Clinical risk factors of prediabetes in Taiwanese women without substance uses (tobacco, alcohol, or areca nut).

PubMed

Wu, Wei-Chun; Lin, Pei-Chen; Hung, Chun-Chi; Lin, Hung-Hsun; Cheng, Ching-Mei; Lee, Chung-Yin; Chiu, Kuei-Fen; Lin, Wen-Yi; Huang, Chia-Tsuan; Wu, Ming-Tsang

2015-12-01

Individuals with prediabetes (100-125 mg/dL) and diabetes mellitus (DM) increase the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Since personal substance use such as cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and areca nut chewing may confound the true effect of clinical biochemistries on the risk of prediabetes, this study aims to examine the relationship between clinical biochemical parameters and the risk of prediabetes among Taiwanese without the habits of consuming tobacco, alcohol drinking, or areca nut. Women aged between 40 years and 64 years who came to one community teaching hospital between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2008 for general health screening for the first time were studied. The general health screening is provided every 3 years gratis. The package of this health screening includes personal history, physical examination, and biochemical tests in serum and urine. In total, 8580 nonsmoking, nondrinking, and nonareca nut chewing women who did not have a history of DM were eligible for this study. Of these, 1861 (21.7%) out of 8580 women were prediabetic. Compared to women with normal fasting glucose (NFG), we found a dose-response relationship of the risk of prediabetes with age and body mass index (BMI) and total cholesterol, triglyceride, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and uric acid in serum. Women with hypertension or proteinuria (≥30 mg/dL) had also an increased risk to have prediabetes. Besides age, the factors of BMI, hypertension, dyslipidemia, GPT, hyperuricemia, and proteinuria are the main risk factors for prediabetes in Taiwanese women without substance uses. A follow-up study is necessary to clarify the causality of these important biochemical parameters and prediabetes. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Depressive symptoms in Taiwanese women during the peri- and post-menopause years: associations with demographic, health, and psychosocial characteristics.

PubMed

Wang, Hui-Ling; Booth-LaForce, Cathryn; Tang, Shan-Mei; Wu, Wan-Ru; Chen, Chung-Hey

2013-08-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal Taiwanese women, and to investigate the relation between depressive symptoms and demographic variables, chronic disease status, health habits, stress management, menopausal symptoms, and attitudes toward menopause and aging. Cross-sectional study, using a purposive sample of 566 women between 45 and 60 years of age from a medical center and residential community in Southern Taiwan. Demographic and health habits questionnaire, Women's Health Initiative Symptom Scale, Attitudes Toward Menopause and Aging Scale, and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). The prevalence of depressive symptoms (CES-D score≥16) was 38.7% in peri- and post-menopausal Taiwanese women. Bivariate correlations and analyses of variance indicated that higher CES-D scores were related to lower family income, younger age, smoking for a greater number of years, consuming more alcohol, having multiple chronic diseases, not exercising regularly, consulting with a specialist for stress management, having more severe menopausal symptoms, and more negative attitudes toward menopause and aging. A stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the key predictors, accounting for 33.7% of the variance, were menopausal symptoms, attitudes toward menopause and aging, family income, and chronic disease status. Results highlight the importance of considering psychosocial factors, life style, and chronic disease management in providing health guidance for peri- and post-menopausal women to enhance their quality of life and reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Functions of autobiographical memory in Taiwanese and American emerging adults.

PubMed

Liao, Hsiao-Wen; Bluck, Susan; Alea, Nicole; Cheng, Ching-Ling

2016-01-01

The study addresses cultural and person-level factors contributing to emerging adult's use of memory to serve adaptive functions. The focus is on three functions: self-continuity, social-bonding and directing-behaviour. Taiwanese (N = 85, 52 women) and American (N = 95, 51 women) emerging adults completed the Thinking about Life Experiences scale, and measures of trait personality, self-concept clarity and future time perspective. Findings show that individuals from both cultures use memory to serve these three functions, but Taiwanese individuals use memory more frequently than Americans to maintain self-continuity. Culture also interacted with person-level factors: in Taiwan, but not America, memory is more frequently used to create self-continuity in individuals high in conscientiousness. Across cultures, having lower self-concept clarity was related to greater use of memory to create self-continuity. Findings are discussed in terms of how memory serves functions in context and specific aspects of the Taiwanese and American cultural context that may predict the functional use of memory in emerging adulthood.

Three-dimensional ultrasonography measurement of fetal nasal bone length during the midtrimester in Taiwanese women.

PubMed

Yang, Pei-Yin; Wu, Joung-Liang; Yeh, Guang-Perng; Tsung-Che Hsieh, Charles

2012-09-01

To evaluate the normal range of the fetal nasal bone length (NBL) in Taiwanese women using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound, and compare the NBL of normal fetuses with Down syndrome to determine its significance in screening for trisomy 21. A total of 102 consecutive fetuses and another 7 fetuses with trisomy 21, determined by karyotyping at 15-22 weeks' gestation, were evaluated with 3D ultrasound before amniocentesis at Changhua Christian Hospital between November 2003 and April 2004. The normal range for NBL in the second trimester in the Taiwanese population was investigated, and a linear relationship with gestational age was noted. The NBL increased with advancing gestational age (NBL in cm=0.0264×gestational age in weeks -0.042 (R(2)=0.2416). The median of the biparietal diameter/nasal bone length ratio had a stable value which tended to change minimally between 15 and 22 weeks of gestation. Chromosomally normal fetuses had statistically longer nasal bones than fetuses with Down syndrome (p=0.014). We present a reference range for 3D ultrasound measurement of the fetal NBL. A short nasal bone at 15 to 22 weeks is associated with a high risk of trisomy 21. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Sex life and role identity in Taiwanese women during menopause: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Yang, Cheng-Fang; Kenney, Nancy J; Chang, Ting-Chen; Chang, Shiow-Ru

2016-04-01

Our goal was to examine Taiwanese women's perspectives on the way menopause affected their sexual behaviour to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences during this transition. Physical symptoms associated with menopause may affect women's sexual experiences. Little is known about how menopause-related changes in sexual behaviour may affect role identity of women living in a modernizing urban culture that is still strongly rooted in traditional beliefs and attitudes. This was a qualitative study involving face-to-face interviews using open-ended questions. During 2011-2012, eighteen peri or postmenopausal women visiting a medical clinic for gynaecological examinations or treatment were interviewed about their sexual experiences. Responses were analysed for common themes. Four themes were identified about the effects of menopause on women's sex life: (1) changes in physical responses during sex; (2) the acceptance/non-acceptance of the current situation; (3) sexual pressure related to their marital role; (4) efforts to improve sexual interest or activity. Menopause-related physical changes often (but not always) made sexual interactions difficult. But women's responses to the changes varied. Some used sexual discomfort as a reason to avoid sexual intercourse. Others sought to improve their sexual encounters through behavioural modifications or hormone therapy. Given the variety of reactions to the impact of menopause on sexual behaviour/relationships seen here, it is clear that health professionals need to assess of each woman's specific situation and be prepared to recommend a variety of behavioural or hormonal treatment options. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Caring for women undergoing cardiac ablation.

PubMed

Keegan, Beryl

2008-09-01

Radiofrequency cardiac ablation (RFCA) has become the treatment of choice for many cardiac arrhythmias that have not responded to medication. Complications of cardiac ablation include bleeding, thrombosis, pericardial tamponade, and stroke. Many complications are procedure specific, and several complications can be avoided with appropriate nursing care. Quality patient outcomes begin with competent nursing care. Therefore it is vital for a patient undergoing a percutaneous cardiac ablation procedure to receive supportive care and pre- and post-interventional patient education. This article discusses the nursing care of women undergoing RFCA.

Risk Factors for Suicide in Taiwanese College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gau, Susan Shur-Fen; Chen, Ying-Yeh; Tsai, Fang-Ju; Lee, Ming-Been; Chiu, Yen-Nan; Soong, Wei-Tsuen; Hwu, Hai-Gwo

2008-01-01

Objective: The authors investigated the personality characteristics, psychopathology, parenting style, and family function among Taiwanese college students with high, moderate, and low suicidal risks. Participants: The sample included 2,919 first-year college students (1,414 men, 1,505 women) from a university in Taipei, Taiwan. Methods: A…

The effects of mid-life socioeconomic disadvantage and perceived social support on trajectories of subsequent depressive symptoms among older Taiwanese women.

PubMed

Chen, Yun-Yu; Chiao, Chi; Ksobiech, Kate

2014-04-21

Scant research has taken a life-course perspective to explore the longitudinal impact of socioeconomic disadvantage and perceived social support on the psychological well-being of older women. We sought to explore whether socioeconomic disadvantage and perceived social support in mid-life are associated with subsequent depressive symptomatology among older Taiwanese women. This study was based on data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging conducted on a nationally representative sample (n = 1,073) of women aged 50 and above with a 12-year follow up. Mid-life socioeconomic disadvantage was assessed by socioeconomic status (SES) (i.e., educational attainment, major lifetime occupation in adulthood, and employment status) and economic strain. Perceived social support included three dimensions: listening, caring, and sick care. We used the short form of the Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale that measures depressive symptomatology within two domains (negative affect and lack of positive affect). Growth curve models were employed to predict the relationships between mid-life socioeconomic disadvantage, perceived social support, and subsequent depressive trajectories, controlling for aging effects. Multivariate analyses demonstrated older women in a socioeconomic disadvantaged position are more likely to report higher initial levels of depressive symptoms in both domains; lack of formal education did not exacerbate depressive symptoms in the lack of positive affect domain over time. In addition, mid-life perceived positive social support in caring and sick care was associated with lower initial levels of depressive symptoms in both domains. Our results suggest independent effects of mid-life socioeconomic disadvantage and perceived social support on subsequent depressive symptomatology among older Taiwanese women.

Determining the cut-off point of osteoporosis based on the osteoporosis self-assessment tool, body mass index and weight in Taiwanese young adult women.

PubMed

Chang, Shu Fang; Yang, Rong Sen

2014-09-01

To examine the cut-off point of the osteoporosis self-assessment tool, age, weight and body mass index for osteoporosis among young adult Taiwanese women, using a large-scale health examination database containing bone mineral density tests. The cut-off points of osteoporosis risk factors identified earlier focus on menopausal or senior Caucasian and Asian women. However, young adult Asian women have seldom been identified. A retrospective historical cohort study. Using the 2009-2011 health examination database of a large-scale medical centre in northern Taiwan, this study investigated young adult Asian women (i.e. range in age from 30-49 years) in Taiwan who had received dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry test. This study also explored the cut-off point, sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of receiver operating characteristics of osteoporosis among young adult females in Taiwan. This study collected 2454 young adult Asian women in Taiwan. Cochran-Armitage analysis results indicated that the prevalence of osteoporosis increased with decreasing weight, body mass index and osteoporosis self-assessment method quartiles. According to the results of receiver operating characteristics, weight, body mass index and osteoporosis self-assessment tool approaches can generally be used as indicators to predict osteoporosis among young adult Asian women. Results of this study demonstrate that Taiwanese women contracting osteoporosis tend to be young and underweight, as well as having a low body mass index and osteoporosis self-assessment scores. Those results further suggest that the assessment indicators for cut-off points are appropriately suitable for young adult women in Taiwan. Early detection is the only available means of preventing osteoporosis. Professional nurses should apply convenient and accurate assessment procedures to help young adult women to adopt preventive strategies against osteoporosis early, thus eliminating the probability of osteoporotic

Developmental status and home environment among children born to immigrant women married to Taiwanese men.

PubMed

Chen, Chwen-Jen; Hsu, Chiung-Wen; Chu, Yu-Roo; Han, Kuo-Chiang; Chien, Li-Yin

2012-04-01

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to examine (a) the developmental status and home environments of children (6-24 months) of immigrant women married to Taiwanese men, and (b) the association of child developmental status with parental socio-demographics, maternal language abilities, and home environment qualities. Participants were 61 children and their mothers from China and Vietnam. Data were collected with interviews, home observations, and developmental testing. The children had lower cognitive and language but higher motor and social development scores compared with native norms. Home environment and maternal perceived language ability were positively associated with child development. The association of home environment and maternal language ability with early childhood development was supported for immigrant populations in Taiwan. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Taiwanese maternal health in the postpartum nursing centre.

PubMed

Hung, Chich-Hsiu; Yu, Ching-Yun; Ou, Chu-Chun; Liang, Wei-Wen

2010-04-01

To investigate the association between postpartum stress as well as social support and the general health status of women recently discharged from postpartum nursing centres where the ritual of Tso-Yueh-Tzu is followed. Taiwanese women stay in postpartum nursing centres to take care of their newborn babies and perform the traditional Chinese ritual of Tso-Yueh-Tzu, the custom of a postpartum month-long rest. A non-experimental research design was used in the study. Two hundred and fifty-eight postpartum women who had stayed in postpartum nursing centres for at least 20 days were recruited at eight postpartum nursing centres in the Kaohsiung metropolitan area of southern Taiwan. They were administered the Hung Postpartum Stress Scale, the Social Support Scale and the Chinese Health Questionnaire. Women without minor psychiatric morbidity had higher social support, lower postpartum stress and longer length-of-stays in the postpartum care centre than women with minor psychiatric morbidity. Postpartum stress revolved around changes in body shape. A one-point increase in postpartum stress increased the likelihood that a mother would suffer minor psychiatric morbidity by 1.04 times; while giving birth to a boy decreased that likelihood by 0.51 times. This study found Tso-Yueh-Tzu as practised in postpartum nursing centres gave the postpartum women the opportunity to receive tangible support and, therefore, helped decrease postpartum stress and improved their general health. The greatest source of postpartum stress was concern over negative body changes. The postpartum nursing centre plays an important role in helping postpartum Taiwanese women observe the traditional ritual of Tso-Yueh-Tzu and in improving these women's general health. These centres may want to pay more attention to providing exercise that promotes body toning and relaxation.

Gender differences in recreational sports participation among Taiwanese adults.

PubMed

Tsai, Liang-Ting; Lo, Feng-En; Yang, Chih-Chien; Keller, Joseph Jordan; Lyu, Shu-Yu

2015-01-15

This study examines the gender differences in the enjoyment of recreational sports participation among Taiwanese adults. Data were obtained using the 2007 Taiwan Social Change Survey. The questionnaire included a topical module of the International Social Survey Program regarding leisure time and sports. Results showed that male subjects were more likely to participate in recreational sports to improve their appearance and on account of their personal interest. In addition to these factors, female subjects also experienced greater motivation to participate when Taiwanese athletes performed well in international sporting competitions. This study confirmed that the factors influencing enjoyment of recreational sports participation differ among men and women. These results can be used to better inform public health professionals and other regulatory organizations formulating physical activity intervention strategies.

Associations of various perceived-stress situations with depressive symptoms in ≥50-year old Taiwanese men and women: Results from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging.

PubMed

Tsai, Hsin-Jen; Chang, Fu-Kuei

2016-01-01

This study was aimed to evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between various perceived-stress and depressive symptoms in old Taiwanese men and women aged 50 years and over. Data were derived from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. Stress for health, finance, and family members' related issues were all cross-sectionally associated with concurrent depressive symptoms for men and women (all P<0.05). Increased/constant-high health stress was positively associated with subsequent depressive symptoms in both genders (all P<0.05). Constantly high job stress and increased stress over family members' problems were associated with higher likelihood of subsequent depressive symptoms in men (P<0.05). Constantly high/increased financial stress and relationship strain with family members were positively associated with subsequent depressive symptoms in women (all P<0.05). The results suggest that stress for health, job, finance, and family members-related issues are unequally associated with depressive symptoms among Taiwanese men and women aged 50 years and over. Changes of health stress even reduced are significantly associated with subsequent depressive symptoms. Long-term job stress and increased stress over family members' problems increase occurrences of men's depressive symptoms, while increased/long-term financial stress and relationship-strain with family members increase occurrences of women's depressive symptoms. Long-term high health stress has more impacts on men's depressive symptoms than women's, while long-term high relationship strain with family members has more impacts on women's depressive symptoms than men's. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Frequent shopping by men and women increases survival in the older Taiwanese population.

PubMed

Chang, Yu-Hung; Chen, Rosalind Chia-Yu; Wahlqvist, Mark L; Lee, Meei-Shyuan

2012-07-01

Active ageing is a key to healthy ageing; shopping behaviour is an economically relevant activity of the elderly. Analysis was based on the NAHSIT 1999-2000 dataset. A total of 1841 representative free-living elderly Taiwanese people were selected and information included demographics, socioeconomic status, health behaviours, shopping frequencies, physical function and cognitive function. These data were linked to official death records. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate shopping frequency on death from 1999-2008 with possible covariate adjustment. Highly frequent shopping compared to never or rarely predicted survival (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.67) with adjustment for physical function and cognitive function and other covariates HR was 0.73 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.93). Elderly who shopped every day have 27% less risk of death than the least frequent shoppers. Men benefited more from everyday shopping than women with decreased HR 28% versus 23% compared to the least. Shopping behaviour favourably predicts survival. Highly frequent shopping may favour men more than women. Shopping captures several dimensions of personal well-being, health and security as well as contributing to the community's cohesiveness and economy and may represent or actually confer increased longevity.

Multimodel assessment of BRCA1 mutations in Taiwanese (ethnic Chinese) women with early-onset, bilateral or familial breast cancer.

PubMed

Kuo, Wen-Hong; Lin, Po-Han; Huang, Ai-Chu; Chien, Yin-Hsiu; Liu, Tsang-Pai; Lu, Yen-Shen; Bai, Li-Yuan; Sargeant, Aaron M; Lin, Ching-Hung; Cheng, Ann-Lii; Hsieh, Fon-Jou; Hwu, Wuh-Liang; Chang, King-Jen

2012-02-01

Although evidence suggests an importance of genetic factors in the development of breast cancer in Taiwanese (ethnic Chinese) women, including a high incidence of early-onset and secondary contralateral breast cancer, a major breast cancer predisposition gene, BRCA1, has not been well studied in this population. In fact, the carcinogenic impacts of many genetic variants of BRCA1 are unknown and classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). It is therefore important to establish a method to characterize the BRCA1 VUSs and understand their role in Taiwanese breast cancer patients. Accordingly, we developed a multimodel assessment strategy consisting of a prescreening portion and a validated functional assay to study breast cancer patients with early-onset, bilateral or familial breast cancer. We found germ-line BRCA1 mutations in 11.1% of our cohort and identified one novel missense mutation, c.5191C>A. Two genetic variants were initially classified as VUSs (c.1155C>T and c.5191C>A). c.1155C>T is not predicted to be deleterious in the prescreening portion of our assessment strategy. c.5191C>A, on the other hand, causes p.T1691K, which is predicted to have high deleterious probability because of significant structural alteration, a high deleterious score in the predictive programs and, clinically, triple negative characteristics in breast tumors. This mutant is confirmed by transcription activation and yeast growth-inhibition assays. In conclusion, we show as high a prevalence of germ-line BRCA1 mutation in high-risk Taiwanese patients as in Caucasians and demonstrate a useful strategy for studying BRCA1 VUSs.

Gender Differences in Recreational Sports Participation among Taiwanese Adults

PubMed Central

Tsai, Liang-Ting; Lo, Feng-En; Yang, Chih-Chien; Keller, Joseph Jordan; Lyu, Shu-Yu

2015-01-01

This study examines the gender differences in the enjoyment of recreational sports participation among Taiwanese adults. Data were obtained using the 2007 Taiwan Social Change Survey. The questionnaire included a topical module of the International Social Survey Program regarding leisure time and sports. Results showed that male subjects were more likely to participate in recreational sports to improve their appearance and on account of their personal interest. In addition to these factors, female subjects also experienced greater motivation to participate when Taiwanese athletes performed well in international sporting competitions. This study confirmed that the factors influencing enjoyment of recreational sports participation differ among men and women. These results can be used to better inform public health professionals and other regulatory organizations formulating physical activity intervention strategies. PMID:25599374

Political Ideology and Taiwanese School Curricula

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Su, Ya-Chen

2006-01-01

Taiwanese textbooks play a central role in Taiwanese education. In the wake of the political reform and social protest movements of the 1970s and 1980s that prompted Taiwanese educational reform, critics have charged that traditional curricula tend to reinforce the dominant national Chinese cultural identity. The purpose of this article is to…

The anxiety of Taiwanese women with or without continuity treatment after previous in vitro fertilisation failure.

PubMed

Su, Tsann-Juu; Tzeng, Ya-Ling; Kuo, Pi-Chao

2011-08-01

To compare the anxiety levels of Taiwanese women who continued with in vitro fertilisation treatment and those who discontinued treatment post-in vitro fertilisation failure. In vitro fertilisation is perceived as the last resort of infertility treatment. The impact of unsuccessful in vitro fertilisation treatment on psychological function has been documented; however, research comparing the levels of anxiety of women who cease and those who continue in vitro fertilisation post-failure is scant. A cross-sectional comparative study design was used. Fifty-eight women in whom in vitro fertilisation had failed within the previous year were recruited to this study from a medical centre in northern Taiwan; 34 women continued treatment and 24 discontinued treatment. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess their levels of anxiety. Women in the group who continued treatment exhibited higher state and trait anxiety (TA) than women in the group who discontinued treatment (p < 0·005). The number and frequency of in vitro fertilisation cycles were significantly higher in the group who continued treatment than in those who did not. A strong positive correlation between state and TA (r = 0·8, p < 0·01) existed in both groups. Both groups exhibited considerable levels of anxiety; however, the women who continued in vitro fertilisation treatment had higher levels of anxiety than those who discontinued treatment. The level of anxiety of women who decide to continue in vitro fertilisation treatment should be assessed as early as possible and counselling services provided to women who experience in vitro fertilisation failure should concentrate more on relieving psychological distress. One year after discontinuing treatment, some women still experience considerable anxiety; therefore, the care and assistance provided to these women need to be continually evaluated. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Doing the month in a Taiwanese postpartum nursing center: an ethnographic study.

PubMed

Yeh, Yueh-Chen; St John, Winsome; Venturato, Lorraine

2014-09-01

Traditionally Chinese and Taiwanese postpartum women conducted postpartum ritual practices, called "doing the month," at home. Today, many Taiwanese women undertake this ritual in postpartum nursing centers. However, little is known about how the traditional practices are being transformed in relation to contemporary health care in Taiwan. In this ethnographic study observations were carried out in a large post-partum center attached to a major hospital in Taipei for nine months, and 27 postpartum women were interviewed. Data were analyzed using ethnographic approaches to extract codes and categories. Doing the month was reshaped by being relocated from the home to a healthcare setting. Midwives took on roles traditionally taken by family members, which had an impact on family roles and relationships. Some postpartum practices were maintained, based on traditional explanations. However, many were modified or challenged, based on explanations from contemporary scientific knowledge. Midwives need to be aware that there could be differences between their culture of care and the cultural values of the women they care for. This study informs culturally appropriate postpartum care and support for women with traditional and contemporary cultural beliefs and attitudes to doing the month in a range of healthcare contexts. © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Unfinalisability and the authorship of life - Narratives of young-old women from Taiwan.

PubMed

Kok, Jin Kuan; Li, Ming-Chin

2017-08-01

This study investigates and presents the narratives of Taiwanese women who have reached the young-old stage. The narrative interview method was used for data collection from 12 Taiwanese women. After analysing the recurring themes emerging from the women's life histories, it is found that the meanings of these Taiwanese women's narratives could not be finalised according to traditional Confucian norms. These women rebelled, resisted, and resumed authorship to make changes to their lives in a patriarchal society. The women were reflexive, and had constant struggles. The findings also reveal a prominent characteristic of Taiwanese culture that emphasises relationships. The women were able to pursue their dreams to involve themselves in self-care, leisure, aesthetic activities, and classes for their personal growth and pleasure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Breast Cancer after Augmentation: Oncologic and Reconstructive Considerations among Women Undergoing Mastectomy.

PubMed

Cho, Eugenia H; Shammas, Ronnie L; Phillips, Brett T; Greenup, Rachel A; Hwang, E Shelley; Hollenbeck, Scott T

2017-06-01

Breast augmentation with subglandular versus subpectoral implants may differentially impact the early detection of breast cancer and treatment recommendations. The authors assessed the impact of prior augmentation on the diagnosis and management of breast cancer in women undergoing mastectomy. Breast cancer diagnosis and management were retrospectively analyzed in all women with prior augmentation undergoing therapeutic mastectomy at the authors' institution from 1993 to 2014. Comparison was made to all women with no prior augmentation undergoing mastectomy in 2010. Subanalyses were performed according to prior implant placement. A total of 260 women with (n = 89) and without (n = 171) prior augmentation underwent mastectomy for 95 and 179 breast cancers, respectively. Prior implant placement was subglandular (n = 27) or subpectoral (n = 63) (For five breasts, the placement was unknown). Breast cancer stage at diagnosis (p = 0.19) and detection method (p = 0.48) did not differ for women with and without prior augmentation. Compared to subpectoral augmentation, subglandular augmentation was associated with the diagnosis of invasive breast cancer rather than ductal carcinoma in situ (p = 0.01) and detection by self-palpation rather than screening mammography (p = 0.03). Immediate two-stage implant reconstruction was the preferred reconstructive method in women with augmentation (p < 0.01). Breast cancer stage at diagnosis was similar for women with and without prior augmentation. Among women with augmentation, however, subglandular implants were associated with more advanced breast tumors commonly detected on palpation rather than mammography. Increased vigilance in breast cancer screening is recommended among women with subglandular augmentation. Therapeutic, III.

Rubella Immunity in Pregnant Native Taiwanese and Immigrants from Asian Countries

PubMed Central

Zen, Yeong-Hwa; Shih, Ching-Tang; Kung, Wan-Ju; Lee, Chien-Hung; Lin, Ching-Chiang

2017-01-01

Vaccination is considered the most effective method to prevent rubella spread and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the rubella immunity among native and immigrant pregnant women in Taiwan. From 2000 to 2014, a total of 16,879 pregnant women who received routine prenatal examinations were recruited in this study. The rubella IgG antibodies were assayed using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay or chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Subjects were categorized by nationality and subcategorized by specific periods of time for comparison. The rubella susceptibility was 12.7% in total, 11.1% in Taiwanese and 20.3% in immigrant population from 2000 to 2014. Among the immigrant women, those from Vietnam had the highest susceptibility (22.3%) and those from Thailand had the lowest susceptibility (3.8%). The immigrant women from Vietnam and China showed a significantly higher susceptibility compared with the native Taiwanese women in which the odds ratio was 2.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.04–2.60), 1.96 (95% CI: 1.59–2.41), respectively (P < 0.001). It meant that immigrants from Vietnam and China had a higher likelihood of rubella susceptibility and related CRS sequela than native women. From 2000–2004 to 2010–2014 cohort, there was no obvious change in rubella susceptibility in native women, which varied between 10.0% and 11.9%. However, there was a decreasing trend of rubella susceptibility in the immigrant women overall, from 24.5% to 11.5% (P < 0.001). To eliminate congenital rubella in Taiwan, additional catch-up immunization strategies are needed. PMID:27895276

Rubella Immunity in Pregnant Native Taiwanese and Immigrants from Asian Countries.

PubMed

Zen, Yeong-Hwa; Shih, Ching-Tang; Kung, Wan-Ju; Lee, Chien-Hung; Lin, Ching-Chiang

2017-02-08

Vaccination is considered the most effective method to prevent rubella spread and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the rubella immunity among native and immigrant pregnant women in Taiwan. From 2000 to 2014, a total of 16,879 pregnant women who received routine prenatal examinations were recruited in this study. The rubella IgG antibodies were assayed using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay or chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Subjects were categorized by nationality and subcategorized by specific periods of time for comparison. The rubella susceptibility was 12.7% in total, 11.1% in Taiwanese and 20.3% in immigrant population from 2000 to 2014. Among the immigrant women, those from Vietnam had the highest susceptibility (22.3%) and those from Thailand had the lowest susceptibility (3.8%). The immigrant women from Vietnam and China showed a significantly higher susceptibility compared with the native Taiwanese women in which the odds ratio was 2.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.04-2.60), 1.96 (95% CI: 1.59-2.41), respectively ( P < 0.001). It meant that immigrants from Vietnam and China had a higher likelihood of rubella susceptibility and related CRS sequela than native women. From 2000-2004 to 2010-2014 cohort, there was no obvious change in rubella susceptibility in native women, which varied between 10.0% and 11.9%. However, there was a decreasing trend of rubella susceptibility in the immigrant women overall, from 24.5% to 11.5% ( P < 0.001). To eliminate congenital rubella in Taiwan, additional catch-up immunization strategies are needed. © The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Antibacterial activity of propolins from Taiwanese green propolis.

PubMed

Chen, Yue-Wen; Ye, Siou-Ru; Ting, Chieh; Yu, Yu-Hsiang

2018-04-01

Taiwanese green propolis is a prenylated flavonoid rich honeybee product and propolins isolated from Taiwanese green propolis exert a broad spectrum of biological activities, such as anti-cancer and anti-oxidant. However, the anti-bacterial effects of Taiwanese green propolis or propolins are still poorly understood. In the current study, the antibacterial effects of Taiwanese green propolis and propolins were evaluated. Results show that the maximum dry matter yields of Taiwanese green propolis were observed in the 95% and 99.5% ethanol extracts compared to other extraction methods. Consistently, the highest concentration of propolins C, D, F and G from Taiwanese green propolis was obtained in 95% and 99.5% ethanol extracts. Propolins inhibited the growth of gram-positive bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes and Paenibacillus larvae). The average minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of propolins from ethanol extracts were 20 μg/ml. Among the propolins, propolin C had the highest antibacterial activity. Furthermore, Taiwanese green propolis also showed antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that Taiwanese green propolis and propolins have significant antibacterial activity, particularly against gram-positive bacterial strains. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Cell-free DNA and telomere length among women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.

PubMed

Czamanski-Cohen, J; Sarid, O; Cwikel, J; Douvdevani, A; Levitas, E; Lunenfeld, E; Har-Vardi, I

2015-11-01

The current research is aimed at finding potential non-invasive bio-markers that will help us learn more about the mechanisms at play in failed assisted reproduction treatment. This exploratory pilot study examined the relationship between cell-free DNA (CFD) in plasma and telomere length in lymphocytes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and compared telomere length and CFD levels to a healthy control group. Blood of 20 women undergoing IVF was collected at three time points during the IVF cycle. We assessed the relationship between CFD and telomere length as well as controlling for morning cortisol levels. We also collected blood of 10 healthy controls at two time points (luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle) and compared mean telomere length, CFD, and cortisol levels between the IVF patients and healthy controls. The results revealed an inverse relationship between CFD levels and telomere lengths at several time points that remained significant even after controlling for cortisol levels. Women undergoing IVF had statistically significant higher levels of CFD and shorter telomeres compared to healthy controls. The relationship between telomere length and CFD should be further explored in larger studies in order to uncover potential mechanisms that cause both shortened telomere length and elevated CFD in women undergoing IVF.

Factors Related to Intention to Undergo Female Sterilization Among Married Women in Rural Kathmandu, Nepal

PubMed Central

Nanthamongkolchai, Sutham; Pitikultang, Supachai

2016-01-01

Background: Sterilization is most widely used fertility regulation method in Nepal. However, prevalence of uptake of female sterilization in central hilly region is less than the national average. The objective of the study was to explore the number and factors related to intention of married women to undergo female sterilization in rural Kathmandu which lies within central hilly region. Materials and Methods: This is a community based cross-sectional survey research conducted in rural area of Kathmandu valley. Two hundred and forty currently married women with at least one child of any age were interviewed using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Results: More than four-fifth of the respondents intended to undergo sterilization. Almost two-third of them wanted to limit their family size by taking this option. More than one-third of women not-intending to undergo sterilization feared weakness after sterilization. Age of the respondents, duration of marriage, and number of living children were significantly associated with intention to undergo sterilization. 15-24 years age group were six times more likely to have the intention for sterilization (OR 6.79, CI 2.28-20.19) compared to age 35 years and above group. Mothers with less than 3 living children are about three times more likely to have the intention to undergo sterilization (OR 2.87, CI 1.3-6.33) compared to women with more than 2 living children. Women married for 6 to 10 years were three times more likely to have the intention (OR 3.0, CI 1.09-8.27). However, gender of the living children was not associated with intention to undergo sterilization. Conclusion: There were significant numbers of women intending to undergo sterilization. Age of the mother, number of living children and the duration of marriage were found to be significantly influencing the intention to undergo sterilization. However, as intention refers to future plan, the respondents’ intention may change over time. The national family

Anxiety in women with breast cancer undergoing treatment: a systematic review.

PubMed

Lim, Chi Ching; Devi, M Kamala; Ang, Emily

2011-09-01

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and anxiety is a psychological morbidity that is inevitable. Many researchers have investigated the prevalence and detrimental effects of anxiety in breast cancer treatment, but little is known about differences in anxiety level among women receiving different breast cancer treatments. A systematic review of all available literature was needed to attain better understanding of anxiety in patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. This review aimed to determine the best available evidence on the level of anxiety among women with breast cancer who were undergoing cancer treatment(s), and the factor(s) contributing to anxiety in various treatment modalities. The search sought to gather data from published and unpublished studies conducted between 1990 and 2010. An initial search on CINAHL and Medline was done to identify relevant search terms. A search strategy was then developed, using MeSH headings and key words. The following databases were searched: CINAHL, PubMed, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, Scopus, Wiley InterScience and PsycARTICLES. All papers are quantitative papers (randomised controlled trials and descriptive studies) that examined anxiety level in women with breast cancer of stage 0 to stage IIIA, over and equal to 21 and below 65 years of age, who were undergoing/had undergone treatment restricted to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or surgery, and these quantitative papers have made correlations between women's anxiety levels and contributing factors. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were the two tools most frequently used by these papers to quantify the anxiety level. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of the papers for inclusion. Eighteen papers were selected based on relevance, and assessed for methodological quality using MAStARI. Ten research papers that met our methodological standard were

Postpartum cultural practices are negatively associated with depressive symptoms among Chinese and Vietnamese immigrant mothers married to Taiwanese men.

PubMed

Chen, Tzu-Ling; Tai, Chen-Jei; Wu, Tsai-Wei; Chiang, Ching-Ping; Chien, Li-Yin

2012-01-01

The objectives of researchers in this study were to examine acceptance and adherence to mainstream Taiwanese postpartum cultural practices and their association with postpartum depressive symptoms among Chinese and Vietnamese immigrant mothers married to Taiwanese men. While the postpartum cultural practices in China are similar to mainstream Taiwanese practices, those of Vietnam differ from Taiwanese practices. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Taiwan from October 2007 through March 2008, and included190 immigrant mothers from China and Vietnam who had delivered a child within the past year. Immigrant mothers from China had higher levels of acceptance and adherence to mainstream Taiwanese postpartum cultural practices and a lower rate of postpartum depressive symptoms than immigrant mothers from Vietnam, but the association between adherence to "doing-the-month" practices and postpartum depressive symptoms did not vary significantly between Chinese and Vietnamese mothers. Adherence to these practices was negatively associated with postpartum depressive symptoms among immigrant mothers (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90-0.96) after adjustment for social support, duration between moving to Taiwan and delivery, and country of origin. Adherence to mainstream postpartum cultural practices was negatively associated with postpartum depressive symptoms for both Chinese and Vietnamese immigrant women married to Taiwanese men.

Relationship between serum polyunsaturated fatty acids and pregnancy in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

PubMed

Jungheim, Emily S; Frolova, Antonina I; Jiang, Hui; Riley, Joan K

2013-08-01

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their metabolism may be important in normal reproductive function and fertility. Associations between physiologic PUFAs and pregnancy have not been established in women. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between serum levels of PUFAs and embryo implantation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). This was a prospective cohort study conducted between 2010 and 2012. The study was conducted at the Washington University Reproductive Medicine Center. Participants were 200 women undergoing IVF and participating in an ongoing specimen tissue bank. Fasting serum PUFAs were measured with liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. PUFAs measured included linoleic acid (LA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. Relationships between serum levels of measured PUFAs and embryo implantation in women undergoing IVF were analyzed. In unadjusted analyses, none of the PUFAs alone were associated with a chance of pregnancy; however, women with increased LA:ALA ratios had a higher chance of pregnancy compared with women with lower LA:ALA ratios (relative risk, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-2.13). This relationship held after multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, antral follicle count, body mass index, history of previous pregnancy, and history of endometriosis (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-5.7). Embryo implantation rates were also weakly associated with LA:ALA ratios (r = 0.21, P = .003). Our work shows that increased ω-6 to ω-3 PUFA ratios in women undergoing IVF are associated with increased implantation and pregnancy rates. Prospective trials are needed to determine whether manipulation of PUFA ratios through diet or pharmacologic intervention may benefit women planning to conceive.

Influences on decision-making for young women undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.

PubMed

Glassey, Rachael; O'Connor, Moira; Ives, Angela; Saunders, Christobel; Hardcastle, Sarah J

2018-02-01

The objective of this study was to explore the influences on decision-making of younger women (<35) undergoing or considering bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (BPM). Qualitative interviews guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) were conducted with forty-six women who had a strong family history of breast cancer (BC) who had either undergone (n=26) or were considering (n=20) BPM. Participants were recruited from Australia and New Zealand (NZ) via hospitals, a genetics clinic, a research cohort, a registry and online. Four themes underpinning the influences on decision-making were identified: fear and anxiety, children, personal experiences with BC, health professional's influence. The decision to undergo BPM for younger women (<35) was multifaceted, however, it appeared that fear and anxiety were the main influence. Younger women appear more anxious than previous research with older women. There appears to be few differences between those with confirmed BRCA1/2 mutations and those with no known mutation and this is clinically significant. These findings have important practice implications, particularly improving communication of risk statistics, especially to those with no known mutation. Health professionals need to take into account the way younger women perceive information given to them when discussing risk. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Outcomes of Spontaneous Labor in Women Undergoing Trial of Labor after Cesarean as Compared with Nulliparous Women: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PubMed

Lassey, Sarah C; Robinson, Julian N; Kaimal, Anjali J; Little, Sarah E

2018-01-24

 The objective of this study was to compare spontaneous labor outcomes in women undergoing trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) and nulliparas to better counsel women.  A 4-year retrospective cohort. We included women at term in spontaneous labor with vertex singletons and no more than one prior cesarean delivery. In planned secondary analysis, we focused on a subset of women with a prior cesarean and a predicted likelihood of a successful vaginal delivery of 70% or more based on the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units-vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) calculator.  Our cohort included 606 TOLACS and 606 nulliparas. Women undergoing TOLAC were more likely to undergo cesarean delivery (25.7 vs. 14.7%; p  < 0.001). Severe maternal hemorrhage (1.5 vs. 0.2%; p  = 0.02) and uterine rupture (1.9 vs. 0.0%; p  < 0.01) were more likely in the TOLAC group. For the subset of women with a predicted likelihood of VBAC of 70% or more, there were no differences in cesarean delivery (16.7 vs. 14.7%; p  = 0.51), maternal, or immediate neonatal complications.  Women undergoing TOLAC were more likely to have a cesarean delivery, hemorrhage, or uterine rupture. Those with more than 70% predicted likelihood of VBAC were no more likely to experience these outcomes. These findings help contextualize the risks of TOLAC for women considering this option. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Taiwanese Early Childhood Educators' Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsu, Ching-Yun

2008-01-01

This study was designed based on a qualitative paradigm to explore the professional development of Taiwanese early childhood educators. The method of phenomenology was employed. The main research question addressed was "How do early childhood educators construe their professional development experience?" Seven Taiwanese early childhood…

Attitudes about abortion of women who undergo prenatal diagnosis.

PubMed

Kolker, A; Burke, B M; Phillips, J U

1991-01-01

Data on 120 women who had experienced either amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and were attending clinics serving women in the Washington, D.C. area or in the San Diego, California area were analyzed to examine their attitudes toward abortion. In-depth, open-ended interviews were also conducted with 24 currently or recently pregnant women who had also undergone a prenatal diagnostic procedure. All the women wanted the pregnancy in question, and all were more wealthy and better educated than the average woman in the US. Yet women who underwent CVS were better educated (completed college, 89.1% vs. 57.2%) and were more affluent (mean household income, $56,000 vs. $46,000) than those who underwent amniocentesis. Women who had CVS encountered difficulties with obtaining access to CVS and, if it were not for their own initiative, they would have not been able to undergo CVS. This emphasized that, due to more economic, educational, or informational resources, they had greater access to prenatal care. It also verified earlier studies identifying a correlation between adoption of innovations and individual resources. 39.5% of CVS users had earlier elected to terminate a previous pregnancy compared with 22.4% of amniocentesis users. Most respondents supported women's freedom of choice to abort a pregnancy for reasons of endangerment to a mother's health (100% for general population, 98.1% for self), rape or incest (98.2% vs. 97.2%), fetal abnormality (99.1% vs. 100%), low income (86.7% vs. 61.2%), and desire to have no more children (81.3%-88.5% vs. 52.5%-74.5%). Yet few women (19.2% vs. 5.3%) approved of abortion based on sex of the fetus. Even though the respondents were committed to abortion rights, they tended to find it personally hard, if not impossible, to terminate a pregnancy now. They spent considerable emotional and financial resources toward the wanted pregnancy, but, by choosing to undergo prenatal diagnosis, were willing to face the possibility

Following the 2009 American Institute of Medicine recommendations for normal body mass index and overweight women led to an increased risk of fetal macrosomia among Taiwanese women.

PubMed

Tsai, Yieh-Loong; Chong, Kian-Mei; Seow, Kok-Min

2013-09-01

This study aimed to investigate the risk of birth weights over 4000 g (macrosomia) in association with following the 2009 American Institute of Medicine (AIOM) recommendations. Seventy-six nondiabetic women who delivered a singleton, term macrosomic fetus and 82 women who delivered a singleton, term fetus weighing <4000 g were analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between the risk of macrosomia and gestational weight gain in different periods of pregnancy was investigated using logistic regression. The incidence of macrosomia from January 2008 to December 2009 was 1.8% among the Taiwanese women. The incidences of cesarean delivery (54.5% vs. 18.2%, p < 0.001) and blood loss >1000 mL at delivery (35.5% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.0001) were associated with macrosomia. The risk of macrosomia among normal weight women with gestational weight gain greater than 13 kg increased four-fold [odds ratio (OR) = 4.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.84-12.90]. For overweight women with total gestational weight gain >11.5 kg, the risk of macrosomia increased nine-fold (OR = 9.63; 95% CI 1.76-52.74). Macrosomia resulted in more cesarean deliveries and greater maternal blood loss at birth. In Taiwan, to prevent macrosomia, we suggest that the total gestational weight gain should be <11.5 kg among normal weight women and within 10 kg for overweight women. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Psychological reactions in women undergoing fetal magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Leithner, Katharina; Pörnbacher, Susanne; Assem-Hilger, Eva; Krampl, Elisabeth; Ponocny-Seliger, Elisabeth; Prayer, Daniela

2008-02-01

To investigate women's psychological reactions when undergoing fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to estimate whether certain groups, based on clinical and sociodemographic variables, differ in their subjective experiences with fetal MRI and in their anxiety levels related to the scanning procedure. This study is a prospective cohort investigation of 62 women before and immediately after fetal MRI. Anxiety levels and subjective experiences were measured by questionnaires. Groups based on clinical and sociodemographic variables were compared with regard to anxiety levels and to the scores on the Prescan and Postscan Imaging Distress Questionnaire. Anxiety scores before fetal MRI were 8.8 points higher than those of the female, nonclinical, norm population (P<.001). The severity of the referral diagnosis showed a linearly increasing effect on anxiety level before MRI (weighted linear term: F1,59=5.325, P=.025). Magnetic resonance imaging was experienced as unpleasant by 33.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.2-46.6%) and as hardly bearable by 4.8% (95% CI 0-17.5%) of the women. Physical restraint (49.9%, 95% CI 37.4-62.4%), noise level (53.2%, 95% CI 40.7-65.7%), anxiety for the infant (53.2%, 95% CI 40.7-65.7%), and the duration of the examination (51.6%, 95% CI 39.1-64.1%) were major distressing factors. Women who undergo fetal magnetic resonance imaging experience considerable distress, especially those with poor fetal prognoses. Ongoing technical developments, such as a reduction of noise, shortening the duration of the MRI, and a more comfortable position in open MRI machines, may have the potential to improve the subjective experiences of women during fetal MRI. III.

A registry-based randomized trial comparing radial and femoral approaches in women undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: the SAFE-PCI for Women (Study of Access Site for Enhancement of PCI for Women) trial.

