BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that pathological change of substantia nigra (SN) is the main reason for Parkinson's disease (PD).From the medical imaging,spatial location,size and 3D morphology analysis of the tiny SN structure are very important to PD's diagnosis and treatment evaluation.As the physiology of rhesus monkey is much similar to human's,it has been used as an ideal experiment subject in many scientific researches.OBJECTIVE:To modify traditional shape-based interpolation method for SN structure of the rhesus monkey brain slices.METHODS:To gain the middle layers between two slices,traditional shape-based interpolation used linear weighted mean algorithm.However,considering the impact of adjacent multi-layer to the image,the middle layers were obtained by non-linear weight.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The new interpolation algorithm was assessed with a favorable results.Also,this method was applied to the 3D reconstruction of SN structure.The results show that the new interpolation method can be used in nucleus group interpolation with sparse slices and tiny structures,and offer reference to the related disease research.

[Objective]To compare the clinical outcomes of fresh embryo transfer of the in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer(IVF/ICSI-ET)in different age groups as well as in different responders using gonadotropin-re-leasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a)long protocol or GnRH antagonist(GnRH-ant)protocol.[Methods]A retrospective analysis was performed on 737 IVF/ICSI cycles,including 386 cycles of GnRH-a long protocol(group A)and 351 cycles of GnRH-ant protocol (group B),from August 28,2015 to December 31,2016. Then all the cycles were divided into sub-groups by ages and retrieved oo-cyte numbers:group a1(<38 years),group a2(≥38 years);group b1(n≤5),group b2(6≤n≤15),group b3(n>15). The basic information of patients and clinical outcomes were compared.[Results](1)Comparable results were obtained from group A and group B in these following variables such as fertilization rate,normal fertilization rate,biochemical pregnancy rate and miscarriage rage. But the stimulation period,the total gonadotropin(Gn)dosage,estradiol(E2)level and endometrial thickness on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG)administration,number of oocytes retrieved and mature oocytes,ovarian hyperstimulation syn-drome(OHSS)rate,implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly higher in group A than group B(P<0.05),and significantly higher cancellation rate of fresh embryo transfer was observed in group B(P<0.001).(2)When divided by ages,no mat-ter in sub-group a1 or sub-group a2,the implantation rate was slightly lower in GnRH-ant protocol than in GnRH-a long protocol, although they failed to reach significant difference(sub-group a1:32.6%vs 39.8%,P=0.067;sub-group a2:9.7%vs 17.9%,P=0.066). The clinical pregnancy rate was comparable using these two protocols in sub-group a1(54.8%vs 50.4%,P=0.429),but it was significantly lower by using GnRH-ant protocol than GnRH-a long protocol in sub-group a2(19.6%vs 39.1%,P=0.021).(3) When divided by numbers of oocytes retrieved,the implantation rate was significantly lower when using GnRH-ant protocol in sub-group b1(13.1%vs 26.0%,P=0.026),but we failed to observe significant differences in other two sub-groups. The clinical preg-nancy rates were comparable in all sub-groups ,whereas differed considerably in sub-group b1 (36.6% vs 19.3%,P = 0.056).[Conclusion]Overall,the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were higher in GnRH-a long protocol than those in GnRH-ant protocol. Nevertheless,GnRH-ant protocol could reduce the dosage of Gn,shorten the treatment duration,and effectively reduce the occurrence of OHSS. There were similar pregnancy outcomes in two protocols for normal responders and high responders ,while for advanced patients or other poor responders,the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were higher in GnRH-a protocol.

Objective To compare the image quality of carotid contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography(ceMRA)under different flow rates using high relaxation rate contrast agent named Gadobutrol,and to find the best flow rate for carotid ceMRA.Methods Total of 117 patients,who were scheduled to perform carotid ceMRA examination using Gadobutrol with a dosage of 0.1 mL/kg body weight on a 1.5T MR platform,were enrolled in the study.They were divided into four groups according to four kinds of flow rates,which were 1.0 mL/s(n=29),1.5 mL/s(n=30),2.0 mL/s(n=30)and 3.0 mL/s(n=28).The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of bilateral carotid initiation and bilateral carotid bifurcation were calculated.The SNR of carotid initiation or carotid bifurca-tion between different flow rates were compared.And the scores of image quality among different flow rates were also compared.Results For bilateral carotid bifurcations and carotid initiations,the SNR under 1.5 mL/s were highest,which were significantly higher than those under 1.0 mL/s,while there were no significant differences between each two other flow rates.For the bilateral carotid bifurca-tions,the SNR under 1.0 mL/s were lower than those under other flow rates,and were significantly lower than those under 1.5 mL/s and 3.0 mL/s.The score of the image quality at 1.0 mL/s was significantly lower than that under other flow rates.The score of the image quality at 1.5 mL/s was the highest,but no significant difference was found compared to that at 2.0 mL/s or 3.0 mL/s.Conclusion The rate of 1.5 mL/s is recommended as the best flow rate for carotid ceMRA with Gadobutrol based on 1.5T MR.

