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BACKGROUNDThe feasibility of the mapping of quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) named flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery exempting separate T1 measurement (FAIREST) is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of FAIREST in the measurement of regional CBF (rCBF) in healthy volunteers.

METHODSEighteen healthy volunteers underwent magnetic resonance (MR) scanning with the sequence of FAIREST. While they were at rest, rCBF values were obtained in various brain regions of interest (ROIs). The same scheme was repeated on every subject after two weeks. Statistical analysis was made to determine the effect of location, scan and side on the measurement of rCBF.

RESULTSThe mean CBF values were (122+/-28) ml x (100 g)(-1) x min(-1) and (43+/-10) ml x (100 g)(-1) x min(-1) in the gray and white matter respectively. There was significant main effect of location (t=-12.5, P<0.01), but no significant effect of side. Paired t-test of ROIs in the same slice showed no significant difference in most sites between two scans, except in the gray matter of the bilateral frontal lobes (t=2.18-2.34, P <0.05). However, the rCBF values of the same structure obtained from different slices showed a significant difference (t=-3.49, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONFAIREST is a reliable technique in the measurement of rCBF, but different imaging slice may affect the agreement of rCBF across the scans.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male

7.The introduction of breastfeeding in children under age of three in the counties of western China in 2005.

Yi-jun KANG ; Hong YAN ; Quan-li WANG ; Qiang LI ; Sheng-bin XIAO ; Yu-xue BI ; Hong XIE

Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2007;28(2):109-114

OBJECTIVEThe study was to describe the breastfeeding status of children under the age of three in counties of western China and to provide evidence to the government for decision-making on intervention.

METHODSA cross-sectional study with probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) sampling method was used. The information on breastfeeding was obtained through memory of the mothers. Fourteen thousand and seventy-seven children were studied. Data on breastfed status in counties of western China was compared with those of the children from the survey of the counties of western China in 2001.

RESULTSThe breastfeeding rate of children under 3 years old in western China was 96.5%. However, the overall breastfed rate of children under 6 months were only 33.4%, with rates of 11.4% and 22.0% on exclusively and predominantly breastfed groups respectively. Timely first-suckling rate was 43.5% with the continued breastfeeding rate (1 year) as 64.9%, but the continued breastfeeding rate (2 year) was only 9.7%. Reasons causing mothers to wean would include according to her own intention and to be able to attend the physical labor while exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months was for the growth and development of children, which might reduce the two-week prevalence of diarrhea. Major risks of exclusive breastfeeding of children under 6 months were seen as: level of education of the mothers, economic depression of the counties and mother's nationality (if as minority).

CONCLUSIONMost of the children were ever or being breastfed at the time of interview with timely first-suckling took place earlier than in 2001. However continued breastfeeding did not last long. During these five years, the exclusive breastfeeding rate had been at low level, especially at the economic depression and the minority area.