PubMed

Rao, Sunil V; Hess, Connie N; Barham, Britt; Aberle, Laura H; Anstrom, Kevin J; Patel, Tejan B; Jorgensen, Jesse P; Mazzaferri, Ernest L; Jolly, Sanjit S; Jacobs, Alice; Newby, L Kristin; Gibson, C Michael; Kong, David F; Mehran, Roxana; Waksman, Ron; Gilchrist, Ian C; McCourt, Brian J; Messenger, John C; Peterson, Eric D; Harrington, Robert A; Krucoff, Mitchell W

2014-08-01

This study sought to determine the effect of radial access on outcomes in women undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a registry-based randomized trial. Women are at increased risk of bleeding and vascular complications after PCI. The role of radial access in women is unclear. Women undergoing cardiac catheterization or PCI were randomized to radial or femoral arterial access. Data from the CathPCI Registry and trial-specific data were merged into a final study database. The primary efficacy endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding or vascular complications requiring intervention. The primary feasibility endpoint was access site crossover. The primary analysis cohort was the subgroup undergoing PCI; sensitivity analyses were conducted in the total randomized population. The trial was stopped early for a lower than expected event rate. A total of 1,787 women (691 undergoing PCI) were randomized at 60 sites. There was no significant difference in the primary efficacy endpoint between radial or femoral access among women undergoing PCI (radial 1.2% vs. 2.9% femoral, odds ratio [OR]: 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12 to 1.27); among women undergoing cardiac catheterization or PCI, radial access significantly reduced bleeding and vascular complications (0.6% vs. 1.7%; OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.90). Access site crossover was significantly higher among women assigned to radial access (PCI cohort: 6.1% vs. 1.7%; OR: 3.65; 95% CI: 1.45 to 9.17); total randomized cohort: (6.7% vs. 1.9%; OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 2.14 to 6.40). More women preferred radial access. In this pragmatic trial, which was terminated early, the radial approach did not significantly reduce bleeding or vascular complications in women undergoing PCI. Access site crossover occurred more often in women assigned to radial access. (SAFE-PCI for Women; NCT01406236). Copyright © 2014 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc

Influence of Music on Preoperative Anxiety and Physiologic Parameters in Women Undergoing Gynecologic Surgery.

PubMed

Labrague, Leodoro J; McEnroe-Petitte, Denise M

2016-04-01

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of music on anxiety levels and physiologic parameters in women undergoing gynecologic surgery. This study employed a pre- and posttest experimental design with nonrandom assignment. Ninety-seven women undergoing gynecologic surgery were included in the study, where 49 were allocated to the control group (nonmusic group) and 48 were assigned to the experimental group (music group). Preoperative anxiety was measured using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) while noninvasive instruments were used in measuring the patients' physiologic parameters (blood pressure [BP], pulse [P], and respiration [R]) at two time periods. Women allocated in the experimental group had lower STAI scores (t = 17.41, p < .05), systolic (t = 6.45, p < .05) and diastolic (t = 2.80, p < .006) BP, and P rate (PR; t = 7.32, p < .05) than in the control group. This study provides empirical evidence to support the use of music during the preoperative period in reducing anxiety and unpleasant symptoms in women undergoing gynecologic surgery. © The Author(s) 2014.

The need for counselling of women who undergo hysterectomy: a feminist perspective.

PubMed

Le Cornu, J

1999-06-01

Many women have hysterectomies in Australia each year, yet the consequences of hysterectomy in women's lives are not well understood. Approximately 36,015 hysterectomies are performed annually in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 1998). Recent nursing literature suggests that information regarding hysterectomy is inadequately discussed with the patient, and for whatever reason the patient has made the 'choice' to undergo hysterectomy, it appears little information or counselling is available to many women in this position. Many women view the uterus as their 'function' and with its removal, they may perceive that their femininity is challenged. Nursing literature is gathering momentum, and proposing a greater commitment from nurses to counsel in the gynaecological area (McQueen 1997). Nurses working in all specialities need to develop an awareness of how illness can impact upon the sexuality or sexual health of their client group, and be able to facilitate the provision of appropriate support (Palmer 1998). This paper will explore the symbolic themes of hysterectomy identified in Wood & Giddings' (1991) research, and will consider the reasons why women who undergo hysterectomy are not receiving sufficient information, counselling and follow-up.

Taiwanese medical students' narratives of intercultural professionalism dilemmas: exploring tensions between Western medicine and Taiwanese culture.

PubMed

Ho, Ming-Jung; Gosselin, Katherine; Chandratilake, Madawa; Monrouxe, Lynn V; Rees, Charlotte E

2017-05-01

In an era of globalization, cultural competence is necessary for the provision of quality healthcare. Although this topic has been well explored in non-Western cultures within Western contexts, the authors explore how Taiwanese medical students trained in Western medicine address intercultural professionalism dilemmas related to tensions between Western medicine and Taiwanese culture. A narrative interview method was employed with 64 Taiwanese medical students to collect narratives of professionalism dilemmas. Noting the prominence of culture in students' narratives, we explored this theme further using secondary analysis, identifying tensions between Western medicine and Taiwanese culture and categorizing students' intercultural professionalism dilemmas according to Friedman and Berthoin Antal's 'intercultural competence' framework: involving combinations of advocacy (i.e., championing one's own culture) and inquiry (i.e., exploring one's own and others' cultures). One or more intercultural dilemmas were identified in nearly half of students' professionalism dilemma narratives. Qualitative themes included: family relations, local policy, end-of-life care, traditional medicine, gender relations and Taiwanese language. Of the 62 narratives with sufficient detail for further analysis, the majority demonstrated the 'suboptimal' low advocacy/low inquiry approach (i.e., withdrawal or inaction), while very few demonstrated the 'ideal' high advocacy/high inquiry approach (i.e., generating mutual understanding, so 'intercultural competence'). Though nearly half of students' professionalism narratives concerned intercultural dilemmas, most narratives represented disengagement from intercultural dilemmas, highlighting a possible need for more attention on intercultural competence training in Taiwan. The advocacy/inquiry framework may help educators to address similar disconnects between Western medicine and non-Western cultures in other contexts.

Quality of life among women with sexual dysfunction undergoing hemodialysis: a cross-sectional observational study.

PubMed

Santos, Paulo Roberto; Capote, José Roberto Frota Gomes; Cavalcanti, Juliana Uchoa; Vieira, Cyntia Brito; Rocha, Ana Rochelle Mesquita; Apolônio, Natália Alves Mineiro; de Oliveira, Elaine Barbosa

2012-08-31

Sexual function among women undergoing hemodialysis (HD) is under-studied and there is no consensus about the effect of sexual dysfunction (SD) on their quality of life (QoL). We aimed to determine the prevalence of SD and to compare QoL between women undergoing maintenance HD with and without SD. We included female end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing HD during June 2011 in the only renal unit in the north of Ceará state, northeastern Brazil. The criteria for inclusion were age between 18 and 55, at least three months on dialysis and being sexually active. Women using antidepressant medication were excluded. We used the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which evaluates six domains of sexual function, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain. The patients were classified as presenting SD if the total FSFI score was less than 26. For QoL evaluation, we used the validated Brazilian version of SF-36. This is a widely used 36-item questionnaire covering eight dimensions of QoL. Demographic data, time on dialysis, underlying etiology of ESRD, and laboratory measures were assessed in unit records. Of a total of 58 women, 46 (79.3%) presented SD. There were lower scores related to physical functioning (48.2 vs. 71.2; p = 0.007), bodily pain (45 vs. 67.5; p = 0.010), vitality (52.1 vs. 69.1; p = 0.026) and social functioning (57.2 vs. 76.1; p = 0.034) among women with SD compared to women without SD. Physical functioning and role-physical presented positive linear correlation with FSFI scores, respectively, r = 0.322 (p = 0.013) and r = 0.345 (p = 0.007). The prevalence of SD among women on HD is very high, reaching nearly 80%. Women on HD with SD had worse QoL, especially physical aspects of QoL, when compared to women without SD. Therefore, approaches aiming to improve QoL among women undergoing HD should be considered.

Association between the metabolome and low bone mineral density in Taiwanese women determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy.

PubMed

You, Ying-Shu; Lin, Ching-Yu; Liang, Hao-Jan; Lee, Shen-Hung; Tsai, Keh-Sung; Chiou, Jeng-Min; Chen, Yen-Ching; Tsao, Chwen-Keng; Chen, Jen-Hau

2014-01-01

Osteoporosis is related to the alteration of specific circulating metabolites. However, previous studies on only a few metabolites inadequately explain the pathogenesis of this complex syndrome. To date, no study has related the metabolome to bone mineral density (BMD), which would provide an overview of metabolism status and may be useful in clinical practice. This cross-sectional study involved 601 healthy Taiwanese women aged 40 to 55 years recruited from MJ Health Management Institution between 2009 and 2010. Participants were classified according to high (2nd tertile plus 3rd tertile) and low (1st tertile) BMD groups. The plasma metabolome was evaluated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1) H NMR). Principal components analysis (PCA), partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association between the metabolome and BMD. The high and low BMD groups could be differentiated by PLS-DA but not PCA in postmenopausal women (Q(2)  = 0.05, ppermutation  = 0.04). Among postmenopausal women, elevated glutamine was significantly associated with low BMD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.10); meanwhile, elevated lactate (AOR = 0.55), acetone (AOR = 0.51), lipids (AOR = 0.04), and very low-density lipoprotein (AOR = 0.49) protected against low BMD. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to identify a group of metabolites for characterizing low BMD in postmenopausal women using a (1) H NMR-based metabolomic approach. The metabolic profile may be useful for predicting the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at an early age. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Perioperative music and its effects on anxiety, hemodynamics, and pain in women undergoing mastectomy.

PubMed

Binns-Turner, Pamela G; Wilson, Lynda Law; Pryor, Erica R; Boyd, Gwendolyn L; Prickett, Carol A

2011-08-01

There is increasing interest in evaluating the use of nonpharmacologic interventions such as music to minimize potential adverse effects of anxiety-reducing medications. This study used a quasi-experimental design to evaluate the effects of a perioperative music intervention (provided continuously throughout the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods) on changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, anxiety, and pain in women with a diagnosis of breast cancer undergoing mastectomy. A total of 30 women were assigned randomly to a control group or to the music intervention group. Findings indicated that women in the intervention group had a greater decrease in MAP and anxiety with less pain from the preoperative period to the time of discharge from the recovery room compared with women in the control group. Music is a noninvasive and low-cost intervention that can be easily implemented in the perioperative setting, and these findings suggest that perioperative music can reduce MAP, anxiety, and pain among women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer.

Factors influencing behavioral intention to undergo Papanicolaou testing in early adulthood: Comparison of Japanese and Korean women.

PubMed

Kang, Kyung-Ah; Kim, Shin-Jeong; Kaneko, Noriyo

2017-12-01

In this study, we identified the factors influencing behavioral intention to undergo Papanicolaou testing among Japanese and Korean women in early adulthood. Their behavioral intentions were compared in this cross-sectional descriptive study. In total, 887 women (Japanese = 498, Korean = 389) aged 20-39 years participated in this study. Using a self-report questionnaire, knowledge, attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention were surveyed. There were significant differences between Japanese and Korean women's scores on all main variables. For Japanese women, all the variables moderately correlated with behavioral intention. In comparison, for Korean women, all independent variables, except for knowledge, moderately correlated with behavioral intention. Through a multiple regression analysis, age, undergoing Papanicolaou testing, attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were identified as significant predictors of behavioral intention among Japanese women. Among Korean women, job status, undergoing a Papanicolaou test, attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were demonstrated as significant predictors of behavioral intention. Health professionals should consider these factors to encourage Papanicolaou testing in women in early adulthood. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

COMPARING 3D FOOT SHAPE MODELS BETWEEN TAIWANESE AND JAPANESE FEMALES.

PubMed

Lee, Yu-Chi; Kouchi, Makiko; Mochimaru, Masaaki; Wang, Mao-Jiun

2015-06-01

This study compares foot shape and foot dimensions between Taiwanese and Japanese females. One hundred Taiwanese and 100 Japanese female 3D foot scanning data were used for comparison. To avoid the allometry effect, data from 23 Taiwanese and 19 Japanese with foot length between 233 to 237 mm were used for shape comparison. Homologous models created for the right feet of the 42 subjects were analyzed by Multidimensional Scaling. The results showed that there were significant differences in the forefoot shape between the two groups, and Taiwanese females had slightly wider feet with straighter big toe than Japanese females. The results of body and foot dimension comparison indicated that Taiwanese females were taller, heavier and had larger feet than Japanese females, while Japanese females had significantly larger toe 1 angle. Since some Taiwanese shoemakers adopt the Japanese shoe sizing system for making shoes, appropriateness of the shoe sizing system was also discussed. The present results provide very useful information for improving shoe last design and footwear fit for Taiwanese females.

The significance of peripartum fever in women undergoing vaginal deliveries.

PubMed

Bensal, Adi; Weintraub, Adi Y; Levy, Amalia; Holcberg, Gershon; Sheiner, Eyal

2008-10-01

We investigated whether patients undergoing vaginal delivery who developed peripartum fever (PPF) had increased rates of other gestational complications. A retrospective study was undertaken comparing pregnancy complications of patients who developed PPF with those who did not. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to control for confounders. To avoid ascertainment bias, the year of birth was included in the model. Women who underwent cesarean delivery and those with multiple pregnancies were excluded from the study. During the study period, there were 169,738 singleton vaginal deliveries, and 0.4% of the women suffered from PPF. Hypertensive disorders, induction of labor, dystocia of labor in the second stage, suspected fetal distress, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, postpartum hemorrhage, manual lysis of a retained placenta, and revision of the uterine cavity and cervix were found to be independently associated with PPF by multivariable analysis. Year of birth was found to be a risk factor for fever. Apgar scores lower than 7 at 1 but not 5 minutes were significantly higher in the PPF group. Perinatal mortality rates were significantly higher among women with PPF (6.7% versus 1.3%, odds ratio [OR] = 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.9 to 7.3; P < 0.001). Using another multivariable analysis, with perinatal mortality as the outcome variable, PPF was found as an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality (OR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.9 to 4.6; P < 0.001). PPF in women undergoing vaginal deliveries is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and specifically is an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality.

Problem-solving strategies of women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

PubMed

Lyons, Kathleen D; Erickson, Kelly S; Hegel, Mark T

2012-02-01

Many women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer experience side effects that make it difficult to perform daily occupations. To summarize the types of challenges, goals, and adaptive strategies identified by women with stage 1-3 breast cancer participating in a pilot study of Problem-solving Treatment-Occupational Therapy (PST-OT). Content analysis of 80 PST-OT sessions. Women addressed 11 types of challenging activities, with exercise and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) being the most common. Most women set a goal to adapt a current activity, but also set goals to find a new activity, plan the steps of a current activity, or gather information about a possible activity change in the future. The adaptive strategies generated by the women were grouped into five types. Most often they found ways to add a new step to an activity, but they also brainstormed about when, how, where, and with whom they could do activities. The women were usually trying to adapt familiar activities but also were looking for ways to include new, healthy occupations into their routines.

The impact of atosiban on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: A meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Huang, Qian-Yi; Rong, Min-Hua; Lan, Ai-Hua; Lin, Xiao-Miao; Lin, Xing-Gu; He, Rong-Quan; Chen, Gang; Li, Mu-Jun

2017-01-01

Background Atosiban is administered to women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) to improve pregnancy outcomes. However, the results of this treatment were controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate whether atosiban improves pregnancy outcomes in the women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods Databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China BioMedicine, and Google Scholar were systematically searched. Meta-analyses were performed to investigate whether atosiban improves pregnancy outcomes in the women undergoing IVF. Results Our results showed that atosiban was associated with higher implantation (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.17–2.27; P = 0.004) and clinical pregnancy (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.31–2.57; P < 0.001) rates. However, atosiban showed no significant association with the miscarriage, live birth, multiple pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy rates. When a further subgroup analysis was performed in the women undergoing repeated implantation failure (RIF), implantation (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.45–2.57; P < 0.001), clinical pregnancy (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.70–3.64; P <0.001) and the live birth (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.78–4.67; P < 0.001) rates were significantly higher in the case group. Nevertheless, no significant difference was detected in the miscarriage and multiple pregnancy rates between the case and control groups. Conclusion Atosiban may be more appropriate for women undergoing RIF and play only a limited role in improving pregnancy outcomes in the general population of women undergoing IVF. These conclusions should be verified in large and well-designed studies. PMID:28422984

Transcending breast cancer, transcending death: a Taiwanese population.

PubMed

Chiu, L

2000-01-01

This study explores transcendence as a lived experience through in-depth, face-to-face interviews of 15 Taiwanese women with breast cancer. A phenomenological research method and Leininger's culture care theory were employed to guide the study. Four themes emerged as characteristic of the current lifeworlds of the study participants. The four themes are giving meaning to suffering, liberating a clinging nature, opening to life and death, and healing with compassion. The findings reveal that the essential structure of transcendence is the capacity of a person to give meaning to suffering, liberate self from a clinging nature, open self to life and death, and heal self with compassion.

Embryo yield after in vitro fertilization in women undergoing embryo banking for fertility preservation before chemotherapy.

PubMed

Robertson, Audra D; Missmer, Stacey A; Ginsburg, Elizabeth S

2011-02-01

To evaluate embryo yield after IVF in patients undergoing embryo banking before chemotherapy. A retrospective cohort study. Hospital-based academic medical center. Thirty-eight women diagnosed with cancer or autoimmune disease presenting for IVF cycles, with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), for embryo cryopreservation before any therapy were compared with 921 presumably fertile women undergoing IVF for male factor infertility from January 2001 through October 2007. Standard IVF or ICSI protocol, embryo freezing, and ET. The number of 2 pronuclear (2PN) embryos created and suitable for cryopreservation or transfer. No statistically significant differences were observed between preservation and male factor groups for number of embryos, number of oocytes, or amount of gonadotropin needed to stimulate follicular development. Peak serum E(2) levels were significantly lower for women with disease-seeking fertility preservation. Women facing chemotherapy as treatment for cancer or systemic autoimmune disease infrequently undergo fertility preservation. If offered this potentially fertility-preserving option, these data suggest equivalent embryo yield compared with women with infertile male partners. Our data report no significant complications in subsequent births in those who sought fertility preservation, which is informative and encouraging for these women and their providers. Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Knowledge and expectations of women undergoing cancer genetic risk assessment: a qualitative analysis of free-text questionnaire comments.

PubMed

Phelps, C; Wood, F; Bennett, P; Brain, K; Gray, J

2007-08-01

Individuals undergoing cancer genetic risk assessment have been found to have a poor understanding of the process, which may affect how well they cope with learning their risk. This paper reports free-text data from questionnaires completed by women undergoing a randomised controlled trial of a psychological intervention. Of the 268 women undergoing genetic assessment for familial breast/ovarian cancer risk who were invited to take part in the trial, 157 women returned research questionnaires. Of these, 97 women provided free-text comments upon referral to a cancer genetics clinic, 62 provided comments whilst waiting for risk information (average, moderate or high), and 36 women provided comments following notification of risk. This paper reports a thematic analysis of the free-text data. Themes reflected individuals' poor knowledge and uncertainty about genetic risk assessment. How well individuals responded to learning their risk depended upon whether expectations had been met. Regardless of risk, individuals undergoing cancer genetic risk assessment are likely to benefit from increased information about its process and timescales, and access to increased psychological support. Free-text comments can provide valuable data about individuals' expectations and knowledge of genetics services.

An Examination of Academic Coping among Taiwanese Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Shu-Shen

2015-01-01

The author explored the relations among Taiwanese eighth-grade students' satisfactions of the basic psychological needs (i.e., the needs for competence, relatedness, and autonomy), engagement versus disengagement coping with academic stress, self-regulated learning, and academic burnout. Three hundred and ninety-six eighth-grade Taiwanese students…

Sleep Trajectories of Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section: Effects on Body Weight and Psychological Well-Being.

PubMed

Tzeng, Ya-Ling; Chen, Shu-Ling; Chen, Chuen-Fei; Wang, Fong-Chen; Kuo, Shu-Yu

2015-01-01

After cesarean section (CS), women may be at great risk for sleep disturbance, but little is known about temporal changes in their sleep patterns and characteristics. We had two aims: 1) to identify distinct classes of sleep-disturbance trajectories in women considering elective CS from third-trimester pregnancy to 6 months post-CS and 2) to examine associations of sleep trajectories with body mass index (BMI), depressive symptoms, and fatigue scores. We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study of 139 Taiwanese pregnant women who elected CS. Sleep components were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in third-trimester pregnancy, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months post-CS. Data were collected on depressive symptoms, fatigue symptoms, and BMI. Sleep-quality trajectories were identified by group-based trajectory modeling. We identified three distinct trajectories: stable poor sleep (50 women, 36.0%), progressively worse sleep (67 women, 48.2%), and persistently poor sleep (22 women, 15.8%). Poor sleep was significantly associated with pre-pregnancy BMI and more baseline (third-trimester pregnancy) depressive and fatigue symptoms. At 6 months post-CS, women classified as progressively worse or persistently poor sleepers showed a trend toward higher BMI (p<0.03), more depressive symptoms (p<0.001), and higher fatigue scores (p<0.001) than those with stable poor sleep. Women had three distinct sleep-disturbance trajectories before and after elective CS. These poor-sleep courses were associated with BMI and psychological well-being. Our findings suggest a need to continuously assess sleep quality among women considering elective CS and up to 6 months post-CS.

Experiences of Spanish women undergoing hysterosalpingography as part of the infertility process: a phenomenological study.

PubMed

Fernández-Sola, Cayetano; Martínez-Caba, María Isabel; Hernández-Padilla, José Manuel; Carmona-Samper, Esther; Granero-Molina, José

2016-02-01

To describe and understand the experiences and perceptions of women who undergo hysterosalpingography as part of the infertility process. Nurses and midwives should conduct research into the emotional aspects of caring for patients undergoing infertility treatment. The hysterosalpingography is considered to be the most feared test in the infertility process and the one about which very little is known. A phenomenological qualitative study. Ten Spanish women who had undergone hysterosalpingography participated in this study. In-depth interviews were carried out between October 2012-May 2013. Data analysis was performed with the help of atlas.ti software to identify emerging themes. The experience of the participants who underwent hysterosalpingography during the infertility process is represented by the following three themes: (1) becoming a mother to feel complete as a person and as a woman, with the subthemes 'maternity as a life objective' and 'maternity in terms of gender identity'; (2) infertility--an intimate experience which provokes negative feelings, with the subthemes 'negative feelings regarding own infertility' and 'infertility as an experience that is little shared with others'; (3) Undergoing hysterosalpingography, with the subthemes 'feelings regarding hysterosalpingography', 'treatment by medical providers' and 'areas for improvement regarding the service given by the providers'. For women who undergo hysterosalpingography, maternity may be seen as a life objective that could identify them as women. Results suggest that although infertility is experienced with negative feelings such as anxiety, frustration and sadness, hysterosalpingography seems to be related with both hope and fear when facing the test. Knowing the experiences of these women could help nurses, midwives and physicians to provide better patient-centred care. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Anxiety in women undergoing surgical treatment of breast cancer].

PubMed

Geraybeyli, G Ch; Mamedzade, G F; Gasimov, N V; Guliyeva, T S; Munir, K

To assess anxiety level and factors contributing to its development in patients undergoing surgical treatment for breast cancer. The subjects of the study were 72 women, aged 20-80 years, with the diagnosis of primary breast cancer. The Basic Psycho-Oncological Documentation Scale (PO-BADO), the European Organization for Research, and the Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and its Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-C30; BR-23), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used. The anxiety score showed negative correlation with EORTC QLQ-C30 'physical functioning', 'cognitive functioning', 'emotional functioning', 'global health status/quality of life' subscales (p≤0,002). Anxiety is a highly prevalent in women with breast cancer and has a marked negative impact, in particular on younger patients.

Associations of mid-pregnancy HbA1c with gestational diabetes and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in high-risk Taiwanese women.

PubMed

Ho, Yi-Ran; Wang, Panchalli; Lu, Mei-Chun; Tseng, Shih-Ting; Yang, Chun-Pai; Yan, Yuan-Horng

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the associations among the mid-pregnancy glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, gestational diabetes (GDM), and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women without overt diabetes and with positive 50-g, 1-h glucose challenge test (GCT) results (140 mg/dL or greater). This prospective study enrolled 1,989 pregnant Taiwanese women. A two-step approach, including a 50-g, 1-h GCT and 100-g, 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), was employed for the diagnosis of GDM at weeks 23-32. The mid-pregnancy HbA1c level was measured at the time the OGTT was performed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the relationship between the mid-pregnancy HbA1c level and GDM. Multiple logistic regression models were implemented to assess the relationships between the mid-pregnancy HbA1c level and adverse pregnancy outcomes. An ROC curve demonstrated that the optimal mid-pregnancy HbA1c cut-off point to predict GDM, as diagnosed by the Carpenter-Coustan criteria using a two-step approach, was 5.7%. The area under the ROC curve of the mid-pregnancy HbA1c level for GDM was 0.70. Compared with the levels of 4.5-4.9%, higher mid-pregnancy HbA1c levels (5.0-5.4, 5.5-5.9, 6.0-6.4, 6.5-6.9, and >7.0%) were significantly associated with increased risks of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, preterm delivery, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, low birth weight, and macrosomia (the odds ratio [OR] ranges were 1.20-9.98, 1.31-5.16, 0.88-3.15, 0.89-4.10, and 2.22-27.86, respectively). The mid-pregnancy HbA1c level was associated with various adverse pregnancy outcomes in high-risk Taiwanese women. However, it lacked adequate sensitivity and specificity to replace the two-step approach in the diagnosis of GDM. The current study comprised a single-center prospective study; thus, additional, randomized control design studies are required.

Associations of mid-pregnancy HbA1c with gestational diabetes and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in high-risk Taiwanese women

PubMed Central

Lu, Mei-Chun; Tseng, Shih-Ting; Yang, Chun-Pai

2017-01-01

Background The objective of this study was to investigate the associations among the mid-pregnancy glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, gestational diabetes (GDM), and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women without overt diabetes and with positive 50-g, 1-h glucose challenge test (GCT) results (140 mg/dL or greater). Methods This prospective study enrolled 1,989 pregnant Taiwanese women. A two-step approach, including a 50-g, 1-h GCT and 100-g, 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), was employed for the diagnosis of GDM at weeks 23–32. The mid-pregnancy HbA1c level was measured at the time the OGTT was performed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the relationship between the mid-pregnancy HbA1c level and GDM. Multiple logistic regression models were implemented to assess the relationships between the mid-pregnancy HbA1c level and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results An ROC curve demonstrated that the optimal mid-pregnancy HbA1c cut-off point to predict GDM, as diagnosed by the Carpenter-Coustan criteria using a two-step approach, was 5.7%. The area under the ROC curve of the mid-pregnancy HbA1c level for GDM was 0.70. Compared with the levels of 4.5–4.9%, higher mid-pregnancy HbA1c levels (5.0–5.4, 5.5–5.9, 6.0–6.4, 6.5–6.9, and >7.0%) were significantly associated with increased risks of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, preterm delivery, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, low birth weight, and macrosomia (the odds ratio [OR] ranges were 1.20–9.98, 1.31–5.16, 0.88–3.15, 0.89–4.10, and 2.22–27.86, respectively). Conclusions The mid-pregnancy HbA1c level was associated with various adverse pregnancy outcomes in high-risk Taiwanese women. However, it lacked adequate sensitivity and specificity to replace the two-step approach in the diagnosis of GDM. The current study comprised a single-center prospective study; thus, additional, randomized control design studies are required. PMID

Opportunistic salpingectomy in women undergoing hysterectomy: Results from the HYSTUB randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Van Lieshout, L A M; Pijlman, B; Vos, M C; de Groot, M J M; Houterman, S; Coppus, S F P J; Harmsen, M G; Vandenput, I; Piek, J M J

2018-01-01

To evaluate whether opportunistic salpingectomy in premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications is both hormonally and surgically safe, compared with hysterectomy without salpingectomy. In this multicentre randomised controlled trial, women were randomised to undergo either hysterectomy with opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy (intervention group) or standard hysterectomy with preservation of the Fallopian tubes (control group). The primary outcome was the difference in serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentration (ΔAMH), measured pre-surgery and 6 months post-surgery. Secondary outcomes were surgical outcomes and duration of hospital stay. The sample size was powered at 50 participants per group (n=100) to compare ΔAMH after hysterectomy with salpingectomy to ΔAMH after standard hysterectomy. Between March 2013 and December 2016, 104 women, aged 30-55 years, were randomly allocated to hysterectomy with opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy (n=52) or standard hysterectomy (n=52). The baseline characteristics did not differ between the two groups. The median ΔAMH was -0.14pmol/L (IQR -1.47-0.95) in the intervention group and 0.00pmol/L (IQR -1.05-0.80) in the control group (p=0.49). The addition of salpingectomy did not impair surgical results and it did not affect duration of hospital stay. Addition of opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy during hysterectomy did not result in a larger effect on ovarian reserve when compared with hysterectomy alone, neither did it affect surgical outcomes. Therefore, opportunistic salpingectomy seems to be a safe procedure in premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynaecological conditions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Contemporary outcomes in women undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes.

PubMed

Al-Fiadh, Ali H; Andrianopoulos, Nick; Farouque, Omar; Yan, Bryan P; Duffy, Stephen J; Charter, Kerrie; Tongyoo, Surat; New, Gishel; Yip, Thomas; Brennan, Angela; Proimos, George; Reid, Christopher M; Ajani, Andrew E; Clark, David J

2011-09-01

Uncertainty remains as to whether females benefit as much as males from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We compared 802 women with 2151 men presenting with ACS, undergoing PCI from April 2004 to October 2006 from the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Clinical characteristics, in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year outcomes were compared. Women were older (69.6 ± 11.6 vs. 62.17 ± 12.3 years, p<0.001), and had more diabetes (27.1% vs. 19.6%, p<0.001) and hypertension (70.3% vs. 53.9%, p<0.001) than men. Women were less likely to present with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (30.5% vs. 37.9%, p<0.001). Bleeding (3.6% vs. 0.8%, p<0.001) was higher among women. Thirty-day mortality (4.7 vs. 2.4%, p<0.001) and MACE (10.1 vs. 6.4%, p<0.001) were higher in women. Gender was an independent predictor of overall MACE at 30 days (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.04-2.02, p=0.03) but not death. At 12 months, there were no significant differences in mortality (6.4% vs. 4.8%, p=0.09), myocardial infarction (5.5% vs. 5.0%, p=0.64), target vessel revascularization (7.9% vs. 7.0%, p=0.42) and MACE (16.3% vs. 14%, p=0.13) between women and men. There is an early hazard amongst women undergoing PCI for ACS, but not at 12 months. These data suggest that gender should not affect the decision to offer PCI but further gender specific studies are warranted. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A journey of restoring self-confidence: the life experiences of women recipients of augmentation mammaplasty.

PubMed

Wu, Wan-Ru; Chung, Ue-Lin; Chang, Sophia C N

2007-06-01

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the preoperative through postoperative phase experience of women who had undergone augmentation mammaplasty. Nine women undergoing augmentation mammaplasty were selected by purposive sampling and interviewed using semi- structured, open-ended interview guidelines. Researchers used Symbolic interactionism to frame their overall perspective and analyzed data with the content analysis method. Rigors of data analysis were adopted credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability proposed by Guba and Lincoln. The main theme of living experience of women who received augmentation mammaplasty could be summarized as "a journey to restore self-confidence". The categories identified within this journey included: (1) the invisible standards of breast beauty; (2) Taking courageous action to make changes; (3) conflicts between the natural and artificial. The above findings provided initial qualitative data from Taiwanese women's perspective. By better understanding their experience, nurses can become increasingly sensitive to patients' psychosocial adjustment and provide prudential nursing care.

Development of a mobile application of Breast Cancer e-Support program for women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

PubMed

Zhu, Jiemin; Ebert, Lyn; Xue, Zhimin; Shen, Qu; Chan, Sally Wai-Chi

2017-01-01

Women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy experience a variety of physical and psychosocial symptoms, which have negative effect on women's quality of life and psychological well-being. Although M-health technologies provides innovative and easily accessible option to provide psychosocial support, mobile phone based interventions remain limited for these women in China. To develop a new mobile application to offer information as well as social and emotional support to women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy to promote their self-efficacy and social support, thus improving symptom management strategies. Basing on previous theoretical framework which incorporated Bandura's self-efficacy theory and the social exchange theory, a new mobile application, called Breast Cancer e-Support Program (BCS) was designed, with the content and functionality being validated by the expert panel and women with breast cancer. BCS App program has four modules: 1) Learning forum; 2) Discussion forum; 3) Ask-the-Expert forum; and 4) Personal Stories forum. BCS program can be applied on both android mobile phones and iPhones to reach more women. This is the first of its kind developed in China for women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. A randomized controlled trial is undertaking to test the effectiveness of BCS program.

Experiences, feelings and thoughts of women undergoing second trimester medical termination of pregnancy.

PubMed

Andersson, Inga-Maj; Christensson, Kyllike; Gemzell-Danielsson, Kristina

2014-01-01

The objective of this study was to explore women's expectations and experiences of undergoing second trimester abortion. This is a cross-sectional study using a screening questionnaire and semi-structured interviews for data collection. Thirty-one women filled out the questionnaire and 23 of them were later interviewed. The questionnaires were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Indications for the abortion were fetal malformation or unintended pregnancy. The women expressed similar feelings and these were irrespective for the reason for having an abortion. Both physical and mental pain was experienced during the abortion process and described by the women. Taking the mifepristone-pill was experienced as especially emotionally difficult for many participants. Professional support from the staff together with support from the partner, a friend or relative helped in transforming the worries related to something unknown to feelings of coping with a new and hard experience. Prior to the abortion most women stated that they did not want to view the fetus but women who chose to view the fetus described this as a way of confronting the reality and an opportunity to say farewell to the pregnancy/fetus. The analysis of the interview transcripts revealed five themes mirroring the women's experiences, thoughts and feelings related to the abortion. The decision to undergo second trimester abortion sometimes exposes women to strong and conflicting emotions which are irrespective for the reason for having an abortion. Despite this women do not regret their decision to terminate the pregnancy. This analysis shows that their rational thinking outweighs their emotionally difficult feelings. It is important for the attending staff to be responsive to the needs of each individual woman whatever the indication is for the abortion.

Experiences, Feelings and Thoughts of Women Undergoing Second Trimester Medical Termination of Pregnancy

PubMed Central

Andersson, Inga-Maj; Christensson, Kyllike; Gemzell-Danielsson, Kristina

2014-01-01

Main Objective The objective of this study was to explore women's expectations and experiences of undergoing second trimester abortion. Methods This is a cross-sectional study using a screening questionnaire and semi-structured interviews for data collection. Thirty-one women filled out the questionnaire and 23 of them were later interviewed. The questionnaires were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Most Important Findings Indications for the abortion were fetal malformation or unintended pregnancy. The women expressed similar feelings and these were irrespective for the reason for having an abortion. Both physical and mental pain was experienced during the abortion process and described by the women. Taking the mifepristone-pill was experienced as especially emotionally difficult for many participants. Professional support from the staff together with support from the partner, a friend or relative helped in transforming the worries related to something unknown to feelings of coping with a new and hard experience. Prior to the abortion most women stated that they did not want to view the fetus but women who chose to view the fetus described this as a way of confronting the reality and an opportunity to say farewell to the pregnancy/fetus. The analysis of the interview transcripts revealed five themes mirroring the women's experiences, thoughts and feelings related to the abortion. Conclusions The decision to undergo second trimester abortion sometimes exposes women to strong and conflicting emotions which are irrespective for the reason for having an abortion. Despite this women do not regret their decision to terminate the pregnancy. This analysis shows that their rational thinking outweighs their emotionally difficult feelings. It is important for the attending staff to be responsive to the needs of each individual woman whatever the indication is for the abortion

Conflict with Mothers-in-Law and Taiwanese Women's Marital Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Husband Support

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wu, Tsui-Feng; Yeh, Kuang-Hui; Cross, Susan E.; Larson, Lisa M.; Wang, Yi-Chao; Tsai, Yi-Lin

2010-01-01

This study applies social support theory to the question of whether four types of husband behavior (taking the wife's side, problem solving, ignoring conflict, and taking the mother's side) moderate the association between conflict with the mother-in-law and a Taiwanese woman's marital satisfaction. Data were collected from 125 married Taiwanese…

Comparing exercise responses to aerobic plus resistance training between postmenopausal breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy and healthy women.

PubMed

Paulo, Thais R S de; Winters-Stone, Kerri M; Viezel, Juliana; Rossi, Fabricio E; Aro, Bruna L; Trindade, Ana Carolina A C; Codogno, Jamile S; Freitas Junior, Ismael F

2018-04-12

The aim of this study was to explore whether postmenopausal breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy differ from healthy postmenopausal women in their response to the same aerobic + resistance training. The participants were separated into two groups: postmenopausal breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy for an average of 20 months (18 women) and healthy postmenopausal women (24 women). We assessed aerobic capacity (predicted maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) and maximum running velocity test (Vmax)) through a walking test, upper and lower body muscle strength using an estimated one-repetition maximum test, and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and at three, six, and nine months, respectively. The exercise program was performed three times/week over nine months and consisted of 40 min of machine-based strength training (seated cable row, bench press, leg extension, leg press, and leg curl, as well as bridge, abdominal, and standard plank exercises) followed by 30 min of treadmill walking. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was used to compare the groups over time. Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy and healthy postmenopausal women presented similar improvements in estimated lower body strength, predicted VO 2max and V max , and body fat mass. For maximal upper body strength, there was a significant group x time interaction after six months of training (p = 0.01). The healthy postmenopausal women presented a significant increase in upper body strength after six months, while postmenopausal breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy demonstrated an improvement only at nine months of training. The breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy presented increased lean mass while healthy postmenopausal women maintained values over time (Breast cancer: 33.7 ± 3.9(Pre) vs. 34.1�

Total cardiovascular risk profile of Taiwanese vegetarians.

PubMed

Chen, C-W; Lin, Y-L; Lin, T-K; Lin, C-T; Chen, B-C; Lin, C-L

2008-01-01

Although the health benefits of vegetarian diets have been well documented among Western population, there are geographic differences of vegetarian diets and the health benefits of the Taiwanese vegetarian diet have not been studied extensively. In addition to conventional risk factors, homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels have been found to predict first atherothrombotic events. We undertook this study to examine the total risk profile of Taiwanese vegetarians. A total of 198 healthy subjects (99 vegetarians and 99 omnivores) were recruited. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), white blood cell count, hs-CRP and homocysteine. There was no significant difference in age, body mass index, blood glucose, white blood cell count, triglyceride and HDL-C between the two groups. The vegetarian group had significantly more females (65.7 vs 46.5%); lower body weight (58.66+/-11.13 vs 62.88+/-12.24 kg); shorter height (159.14+/-7.88 vs 162.53 +/-8.14 cm); lower total cholesterol (184.74+/-33.23 vs 202.01+/-41.05 mg/dl); and lower LDL-C (119.63+/-31.59 vs 135.89+/-39.50 mg/dl). Hs-CRP was significantly lower (0.14+/-0.23 vs 0.23+/-0.44 mg/dl, P=0.025), whereas homocysteine was significantly higher (10.97+/-6.69 vs 8.44+/-2.50 micromol/l, P=0.001) in vegetarians than omnivores. Taiwanese vegetarians have lower total cholesterol, LDL-C and hs-CRP levels, and higher homocysteine levels than omnivores. Owing to different predictive value of each risk factor, the Taiwanese vegetarians had a better cardiovascular risk profile than omnivores. Whether the Taiwanese vegetarian diet should be supplemented with vitamin B(12) to lower serum homocysteine level remains to be addressed.

The Effects of Phytosterols Extracted from Diascorea alata on the Antioxidant Activity, Plasma Lipids, and Hematological Profiles in Taiwanese Menopausal Women

PubMed Central

Kuo, Hsin-Chih; Huang, Ko-En

2017-01-01

The efficacy of phytosterols extracted from Diascorea alata on antioxidant activities, plasma lipids and hematological profiles was assessed in postmenopausal women. Gas chromatography and mass spectrophotometry was employed to determine the steroid content of Taiwanese yam (Diascorea alata cv. Tainung No. 2). A two-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical investigation on 50 postmenopausal women randomly assigned to two groups treated for 12 months with placebo or two sachets daily of Diascorea extracts containing 12 mg/dose was carried out. The main outcome measures were the plasma antioxidant activities, hematological profiles, and the concentrations of plasma lipids, including cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein,, and apolipoprotein A1 and B. A one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test was performed to investigate the significance. Beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, 22-23-dihydro-, and γ-sitosterol were major phytosterols determined from Diascorea extracts. At six months in those receiving Diascorea, there were significantly decreased leukocyte counts (p < 0.01) and improvement on antioxidant activity of malondialdehyde (p < 0.001). After 12 months’ treatment, elevations of hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume (p < 0.01) were noted in those receiving Diascorea. Moreover, the low dose Diascorea consumption in menopausal women for one year generally did not present positive effects on lipid profiles. PMID:29206136

Soy food intake and treatment outcomes of women undergoing assisted reproductive technology.

PubMed

Vanegas, Jose C; Afeiche, Myriam C; Gaskins, Audrey J; Mínguez-Alarcón, Lidia; Williams, Paige L; Wright, Diane L; Toth, Thomas L; Hauser, Russ; Chavarro, Jorge E

2015-03-01

To study the relation of dietary phytoestrogens intake and clinical outcomes of women undergoing infertility treatment with the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Prospective cohort study. Fertility center. A total of 315 women who collectively underwent 520 ART cycles from 2007 to 2013. None. Implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates per initiated cycle. Soy isoflavones intake was positively related to live birth rates in ART. Compared with women who did not consume soy isoflavones, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of live birth (95% confidence interval) for women in increasing categories of soy isoflavones intake were 1.32 (0.76-2.27) for women consuming 0.54-2.63 mg/d, 1.87 (1.12-3.14) for women consuming 2.64-7.55 mg/d, and 1.77 (1.03-3.03) for women consuming 7.56-27.89 mg/d. Dietary soy intake was positively related to the probability of having a live birth during infertility treatment with ART. Copyright © 2015 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Disordered eating attitudes and exercise in women undergoing fertility treatment.

PubMed

Rodino, Iolanda S; Byrne, Susan; Sanders, Katherine A

2016-02-01

Previous research has found a higher lifetime prevalence of eating disorders in women undergoing fertility treatment. This study aimed to gauge the prevalence of eating disorders in women attending a fertility clinic and to compare current disordered eating attitudes and exercise amongst different infertility categories. Three hundred and eighty-five women were grouped according to infertility diagnosis: male factor, unexplained infertility, ovulatory disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and heterogeneous causations. Participants anonymously completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a Demographics questionnaire. The lifetime history of self-reported eating disorders for women in the sample was similar to Australian community rates. Profile analysis revealed on the EDE-Q that women with ovulatory disorders were not significantly different from women with PCOS; however, they were significantly different to women with other infertility diagnoses (all P < 0.05), suggesting increased vulnerability to disordered eating. There were no between-group differences in exercise quantity (IPAQ, P = 0.625) although women with ovulatory disorders and PCOS had a significantly higher risk of engaging in compulsive, 'driven' exercise (OR = 6.98, CI = 1.39, 34.90, P = 0.018) as a means to control weight or shape. Contrary to previous research, our findings do not confirm a greater lifetime prevalence rate of eating disorders in women attending an infertility clinic. This study does highlight the importance of screening women with forms of an ovulatory disorder for features of disordered eating attitudes and driven exercise behaviours. © 2015 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Gender differences in the associations between perceived environment and walking for recreation in Taiwanese adults.

PubMed

Liao, Yung; Lin, Cheng-Yi; Huang, Jing-Huei; Park, Jong-Hwan

2017-01-01

This study examined gender differences in the associations between perceived environmental factors and walking for recreation in Taiwanese adults. In 2014, a telephone-based, cross-sectional survey targeting Taiwanese adults (20-64 years) was conducted. Data on nine items about environmental perception, time spent in walking for recreation, and socio-demographic variables were obtained from 1,065 adults using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long version and its environmental module. Adults who perceived good aesthetics (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36-2.23) and reported seeing people being active (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.21-2.06) were more likely to perform 150 minutes of recreational walking per week. Furthermore, significant interactions regarding walking for recreation were observed between gender and five environmental correlates: access to shops (p = .046), the presence of sidewalks (p < .001), access to recreational facilities (p = .02), seeing people being active (p = .001), and aesthetics (p < .001). These five perceived environmental factors were positively associated with recreational walking in women but not in men. Gender is a potential modifier between perceived environment and walking for recreation in adults. Perceived environmental factors appear to be more critical for women in performing health-enhancing levels of recreational walking than they are for men.

Taiwanese Students' Evaluation of the Regis University's International Masters Degree in Business Administration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsieh, Wen-Ih

This study evaluated the International Masters Degree in Business Administration (IMBA) program at Regis University, focusing on the perceptions of Taiwanese students. Regis University, Denver, Colorado, is a leading school for adult education and a center for Taiwanese adult students. The sample consisted of 28 Taiwanese graduates of or students…

Risk profile and HIV testing outcomes of women undergoing community-based testing in San Diego 2008-2014.