Objective To explore the value of one-stop spectral CT scanning of computer tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) combined with abdominal-pelvic enhancement in preoperative evaluation for patients with gynecological tumors. Methods Ninety-six patients with gynecological tumors who received both spectral CTPA and abdominal-pelvic enhanced CT examination at Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen Branch), Fudan University, between January 2022 and December 2023 were collected. The conventional scanning group (n＝48) received two independent spectral CT scans with twice contrast injections, while the one-stop scanning group (n＝48) received one-stop spectral CTPA and abdominal-pelvic enhancement with once contrast injection. Virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) at 65 keV for CTPA, 50 keV VMIs for abdominal-pelvic enhancement, contrast-enhanced iodine maps and effective atomic number images for the two parts were generated for all patients. The scanning parameters such as contrast agent dose, scanning duration, objective parameters of the images (CT values, iodine concentration, effective atomic number, etc.), as well as overall image quality score, the confidence score in diagnosing pulmonary embolization (PE), and the conspicuity of gynecological tumors were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 24 cases (25%) of PE were found in 96 patients. Compared with the conventional scanning group, the one-stop scanning group showed a significant reduction in contrast agent dosage ([62.88±3.59]mL vs [98.52±2.63] mL, P＜0.001) and scan duration ([95.94±0.38]s vs [108.91±0.35]s, P＜0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in dose length product (DLP), volume CT dose index, and effective dose (ED) between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in objective parameters and subjective image scores between the two groups of patients’ CTPA images, abdominal and pelvic CT plain scans, and enhanced images. All image scores were ≥3 points, meeting the diagnostic requirements. There was no statistically significant difference of confidence score in diagnosing PE and the ability to display tumor lesions between the two groups. Conclusions In comparison to conventional scanning, one-stop spectral scanning provides comparable image quality, confidence in diagnosing PE, and the conspicuity of gynecological tumors under a lower contrast agent dosage, a shorter scanning time, and a less patient waiting time in the preoperative evaluation for patients with gynecologic tumors, which is highly valuable.

OBJECTIVETo understand the illegal sidenafil use among middle-aged and elderly male clients of female sex workers (FSWs) in central region of Guangxi as well as on related risk factors. Initial evaluation regarding the effect of illegal sidenafil use on HIV infection among the middle-aged and elderly men was also conducted.

METHODSA survey was conducted among the over 50-year-olds male clients of low-grade prostitutions in central areas of Guangxi. Information on demographics, related behavior, and illegal sidenafil use was collected. 5 ml blood sample were taken to test antibodies of HIV and syphilis. PASW Statistics 18.0 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS2 056 questionnaires were completed. 23.1% of the participants said they had ever used illegal sidenafil. The risk of sildenafil use was low among the male clients who were not over 60 years old (OR = 0.586, 95% CI:0.459-0.749). The risks of sildenafil use among the male clients with frequencies(in the past 30 days) of having commercial sex behavior were:only once (OR = 0.184, 95%CI:0.090- 0.378), twice (OR = 0.187, 95%CI:0.089-0.378) or three times (OR = 0.181, 95%CI: 0.085-0.384) lower than those with more than five times. Being single (OR = 0.608, 95% CI: 0.396-0.933), married/cohabiting (OR = 0.533, 95% CI:0.391-0.727), having unstable partners (OR = 0.558, 95%CI:0.393-0.792) seemed to be protective on those who used sildenafil, among the study population. Factors as 'never use the condom (OR = 1.642, 95%CI:1.125-2.397) or 'seldom use as condom (OR = 1.840, 95%CI:1.278-2.648) when having commercial sex, were under high risk among the sildenafil users. Forty-seven subjects were HIV positive, with the prevalence as 2.29% in this study population. Male clients of the FSWs who used sidenafil were under 60 years of age and with higher risk of HIV infection.

CONCLUSIONpeople who were ≥60 years old, divorced/widowed/ separated, with frequencies (in the past 30 days) of having commercial sex more than 5 times, never or occasionally using a condom when having commercial sex etc., appeared at high risk. Middle-aged and elderly male clients who used sildenafil or sildenafil-like drugs were under high risk of contracting HIV infection.

Age Distribution ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Condoms ; utilization ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Piperazines ; administration & dosage ; Prescription Drug Misuse ; legislation & jurisprudence ; Prevalence ; Purines ; administration & dosage ; Risk Factors ; Sex Work ; Sex Workers ; Sexual Partners ; Sildenafil Citrate ; Sulfonamides ; administration & dosage ; Syphilis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo understand the current situation and characteristics of commercial sexual behavior among old male clients in Guangxi, and to explore the associated risk factors of HIV infection.

METHODSThe areas in Guangxi where more old male HIV cases were reported followed by survey on those male clients who were over 60 years of age, were selected. A total of 5 ml blood sample was collected to test antibodies of HIV and syphilis. Risk factors were calculated by the multivariate logistic analysis method.

RESULTSA total of 1 236 questionnaires were completed in the survey. 65.61% of the old male clients were from low-grade venues with 53.64% of them never using a condom when engaging in commercial sex behavior. 47.33% of them patronized sex workers for around 10 years. 53.32% of them patronized prostitutes not less than 2 times in the last 30 days. Thirty subjects were HIV positive (2.43%) and 40 were syphilis positive (3.24%). Factor as 'having fixed partners' (OR = 0.302, 95% CI:0.140-0.650) appeared protective for the old male clients of HIV infection, with a history of patronizing sex workers from 1 to 5 years (OR = 2.552, 95% CI: 1.086-5.998). Frequency of patronizing sex workers not less than 4 times in the last 30 days (OR = 3.002, 95%CI:1.047-8.607) seemed the high risk factor of HIV infection.

CONCLUSIONOlder-aged male clients showed high HIV and syphilis infection rates in Guangxi, and most of them were using the low-grade venues. Commercial sexual behaviors in the areas would include early and, frequent exposure, but with poor protections. High risk factors of HIV infection might relate to "no fixed sexual partners" and "frequently commercial sexual behavior".

Aged ; Antibodies ; China ; epidemiology ; Condoms ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Sex Work ; statistics & numerical data ; Sex Workers ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis ; epidemiology