132 research outputs found
The politics of fashion: perceptions of power in female clothing and ornamentation as reflected in the sixteenth-century Chinese novel Jin Ping Mei
No full textThis thesis examines issues of female power and influence in sixteenth-century China focusing on how women and their roles were perceived in the changing social environment of the mid-late Ming dynasty. Using aspects of a New Historicist approach, information from contemporary literary and historical sources are analysed alongside each other. With its emphasis on the lives of women and preoccupation with the description of material objects, the late Ming novel Jin Ping Mei forms an important element in the thesis. China in the sixteenth century saw expanding urbanisation, the emergence of a new wealthy merchant class, increasing visibility of women and a questioning of traditional morality. Fashion consciousness, as one of the most conspicuous aspects of the new material culture, is a possible indicator of these trends. Traditional Western theories contend that fashion began in the particular context of Renaissance Europe. However, this study argues that a similar fashion awareness existed in China too, and was manifested in a competitive striving for social status, in this case specifically among women. In contrast to previous studies which downplayed the impact women had on defining traditional Chinese culture, this thesis demonstrates how women and their sartorial choices began to redefine the boundaries of material culture, influencing literati discourse which, in turn, re- influenced female behaviour
A review of surgical and audiological outcomes of bonebridge at tertiary centres in Malaysia
No full textA new experience of auditory brainstem implantation in Malaysia
No full textAuditory brainstem implantation (ABI) is the only solution to restore hearing when cochlear nerves are disrupted together with the pathologies where bilateral cochleae do not provide a suitable location for cochlear implantation. We reported first two successful auditory brainstem implantation cases in patients with neurofibromatosis Type II (NF2) with bilateral acoustic neuroma causing bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss in Malaysia. A good candidate selection, dedicated surgeons and rehabilitation team as well as strong family support are the crucial factors in achieving the best possible surgical, audiological and speech outcomes
Hospital-Based Study of the Economic Burden Associated with Rotavirus Diarrhea in Taiwan
No full textRotavirus infection is the most important cause of diarrheal illness in small children in both developed and developing countries. In addition to causing morbidity and mortality in children, the treatment of rotavirus gastroenteritis is a major economic burden on the health care system and families . The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic burden associated with rotavirus infection in Taiwan. To do this, we combined data on the disease burden of a rotavirus- associated hospital admission with detailed cost data for a sample of 2,600 children with diarrhea who were admitted to the hospital. The annual total social and hospital costs for rotavirus-associated admission calculated from data collected during April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2003 was US 10.4 million , respectively. On average, families spent US $294 when their child's admission was associated with rotavirus infection; this cost represents similar to 40% of the monthly salary of an unskilled or service worker. In conclusion, these data emphasize the potential for a safe and effective rotavirus vaccine to reduce the economic burden associated with rotavirus disease . (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Clinical experience in Endoscopic Endonasal Transpterygoid Nasopharyngectomy (EETN) in local residual or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma
No full textIntroduction: Endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid nasopharyngectomy (EETN) has emerged as a viable treatment option for
local residual or recurrent NPC. Multidisciplinary discussion is needed to determine patient’s eligibility for EETN. The factors that
exclude patients from EETN surgery include extensive involvement of parapharyngeal space, internal carotid artery, cavernous
sinus with multiple cranial nerve palsies, extension into brain parenchymal and presence of distant metastasis. The surgery is
purely via endoscope with four hands technique. Adequate sinonasal corridor with extended medial maxillectomy and posterior
septectomy is crucial to have panoramic view of the field of surgery. Methods: A retrospective clinical record review was carried
out for EETN cases done in Sarawak General Hospital from June 2013 till May 2017. Results: A total of 55 locally recurrent NPC
patients (rT1–rT4) underwent EETN with curative intent performed by single skull base surgeon, with postoperative adjuvant
chemotherapy but without postoperative radiotherapy. There were no major postoperative complications. During a mean
follow-up period of 18-month post-surgery, five patients (9.1%) had residual disease or recurrence at the primary site. All five
patients underwent re-surgery. One patient at rT3 passed away 6 months after re-surgery due to distant metastasis complicated
with septicaemia. The 1-year local disease-free rate was 93% and the 1-year overall survival rate was 98%. Conclusion: EETN
is an emerging treatment option for locally recurrent NPC, with relatively low morbidity and encouraging short-term outcome.
However, successful surgical outcome requires an experienced team and highly s
congenital Hearing loss in mandarin
No full textCongenital hearing loss, early detection and treatment in mandari
Graduate education of library science in China: Current status and recommendations for improvement
No full textMore than twenty years ago, Wuhan University and Nanjing University offered library science (LS) graduate programs. Since then, LS graduate education has been grow-ing quickly in many aspects. At the same time, however, LS graduate education was also facing enormous challenges stemming from the dynamic development and wide applications of information technologies into the pedagogical arena of teaching and learning at all levels. Social evolution also made it necessary for LS educators to re-examine once again their graduate education model, curricular composition, educational philosophy and educational missions. In analyzing the present situation of LS graduate education in China, this paper focuses on the following issues: 1) Growing size of LS graduate education (quantity and quality); 2) educational objectives, including research direction and placement for graduates; 3) structure of knowledge and curricular construction; 4) conditions of administering a library school of high quality and 5) the management of teaching resources. The keystone of this paper is to pinpoint where current library science curricular de.ciencies are lying. It is hoped that more serious scholarly discussions and perhaps also even concerted efforts among LS scholars and library practioners may be evoked in having the graduate education system of library and information science thoroughly realigned for the informational needs of the 21st century.</p
Transnasal Endoscopic Treatment of Pterygopalatine Fossa and Infratemporal Fossa Malignancies
No full textThe transnasal endoscopic resection of pterygopalatine fossa andinfratemporal fossa malignancies is an alternative surgical tech-nique to open approaches. With the advancement of endoscopicinstrumentation and better understanding of endoscopic skullbase anatomy, a dramatic milestone has been achieved in trans-nasal endoscopic skull base surgery. This approach not onlyprovides better visualization and manipulation of tissues in ananatomically complex area, but also dramatically reduces the sur-gical complication and morbidity rates. Reports also showed thatpiecemeal or layered resection of sinonasal malignancies intransnasal endoscopic surgery did not compromise the oncologicresection. This method maximizes the chances of complete resec-tion and good postoperative surveillance
Role of endoscopic endonasal surgery in recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid nasopharyngectomy
No full textEndoscopic sinus surgery training courses: Benefit and problems – a multicenter evaluation
No full textIntroduction: Dissection courses are important for trainees and surgeons in
mastering the skills required to perform endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) which is
a common surgery in otorhinolaryngology.
Aim: To evaluate the benefits of ESS training courses and ways to improve
training.
Material and methods: In a prospective study using a structured questionnaire, participants of ESS courses in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, India and
Thailand were asked on their experiences in these courses and suggestions on
improving them.
Results and discussion: The majority of the participants have experiences
in performing ESS prior to joining the course. Infundibulotomy was considered
the easiest dissection step in ESS while frontal sinus surgery was considered the
most challenging by the majority of the participants. The motivation for most
of the participants in joining the course is to improve their skills with almost
all stating that their expectations of the course have been fulfilled with improvement of their surgical techniques, anatomical skills and on patient’s safety. Almost all the participants were satisfied with the course and would recommend
attending it.
Conclusions: ESS dissection courses are an integral part in the learning process of trainees in becoming a competent surgeon and for surgeons to improve their
techniques. Continuous improvement should be made to ensure that the participants will benefit from attending the cours
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