoxy propanol using RCC3-R as the scaffold unit, was successfully prepared as confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption characterization. This stationary phase demonstrated excellent separation performance in both reversed-phase and hydrophilic chromatography modes, effectively separating a wide variety of compounds including alkylbenzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, anilines, sulfonamides, nucleosides, amino acids, sugars, and acids. The development of RCC3-GLD@silica benefits from the synergistic effects of its hydrophobic and hydrophilic actions, as evidenced by the U-shaped characteristic of the retention factor for nucleoside compounds with changes in the aqueous content of the mobile phase, further confirming the simultaneous presence of reversed-phase and hydrophilic chromatography mechanisms. Not only did this stationary phase successfully separate 33 compounds in reversed-phase chromatography mode, but it also separated 54 compounds in hydrophilic interaction chromatography mode, showcasing its broad separation capability from weakly polar to strongly polar compounds on a single chromatographic column. This indicates a wide application prospect in the field of chromatographic analysis.

Codelivery of Dual Gases with Metal-Organic Supramolecular Cage-Based Microenvironment-Responsive Nanomedicine for Atherosclerosis Therapy.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common cause of coronary heart disease and stroke. The delivery of exogenous H2S and in situ production of O2 within atherosclerotic plaques can help suppress inflammatory cell infiltration and alleviate disease progression. However, the uncontrolled release of gas donors hinders achieving effective drug concentrations and causes toxic effects. Herein, diallyl trisulfide (DATS)-loaded metal-organic cage (MOC)-68-doped MnO2 nanoparticles are developed as a microenvironment-responsive nanodrug with the capacity for the in situ co-delivery of H2S and O2 to inflammatory cells within plaques. This nanomedicine exhibited excellent monodispersity and stability and protected DATS from degradation in the circulation. In vitro studies showed that the nanomedicine reduced macrophage polarization toward an inflammatory phenotype and inhibited the formation of foam cells, while suppressing the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) and interleukin-1ß. In a mouse model of ApoE-/- genotype, the nanomedicine reduces the plaque burden, inflammatory infiltration, and hypoxic conditions within the plaques. Furthermore, the treatment process and therapeutic effects can be monitored by magnetic resonance image (MRI), in real time upon Mn2+ release from the acidic- and H2O2- microenvironment-responsive MnO2 nanoparticles. The DATS-loaded MOC-68-doped MnO2-based nanodrug holds great promise as a novel theranostic platform for AS.

Unsymmetric Chiral Ligands for Large Metallo-Macrocycles: Selectivity of Orientational Self-Sorting.

Nature uses various chiral and unsymmetric building blocks to form substantial and complex supramolecular assemblies. In contrary, majority of organic ligands used in metallosupramolecular chemistry are symmetric and achiral. Here we extend on the group of unsymmetric chiral bile acids used as a scaffold for organic bispyridyl ligands employing the chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), epimer of previously used ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Ligands' epimerism, flexibility, and bulkiness leads to large structural differences of coordination products upon reaction with Pd(NO3)2. The UDCA-bispyridyl ligand self-assembles quantitatively into a single crown-like Pd3L6 complex, whereas the CDCA-ligand provides a mixture of coordination complexes of general formula PdnL2n, i.e., Pd2L4, Pd3L6, Pd4L8, Pd5L10, and even Pd6L12 containing impressive 120 chiral centers. The coordination products were studied by a combination of analytical methods, where the ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) provided valuable details on their structure and allowed an effective separation of m/z 1461 to individual signals according to arrival time distribution, revealing four different ions of [Pd3L6(NO3)3]3+, [Pd4L8(NO3)4]4+, [Pd5L10(NO3)5]5+, and [Pd6L12(NO3)6]6+. The structures of all complexes were modelled using DFT calculations. Finally, challenges and conclusions in determination of specific structural identity of these unsymmetric species are discussed.

Rib cage contributions to inspiratory capacity in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.

Background: Cervical spinal cord injury (CSI) often leads to impaired respiratory function, affecting the overall well-being of patients. This study aimed to investigate the influence of rib cage motion on inspiratory capacity in CSI patients. Methods: We conducted a study with 11 CSI patients, utilising respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP). We measured ventilatory volume by spirometry concurrently with RIP. Participants were instructed to perform maximal inspiratory efforts. Inspiratory capacity (IC) was calculated from spirometry waveforms. We converted the respiratory waveforms of the chest and abdomen into inspiratory volume measured by a spirometer. The inspiratory volume measured by the chest sensor was defined as VRIP-rib cage (VRIP-rc), and the inspiratory volume measured by the abdominal sensor was defined as VRIP-abdomen (VRIP-ab). Subsequently, the relationships of IC with VRIP-rc and VRIPab were assessed. Results: The mean IC was 1.828 ± 0.459 L, with the mean VRIP-rc at 1.343 ± 0.568 L and the mean VRIP-ab at 0.485 ± 0.427 L. A significant correlation was observed between IC and VRIP-rc (r = 0.67, p = 0.02), indicating that rib cage motion significantly influences IC in CSI patients. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of rib cage motion in assessing inspiratory capacity in patients with CSI.

Big data and its impact on the 3Rs: a home cage monitoring oriented review.

Undisturbed home cage recording of mouse activity and behavior has received increasing attention in recent years. In parallel, several technologies have been developed in a bid to automate data collection and interpretation. Thanks to these expanding technologies, massive datasets can be recorded and saved in the long term, providing a wealth of information concerning animal wellbeing, clinical status, baseline activity, and subsequent deviations in case of experimental interventions. Such large datasets can also serve as a long-term reservoir of scientific data that can be reanalyzed and repurposed upon need. In this review, we present how the impact of Big Data deriving from home cage monitoring (HCM) data acquisition, particularly through Digital Ventilated Cages (DVCs), can support the application of the 3Rs by enhancing Refinement, Reduction, and even Replacement of research in animals.