PubMed

Graves, Susannah K; Little, Susan J; Hoenigl, Martin

2017-02-06

Women comprised 19% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2014, with significant racial and ethnic disparities in infection rates. This cross-sectional analysis of women enrolled in a cohort study compares demographics, risk behaviour, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in those undergoing HIV testing in San Diego County. Data from the most recent screening visit of women undergoing voluntary HIV screening April 2008 -July 2014 was used. HIV diagnosis, risk behaviour and self-reported STIs were compared among women aged ≤24, 25-49, and ≥50, as well as between HIV-infected and uninfected women and between Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. Among the 2535 women included, Hispanic women were less likely than other women to report unprotected vaginal intercourse (p = 0.026) or stimulant drug use (p = 0.026), and more likely to report one or fewer partners (p < 0.0001), but also more likely to report sex with an HIV-infected individual (p = 0.027). New HIV infection was significantly more prevalent among Hispanic women (1.6% vs. 0.2%; p < 0.001). Hispanic women were more likely than other women to be diagnosed with HIV despite significantly lower rates of risk behaviour. Culturally specific risk reduction interventions for Hispanic women should focus on awareness of partner risk and appropriate testing.

Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation and Loss of Bone Mineral Density in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Therapy

PubMed Central

Datta, Mridul; Schwartz, Gary G.

2013-01-01

An unintended consequence of breast cancer therapies is an increased risk of osteoporosis due to accelerated bone loss. We conducted a systematic review of calcium and/or vitamin D (Ca±D) supplementation trials for maintaining bone mineral density (BMD) in women with breast cancer using the “before-after” data from the Ca±D supplemented comparison group of trials evaluating the effect of drugs such as bisphosphonates on BMD. Whether Ca±D supplements increase BMD in women undergoing breast cancer therapy has never been tested against an unsupplemented control group. However, results from 16 trials indicate that the Ca±D doses tested (500-1500 mg calcium; 200-1000 IU vitamin D) were inadequate to prevent BMD loss in these women. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality in women with breast cancer. Because calcium supplements may increase cardiovascular disease risk, future trials should evaluate the safety and efficacy of Ca±D supplementation in women undergoing breast cancer therapy. PMID:23932583

Family-Related Opinions and Stressful Situations Associated with Psychological Distress in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment

PubMed Central

Takaki, Jiro; Hibino, Yuri

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate how family-related opinions and stressful situations are related to psychological distress in women undergoing infertility treatment. The subjects in this cross-sectional study were recruited from female patients undergoing infertility treatment (n = 2540) at 70 infertility treatment institutions in Japan. Because of non-participation or missing data, the number of subjects included in the analysis was 635 (response rate, 25.0%). The family-related opinions and stressful situations were evaluated using the original questions. Psychological distress was assessed using a self-report measure, the Kessler Six-question Psychological Distress Scale (K6). The K6 scores of the following participants were significantly (p < 0.05) and independently high: those with more frequent miscarriage/stillbirth/abortions, those with repeated miscarriages as the cause of infertility, those with infertility of unknown causes, those living with no child, those having a low joint income with their partner, those with the opinion that “women should devote themselves to their household duties” those who had considered stopping treatment, those without the opinion that “married life without children is favorable” and those who had experienced stressful situations such as inadequate explanation by doctors, frustration of multiple failed attempts, differences of opinion with the partner, and lack of knowledge regarding when to stop treatment. Family-related opinions and stressful situations associated with psychological distress in women undergoing infertility treatment are outlined. The results of this study may contribute to the prevention of and care for psychological distress in female patients undergoing infertility treatment. PMID:25184788

Family-related opinions and stressful situations associated with psychological distress in women undergoing infertility treatment.

PubMed

Takaki, Jiro; Hibino, Yuri

2014-09-02

The purpose of this study is to investigate how family-related opinions and stressful situations are related to psychological distress in women undergoing infertility treatment. The subjects in this cross-sectional study were recruited from female patients undergoing infertility treatment (n = 2540) at 70 infertility treatment institutions in Japan. Because of non-participation or missing data, the number of subjects included in the analysis was 635 (response rate, 25.0%). The family-related opinions and stressful situations were evaluated using the original questions. Psychological distress was assessed using a self-report measure, the Kessler Six-question Psychological Distress Scale (K6). The K6 scores of the following participants were significantly (p < 0.05) and independently high: those with more frequent miscarriage/stillbirth/abortions, those with repeated miscarriages as the cause of infertility, those with infertility of unknown causes, those living with no child, those having a low joint income with their partner, those with the opinion that "women should devote themselves to their household duties" those who had considered stopping treatment, those without the opinion that "married life without children is favorable" and those who had experienced stressful situations such as inadequate explanation by doctors, frustration of multiple failed attempts, differences of opinion with the partner, and lack of knowledge regarding when to stop treatment. Family-related opinions and stressful situations associated with psychological distress in women undergoing infertility treatment are outlined. The results of this study may contribute to the prevention of and care for psychological distress in female patients undergoing infertility treatment.

Incorporating spirituality in psychosocial group intervention for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a prospective randomized controlled study.

PubMed

Chan, Celia H Y; Chan, Cecilia L W; Ng, Ernest H Y; Ho, P C; Chan, Timothy H Y; Lee, G L; Hui, W H C

2012-12-01

This study examined the efficacy of a group intervention, the Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit (I-BMS) intervention, which aims at improving the psychosocial and spiritual well-being of Chinese women undergoing their first IVF treatment cycle. The I-BMS intervention facilitates the search of meaning of life in the context of family and childbearing, as well as the letting go of high IVF expectations. A randomized controlled study of 339 women undergoing first IVF treatment cycle in a local Hong Kong hospital was conducted (intervention: n= 172; no-intervention control: n= 167). Assessments of anxiety, perceived importance of childbearing, and spiritual well-being were made at randomization (T(0) ), on the day starting ovarian stimulations (T(1)), and on the day undertaking embryo transfer (T(2)). Comparing T(0) and T(2), interaction analyses showed women who had received the intervention reported lower levels of physical distress, anxiety, and disorientation. They reported being more tranquil and satisfied with their marriage, and saw childbearing as less important compared to women in the control group. These findings suggest that I-BMS intervention was successful at improving the psychosocial and spiritual well-being of women undergoing their first IVF treatment cycle. This study highlights the importance of providing integrative fertility treatment that incorporates psychosocial and spiritual dimensions. ©2011 The British Psychological Society.

Perception and Acoustic Correlates of the Taiwanese Tone Sandhi Group

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuo, Chen-Hsiu

2013-01-01

This dissertation investigates how the Taiwanese Tone Sandhi Groups are perceived, and the acoustic/phonetics correlates of listeners' judgments. A series of perception experiments have been conducted to scrutinize the following topics--Taiwanese tone neutralization, Tone Sandhi Group (TSG) as a prosodic domain, perceived boundary strength in…

Vitamin D deficiency and pregnancy rates in women undergoing single embryo, blastocyst stage, transfer (SET) for IVF/ICSI.

PubMed

Polyzos, Nikolaos P; Anckaert, Ellen; Guzman, Luis; Schiettecatte, Johan; Van Landuyt, Lisbet; Camus, Michel; Smitz, Johan; Tournaye, Herman

2014-09-01

What is the influence of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy rates among women undergoing IVF/ICSI and Day 5 (blastocyst stage) single embryo transfer (SET)? Vitamin D deficiency results in significantly lower pregnancy rates in women undergoing single blastocyst transfer. Preliminary experiments have identified the presence of vitamin D receptors in the female reproductive system. However, results regarding the effect of vitamin D deficiency on clinical outcomes are conflicting. None of the previous studies adopted a SET strategy. Serum vitamin D concentration was measured retrospectively in patients who underwent SET on Day 5. Overall 368 consecutive infertile women treated within a period of 15 months were included in the study. All patients underwent ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI and Day 5 SET. Serum samples were obtained 7 days prior to embryo transfer and stored frozen at -20°C. Samples were collectively analyzed for their 25-OH vitamin D content. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-OH vitamin D levels <20 ng/ml in accordance with the Institute of Medicine and the Endocrine Society clinical practice guidelines. Clinical pregnancy rates were significantly lower in women with vitamin D deficiency compared with those with higher vitamin D values (41 versus 54%, P = 0.015).Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify whether vitamin D deficiency is independently associated with clinical pregnancy rates after controlling for 16 potential confounding factors. According to our results vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with lower clinical pregnancy rates, odds ratios [ORs (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61 (0.39-0.95)] for vitamin D deficiency (deficient versus non-deficient women), P = 0.030. Finally, even when restricting our analysis to women undergoing elective SET (274 patients), vitamin D deficiency was again independently associated with pregnancy rates [OR (95% CI) 0.56 (0.33-0.93), P = 0.024]. Our results refer only to

Analysis of Follicular Fluid Retinoids in Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

PubMed Central

Pauli, Samuel A.; Session, Donna R.; Shang, Weirong; Easley, Kirk; Wieser, Friedrich; Taylor, Robert N.; Pierzchalski, Keely; Napoli, Joseph L.; Kane, Maureen A.

2013-01-01

Retinol (ROL) and its biologically active metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), are essential for a number of reproductive processes. However, there is a paucity of information regarding their roles in ovarian folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, and early embryogenesis. The objectives of this study were to quantify and compare peripheral plasma (PP) and follicular fluid (FF) retinoid levels, including ATRA in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to investigate the relationship between retinoid levels and embryo quality. Retinoid levels were evaluated in PP and FF from 79 women undergoing IVF at the time of oocyte retrieval and corresponding embryo quality assessed on a daily basis after retrieval for 3 days until uterine transfer. Analysis compared the retinoid levels with day 3 embryo grades and between endometriosis versus control patients. Results demonstrated distinctive levels of retinoid metabolites and isomers in FF versus PP. There was a significantly larger percentage of high-quality grade I embryos derived from the largest versus smallest follicles. An increase in follicle size also correlated with a >50% increase in FF ROL and ATRA concentrations. Independent of follicle size, FF yielding grade I versus nongrade I embryos showed higher mean levels of ATRA but not ROL. In a nested case–control analysis, control participants had 50% higher mean levels of ATRA in their FF and PP than women with endometriosis. These findings strongly support the proposition that ATRA plays a fundamental role in oocyte development and quality, and that reduced ATRA synthesis may contribute to decreased fecundity of participants with endometriosis. PMID:23427183

Taiwanese Arithmetic and Algebra

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lo, Jane-Jane; Tsai, Feng-Chiu

2011-01-01

Taiwanese students consistently rank near the top on international exams on mathematics and science. In 2007, Taiwan recorded the highest TIMSS math score for eighth grade. The central education agency in Taiwan publishes detailed mathematics curriculum guidelines, which textbooks and national exams follow closely. In May each year, all ninth…

Risk factors for psychiatric disorders in infertile women and men undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.

PubMed

Volgsten, Helena; Skoog Svanberg, Agneta; Ekselius, Lisa; Lundkvist, Orjan; Sundström Poromaa, Inger

2010-03-01

To identify risk factors associated with depression and anxiety in infertile women and men undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Prospective study. A university hospital in Sweden during a 2-year period. 825 participants (413 women and 412 men). Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD), based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), as the diagnostic tool for evaluating mood and anxiety disorders, and fertility history and outcome of IVF treatment collected from the patients' medical records. Risk factors associated with depression and anxiety disorders. A negative pregnancy test and obesity were the independent risk factors for any mood disorders in women. Among men, the only independent risk factor for depression was unexplained infertility. No IVF-related risk factors could be identified for any anxiety disorder. A negative pregnancy test is associated with an increased risk for depression in women undergoing IVF, but no risk of developing anxiety disorders is associated with the pregnancy test result after IVF. Pregnancy test results were not a risk factor for depression or anxiety among men. Copyright 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

National survey of the current management of endometriomas in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment.

PubMed

Raffi, F; Shaw, R W; Amer, S A

2012-09-01

What is the current management of women with ovarian endometriomas undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART) in the UK? It appears that the majority of gynaecologists in the UK offer surgery (mostly cystectomy) for endometriomas prior to ART, regardless of the presence of symptoms. The ideal management of endometriomas in women undergoing ART remains controversial and presents a dilemma to reproductive specialists. This was a national cross-sectional survey. A total of 388 gynaecologists completed the questionnaire. All clinicians fully registered with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists were contacted. An 11-item survey was administered electronically using Survey Monkey software. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and comparative statistics. The majority of responders were consultants (65%), 25% practiced ART and 65% performed laparoscopic surgery. Overall, 95% of responders would offer surgery for endometriomas in women undergoing ART, either on the basis of the size (>3-5 cm) of the endometrioma (52%), the presence of symptoms (16%), the presence of multiple/bilateral endometriomas (2%), regardless of the size and symptoms (19%) or only to women undergoing IVF (6%). The remaining 5% of responders would not offer surgery before ART. Excision was the most common surgical modality (68%), followed by ablation (25%). Laparoscopic surgeons were almost twice as likely to 'offer surgery to all patients with endometriomas prior to ART' compared with clinicians performing laparotomy (22 versus 12%, P < 0.001). Our overall response rate, with answers to the questionnaire, was low (15%). However, the response rate amongst reproductive specialists was estimated at 60%. It is possible that there might have been an element of bias towards over-representation of responders who are more concerned about 'normalization' of the pelvic anatomy. Furthermore, our survey relied on self-reporting of practice and it is possible that being

The prevalence and risk factors for gallstone disease in taiwanese vegetarians.

PubMed

Chen, Yen-Chun; Chiou, Chia; Lin, Ming-Nan; Lin, Chin-Lon

2014-01-01

Gallstone disease (GSD) and its complications are major public health issues globally. Although many community-based studies had addressed the risk factors for GSD, little is known about GSD prevalence and risk factors among Taiwanese vegetarians. This study included 1721 vegetarians who completed a questionnaire detailing their demographics, medical history, and life-styles. GSD was ascertained by ultrasonography or surgical history of cholecystectomy for GSD. The predictive probability of GSD for male and female vegetarians was estimated from the fitted model. The prevalence of GSD was 8.2% for both male and female vegetarians. The risk of GSD is similar in men and women across all age groups, and increases steadily with increasing age. For male vegetarians, age (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.00-1.08) and serum total bilirubin level (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.31-4.22) predict risk for GSD. For female vegetarians, age (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), BMI (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01-1.13), and alcohol consumption (OR: 7.85; 95% CI: 1.83-33.73) are associated with GSD. GSD is not associated with type of vegetarian diet, duration of vegetarianism, low education level, physical inactivity, diabetes, coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular accident, chronic renal failure, hepatitis C virus infection, and lipid abnormalities. GSD is also not associated with age at menarche, postmenopausal status, and multiparity in female vegetarians. Risk factors useful for predicting GSD in vegetarians are (1) age and total bilirubin level in men, and (2) age, BMI, and alcohol consumption in women. Many previously identified risk factors for general population does not seem to apply to Taiwanese vegetarians.

Perception of musical and lexical tones by Taiwanese-speaking musicians.

PubMed

Lee, Chao-Yang; Lee, Yuh-Fang; Shr, Chia-Lin

2011-07-01

This study explored the relationship between music and speech by examining absolute pitch and lexical tone perception. Taiwanese-speaking musicians were asked to identify musical tones without a reference pitch and multispeaker Taiwanese level tones without acoustic cues typically present for speaker normalization. The results showed that a high percentage of the participants (65% with an exact match required and 81% with one-semitone errors allowed) possessed absolute pitch, as measured by the musical tone identification task. A negative correlation was found between occurrence of absolute pitch and age of onset of musical training, suggesting that the acquisition of absolute pitch resembles the acquisition of speech. The participants were able to identify multispeaker Taiwanese level tones with above-chance accuracy, even though the acoustic cues typically present for speaker normalization were not available in the stimuli. No correlations were found between the performance in musical tone identification and the performance in Taiwanese tone identification. Potential reasons for the lack of association between the two tasks are discussed. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

Acculturation Experiences of Taiwanese Students during Exchanges in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Annie (Ya-Ping); Bei, Lienti; DeVaney, Sharon A.

2007-01-01

This phenomenological study examined the acculturation experience of Taiwanese students who attended universities in the United States as exchange students. Hofstede's four dimensions of culture provided a framework for developing questions. Eight exchange students were interviewed. Taiwanese students realized there was a lower power distance…

Factors Related to Taiwanese Adolescents' Academic Procrastination, Time Management, and Perfectionism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Shu-Shen

2017-01-01

There is a shortage of studies that explore adolescents' academic procrastination. The author hence attempted to examine the mechanisms determining Taiwanese adolescent students' perfectionistic tendencies, time management, and academic procrastination. A total of 405 eighth-grade Taiwanese students completed a self-reported survey assessing their…

Self-Confidence and Quality of Life in Women Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer

PubMed Central

Shafaee, Fahimeh Sehati; Mirghafourvand, Mojgan; Harischi, Sepideh; Esfahani, Ali; Amirzehni, Jalileh

2018-01-01

Introduction: Quality of life is an important topic in the study of chronic diseases, especially cancer which can have a major effect on patient self-confidence. This study was conducted to determine quality of life and its relationship with self-confidence in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study was conducted in 2016 on 166 women with breast cancer undergoing treatment at Ghazi, Al-Zahra, International and/or Shams hospitals in Tabriz. The subjects were selected through convenience sampling. A personal-demographic questionnaire, the Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were completed for each patient. The data obtained were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, multivariate linear regression and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Findings: The mean total score of quality of life was 59.1±17.4, ranging from 0 to 100. The highest mean score was obtained in the cognitive subscale (74.9±23.8) and the lowest in the emotional subscale (51.4±21.1). The mean score for self-confidence was 0.3 with a standard deviation of 0.1, ranging from -1 to +1. There was a significant positive relationship between self-confidence and quality of life, except in three symptom subscales for diarrhea, constipation and loss of appetite (P<0.05). Self-confidence, disease duration, lifestyle, marital satisfaction and caregiver status were among the predictors of quality of life. Discussion: Given the significant relationship between quality of life and self-confidence, health care providers may need to pay special attention to women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and perform timely measures to maintain their belief in themselves. PMID:29582628

Association between Organochlorine Pesticide Levels in Breast Milk and Their Effects on Female Reproduction in a Taiwanese Population

PubMed Central

Chen, Men-Wen; Que, Danielle E.; Gou, Yan-You; Tayo, Lemmuel L.; Hsu, Yi-Chyun; Chen, Young-Bin; Chen, Fu-An; Chao, How-Ran

2018-01-01

Only few studies have focused on organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in breast milk and the related health risks for women in Taiwan. Our goal is to examine breast milk OCPs and their associations with female reproductive function (infertility, gynecological diseases, and menstruation characteristics) as well as their correlation with sociodemographic parameters (age, pre-pregnant body mass index (BMI), annual incomes, population, birth year, and parity) and dietary habit. The breast milk samples were collected in southern Taiwan (n = 68) from 2013 to 2016 and the OCP residues were analyzed using high resolution gas chromatography with low resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/LRMS). The results show that the most abundant OCP residues in the breast milk was ΣDDT with the geometric mean ± standard deviation of 9.81 ± 7.52 ng−1 lipid−1 followed by ΣHCH (0.539 ± 0.557 ng−1·lipid−1). In the principal component analysis, cis-chlordane (cis-CHL) and γ-HCH were found to be related to participants who received medical treatment for infertility, and 4,4′-DDT was associated with those who received gynecological surgery. The logistic regression showed that the odds ratio (OR) of log γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) was higher for mothers who had received medical treatment for infertility than for the normal group (OR = 25.6, p = 0.035) after adjustments for age, pre-pregnant BMI, annual income, population (i.e., native-born Taiwanese), birth year, and parity. Cow milk and beef consumption as well as menstruation characteristics such as average menstrual period (>5 days), shortest menstrual period (<3 days), and women who had taken hormonal drugs were significantly associated to several OCP residues in the breast milk. In addition, ΣHCH including β-HCH and γ-HCH was correlated with annual family income and gravidity as well as cow milk and beef consumptions. Overall, γ-HCH exhibited a probable association with the infertility diseases of Taiwanese women, and

Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture on Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Smith, Caroline A; de Lacey, Sheryl; Chapman, Michael; Ratcliffe, Julie; Norman, Robert J; Johnson, Neil P; Boothroyd, Clare; Fahey, Paul

2018-05-15

Acupuncture is widely used by women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), although the evidence for efficacy is conflicting. To determine the efficacy of acupuncture compared with a sham acupuncture control performed during IVF on live births. A single-blind, parallel-group randomized clinical trial including 848 women undergoing a fresh IVF cycle was conducted at 16 IVF centers in Australia and New Zealand between June 29, 2011, and October 23, 2015, with 10 months of pregnancy follow-up until August 2016. Women received either acupuncture (n = 424) or a sham acupuncture control (n = 424). The first treatment was administered between days 6 to 8 of follicle stimulation, and 2 treatments were administered prior to and following embryo transfer. The sham control used a noninvasive needle placed away from the true acupuncture points. The primary outcome was live birth, defined as the delivery of 1 or more living infants at greater than 20 weeks' gestation or birth weight of at least 400 g. Among 848 randomized women, 24 withdrew consent, 824 were included in the study (mean [SD] age, 35.4 [4.3] years); 371 [45.0%] had undergone more than 2 previous IVF cycles), 607 proceeded to an embryo transfer, and 809 (98.2%) had data available on live birth outcomes. Live births occurred among 74 of 405 women (18.3%) receiving acupuncture compared with 72 of 404 women (17.8%) receiving sham control (risk difference, 0.5% [95% CI, -4.9% to 5.8%]; relative risk, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.76 to 1.38]). Among women undergoing IVF, administration of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture at the time of ovarian stimulation and embryo transfer resulted in no significant difference in live birth rates. These findings do not support the use of acupuncture to improve the rate of live births among women undergoing IVF. anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12611000226909.

Profiles and experiences of women undergoing genital fistula repair: Findings from five countries

PubMed Central

Landry, Evelyn; Vera, Frajzyngier; Ruminjo, Joseph; Asiimwe, Frank; Barry, Thierno Hamidou; Bello, Abubakar; Danladi, Dantani; Ganda, Sanda Oumarou; Idris, Sa'ad; Inoussa, Maman; Kanoma, Bashir; Lynch, Maura; Mussell, Felicity; Podder, Dulal Chandra; Wali, Abba; Mielke, Erin; Barone, Mark A.

2013-01-01

This article presents data from 1354 women from five countries who participated in a prospective cohort study conducted between 2007 and 2010. Women undergoing surgery for fistula repair were interviewed at the time of admission, discharge, and at a 3-month follow-up visit. While women's experiences differed across countries, a similar picture emerges across countries: women married young, most were married at the time of admission, had little education, and for many, the fistula occurred after the first pregnancy. Median age at the time of fistula occurrence was 20.0 years (interquartile range 17.3–26.8). Half of the women attended some antenatal care (ANC); among those who attended ANC, less than 50% recalled being told about signs of pregnancy complications. At follow-up, most women (even those who were not dry) reported improvements in many aspects of social life, however, reported improvements varied by repair outcome. Prevention and treatment programmes need to recognise the supportive role that husbands, partners, and families play as women prepare for safe delivery. Effective treatment and support programmes are needed for women who remain incontinent after surgery. PMID:23947903

Cultural and age differences of three groups of Taiwanese young children's creativity and drawing.

PubMed

Wei, Mei-Hue; Dzeng, Annie

2013-06-01

This study investigated the cultural and age effects on children's overall creativity and drawing. 1,055 children ages 6 to 8 from three groups--urban and rural Taiwanese children and Taiwanese children of immigrant mothers, all in public schools--were given a creativity test, a people-drawing test, and a free-drawing test. The results showed that the older Taiwanese children scored higher than the young Taiwanese children on people-drawing and free-drawing, but not overall creativity. Drawing and creativity scores increased in accordance with age. In the six-year-old group, a group difference was found only on the scale of people-drawing. Urban Taiwanese children in the eight-year-old group scored higher than the other two groups of children on creativity and free-drawing. Results are discussed in terms of educational opportunities.

Population pharmacokinetic model for tumescent lidocaine in women undergoing breast cancer surgery.

PubMed

Riff, Camille; Bourgoin, Aurélie; Marsot, Amelie; Allanioux, Laurent; Leone, Marc; Blin, Olivier; Guilhaumou, Romain

2018-06-16

Tumescent lidocaine anesthesia (TLA) is an opportunity to perform mastectomy for breast cancer without general anesthesia in elderly women. Few reports are available on the pharmacokinetics of lidocaine in a context of TLA during a unilateral mastectomy. The aim of this study was to describe lidocaine pharmacokinetics in elderly women undergoing breast cancer surgery after TLA and to explore the risk of the toxicity of this technique. A prospective study was conducted to examine the pharmacokinetics of lidocaine in women undergoing TLA. TLA consists of an intradermal lidocaine instillation (20 mL, 1% [200 mg]) followed by a tumescent lidocaine infiltration (100 mL of 1% lidocaine [1000 mg] and 0.5 mg epinephrine to 1 L Ringer's lactate) via an infusion pump. A population pharmacokinetic (popPK) analysis was performed using the nonlinear mixed effects model (NONMEM). The analysis included 116 observations from 17 women with a median (range) age of 83.4 (60.5-90.0). The median tumescent lidocaine dose was 800 mg (range 375-1000 mg) infused over 48.0 ± 11.0 min. A one-compartment disposition model with first order absorption, two input compartments, and a central elimination best described the pharmacokinetics of lidocaine. The estimates (between subject variability; relative standard error, %) of apparent volume, apparent clearance, tumescent absorption rate, and instillation absorption rate were 195.0 (46.3; 14.5%) L, 24.7 (48.9; 13.3%) L h -1 , 0.28 (39.6; 13.8%) h -1 , and 2.56 (135.3; 44.9%) h -1 , respectively. This is the first popPK model developed to describe kinetic profiles of TLA. These findings confirm the slow diffusion of lidocaine from the tumescent deposit.

The Project of Critical Reflexive Education: American-Trained Taiwanese English Teachers' Identity-in-the-Making

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yeh, Fang Ping

2012-01-01

This dissertation explores what happens to American-trained Taiwanese English teachers when they return to teaching in Taiwan. Using a method of "collective biography", it inquires into three American-trained Taiwanese English teachers' life stories and the researcher's own as an American-trained Taiwanese English teacher and researcher.…

Temporal changes in outcomes of women and men undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion: 2005-2013.

PubMed

Toma, Aurel; Stähli, Barbara E; Gick, Michael; Ferenc, Miroslaw; Mashayekhi, Kambis; Buettner, Heinz Joachim; Neumann, Franz-Josef; Gebhard, Catherine

2018-06-01

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) has undergone impressive progress during the last decade, both in strategies and equipment. It is unknown whether technical refinement has translated into improved outcomes in women undergoing CTO-PCI. A total of 2002 consecutive patients (17% females, mean age 65.2 ± 10.7 years) undergoing PCI of at least one CTO lesion at our center between 01/2005 and 12/2013 were evaluated. The incidence of adverse events was compared between two time series (2005-2009 and 2010-2013). A significant increase in adverse lesion characteristics over time was noted in both, women and men (p < 0.001), while technical success rates significantly increased in men but not in women (p trend  < 0.001 in men and p trend =0.9 in women). The incidence of procedural complications was significantly higher in women as compared to men and increased over the study period in women (p < 0.05) but not in men. Accordingly, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified female sex as a strong predictor of PCI-related complications in recent years, while this was not the case in earlier years (adjusted HR 2.03, 95% CI 0.62-6.6, p = 0.2 and adjusted HR 4.7, 95% CI 1.8-12.3, p = 0.002, respectively, p < 0.001 for log LH ratio). In addition, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after a 3-year follow-up significantly declined in men (log rank = 0.046), while no changes were observed in women. While higher success rates and a reduced rate of MACE have been achieved in men, the incidence of procedural complications in women undergoing CTO-PCI has increased over time.

Yoga effects on mood and quality of life in Chinese women undergoing heroin detoxification: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Zhuang, Shu-mei; An, Shi-hui; Zhao, Yue

2013-01-01

Yoga, as a mind-body therapy, is effective in improving quality of life for patients with chronic diseases, yet little is known about its effectiveness in female heroin addicts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of yoga on mood status and quality of life among women undergoing detoxification for heroin dependence in China. This study was a randomized controlled trial. Seventy-five women aged 20-37 years undergoing detoxification for heroin dependence at AnKang Hospital were allocated randomly into an intervention or a control group. Women in the intervention group received a 6-month yoga intervention in addition to hospital routine care, and women in the control group received hospital routine care only. Mood status and quality of life were assessed using the Profile of Mood States and Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey at baseline and following 3 and 6 months of treatment. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate treatment and time effects on mood and quality of life. Most female heroin addicts were young and single, with a low education level. Most had used heroin by injection. Mood state and quality of life of female heroin addicts were poor. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in mood status and quality of life over time compared with their counterparts in the control group. Yoga may improve mood status and quality of life for women undergoing detoxification for heroin dependence. Yoga can be used as an auxiliary treatment with traditional hospital routine care for these women.

Understanding Taiwanese Students' Decision-Making Factors regarding Australian International Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Ching-Huei; Zimitat, Craig

2006-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motivators for Taiwanese students to study higher education in a western society. The behavioural motivations of Taiwanese students intending to undertake higher education in Australia and the USA were analysed using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Design/methodology/approach:…

Urinary bisphenol A concentrations and early reproductive health outcomes among women undergoing IVF.

PubMed

Ehrlich, Shelley; Williams, Paige L; Missmer, Stacey A; Flaws, Jodi A; Ye, Xiaoyun; Calafat, Antonia M; Petrozza, John C; Wright, Diane; Hauser, Russ

2012-12-01

In women undergoing IVF, are urinary bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations associated with ovarian response and early reproductive outcomes, including oocyte maturation and fertilization, Day 3 embryo quality and blastocyst formation? Higher urinary BPA concentrations were found to be associated with decreased ovarian response, number of fertilized oocytes and decreased blastocyst formation. Experimental animal and in vitro studies have reported associations between BPA exposure and adverse reproductive outcomes. We previously reported an association between urinary BPA and decreased ovarian response [peak serum estradiol (E(2)) and oocyte count at the time of retrieval] in women undergoing IVF; however, there are limited human data on reproductive health outcomes, such as fertilization and embryo development. Prospective preconception cohort study. One hundred and seventy-four women aged 18-45 years and undergoing 237 IVF cycles were recruited at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Boston, MA, USA, between November 2004 and August 2010. These women were followed until they either had a live birth or discontinued treatment. Cryothaw and donor egg cycles were not included in the analysis. Urinary BPA concentrations were measured by online solid-phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution-tandem mass spectrometry. Mixed effect models, poisson regression and multivariate logistic regression models were used wherever appropriate to evaluate the association between cycle-specific urinary BPA concentrations and measures of ovarian response, oocyte maturation (metaphase II), fertilization, embryo quality and cleavage rate. We accounted for correlation among multiple IVF cycles in the same woman using generalized estimating equations. The geometric mean (SD) for urinary BPA concentrations was 1.50 (2.22) µg/l. After adjustment for age and other potential confounders (Day 3 serum FSH, smoking, BMI), there was a significant linear

Facing aliens under globalization: changing meanings of home for Taiwanese employers of foreign domestics.

PubMed

Cheng, Shu-Ju Ada

2005-01-01

This paper is concerned with changing meanings of home for Taiwanese employers of foreign domestics under globalization. Shifting sense of home occurs for Taiwanese employers as well as foreign domestics in the process of labor migration. The author argues that Taiwanese employers, facing aliens at home, have adopted various rhetorical strategies to redefine their relationships with foreign domestics and deployed diverse practices of management within their households. As foreign domestics do housework at home, Taiwanese employers also do their own "homework," struggling to understand and cope with the process of becoming and being household employers. Their "homework" is an integral part of the globalization of domestic service.

Predictors and perception of pain in women undergoing first trimester surgical abortion.

PubMed

Singh, Rameet H; Ghanem, Khalil G; Burke, Anne E; Nichols, Mark D; Rogers, Kathy; Blumenthal, Paul D

2008-08-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate pain and predictors of pain in women undergoing electric (EVA) or manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for first trimester surgical abortions and to examine how perceptions of pain differ among participants, advocates (participant support person) and physicians. In this randomized controlled study, women presenting for first trimester abortion underwent standardized EVA or MVA. Participants completed questionnaires, visual analog scales (VAS) and Likert scales for pain. Logistic and linear regression models were used to analyze the data. Nonwhite women and women who preoperatively expected more pain reported higher procedure-related pain scores. Vacuum source, previous history of abortion, comfort with decision to have an abortion and partner involvement did not affect participant pain scores. In the multivariable analyses, no single factor predicted procedure-associated pain. The advocates perceived that more educated women had less pain. Physicians felt longer procedures and a woman's fear of pelvic examinations caused more pain. Physicians believed women had less pain than the participants reported themselves (p<.001). Only physicians thought that EVA was less painful than MVA (p<.01). Distinct factors other than vacuum source affect the perception of abortion-related pain. Understanding these factors may help inform counseling strategies aimed at ameliorating pain perception during first trimester abortions.

The effect of G-CSF on infertile women undergoing IVF treatment: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Li, Jie; Mo, Sien; Chen, Yang

2017-08-01

Evidence for the effect of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) remains inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of G-CSF on infertile women undergoing IVF. PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched before August 2016. Comparing the transvaginal perfusion of G-CSF and placebo or no treatment, the available studies were considered. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used in the analysis and six studies were included. Transvaginal perfusion of G-CSF was significantly associated with a higher clinical pregnancy rate versus the placebo (RR=1.563, 95%CI: 1.122, 2.176), especially for the Asian population. Among patients with a thin endometrium or repeated IVF failure, the implantation and biochemical pregnancy rates were also significantly increased in patients with the use of G-CSF (implantation rate: RR = 1.887, 95% CI: 1.256, 2.833; biochemical pregnancy rate: RR = 2.385, 95% CI: 1.414, 4.023). However, no statistical significance in increasing endometrial thickness was detected. Transvaginal perfusion of G-CSF for infertile women may play a critical role in assisting human reproduction, especially for patients with a thin endometrium or repeated IVF failure in the Asian population.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Provides Evidence to Support Aromatherapy to Minimize Anxiety in Women Undergoing Breast Biopsy.

PubMed

Trambert, Renee; Kowalski, Mildred Ortu; Wu, Betty; Mehta, Nimisha; Friedman, Paul

2017-10-01

Aromatherapy has been used to reduce anxiety in a variety of settings, but usefulness associated with breast biopsies has not been documented. This study was conducted in women undergoing image-guided breast biopsy. We explored the use of two different aromatherapy scents, compared to placebo, aimed at reducing anxiety with the intent of generating new knowledge. This was a randomized, placebo-controlled study of two different types of external aromatherapy tabs (lavender-sandalwood and orange-peppermint) compared with a matched placebo-control delivery system. Anxiety was self-reported before and after undergoing a breast biopsy using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory Scale. Eighty-seven women participated in this study. There was a statistically significant reduction in self-reported anxiety with the use of the lavender-sandalwood aromatherapy tab compared with the placebo group (p = .032). Aromatherapy tabs reduced anxiety during image-guided breast biopsy. The completion of the biopsy provided some relief from anxiety in all groups. The use of aromatherapy tabs offers an evidence-based nursing intervention to improve adaptation and reduce anxiety for women undergoing breast biopsy. Lavender-sandalwood aromatherapy reduced anxiety and promoted adaptation more than orange-peppermint aromatherapy or placebo. © 2017 Sigma Theta Tau International.

Which outcomes do women expect to achieve after undergoing induced abortion.

PubMed

Nouhjah, Sedigheh; Zamani-Alavijeh, Fereshteh; Heydarabadi, Akbar Babaei; Hozaili, Maedeh

2017-02-01

Unsafe abortion is one of the most important health problems in many countries. Because of legal and moral issues, abortion is one of the most sensitive decisions. The aim of this study was to understand women's expected gains from undergoing induced abortion. To explain the factors leading to induced abortion, we collected the stories and experiences of a total of 21 people, including 18 women who underwent induced abortion in their most recent pregnancies, two women's health providers, and a companion of a mother who died after an induced abortion. This qualitative study was conducted in Imam Khomeini and Razi hospital of Ahvaz and also a number of health centers, from February to September 2014. To collect the required data, we used open and semi-structured deep interviews. Content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Three major themes emerged from the analysis of the collected data, which included the following: 1) Expected favorable health-related outcomes, 2) Expected favorable economic outcomes, and 3. Expected favorable outcomes in social level and family relationships. The results of this study showed that the studied women, to achieve to desirable outcomes in areas of health, economic and social, have undergone induced abortion. Hence, to develop programs for the prevention of induced abortion it is necessary to consider the motivations of women to intentionally terminate a pregnancy.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mutational Profile in Taiwanese Population | Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research

Cancer.gov

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major oral cancer subtype that is the fourth most common cancer affecting Taiwanese men. Despite known risk behaviors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and betel nut chewing often indulged by Taiwanese men, the genetic contribution to the incidence or progression of OSCC has yet been elucidated in the Taiwanese population.

Cytokine Response to Subclinical Cytomegalovirus Reactivation as a Cause of Severe Fatigue in Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

herpesvirus cytomegalovirus (CMV) might contribute to severe cancer treatment related fatigue (CTRF) in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer...reactivation of the latent herpesvirus CMV, which would stimulate inflammatory cytokines. We predicted that women harboring latent CMV (CMV positives) would

Pilot Evaluation of a Sexual Abuse Prevention Program for Taiwanese Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Yi-Chuen; Fortson, Beverly L.; Tseng, Kai-Wen

2012-01-01

The purpose of the current study was to develop and evaluate the efficacy of a school-based child sexual abuse prevention program for Taiwanese children. Forty-six Taiwanese children age 6 to 13 were divided into one of two groups based on their school grade and then randomly assigned to a skills-based child sexual abuse prevention program who…

A diet and physical activity intervention for preventing weight retention among Taiwanese childbearing women: a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Huang, Tzu-ting; Yeh, Chieh-Ying; Tsai, Yc-Chen

2011-04-01

to examine the effect of individual counselling on diet and physical activity from pregnancy to six months post partum, or from birth to six months post partum, on weight retention among Taiwanese women. a randomised controlled trial assigned participants to two experimental groups [from pregnancy to six months post partum (EP) and from birth to six months post partum (EPP)] and one comparison group. a 3900-bed medical centre in northern Taiwan with around 3000 births annually. a sample of 189 women who had regular check-ups during pregnancy and gave birth at the medical centre. the comparison group received the routine outpatient department obstetric educational programme. The EP group attended regularly scheduled clinic visits with individualised dietary and physical activity education plans from 16 gestational weeks to six months post partum, and received on brochure. The EPP group received the same educational intervention as the EP group from 24-48 hours after birth to six months post partum. body weight, body mass index, health-promoting behaviour and psycho-social variables (self-efficacy, body image, depression and social support). average gestational weight gain was 14.02, 15.27 and 16.22 kg in the three EP, EPP and comparison groups respectively, and average weight retention at six months post partum was 2.34, 4.06 and 5.08 kg in the three groups, respectively. a diet and physical activity intervention from pregnancy is effective for reducing post-pregnancy weight retention. the findings of the present study should be taken into consideration when incorporating significant others and weight-loss maintenance strategies with interventions for a healthier family lifestyle. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Age and Gender Differences in Urinary Levels of Eleven Phthalate Metabolites in General Taiwanese Population after a DEHP Episode

PubMed Central

Huang, Po-Chin; Tsai, Chih-Hsin; Liang, Wei-Yen; Li, Sih-Syuan; Pan, Wen-Harn; Chiang, Hung-Che

2015-01-01

Introduction In 2011, the Taiwan FDA disclosed illegal di(2-ethylhexyl phthalate) (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) use in beverage and nutrition supplements. We aim to determine phthalate exposure and other relevant factors in a sample of the general Taiwanese population in order to evaluate actual phthalate exposure levels after this disclosure of DEHP use. Method We selected subjects aged 7 years old and older in 2013 from the general Taiwanese population. First morning urine samples from each participant were collected to analyze 11 phthalate metabolites representing 7 parent phthalates using on-line liquid chromatography/ tandem mass spectrometry. An interview questionnaire was applied to obtain participant demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and other relevant factors. Results The median levels of metabolites of DEHP, including mono-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), DBP (DnBP and DiBP), including mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP), and mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) in urine samples of 290 adults/ 97 minors (<18 years) were 7.9/ 6.1, 12.6/ 17.8, 22.0/ 25.8, 25.4/ 30.8, 18.1/ 23.6, 9.4/ 13.6 and 14.5/ 12.4 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Women (≧18 years) were exposed to significantly higher levels of MEHHP (P=0.011), MECPP (P=0.01), MnBP (P=0.001) and MEP (P<0.001) than men (≧18 years), whereas no gender difference was observed in minors. We found significant higher level of MEP (creatinine-unadjusted) in subject aged between 18 to 40 years old (P<0.001), especially for women. Exposure levels of MEOHP (P<0.001), MECPP (P=0.002) and MnBP (P=0.044) in minors were significantly higher than those of adults. High frequency usage of food preservation film and bags, and personal care products are potential sources of phthalates exposure in general Taiwanese. Conclusion Our findings indicated

The effect of an internet-based, stage-matched message intervention on young Taiwanese women's physical activity.

PubMed

Huang, Sheu-Jen; Hung, Wen-Chi; Chang, Maiga; Chang, Janie

2009-01-01

A web-based, stage-matched message intervention was designed in order to see the effect on the physical activity of young Taiwanese women with regard to several variables. The intervention was guided by the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) and was evaluated using a pre-post-test control group design. One hundred thirty female freshmen, enrolled in a nursing class in a university in Taipei, completed the survey at three different points in time. They were assigned to three groups: an experimental group with stage-matched messages on the website, a generic group with non-stage-matched messages on the website, and a control group that was given only lectures but had no access to the website. Results indicated that the subjects in the stage-matched group improved most in terms of stage-of-exercise and amount of physical activity, followed by the generic group at immediate post-test; meanwhile, the control group had a tendency toward downward change. The effect did not persist, however, for the first two groups. A significantly higher level of exercise self-efficacy was found in the stage-matched group than in the other two groups immediately after the intervention. The results suggested that a website conveying theory-based messages can serve as a useful tool for improving young females' physical activity and exercise self-efficacy. Additionally, we need research that explores different degrees and dimensions of tailoring in order to find the optimal degree of audience segmentation.

Vietnamese Female Spouses' Language Use Patterns in Self-Initiated Admonishment Sequences in Bilingual Taiwanese Families

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Li-Fen

2014-01-01

This paper aims to identify how Taiwanese and Mandarin (the two dominant languages in Taiwan) are used as interactional resources by Vietnamese female spouses in bilingual Taiwanese families. Three Vietnamese-Taiwanese transnational families (a total of seventeen people) participated in the research, and mealtime talks among the Vietnamese wives…

The effect of aromatherapy on postoperative nausea in women undergoing surgical procedures.

PubMed

Ferruggiari, Luisa; Ragione, Barbara; Rich, Ellen R; Lock, Kathleen

2012-08-01

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common source of patient discomfort and decreased satisfaction. Aromatherapy has been identified as a complementary modality for the prevention and management of PONV. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of aromatherapy on the severity of postoperative nausea (PON) in women undergoing surgical procedures in the postanesthesia care unit. Women complaining of PON received traditional antiemetics, inhalation of peppermint oil, or saline vapor. A visual analog scale was used to rate nausea at the first complaint; at 5 minutes after intervention; and, if nausea persisted, at 10 minutes after intervention. At both 5 and 10 minutes, statistical analysis showed no significant differences between intervention and nausea rating. Obtaining eligible subjects was challenging. Although many women consented, most received intraoperative antiemetics and did not report nausea postoperatively. Copyright © 2012 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Screening Women Aged 50-59 for CRC Using Fecal Occult Blood Test Produces Outcomes Similar to Men Undergoing Screening Colonoscopy.

PubMed

Mooers, Harrison M; Holub, Jennifer L; Lieberman, David A

2018-06-13

Average-risk women aged 50-59 years have a lower incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer relative to age-matched men, calling into question the benefit of screening colonoscopy in this age group. We aimed to determine whether FOBT is an effective initial screening test in 50-59-year-old women. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a computerized endoscopic report generator. We identified 320,906 individuals who had average-risk screening colonoscopy and 32,369 who had colonoscopy for positive FOBT. The primary outcome was the positive predictive value (PPV) of FOBT for large polyp(s) greater than 9 mm, as a surrogate for advanced neoplasia. Among patients aged 50-59 years undergoing screening colonoscopy, men were more likely than women to have large polyps (6.3 vs 4.2%, p < 0.0001). Black women undergoing screening colonoscopy had higher rates of large polyps compared to non-Black women. The PPV in FOBT-positive men aged 50-54 (11.5%) and 55-59 (14.4%) was higher than in women aged 50-54 (6.1%) and 55-59 (5.4%). Despite this lower PPV, women aged 50-54 with a positive FOBT had a similar rate of large polyps as 50-54-year-old men undergoing screening colonoscopy (6.1 vs 6.3%, p = 0.626). CRC screening with FOBT identifies 50-59-year-old men and women with a higher risk of large polyps. Since younger women have a lower risk of large polyps than men, screening with FOBT in 50-59-year-old non-Black women could be an effective screening strategy, with outcomes similar to the use of screening colonoscopy in 50-59-year-old men.

