Dual-energy CT virtual non-calcium: an accurate method for detection of knee osteoarthritis-related edema-like marrow signal intensity.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of a dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) virtual non-calcium (VNCa) technique in the detection of edema-like marrow signal intensity (ELMSI) in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: The study received local ethics board approval, and written informed consent was obtained. DECT and MRI were used to examine 28 knees in 24 patients with OA.

[Effects of moxibustion on serum levels of β-EP, SP and expression of IL-1β and COX-2 protein in brainstem in rats with migraine].

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) at different time points on the serum level of β-endorphin (β-EP), substance P (SP) and expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in brainstem in rats with migraine, and to explore the effect and mechanism of moxibustion in preventing and treating migraine.

Methods: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a prevention+treatment (PT) group and a treatment group, 10 rats in each group. Except the blank group, the rats in the remaining groups were injected with nitroglycerin subcutaneously to prepare migraine model.

Selective [5,5]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement by Assembly of Aryl Sulfoxides with Allyl Nitriles.

Aromatic [5,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement is an appealing protocol for accessing 1,4-substituted arenes. However, such a protocol has not been well utilized in organic synthesis because of the difficulties in the synthesis of the substrates, selectivity issues, and limited substrate scope. Described herein is a new [5,5]-sigmatropic reaction utilizing readily available aryl sulfoxides and allyl nitriles.

Redox-Neutral α-Arylation of Alkyl Nitriles with Aryl Sulfoxides: A Rapid Electrophilic Rearrangement.

A facile α-arylation of nitriles has been developed by simply introducing TfO and DABCO to the mixture of nitriles and aryl sulfoxides. The transformation consists of two sequential steps: (i) TfO-initiated electrophilic assembly and and (ii) DABCO-triggered rearrangement. Each step can be tuned independently by changing the temperature and/or base.