Activated and deactivated functional brain areas in the Deqi state: A functional MRI study

We compared the activities of functional regions of the brain in the Deqi versus non-Deqi state, as reported by physicians and subjects cludng acupuncture, Twelve healthy volunteers received sham and true needling at the Waiguan （TE5） acupoint. Real-time cerebral functional MRI showed that compared with non-sensation after sham needling, true needling activated Brodmann areas 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 20, 21, 37, 39, 40, 43, and 47, the head of the caudate nucleus, the parahippocampal gyrus, thalamus and red nucleus. True needling also deactivated Brodmann areas 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. 10. 18.24.31.40 and 46.

Specific cerebral activation following true and sham Waiguan(SJ 5) needling Functional magnetic resonance imaging evidence

Positive activation and negative activation of glucose metabolism can be detected in different brain regions under acupuncture conditions using functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） which reveals acupoint function and location-acupoint specificity. This study observed the regional cerebral activation of the Waiguan （SJ 5） acupoint following true needling at the true Waiguan acupoint, sham needling at the true Waiguan acupoint and true needling at a sham point using fMRI. The fMRI results demonstrated that compared with sham needling, true needling at Waiguan activated the BA8 area and left cerebellum. Compared with needling at the sham point, needling at Waiguan activated the BA2 area, the left cerebellum and the right inferior semilunar lobule. Thus the activated brain areas caused by needling Waiguan may be the basis for treatment of certain diseases.

Differences in functional magnetic resonance imaging following cutaneous and routine acupuncture at different acupoints

Few studies have examined the effects of different stimuli at a single acupoint using functional magnetic resonance imaging.The present study applied acupuncture at the Neiguan（PC 6）,Waiguan（SJ 5）,Zhigou（SJ 6） and Yanglingquan（GB 34） acupoints in healthy volunteers.fMRI was used to examine the activation of brain areas in response to different types of acupuncture（cutaneous or routine acupuncture） at each acupoint.There were no significant differences in the distribution of activation in the regions of interest between cutaneous and routine acupuncture at the Neiguan,Waiguan,and Zhigou acupoints,but some differences were observed between the two methods of acupuncture at the Yanglingquan acupoint.There were no significant differences in the intensity of induced activation between cutaneous and routine acupuncture at the Neiguan,Zhigou and Yanglingquan acupoints,but the activation intensity in the right cerebellum induced by routine acupuncture at the Waiguan acupoint was greater than that induced by cutaneous acupuncture.Results confirmed that cutaneous and routine acupuncture at the Neiguan,Waiguan,Zhigou and Yanglingquan acupoints activated different functional brain areas,and caused activation of different intensities in some areas.

Photochemical defluorinative functionalization of α-polyfluorinated carbonyls via spin-center shift

Organic molecules containing gem–difluoromethylene unit are one of the most important classes of compounds that have various valuable applications ranging from drug discovery to material science [1]. Not surprisingly, numerous strategies have been developed towards the synthesis of these target organofluorine compounds. Within this research area, direct C–F bond cleavage of cheap and readily accessible polyfluorinated compounds represents one of the most potentially powerful methods to access diverse gem–difluoromethylene skeletons.

Construction of axially chiral compounds via catalytic asymmetric radical reaction

The chemistry of axially chiral compounds has emerged as a subject of increasing interest due to their widespread presence in natural products,bioactive molecules,advanced materials,and chiral ligands/catalysts.On the other hand,catalytic asymmetric radical-based transformations provide a complementary platform for the construction of enantiomerically enriched molecules that are in growing demand in the chemical and pharmaceutical in-dustries.In recent years,considerable research efforts have been devoted to the development of catalytic asymmetric radical reactions for the construction of axially chiral compounds based on the unique reactivity modes of diverse radicals.In this review,we critically illustrate these recent achievements according to different radical precursors and catalytic activation modes.Wherever possible,special emphasis is also placed on the discussion of mechanistic features underlying these works and substrate scopes.This review should be of great interest to the experts in this area,but also serve as a helpful starting point for new researchers in this field.

Recent advances in visible-light photoredox-catalyzed nitrogen radical cyclization

Visible-light photoredox catalysis is a powerful and attractive strategy for organic molecule activation and new reaction design owing to its environmental-friendly characteristics and unique catalytic mechanisms,and has found wide applications in organic synthesis.This catalytic strategy enables controllable generation of diverse nitrogen-centered radicals(NCRs)under mild conditions,providing access to construction of diverse nitrogencontaining compounds.In this review,we critically illustrate the recent advances in the field of visible-light photoredox-catalyzed cyclization of nitrogen-centered radicals,based on the different radical precursors and activation modes.Wherever possible,particular emphasis is also put on working models and synthetic applications.

Dual photoredox and cobalt catalysis enpowers site-selective allylic amination

The development of a highly efficient,selective and atom-economical method for the construction of allylic amines are a challenge in green synthetic chemistry.In a recent work published in Nature Catalysis,Lei,Qi,and coworkers reported that the combination of a photoredox catalyst and cobaloxime catalyst enables site-selective allylic amination of various olefins with secondary alkyl amines,affording the valuable tertiary aliphatic allylamines,without the need for external oxidants.