The effect of endometrial injury on ongoing pregnancy rate in unselected subfertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Yeung, Tracy Wing Yee; Chai, Joyce; Li, Raymond Hang Wun; Lee, Vivian Chi Yan; Ho, Pak Chung; Ng, Ernest Hung Yu

2014-11-01

Does endometrial injury in the cycle preceding ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) improve the ongoing pregnancy rate in unselected subfertile women? Endometrial injury induced by endometrial aspiration in the preceding cycle does not improve the ongoing pregnancy rate in unselected subfertile women undergoing IVF. Implantation failure remains one of the major limiting factors for IVF success. Mechanical endometrial injury in the cycle preceding ovarian stimulation of IVF treatment has been shown to improve implantation and pregnancy rates in women with repeated implantation failures. There is limited data on unselected subfertile women, especially those undergoing their first IVF treatment. This randomized controlled trial recruited 300 unselected subfertile women scheduled for IVF/ICSI treatment between March 2011 and August 2013. Subjects were randomized into endometrial aspiration (EA) (n = 150) and non-EA (n = 150) groups according to a computer-generated randomization list. Subjects were recruited and randomized in the assisted reproductive unit at the University of Hong Kong. In the preceding cycle, women in the EA group underwent endometrial aspiration using a Pipelle catheter in mid-luteal phase. All women were treated with a cycle of IVF/ICSI. Pregnancy outcomes were compared. There were no significant differences in baseline or cycle characteristics between the groups. There were 209 subjects (69.7%) who were undergoing their first IVF cycle and 91 (30.3%) subjects who had repeated cycles. There was no significant difference in ongoing pregnancy rates [26.7% (40/150) versus 32.0% (48/150); RR 0.833 (95% CI 0.585-1.187), P = 0.375] in the EA and non-EA groups. The implantation rates [32.8% (67/204) versus 29.7% (68/229); RR 1.080 (95% CI 0.804-1.450), P = 0.120], clinical pregnancy rates [34.0% (51/150) versus 38.0 (57/150); RR 0.895 (95% CI 0.661-1.211), P = 0.548], miscarriage rates [30.3% (17/56) versus 18.6% (11/59), RR 1.628 (95% CI

Taiwanese Students' Alternative Conceptions of Animal Biodiversity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yen, Chiung-Fen; Yao, Tsung-Wei; Mintzes, Joel J.

2007-01-01

This study explored and documented Taiwanese students' alternative conceptions of animal classification. We examined the understanding of the "animal", "vertebrate" and "invertebrate", "fish", "amphibian", "reptile", "bird", and "mammal" concepts among elementary,…

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and treatment outcomes of women undergoing assisted reproduction.

PubMed

Abadia, Laura; Gaskins, Audrey J; Chiu, Yu-Han; Williams, Paige L; Keller, Myra; Wright, Diane L; Souter, Irene; Hauser, Russ; Chavarro, Jorge E

2016-09-01

Vitamin D deficiency impairs fertility in animal models, but the role of vitamin D in human fertility or treatment of infertility is less clear. We examined the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and the outcome in women undergoing assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs). We randomly selected 100 women undergoing infertility treatment with ART enrolled in an ongoing prospective cohort study who underwent 168 treatment cycles. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured in samples collected from women between days 3 and 9 of gonadotropin treatment. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the association of 25(OH)D concentrations with ART outcomes while adjusting for potential confounders and accounting for repeated treatment cycles per woman. Median (range) serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 86.5 (33.5-155.5) nmol/L. Ninety-one percent of participants consumed multivitamins. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were positively related to fertilization rate. The adjusted fertilization rate for women in increasing quartiles of serum 25(OH)D were 0.62 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.72), 0.53 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.63), 0.67 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.76), and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.80), respectively (P-trend = 0.03). This association persisted when analyses were restricted to women with serum 25(OH)D between 50 and 125 nmol/L when models were further adjusted for season of blood draw and when analyses were restricted to the first treatment cycle. However, 25(OH)D concentrations were unrelated to probability of pregnancy (P-trend = 0.83) or live birth after ART (P-trend = 0.47). Vitamin D may be associated with higher fertilization rates, but this apparent benefit does not translate into higher probability of pregnancy or live birth. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00011713. © 2016 American Society for Nutrition.

Taiwanese and Sri Lankan students' dimensions and discourses of professionalism.

PubMed

Monrouxe, Lynn V; Chandratilake, Madawa; Gosselin, Katherine; Rees, Charlotte E; Ho, Ming-Jung

2017-07-01

The definition of medical professionalism poses a challenge to global medical educators. This is especially pronounced in settings where professionalism frameworks developed in the west are transferred into different cultures. Building upon our previous study across Western contexts, we examine Taiwanese and Sri Lankan medical students' conceptualisations of professionalism in terms of what professionalism comprises (i.e. dimensions) and how it is linguistically framed (i.e. discourses). A qualitative group interview study was undertaken comprising 26 group interviews with 135 participants from one Taiwanese (n = 64; Years 4-7) and one Sri Lankan medical school (n = 71; Years 2-5). Through thematic framework analysis we examined the data for explicit dimensions of professionalism. Through discourse analysis we identified how participants constructed professionalism linguistically (discourses). Thirteen common dimensions across Taiwanese and Sri Lankan talk were identified, with the dimensions (contextual, integration and internalised self) being identified only in Sri Lankan data. Professionalism as knowledge and patient-centredness were dominant dimensions in Taiwan; in Sri Lanka, attributes of the individual and rules were dominant dimensions. Participants in both countries used four types of discourses previously identified in the literature. Individual and interpersonal discourses were dominant in Taiwanese talk; the collective discourse was dominant in Sri Lankan talk. Findings were compared with our previous data collected in Western contexts. Despite some overlap in the dimensions and discourses identified across both this and Western studies, Taiwanese and Sri Lankan students' dominant dimensions and discourses were distinct. We therefore encourage global medical educators to look beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to professionalism, and to recognise the significance of context and culture in conceptualisations of professionalism. © 2017 The Authors

Is vegetarian diet associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in Taiwanese women?

PubMed

Chang, Yao-Jen; Hou, Yi-Cheng; Chen, Li-Ju; Wu, Jing-Hui; Wu, Chao-Chuan; Chang, Yun-Jau; Chung, Kuo-Piao

2017-10-10

Studies on the relationship between vegetarian diet and breast cancer in Asian populations are limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vegetarian diet, dietary patterns, and breast cancer in Taiwanese women. This case-control study compared the dietary patterns of 233 breast cancer patients and 236 age-matched controls. A questionnaire about vegetarian diets and 28 frequently-consumed food items was administered to these 469 patients in the surgical department of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital. Serum biochemical status was also examined. There were no significant differences between the two groups for age, education, family history, oral contraceptive usage, or regular exercise. However, the cancer group presented with both a higher body mass index and an older age of primiparity (P < 0.05). Two food items (shellfish and seafood) were highly correlated (correlation coefficient = 0.77), so shellfish was excluded to avoid multicollinearity. A factor analysis of 27 food items produced five dietary patterns: meat, processed meat, fruit/vegetable/soybean, dessert/sugar, and fermented food. Multivariate logistic regression showed that meat/fat and processed meat dietary patterns were associated with breast cancer risk (odds ratio (OR): 2.22, 95% CI 1.67-2.94, P < 0.001; OR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.09-2.04, P = 0.013, respectively). Vegetarian diet, high isoflavone intake, and high albumin levels were inversely associated with breast cancer risk (P < 0.05). Vegetarians had a higher daily soy isoflavone intake than non-vegetarians (25.9 ± 25.6 mg vs. 18.1 ± 15.6 mg, P < 0.001). Vegetarian diets show as protective role against breast cancer risk, while meat and processed meat dietary patterns are associated with a higher breast cancer risk.

Interventions for preventing nausea and vomiting in women undergoing regional anaesthesia for caesarean section

PubMed Central

Griffiths, James D; Gyte, Gillian ML; Paranjothy, Shantini; Brown, Heather C; Broughton, Hannah K; Thomas, Jane

2014-01-01

Background Nausea and vomiting are distressing symptoms which are experienced commonly during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia and can also occur in the period following the procedure. Objectives To assess the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions given prophylactically to prevent nausea and vomiting in women undergoing regional anaesthesia for caesarean section. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group’s Trials Register (27 February 2012) and reference lists of identified studies. Selection criteria We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and excluded quasi-RCTs and cross-over studies. Data collection and analysis Review authors independently assessed the studies for inclusion, assessed risk of bias and carried out data extraction. Data entry was checked. Main results Fifty-two studies met the inclusion criteria but only 41 studies, involving 5046 women, provided useable data for the review involving women having caesareans under regional anaesthesia. The majority of the studies involved women undergoing elective caesarean section. Only two studies included emergency surgery, however, they did not stratify data according to type of surgery. The studies covered numerous comparisons, but the majority of studies involved 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, dopamine receptor antagonists, corticosteroids or acupressure. Studies were mainly small and of unclear quality. Three classes of intervention were found to be effective in at least three out of four of our primary outcomes (intraoperative nausea, intraoperative vomiting, postoperative nausea and postoperative vomiting). These interventions were 5-HT3 antagonists, dopamine antagonists and sedatives. Other classes of intervention were effective for fewer than three of our primary outcomes. With 5-HT antagonists, we found a reduction in intraoperative nausea (average risk ratio (RR) 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46 to 0.88, eight studies

Evaluation of the Utility of Screening Mammography for High-Risk Women Undergoing Screening Breast MR Imaging.

PubMed

Lo, Glen; Scaranelo, Anabel M; Aboras, Hana; Ghai, Sandeep; Kulkarni, Supriya; Fleming, Rachel; Bukhanov, Karina; Crystal, Pavel

2017-10-01

Purpose To evaluate the value of mammography in detecting breast cancer in high-risk women undergoing screening breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Materials and Methods An ethics-approved, retrospective review of prospective databases was performed to identify outcomes of 3934 screening studies (1977 screening MR imaging examinations and 1957 screening mammograms) performed between January 2012 and July 2014 in 1249 high-risk women. Performance measures including recall and cancer detection rates, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated for both mammography and MR imaging. Results A total of 45 cancers (33 invasive and 12 ductal carcinomas in situ) were diagnosed, 43 were seen with MR imaging and 14 with both mammography and MR imaging. Additional tests (further imaging and/or biopsy) were recommended in 461 screening MR imaging studies (recall rate, 23.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.5%, 25.2%), and mammography recalled 217 (recall rate, 11.1%; 95% CI: 9.7%, 12.6%). The cancer detection rate for MR imaging was 21.8 cancers per 1000 examinations (95% CI: 15.78, 29.19) and that for mammography was 7.2 cancers per 1000 examinations (95% CI: 3.92, 11.97; P < .001). Sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging were 96% and 78% respectively, and those of mammography were 31% and 89%, respectively (P < .001). Positive predictive value for MR imaging recalls was 9.3% (95% CI: 6.83%, 12.36%) and that for mammography recalls was 6.5% (95% CI: 3.57%, 10.59%). Conclusion Contemporaneous screening mammography did not have added value in detection of breast cancer for women who undergo screening MR imaging. Routine use of screening mammography in women undergoing screening breast MR imaging warrants reconsideration. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Taiwanese Medical Students' Narratives of Intercultural Professionalism Dilemmas: Exploring Tensions between Western Medicine and Taiwanese Culture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ho, Ming-Jung; Gosselin, Katherine; Chandratilake, Madawa; Monrouxe, Lynn V.; Rees, Charlotte E.

2017-01-01

In an era of globalization, cultural competence is necessary for the provision of quality healthcare. Although this topic has been well explored in non-Western cultures within Western contexts, the authors explore how Taiwanese medical students trained in Western medicine address intercultural professionalism dilemmas related to tensions between…

Moving with Modernisation and Civilisation: Taiwanese Nativist Education in the Early 1930s

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Hsuan-Yi

2017-01-01

This study examines localisation endeavours in contemporary Taiwan to explore the history of the Taiwanese localisation movement as a way of reimagining meanings of "Taiwaneseness" constructed under different historical circumstances. It focuses on the "xiangtu" (nativist) literature movement in colonial Taiwan in the early…

Assessment of hot flushes and vaginal dryness among obese women undergoing bariatric surgery.

PubMed

Goughnour, S L; Thurston, R C; Althouse, A D; Freese, K E; Edwards, R P; Hamad, G G; McCloskey, C; Ramanathan, R; Bovbjerg, D H; Linkov, F

2016-01-01

Menopausal symptoms are associated with a negative impact on the quality of life, leading women to seek medical treatment. Obesity has been linked to higher levels of menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. This assessment will explore whether the prevalence and bother of hot flushes and vaginal dryness change from pre- to post-bariatric surgery among obese midlife women. This study is a longitudinal analysis of data from 69 women (ages 35-72 years) undergoing bariatric surgery with reported reproductive histories and menopausal symptoms at preoperative and 6-month postoperative visits. Prevalence of and degree of bother of hot flushes and vaginal dryness at pre- and post-surgery were compared using McNemar's test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The reported degree of bother of symptoms associated with hot flushes decreased from pre- to post-surgery (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in the prevalence of hot flushes or vaginal dryness in the overall study sample. The degree of bother of symptoms associated with hot flushes among midlife women may decrease after bariatric surgery. These results highlight important secondary gains, including less bothersome menopausal symptoms, for women who choose bariatric surgery for weight loss.

Risk factors for suicide in Taiwanese college students.

PubMed

Gau, Susan Shur-Fen; Chen, Ying-Yeh; Tsai, Fang-Ju; Lee, Ming-Been; Chiu, Yen-Nan; Soong, Wei-Tsuen; Hwu, Hai-Gwo

2008-01-01

The authors investigated the personality characteristics, psychopathology, parenting style, and family function among Taiwanese college students with high, moderate, and low suicidal risks. The sample included 2,919 first-year college students (1,414 men, 1,505 women) from a university in Taipei, Taiwan. A self-administered questionnaire assessed domains covering demographics, personality, psychopathology, frequency of substance use, parenting style, family functioning, and suicidal behaviors. The authors used mixed models for data analysis. The authors observed a positive linear trend between increased suicidal tendency and levels of neuroticism, harm avoidance, novelty seeking, psychopathology, and parenting styles of low affection, overprotection, and authoritarian controlling. Use of tobacco and alcohol and impaired family adaptation and cohesion were associated with high and moderate suicidal risks. Personality, psychopathology, substance use, and familial factors are important correlates of suicidal risks among college students in Taiwan. Optimal suicide prevention strategies in the college setting should incorporate the multiple facets of suicidal risks.

Revisiting Cyberbullying: Perspectives from Taiwanese Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Yun-yin; Chou, Chien

2013-01-01

Cyberbullying among students has received extensive attention from researchers and educators. Most research is, however, based on student reports while teachers' perceptions of this aggressive behavior among students have rarely been studied. We surveyed 2821 Taiwanese teachers on their perceptions of cyberbullying among students, including the…

Preoperative risk assessment among women undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy for cancer risk reduction.

PubMed

Rueth, Natasha M; McMahon, Melissa; Arrington, Amanda K; Swenson, Karen; Leach, Joseph; Tuttle, Todd M

2011-09-01

Cancer risk assessment is an important decision-making tool for women considering irreversible risk-reducing surgery. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of BRCA testing among women undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (BPM) and to review the characteristics of women who choose BPM within a metropolitan setting. We retrospectively reviewed records of women who underwent BPM in the absence of cancer within 2 health care systems that included 5 metropolitan hospitals. Women with invasive carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were excluded; neither lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) nor atypical hyperplasia (AH) were exclusion criteria. We collected demographic information and preoperative screening and risk assessment, BRCA testing, reconstruction, and associated cancer risk-reducing surgery data. We compared women who underwent BRCA testing to those not tested. From January 2002 to July 2009, a total of 71 BPMs were performed. Only 25 women (35.2%) had preoperative BRCA testing; 88% had a BRCA mutation. Compared with tested women, BRCA nontested women were significantly older (39.1 vs. 49.2 years, P < 0.001), had significantly more preoperative biopsies and mammograms and had fewer previous or simultaneous cancer risk-reducing surgery (oophorectomy). Among BRCA nontested women, common indications for BPM were family history of breast cancer (n = 21, 45.6%) or LCIS or AH (n = 16, 34.8%); 9 nontested women (19.6%) chose BPM based on exclusively on cancer-risk anxiety or personal preference. Most women who underwent BPM did not receive preoperative genetic testing. Further studies are needed to corroborate our findings in other geographic regions and practice settings.

Carbetocin versus oxytocin for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in obese nulliparous women undergoing emergency cesarean delivery.

PubMed

El Behery, Manal M; El Sayed, Gamal Abbas; El Hameed, Azza A Abd; Soliman, Badeea S; Abdelsalam, Walid A; Bahaa, Abeer

2016-01-01

To assess and compare the effectiveness and safety of single IV polus dose of carbetocin, versus IV oxytocin infusion in the prevention of PPH in obese nulliparous women undergoing emergency Cesarean Delivery. A double-blinded randomized-controlled trial was conducted on 180 pregnant women with BMI >30. Women were randomized to receive either oxytocin or carbetocin during C.S. The primary outcome measure was major primary PPH >1000 ml within 24 h of delivery as per the definition of PPH by the World Health Organization Secondary outcome measures were hemoglobin and hematocrit changes pre- and post-delivery, use of further ecobolics, uterine tone 2 and 12-h postpartum and adverse effects. A significant difference in the amount of estimated blood loss or the incidence of primary postpartum haemorrhage (>1000 ml) in both groups. Haemoglobin levels before and 24-h postpartum was similar. None from the carbetocin group versus 71.5% in oxytocin group needed additional utrotonics (p < 0.01). The uterine contractility was better in the carbetocin group at 2, and 12-h postpartum (p < 0.05). A single 100-µg IV carbetocin is more effective than IV oxytocin infusion for maintaining adequate uterine tone and preventing postpartum bleeding in obese nulliparous women undergoing emergency cesarean delivery, both has similar safety profile and minor hemodynamic effect.

Use of Electric Power Morcellation and Prevalence of Underlying Cancer in Women Who Undergo Myomectomy.

PubMed

Wright, Jason D; Tergas, Ana I; Cui, Rosa; Burke, William M; Hou, June Y; Ananth, Cande V; Chen, Ling; Richards, Catherine; Neugut, Alfred I; Hershman, Dawn L

2015-04-01

Myomectomy, the excision of uterine leiomyoma, is now commonly performed via minimally invasive surgery. Electric power morcellation, or fragmentation of the leiomyoma with a mechanical device, may be used to facilitate extraction of the leiomyoma. To analyze the prevalence of underlying cancer and precancerous changes in women who underwent myomectomy with and without electric power uterine morcellation. We used a US nationwide database to retrospectively analyze women who underwent myomectomy at 496 hospitals from January 2006 to December 2012. Use of electric power morcellation at the time of myomectomy was investigated. The prevalence of uterine cancer, uterine neoplasms of uncertain malignant potential, and endometrial hyperplasia were estimated. Multivariable mixed-effects regression models were developed to examine predictors of use of electric power morcellation and factors associated with adverse pathologic outcomes. Use of electric power morcellation at the time of myomectomy was examined. The occurrence of uterine cancer and precancerous uterine lesions was determined. The cohort consisted of 41 777 women who underwent myomectomy at 496 hospitals and included 3220 (7.7%) who had electric power morcellation. Uterine cancer was identified in 73 (1 in 528) women who underwent myomectomy without electric power morcellation (0.19%; 95% CI, 0.15%-0.23%) and in 3 (1 in 1073) women who underwent electric power morcellation (0.09%; 95% CI, 0.02%-0.27%). The corresponding rates of any pathologic finding (cancer, tumors of uncertain malignant potential, or endometrial hyperplasia) were 0.67% (n = 257) (95% CI, 0.59%-0.75%) (1 in 150) and 0.43% (n = 14) (95% CI, 0.21%-0.66%) (1 in 230), respectively. Advanced age was the strongest risk factor for uterine cancer. The prevalence of cancers and precancerous abnormalities of the uterus in women who undergo myomectomy with or without electric power morcellation is low overall, but risk increases with age

Taiwanese immigrant mothers' childcare preferences: socialization for bicultural competency.

PubMed

Uttal, Lynet; Han, Ching Yun

2011-10-01

This paper explores how middle-class Taiwanese immigrant mothers in the United States defined the benefits of placing their children in predominantly White American childcare centers instead of using more culturally familiar forms of care. From in-depth interviews with seven Taiwanese immigrant mothers, it was learned that they viewed these settings positively, even though their children were not in cultural environments that mirrored their homes and ethnic communities. Mothers explained that they purposefully chose this type of setting because 1) they desired to develop their children's social competency in U.S. society; 2) they perceived U.S. childcare settings as multicultural and accepting of diverse cultures even if they were in the minority; and 3) they were confident that their children's participation in their own Taiwanese ethnic community would ensure the maintenance of their children's ethnic identity and knowledge of their parents' culture. For these reasons, they did not seek out race matching or cultural congruity between childcare centers and their homes. Instead, mothers viewed the childcare center as part of their overall socialization strategy for developing their children's bicultural competency in both their heritage culture as well as U.S. society.

International exchange program: findings from Taiwanese graduate nursing students.

PubMed

Shieh, Carol

2004-01-01

This study explored Taiwanese graduate nursing students' transcultural experiences in the United States during an international exchange program. A qualitative method with content analysis was used to analyze journal entries on perceptions of American culture, American nursing, and reflections on personal and professional growth written by nine graduate nursing students from Taiwan. The mean age of the participants was 32 (range, 29-45). Taiwanese nursing students perceived American culture as full of hospitality and patriotism, valuing human rights and social welfare, and favoring direct and expressive affection. American nursing was viewed as a combination of independence, confidence, autonomy, and knowledge, with caring being the core element, fostered by an environment conducive to patient care. In personal and professional growth, three themes surfaced: reinforcement of holistic care, nursing without borders, and lifelong learning and changing. American culture and nursing were perceived by Taiwanese students as a paradigm of Western culture valuing individual rights, autonomy, and independence. A caring and supportive patient care environment was a positive perception of American nursing; it was the desired practice standard that was lacking in these students' homeland. Overall, the exchange program was thought by these students to foster their personal and professional growth.

Exploring Biliteracy Developments among Asian Women in Diasporas: The Case of Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Yu-Hsiu Hugo

2010-01-01

This study presents a broad overview of diasporic biliteracy developments in immigrant women after examining observation data in one Taiwanese community. Methodologies include a mixture of narrative inquiry with some ethnographic methods. Fifteen Asian women in diaspora, two Burmese, one Cambodian, one Filipino, four Indonesians, three Thai and…

Prevalence of Poor Bone Quality in Women Undergoing Spinal Fusion Using Biomechanical-CT Analysis.

PubMed

Burch, Shane; Feldstein, Michael; Hoffmann, Paul F; Keaveny, Tony M

2016-02-01

Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of vertebral bone quality in spine-fusion patients at a single medical center. To characterize the prevalence of osteoporosis and fragile bone strength in a spine-fusion population of women with an age range of 50 years to 70 years. Fragile bone strength is defined as the level of vertebral strength below which a patient is at as high a risk of future vertebral fracture as a patient having bone density-defined osteoporosis. Poor bone quality--defined here as the presence of either osteoporosis or fragile bone strength--is a risk factor for spine-fusion patients that often goes undetected but can now be assessed preoperatively by additional postprocessing of computed tomography (CT) scans originally ordered for perioperative clinical assessment. Utilizing such perioperative CT scans for a cohort of 98 women (age range: 51-70 yr) about to undergo spine fusion, we retrospectively used a phantomless calibration technique and biomechanical-CT postprocessing analysis to measure vertebral trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) (in mg/cm³) and by nonlinear finite element analysis, vertebral compressive strength (in Newtons, N) in the L1 or L2 vertebra. Preestablished validated threshold values were used to define the presence of osteoporosis (trabecular BMD of 80 mg/cm³ or lower) and fragile bone strength (vertebral strength of 4500 N or lower). Fourteen percent of the women tested positive for osteoporosis, 27% tested positive for fragile bone strength, and 29% were classified as having poor bone quality (either osteoporosis or fragile bone strength). Over this narrow age range, neither BMD nor vertebral strength were significantly correlated with age, weight, height, or body mass index (P values 0.14-0.97 for BMD; 0.13-0.51 for strength). Poor bone quality appears to be common in women between ages 50 years and 70 years undergoing spinal fusion surgery. 3.

An Investigation into Academic Burnout among Taiwanese Adolescents from the Self-Determination Theory Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Shu-Shen

2015-01-01

The present study attempted to explore the relations among Taiwanese eighth graders' perceptions of teachers' autonomy support versus psychological control, satisfaction of need for autonomy, work engagement, and academic burnout. Four hundred and seven eighth-grade Taiwanese students completed a self-reported survey assessing the variables…

Office-based narrow band imaging-guided flexible laryngoscopy tissue sampling: A cost-effectiveness analysis evaluating its impact on Taiwanese health insurance program.

PubMed

Fang, Tuan-Jen; Li, Hsueh-Yu; Liao, Chun-Ta; Chiang, Hui-Chen; Chen, I-How

2015-07-01

Narrow band imaging (NBI)-guided flexible laryngoscopy tissue sampling for laryngopharyngeal lesions is a novel technique. Patients underwent the procedure in an office-based setting without being sedated, which is different from the conventional technique performed using direct laryngoscopy. Although the feasibility and effects of this procedure were established, its financial impact on the institution and Taiwanese National Health Insurance program was not determined. This is a retrospective case-control study. From May 2010 to April 2011, 20 consecutive patients who underwent NBI flexible laryngoscopy tissue sampling were recruited. During the same period, another 20 age-, sex-, and lesion-matched cases were enrolled in the control group. The courses for procedures and financial status were analyzed and compared between groups. Office-based NBI flexible laryngoscopy tissue sampling procedure took 27 minutes to be completed, while 191 minutes were required for the conventional technique. Average reimbursement for each case was New Taiwan Dollar (NT$)1264 for patients undergoing office-based NBI flexible laryngoscopy tissue sampling, while NT$10,913 for those undergoing conventional direct laryngoscopy in the operation room (p < 0.001). The institution suffered a loss of at least NT$690 when performing NBI flexible laryngoscopy tissue sampling. Office-based NBI flexible laryngoscopy tissue sampling is a cost-saving procedure for patients and the Taiwanese National Health Insurance program. It also saves the procedure time. However, the net financial loss for the institution and physician would limit its popularization unless reimbursement patterns are changed. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Mental health trajectories and related factors among perinatal women.

PubMed

Lin, Pei-Chao; Hung, Chich-Hsiu

2015-06-01

To investigate Taiwanese women's mental health trajectories from the third trimester of pregnancy to four weeks postpartum and the correlations of these trajectories with perceived social support and demographic characteristics. Previous studies have reported differences between prenatal and postpartum mental health status. A repeated design study was conducted in a medical hospital in Southern Taiwan. One-hundred and ninety-four Taiwanese women completed the Chinese Health Questionnaire and Social Support Scale at the 36th prenatal week and first and fourth week postpartum. Three linear mental health trajectories for perinatal women were identified. Consistently poor perinatal mental health was reported by 16·0% of the participants. Less social support was associated with lower prenatal mental health scores. Younger age was a risk factor for consistently poor perinatal health. Vaginal delivery was associated with improved mental health after childbirth. Mental health was worse in the third trimester of pregnancy than postpartum. Less social support was associated with lower prenatal mental health scores, and this association was similarly distributed between women with consistently poor and improved mental health after birth. Health care providers should assess women's mental health status and provide timely interventions during the perinatal period. Social support should be provided for pregnant women, especially younger women or those with lower perceived social support. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Origins of Print Concepts at Home: Print Referencing during Joint Book-Reading Interactions in Taiwanese Mothers and Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Chien-ju; Luo, Ya-hui; Wu, Rosalind

2016-01-01

Research Findings: This study examines the amount of attention to print paid by Taiwanese mothers and children during joint book reading over time and the relationship between the use of print referencing by Taiwanese mothers and the print concepts skills of their children measured at age 3;0. A total of 42 Taiwanese mother-child pairs from…

Mammography usage with relevant factors among women with mental disabilities in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study.

PubMed

Yen, Suh-May; Kung, Pei-Tseng; Tsai, Wen-Chen

2015-02-01

Women with mental illness are at increased risk of developing and dying from breast cancer and are thus in urgent need of breast cancer preventive care. This study examined the use of screening mammography by Taiwanese women with mental disabilities and analyzed factors affecting this use. 17,243 Taiwanese women with mental disabilities aged 50-69 years were retrospectively included as study subjects. Linked patient data were obtained from three national databases in Taiwan (the 2008 database of physically and mentally disabled persons, the Health Promotion Administration's 2007-2008 mammography screening data, and claims data from the National Health Insurance Research Database). Besides descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis, logistic regression analysis was also performed to examine factors affecting screening mammography use. The 2007-2008 mammography screening rate for Taiwanese women with mental disabilities was 8.79% (n=1515). Variables that significantly influenced screening use were income, education, presence of catastrophic illness/injury, severity of mental disability, and usage of other preventive care services. Screening was positively correlated with income and education. Those with catastrophic illness/injury were more likely to be screened (odds ratio [OR], 1.40; 95% CI=1.15-1.72). Severity of disability was negatively correlated with screening, with very severe, severe, and moderate disability being associated with 0.34-0.69 times the odds of screening as mild disability. In Taiwan, women with mental disabilities receive far less mammography screening than women in general. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Obstetric outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and isolated polycystic ovaries undergoing in vitro fertilization: a retrospective cohort analysis.

PubMed

Wan, Hei Lok Tiffany; Hui, Pui Wah; Li, Hang Wun Raymond; Ng, Ernest Hung Yu

2015-03-01

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the obstetric outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and isolated polycystic ovaries (PCO) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. We studied 104 women with PCOS, 184 with PCO and 576 age-matched controls undergoing the first IVF treatment cycle between 2002 and 2009. Obstetric outcomes and complications including gestational diabetes (GDM), gestational hypertension (GHT), gestational proteinuric hypertension (PET), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), gestation at delivery, baby's Apgar scores and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were reviewed. Among the 864 patients undergoing IVF treatment, there were 253 live births in total (25 live births in the PCOS group, 54 in the PCO group and 174 in the control group). The prevalence of obstetric complications (GDM, GHT, PET and IUGR) and the obstetric outcomes (gestation at delivery, birth weight, Apgar scores and NICU admissions) were comparable among the three groups. Adjustments for age and multiple pregnancies were made using multiple logistic regression and we found no statistically significant difference among the three groups. Patients with PCO ± PCOS do not have more adverse obstetric outcomes when compared with non-PCO patients undergoing IVF treatment.

How European American and Taiwanese mothers talk to their children about learning.

PubMed

Li, Jin; Fung, Heidi; Bakeman, Roger; Rae, Katharine; Wei, Wanchun

2014-01-01

Little cross-cultural research exists on parental socialization of children's learning beliefs. The current study compared 218 conversations between European American and Taiwanese mothers and children (6-10 years) about good and poor learning. The findings support well-documented cultural differences in learning beliefs. European Americans mentioned mental activities and positive affect more, whereas Taiwanese mentioned learning virtues and negative affect more. Mothers, especially European American, reciprocated their children's talk about mental activities, learning virtues, and negative affect. Children, especially Taiwanese, reciprocated their mother's talk about positive affect. Mothers invoked more mental activities and positive affect when discussing good learning, but more learning virtues and negative affect when discussing poor learning. These findings reveal a source of cultural differences in beliefs and potential enculturation. © 2013 The Authors. Child Development © 2013 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

The prevalence of occult endometrial cancer in women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications.

PubMed

Parsons, Lavanya H Palavalli; Pedersen, Rebecca; Richardson, Debra L; Kho, Kimberly A

2018-04-01

To estimate the frequency of occult endometrial cancer in women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications. We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing hysterectomies for benign indications at our institution from 2006 to 2014. A departmental database was used to identify all hysterectomies performed, and institutional tumor registry was used to identify cases of endometrial carcinoma. Occult carcinomas were defined as cases with no suspicion preoperatively and histopathologic diagnosis of endometrial cancer postoperatively. A total of 6981 hysterectomies were performed for benign indications. Among these, thirteen patients (0.19%) were found to have occult endometrial cancer, with an overall rate of 1 in 537 patients (95% confidence interval 1:314-1:1008). Twelve patients had stage IA and one had stage IB disease. Median age of women found to have endometrial cancer was 50 years (range 35-72 years). The median BMI was 29.8 kg/m 2 (range 21.3-50.4 kg/m 2 ). The most common indications for hysterectomy were abnormal bleeding (47%), postmenopausal bleeding (15%), adnexal mass (15%), prolapse (15%), and endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (8%). Of the postmenopausal women that had bleeding, all patients underwent evaluation of the endometrium, however 75% of samples did not have adequate amount of endometrium to be evaluated and 25% were found to have hyperplasia. This is one of the largest single institution cohorts to examine occult malignancy. Unexpected endometrial carcinomas were found to occur in 0.19% or 1:537 (95% confidence interval 1:314-1:1008) hysterectomies for benign indications in our population. PRéCIS: Occult endometrial carcinomas are found to occur in 1:537 (0.19%) hysterectomies for benign indications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acculturation Level, Perceived English Fluency, Perceived Social Support Level, and Depression among Taiwanese International Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dao, Tam K.; Lee, Donghyuck; Chang, Huang L.

2007-01-01

This study examined the relationship between acculturation, perceived English fluency, social support, and depression among 112 graduate Taiwanese international students. Ordinary Least Squares analyses were conducted on 112 graduate Taiwanese international students from a university in southeastern United States. Results indicated that those…

Reference value of impulse oscillometry in taiwanese preschool children.

PubMed

Lai, Shen-Hao; Yao, Tsung-Chieh; Liao, Sui-Ling; Tsai, Ming-Han; Hua, Men-Chin; Yeh, Kuo-Wei; Huang, Jing-Long

2015-06-01

Impulse oscillometry is a potential technique for assessing the respiratory mechanism-which includes airway resistance and reactance during tidal breathing-in minimally cooperative young children. The reference values available in Asian preschool children are limited, especially in children of Chinese ethnicity. This study aimed to develop reference equations for lung function measurements using impulse oscillometry in Taiwanese children for future clinical application and research exploitation. Impulse oscillometry was performed in 150 healthy Taiwanese children (aged 2-6 years) to measure airway resistance and reactance at various frequencies. We used regression analysis to generate predictive equations separately by age, body height, body weight, and gender. The stepwise regression model revealed that body height was the most significant determinant of airway resistance and reactance in preschool young children. With the growth in height, a decrease in airway resistance and a paradoxical increase in reactance occurred at different frequencies. The regression curve of resistance at 5 Hz was comparable to previous reference values. This study provided reference values for several variables of the impulse oscillometry measurements in healthy Taiwanese children aged 2-6 years. With these reference data, clinical application of impulse oscillometry would be expedient in diagnosing respiratory diseases in preschool children. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Qualitative Study of a Solution-Focused Training Program for Taiwanese Military Instructors.

PubMed

Pan, Peter Jen Der; Deng, Liang-Yu F; Tsia, Shio-Ling; Jiang, Jye-Ru Karen; Wang, Yu Jen

2016-04-01

This study explored Taiwanese military instructors' perceptions of a training program using a solution-focused approach and its initial application to students with behavior problems. A total of 25 military instructors (16 men, 9 women; M age = 38.6 years, SD = 5.8) and 10 students (three men, seven women; M age = 17.5 years, SD = 0.9) participated in the study through convenience sampling. Grounded theory method was adopted for data analysis. Six prominent categories emerged from the focus group interview, weekly training notes, and the researcher's field notes, including reactions to learning solution-focused approach, strengths and weaknesses of using the solution-focused approach, identification of military instructors role function, initial responses to the techniques of the solution-focused approach, a positive attitude to deal with students' problems, and from assimilation to transformation. In addition, feedback collected from students was grouped into a seventh category. Finally, a modified pattern was developed for military instructors to use when working with students. © The Author(s) 2016.

Attitudes of women of advanced maternal age undergoing invasive prenatal diagnosis and the impact of genetic counselling

PubMed Central

Godino, Lea; Pompilii, Eva; D'Anna, Federica; Morselli-Labate, Antonio M; Nardi, Elena; Seri, Marco; Rizzo, Nicola; Pilu, Gianluigi; Turchetti, Daniela

2016-01-01

Despite the increasing availability and effectiveness of non-invasive screening for foetal aneuploidies, most women of advanced maternal age (AMA) still opt for invasive tests. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was performed on women of AMA undergoing prenatal invasive procedures, in order to explore their motivations and the outcome of preliminary genetic counselling according to the approach (individual or group) adopted. Of 687 eligible women, 221 (32.2%) participated: 117 had received individual counselling, while 104 had attended group sessions. The two groups did not differ by socio-demographic features. The commonest reported reason to undergo invasive tests was AMA itself (67.4%), while only 10.4% of women mentioned the opportunity of making informed choices. The majority perceived as clear and helpful the information received at counselling, and only 12.7% had doubts left that, however, often concerned non-pertinent issues. The impact of counselling on risk perception and decisions was limited: a minority stated their perceived risk of foetal abnormalities had either increased (6.8%) or reduced (3.6%), and only one eventually declined invasive test. The 52.6% of women expressed a preference toward individual counselling, which also had a stronger impact on perceived risk reduction (P=0.003). Nevertheless, group counselling had a more favourable impact on both clarity of understanding and helpfulness (P=0.0497 and P=0.035, respectively). The idea that AMA represents an absolute indication for invasive tests appears deeply rooted; promotion of non-invasive techniques may require extensive educational efforts targeted to both the general population and health professionals. PMID:26014424

Chinese and Taiwanese International College Students' Participation in Social Organizations: Implications for College Counseling Professionals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tsai, Pei-Chun; Wong, Y. Joel

2012-01-01

This qualitative focus group study explored the meaning of Chinese and Taiwanese international students' lived experiences in social organizations. Participants were 9 Chinese and Taiwanese international college students in a midwestern U.S. university. The analyses uncovered 7 themes: social support, recreation, emotional support, practical…

The Relationship between Exposure to Pseudoscientific Television Programmes and Pseudoscientific Beliefs among Taiwanese University Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tseng, Yuan-Chueh; Tsai, Chun-Yen; Hsieh, Pei-Yu; Hung, Jeng-Fung; Huang, Tai-Chu

2014-01-01

This study explores the relationship between exposure to pseudoscientific television (TV) programmes and pseudoscientific beliefs among Taiwanese university students. The "scale of attitude toward pseudoscience" instrument was used to measure the attitudes of 380 Taiwanese university students who served as subjects for the study. The…

Validation of a New Measure of the Concept of Good Death among Taiwanese Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Shu Ching; Lai, Sih-yi

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an instrument to measure dimensions of the concept of a good death held by Taiwanese children. The sample consisted of 1,698 Taiwanese children, approximately 12-14 years of age. Participants completed the self-administered Good Death Concept Scale (GDCS), which consists of 30 statements…

Cultural Competence and Related Factors Among Taiwanese Nurses.

PubMed

Lin, Chin-Nu; Mastel-Smith, Beth; Alfred, Danita; Lin, Yu-Hua

2015-12-01

Taiwan is a multicultural and multiethnic society with a growing number of immigrants who have diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural needs. Although this diversity highlights the pressing need for culturally competent healthcare providers, cultural competence is a concept that is little understood and implemented only sporadically in Taiwan. This study investigates the cultural competence of Taiwanese nurses and the related factors of influence. An online self-report survey was used to collect data from 221 Taiwanese nurses from December 2012 through January 2013. Data from the demographic questionnaire, the Nurses' Cultural Competence Scale, and the Perceived Nurses' Cultural Competence Rating were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent sample t tests, and multiple regressions. The cultural competence of the participants was in the "low to moderate" range, with relatively higher mean scores for the subscales of cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity and relatively lower scores for the subscales of cultural knowledge and cultural skills. Participants generally perceived themselves as being "not culturally competent." Variables found to predict cultural competence included years of work experience, hours of continuing education related to cultural nursing care, and frequency of caring for clients from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Participating Taiwanese nurses rated their level of cultural competence as in the low-to-moderate range and self-perceived as being not culturally competent. These findings support the need to further expand and enhance cultural-competence-related continuing education and to address the topic of cultural care in the nursing curricula.

Cooking frequency may enhance survival in Taiwanese elderly.

PubMed

Chen, Rosalind Chia-Yu; Lee, Meei-Shyuan; Chang, Yu-Hung; Wahlqvist, Mark L

2012-07-01

To investigate the association between cooking behaviour and long-term survival among elderly Taiwanese. Cohort study. The duration of follow-up was the interval between the date of interview and the date of death or 31 December 2008, when censored for survivors. Information used included demographics, socio-economic status, health behaviours, cooking frequencies, physical function, cognitive function, nutrition knowledge awareness, eating out habits and food and nutrient intakes. These data were linked to death records. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to evaluate cooking frequency on death from 1999 to 2008 with related covariate adjustments. Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan, 1999-2000. Nationally representative free-living elderly people aged ≥65 years (n 1888). During a 10-year follow-up, 695 participants died. Those who cooked most frequently were younger, women, unmarried, less educated, non-drinkers of alcohol, non-smokers, without chewing difficulty, had spouse as dinner companion, normal cognition, who walked or shopped more than twice weekly, who ate less meat and more vegetables. Highly frequent cooking (>5 times/week, compared with never) predicted survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 0·47; 95 % CI, 0·36, 0·61); with adjustment for physical function, cognitive function, nutrition knowledge awareness and other covariates, HR was 0·59 (95 % CI, 0·41, 0·86). Women benefited more from cooking more frequently than did men, with decreased HR, 51 % v. 24 %, when most was compared with least. A 2-year delay in the assessment of survivorship led to similar findings. Cooking behaviour favourably predicts survivorship. Highly frequent cooking may favour women more than men.

Pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic nervous system responses to psychiatric disorders in women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.

PubMed

An, Yuan; Wang, Zhuoran; Ji, Hongping; Zhang, Yajuan; Wu, Kun

2011-08-01

To evaluate whether psychological variables as well as changes in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) at baseline and in response to a psychosocial stressor affect the chance of achieving pregnancy in women undergoing a first in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Prospective study. Private IVF center. 264 women undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. Oocyte retrieval after ovarian stimulation. Standardized psychological questionnaires to assess anxiety and depression, and norepinephrine and cortisol in serum or follicular fluid measured by specific assays. Only a trend increase was found in psychological scores during treatment, which did not affect the ongoing pregnancy rates. On the oocyte retrieval day, a statistically significant increase in norepinephrine and cortisol concentrations was found. Lower concentrations of norepinephrine and cortisol, both in serum and follicular fluid, were found in women whose treatments were successful. Concentrations of steroid in serum before treatment and in follicular fluid were positively associated with the State Anxiety scores. Norepinephrine and cortisol concentrations may negatively influence the clinical pregnancy rate in IVF treatment. These biological stress markers could be one of the links in the complex relationship between psychosocial stress and outcome after IVF-ICSI. Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Students' Perspectives on E-Portfolio Development and Implementation: A Case Study in Taiwanese Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsieh, Pei-Hsuan; Lee, Chun-I; Chen, Wei-Fan

2015-01-01

This study explores students' perceptions related to the implementation of e-portfolios in the context of Taiwanese higher education. Thirty Taiwanese university students were interviewed, and data analysis includes 14 interviewees' e-portfolios and responses to 281 valid surveys from non-interviewed students. The study presents students'…

Defining a reference range for vital signs in healthy term pregnant women undergoing caesarean section.

PubMed

Dennis, A; Hardy, L

2016-11-01

Early warning systems (EWS), used to identify deteriorating hospitalised patients, are based on measurement of vital signs. When the patients are pregnant, most EWS still use non-pregnant reference ranges of vital signs to determine trigger thresholds. There are no published reference ranges for all vital signs in pregnancy. We aimed to define vital signs reference ranges for term pregnancy in the preoperative period, and to determine the appropriateness of EWS trigger criteria in pregnancy. We conducted a one-year retrospective study in a tertiary referral obstetric hospital. The study sample was healthy term women undergoing planned caesarean section (CS). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) and temperature were all measured automatically and data was extracted from the medical record. Two hundred and fifty-eight women met inclusion criteria. Results were (mean ± SD [standard deviation]) SBP 118 ± 11.2 mmHg, DBP 75 ± 10.3 mmHg, HR 84 ± 10.2 /minute, respiratory rate 18 ± 1.5 /minute, SpO 2 99%  ± 1.0% and temperature 36.4°C ± 0.43°C. The reference ranges (mean ± 2SD) determined were SBP 96-140 mmHg, DBP 54-96 mmHg, HR 64-104/minute, RR 15-21 /minute, SpO 2 97%-100% and temperature 35.5°C-37.3°C. This study defined a reference range for vital signs in healthy term pregnant women undergoing CS. Study findings suggest that currently used criteria for EWS triggers, based on non-pregnant values, may be too extreme for timely detection of deteriorating pregnant patients. Further research examining the modified HR triggers of ≤50 and ≥110 /minute in pregnant women and their relationship to clinical outcomes is required.

Potential adverse effects of prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy on skin aging in premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions.

PubMed

Töz, Emrah; Özcan, Aykut; Balsak, Deniz; Avc, Muhittin Eftal; Eraslan, Arzu Görgülü; Balc, Didem Didar

2016-02-01

This study aimed to assess the effects of hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO)--compared with the effects of hysterectomy alone--on skin aging in premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions. One hundred thirty-five premenopausal women who underwent hysterectomy with BSO were compared with a control group of women who underwent hysterectomy alone based on skin parameters (including wrinkling, laxity/sagging, and texture/dryness) and Skindex-29 questionnaire scores. The inclusion criteria were as follows: aged between 40 and 50 years, follicle-stimulating hormone level lower than 40 mIU/mL, undergoing hysterectomy with or without BSO for benign conditions, and not receiving estrogen or progesterone treatment. The exclusion criteria were as follows: adrenocortical hyperplasia or Cushing's syndrome; use of corticosteroids for autoimmune diseases; malignancy, connective tissue diseases (eg, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), or dermatological diseases (eg, lichen sclerosus); or regular use of medications known to interfere with the condition of the skin. All skin parameters in the hysterectomy group and the hysterectomy with BSO group worsened on weeks 24 and 48. Laxity/sagging and texture/dryness scores on weeks 24 and 48 were significantly worse in the BSO group; laxity/sagging and texture/dryness scores continued to worsen between 24 and 48 weeks. Scores for the Skindex-29 questionnaire emotion and symptom subscales were significantly higher in the BSO group compared with the non-BSO group. Prophylactic BSO during hysterectomy is a significant independent risk factor for worsening skin laxity/sagging and texture/dryness in premenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions. Prophylactic BSO in the presence of dermatological conditions is also associated with reduced quality of life.

Risk Behavior and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Transgender Women and Men Undergoing Community-Based Screening for Acute and Early HIV Infection in San Diego.

PubMed

Green, Nella; Hoenigl, Martin; Morris, Sheldon; Little, Susan J

2015-10-01

The transgender community represents an understudied population in the literature. The objective of this study was to compare risk behavior, and HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates between transgender women and transgender men undergoing community-based HIV testing.With this retrospective analysis of a cohort study, we characterize HIV infection rates as well as reported risk behaviors and reported STI in 151 individual transgender women and 30 individual transgender men undergoing community based, voluntary screening for acute and early HIV infection (AEH) in San Diego, California between April 2008 and July 2014.HIV positivity rate was low for both, transgender women and transgender men undergoing AEH screening (2% and 3%, respectively), and the self-reported STI rate for the prior 12 months was 13% for both. Although transgender women appeared to engage in higher rates of risk behavior overall, with 69% engaged in condomless receptive anal intercourse (CRAI) and 11% engaged in sex work, it is important to note that 91% of transgender women reported recent sexual intercourse, 73% had more than 1 sexual partner, 63% reported intercourse with males, 37% intercourse with males and females, and 30% had CRAI.Our results indicate that in some settings rates of HIV infection, as well as rates of reported STIs and sexual risk behavior in transgender men may resemble those found in transgender women. Our findings support the need for comprehensive HIV prevention in both, transgender women and men.

Women undergoing aortic surgery are at higher risk for unplanned readmissions compared with men especially when discharged home.

PubMed

Flink, Benjamin J; Long, Chandler A; Duwayri, Yazan; Brewster, Luke P; Veeraswamy, Ravi; Gallagher, Katherine; Arya, Shipra

2016-06-01

Women undergoing vascular surgery have higher morbidity and mortality. Our study explores gender-based differences in patient-centered outcomes such as readmission, length of stay (LOS), and discharge destination (home vs nonhome facility) in aortic aneurysm surgery. Patients were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database (2011-2013) undergoing abdominal, thoracic, and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (N = 17,763), who were discharged and survived their index hospitalization. The primary outcome was unplanned readmission, and secondary outcomes were discharge to a nonhome facility, LOS, and reasons for unplanned readmission. Univariate, multivariate, and stratified analyses based on gender and discharge destination were used. Overall, 1541 patients (8.7%) experienced an unplanned readmission, with a significantly higher risk in women vs men (10.8% vs 8%; P < .001) overall (Procedure subtypes: abdominal aortic aneurysm [10.1% vs 7.7%; P < .001], thoracic aortic aneurysm [14.1% vs 13.5%; P = .8], and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm [14.8% vs 10%; P = .051]). The higher odds of readmission in women compared with men persisted in multivariate analysis after controlling for covariates (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.4). Similarly, the rate of discharge to a nonhome facility was nearly double in women compared with men (20.6% vs 10.7%; P < .001), but discharge to a nonhome facility was not a significant predictor of unplanned readmission. Upon stratification by discharge destination, the higher odds of readmissions in women compared with men occurred in patients who were discharged home (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.02-1.4) but not in those who were discharged to a nonhome facility (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.8-1.4). Significant differences in LOS were seen in patients who were discharged home. No gender differences were found in reasons for readmission with the three most common reasons

A systematic review of the effectiveness of warming interventions for women undergoing cesarean section.

PubMed

Munday, Judy; Hines, Sonia; Wallace, Karen; Chang, Anne M; Gibbons, Kristen; Yates, Patsy

2014-12-01

Women undergoing cesarean section are vulnerable to adverse effects associated with inadvertent perioperative hypothermia, but there has been a lack of synthesized evidence for temperature management in this population. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the best available evidence in relation to preventing hypothermia in mothers undergoing cesarean section surgery. Randomized controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria (adult patients of any ethnic background, with or without comorbidities, undergoing any mode of anesthesia for any type of cesarean section) were eligible for consideration. Active or passive warming interventions versus usual care or placebo, aiming to limit or manage core heat loss in women undergoing cesarean section were considered. The primary outcome was maternal core temperature. A comprehensive search with no language restrictions was undertaken of multiple databases from their inception until May 2012. Two independent reviewers using the standardized critical appraisal instrument for randomized controlled trials from the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instruments (JBI-MASTARI) assessed retrieved papers for methodological quality and conducted data collection. Where possible, results were combined in a fixed effects meta-analysis using the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager software. Due to heterogeneity for one outcome, random effects meta-analysis was also used. A combined total of 719 participants from 12 studies were included. Intravenous fluid warming was found to be effective at maintaining maternal temperature and preventing shivering. Warming devices, including forced air warming and under-body carbon polymer mattresses, were effective at preventing hypothermia. However, effectiveness increased if the devices were applied preoperatively. Preoperative warming devices reduced shivering and improved neonatal temperatures at birth. Intravenous fluid warming did not improve

Factors associated with Taiwanese lesbians' breast health-care behavior and intentions: Qualitative interview findings.

PubMed

Wang, Ya-Ching; Griffiths, Jane; Grande, Gunn

2017-09-01

This article presents the qualitative findings of a mixed-methods study that explored factors influencing lesbians' breast health-care behavior and intentions. A total of 37 semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted among women who self-identified as lesbians or women who partnered with the same gender who were aged 20 years or above in four areas of Taiwan (North, Central, South, and East Taiwan) between August 2012 and October 2012. Interviews were audio recorded with participants' consent. The interviews were analyzed using constant comparative analysis with Nvivo audio-coding support. Four themes were identified to be strongly associated with the lesbians' breast health-care behavior and their intentions, namely, gender identity, gender role expression, partners' support, and concerns about health-care providers' reactions. Important barriers to the women's breast health-care behavior and intentions were masculine identity ("T-identity" in Taiwan), masculine appearance, concerns about health-care providers' lack of knowledge of multiple gender diversity, and their attitudes toward lesbians. Conversely, their partners' support was a factor facilitating the women's breast health-care behavior and intentions, particularly for the T-identity lesbians. These findings suggest the significance of and need for culturally competent care and are important for improving Taiwanese lesbians' breast health.

Identifying Taiwanese University Students' Physics Learning Profiles and Their Role in Physics Learning Self-Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Tzung-Jin; Liang, Jyh-Chong; Tsai, Chin-Chung

2015-01-01

The main purposes of this study were to identify Taiwanese university students' physics learning profiles in terms of their critical conceptions of learning physics and to compare their physics learning self-efficacy with the different learning profiles. A total of 250 Taiwanese undergraduates who were majoring in physics participated in this…

Intercultural Intertexts Encountered by Taiwanese EFL Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shie, Jian-Shiung

2013-01-01

This paper reports on an exploratory study of one specific aspect of intercultural literacy: the activation of intercultural intertexts. Readers of intercultural intertexts fall into two general groups: knowing readers (who know the source text) and unknowing readers (who do not know the source text). This paper aims to explore Taiwanese unknowing…

Which outcomes do women expect to achieve after undergoing induced abortion

PubMed Central

Nouhjah, Sedigheh; Zamani-Alavijeh, Fereshteh; Heydarabadi, Akbar Babaei; Hozaili, Maedeh

2017-01-01

Introduction Unsafe abortion is one of the most important health problems in many countries. Because of legal and moral issues, abortion is one of the most sensitive decisions. The aim of this study was to understand women’s expected gains from undergoing induced abortion. Methods To explain the factors leading to induced abortion, we collected the stories and experiences of a total of 21 people, including 18 women who underwent induced abortion in their most recent pregnancies, two women’s health providers, and a companion of a mother who died after an induced abortion. This qualitative study was conducted in Imam Khomeini and Razi hospital of Ahvaz and also a number of health centers, from February to September 2014. To collect the required data, we used open and semi-structured deep interviews. Content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results Three major themes emerged from the analysis of the collected data, which included the following: 1) Expected favorable health-related outcomes, 2) Expected favorable economic outcomes, and 3. Expected favorable outcomes in social level and family relationships. Conclusion The results of this study showed that the studied women, to achieve to desirable outcomes in areas of health, economic and social, have undergone induced abortion. Hence, to develop programs for the prevention of induced abortion it is necessary to consider the motivations of women to intentionally terminate a pregnancy. PMID:28465801

Development of new core competencies for Taiwanese Emergency Medical Technicians.

PubMed

Chang, Yu-Tung; Tsai, Kuang-Chau; Williams, Brett

2018-01-01

Core competencies are considered the foundation for establishing Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and paramedic curricula, and for ensuring performance standards in the delivery of prehospital care. This study surveyed EMT instructors and medical directors to identify the most desirable core competencies for all levels of EMTs in Taiwan. A principal components analysis with Varimax rotation was conducted. An online questionnaire was distributed to obtain perspectives of EMT instructors and medical directors on the most desirable core competencies for EMTs. The target population was EMT training-course instructors and medical directors of fire departments in Taiwan. The questionnaire comprised 61 competency items, and multiple-choice and open-ended questions were used to obtain respondents' perspectives of the Taiwanese EMT training and education system. The results identified three factors at EMT-1 and EMT-2 levels and five factors at the EMT-Paramedic level. The factors for EMT-1 and EMT-2 were similar, and those for EMT-Paramedics identified further comprehensive competence perspectives. The key factors that appear to influence the development of the Taiwanese Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education system are the attitude of authorities, the licensure system, and legislation. The findings present new core competencies for the Taiwanese EMT system and provide capacity to redesign curricula and reconsider roles for EMT-1 and EMT-2 technicians. At the EMT-Paramedic level, the findings demonstrate the importance of incorporating competency standards in the current skills-based curriculum. Moreover, the core-competencies gap that exists between Taiwanese EMT-1s, EMT-2s, and EMT-Paramedics and internationally recognized core competencies needs to be addressed. By identifying the key factors that potentially impact the development of the EMS education system, such as the attitude of authorities, the licensure system, and legislation, these findings will inform

Development of new core competencies for Taiwanese Emergency Medical Technicians

PubMed Central

Chang, Yu-Tung; Tsai, Kuang-Chau; Williams, Brett

2018-01-01

Objectives Core competencies are considered the foundation for establishing Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and paramedic curricula, and for ensuring performance standards in the delivery of prehospital care. This study surveyed EMT instructors and medical directors to identify the most desirable core competencies for all levels of EMTs in Taiwan. Methods A principal components analysis with Varimax rotation was conducted. An online questionnaire was distributed to obtain perspectives of EMT instructors and medical directors on the most desirable core competencies for EMTs. The target population was EMT training-course instructors and medical directors of fire departments in Taiwan. The questionnaire comprised 61 competency items, and multiple-choice and open-ended questions were used to obtain respondents’ perspectives of the Taiwanese EMT training and education system. Results The results identified three factors at EMT-1 and EMT-2 levels and five factors at the EMT-Paramedic level. The factors for EMT-1 and EMT-2 were similar, and those for EMT-Paramedics identified further comprehensive competence perspectives. The key factors that appear to influence the development of the Taiwanese Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education system are the attitude of authorities, the licensure system, and legislation. Conclusion The findings present new core competencies for the Taiwanese EMT system and provide capacity to redesign curricula and reconsider roles for EMT-1 and EMT-2 technicians. At the EMT-Paramedic level, the findings demonstrate the importance of incorporating competency standards in the current skills-based curriculum. Moreover, the core-competencies gap that exists between Taiwanese EMT-1s, EMT-2s, and EMT-Paramedics and internationally recognized core competencies needs to be addressed. By identifying the key factors that potentially impact the development of the EMS education system, such as the attitude of authorities, the licensure system, and

Associated factors with mammographic changes in women undergoing breast cancer screening.

PubMed

Sant'Ana, Ricardo Soares de; Mattos, Jacó Saraiva de Castro; Silva, Anderson Soares da; Mello, Luanes Marques de; Nunes, Altacílio Aparecido

2016-01-01

To evaluate association of sociodemographic, anthropometric, and epidemiological factors with result of mammogram in women undergoing breast cancer screening. This is a cross-sectional study with data obtained through interviews, anthropometric measurements, and mammography of 600 women aged 40 to 69 years at the Preventive Medicine Department of Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, Brazil, in 2014. The results of these examinations in the BI-RADS categories 1 and 2 were grouped and classified in this study as normal mammogram outcome, and those of BI-RADS categories 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 5 were grouped and classified as altered mammogram outcome. The statistical analysis included the Student's t-test to compare means, as well as odds ratios (OR), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), to verify an association by means of the multivariate analysis. Of 600 women evaluated, 45% belonged to the age group of 40-49 years-old and 60.2% were classified as BI-RADS category 2. The multivariate analysis showed that women with blood hypertension (OR: 2.64; 95%CI: 1.07-6.49; p<0.05) were more likely to present changes in the mammography, while physical activity was associated with lower chances (OR: 0.30; 95%CI: 0.11-0.81; p<0.05). Hypertensive women undergoing screening mammography are more likely to present mammographic changes, whereas women practicing physical activity have lower chances (70%) of presenting changes in the breast compared with sedentary individuals. Avaliar a associação de fatores sociodemográficos, antropométricos e epidemiológicos com o resultado das mamografias de mulheres submetidas ao rastreamento. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados obtidos por meio de entrevistas, avaliação antropométrica e mamografia de 600 mulheres entre 40 a 69 anos, atendidas no Departamento de Prevenção do Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, em 2014. Os resultados de tais exames nas categorias BI-RADS 1 e 2 foram agrupados e classificados neste estudo

Clinical differences between men and women undergoing surgery for acute Type A aortic dissection.

PubMed

Suzuki, Tomoaki; Asai, Tohru; Kinoshita, Takeshi

2018-06-01

The differences in clinical features, surgical outcome and long-term prognosis between men and women who undergo surgery for Type A aortic dissection are not well known. From January 2004 to December 2016, 303 patients, consisting of 147 women and 156 men, underwent surgery for acute Type A aortic dissection at our institution. We compared clinical outcomes between the 2 cohorts. Women were older than men (72.6 vs 63.0; P < 0.001). Operative mortality was similar between the groups (8.2% vs 8.9%; P = 0.80). The duration of intensive care unit stay (54 vs 64 h median; P = 0.03) and mechanical ventilator support (34 vs 43 h; P = 0.02) was significantly shorter in women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac tamponade, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, haemodialysis and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time were independent risk factors for early death. Among the hospital survivors, the actuarial survival rate was 59.0% in women and 65.7% in men at 10 years (P = 0.81). During the follow-up period, there were 9 female and 27 male patients who underwent reoperation related to the aortic dissection. The rate of 10-year actuarial freedom from reoperation was 80.7% in women and 53.1% in men (log-rank P = 0.018). No differences were observed in both early and long-term mortality between women and men. Male patients had a significantly higher rate of reoperation. UMIN000029179.

Alcohol and tea consumption are associated with asymptomatic erosive esophagitis in Taiwanese men

PubMed Central

Chang, Chung-Hsin; Wu, Cheng-Pin; Wang, Jung-Der; Lee, Shou-Wu; Chang, Chi-Sen; Yeh, Hong-Zen; Ko, Chung-Wang; Lien, Han-Chung

2017-01-01

Objective Asymptomatic erosive esophagitis (AEE) is commonly found in men, and might be a risk factor of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. We aimed to determine if specific dietary habits increase the risk of AEE in asymptomatic Taiwanese men. Methods We recruited male adults undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for health check. We excluded subjects with reflux symptoms, or taking anti-reflux medications or drugs that potentially impair lower esophageal sphincter function or cause mucosal injury. The frequency of consuming reflux-provoking diets including alcohol, tea, coffee, tomato/citric juice, chocolate, sweet food, and spicy food was assessed. The erosive esophagitis was diagnosed based on the Los Angeles Classification after endoscopy. Frequent consumption of a specific diet was defined as ≥4 days/week of consuming that diet. Results A total of 1256 participants were recruited. After excluding 424 ineligible subjects, AEE was identified in 180 (22%) among 832 asymptomatic subjects. The risk of AEE increased with the number of days per week of consuming alcohol or tea: nondrinkers (19%, 17%), occasional drinkers (<1 day/week; 19%, 15%), regular drinkers (1–3 days/week; 26%, 21%), frequent drinkers (4–6 days/week; 32%, 22%), and daily drinkers (42%, 28%), respectively (trend test P < 0.001 for both). Multivariate analysis showed that hiatus hernia (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6–9.6), drinking alcohol ≥4 days/week (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.0), and drinking tea ≥4 days/week (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.3) are independent risk factors of AEE. The risk of AEE was 3.8 times greater for those drinking both alcohol and tea ≥4 days/week than the non-drinkers. Conclusions Frequent alcohol and tea consumption increased the risk of AEE in Taiwanese men. PMID:28264069

Phase III Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial of Risedronate for the Prevention of Bone Loss in Premenopausal Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Primary Breast Cancer

PubMed Central

Hines, Stephanie L.; Mincey, Betty Anne; Sloan, Jeff A.; Thomas, Sachdev P.; Chottiner, Elaine; Loprinzi, Charles L.; Carlson, Mark D.; Atherton, Pamela J.; Salim, Muhammad; Perez, Edith A.

2009-01-01

Purpose Risedronate prevents bone loss in postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to determine whether risedronate prevents bone loss in premenopausal women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Patients and Methods Premenopausal women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer were treated with oral calcium 600 mg and vitamin D 400 U daily and randomly assigned to receive oral risedronate 35 mg weekly or placebo, with all these therapies beginning within a month of the start of chemotherapy. Most chemotherapy regimens included anthracyclines, taxanes, or cyclophosphamide. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at baseline and 1 year. The primary end point was the change in lumbar spine (LS) BMD from baseline to 1 year. Results A total of 216 women enrolled; 170 women provided BMD data at 1 year. There was no difference in the mean change or percent change in LS BMD between groups, with a loss of 4.3% in the risedronate arm and 5.4% for placebo at 1 year (P = .18). Loss of BMD at the femoral neck and total hip were also similar between treatment groups. Risedronate was well tolerated, with no significant differences in adverse events compared with placebo, except that arthralgias and chest pain were worse in those receiving the placebos. Conclusion Risedronate did not prevent bone loss in premenopausal women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. PMID:19075260

The Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS): translation and validation of the Taiwanese version.

PubMed

Kao, Yu-Chen; Liu, Yia-Ping

2010-04-09

Over the last few decades, research concerning the insight of patients with schizophrenia and its relationships with other clinical variables has been given much attention in the clinical setting. Since that time, a series of instruments assessing insight have been developed. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Taiwanese version of the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS). The BCIS is a self-administered instrument designed to evaluate cognitive processes that involves reevaluating patients' anomalous experiences and specific misinterpretations. The English language version of the BCIS was translated into Taiwanese for use in this study. A total of 180 subjects with and without psychosis completed the Taiwanese version of the BCIS and additional evaluations to assess researcher-rated insight scales and psychopathology. Psychometric properties (factor structures and various types of reliability and validity) were assessed for this translated questionnaire. Overall, the Taiwanese version of the BCIS showed good reliability and stability over time. This translated scale comprised a two-factor solution corresponding to reflective attitude and certain attitude subscales. Following the validation of the internal structure of the scale, we obtained an R-C (reflective attitude minus certain attitude) index of the translated BCIS, representing the measurement of cognitive insight by subtracting the score of the certain attitude subscale from that of the reflective attitude subscale. As predicted, the differences in mean reflective attitude, certain attitude and R-C index between subjects with and without psychosis were significant. Our data also demonstrated that psychotic patients were significantly less reflective, more confident in their beliefs, and had less cognitive insight compared with nonpsychotic control groups. In light of these findings, we believe that the Taiwanese version of BCIS is a valid and reliable instrument for

Persistent stress urinary incontinence during pregnancy and one year after delivery; its prevalence, risk factors and impact on quality of life in Taiwanese women: An observational cohort study.

PubMed

Lin, Yi-Hao; Chang, Shuenn-Dhy; Hsieh, Wu-Chiao; Chang, Yao-Lung; Chueh, Ho-Yen; Chao, An-Shine; Liang, Ching-Chung

2018-06-01

The study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and its impact on the quality of life during pregnancy and 12 months after delivery. 866 women delivering their newborns at a tertiary hospital were recruited. All women were asked to complete several questionnaires including demographic and obstetric data, Short Form 12 health survey (SF-12), Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form (UDI-6), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7). All women were interviewed via telephone to answer the same questionnaires at 12 months postpartum. There were 446 (51.5%) self-reported SUI women during pregnancy. Out of 560 women delivered vaginally, 70 (12.5%) had SUI at 12 months postpartum; in 306 women undergoing Cesarean delivery, 22 (7.2%) experienced SUI 12 months after delivery. Risk factors of SUI during pregnancy included body weight and body mass index at first visit. At 12 months postpartum, parity stood out as the risk factor of persistent SUI in vaginal delivery group, but no significant risk factor was found in Cesarean group. Women with SUI during pregnancy featured worse mental component summary (MCS) score of SF-12, compared to women without SUI. At 12 months postpartum, women with persistent SUI in vaginal delivery group had higher mean UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores than those without SUI. Persistent SUI is more prevalent in the vaginal delivery group than Cesarean group. Both SUI during pregnancy and after childbirth have negative impact on the quality of life in women undergoing vaginal delivery. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Experiences of coexisting with chronic illnesses among elderly women in communities.

PubMed

Chang, Yu-Mei; Tsao, Lee-Ing; Huang, Min-His

2014-01-01

Based on the increasing numbers of women in the aging population, the health of women will become critical in the future. Our purpose in this study was to analyze the experiences of elderly women with chronic illness. Twelve elderly Taiwanese women participated in in-depth interviews. "Using my own power out of the disease shackle" was the core category referring to elderly women who coexist with chronic illnesses. Elderly women should be provided with individually targeted plans for disease management and health maintenance to enable them to participate in health care decisions at the onset of chronic diseases.

Psychosocial Predictors of Taiwanese Secondary Students' Self-Esteem

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hong, Zuway-R; Veach, Patricia McCarthy; Lawrenz, Frances

2004-01-01

This study investigated the relationships between psychosocial factors and self-esteem for 1,672 Taiwanese senior high school students (779 boys, 893 girls). Students from Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, completed a Chinese version of the Secondary Student Questionnaire (SSQ), which measures self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stereotyped thinking,…

Variation in the Prediction of Cross-Cultural Adjustment by Ethnic Density: A Longitudinal Study of Taiwanese Students in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ying, Yu-Wen; Han, Meekyung

2008-01-01

The study examined variation in the prediction of adjustment in Taiwanese students by ethnic density. A total of 155 Taiwanese students were assessed via survey pre-departure and three times post-arrival in the United States. Hierarchical regression analysis showed students on campuses with fewer other Taiwanese peers formed more friendships with…

Perception of control, coping and psychological stress of infertile women undergoing IVF.

PubMed

Gourounti, Kleanthi; Anagnostopoulos, Fotios; Potamianos, Grigorios; Lykeridou, Katerina; Schmidt, Lone; Vaslamatzis, Grigorios

2012-06-01

The study aimed to examine: (i) the association between perception of infertility controllability and coping strategies; and (ii) the association between perception of infertility controllability and coping strategies to psychological distress, applying multivariate statistical techniques to control for the effects of demographic variables. This cross-sectional study included 137 women with fertility problems undergoing IVF in a public hospital. All participants completed questionnaires that measured fertility-related stress, state anxiety, depressive symptomatology, perception of control and coping strategies. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between all study variables, followed by hierarchical multiple linear regression. Low perception of personal and treatment controllability was associated with frequent use of avoidance coping and high perception of treatment controllability was positively associated with problem-focused coping. Multivariate analysis showed that, when controlling for demographic factors, low perception of personal control and avoidance coping were positively associated with fertility-related stress and state anxiety, and problem-appraisal coping was negatively and significantly associated with fertility-related stress and depressive symptomatology scores. The findings of this study merit the understanding of the role of control perception and coping in psychological stress of infertile women to identify beforehand those women who might be at risk of experiencing high stress and in need of support. Copyright © 2012 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advantage Management Strategy in Competition via Technological Race Perspective: Empirical Evidence from the Taiwanese Manufacturing Industry

PubMed Central

Hung, Tsu-Yi; Hsiao, Yu-Ju; Wu, Shih-Wei

2014-01-01

This study investigated the advantage management strategies of a firm regarding the technological race in the manufacturing sector. This is to reveal whether firms adopt a catch-up or leapfrogging strategy in the competition for innovation. The results show that competition is fierce in the Taiwanese manufacturing industry. Taiwanese manufacturing firms (mostly SMEs) tend to adopt the “catch-up” strategy to keep up with their competitors in order to remain in the technological race. The result indicates that, under financial constraints, Taiwanese manufacturing firms attempt to invest in R&D to catch up with their rivals or to avoid being eliminated from the race. PMID:25295307

Advantage management strategy in competition via technological race perspective: empirical evidence from the Taiwanese manufacturing industry.

PubMed

Hung, Tsu-Yi; Hsiao, Yu-Ju; Wu, Shih-Wei

2014-01-01

This study investigated the advantage management strategies of a firm regarding the technological race in the manufacturing sector. This is to reveal whether firms adopt a catch-up or leapfrogging strategy in the competition for innovation. The results show that competition is fierce in the Taiwanese manufacturing industry. Taiwanese manufacturing firms (mostly SMEs) tend to adopt the "catch-up" strategy to keep up with their competitors in order to remain in the technological race. The result indicates that, under financial constraints, Taiwanese manufacturing firms attempt to invest in R&D to catch up with their rivals or to avoid being eliminated from the race.

Ambiguity as Deliberate Strategy: The "De-Politicized" Discourse of National Identity in the Taiwanese Citizenship Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hung, Cheng-Yu

2016-01-01

This article aims to investigate how the discourse on national identity is approached in the new Taiwanese citizenship curriculum. The differing opinions on Taiwan's relationship with China and the constant threat from this rising superpower have deterred the explicit promotion of either a Taiwanese or Chinese identity. The new curriculum follows…

Repair of the threatened feminine identity: experience of women with cervical cancer undergoing fertility preservation surgery.

PubMed

Komatsu, Hiroko; Yagasaki, Kaori; Shoda, Rie; Chung, Younghui; Iwata, Takashi; Sugiyama, Juri; Fujii, Takuma

2014-01-01

Fertility preservation is important for women of reproductive age with cervical cancer. The underlying reasons behind suboptimal reproductive results after successful fertility-preserving surgery have not yet been fully revealed. The objective of this study was to explore the experience of fertility preservation with radical trachelectomy from the perspective of women with cervical cancer. We conducted interviews with women with cervical cancer who underwent radical trachelectomy using a Grounded Theory methodology with a theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism. Our findings articulate a process in which feminine identity is first threatened by a diagnosis of cancer, then repaired by fertility preservation with radical trachelectomy, and finally reconstructed after the surgery, through interactions with self, others, and external events in women with cervical cancer. Feeling incomplete as a woman because of the loss of the uterus was a critical factor in the women's feeling that their feminine identity was threatened. Thus, fertility preservation was significant for these women. The meaning of fertility preservation varied among the women, and their life perspectives were therefore distinct after the surgery. Women with cervical cancer who undergo radical trachelectomy experience an identity transformation process, and child bearing is not the only expected outcome of fertility preservation. Nurses should coordinate care through the cancer trajectory. Understanding the identity transformation process helps nurses to assess patients' needs and provide appropriate individual care.

Bispectral index values during sevoflurane-nitrous oxide general anesthesia in women undergoing cesarean delivery: a comparison between women with and without prior labor.

PubMed

Yoo, Kyung Y; Jeong, Cheol W; Kang, Myung W; Kim, Seok J; Chung, Sung T; Shin, Min H; Lee, JongUn

2008-06-01

An end-tidal concentration of 1% sevoflurane (1% ET(SEVO)) in 50% nitrous oxide (N(2)O) during elective cesarean delivery has been associated with bispectral index (BIS) values >60, which are associated with an increased risk of awareness. We hypothesized that BIS values during sevoflurane-N(2)O general anesthesia for cesarean delivery would be lower in women with prior labor compared with women without prior labor. Forty patients undergoing cesarean delivery were enrolled in this observational study. One group had urgent surgery after labor (labor group, n = 20) and the other had elective surgery without labor (control group, n = 20). General anesthesia was induced with thiopental 4 mg/kg, followed by succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg, and maintained with 1% ET(SEVO) and 50% N(2)O in oxygen. BIS values, systolic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, plasma stress hormone concentrations, Apgar scores, and postoperative analgesia variables were assessed and compared between groups. BIS values during the period between intubation and delivery were lower in the labor group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Plasma norepinephrine concentrations increased at delivery compared with baseline in both groups. They were higher in the labor group than in the control group both at baseline and at delivery. Systolic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, Apgar scores, surgical characteristics, and plasma concentrations of vasopressin and cortisol were not different between groups. Postoperative visual analog scale pain scores were similar between groups, while the labor group consumed less analgesics (P < 0.01) during the first 24 h after the operation. Prior labor was associated with lower intraoperative BIS values during sevoflurane/N(2)O general anesthesia and reduced postoperative analgesic consumption in women undergoing cesarean delivery compared with women without prior labor.

Ovarian reserve and response to stimulation in women undergoing fertility preservation according to malignancy type.

PubMed

Lefebvre, Tiphaine; Mirallié, Sophie; Leperlier, Florence; Reignier, Arnaud; Barrière, Paul; Fréour, Thomas

2018-05-02

Does ovarian reserve and ovarian response to ovarian stimulation in women with cancer undergoing oocyte vitrification for fertility preservation vary according to the type of malignancy? Retrospective cohort study including 105 women aged between 18 and 40 years, who were referred for fertility preservation (oocyte vitrification) between 2013 and 2016. The women were divided into three groups: breast cancer, lymphoma or other cancer. All of them had been recently diagnosed with cancer, with gonadotoxic treatment scheduled, and had oocyte vitrification after ovarian stimulation with antagonist protocol. Baseline antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone were no different between women with breast cancer, lymphoma or other cancer. The number of cancelled cycles for poor ovarian response was similar between the groups. The number of FSH units per mature oocyte, the number of mature oocytes (metaphase II) retrieved, and the oocyte maturity rate were not significantly different between the three groups. As the type of cancer does not seem to significantly affect ovarian reserve and ovarian response to ovarian stimulation, our results do not support the relevance of integrating this parameter when establishing ovarian stimulation protocol for oocyte vitrification cycle in women with cancer. Copyright © 2018 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mother vs. Father Custody Effects for Taiwanese Preschoolers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Honig, Alice Sterling; Su, Pang-Chieh

2000-01-01

Examined effects of divorce and custody arrangements on Taiwanese preschoolers' emotional adjustment and gender role development 2 years after divorce. Found no differences in maladjustment of children from divorced versus two-parent families. Found children with same-sex custodial parents were better adjusted than children in custody with…

Action Research: Applying a Bilingual Parallel Corpus Collocational Concordancer to Taiwanese Medical School EFL Academic Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reynolds, Barry Lee

2016-01-01

Lack of knowledge in the conventional usage of collocations in one's respective field of expertise cause Taiwanese students to produce academic writing that is markedly different than more competent writing. This is because Taiwanese students are first and foremost English as a Foreign language (EFL) readers and may have difficulties picking up on…

Rethinking Taiwanese Nationality and Subjectivity: Implications from Language Issues in Colonial Taiwan in the 1920s

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Hsuan-Yi

2017-01-01

This historical study reflects on history curriculum debates over the last 20 years in Taiwan. To open up possibilities for contemporary Taiwanese to rethink themselves in terms of national culture and subjectivity, this paper explores the construction of Taiwanese subjectivity in the past. It focuses on the history of Taiwan under Japanese…

Stress matters! Psychophysiological and emotional loadings of pregnant women undergoing fetal magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Derntl, Birgit; Krajnik, Jacqueline; Kollndorfer, Kathrin; Bijak, Manfred; Nemec, Ursula; Leithner, Katharina; Prayer, Daniela; Schöpf, Veronika

2015-02-13

While the application of fetal MRI in high-risk pregnant women is steadily rising, little is known about the psychological consequences of this procedure. The aim of the present study was to investigate emotional and psychophysiological reactions of females undergoing fetal MRI. Sixty women (17-44 ys), assigned for fetal MRI, were included. Affective state was assessed by standardized measures of anxiety, emotional states and depressive symptoms. Stress coping strategies were assessed using a self-report questionnaire. Stress responses were determined using skin conductance levels (SCL) during fetal MRI as well as measurement of salivary cortisol levels immediately before and after fetal MRI. Analysis of fast and slow physiological stress measures revealed significant differences between women with and without a supporting person accompanying them to the examination. For SCLs, lower levels of stress during MRI emerged in accompanied women. Women with well-marked stress-coping-strategies experienced lower levels of stress during the examination. Although fast and slow stress measures before and after MRI did not show significant correlations, a significant difference of SCLs pre and post examination was clearly detectable, as well as a trend of decreased cortisol levels for both time points. The results imply that the elevation of SCLs is an accurate instrument to assess fast stress alterations in patients during fetal MRI. Stress coping strategies and whether women are accompanied or not play an important role in the experience of anxiety and depressive symptoms. These factors should be considered especially in patients with high-risk-pregnancies to improve patient care.

Analysis of follicular fluid retinoids in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: retinoic acid influences embryo quality and is reduced in women with endometriosis.

PubMed

Pauli, Samuel A; Session, Donna R; Shang, Weirong; Easley, Kirk; Wieser, Friedrich; Taylor, Robert N; Pierzchalski, Keely; Napoli, Joseph L; Kane, Maureen A; Sidell, Neil

2013-09-01

Retinol (ROL) and its biologically active metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), are essential for a number of reproductive processes. However, there is a paucity of information regarding their roles in ovarian folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, and early embryogenesis. The objectives of this study were to quantify and compare peripheral plasma (PP) and follicular fluid (FF) retinoid levels, including ATRA in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to investigate the relationship between retinoid levels and embryo quality. Retinoid levels were evaluated in PP and FF from 79 women undergoing IVF at the time of oocyte retrieval and corresponding embryo quality assessed on a daily basis after retrieval for 3 days until uterine transfer. Analysis compared the retinoid levels with day 3 embryo grades and between endometriosis versus control patients. Results demonstrated distinctive levels of retinoid metabolites and isomers in FF versus PP. There was a significantly larger percentage of high-quality grade I embryos derived from the largest versus smallest follicles. An increase in follicle size also correlated with a >50% increase in FF ROL and ATRA concentrations. Independent of follicle size, FF yielding grade I versus nongrade I embryos showed higher mean levels of ATRA but not ROL. In a nested case-control analysis, control participants had 50% higher mean levels of ATRA in their FF and PP than women with endometriosis. These findings strongly support the proposition that ATRA plays a fundamental role in oocyte development and quality, and that reduced ATRA synthesis may contribute to decreased fecundity of participants with endometriosis.

Factor Structure, Reliability and Validity of the Taiwanese Version of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yen, Cheng-Fang; Yang, Pinchen; Wu, Yu-Yu; Hsu, Fan-Ching; Cheng, Chung-Ping

2010-01-01

The aims of this study were to examine the factor structure, internal consistency 1 month test-retest reliability and the discriminant validity for the diagnosis of anxiety disorder of the Taiwanese version of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC-T). A total of 12,536 Taiwanese children and adolescents in the community were…

Cross-National Cultural Competency Among Taiwanese International Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Lei; Wang, Kenneth T.; Heppner, Puncky P.; Chuang, Chi-Ching

2017-01-01

Taiwanese international students are among 1 of the top 10 international populations on American campuses; thus, more research is needed to address the particular issues related to their transition process. This is among the first studies to empirically test the cross-national cultural competence model as a conceptual framework by examining…

Revisiting the Continuing Bonds Theory: The Cultural Uniqueness of the Bei Dao Phenomenon in Taiwanese Widows/Widowers.

PubMed

Lee, Wan-Lin; Hou, Yi-Chen; Lin, Yaw-Sheng

2017-10-01

In the present study, we used the phenomenological approach to rediscover the ontological meaning of relationships with the deceased in Taiwanese widows/widowers. We first revised the original Western definitions of grief, bereavement, and mourning to fit Taiwanese culture. We used the word bei dao to indicate the mixed nature of grief and mourning in the Taiwanese bereavement process. Then we reanalyzed data from a previous study, which was conducted in 2006. In the previous qualitative research, each subject was interviewed 3 to 4 times in the mourning state over an 18-month interval that began at the point of the spouse's death. Results showed that two main themes emerged in the present analysis: (a) a blurred boundary of life and death and (b) a transformation of ethical bonds. The present study reveals the culturally unique aspects of the Taiwanese bei dao process. Limitations of the present study and future directions are discussed and reflected.

Comparison of Mammographic Density Assessed as Volumes and Areas among Women Undergoing Diagnostic Image-Guided Breast Biopsy

PubMed Central

Gierach, Gretchen L.; Geller, Berta M.; Shepherd, John A.; Patel, Deesha A.; Vacek, Pamela M.; Weaver, Donald L.; Chicoine, Rachael E.; Pfeiffer, Ruth M.; Fan, Bo; Mahmoudzadeh, Amir Pasha; Wang, Jeff; Johnson, Jason M.; Herschorn, Sally D.; Brinton, Louise A.; Sherman, Mark E.

2014-01-01

Background Mammographic density (MD), the area of non-fatty appearing tissue divided by total breast area, is a strong breast cancer risk factor. Most MD analyses have employed visual categorizations or computer-assisted quantification, which ignore breast thickness. We explored MD volume and area, using a volumetric approach previously validated as predictive of breast cancer risk, in relation to risk factors among women undergoing breast biopsy. Methods Among 413 primarily white women, ages 40–65, undergoing diagnostic breast biopsies between 2007–2010 at an academic facility in Vermont, MD volume (cm3) was quantified in cranio-caudal views of the breast contralateral to the biopsy target using a density phantom, while MD area (cm2) was measured on the same digital mammograms using thresholding software. Risk factor associations with continuous MD measurements were evaluated using linear regression. Results Percent MD volume and area were correlated (r=0.81) and strongly and inversely associated with age, body mass index (BMI), and menopause. Both measures were inversely associated with smoking and positively associated with breast biopsy history. Absolute MD measures were correlated (r=0.46) and inversely related to age and menopause. Whereas absolute dense area was inversely associated with BMI, absolute dense volume was positively associated. Conclusions Volume and area MD measures exhibit some overlap in risk factor associations, but divergence as well, particularly for BMI. Impact Findings suggest that volume and area density measures differ in subsets of women; notably, among obese women, absolute density was higher with volumetric methods, suggesting that breast cancer risk assessments may vary for these techniques. PMID:25139935

Establishment of two basal-like breast cancer cell lines with extremely low tumorigenicity from Taiwanese premenopausal women.

PubMed

Kuo, Wen-Ling; Ueng, Shir-Hwa; Wu, Chun-Hsing; Lee, Li-Yu; Lee, Yun-Shien; Yu, Ming-Chin; Chen, Shin-Cheh; Yu, Chi-Chang; Tsai, Chi-Neu

2018-04-01

The research of carcinogenetic mechanisms of breast cancer in different ethnic backgrounds is an interesting field, as clinical features of breast cancers vary among races. High premenopausal incidence is distinctive in East-Asian breast cancer. However, human cell lines derived from Asian primary breast tumor are rare. To provide alternative cell line models with a relevant genetic background, we aimed to establish breast cancer cell lines from Taiwanese patients of Han-Chinese ethnicity. Fresh tissue from mammary tumors were digested into organoids, plated and grown in basal serum-free medium of human mammary epithelial cells (HuMEC) with supplements. Cells were further enriched by positive selection with CD326 (epithelial cell adhesion molecule; EpCAM)-coated micro-magnetic beads. Two breast cancer cell lines derived from premenopausal women were successfully established by this method, and named Chang-Gung Breast Cancer 01 (CGBC 01) and 02 (CGBC 02). These two cell lines had a similar phenotype with weak expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and without amplification of receptor tyrosine protein kinase erbB-2 (HER2/neu). Genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) array showed multiple copy number alterations in both cell lines. Based on gene expression profiles, CGBC 01 and 02 were clustered into basal-like subtype with reference to the breast cancer cell line gene expression database. The tumorigenicity of both cell lines was extremely low in both anchorage-independence assay and transplantation into the mammary fat pads of nude mice. CGBC 01 and CGBC 02 are low tumorigenic breast cancer cell lines, established from Han-Chinese premenopausal breast cancer patients, which serve as in vitro models in studying the biological features of Asian breast cancer.

The Comparison of American and Taiwanese Parents' Expectations of Their Children Learning a Second/Foreign Language

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kung, Chih-Chin

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the comparison between American and Taiwanese parents' views on their young children learning a second/foreign language, the ideal language and learning age, and parents' perceptions regarding language. There were 24 U.S. and 44 Taiwanese participants who had at least one child studying in the day-care…

Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Daily Function between Taiwanese and American Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Kuan-Lin; Tseng, Mei-Hui; Hu, Fu-Chang; Koh, Chia-Lin

2010-01-01

The study described the psychometric properties of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) when used in Taiwanese normally developing children and illustrated the ethnic differences in determining capacity and independence in daily function between Taiwanese and American children. The Chinese version of the PEDI (PEDI-C) was…

Birth preference in women undergoing treatment for childbirth fear: A randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Larsson, Birgitta; Karlström, Annika; Rubertsson, Christine; Ternström, Elin; Ekdahl, Johanna; Segebladh, Birgitta; Hildingsson, Ingegerd

2017-12-01

Childbirth fear is the most common underlying reason for requesting a caesarean section without medical reason. The aim of this randomised controlled study was to investigate birth preferences in women undergoing treatment for childbirth fear, and to investigate birth experience and satisfaction with the allocated treatment. Pregnant women classified with childbirth fear (≥60 on the Fear Of Birth Scale) (n=258) were recruited at one university hospital and two regional hospitals over one year. The participants were randomised (1:1) to intervention (Internet-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (ICBT)) (n=127) or standard care (face-to-face counselling) (n=131). Data were collected by questionnaires in pregnancy week 20-25 (baseline), week 36 and two months after birth. Caesarean section preference decreased from 34% to 12% in the ICBT group and from 24% to 20% in the counselling group. Two months after birth, the preference for caesarean increased to 20% in the ICBT group and to 29% in the counselling group, and there was no statistically significant change over time. Women in the ICBT group were less satisfied with the treatment (OR 4.5). The treatment had no impact on or worsened their childbirth fear (OR 5.5). There were no differences between the groups regarding birth experience. Women's birth preferences fluctuated over the course of pregnancy and after birth regardless of treatment method. Women felt their fear was reduced and were more satisfied with face-to-face counselling compared to ICBT. A higher percentage were lost to follow-up in ICBT group suggesting a need for further research. Copyright © 2017 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Subjective Well-Being Experiences of Taiwanese University Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Yii-nii

2017-01-01

This study described the subjective well-being (SWB) experiences of Taiwanese undergraduate students. Thirty senior students from three different styles of universities participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 20 to 25 years old with an average of 21.65. A phenomenological methodology with in-depth interviews was employed. Five themes…

Taiwanese Middle School Students' Materialistic Concepts of Sound

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eshach, Haim; Lin, Tzu-Chiang; Tsai, Chin-Chung

2016-01-01

This study investigated if and to what extent grade 8 and 9 students in Taiwan attributed materialistic properties to sound concepts, and whether they hold scientific views in parallel with materialistic views. Taiwanese middle school students are a special population since their scores in international academic comparison tests such as TIMSS and…

Factors That Influence the Decision to Undergo Labiaplasty: Media, Relationships, and Psychological Well-Being.

PubMed

Sharp, Gemma; Tiggemann, Marika; Mattiske, Julie

2016-04-01

An increasing number of women are undergoing labiaplasty procedures; however, very little is known about the psychological factors that motivate women to seek out this procedure. To investigate the factors that influence women's decisions to undergo labiaplasty. Women seeking to undergo labiaplasty (n = 35) were compared with women who were not (n = 30). Standardized measures were employed to assess the patients' media exposure (television, the Internet, advertising, pornography), relationship quality, and psychological well-being. Women's motivations for deciding to undergo a labiaplasty procedure were characterized as "appearance," "functional," "sexual," or "psychological" motivations, with concerns about the labia's appearance being the most commonly reported motivation. Correspondingly, women seeking labiaplasty were significantly less satisfied with the appearance of their genitals than the comparison group (P < .001). These women had also experienced greater exposure to images of female genitalia on the Internet (P = .004) and in advertisements (P = .021), and had internalized these images to a greater extent (P = .010). There were no differences between the two groups on the measures of relationship quality. However, significantly fewer of the women seeking to undergo a labiaplasty procedure were involved in a romantic relationship at the time of the study (P = .039). There were also no differences between the two groups on the measures of psychological well-being, except that women seeking to undergo labiaplasty were less satisfied with their lives overall (P = .027). The findings identified media exposure and relationship status as important factors that influence women's decisions to undergo labiaplasty. 3 Risk. © 2016 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Knowledge and Attitudes regarding Cervical Cancer Screening among Women with Physical Disabilities Living in the Community

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wu, Li-Wei; Lin, Lan-Ping; Chen, Si-Fan; Hsu, Shang-Wei; Loh, Ching-Hui; Wu, Chia-Ling; Lin, Jin-Ding

2012-01-01

The study aims to explore knowledge and attitudeSs regarding cervical cancer screening and to examine its determinants based on the perspectives of Taiwanese women with physical disabilities living in the community. A cross-sectional survey was employed in the study, and we recruited 498 women aged more than 15 years who were officially registered…

Efficient Personalized Mispronunciation Detection of Taiwanese-Accented English Speech Based on Unsupervised Model Adaptation and Dynamic Sentence Selection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wu, Chung-Hsien; Su, Hung-Yu; Liu, Chao-Hong

2013-01-01

This study presents an efficient approach to personalized mispronunciation detection of Taiwanese-accented English. The main goal of this study was to detect frequently occurring mispronunciation patterns of Taiwanese-accented English instead of scoring English pronunciations directly. The proposed approach quickly identifies personalized…

On Taiwanese Pupils' Ability to Differentiate between English /l/ and /r/: A Study of L1/L2 Cross-Language Effects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eika, Evelyn; Hsieh, Yining

2017-01-01

Students in South East Asia often struggle with English /l/ and /r/. This study therefore set out to examine how Taiwanese pupils' perception of these sounds is influenced by cross-language effects. Most Taiwanese students have Mandarin as L1 and Taiwanese as L2 or vice versa, and English as L3. A same-different discrimination experiment was…

Pre-operative factors indicating risk of multiple operations versus a single operation in women undergoing surgery for screen detected breast cancer.

PubMed

O'Flynn, E A M; Currie, R J; Mohammed, K; Allen, S D; Michell, M J

2013-02-01

We aim to identify preoperative factors at diagnosis which could predict whether women undergoing wide local excision (WLE) would require further operations. 1593 screen-detected invasive and non-invasive breast cancers were reviewed. Age, presence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive cancer size on mammography, mammographic sign, tumour type, grade and confidence of the radiologist in malignancy were compared. 83%(1315/1593) of women had a WLE. Of these, 70%(919/1315) had a single operation, and 30%(396/1315) multiple operations. These included repeat WLE to clear margins (60%(238/396)), mastectomy (34%(133/396)) and axillary dissection (6%(25/396)). The presence of mammographic microcalcification, lobular carcinoma and grade 2 malignancy on core biopsy were independent risk factors for multiple operations on multivariate analysis. Women with mammographic DCIS >30 mm were 3.4 times more likely to undergo repeat surgery than those with smaller foci. The multidisciplinary team should pay particular attention to these factors when planning surgery. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The association between nitroglycerin use and adverse outcomes in women undergoing cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor.

PubMed

Isquick, Sarah; Henry, Dana; Nakagawa, Sanae; Moghadassi, Michelle; Thiet, Mari-Paule; Norton, Mary; Lucero, Jennifer

2017-06-01

To identify predictors of hysterotomy extension in women undergoing cesarean delivery (CD) in the second stage of labor, and whether use of nitroglycerin (NTG) during CD has a protective effect. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing CD in the second stage of labor from 2012 to 2015. Some women received NTG at the obstetrician's request. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between second stage duration and NTG administration on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Of the 391 women in the sample, 27% had an extension and 12% received NTG. Second stage ≥4 h was associated with a 2.14-fold higher risk of extension (95% CI 1.22-3.75), a 2.00-fold higher risk of hemorrhage (95% CI: 1.20-3.33) and 2.42-fold higher risk of blood transfusion during delivery hospitalization (95% CI: 0.99-5.91). Intravenous (IV) and sublingual-spray (SL-spray) NTG administration were not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage or extension. SL-NTG was associated with 4.68-fold increased odds of 5-min Apgar <7 (95% CI 1.42-15.41) and 3.36-fold greater odds of NICU admission (95% CI 1.20-9.41). We found no evidence that NTG protects against extension, and SL-NTG use was associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate risk and benefits of NTG use.

Does preoperative urodynamics improve outcomes for women undergoing surgery for stress urinary incontinence? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Rachaneni, S; Latthe, P

2015-01-01

Urodynamics is widely used in the investigation of urinary incontinence. The existing evidence questions its add-on value in improving the outcome of surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). To compare the surgical outcomes in women with SUI or stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) based on urodynamic diagnoses compared with diagnoses based on office evaluation without urodynamics. We searched Cochrane, MedLine, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) and Google Scholar databases from inception until March 2013. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing surgical outcomes in women investigated by urodynamics and women who had office evaluation only. Two independent reviewers (S.R. and P.L.) extracted the data and analysed it using review manager (revman) 5.2 software. Of the 388 articles identified, only four RCTs met our criteria. The data from one study are as yet unpublished. In the other three RCTs, the women with SUI or stress-predominant MUI were randomised either to office evaluation and urodynamics (n = 388) or to office evaluation only (n = 387). There was no statistical difference in the risk ratio (RR) of subjective cure in the two groups (RR 1.02, 95%CI 0.90-1.15, P = 0.79, I(2) = 45%), objective cure (RR 1.01, 95%CI 0.93-1.11, P = 0.28, I(2) = 20%) or complications such as voiding dysfunction (RR 1.54, 95%CI 0.61-3.89, P = 0.27, I(2) = 18%) or urinary urgency (RR 0.80, 95%CI 0.28-2.3, P = 0.19, I(2) = 40%). In women undergoing primary surgery for SUI or stress-predominant MUI without voiding difficulties, urodynamics does not improve outcomes - as long as the women undergo careful office evaluation. © 2014 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The Voices of Thirteen Chinese and Taiwanese Parents Sharing Views about their Children Attending Chinese Heritage Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liao, Li-yuan; Larke, Patrica J.

2008-01-01

Many Chinese and Taiwanese parents in the United States see benefits of Chinese schools in providing their children the opportunity to learn Chinese culture and language. The results of this qualitative study involving interviews with thirteen Chinese and Taiwanese parents indicated that there were three main reasons why parents want to send their…

Validation of the Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire for Taiwanese College Students (TSSRQ).

PubMed

Chen, Yang-Hsueh; Lin, Yu-Ju

2018-01-01

While self-regulation has long been recognized as an important characteristic of an individual, instruments assessing the general aptitude of self-regulation remain limited especially in Asian countries. This study re-validated Carey et al.'s (2004) Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire based on a national sample of Taiwanese college students ( N = 1,988). Item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) yielded 22 items in five internally consistent factors. Descriptive findings showed that, a lack of proactiveness and volitional control, and a decrease of self-regulation throughout the college span appeared to be an overarching problem among Taiwanese college students. Furthermore, male students achieved lower self-regulation scores than female ones, and students in Services and STEM-related majors are in the need of self-regulation enhancement. Due to the generic measurement of individual's self-regulation traits, the Taiwanese Short Self-regulation Questionnaire (TSSRQ) can be flexibly applied to various contexts and used to deal with different issues beyond learning such as college students' Internet or smartphone addiction. Through this study, we hope the validated TSSRQ can promote studies on self-regulation and associated antecedents and outcomes, in turn leveraging college students' life adjustment and well-being.

Examining Mediators and Moderators of Yoga for Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy.

PubMed

Ratcliff, Chelsea G; Milbury, Kathrin; Chandwani, Kavita D; Chaoul, Alejandro; Perkins, George; Nagarathna, Raghuram; Haddad, Robin; Nagendra, Hongasandra Ramarao; Raghuram, N V; Spelman, Amy; Arun, Banu; Wei, Qi; Cohen, Lorenzo

2016-09-01

Hypothesis This study examines moderators and mediators of a yoga intervention targeting quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes in women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy.Methods Women undergoing 6 weeks of radiotherapy were randomized to a yoga (YG; n = 53) or stretching (ST; n = 56) intervention or a waitlist control group (WL; n = 54). Depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances were measured at baseline. Mediator (posttraumatic stress symptoms, benefit finding, and cortisol slope) and outcome (36-item Short Form [SF]-36 mental and physical component scales [MCS and PCS]) variables were assessed at baseline, end-of-treatment, and 1-, 3-, and 6-months posttreatment. Results Baseline depressive symptoms (P = .03) and sleep disturbances (P < .01) moderated the Group × Time effect on MCS, but not PCS. Women with high baseline depressive symptoms in YG reported marginally higher 3-month MCS than their counterparts in WL (P = .11). Women with high baseline sleep disturbances in YG reported higher 3-months MCS than their counterparts in WL (P < .01) and higher 6-month MCS than their counterparts in ST (P = .01). YG led to greater benefit finding than ST and WL across the follow-up (P = .01). Three-month benefit finding partially mediated the effect of YG on 6-month PCS. Posttraumatic stress symptoms and cortisol slope did not mediate treatment effect on QOL. Conclusion Yoga may provide the greatest mental-health-related QOL benefits for those experiencing pre-radiotherapy sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms. Yoga may improve physical-health-related QOL by increasing ability to find benefit in the cancer experience. © The Author(s) 2016.

Examining Mediators and Moderators of Yoga for Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy

PubMed Central

Ratcliff, Chelsea G.; Milbury, Kathrin; Chandwani, Kavita D.; Chaoul, Alejandro; Perkins, George; Nagarathna, Raghuram; Haddad, Robin; Nagendra, Hongasandra Ramarao; Raghuram, N. V.; Spelman, Amy; Arun, Banu; Wei, Qi; Cohen, Lorenzo

2016-01-01

Hypothesis. This study examines moderators and mediators of a yoga intervention targeting quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes in women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy.Methods. Women undergoing 6 weeks of radiotherapy were randomized to a yoga (YG; n = 53) or stretching (ST; n = 56) intervention or a waitlist control group (WL; n = 54). Depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances were measured at baseline. Mediator (posttraumatic stress symptoms, benefit finding, and cortisol slope) and outcome (36-item Short Form [SF]-36 mental and physical component scales [MCS and PCS]) variables were assessed at baseline, end-of-treatment, and 1-, 3-, and 6-months posttreatment. Results. Baseline depressive symptoms (P = .03) and sleep disturbances (P < .01) moderated the Group × Time effect on MCS, but not PCS. Women with high baseline depressive symptoms in YG reported marginally higher 3-month MCS than their counterparts in WL (P = .11). Women with high baseline sleep disturbances in YG reported higher 3-months MCS than their counterparts in WL (P < .01) and higher 6-month MCS than their counterparts in ST (P = .01). YG led to greater benefit finding than ST and WL across the follow-up (P = .01). Three-month benefit finding partially mediated the effect of YG on 6-month PCS. Posttraumatic stress symptoms and cortisol slope did not mediate treatment effect on QOL. Conclusion. Yoga may provide the greatest mental-health–related QOL benefits for those experiencing pre-radiotherapy sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms. Yoga may improve physical-health–related QOL by increasing ability to find benefit in the cancer experience. PMID:26867802

Taiwanese life scientists less "medialized" than their Western colleagues.

PubMed

Lo, Yin-Yueh; Peters, Hans Peter

2015-01-01

The article presents results from surveys of life scientists in Taiwan (n=270) and in Germany (n=326). Fewer Taiwanese than German researchers have frequent contact with the media and they rate their experiences with journalists less positively. Furthermore, they are less prepared to adapt to journalistic expectations and to a greater extent than German researchers they expect journalists to consider scientific criteria in their reporting. These findings are interpreted in Weingart's "medialization of science" framework as indicators of lower medialization of science in Taiwan than in Germany. However, Taiwanese scientists are more willing than German scientists to accept journalistic simplification at the expense of accuracy. This is explained as an adaptation to the media system and to the perceived scientific literacy of the media audience. We hypothesize that cultural differences regarding the relative priority of relational vs. rational communication goals may also contribute to more tolerance of journalistic simplification in Taiwan. © The Author(s) 2013.

A mild ovarian stimulation strategy in women with poor ovarian reserve undergoing IVF: a multicenter randomized non-inferiority trial.

PubMed

Youssef, M A; van Wely, M; Al-Inany, H; Madani, T; Jahangiri, N; Khodabakhshi, S; Alhalabi, M; Akhondi, M; Ansaripour, S; Tokhmechy, R; Zarandi, L; Rizk, A; El-Mohamedy, M; Shaeer, E; Khattab, M; Mochtar, M H; van der Veen, F

2017-01-01

In subfertile women with poor ovarian reserve undergoing IVF does a mild ovarian stimulation strategy lead to comparable ongoing pregnancy rates in comparison to a conventional ovarian stimulation strategy? A mild ovarian stimulation strategy in women with poor ovarian reserve undergoing IVF leads to similar ongoing pregnancy rates as a conventional ovarian stimulation strategy. Women diagnosed with poor ovarian reserve are treated with a conventional ovarian stimulation strategy consisting of high-dose gonadotropins and pituitary downregulation with a long mid-luteal start GnRH-agonist protocol. Previous studies comparing a conventional strategy with a mild ovarian stimulation strategy consisting of low-dose gonadotropins and pituitary downregulation with a GnRH-antagonist have been under powered and their effectiveness is inconclusive. This open label multicenter randomized trial was designed to compare one cycle of a mild ovarian stimulation strategy consisting of low-dose gonadotropins (150 IU FSH) and pituitary downregulation with a GnRH-antagonist to one cycle of a conventional ovarian stimulation strategy consisting of high-dose gonadotropins (450 IU HMG) and pituitary downregulation with a long mid-luteal GnRH-agonist in women of advanced maternal age and/or women with poor ovarian reserve undergoing IVF between May 2011 and April 2014. Couples seeking infertility treatment were eligible if they fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: female age ≥35 years, a raised basal FSH level >10 IU/ml irrespective of age, a low antral follicular count of ≤5 follicles or poor ovarian response or cycle cancellation during a previous IVF cycle irrespective of age. The primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy rate per woman randomized. Analyses were on an intention-to-treat basis. We randomly assigned 195 women to the mild ovarian stimulation strategy and 199 women to the conventional ovarian stimulation strategy. Ongoing pregnancy rate was 12.8% (25/195) for mild

Development of a teaching tool for women with a gynecologic malignancy undergoing minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery.

PubMed

Castiglia, Luisa Luciani; Drummond, Nancy; Purden, Margaret A

2011-08-01

Women undergoing minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery for a gynecologic malignancy have many questions and concerns related to the cancer diagnosis and surgery. The provision of information enhances coping with such illness-related challenges. A lack of print materials for these patients prompted the creation of a written teaching tool to improve informational support. A booklet was developed using guidelines for the design of effective patient education materials, including an iterative process of collaboration with healthcare providers and women who had undergone robotic-assisted surgery, as well as attention to readability. The 52-page booklet covers the trajectory of the woman's experience and includes the physical, psychosocial, and sexual aspects of recovery.

Genetic variation in the ASIC3 gene influences blood pressure levels in Taiwanese.

PubMed

Ko, Yu-Lin; Hsu, Lung-An; Wu, Semon; Teng, Ming-Sheng; Chang, Hsien-Hsun; Chen, Chih-Cheng; Cheng, Ching-Feng

2008-11-01

The acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) is a ligand-gated cation channel activated by extracellular protons, and is associated with an exercise-induced pressor reflex and possibly autonomic imbalance. To test the statistical association between genetic polymorphisms of the ASIC3 gene and blood pressure (BP) variations in Taiwanese, 551 unrelated individuals (286 men and 265 women) were recruited from a routine health examination. The participants had no prior history of cardiovascular disease or medication use for hypertension. Six ASIC3 gene polymorphisms were genotyped; three were polymorphic, and only the rs2288646 polymorphism was associated with variations in BP among participants. Significantly higher systolic, diastolic, and mean BP were observed in participants carrying the rs2288646-A allele (P=0.034, 0.023, and 0.010, respectively). Significantly higher frequencies of the rs2288646-A-containing genotype were observed in normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive subgroups (P for trend=0.026); and in those with higher systolic and diastolic BPs (P for trend=0.005 and P for trend=0.002, respectively). The association between the rs2288646-A allele and BP persisted even after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and other metabolic factors. When a second independent group of 403 individuals was combined with the first group of 551 (n=954), a significantly higher frequency of the rs2288646-A-containing genotype was observed in participants with hypertension (9.7 vs. 4.0%, P=0.003). Our data showed an independent association between an ASIC3 genetic polymorphism and BP variations in Taiwanese. These results suggest that the ASIC3 may be involved in BP regulation.

Acupuncture to improve live birth rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Smith, Caroline A; de Lacey, Sheryl; Chapman, Michael; Ratcliffe, Julie; Norman, Robert J; Johnson, Neil; Sacks, Gavin; Lyttleton, Jane; Boothroyd, Clare

2012-05-18

IVF is a costly treatment option for women, their partners, and the public. Therefore new therapies that improve reproductive and health outcomes are highly desirable. There is a growing body of research evaluating the effect of acupuncture administered during IVF, and specifically on the day of embryo transfer (ET). Many trials are heterogeneous and results inconsistent. There remains insufficient evidence to determine if acupuncture can enhance live birth rates when used as an adjunct to IVF treatment.The study will determine the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture with improving the proportion of women undergoing IVF having live births. Other objectives include: determination of the cost effectiveness of IVF with acupuncture; and examination of the personal and social context of acupuncture in IVF patients, and examining the reasons why the acupuncture may or may not have worked. We will conduct a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture compared to placebo acupuncture.Inclusion criteria include: women aged less than 43 years; undergoing a fresh IVF or ICSI cycle; and restricted to women with the potential for a lower live birth rate defined as two or more previous unsuccessful ETs; and unsuccessful clinical pregnancies of quality embryos deemed by the embryologist to have been suitable for freezing by standard criteria. Women will be randomized to acupuncture or placebo acupuncture. Treatment is administered on days 6 to 8 of the stimulated cycle and two treatments on the day of ET. A non-randomized cohort of women not using acupuncture will be recruited to the study. The primary study outcome is the proportion of women reporting a live birth. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of women reporting a clinical pregnancy miscarriage prior to 12 weeks, quality of life, and self-efficacy. The sample size of the study is 1,168 women, with the aim of detecting a 7% difference in live births between groups (P = 0.05, 80% power). There remains a need for

Acupuncture to improve live birth rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background IVF is a costly treatment option for women, their partners, and the public. Therefore new therapies that improve reproductive and health outcomes are highly desirable. There is a growing body of research evaluating the effect of acupuncture administered during IVF, and specifically on the day of embryo transfer (ET). Many trials are heterogeneous and results inconsistent. There remains insufficient evidence to determine if acupuncture can enhance live birth rates when used as an adjunct to IVF treatment. The study will determine the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture with improving the proportion of women undergoing IVF having live births. Other objectives include: determination of the cost effectiveness of IVF with acupuncture; and examination of the personal and social context of acupuncture in IVF patients, and examining the reasons why the acupuncture may or may not have worked. Methods We will conduct a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture compared to placebo acupuncture. Inclusion criteria include: women aged less than 43 years; undergoing a fresh IVF or ICSI cycle; and restricted to women with the potential for a lower live birth rate defined as two or more previous unsuccessful ETs; and unsuccessful clinical pregnancies of quality embryos deemed by the embryologist to have been suitable for freezing by standard criteria. Women will be randomized to acupuncture or placebo acupuncture. Treatment is administered on days 6 to 8 of the stimulated cycle and two treatments on the day of ET. A non-randomized cohort of women not using acupuncture will be recruited to the study. The primary study outcome is the proportion of women reporting a live birth. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of women reporting a clinical pregnancy miscarriage prior to 12 weeks, quality of life, and self-efficacy. The sample size of the study is 1,168 women, with the aim of detecting a 7% difference in live births between groups (P = 0.05, 80% power

Serum omega-3 fatty acids and treatment outcomes among women undergoing assisted reproduction.

PubMed

Chiu, Y-H; Karmon, A E; Gaskins, A J; Arvizu, M; Williams, P L; Souter, I; Rueda, B R; Hauser, R; Chavarro, J E

2018-01-01

Are serum polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) concentrations, including omega-3 (ω3-PUFA) and omega-6 (ω6-PUFA), related to ART outcomes? Serum levels of long-chain ω3-PUFA were positively associated with probability of live birth among women undergoing ART. Intake of ω3-PUFA improves oocyte and embryo quality in animal and human studies. However, a recent cohort study found no relation between circulating ω3-PUFA levels and pregnancy rates after ART. This analysis included a random sample of 100 women from a prospective cohort study (EARTH) at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center who underwent 136 ART cycles within one year of blood collection. Serum fatty acids (expressed as percentage of total fatty acids) were measured by gas chromatography in samples taken between Days 3 and 9 of a stimulated cycle. Primary outcomes included the probability of implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth per initiated cycle. Cluster-weighted generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to analyze the association of total and specific PUFAs with ART outcomes adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking status, physical activity, use of multivitamins and history of live birth. The median [25th, 75th percentile] serum level of ω3-PUFA was 4.7% [3.8%, 5.8%] of total fatty acids. Higher levels of serum long-chain ω3-PUFA were associated with higher probability of clinical pregnancy and live birth. Specifically, after multivariable adjustment, the probability of clinical pregnancy and live birth increased by 8% (4%, 11%) and 8% (95% CI: 1%, 16%), respectively, for every 1% increase in serum long-chain ω3-PUFA levels. Intake of long-chain ω3-PUFA was also associated with a higher probability of life birth in these women, with RR of 2.37 (95% CI: 1.02, 5.51) when replacing 1% energy of long-chain ω3-PUFA for 1% energy of saturated fatty acids. Serum ω6-PUFA, ratios of ω6 and ω3-PUFA, and total PUFA were not associated with ART outcomes. The

Exploring the Evolution of a Teacher Professional Learning Community: A Longitudinal Case Study at a Taiwanese High School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Peiying; Wang, Ting

2015-01-01

This article presents findings of a longitudinal case study conducted at a Taiwanese high school from 2006 to 2010. This school participated in the 'High Scope Programme' (HSP), which was sponsored by the Taiwanese National Science Council to promote curricular innovation in science education. Utilising interview data with 11 participating…

Barriers faced by Vietnamese immigrant women in Taiwan who do not regularly undergo cervical screenings: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Lee, Fang Hsin; Wang, Hsiu Hung; Yang, Yung Mei; Tsai, Hsiu Min

2014-01-01

To assess and understand the barriers faced by Vietnamese marital immigrant women who do not regularly undergo cervical screenings in Southeast Taiwan. Studies have shown a low uptake rate of preventive medical services among immigrants. As immigrant women may not be aware of the healthcare delivery system in their host country, their uptake of and access to healthcare services might be limited. A qualitative, descriptive inquiry design was adopted. This qualitative study employed semi-structured, individual, in-depth interviews of 17 Vietnamese immigrant women. Data were collected from February-July 2011 and analysed using content analysis. The barriers to receiving cervical screening were lack of health literacy, lack of female healthcare providers, negative perceptions of cervical screening and personal reasons. The results might serve as a reference for government entities and healthcare providers in Taiwan to improve cervical screening rates; this should help enhance the effectiveness of healthcare services for Vietnamese immigrant women. The findings can also provide a reference for making appropriate healthcare policies for immigrant women in other countries. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Distress disclosure and psychological functioning among Taiwanese nationals and European Americans: The moderating roles of mindfulness and nationality.

PubMed

Kahn, Jeffrey H; Wei, Meifen; Su, Jenny C; Han, Suejung; Strojewska, Agnes

2017-04-01

Research using Western samples shows that talking about unpleasant emotions-distress disclosure-is associated with fewer psychological symptoms and higher well-being. These benefits of distress disclosure may or may not be observed in East Asia where emotional control is valued. Instead, mindfulness may be more relevant to emotion regulation in East Asia (e.g., Taiwan). In the present study, cultural context (Taiwanese nationals vs. European Americans) and mindfulness were examined as moderators of the relation between distress disclosure and both depression symptoms and life satisfaction. A sample of 256 Taiwanese college students and a sample of 209 European American college students completed self-report measures in their native language. Moderated multiple regression analyses revealed significant interaction effects of mindfulness and distress disclosure on both depression symptoms and life satisfaction for Taiwanese participants but not for European Americans. Specifically, distress disclosure was negatively associated with depression symptoms and positively associated with life satisfaction for Taiwanese low in mindfulness but not for Taiwanese high in mindfulness. For European Americans, distress disclosure was not associated with depression symptoms but was associated with higher life satisfaction, regardless of one's level of mindfulness. These findings suggest that the potential benefits of disclosing distress are a function of one's cultural context as well as, for those from Taiwan, one's mindfulness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Update on fertility preservation in young women undergoing breast cancer and ovarian cancer therapy.

PubMed

Lambertini, Matteo; Ginsburg, Elizabeth S; Partridge, Ann H

2015-02-01

The purpose of the article is to review the available options for fertility preservation in patients with breast and ovarian cancer, and the special issues faced by BRCA mutation carriers. Future fertility is an important consideration for many young patients with cancer. There are both experimental and standard available strategies for patients with breast and ovarian cancer to preserve fertility, and each has potential advantages and disadvantages. Embryo cryopreservation is widely available with a highly successful track record. Improvements in laboratory techniques have led to oocyte cryopreservation recently being recategorized as nonexperimental. Conservative gynecologic surgery is a standard consideration for patients with stage I ovarian cancer who desire future fertility. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation as well as ovarian suppression with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs during chemotherapy are considered experimental methods at this time, although recent data suggest both safety and efficacy for the use of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs in women receiving (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Special issues should be considered for women with BRCA mutations because of the need to undergo preventive surgery at young age. Multidisciplinary teams and well functioning relationships between the oncology and reproductive units are crucial to manage the fertility issues of young women with cancer.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria screened by catheterized samples at pregnancy term in women undergoing cesarean delivery.

PubMed

Atacag, T; Yayci, E; Guler, T; Suer, K; Yayci, F; Deren, S; Cetin, A

2015-01-01

The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of urinary tract infection (UTI) with urine samples obtained via catheterization among women undergoing cesarean delivery at term pregnancy. A cross-sectional study involving 159 women in whom cesarean delivery was conducted at term pregnancy after a regular follow-up from first to third trimester. For screening and diagnosis of UTI during antenatal period, the authors used dipstick test and microscopic urinalysis, and urine culture was used in the presence of symptomatic UTI unresponsive to initial antibiotic therapy. A urine sample was obtained immediately after insertion of Foley catheter for urine dipstick test, microscopic urinalysis, and culture during cesarean delivery. Obstetric and UTI data were recorded. Of 159 pregnant women, 95 (59.8%) did not develop UTI during antenatal care. There was no patient with symptomatic UTI at the admission for cesarean delivery. The authors found UTI with urine dipstick and microscopic urinalysis in 12 patients and of them, four patients had no history of UTI, and all the remaining eight patients had asymptomatic UTI during antenatal follow-up. UTI according to urine culture was encountered in three patients, two of them had one episode of UTI, and one had two episodes of UTI during antenatal follow-up. After regular antenatal follow-up screening with urine dipstick, microscopic urinalysis, and counseling of pregnant women regarding UTIs, the frequency of bacteriuria decreases considerably during cesarean delivery.

Pain relief for women undergoing oocyte retrieval for assisted reproduction.

PubMed

Kwan, Irene; Wang, Rui; Pearce, Emily; Bhattacharya, Siladitya

2018-05-15

Various methods of conscious sedation and analgesia (CSA) have been used during oocyte retrieval for assisted reproduction. The choice of agent has been influenced by the quality of sedation and analgesia and by concerns about possible detrimental effects on reproductive outcomes. To assess the effectiveness and safety of different methods of conscious sedation and analgesia for pain relief and pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing transvaginal oocyte retrieval. We searched; the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility specialised register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL, and trials registers in November 2017. We also checked references, and contacted study authors for additional studies. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different methods and administrative protocols for conscious sedation and analgesia during oocyte retrieval. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Our primary outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative pain. Secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy, patient satisfaction, analgesic side effects, and postoperative complications. We included 24 RCTs (3160 women) in five comparisons. We report the main comparisons below. Evidence quality was generally low or very low, mainly owing to poor reporting and imprecision.1. CSA versus other active interventions.All evidence for this comparison was of very low quality.CSA versus CSA plus acupuncture or electroacupunctureData show more effective intraoperative pain relief on a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS) with CSA plus acupuncture (mean difference (MD) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18 to 1.82, 62 women) or electroacupuncture (MD 3.00, 95% CI 2.23 to 3.77, 62 women).Data also show more effective postoperative pain relief (0 to 10 VAS) with CSA plus acupuncture (MD 0.60, 95% CI -0.10 to 1.30, 61 women) or electroacupuncture (MD 2.10, 95% CI 1.40 to 2.80, 61 women).Evidence was insufficient to show whether clinical pregnancy

Cumulative live-birth rate in women with polycystic ovary syndrome or isolated polycystic ovaries undergoing in-vitro fertilisation treatment.

PubMed

Li, Hang Wun Raymond; Lee, Vivian Chi Yan; Lau, Estella Yee Lan; Yeung, William Shu Biu; Ho, Pak Chung; Ng, Ernest Hung Yu

2014-02-01

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the cumulative live birth rate in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and isolated polycystic ovaries (PCO) undergoing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. We studied 104 women with PCOS, 184 with PCO and 576 age-matched controls undergoing the first IVF treatment cycle between 2002 and 2009. The main outcome measure was cumulative live birth in the fresh plus all the frozen embryo transfers combined after the same stimulation cycle. Women in both the PCOS (n = 104) and isolated PCO groups (n = 184) had higher ovarian response parameters compared to age-matched controls (n = 576), and higher rates of withholding fresh embryo transfer for risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The actual incidence of moderate to severe OHSS was significantly higher in the PCOS (11.5 %) but not the isolated PCO group (8.2%) compared to controls (4.9%). The live birth rates in the fresh cycle were comparable among the 3 groups, but the PCOS group had a significantly higher miscarriage rate compared to the other 2 groups. Cumulative live birth rate was significantly higher in the isolated PCO group (60.3%), but not the PCOS group (50.0%), compared to controls (47.5%). Women in the isolated PCO group, but not the PCOS group, had a significantly higher cumulative live birth rate compared to controls. This could be explained by the quantitative effect of the higher number of transferable embryos obtained per stimulation cycle, which is uncompromised by the unfavourable embryo competence otherwise observed in PCOS.

Impact of Taiwanese culture on beliefs about expressing anxiety and engaging in physical activity: a discursive analysis of the literature.

PubMed

Ma, Wei-Fen; Huang, Xuan-Yi; Chang, Hsiu-Ju; Yen, Wen-Jiuan; Lee, Sheuan

2010-04-01

This paper analysed the scholarly discourse about the influence of Taiwanese culture on beliefs about expressing anxiety and engaging in physical activity from literature review. The well-being of individuals with mental illness is promoted by the World Health Organization. Reducing barriers to treatment and care in community health-service systems requires cultural understanding. However, little is known about the influence of Taiwanese culture on physical activity programmes for people with anxiety disorders in Taiwan. A discursive analysis of the literature. Literature was used to examine the impact of Taiwanese culture on beliefs about anxiety and physical activity from historical, economic, social, political and geographical perspectives. Taiwanese cultural beliefs about anxiety and physical activity can be summarised into six themes. Beliefs about anxiety are reflected in three themes: anxiety and shame, beliefs against direct communication and beliefs about anxiety and external forces. Beliefs about engaging in physical activity are reflected in three themes: beliefs about human action, the relationship between health and physical activity and priority of academic achievement. This paper exposes the hidden power of culture to influence Taiwanese beliefs about anxiety and physical activity. Three negative beliefs about anxiety influence the expression of anxiety symptoms and help-seeking behaviours. Two positive and one negative belief about physical activity significantly affect choice of activity type and level of participation in physical activity. Anxiety and physical activity have a dynamic relationship and both are deeply influenced by Taiwanese culture. An awareness of cultural influences on beliefs about anxiety and physical activity is important when encouraging Taiwanese people with anxiety disorders to engage in physical activity. This awareness may help nurses understand better how their patients perceive anxiety and physical activity, leading to

Predictors of Anxiety and Depression in Taiwanese Secondary Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hong, Zuway-R; Veach, Patricia McCarthy; Lawrenz, Frances

This study investigated significant predictors of anxiety and depression in Taiwanese secondary students and the different functions of these predictors. Surveys were completed by 1,672 senior high school students in Taiwan. As part of a larger study, these students completed the Secondary Student Questionnaire (SSQ), an instrument developed by…

Choline and betaine food sources and intakes in Taiwanese.

PubMed

Chu, Da-Ming; Wahlqvist, Mark L; Chang, Hsing-Yi; Yeh, Nai-Hua; Lee, Meei-Shyuan

2012-01-01

Choline and betaine are involved in several similar health-relevant metabolic pathways, but the foods sources are different. We have assessed their intakes (individual, sums and ratios) from a dominantly Chinese food cultural point of view. A representative free-living Taiwanese population aged 13-64 years was drawn from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 1993-1996. Food intake was derived from interviews as 24-hour recalls. The USDA database, with adaptations for Taiwan, provided choline and betaine food compositions. Major food contributors of these nutrients were identified and compared with data from the US Framingham offspring study. Mean and variance reduced median nutrient intakes were calculated. Top ten major food contributors of choline in Taiwan were eggs, pork, chicken, fish, soybean and its products, dark leafy vegetables, dairy, fruit, wheat products and light leafy vegetables in sequence. For betaine, the top ten were dark leafy vegetables, wheat products, fish, pork, bread, chicken, cake/cookies, grain-based alcoholic beverages, rice and its products and sauces. The main contributors of choline in Taiwan and the USA were, respectively, eggs and red meat; and for betaine, greens were similarly best contributor. The rankings of the main food contributors of choline and betaine differed substantially between Taiwan and the USA. The total daily intakes (mean±SE, mg) in Taiwan for choline were 372±19 (median=348) in men and 265±9 (median 261) for women; for betaine, values were 101±3 (median 93) in men and 78±8 (median 76) for women. These allow for health outcome considerations.

Validation of the Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire for Taiwanese College Students (TSSRQ)

PubMed Central

Chen, Yang-Hsueh; Lin, Yu-Ju

2018-01-01

While self-regulation has long been recognized as an important characteristic of an individual, instruments assessing the general aptitude of self-regulation remain limited especially in Asian countries. This study re-validated Carey et al.'s (2004) Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire based on a national sample of Taiwanese college students (N = 1,988). Item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) yielded 22 items in five internally consistent factors. Descriptive findings showed that, a lack of proactiveness and volitional control, and a decrease of self-regulation throughout the college span appeared to be an overarching problem among Taiwanese college students. Furthermore, male students achieved lower self-regulation scores than female ones, and students in Services and STEM-related majors are in the need of self-regulation enhancement. Due to the generic measurement of individual's self-regulation traits, the Taiwanese Short Self-regulation Questionnaire (TSSRQ) can be flexibly applied to various contexts and used to deal with different issues beyond learning such as college students' Internet or smartphone addiction. Through this study, we hope the validated TSSRQ can promote studies on self-regulation and associated antecedents and outcomes, in turn leveraging college students' life adjustment and well-being. PMID:29551987

Developing the Own-Race Advantage in 4-, 6-, and 9-Month-Old Taiwanese Infants: A Perceptual Learning Perspective

PubMed Central

Chien, Sarina Hui-Lin; Wang, Jing-Fong; Huang, Tsung-Ren

2016-01-01

Previous infant studies on the other-race effect have favored the perceptual narrowing view, or declined sensitivities to rarely exposed other-race faces. Here we wish to provide an alternative possibility, perceptual learning, manifested by improved sensitivity for frequently exposed own-race faces in the first year of life. Using the familiarization/visual-paired comparison paradigm, we presented 4-, 6-, and 9-month-old Taiwanese infants with oval-cropped Taiwanese, Caucasian, Filipino faces, and each with three different manipulations of increasing task difficulty (i.e., change identity, change eyes, and widen eye spacing). An adult experiment was first conducted to verify the task difficulty. Our results showed that, with oval-cropped faces, the 4 month-old infants could only discriminate Taiwanese “change identity” condition and not any others, suggesting an early own-race advantage at 4 months. The 6 month-old infants demonstrated novelty preferences in both Taiwanese and Caucasian “change identity” conditions, and proceeded to the Taiwanese “change eyes” condition. The 9-month-old infants demonstrated novelty preferences in the “change identity” condition of all three ethnic faces. They also passed the Taiwanese “change eyes” condition but could not extend this refined ability of detecting a change in the eyes for the Caucasian or Philippine faces. Taken together, we interpret the pattern of results as evidence supporting perceptual learning during the first year: the ability to discriminate own-race faces emerges at 4 months and continues to refine, while the ability to discriminate other-race faces emerges between 6 and 9 months and retains at 9 months. Additionally, the discrepancies in the face stimuli and methods between studies advocating the narrowing view and those supporting the learning view were discussed. PMID:27807427

What Images Reveal: a Comparative Study of Science Images between Australian and Taiwanese Junior High School Textbooks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ge, Yun-Ping; Unsworth, Len; Wang, Kuo-Hua; Chang, Huey-Por

2017-07-01

From a social semiotic perspective, image designs in science textbooks are inevitably influenced by the sociocultural context in which the books are produced. The learning environments of Australia and Taiwan vary greatly. Drawing on social semiotics and cognitive science, this study compares classificational images in Australian and Taiwanese junior high school science textbooks. Classificational images are important kinds of images, which can represent taxonomic relations among objects as reported by Kress and van Leeuwen (Reading images: the grammar of visual design, 2006). An analysis of the images from sample chapters in Australian and Taiwanese high school science textbooks showed that the majority of the Taiwanese images are covert taxonomies, which represent hierarchical relations implicitly. In contrast, Australian classificational images included diversified designs, but particularly types with a tree structure which depicted overt taxonomies, explicitly representing hierarchical super-ordinate and subordinate relations. Many of the Taiwanese images are reminiscent of the specimen images in eighteenth century science texts representing "what truly is", while more Australian images emphasize structural objectivity. Moreover, Australian images support cognitive functions which facilitate reading comprehension. The relationships between image designs and learning environments are discussed and implications for textbook research and design are addressed.

Effectiveness of fecal immunochemical testing in reducing colorectal cancer mortality from the One Million Taiwanese Screening Program.

PubMed

Chiu, Han-Mo; Chen, Sam Li-Sheng; Yen, Amy Ming-Fang; Chiu, Sherry Yueh-Hsia; Fann, Jean Ching-Yuan; Lee, Yi-Chia; Pan, Shin-Liang; Wu, Ming-Shiang; Liao, Chao-Sheng; Chen, Hsiu-Hsi; Koong, Shin-Lan; Chiou, Shu-Ti

2015-09-15

The effectiveness of fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) in reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality has not yet been fully assessed in a large, population-based service screening program. A prospective cohort study of the follow-up of approximately 5 million Taiwanese from 2004 to 2009 was conducted to compare CRC mortality for an exposed (screened) group and an unexposed (unscreened) group in a population-based CRC screening service targeting community residents of Taiwan who were 50 to 69 years old. Given clinical capacity, this nationwide screening program was first rolled out in 2004. In all, 1,160,895 eligible subjects who were 50 to 69 years old (ie, 21.4% of the 5,417,699 subjects of the underlying population) participated in the biennial nationwide screening program by 2009. The actual effectiveness in reducing CRC mortality attributed to the FIT screening was 62% (relative rate for the screened group vs the unscreened group, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.42) with a maximum follow-up of 6 years. The 21.4% coverage of the population receiving FIT led to a significant 10% reduction in CRC mortality (relative rate, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.95) after adjustments for a self-selection bias. This large, prospective Taiwanese cohort undergoing population-based FIT screening for CRC had the statistical power to demonstrate a significant CRC mortality reduction, although the follow-up time was short. Although such findings are informative for health decision makers, continued follow-up of this large cohort will be required to estimate the long-term impact of FIT screening if the covered population is expanded. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

A potential protective effect in multilingual patients with semantic dementia: two case reports of patients speaking Taiwanese and Japanese.

PubMed

Liu, Yi-Chien; Yip, Ping-Keung; Fan, Yu-Ming; Meguro, Kenichi

2012-03-01

Several reports have suggested that multilingualism has a protective effect against semantic dementia. Here, we provide further evidence for this effect. The patient was a 75-year-old right-handed Taiwanese woman who had retired after working as a tailor. She was able to speak Taiwanese, Japanese and Mandarin Chinese fluently until 5 years ago. She gradually developed symptoms of profound anomia and difficulty with word-finding. Her mother tongue was Taiwanese and she had learned Japanese as her first symbolized language. She had used Mandarin Chinese for most of her life, but depended on Japanese to read and write (such as reading a newspaper and keeping accounts). However, she could now speak only very simple Taiwanese and Japanese, and could recognize only simple Japanese characters. SECOND: The patient was a 62-year-old right-handed man who had worked as an ironworker. He could speak Taiwanese and Mandarin Chinese fluently until 5 years ago. His mother tongue was Taiwanese. After 5 years of language deterioration, he was unable to communicate with his family members or recognize any characters, including numbers. SPECT RESULTS: Brain perfusion ECD SPECT (Tc-99m-ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography) showed less perfusion in the multilingual patient (Case #1) than in the bilingual patient (Case #2). Neuropsychological tests also demonstrated a slower rate of degeneration in the multilingual patient. We speculate that reading and writing in Japanese had a greater impact on the semantic system in Case #1. Thus, this patient showed relatively less degeneration or functional inactivity, as shown by perfusion in the frontal lobe, and this might be due to the persistent activation involved in multilingualism.

Endometrial preparation for women undergoing embryo transfer with frozen embryos or embryos derived from donor oocytes.

PubMed

Glujovsky, Demián; Pesce, Romina; Fiszbajn, Gabriel; Sueldo, Carlos; Hart, Roger J; Ciapponi, Agustín

2010-01-20

If a fresh embryo, assisted reproductive technology procedure cycle is unsuccessful and there are frozen embryos available, a frozen-thawed embryo transfer is performed. In some specific cases women may undergo oocyte donation treatment. In both situations the endometrium is primed by the administration of estrogen and progesterone. To prevent the possibility of spontaneous ovulation, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are frequently used. To evaluate the most effective endometrial preparation for women undergoing transfer with frozen embryos or embryos from donor oocytes with regard to the subsequent live birth rate. We searched the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and abstracts of reproductive societies' meetings (from inception). No language restrictions were applied. Experts in the field were contacted. Randomised controlled trials evaluating endometrial preparation in women undergoing fresh donor cycles and frozen embryo transfers. Two review authors independently applied the inclusion criteria, assessed trial risk of bias, and extracted data. Twenty two randomised controlled trials were included. Five studies analysed the use of a GnRH agonist versus control. No significant benefit was demonstrated when using GnRH agonists. No evidence of statistically significant benefit was found for one GnRH agonist over another, or vaginal over intramuscular progesterone administration. No difference in pregnancy rate was demonstrated when no treatment was compared to aspirin, steroids, ovarian stimulation, or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) prior to embryo transfer, although using hCG several times before the oocyte retrieval decreases the pregnancy rate. Finally, when oocyte recipients were studied further, starting progesterone on the day of oocyte pick-up (OPU) or the day after OPU produced a significantly higher

Dietary choline and folate relationships with serum hepatic inflammatory injury markers in Taiwanese adults.

PubMed

Cheng, Chin-Pao; Chen, Chien-Hung; Kuo, Chang-Sheng; Kuo, Hsing-Tao; Huang, Kuang-Ta; Shen, Yu-Li; Chang, Chin-Hao; Huang, Rwei Fen S

The relationships of dietary choline and folate intake with hepatic function have yet to be established in the Taiwanese population. We investigated the associations of choline and folate intake with hepatic inflammatory injury in Taiwanese adults. Blood samples and data on dietary choline components and folate intake from 548 Taiwanese adults without pathological liver disease were collected. Dietary intake was derived using a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Serum liver injury markers of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and hepatitis viral infection were measured. Elevated serum hepatic injury markers (>40 U/L) were associated with low folate and free choline intake (p<0.05). Folate intake was the most significant dietary determinant of serum aspartate transaminase concentration (beta=-0.05, p=0.04), followed by free choline intake (beta=-0.249, p=0.055). Folate intake exceeding the median level (268 μg/d) was correlated with a reduced rate of hepatitis viral infection (p=0.032) and with normalized serum aspartate transaminase (odds ratio [OR]=0.998, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.996-1, p=0.042) and alanine transaminase (OR=0.998, 95% CI=0.007-1, p=0.019). Total choline intake exceeding the median level (233 mg/d) was associated with normalized serum aspartate transaminase (OR=0.518, 95% CI=0.360-0.745, p=0.018). The newly established relationships of dietary intake of total choline and folate with normalized hepatic inflammatory markers can guide the development of dietary choline and folate intake recommendations for Taiwanese adults.

Mutation analysis of 13 driver genes of colorectal cancer-related pathways in Taiwanese patients.

PubMed

Chang, Yuli Christine; Chang, Jan-Gowth; Liu, Ta-Chih; Lin, Chien-Yu; Yang, Shu-Fen; Ho, Cheng-Mao; Chen, William Tzu-Liang; Chang, Ya-Sian

2016-02-21

To investigate the driver gene mutations associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Taiwanese population. In this study, 103 patients with CRC were evaluated. The samples consisted of 66 men and 37 women with a median age of 59 years and an age range of 26-86 years. We used high-resolution melting analysis (HRM) and direct DNA sequencing to characterize the mutations in 13 driver genes of CRC-related pathways. The HRM assays were conducted using the LightCycler® 480 Instrument provided with the software LightCycler® 480 Gene Scanning Software Version 1.5. We also compared the clinicopathological data of CRC patients with the driver gene mutation status. Of the 103 patients evaluated, 73.79% had mutations in one of the 13 driver genes. We discovered 18 novel mutations in APC, MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, SMAD4 and TP53 that have not been previously reported. Additionally, we found 16 de novo mutations in APC, BMPR1A, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH and PMS2 in cancerous tissues previously reported in the dbSNP database; however, these mutations could not be detected in peripheral blood cells. The APC mutation correlates with lymph node metastasis (34.69% vs 12.96%, P = 0.009) and cancer stage (34.78% vs 14.04%, P = 0.013). No association was observed between other driver gene mutations and clinicopathological features. Furthermore, having two or more driver gene mutations correlates with the degree of lymph node metastasis (42.86% vs 24.07%, P = 0.043). Our findings confirm the importance of 13 CRC-related pathway driver genes in the development of CRC in Taiwanese patients.

Demands for religious care in the Taiwanese health system.

PubMed

Tzeng, Huey-Ming; Yin, Chang-Yi

2006-03-01

In order to care ethically nurses need to care holistically; holistic care includes religious/spiritual care. This research attempted to answer the question: Do nurses have the resources to offer religious care? This article discusses only one aspect--the provision of religious care within the Taiwanese health care system. It is assumed that, if hospitals do not provide enough religious services, nurses working in these hospitals cannot be fully ethical beings or cannot respect patients' religious needs. The relevant literature was reviewed, followed by a survey study on the provision of religious facilities and services. Aspects considered are: the religions influences in and on Taiwanese society; the religious needs of patients and their families; strategies that patients use to enable them to cope with their health care problems; professional motives for attuning to patients' religious needs; and hospital provision for meeting the religious and spiritual needs of patients. A survey of nursing executives showed differences between religious service provision in hospitals with and without a hospice ward. The practical implications for hospital management and nursing practice are discussed.

Taiwanese University Students' Perspectives on Experiential Learning and Psychosocial Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Yii-Nii; Lai, Pi-Hui; Chiu, Yi-Hsing Claire; Hsieh, Hui-Hsing; Chen, Yueh-Hua

2016-01-01

This study described the relations of experiential learning and psychosocial development of Taiwanese university students through the qualitative method of phenomenology. Thirty-six students, age ranged from 19 to 25 years, from three research-oriented universities in northern Taiwan were interviewed. Seven themes were delineated: (1) discovering…

Taiwanese Preservice Teachers' Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teaching Intention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Kuen-Yi; Williams, P. John

2016-01-01

This study applies the theory of planned behavior as a basis for exploring the impact of knowledge, values, subjective norms, perceived behavioral controls, and attitudes on the behavioral intention toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education among Taiwanese preservice science teachers. Questionnaires (N = 139)…

Quality of Life in Patients with Bladder Cancer Undergoing Ileal Conduit: A Comparison of Women Versus Men

PubMed Central

SIRACUSANO, SALVATORE; D’ELIA, CAROLINA; CERRUTO, MARIA ANGELA; SALEH, OMAR; SERNI, SERGIO; GACCI, MAURO; CICILIATO, STEFANO; SIMONATO, ALCHIEDE; PORCARO, ANTONIO; DE MARCO, VINCENZO; TALAMINI, RENATO; TOFFOLI, LAURA; VISALLI, FRANCESCO; NIERO, MAURO; LONARDI, CRISTINA; IMBIMBO, CIRO; VERZE, PAOLO; MIRONE, VINCENZO; RACIOPPI, MARCO; IAFRATE, MASSIMO; CACCIAMANI, GIOVANNI; DE MARCHI, DAVIDE; BASSI, PIERFRANCESCO; ARTIBANI, WALTER

2018-01-01

Background/Aim: Studies comparing health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) between patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) and those who underwent a different form of urinary diversion has not reached yet univocal and reliable conclusions. The aim of our study was to evaluate bladder-specific long-term HR-QoL after radical cystectomy and ileal conduit. Patients and Methods: A multicenter study was carried out on 145 consecutive patients (112 males and 33 females) undergoing RC and ileal conduit (IC). HR-QoL assessment was conducted using Italian versions of European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and EORTC BLM-30 questionnaires. Results: Our data showed that women who underwent IC presented greater problems than men in cognitive functioning (mean score±SD: 77.3±27.9 vs. 87.8±18.6) as well in future perspective (score: 42.4±34.4 vs. 21.9±24.6). Nevertheless, men undergoing IC had more problems in sexual functioning than women (score: 23.3±24.5 vs. 7.0±20.3) (all p<0.05). Conclusion: In our series, female patients presented a greater burden than male patients in cognitive functioning as well in future perspective, but lower concerns with regard to sexual function. PMID:29275311

Quality of Life in Patients with Bladder Cancer Undergoing Ileal Conduit: A Comparison of Women Versus Men.

PubMed

Siracusano, Salvatore; D'Elia, Carolina; Cerruto, Maria Angela; Saleh, Omar; Serni, Sergio; Gacci, Mauro; Ciciliato, Stefano; Simonato, Alchiede; Porcaro, Antonio; DE Marco, Vincenzo; Talamini, Renato; Toffoli, Laura; Visalli, Francesco; Niero, Mauro; Lonardi, Cristina; Imbimbo, Ciro; Verze, Paolo; Mirone, Vincenzo; Racioppi, Marco; Iafrate, Massimo; Cacciamani, Giovanni; DE Marchi, Davide; Bassi, Pierfrancesco; Artibani, Walter

2018-01-01

Studies comparing health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) between patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) and those who underwent a different form of urinary diversion has not reached yet univocal and reliable conclusions. The aim of our study was to evaluate bladder-specific long-term HR-QoL after radical cystectomy and ileal conduit. A multicenter study was carried out on 145 consecutive patients (112 males and 33 females) undergoing RC and ileal conduit (IC). HR-QoL assessment was conducted using Italian versions of European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and EORTC BLM-30 questionnaires. Our data showed that women who underwent IC presented greater problems than men in cognitive functioning (mean score±SD: 77.3±27.9 vs. 87.8±18.6) as well in future perspective (score: 42.4±34.4 vs. 21.9±24.6). Nevertheless, men undergoing IC had more problems in sexual functioning than women (score: 23.3±24.5 vs. 7.0±20.3) (all p<0.05). In our series, female patients presented a greater burden than male patients in cognitive functioning as well in future perspective, but lower concerns with regard to sexual function. Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Taiwanese-Guoyu Bilingual Children and Adults' Sibilant Fricative Production Patterns

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Ya-ting

2012-01-01

How bilinguals' two languages interact with each other has stimulated considerable research. However, little of this research has focused on objective measures of speech production. This study aims to investigate bilinguals' production of Guoyu and Taiwanese voiceless sibilant fricatives to see how language contact and language dominance influence…

An Examination of ESL Taiwanese University Students' Multimodal Reading Responses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Hsiao-Chien

2013-01-01

This article reports an empirical study conducted in a Taiwanese English as a second language university class. Reader response theory is the theoretical framework guiding the study. Fifty-nine university students were encouraged to collaboratively create multimodal responses to a classic English reading. Taking an aesthetic reading stance, the…

Prevalence and predicting factors for anxiety in thai women with abnormal cervical cytology undergoing colposcopy.

PubMed

Jerachotechueantaveechai, Tanut; Charoenkwan, Kittipat; Wongpakaran, Nahathai

2015-01-01

To compare prevalence of anxiety in women with abnormal cervical cytology (Pap) undergoing colposcopy to that of women attending the outpatient clinic for check-up and to examine predicting factors. In this cross-sectional analytical study, 100 women with abnormal cervical cytology (abnormal Pap group) and 100 women who attended our outpatient clinic for check-up (control group) were recruited from June 2013 to January 2014. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was employed to determine anxiety in the participants with the score of ≥ 11 suggestive of clinically significant anxiety. The prevalence of anxiety and the mean HADS scores for anxiety were compared between the groups. For those with abnormal Pap, association between clinical factors and anxiety was assessed. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Median age was different between the groups, 44.0 years in the abnormal Pap group and 50.0 years in the control group (p=0.01). The proportion of participants who had more than one sexual partner was higher in the abnormal Pap group, 39.2% vs. 24.7% (p=0.03) and the prevalence of anxiety was significantly higher 14/100 (14.0%) vs. 3/100 (3.0%) (p < 0.01). The prevalence of depression was comparable between the groups. The mean HADS scores for anxiety and depression subscales were significantly higher in the abnormal Pap group, 6.6 vs. 4.8 (P < 0.01) and 3.9 vs. 3.1 (p=0.05), respectively. For the abnormal Pap group, no definite association between clinical factors and anxiety was demonstrated. The prevalence of anxiety in women with abnormal Pap awaiting colposcopy was significantly higher than that of normal controls. Special attention including thorough counselling, with use of information leaflets and psychological support, should be directed to these women.

A randomized placebo-controlled trial of preoperative tranexamic acid among women undergoing elective cesarean delivery.

PubMed

Maged, Ahmed M; Helal, Omneya M; Elsherbini, Moutaz M; Eid, Marwa M; Elkomy, Rasha O; Dahab, Sherif; Elsissy, Maha H

2015-12-01

To study the efficacy and safety of preoperative intravenous tranexamic acid to reduce blood loss during and after elective lower-segment cesarean delivery. A single-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study was undertaken of women undergoing elective lower-segment cesarean delivery of a full-term singleton pregnancy at a center in Cairo, Egypt, between November 2013 and November 2014. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using computer-generated random numbers to receive either 1g tranexamic acid or 5% glucose 15 minutes before surgery. Preoperative and postoperative complete blood count, hematocrit values, and maternal weight were used to calculate the estimated blood loss (EBL) during cesarean, which was the primary outcome. Analyses included women who received their assigned treatment, whose surgery was 90 minutes or less, and who completed follow-up. Analyses included 100 women in each group. Mean EBL was significantly higher in the placebo group (700.3 ± 143.9 mL) than in the tranexamic acid group (459.4 ±7 5.4 mL; P<0.001). Only six women, all in the placebo group, experienced an EBL of more than 1000 mL. There were no reports of thromboembolic events up to 4 weeks postoperatively. Preoperative administration of tranexamic acid safely reduces blood loss during elective lower-segment cesarean delivery. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry:ACTRN12615000312549. Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The use of berberine for women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing IVF treatment.

PubMed

An, Yuan; Sun, Zhuangzhuang; Zhang, Yajuan; Liu, Bin; Guan, Yuanyuan; Lu, Meisong

2014-03-01

Previous studies have indicated that berberine is an effective insulin sensitizer with comparable activity to metformin (Diabetes 2006, 55, 2256). Reduced insulin sensitivity is reportedly a factor adversely affecting the outcome of IVF in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (Human Reproduction 2006, 21, 1416). Our objective was to evaluate the clinical, metabolic and endocrine effects of berberine vs metformin in PCOS women scheduled for IVF treatment and to explore the potential benefits to the IVF process. We performed a prospective study in 150 infertile women with PCOS undergoing IVF treatment. Patients were randomized to receive berberine, metformin or placebo tablets for 3 months before ovarian stimulation. The clinical, endocrine, metabolic parameters and the outcome of IVF. Compared with placebo, greater reductions in total testosterone, free androgen index, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, and increases in SHBG, were observed in the berberine and metformin groups. Three months of treatment with berberine or metformin before the IVF cycle increased the pregnancy rate and reduced the incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Furthermore, treatment with berberine, in comparison with metformin, was associated with decreases in BMI, lipid parameters and total FSH requirement, and an increase in live birth rate with fewer gastrointestinal adverse events. Berberine and metformin treatments prior to IVF improved the pregnancy outcome by normalizing the clinical, endocrine and metabolic parameters in PCOS women. Berberine has a more pronounced therapeutic effect and achieved more live births with fewer side effects than metformin. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

An investigation of Taiwanese graduate students' level of civic scientific literacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Yu-Mei

2003-07-01

Professionals in a variety of disciplines have stressed the importance of advancing the scientific literacy of all citizens in a democratic and science- and technology-based society. Taiwan has been striving hard to advance its democracy and heavily relies on a knowledge-based economy. The high rank Taiwan receives in international comparisons demonstrates Taiwan's high achievement in science at the middle school level. However, no empirical evidence has been collected to examine whether this high achievement at the middle school level promises a high level of scientific literacy in adults. This study investigated the level of scientific literacy of Taiwanese graduate students using Miller's framework of three dimensions of civic scientific literacy, including: (1) a vocabulary of basic scientific constructs, (2) an understanding of the process of scientific inquiry, and (3) some level of understanding of the impact of science and technology on individuals and on society. A web-based questionnaire was employed to survey Taiwanese graduate students studying in three different types of graduate schools and eleven academic fields. A total of 525 responses were collected. In addition, following the survey, eight participants were purposefully selected for individual interviews in order to obtain additional information on participants' scientific literacy. Descriptive statistical analyses were computed to summarize the participants' overall responses to each of the survey sections. Regression models using dummy coding of categorical variables (i.e., gender, school type, and academic areas) were performed to examine whether significant differences exist among different groups. The major findings suggest that: (1) Taiwanese graduate students' civic scientific literacy is not at a satisfactory level; (2) the participants carry mixed attitudes toward science and technology, (3) Taiwanese graduate students are not very attentive to new information of science and technology

Social relationships and allostatic load in Taiwanese elderly and near elderly.

PubMed

Seeman, Teresa; Glei, Dana; Goldman, Noreen; Weinstein, Maxine; Singer, Burt; Lin, Yu-Hsuan

2004-12-01

Despite the increasing evidence linking aspects of the social environment to a range of health outcomes, important questions remain concerning the precise mechanisms or pathways through which social circumstances exert their influence. Biological pathways are one important area of current research interest. Using data from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS) in Taiwan, we examined relationships between social environment characteristics and an index of cumulative biological dysregulation ("allostatic load," AL) in near elderly (NE) (aged 54-70) and elderly Taiwanese (aged 71+). Longitudinal data on levels of social integration and extent of social support were used to predict cumulative AL at the final survey year. Linear regression analyses revealed that among the NE, presence of a spouse between 1996 and 2000 was associated with lower AL in 2000 among men, but not women. Among the elderly, ties with close friends and/or neighbors were found to be significantly related to lower AL for both men and women. Perceived qualities of these social relationships did not show consistent associations with AL. This relatively modest set of significant relationships stands in contrast to somewhat stronger patterns of findings from studies in Western societies. Cross-cultural differences between Western societies and an East Asian society such as Taiwan raise the intriguing possibility that contextual, normative influences on social experience affect the patterns of association between features of these social worlds and the physiological substrates of health.

Misrecognition of need: women's experiences of and explanations for undergoing cesarean delivery.

PubMed

Tully, Kristin P; Ball, Helen L

2013-05-01

International rates of operative delivery are consistently higher than the World Health Organization determined is appropriate. This suggests that factors other than clinical indications contribute to cesarean section. Data presented here are from interviews with 115 mothers on the postnatal ward of a hospital in Northeast England during February 2006 to March 2009 after the women underwent either unscheduled or scheduled cesarean childbirth. Using thematic content analysis, we found women's accounts of their experiences largely portrayed cesarean section as everything that they had wanted to avoid, but necessary given their situations. Contrary to popular suggestion, the data did not indicate impersonalized medical practice, or that cesareans were being performed 'on request.' The categorization of cesareans into 'emergency' and 'elective' did not reflect maternal experiences. Rather, many unscheduled cesareans were conducted without indications of fetal distress and most scheduled cesareans were not booked because of 'choice.' The authoritative knowledge that influenced maternal perceptions of the need to undergo operative delivery included moving forward from 'prolonged' labor and scheduling cesarean as a prophylactic to avoid anticipated psychological or physical harm. In spontaneously defending themselves against stigma from the 'too posh to push' label that is currently common in the media, women portrayed debate on the appropriateness of cesarean childbirth as a social critique instead of a health issue. The findings suggest the 'need' for some cesareans is due to misrecognition of indications by all involved. The factors underlying many cesareans may actually be modifiable, but informed choice and healthful outcomes are impeded by lack of awareness regarding the benefits of labor on the fetal transition to extrauterine life, the maternal desire for predictability in their parturition and recovery experiences, and possibly lack of sufficient experience for

A rationale for biopsying embryos reaching the morula stage on Day 6 in women undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy.

PubMed

Irani, M; Zaninovic, N; Canon, C; O'Neill, C; Gunnala, V; Zhan, Q; Palermo, G; Reichman, D; Rosenwaks, Z

2018-05-01

Is there a benefit to assessing ploidy in delayed embryos reaching the morula stage on Day 6 of development? Day-6 morulae should be considered for biopsy in women <40 years old undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) because they are associated with acceptable, albeit reduced, euploidy and implantation rates (IRs). Embryo development and morphology have been shown to correlate with aneuploidy and pregnancy rates. During PGT-A cycles, embryos are biopsied if they reach the blastocyst stage by Day 5 or 6, whereas slow-developing embryos are typically deselected and discarded. Determining the viability of slow-developing embryos is particularly relevant for women undergoing PGT-A who have diminished ovarian reserve and a relatively low blastocyst yield. This is a retrospective cohort study that was performed at an academic medical center. Patients who underwent IVF with PGT-A were reviewed for inclusion. A total of 1615 cycles were reviewed. All cycles which involved a biopsy of a cavitating or compacted morula on Day 6 were included (n = 763). PGT-A was performed using array comparative genomic hybridization. The aneuploidy and implantation of morulae were compared to those of blastocysts originating from the same couples. The study included 763 cycles in which 1260 morulae and 3014 blastocysts were biopsied. Women were divided into four age groups (<35, 35-37, 38-39 and ≥40 years): the prevalence of aneuploidy was consistently lower among blastocysts (40.3, 50.8, 56 and 78.3%, respectively) than among compacted morulae (68.7, 75.5, 88.9 and 98.1%, respectively) and cavitating morulae (57, 66.4, 81 and 91.6%, respectively) throughout the different age groups (P < 0.001). Of note, the majority of compacted morulae (98.1%) and cavitating morulae (91.6%) were aneuploid in women aged ≥40 years. Compacted and cavitating morulae had significantly higher rates of complex aneuploidy, which involves ≥3 chromosomes, compared with blastocysts (P

Anxiety levels in women undergoing prenatal maternal serum screening for Down syndrome: the effect of a fast reporting system by mobile phone short-message service.

PubMed

Cheng, Po-Jen; Wu, Tzong-Lin; Shaw, Sheng-Wen; Chueh, Ho-Yen; Lin, Cheng-Tao; Hsu, Jenn-Jeih; Hsieh, T'sang-T'ang; Soong, Yung-Kuei

2008-05-01

To study the effect of fast reporting by mobile phone short-message service (SMS) on anxiety levels in women undergoing prenatal biochemical screening for Down syndrome. From January 2005 to December 2006, 2782 women undergoing prenatal biochemical serum screening were randomized into fast reporting by SMS (group A) or without mobile phone reporting (group B). Anxiety levels were measured with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before prenatal screen testing, before the appointed clinic (when the SMS report had already been given to group A), and 3 days after the appointed clinic (when the full screening report had been given to groups A and B). For screen-negative women, anxiety scores did not differ between groups before prenatal screen testing and 3 days after the appointed clinic. The state-anxiety scores measured on the second occasion had declined significantly in group A. The state-anxiety scores in both groups increased over the 3-week period after being informed of positive screen results. The trait- and state-anxiety scores at all points did not differ between the two groups of screen-positive women. The provision of a routine reporting system plus additional SMS report revealed some overall benefits in reducing anxiety among women with screen-negative result. 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Mental distress and personality in women undergoing GnRH agonist versus GnRH antagonist protocols for assisted reproductive technology.

PubMed

Stenbæk, D S; Toftager, M; Hjordt, L V; Jensen, P S; Holst, K K; Bryndorf, T; Holland, T; Bogstad, J; Pinborg, A; Hornnes, P; Frokjaer, V G

2015-01-01

Do mental distress and mood fluctuations in women undergoing GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist protocols for assisted reproductive technology (ART) differ depending on protocol and the personality trait, neuroticism? ART treatment did not induce elevated levels of mental distress in either GnRH antagonist or agonist protocols but neuroticism was positively associated with increased mental distress, independent of protocols. ART treatment may increase mental distress by mechanisms linked to sex hormone fluctuations. General psychological characteristics, such as personality traits indexing negative emotionality, e.g. neuroticism, are likely to affect mental distress during ART treatment. A total of 83 women undergoing their first ART cycle were consecutively randomized 1:1 to GnRH antagonist (n = 42) or GnRH agonist (n = 41) protocol. The study population was a subgroup of a larger ongoing Danish clinical randomized trial and was established as an add-on in the period 2010-2012. Women in the GnRH antagonist protocol received daily injections with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone, Puregon(®) and subcutaneous injections with GnRH antagonist, Orgalutran(®). Women in the GnRH agonist protocol received nasal administration of the GnRH agonist, Synarela(®) and subcutaneous injections with FSH, Puregon(®). The study design did not allow for a blinding procedure. All women self-reported the Profile of Mood States, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Symptom Checklist-92-Revised, and the Major Depression Inventory questionnaires, at baseline, at ART cycle day 35, on the day of oocyte pick-up, and on the day of hCG testing. Also, a series of Profile of Mood States were reported daily during pharmacological treatment to monitor mood fluctuations. The personality trait Neuroticism was assessed at baseline by the self-reported NEO-PI-R questionnaire. ART did not induce within- or between-protocol changes in any of the applied measures of mental distress. However, the Gn

Fostering Taiwanese Preschoolers' Understanding of the Addition-Subtraction Inverse Principle

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lai, Meng-Lung; Baroody, Arthur J.; Johnson, Amanda R.

2008-01-01

The present research involved gauging preschoolers' learning potential for a key arithmetic concept, the addition-subtraction inverse principle (e.g., 2+1-1=2). Sixty 4- and 5-year-old Taiwanese children from two public preschools serving low- and middle-income families participated in the training experiment. Half were randomly assigned to an…

Autonomy Support versus Psychological Control, Perfectionism, and Taiwanese Adolescents' Achievement Goals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Shu-Shen

2013-01-01

The author attempted to explore potential antecedents of achievement goals and relations of teacher and parental autonomy support versus psychological control to Taiwanese adolescents' perfectionistic tendencies. A total of 512 eighth-grade students completed self-reported questionnaires assessing variables of interest. Results indicated that…

Eliciting Taiwanese High School Students' Scientific Ontological and Epistemic Beliefs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Tzung-Jin; Tsai, Chin-Chung

2017-01-01

This study employed the interview method to clarify the underlying dimensions of and relationships between students' scientific ontological and epistemic beliefs. Forty Taiwanese high school students were invited to participate in this study. Through content analysis of the participants' interview responses two ontological dimensions including…

'Have you had your bowl of rice?': a qualitative study of eating patterns in older Taiwanese adults.

PubMed

Chen, Su-Hui; Shao, Jung-Hua

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the eating patterns of older Taiwanese adults. The number of older adults in Taiwan is increasing and they have been shown to have poor nutritional status. However, little attention has been directed at uncovering eating patterns among this population as part of their aging process. To explore older Taiwanese adults' eating patterns, a qualitative research design was chosen. Eating patterns of older Taiwanese adults were explored in narrative interviews conducted from April-June 2007. Of the 156 participants who participated in a larger correlational, cross-sectional study, 58 agreed to answer one open-ended question about their eating patterns. All interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Analysis of interview data identified three major categories: 'eating and old age', 'eating and faith' and 'eating and family harmony'. Subcategories in each major category included 'achieving good health', 'upholding old customs'; 'depending on God/fate', 'enjoying later life'; and 'following the family eating rules', 'self-sacrificing for the family', respectively. Older Taiwanese people adopt eating patterns not only for health reasons, but also in keeping with their faith and the need to preserve family harmony. This research supports and contributes to understanding the eating patterns of older adults in Taiwan. Disseminating these findings may increase nurses' awareness of nutrition issues in older adults. Older Taiwanese adults' eating patterns centred on family values. Nursing intervention programmes, therefore, should address key family members involved in food preparation. Our findings also suggest that older adults followed old customs in their eating practices. Nurses are suggested to acknowledge and respect these customs as special food needs of older adults. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

How Does Culture Shape Roles and Relationships in Taiwanese Family Caregiving for an Adolescent With Cancer?

PubMed

Yeh, Li-Chyun; Kellet, Ursula; Henderson, Saras; Chen, Kang-Hua

2015-01-01

Chinese culture plays a significant part in how Taiwanese families view life events. Caregivers envisage themselves as guardians of their children in all facets of family life, including wellness and strive to maintain harmonious relationships within the family. However, it remains unclear what impact caring for an adolescent with cancer has on family roles and relationships in Taiwanese families, nor are the processes for managing change in family roles and relationships associated with caregiving well understood. This study explores the impact of caregiving for an adolescent with cancer on the roles and relationships within Taiwanese families. Seven families were recruited from a medical hospital in Taiwan. Data were collected through qualitative interviews and analyzed following Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory. The core category, underpinned by Chinese culture, proved to be experiencing the broken chain of family life. This was the central issue brought about by 4 consequences for the broken chain of family life. The expression "the broken chain of family life" encapsulates how important Chinese cultural values are in defining caregiver task performance. The findings have implications for Taiwanese families in perceiving, adjusting to, and fulfilling the altered roles and relationships associated with caring for an adolescent with cancer at home. The delivery of exceptional care and services depends on gaining insight into how caregiving influences family roles and relationships. How families failed to manage the process of caregiving provides valuable insight for informing and providing recommendations for services and support.

Mutation analysis of 13 driver genes of colorectal cancer-related pathways in Taiwanese patients

PubMed Central

Chang, Yuli Christine; Chang, Jan-Gowth; Liu, Ta-Chih; Lin, Chien-Yu; Yang, Shu-Fen; Ho, Cheng-Mao; Chen, William Tzu-Liang; Chang, Ya-Sian

2016-01-01

AIM: To investigate the driver gene mutations associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Taiwanese population. METHODS: In this study, 103 patients with CRC were evaluated. The samples consisted of 66 men and 37 women with a median age of 59 years and an age range of 26-86 years. We used high-resolution melting analysis (HRM) and direct DNA sequencing to characterize the mutations in 13 driver genes of CRC-related pathways. The HRM assays were conducted using the LightCycler® 480 Instrument provided with the software LightCycler® 480 Gene Scanning Software Version 1.5. We also compared the clinicopathological data of CRC patients with the driver gene mutation status. RESULTS: Of the 103 patients evaluated, 73.79% had mutations in one of the 13 driver genes. We discovered 18 novel mutations in APC, MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, SMAD4 and TP53 that have not been previously reported. Additionally, we found 16 de novo mutations in APC, BMPR1A, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH and PMS2 in cancerous tissues previously reported in the dbSNP database; however, these mutations could not be detected in peripheral blood cells. The APC mutation correlates with lymph node metastasis (34.69% vs 12.96%, P = 0.009) and cancer stage (34.78% vs 14.04%, P = 0.013). No association was observed between other driver gene mutations and clinicopathological features. Furthermore, having two or more driver gene mutations correlates with the degree of lymph node metastasis (42.86% vs 24.07%, P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the importance of 13 CRC-related pathway driver genes in the development of CRC in Taiwanese patients. PMID:26900293

Type D Personality, Social Support, and Depression Among Ethnic Chinese Coronary Artery Disease Patients Undergoing a Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Exploratory Study.

PubMed

Su, Shu-Fen; He, Chung-Ping

2018-01-01

This study investigated the relationships between Type D personality, depression, and social support among ethnic Chinese coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. Type D personality is associated with CAD, and may increase patients' depression and mortality rate. However, very few studies have explored the relationships between depression and social support among ethnic Chinese Type D CAD patients. A longitudinal, repeated-measures design was used; 105 Taiwanese CAD patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention were recruited between January and December 2015. A demographic questionnaire, Type D Scale, ENRICHD Social Support Inventory, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were completed by 102 participants (mean age = 64.42, SD = 13.67 years) at hospitalization, and at the second week and third month after discharge. Data were analyzed using t tests and a generalized estimating equation. Results indicated that 46.7% of participants who had Type D personality had lower social support and higher depression than did the remaining (non-Type D) participants. At two weeks after discharge, the improvement in social support was higher among Type D patients than non-Type D participants; the same was true for depression at two weeks and three months after discharge each. Type D Taiwanese CAD patients showed lower perceived social support and higher depression during hospitalization than did non-Type D participants. Furthermore, the more social support patients received at home, the lower was their depression. Health-care providers should provide continuous mental health care, conduct early screening of mental health issues, and ensure that patients receive sufficient social support to reduce depression.

Association of adipokines and adhesion molecules with indicators of obesity in women undergoing mammography screening

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The soluble cell adhesion molecules and adipokines are elevated in patients with obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, breast cancer and atherosclerosis. Objective To investigate the relationship between anthropometric profile, dietary intake, lipid profile and fasting glycemia with serum levels of adipokines (adiponectin and PAI-1) and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) in women without breast cancer undergoing routine mammographic screening. Design Transversal study. Subjects One hundred and forty-five women over 40-years old participated in this study. Results In 39.3% of cases the BMI was above 30 kg/m2; 46.9% had hypertension, 14.5% had type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, 31.7% had dyslipidemia and 88.3% presented a waist-to-hip ratio ≥ 0.8. A linear correlation was found between serum levels of PAI-1 and triglycerides, between serum levels of PAI-1 and WHR and between serum levels of VCAM-1 and BMI. Conclusion We found a high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. PAI-1 and VCAM-1 levels were correlated with clinical indicators of obesity and overweight. PMID:23113882

Moral dilemmas of women undergoing pregnancy termination for medical reasons in Poland.

PubMed

Zaręba, Kornelia; Ciebiera, Michał; Bińkowska, Małgorzata; Jakiel, Grzegorz

2017-08-01

We explored the religious views and dilemmas of Polish women making the decision to terminate a pregnancy. The article discusses the highly restrictive legislation and significant influence of the Church on the lives of Polish citizens. This study was designed to investigate the effect of religious and political beliefs, social and moral conditioning and professional support on the decision to abort a fetus. A 65-item questionnaire was administered to 60 participants at the time of their pregnancy termination. Pregnancy termination was performed outside the resident county in 32% of cases. Approximately 88% of respondents declared themselves Catholic, but only 22% intended to admit to the pregnancy termination during confession. Five percent of respondents feared the reaction of the priest, while the remaining respondents did not perceive termination of pregnancy for medical reasons as a sin. Of the women who had previously opposed pregnancy termination, 27% changed their mind once they were personally involved. The decision to abort a pregnancy for medical reasons is sensitive to religious and social determinants, especially in the current political situation in which abortion may become prohibited in Poland. The high response rate (100%) was probably the result of the patients' attitudes: they repeatedly emphasised they were thankful for the help and empathy of the medical personnel and for being allowed to undergo the procedure. In Poland, the majority of centres use conscience clauses to justify their refusal to terminate a pregnancy.

Venous thromboembolism in women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery with mechanical prophylaxis alone.

PubMed

Montoya, T Ignacio; Leclaire, Edgar L; Oakley, Susan H; Crane, Andrea K; Mcpencow, Alexandra; Cichowski, Sara; Rahn, David D

2014-07-01

The objective of this study was determine the frequency of symptomatic perioperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) and risk factor(s) associated with VTE occurrence in women undergoing elective pelvic reconstructive surgery using only intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) for VTE prophylaxis. A multi-center case-cohort retrospective review was conducted at six clinical sites over a 66-month period. All sites utilize IPC as standard VTE prophylaxis for urogynecological surgery. VTE cases occurring during the same hospitalization and up to 6 weeks postoperatively were identified by ICD9 code query. Four controls were temporally matched to each case. Information collected included demographics, medical history, route of surgery, operative time, and intraoperative characteristics. Univariate and multivariate backward stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for VTE. Symptomatic perioperative VTE was diagnosed in 27 subjects from a cohort of 10,627 women who underwent elective urogynecological surgery (0.25 %). Univariate analysis identified surgical route (laparotomy vs others), type of surgery ("major" vs "minor"), history of gynecological cancer, surgery time, and patient age as risk factors for VTE (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified increased frequency of VTE with laparotomy, age ≥ 70, and surgery duration ≥ 5 h. In our study cohort, the frequency of symptomatic perioperative VTE was low. Laparotomy, age ≥ 70 years, and surgery duration ≥ 5 h were associated with VTE occurrence.

A Comparison of American and Taiwanese Students: Their Math Perception

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tsao, Yea-Ling

2004-01-01

The major purpose of this study was to attempt to understand some of the reasons for Mathematics perception of Taiwanese children compared to American children. The study was conducted with elementary schools in the Denver metropolitan area and Taipei, Taiwan in which fifth graders in each city (21 and 37 respectively) were selected as target…

The Representation of Teachers in Taiwanese Children's Literature, 1960-2012

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yau, Jia-ling Charlene

2015-01-01

This study investigates the images of teachers presented in Taiwanese children's books published between 1960 and 2012 using the narrative theory outlined by Nikolajeva ("Child Lit Assoc Q," 28(1):5-16, 2003). A purposive sample based upon the portrayal of school life is applied. One hundred and one books were identified as texts in…

Maternal-Reported Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Taiwanese Preschool Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wu, Yen-Tzu; Chen, Wei J.; Hsieh, Wu-Shiun; Chen, Pau-Chung; Liao, Hua-Fang; Su, Yi-Ning; Jeng, Suh-Fang

2012-01-01

There has been limited epidemiologic information concerning preschoolers' behavioral and emotional problems in Eastern societies. This study was therefore aimed to investigate behavioral and emotional problems in a large sample of Taiwanese preschoolers using the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5 (CBCL/1.5-5). The CBCL/1.5-5 was scored by…

Contextual influence of Taiwanese adolescents' sexual attitudes and behavioral intent.

PubMed

Chen, Angela Chia-Chen; Neilands, Torsten B; Chan, Shu-Min; Lightfoot, Marguerita

2016-09-01

This study examined parental, peer, and media influences on Taiwanese adolescents' attitudes toward premarital sex and intent to engage in sexual behavior. Participants included a convenience sample of 186 adolescents aged 13-15 recruited from two middle schools in Taiwan. Parental influence was indicated by perceived parental disapproval toward premarital sex and perceived peer sexual behavior was used to measure peer influence. Media influence was measured by the adolescents' perception of whether the media promotes premarital sex. We conducted structural equation modeling to test a hypothesized model. The findings suggested that the perceived sexual behavior of peers had the strongest effect on Taiwanese adolescents' sexual attitudes and behavioral intent, while parental disapproval and media influence also significantly contributed to adolescents' sexual attitudes and intent to engage in sex. School nurses are in an ideal position to coordinate essential resources and implement evidence-based sexually transmitted infection and HIV/AIDS prevention interventions that address issues associated with the influence of parents, peers, and media. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

The Use of Pap Smear and Its Influencing Factors among Women with Disabilities in Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Kuang-Hua; Tsai, Wen-Chen; Kung, Pei-Tseng

2012-01-01

Cervical cancer is a prevalent cancer among Taiwanese women, and can be effectively cured if diagnosed early. Therefore, cervical cancer is worthy of preventive health screening. Due to physical and psychological barriers, patients with disability may be unable to express their physical complaints accurately, thus reducing their access to health…

Effectiveness of the Sexual Attitude Restructuring Curriculum amongst Taiwanese Graduate Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Yi-Li; Lin, Yen-Chin

2018-01-01

This article discusses the effectiveness of the Sexual Attitude Restructuring (SAR) curriculum in developing positive sexual attitudes amongst Taiwanese graduate students in human sexuality. Through purposive sampling, 32 graduate students in human sexuality were selected to participate in the study. Before and after providing participants with a…

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in women of different ethnicities undergoing testing for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer

PubMed Central

Hall, Michael J.; Reid, Julia E.; Burbidge, Lynn A.; Pruss, Dmitry; Deffenbaugh, Amie M.; Frye, Cynthia; Wenstrup, Richard J.; Ward, Brian E.; Scholl, Thomas A.; Noll, Walter W.

2009-01-01

Background In women at increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer, the identification of a BRCA1/2 mutation has important implications for screening and prevention counseling. Uncertainty regarding the role of BRCA1/2 testing in high-risk women from diverse ancestral backgrounds exists due to variability in prevalence estimates of deleterious (disease-associated) mutations in non-White populations. We examined the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations in an ethnically diverse group of women referred for genetic testing. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis to assess the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations in a group of non-Ashkenazi Jewish women undergoing genetic testing. Results From 1996-2006, 46,276 women meeting study criteria underwent DNA full-sequence analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Deleterious mutations were identified in 12.5% of subjects, and recurrent deleterious mutations (prevalence > 2%) were identified in all ancestral groups. Women of non-European descent were younger (45.9 yrs, SD11.6) than European (50.0 yrs, SD11.9)(p<0.001). Women of African (15.6%)[OR 1.3(1.1-1.5)] and Latin American (14.8%)[OR 1.2(1.1-1.4)] ancestries had a significantly higher prevalence of deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations compared to women of Western European ancestry (12.1%), primarily due to an increased prevalence of BRCA1 mutations in these two groups. Non-European ethnicity was strongly associated with having a variant of uncertain significance; however, re-classification decreased variant reporting (12.8%→5.9%), with women of African ancestry experiencing the largest decline (58%). Conclusions Mutation prevalence is high among women referred for clinical BRCA1/2 testing, and risk is similar across diverse ethnicities. BRCA1/2 testing is integral to cancer risk assessment in all high-risk women. PMID:19241424

Quality of life in women undergoing urinary diversion for bladder cancer: results of a multicenter study among long-term disease-free survivors.

PubMed

Gacci, Mauro; Saleh, Omar; Cai, Tommaso; Gore, John L; D'Elia, Carolina; Minervini, Andrea; Masieri, Lorenzo; Giannessi, Claudia; Lanciotti, Michele; Varca, Virginia; Simonato, Alchiede; Serni, Sergio; Carmignani, Giorgio; Carini, Marco

2013-03-12

Women undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion for bladder cancer experience substantial limitations in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the level of discomfort caused by different urinary diversion has been never evaluated in long term survivors. The aim of this multicenter study is to evaluate differences in HRQOL among recurrence-free women undergoing cutaneous ureterostomy (CUS), Bricker's ileal conduit (BK-IC) and Orthotopic neobladder VIP (ONB-VIP) in disease-free females treated with radical cystectomy (RC), with long-term follow up (mean 60.1 months; range 36-122 months). All consecutively treated female patients from two urological institutions who underwent RC and urinary diversion from January 2000 to December 2008, with no evidence of tumor recurrence at a minimum follow up of 36 months, were included. Patients received the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) generic (QLQ-C30) and bladder cancer-specific instruments (QLQ-BLM30) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Bladder Cancer (FACT-BL). Clinical data and questionnaire results were analyzed in order to evaluate the HRQOL differences among diversion groups. We identified 37 females (median age: 68, range 45-82 years), including 12 status-post CUS, 16 who underwent BK-IC, and 9 who underwent ONB-VIP. Most were healthy (24/37 with no comorbidities, 4/37 Charlson 1-2, 9/37 Charlson 3 or greater - we didn't considered bladder cancer in Charlson evaluation because bladder cancer was the main inclusion criteria). Women undergoing CUS endorsed worse FACT-BL scores compared with BK-IC and ONB-VIP patients, worse HRQOL regarding physical and emotional well-being (p=0.008 and p=0.02, respectively), and a trend toward worse EORTC QLQ-C30 scores for appetite loss and fatigue (p=0.05 for both). In our study long-term disease-free females treated with CUS endorsed worse HRQOL compared with women who underwent BK-IC or ONB-VIP, mostly due

Pain relief for women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia undergoing colposcopy treatment.

PubMed

Gajjar, Ketan; Martin-Hirsch, Pierre P L; Bryant, Andrew; Owens, Gemma L

2016-07-18

Pre-cancerous lesions of cervix (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)) are usually treated with excisional or ablative procedures. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) cervical screening guidelines suggest that over 80% of treatments should be performed in an outpatient setting (colposcopy clinics). Furthermore, these guidelines suggest that analgesia should always be given prior to laser or excisional treatments. Currently various pain relief strategies are employed that may reduce pain during these procedures. To assess whether the administration of pain relief (analgesia) reduces pain during colposcopy treatment and in the postoperative period. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2016, Issue 2), MEDLINE (1950 to March week 3, 2016) and Embase (1980 to week 12, 2016) for studies of any design relating to analgesia for colposcopic management. We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings, reference lists of included studies and contacted experts in the field. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared all types of pain relief before, during or after outpatient treatment to the cervix, in women with CIN undergoing loop excision, laser ablation, laser excision or cryosurgery in an outpatient colposcopy clinic setting. We independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We entered data into Review Manager 5 and double checked it for accuracy. Where possible, we expressed results as mean pain score and standard error of the mean with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and synthesised data in a meta-analysis. We included 19 RCTs (1720 women) of varying methodological quality in the review. These trials compared a variety of interventions aimed at reducing pain in women who underwent treatment for CIN, including cervical injection with lignocaine alone, lignocaine with adrenaline, buffered lignocaine with adrenaline, prilocaine with felypressin, oral

Does Play Matter to Parents? Taiwanese Parents' Perceptions of Child's Play

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Yen-Chun; Yawkey, Thomas D.

2013-01-01

The main purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of Taiwanese parents' perceptions of child's play. Data were collected via parent questionnaires. To ensure greater variability in parents' backgrounds, kindergartens with families from different social backgrounds were recruited. A total sample of 142 parents with kindergarteners aged…

An Examination of Academic Burnout versus Work Engagement among Taiwanese Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Shu-Shen

2012-01-01

The author attempted to examine how Taiwanese junior high school students' perfectionistic tendencies and achievement goals were related to their academic burnout versus work engagement, and to determine differences in the indicators of burnout versus engagement among students with different subtypes of perfectionism. A total of 456 eighth-grade…

Taiwanese-Canadian Mothers' Beliefs about Personal Freedom for Their Young Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chuang, Susan S.

2006-01-01

This study examined Taiwanese-Canadian mothers' conceptions of personal freedom in everyday situations for their children and the influence of acculturation on their beliefs. Forty mothers of six- to eight-year-old children participated in a semistructured interview and sorting task. Interview responses revealed that, regardless of acculturation,…

Association of Sociodemographic and Perceived Environmental Factors with Public Bicycle Use among Taiwanese Urban Adults.

PubMed

Liao, Yung

2016-03-19

This study examined the sociodemographic and perceived environmental factors associated with public bicycle use among Taiwanese urban adults. A random-digit-dialing telephone-based cross-sectional survey was administered to Taiwanese urban adults aged 20-64 years in 2015. Data on sociodemographic variables, perceived environmental factors (for attributes identified in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Environmental Module), and public bicycle use were obtained from 1002 adults in three cities. Adjusted logistic regression was used. After adjustment for potential confounders, the results showed that adults aged 20-29 years (odds ratio (OR) = 4.42) with a university degree or higher (OR = 2.03) were more likely to use public bicycles. In addition, adults living in Kaohsiung City were less likely to use public bicycles (OR = 0.24). Adults who saw people being active (OR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.05-2.86) and had positive aesthetic experiences of their environment (OR = 1.69) were more likely to use public bicycles. Our findings suggest that seeing physically active people and positive aesthetic perceptions of the environment are key factors for developing transportation policies and intervention strategies for promoting public bicycle use among Taiwanese urban adults.

Organic and total mercury levels in bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus, harvested by Taiwanese fishing vessels in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

PubMed

Chen, M H; Teng, P Y; Chen, C Y; Hsu, C C

2011-01-01

Muscle samples of 121 and 110 bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) caught by Taiwanese long-line fishing vessels in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, respectively, were used to analyze total mercury (THg) and organic mercury (OHg) content. The overall THg and OHg concentrations were 0.786 ± 0.386 (0.214-3.133) and 0.595 ± 0.238 (0.143-2.222) mg kg⁻¹ wet weight, respectively, similar to the results of previous studies. Our findings, however, reflected the highest THg and OHg concentrations for the species in each ocean among the published data. Mean THg and OHg concentrations in Atlantic tuna were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in Indian tuna. Two of 121 samples of tuna from the Atlantic Ocean, but no samples from the Indian Ocean, had levels of OHg above 2 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight set by the Department of Health Taiwan, and 13 of 121 samples of tuna from the Atlantic Ocean and three of 110 samples from the Indian Ocean had levels of OHg above 1 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight set by US FDA and WHO. Accordingly, for adult Taiwanese men and women with average body weight of 65 and 55 kg, respectively, the maximum allowable weekly intake of bigeye tuna is suggested to be 170 and 145 g, respectively.

Relilgious beliefs and practices of Taiwanese parents of pediatric patients with cancer.

PubMed

Yeh, C H

2001-12-01

The aim of this study was to increase understanding of religious beliefs and practices among Taiwanese parents of pediatric patients. Parents of 63 pediatric patients with cancer were interviewed to explore their related religious beliefs and practices, ie, worship at temple, drawing Chien, and divinations. Rituals were used to diminish the harmful effects of the child's disease, such as temple ceremonies, changing the child's name, and taking "Fu" water. Such practices were generally undertaken with a lack of medical guidance from oncologists largely because of poor interactions between parents and oncologists. The findings suggest that discovering a caregiver's worldview and cultural values is important to establish holistic nursing practices. Because immigrants increasingly move around the world, Taiwanese parents become a culturally diverse clientele for healthcare professionals who have to be aware of the existing cultural differences in healthcare values, patterns, and practices, particularly between Western and Eastern cultures.

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Singaporean and Taiwanese Eighth Graders' Science Learning Self-Efficacy from a Multi-Dimensional Perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Tzung-Jin; Tan, Aik Ling; Tsai, Chin-Chung

2013-05-01

Due to the scarcity of cross-cultural comparative studies in exploring students' self-efficacy in science learning, this study attempted to develop a multi-dimensional science learning self-efficacy (SLSE) instrument to measure 316 Singaporean and 303 Taiwanese eighth graders' SLSE and further to examine the differences between the two student groups. Moreover, within-culture comparisons were made in terms of gender. The results showed that, first, the SLSE instrument was valid and reliable for measuring the Singaporean and Taiwanese students' SLSE. Second, through a two-way multivariate analysis of variance analysis (nationality by gender), the main result indicated that the SLSE held by the Singaporean eighth graders was significantly higher than that of their Taiwanese counterparts in all dimensions, including 'conceptual understanding and higher-order cognitive skills', 'practical work (PW)', 'everyday application', and 'science communication'. In addition, the within-culture gender comparisons indicated that the male Singaporean students tended to possess higher SLSE than the female students did in all SLSE dimensions except for the 'PW' dimension. However, no gender differences were found in the Taiwanese sample. The findings unraveled in this study were interpreted from a socio-cultural perspective in terms of the curriculum differences, societal expectations of science education, and educational policies in Singapore and Taiwan.

What do reproductive-age women who undergo oocyte cryopreservation think about the process as a means to preserve fertility?

PubMed

Hodes-Wertz, Brooke; Druckenmiller, Sarah; Smith, Meghan; Noyes, Nicole

2013-11-01

To better understand women's beliefs, priorities, and attitudes toward oocyte cryopreservation, to appreciate the extent of their reproductive education, and to track the reproductive paths of women who chose to undergo oocyte cryopreservation treatment. An anonymous 30-question survey. Not applicable. From 2005-2011, 478 women completed ≥1 oocyte cryopreservation treatment cycle at our center to defer reproduction. None. Demographics, motivations, desires, fertility knowledge, and outcomes related to oocyte cryopreservation. A total of 183 patients (38%) completed the survey with >80% being aged ≥35 years; white; having no partner at time of oocyte cryopreservation; undergoing oocyte cryopreservation after an optimal reproductive age; feeling they had improved their reproductive future after oocyte cryopreservation and being empowered by the process; aware of age-related infertility; sensing popular media falsely portrayed the upper age limit for natural conception; and recorded lack of partner as the primary rationale for not yet starting a family. Nineteen percent of respondents added that workplace inflexibility contributed to their reproductive dilemma. Half stated they learned about oocyte cryopreservation from a friend; others became aware through a medical provider, the media, and the internet. Most patients (93%) have not yet returned to use their frozen oocytes; 11 stated they had. Overall, 20% reported a successful conception after oocyte cryopreservation. Surveying oocyte cryopreservation patients provides a glimpse into the knowledge base and motivations surrounding current female reproductive practices. Oocyte cryopreservation technology may prove to bridge the gap between reproductive prime and when a woman is realistically "ready" to have children. Copyright © 2013 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Collectivists' Contingency and Autonomy as Predictors of Buffet Preferences among Taiwanese Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chiou, Wen-Bin

2006-01-01

In a culture or society with high collectivism, contingent orientation and constrained autonomy are the prominent characteristics of adolescents' self-construal. This article examined whether Taiwanese adolescents' contingency and autonomy were associated with their prevalent preferences for buffet consumption. Findings in a panel survey indicated…

[Antibiotic prophylaxis with prulifloxacin in women undergoing induced abortion: a randomized controlled trial].

PubMed

Caruso, S; Di Mari, L; Cacciatore, A; Mammana, G; Agnello, C; Cianci, A

2008-02-01

To verify the efficacy of prulifloxacin in prevention of infective morbidity in women undergoing first trimester induced abortion. The aim of the study was to observe the incidence of infection during four weeks following abortion by monitoring the symptoms which require general practitioner prescription or hospitalization. Randomized controlled trial carried on by the Research Group for Sexology, Familiar Planning Service of the Department of Microbiological and Gynecological Science, University of Catania from September 2005 to March 2007. The study included 466 women, ranging in age from 14 to 44 years (mean age 26.7), who were randomized in three groups: group A (153 subjects) treated with 600 mg daily of prulifloxacin for 5 days after abortion; group B (155 subjects) treated with 600 mg daily of prulifloxacin for 3 days after abortion; group C (158 subjects) treated with 600 mg daily of prulifloxacin one day before and 2 days after abortion. Two hundred sixteen were nulliparous (47%), 96 were pluriparous (38.5%). Thirty-two nulliparous (15%) were under eighteen. Among pluriparous, 96 (38.5%) have had previous surgery delivery and 154 (61.5%) spontaneous delivery; moreover, 56 women have had previous surgical interruption during the first-trimester of pregnancy. Surgical abortion was practiced in a range of gestational age between 6th and 11th week of amenorrhea (average week 8.2). The percentage of pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms (pain, fever, leucoxantorrhea ) were about 10.5 in group A, 7.1 in group B and 2.5 in group C. Group C protocol was statistically more effective than group A protocol (P<0.05), but not than group B, even if prevalence of adverse events were less. Antibiotic prophylaxis before surgical abortion and shortening supplies after abortion is more effective than post abortion treatment alone.

Adherence patterns to extended cervical screening intervals in women undergoing human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytology cotesting.

PubMed

Rendle, Katharine A; Schiffman, Mark; Cheung, Li C; Kinney, Walter K; Fetterman, Barbara; Poitras, Nancy E; Lorey, Thomas; Castle, Philip E

2018-04-01

Although guidelines have recommended extended interval cervical screening using concurrent human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytology ("cotesting") for over a decade, little is known about its adoption into routine care. Using longitudinal medical record data (2003-2015) from Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), which adopted triennial cotesting in 2003, we examined adherence to extended interval screening. We analyzed predictors of screening intervals among 491,588 women undergoing routine screening, categorizing interval length into early (<2.5years), adherent (2.5<3.5years), or late (3.5<6.0years). We also examined repeated early screening in a subgroup of 50,691 women. Predictors examined included: cohort year (defined by baseline cotest, 2003-2009), race/ethnicity, and baseline age. Compared to the 2003 cohort, women in the 2009 cohort were significantly less likely to screen early (aOR=0.22, 95% CI=0.21, 0.23) or late (aOR=0.47, 95% CI=0.45, 0.49). African American (AA) and Hispanic women were less adherent overall than Non-Hispanic White women, with increased early [(AA: aOR=1.21, 95%CI=1.17, 1.25) (Hispanic: aOR=1.08, 95%CI=1.06, 1.11)] and late screening [(AA: aOR=1.23, 95%CI=1.19, 1.27) (Hispanic: aOR=1.06, 95%CI=1.03, 1.08)]. Asian women were slightly more likely to screen early (aOR=1.03, 95%CI=1.01, 1.05), and less likely to screen late (aOR=0.92, 95% CI=0.90, 0.94). Women aged 60-64years were most likely to screen early for two consecutive intervals (aOR=2.09, 95%CI=1.91, 2.29). Our study found that widespread and rapid adoption of extended interval cervical cancer screening is possible, at least in this managed care setting. Further research examining multilevel drivers promoting or restricting extended interval screening across diverse healthcare settings is needed. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The utilization of fluoride varnish and its determining factors among Taiwanese preschool children.

PubMed

Tsai, Wen-Chen; Kung, Pei-Tseng; Weng, Rhay-Hung; Su, Hsun-Pi

2016-08-01

The Taiwanese government considers fluoride varnish to be a major component of preventive dental cares for preschool children. This study aimed to explore the extent of utilization of fluoride varnish and its determining factors among Taiwanese preschool children. Using preschool children under the age of 5 years as our participants, this study was conducted based on the 2008 Taiwan database of the Ministry of the Interior, linked with information gathered between 2006 and 2008 on preventive healthcare and health insurance from the Bureau of Health Promotion and the National Health Research Institute. A total of 949,023 preschool children (< 5 years old) were identified to meet the requirement for fluoride varnish services. The percentage of Taiwanese preschool children that used fluoride varnish was 34.85%.The probability that fluoride varnish would be utilized was higher among children with catastrophic illness/injury or relevant chronic illnesses than those without. In addition, the probability of children with disabilities using fluoride varnish was lower than that of nondisabled children. Finally, parent sex, parent age, urbanization level of residence, and parents' premium-based salary significantly affected the children's utilization probability of fluoride varnish. In order to increase the utilization of fluoride varnish among preschool children in Taiwan in the future, target groups consisting of females, children < 3 years of age, and disabled children should be prioritized. Parental factors are also important in affecting the utilization of fluoride varnish in children. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.

Hierarchical Effects of School-, Classroom-, and Student-Level Factors on the Science Performance of Eighth-Grade Taiwanese Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Liang-Ting; Yang, Chih-Chien

2015-05-01

This study was conducted to understand the effect of student-, classroom-, and school-level factors on the science performance of 8th-grade Taiwanese students in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011 by using multilevel analysis. A total of 5,042 students from 153 classrooms of 150 schools participated in the TIMSS 2011 study, in which they were required to complete questionnaires. A 3-level multilevel analysis was used to assess the influence of factors at 3 levels on the science performance of 8th-grade Taiwanese students. The results showed that the provision of education resources at home, teachers' level of education, and school climate were the strongest predictor of science performance at the student, classroom, and school level, respectively. It was concluded that the science performance of 8th-grade Taiwanese students is driven largely by individual factors. Classroom-level factors accounted for a smaller proportion of the total variance in science performance than did school-level factors.

The effect of education given before surgery on self-esteem and body image in women undergoing hysterectomy

PubMed Central

Yaman, Şengül; Ayaz, Sultan

2015-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the effect of information provided before surgery on the self-esteem and body image of women undergoing hysterectomy. Materials and Methods: The study had a semi-experimental design with pre-post tests. A total of 60 women were included in the study and divided into two groups, the intervention group (n=30) and control group (n=30). A questionnaire, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and the body image scale were used to collect data. Results: The pre- and post-test body image scores were similar in the intervention group patients, but the post-test scores were significantly higher in the control group (p<0.05). The pre- and post-test self-esteem scores were again similar in the intervention group, but the post-test scores were significantly lower in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that health education given to patients prior to hysterectomy protects body image and consequently self-esteem. PMID:28913071

What Can We Learn from Taiwanese Teachers about Teaching Controversial Public Issues?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hung, Yu-Han

2016-01-01

This study explores how history teachers in Taiwan make curricular decisions while engaging controversial public issues. The main political controversies discussed in Taiwanese society center on the relationship between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. This study documents how four social studies teachers formulate their curricular…

Perfectionism, Implicit Theories of Intelligence, and Taiwanese Eighth-Grade Students' Academic Engagement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Shu-Shen

2011-01-01

The authors attempted to examine how Taiwanese junior high school students' perfectionistic tendencies and implicit theories of intelligence were related to their academic emotions and approach versus avoidance self-regulation, and to determine differences in contingent self-worth, emotions, and self-regulation among students with different…

How European American and Taiwanese Mothers Talk to Their Children about Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Jin; Fung, Heidi; Bakeman, Roger; Rae, Katharine; Wei, Wanchun

2014-01-01

Little cross-cultural research exists on parental socialization of children's learning beliefs. The current study compared 218 conversations between European American and Taiwanese mothers and children (6-10 years) about good and poor learning. The findings support well-documented cultural differences in learning beliefs. European Americans…

The love surrounding the first skin graft in Taiwan: "British skin" that will stay in Taiwanese hearts.

PubMed

Lai, Chung-Sheng; Chen, Austin Deng; Lai, Ya-Wei; Kuo, Shou-Jen

2012-12-01

There is a painting that looks like a representation of a simple surgical procedure. However, it holds a warm story of the love surrounding the first skin graft made by Dr. David Landsborough III for a Taiwanese child in 1928. He harvested the donor skin from his wife, Marjorie Landsborough, to save a poor boy. Although the grafted skin could not grow onto the wound, the graft of love was permanently imprinted on Taiwanese People's hearts. The first Taiwanese recipient of MD, PhD degree, Dr. Tsung-Ming Tu invited an artist to recreate and draw the surgical procedure to immortalize the unforgettable love and memory of Dr. Landsborough III. The painting hanging on the hospital wall portrays an important professional role model for every student and health care provider. The life story of this medical missionary in Formosa from 1895 to 1936 contributed greatly to the development of medical care in Taiwan. It is hoped that this story, outlining great love and selflessness, can be glorified and remembered for the world to appreciate for generations to come.

Screening of anti-Helicobacter pylori herbs deriving from Taiwanese folk medicinal plants.

PubMed

Wang, Yuan-Chuen; Huang, Tung-Liang

2005-02-01

In this study, extracts from 50 Taiwanese folk medicinal plants were examined and screened for anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. Ninety-five percent ethanol was used for herbal extraction. Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr. (PSM), Plumbago zeylanica L. (PZL), Anisomeles indica (L.) O. Kuntze (AIOK), Bombax malabaricum DC. (BMDC) and Alpinia speciosa (J. C. Wendl.) K. Schum. (ASKS) and Bombax malabaricum DC. (BMDC) all demonstrated strong anti-H. pylori activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of the anti-H. pylori activity given by the five ethanol herb extracts ranged from 0.64 to 10.24 mg ml(-1). Twenty-six herbs, including Artemisia argvi Levl. et Vant (AALEV), Phyla nodiflora (Linn.) Greene (PNG) and others, showed moderate anti-H. pylori activity. The additional 19 herbs, including Areca catechu Linn. (ACL), Euphorbia hirta Linn. (EHL) and Gnaphalium adnatum Wall. ex DC. (GAWEDC), possessed lower anti-H. pylori effects. About half of the Taiwanese folk medicinal plants tested, demonstrated to possess higher anti-H. pylori activity.

Does a similar procedure result in similar survival for women and men undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting?

PubMed

Attia, Tamer; Koch, Colleen G; Houghtaling, Penny L; Blackstone, Eugene H; Sabik, Ellen Mayer; Sabik, Joseph F

2017-03-01

To (1) identify sex-related differences in risk factors and revascularization strategies for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), (2) assess whether these differences influenced early and late survival, and (3) determine whether clinical effectiveness of the same revascularization strategy was influenced by sex. From January 1972 to January 2011, 57,943 adults-11,009 (19%) women-underwent primary isolated CABG. Separate models for long-term mortality were developed for men and women, followed by assessing sex-related differences in strength of risk factors (interaction terms). Incomplete revascularization was more common in men than women (26% vs 22%, P < .0001), but women received fewer bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts (4.8% vs 12%; P < .0001) and fewer arterial grafts (68% vs 70%; P < .0001). Overall, women had lower survival than men after CABG (65% and 31% at 10 and 20 years, respectively, vs 74% and 41%; P ≤ .0001), even after risk adjustment. Incomplete revascularization was associated equally (P > .9) with lower survival in both sexes. Single ITA grafting was associated with equally (P = .3) better survival in women and men. Although bilateral ITA grafting was associated with better survival than single ITA grafting, it was less effective in women-11% lower late mortality (hazard ratio, 0.89 [0.77-1.022]) versus 27% lower in men (hazard ratio, 0.73 [0.69-0.77]; P = .01). Women on average have longer life expectancies than men but not after CABG. Every attempt should be made to use arterial grafting and complete revascularization, but for unexplained reasons, sex-related differences in effectiveness of bilateral arterial grafting were identified. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Intrauterine administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for subfertile women undergoing assisted reproduction.

PubMed

Craciunas, Laurentiu; Tsampras, Nikolaos; Coomarasamy, Arri; Raine-Fenning, Nick

2016-05-20

Subfertility affects 15% of couples and represents the inability to conceive naturally following 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Assisted reproduction refers to procedures involving the in vitro handling of both human gametes and represents a key option for many subfertile couples. Most women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment will reach the stage of embryo transfer (ET) but the proportion of embryos that successfully implant following ET has remained small since the mid-1990s. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone synthesised and released by the syncytiotrophoblast and has a fundamental role in embryo implantation and the early stages of pregnancy. Intrauterine administration of synthetic or natural hCG via an ET catheter during a mock procedure around the time of ET is a novel approach that has recently been suggested to improve the outcomes of assisted reproduction. To investigate whether the intrauterine administration of hCG around the time of ET improves the clinical outcomes in subfertile women undergoing assisted reproduction. We performed a comprehensive literature search of the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, registers of ongoing trials andreference lists of all included studies and relevant reviews (from inception to 10 November 2015), in consultation with the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Trials Search Co-ordinator. We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating intrauterine administration of hCG around the time of ET in this review irrespective of language and country of origin. Two authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias, extracted data from studies and attempted to contact the authors where data were missing. We performed statistical analysis using Review Manager 5 in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of

Examining the Differences of Linear Systems between Finnish and Taiwanese Textbooks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Der-Ching; Lin, Yung-Chi

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between Finnish and Taiwanese textbooks for grades 7 to 9 on the topic of solving systems of linear equations (simultaneous equations). The specific textbooks examined were TK in Taiwan and FL in Finland. The content analysis method was used to examine (a) the teaching sequence, (b)…

An Examination of Factors Related to Taiwanese Adolescents' Reports of Avoidance Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shih, Shu-Shen

2009-01-01

The author examined how Taiwanese junior high students' perceptions of autonomy support from teachers and parents as well as autonomous and controlled motivations were related to their implicit theories of intelligence. The author also attempted to determine the ability of these constructs to explain students' reports of avoidance strategies…

Effects of Exposure to Pseudoscientific Television Programs upon Taiwanese Citizens' Pseudoscientific Beliefs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tsai, Chun-Yen; Shein, Paichi Pat; Jack, Brady Michael; Wu, Kun-Chang; Chou, Ching-Yang; Wu, Yuh-Yih; Liu, Chia-Ju; Chiu, Houn-Lin; Hung, Jeng-Fung; Chao, David; Huang, Tai-Chu

2012-01-01

This study investigated the effects of exposure to pseudoscientific television (TV) programs upon Taiwanese citizens' pseudoscientific beliefs. The beliefs and practices of pseudoscience portrayed in the media may misguide the citizens in making life choices that may lead to negative consequences. Participants of this study included 2,024…

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4th edition-Chinese version index scores in Taiwanese children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

PubMed

Yang, Pinchen; Cheng, Chung-Ping; Chang, Chen-Lin; Liu, Tai-Ling; Hsu, Hsiu-Yi; Yen, Cheng-Fang

2013-02-01

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4th edition-Chinese version (WISC-IV-Chinese) has been in clinical use in Taiwan since 2007. Research is needed to determine how the WISC-IV, modified from its earlier version, will affect its interpretation in clinical practice in a Mandarin-speaking context. We attempted to use WISC-IV-Chinese scores to identify the cognitive strengths and weaknesses in 334 Taiwanese children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Comparison of cognitive profiles of WISC-IV-Chinese scores between subtypes of ADHD was also performed. The results indicated that the four-factor model of the WISC-IV-Chinese fitted well for Taiwanese children with ADHD. The profiles showed that performance in the index score of the Processing Speed Index was the weakness domain for the Taiwanese children with ADHD, as confirmed by two different kinds of analytic methods. Cognitive profile analysis of ADHD subtypes revealed children with inattentive subtypes to have a greater weakness in processing speed performance. The implications of the profiles of the index scores on the WISC-IV-Chinese version for Taiwanese children with ADHD were explored. © 2013 The Authors. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences © 2013 Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Effectiveness of acupuncture in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Jo, Junyoung; Lee, Yoon Jae

2017-06-01

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We searched a total of 15 databases through October 2015. The participants were women with PCOS (diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria) undergoing IVF or ICSI. Eligible trials were those with intervention groups receiving manual acupuncture (MA) or electroacupuncture (EA), and control groups receiving sham acupuncture, no treatment or other treatments. Outcomes included the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), live birth rate (LBR), ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) and incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and adverse events (AEs). For statistical pooling, the risk ratio (RR) and its 95% (confidence interval) CI was calculated using a random effects model. Four RCTs including 430 participants were selected. All trials compared acupuncture (MA/EA) against no treatment. Acupuncture significantly increased the CPR (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.71) and OPR (RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.81) and decreased the risk of OHSS (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.94); however, there was no significant difference in the LBR (RR 1.61, 95% CI 0.73 to 3.58). None of the RCTs reported on AEs. Acupuncture may increase the CPR and OPR and decrease the risk of OHSS in women with PCOS undergoing IVF or ICSI. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as an adjunct to assisted reproductive technology in this particular population. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Taiwanese adolescent cognitive autonomy and identity development: the relationship of situational and agential factors.

PubMed

Lee, Chien-Ti; Beckert, Troy E

2012-01-01

Taiwanese professionals have adopted information about adolescent psychosocial development from Western societies. However, scholars know little about whether they have properly applied the models to both rural and urban youth. The purpose of this study was to examine the development of cognitive autonomy and ego identity in Taiwanese adolescents from Taipei City and surrounding rural counties. We controlled for gender and examined both situational (residential location, family income, and school type) and agential factors (culture value affiliation, attachment, and resiliency) to determine the extent to which each predicted psychosocial developmental outcomes. Among all the factors in this study, resiliency had the most distinctive relationship with adolescent psychosocial development. Each factor successfully predicted specific aspects of psychosocial development for these youth. We conclude with a discussion of the utility of using Western models of development.

Does flushing the endometrial cavity with follicular fluid after oocyte retrieval affect pregnancy rates in subfertile women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection? A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Hashish, N M; Badway, H S; Abdelmoty, H I; Mowafy, A; Youssef, M A F M

2014-05-01

Follicular fluid of mature oocytes is rich in growth factors and cytokines that may exert paracrine and autocrine effects on implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate if flushing the endometrial cavity with follicular fluid after oocyte retrieval improved pregnancy rates in subfertile women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). One hundred subfertile women undergoing ICSI between April 2012 and September 2012 at the centre for reproductive medicine, Cairo University, Egypt were enrolled in this open label, parallel randomized controlled study. Patients were randomized into two groups at the start of treatment using a computer-generated programme and sealed opaque envelopes: the follicular fluid group (n=50) and the control group (n=50). Inclusion criteria were: age 20-38 years; basal follicle-stimulating hormone <10mIU/ml; body mass index <35kg/m(2); and ostradiol >1000pg/ml and <4000pg/ml on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration. Exclusion criteria were: evidence of endometriosis; uterine myoma; hydrosalpinges; endocrinological disorders; history of implantation failure in previous in-vitro fertilization/ICSI cycles; and severe male factor infertility. Clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were higher in the follicular fluid group compared with the control group [354% (17/48) vs 319% (15/47); p=0718] and (18.6% vs 11.3%; p=0.153), respectively. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Flushing the endometrial cavity with follicular fluid after oocyte retrieval neither improved nor adversely affected clinical pregnancy and implantation rates in subfertile women undergoing ICSI. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

PERCEIVED STRESS AND BIOLOGICAL RISK: IS THE LINK STRONGER IN RUSSIANS THAN IN TAIWANESE AND AMERICANS?

PubMed Central

Glei, Dana A.; Goldman, Noreen; Shkolnikov, Vladimir M.; Jdanov, Dmitri; Shkolnikova, Maria; Vaupel, James W.; Weinstein, Maxine

2013-01-01

Allostatic load theory implies a relationship between exposure to psychological stress and multi-system physiological dysregulation. We used data from population-based samples in Russia (Moscow), Taiwan, and the United States (US)—which are likely to vary widely with respect to levels of stress exposure and biological markers—to determine the magnitude of the association between perceived stress and physiological dysregulation. The measure of overall dysregulation is based on 15 markers including standard cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors as well as markers of inflammation and neuroendocrine activity. Subjective psychological stress was measured by the perceived stress scale. Only the Moscow sample demonstrated a positive association with overall dysregulation in both sexes. In the US, we found an association among women but not men. Among the Taiwanese, who report the lowest perceived stress, there was no association in women but an unexpected inverse relationship in men. The effects also varied across system-level subscores: the association with perceived stress was most consistent for standard cardiovascular/metabolic factors. Perceived stress was associated with inflammation and neuroendocrine activity in some samples. Although the evidence that exposure to stressors or perceived stress is the primary source of physiological dysregulation is generally modest, it is stronger in Russia where the level of perceived stress is particularly high. For Russia only, we also have information about heart function based on a 24h ambulatory electrocardiogram; perceived stress was consistently associated with heart rate dysregulation in Russian men and women. PMID:23534869

What Do Children Say about Tidy-Up Time? A Comparative Study of American and Taiwanese Children's Perceptions of Tidy-Up Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Izumi-Taylor, Satomi; Lin, Chia-Hui

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the similarities and differences in American and Taiwanese children's perspectives of tidy-up time. The participants consisted of 25 American kindergarteners in the southeastern US, and 25 Taiwanese kindergarteners from central Taiwan. Children were asked to respond to five questions regarding tidy-up time.…

Recovery Experiences of Taiwanese Women after Terminating Abusive Relationships: A Phenomenology Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hou, Wen-Li; Ko, Nai-Ying; Shu, Bih-Ching

2013-01-01

This article describes the recovery experiences of women who had suffered intimate partner violence in Taiwan. A phenomenological study design using semi-structured interviews was used to obtain data from a purposive sample of eight women. Colaizzi's approach to narrative analysis was applied. Findings indicate that "reconstructing the self"…

Predictors of Premenstrual Impairment Among Women Undergoing Prospective Assessment for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Cycle-Level Analysis

PubMed Central

Schmalenberger, Katja M.; Eisenlohr-Moul, Tory A.; Surana, Pallavi; Rubinow, David R.; Girdler, Susan S.

2017-01-01

Background Women who experience significant premenstrual symptoms differ in the extent to which these symptoms cause cyclical impairment. This study clarifies the type and number of symptoms that best predict premenstrual impairment in a sample of women undergoing prospective assessment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in a research setting. Central research goals were to determine (1) which emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of PMDD are uniquely associated with premenstrual impairment, and (2) how many cyclical symptoms optimally predict the presence of a clinically significant premenstrual elevations of impairment. Methods 267 naturally cycling women recruited for retrospective report of premenstrual emotional symptoms completed daily symptom reports using the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) and occupational, recreational, and relational impairment for 1–4 menstrual cycles (N = 563 cycles). Results Multilevel regression revealed that emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms differ in their associations with impairment. The core emotional symptoms of PMDD were predictors of impairment, but not after accounting for psychological symptoms, which were the most robust predictors. The optimal number of premenstrual symptoms for predicting clinically significant premenstrual impairment was four. Conclusion Results enhance our understanding of the type and number of premenstrual symptoms associated with premenstrual impairment among women being evaluated for PMDD in research contexts. Additional work is needed to determine whether cognitive symptoms should receive greater attention in the study of PMDD, and to revisit the usefulness of the five-symptom diagnostic threshold. PMID:28193300

Predictors of premenstrual impairment among women undergoing prospective assessment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a cycle-level analysis.

PubMed

Schmalenberger, K M; Eisenlohr-Moul, T A; Surana, P; Rubinow, D R; Girdler, S S

2017-07-01

Women who experience significant premenstrual symptoms differ in the extent to which these symptoms cause cyclical impairment. This study clarifies the type and number of symptoms that best predict premenstrual impairment in a sample of women undergoing prospective assessment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in a research setting. Central research goals were to determine (1) which emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of PMDD are uniquely associated with premenstrual impairment, and (2) how many cyclical symptoms optimally predict the presence of a clinically significant premenstrual elevation of impairment. A total of 267 naturally cycling women recruited for retrospective report of premenstrual emotional symptoms completed daily symptom reports using the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) and occupational, recreational, and relational impairment for 1-4 menstrual cycles (N = 563 cycles). Multilevel regression revealed that emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms differ in their associations with impairment. The core emotional symptoms of PMDD were predictors of impairment, but not after accounting for secondary psychological symptoms, which were the most robust predictors. The optimal number of premenstrual symptoms for predicting clinically significant premenstrual impairment was four. Results enhance our understanding of the type and number of premenstrual symptoms associated with premenstrual impairment among women being evaluated for PMDD in research contexts. Additional work is needed to determine whether cognitive symptoms should receive greater attention in the study of PMDD, and to revisit the usefulness of the five-symptom diagnostic threshold.

Changes in hormone therapy prescriptions among middle-aged women in Taiwan: implications for health needs at menopause.

PubMed

Wu, Chao-Yuan; Wu, Shiow-Lan; Lin, Shio-Jean; Chu, Cordia Ming-Yeuk

2011-01-01

From the 1990s until 2002, hormone therapy (HT) was a popular treatment for menopausal syndrome in middle-aged women. Since the Women's Health Initiatives (WHI) studies in 2002 warned that the risk of HT might exceed its benefits, there has been a reduction in its use worldwide, including in Taiwan. Many studies reported this decline, but few discussed whether HT may or may not fulfill menopausal women's health needs. This study examines the changes in HT prescriptions and other measures by menopausal women in Taiwan and the implications of these changes in relation to their needs. This study analyzes annual and monthly rates of HT prescription and outpatient care utilization among Taiwanese women in the 45- to 64-year-old age group. It is based on medical claims data of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Programs from 2000 to 2004. The data showed that HT was the prevailing treatment for menopausal syndrome before the WHI publications. The rate of HT prescription increased annually, peaking in 2001 at 21.6%, but declined from 2002 to 9.7% in 2004. At the same time, the number of Taiwanese women seeking traditional Chinese medicine for the menopausal syndrome increased. HT prescriptions in Taiwan declined significantly after the WHI reports, demonstrating the elasticity of the need for HT. But utilization data in Taiwan showed that attendance at outpatient clinics at menopause remained constant and the use of traditional Chinese medicine increased. Further studies should investigate health needs from menopausal women's perspectives to develop appropriate measures to meet their needs. Copyright © 2011 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Academic Achievement, Self-Concept and Depression in Taiwanese Children: Moderated Mediation Effect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wu, Pei-Chen; Kuo, Shin-Ting

2015-01-01

The primary purpose of this study was to utilize a multidimensional perspective to examine whether children's self-concept served as a mediator between academic achievement and depression, and to further investigate whether this mediation effect was moderated by the ages of children. The participants consisted of 632 Taiwanese children in the…

Employment among older workers and inequality of gender and education: evidence from a Taiwanese national survey.

PubMed

Lu, Luo

2010-01-01

The aim of this research was twofold: to examine the prevalence of employment and under-employment among Taiwanese older workers (aged 50 and above), and to explore personal correlates of their employment status, in particular gender and education. Using a national representative sample, we found that: 1) a rather substantial percentage of people continued to work well into their older years; 2) the underemployment rates were substantial in the older age, and less-educated workers and women were more at risk; and 3) multivariate analysis confirmed that age, gender, personal health, spousal health, and family income were significant predictors of continued employment after age 50. Gender and education were also significantly related to the risk of under-employment. Our results highlight the importance and urgency of more concerted research to inform public labor policies, especially in an aging developing society where older workers are faced with a double challenge of economic and societal restructuring.

Nurturing Interdisciplinary Competence in Academic Writing Classes: Two Taiwanese TESOL Professionals' Shared Journey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Cheryl Wei-yu; Wang, Hung-chun

2016-01-01

This study delineates two Taiwanese TESOL teachers' efforts of combining English writing with entrepreneurship education to cultivate English majors' interdisciplinary competence in academic writing classes. An integrated business-and-writing approach was proposed to foster English majors' academic writing skills and entrepreneurial capacities. In…

An Investigation of Self-Esteem and School Achievement of Taiwanese Secondary Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hong, Zuway-R; Veach, Patricia McCarthy; Lawrenz, Frances

This study investigated factors related to Taiwanese senior high school students' self-esteem. A total of 1,672 students (779 boys, 893 girls) in Kaohsiung City in Taiwan completed a Chinese version of the Secondary Student Questionnaire (SSQ; Z. Hong, 2001). In addition, interviews were conducted with six students from three different high…

The Effectiveness of Social Media Activities on Taiwanese Undergraduates' EFL Grammar Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Singman, Cooper

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of social media language learning activities with traditional language learning activities on the development of L2 grammatical competence in two English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes at a Taiwanese university. The study was grounded in four bodies of knowledge: (a) the…

Cultural Barriers to Help-Seeking among Taiwanese Female Victims of Dating Violence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shen, April Chiung-Tao

2011-01-01

This article presents a qualitative analysis regarding the help-seeking behaviors of female dating-violence victims from a cultural perspective. A semistructured, in-depth interview was used to collect data from 10 female victims (aged 20-28). Findings indicate that Taiwanese dating-violence victims tend to seek informal help rather than formal…

Efficacy and tolerability of intravenous morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in women undergoing cesarean delivery.

PubMed

Andziak, Marta; Beta, Jarosław; Barwijuk, Michal; Issat, Tadeusz; Jakimiuk, Artur J

2015-06-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate analgesic efficacy and tolerability of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with intravenous morphine. Our observational study included 50 women who underwent a Misgav-Ladach or modified Misgav-Ladach cesarean section. Automated PCA infusion device (Medima S-PCA Syringe Pump, Medima, Krakow, Poland) was used for postoperative pain control. Time of morphine administration or initiation of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) with morphine was recorded, as well as post-operative pain at rest assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). All patients were followed up for 24 hours after discharge from the operating room, taking into account patient records, worst pain score at rest, number of IV PCA attempts, and drug consumption. Median of total morphine doses used during the postoperative period was 42.9mg (IQR 35.6-48.5), with median infusion time of 687.0 min. (IQR 531.0-757.5). Pain severity and total drug consumption improved after the first 3 hours following cesarean delivery (p < 0.01). Mean number of PCA attempts per patient was 33 (IQR: 24-37), with median of 11 placebo attempts (IQR: 3-27). Patient-controlled analgesia with morphine is an efficient and acceptable analgesic method in women undergoing cesarean section.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Wang Pregnancy Stress Scale: Revised for Taiwanese Women.

PubMed

Wang, Janet F; Billings, Anthony A

2015-01-01

Develop and assess psychometric properties of the Wang Pregnancy Stress Scale for measuring stress among pregnant women in Taiwan. Data were collected in 3 obstetric and gynecological clinics in Taiwan; 485 pregnant women participated in this study. We used exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha. A 4-factor structure emerged for the Wang Pregnancy Stress Scale. The internal reliability of the scale as measured by Cronbach's alpha was .898, with standardized alpha .905. The Wang Pregnancy Stress Scale has high reliability and validity in measuring pregnancy stress that would allow nurses or health care workers to measure women's stress levels during pregnancy. Nurses can use the assessed pregnancy stress to alter intervention of care for their pregnant clients.

Associations among menopausal symptoms, sleep and fatigue in Taiwanese women with endometrial cancer.

PubMed

Li, Chia-Chun; Tsai, Yun-Fang; Chang, Ting-Chang; Chen, Lynn

2017-09-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among menopausal symptoms, sleep quality and fatigue in women with endometrial cancer. Participants were 95 women (mean age = 57.44 ± 10.15 years) diagnosed with endometrial cancer and who had completed their treatment before data collection. Each woman completed three structured questionnaires: the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Endocrine Symptoms (endocrine symptom subscale), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue. Participants' worst menopausal symptom was sexual pain. In addition, menopausal symptoms were worse in women with surgical menopause than with natural menopause. The majority of women had poor sleep quality (55%), and women with fatigue reported worse sleep quality and menopausal symptoms than those without fatigue. However, higher fatigue was significantly related to shorter time since diagnosis. Together, three variables (time since diagnosis, menopausal symptoms and sleep quality) explained 39% of the variance in fatigue, with menopausal symptoms being the strongest predictor. Healthcare providers can assess menopausal symptoms and sleep quality during and after treatment of women with endometrial cancer. Such assessments would allow timely interventions to alleviate fatigue and menopausal symptoms in this population, thus improving their quality of life. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Taiwanese middle school students' materialistic concepts of sound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eshach, Haim; Lin, Tzu-Chiang; Tsai, Chin-Chung

2016-06-01

This study investigated if and to what extent grade 8 and 9 students in Taiwan attributed materialistic properties to sound concepts, and whether they hold scientific views in parallel with materialistic views. Taiwanese middle school students are a special population since their scores in international academic comparison tests such as TIMSS and PISA are among the highest in the world. The "Sound Concept Inventory Instrument" with both materialistic and scientific statements of sound concepts was applied to explore Taiwanese students' ideas and corresponding confidence. The results showed that although the subject of sound is taught extensively in grade 8 in Taiwan, students still hold materialistic views of sound. The participants agreed, on average, with 41% of the statements that associate sound with materialistic properties. Moreover, they were quite confident in their materialistic answers (mean=3.27 on a 5-point Likert scale). In parallel, they also agreed with 71% of the scientific statements in the questions. They were also confident of their scientific answers (mean=3.21 ). As for the difference between grade 8 and 9 students, it seems that in grade 9, when students do not learn about sound, there is a kind of regression to a more materialistic view of sound. The girls performed better than the boys (t =3.59 , p <0. 001 ). The paper uses Vosniadou and Brewer's [Cogn. Sci. 18, 123 (1994)., 10.1207/s15516709cog1801_4] framework theory to explain the results, and suggests some ideas for improving the teaching of sound.

Correlates of gender dysphoria in Taiwanese university students.

PubMed

Lai, Meng-Chuan; Chiu, Yen-Nan; Gadow, Kenneth D; Gau, Susan Shur-Fen; Hwu, Hai-Gwo

2010-12-01

There have been no published reports regarding the epidemiological and psychiatric features of gender dysphoria in non-clinical young adults. The current study aimed to investigate the demographics, co-occurring psychiatric symptoms, and perceived parenting style and family support in Taiwanese young adults with gender dysphoria. The sample consisted of 5010 university freshmen (male, 51.6%) with a mean age of 19.6 years (SD = 2.7) from a national university in Taiwan. The questionnaires used for this university-based survey included the Adult Self Report Inventory-4 for psychopathology (including gender dysphoria), the Parental Bonding Instrument for parenting style, and the Family APGAR for perceived family support. Results showed that gender dysphoria was more prevalent in females (7.3%) than males (1.9%). Young adults with gender dysphoria were more likely to meet a wide but specific range of co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. The most significantly associated symptoms for males were agoraphobia, hypochondriasis, manic episode, and pathological gambling, and for females dissociative disorder, hypochondriasis, and body dysmorphic disorder. Both males and females with gender dysphoria perceived significantly less support from their families and less affection/care from both parents. Findings suggest that gender dysphoria, associated with a specific range of psychopathology and family/parenting dissatisfaction (with both similar and dissimilar patterns between sexes), is not uncommon in Taiwanese university students, particularly in females. This implies the importance of attention and specific measures to offset psychiatric conditions and to promote mental well-being of this population.

What Do Grandmothers Think about Self-Esteem? American and Taiwanese Folk Theories Revisited

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cho, Grace E.; Sandel, Todd L.; Miller, Peggy J.; Wang, Su-hua

2005-01-01

The study investigates European American and Taiwanese grandmothers' folk theories of childrearing and self-esteem, building on an earlier comparison of mothers from the same families. Adopting methods that privilege local meanings, we bring grandmothers' voices into the conversation about childrearing, thereby contributing to a deeper…

Mineral content of Chinese medicinal herbs used as diuretic treatments for Taiwanese children.

PubMed

Chen, Chien-Yi

2005-01-01

Eighteen major, minor and trace elements in 12 Chinese medicinal herbs commonly consumed by Taiwanese Children as diuretics were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Dried and powdered herb samples were irradiated in a neutron flux of ca. 2 x 10(12) n/cm2 s under separate short and long irradiation schemes. Lichen (IAEA-336) was used as the reference standard, and tomato leaves (NIST-SRM 1570a) were employed for cross-checking the accuracy of the results. INAA was shown to be a reliable multi-element analytical method for determining the content of both toxicologically and nutritionally important minerals in Chinese medicinal herbs. Determined elements were present in the dried herbs in concentrations ranging from 10(4) to 10(-3) microg/g. The mineral contents and the maximum daily intake values of the tested herbs were compared with published values and with the recommended daily intakes for Taiwanese children as specified by the World Health Organization.

Tradition Meets Pluralism: The Receding Confucian Values in the Taiwanese Citizenship Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hung, Cheng-Yu

2015-01-01

Confucianism, long regarded as the key philosophy on personal character-building and interpersonal relations in Chinese society, used to be pivotal to citizenship education in Taiwan, but that has changed in the last 20 years. In the wake of democratization in the late 1980s, growing liberalism and pluralism in Taiwanese society prompted the…

Psychometric Analysis of the Orientations to Happiness Questionnaire in Taiwanese Undergraduate Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Lung Hung; Tsai, Ying-Mei; Chen, Mei-Yen

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Orientations to Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ; Peterson et al. in "J Happiness Stud" 6(1):25-41, 2005) in Taiwanese students. The participants were 578 undergraduate students (M[subscript age] = 18.64, SD = 1.02) and completed the OHQ, satisfaction with life scale…

Social Withdrawal, Peer Rejection, and Peer Victimization in Taiwanese Middle School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wei, Hsi-Sheng; Chen, Ji-Kang

2009-01-01

This study aims to examine the relationships between social withdrawal, peer rejection and peer victimization among Taiwanese middle school students as well as to explore the applicability of relevant models in an East Asia culture context. The sample of this study consists of 219 7th grade students from middle schools in Taiwan. Data from…

Interventions to improve reproductive outcomes in women with elevated natural killer cells undergoing assisted reproduction techniques: a systematic review of literature.

PubMed

Polanski, L T; Barbosa, M A P; Martins, W P; Baumgarten, M N; Campbell, B; Brosens, J; Quenby, S; Raine-Fenning, N

2014-01-01

Is there any scientific evidence to support the routine use of adjuvant therapies for women with elevated natural killer (NK) cells undergoing assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) in order to improve live birth rate? Due to the poor quality evidence, this review does not support the use of described adjuvant treatments in women found to have elevated absolute numbers or activity of NK cells undergoing ART. Deregulation in the numbers of NK cells and/or their activity, in the blood as well as in the endometrium, has been associated with various manifestations of reproductive failure. NK cell analysis is becoming increasingly popular as a test offered to investigate the causes of reproductive failure. Adjuvant therapies influencing the NK cells have been postulated as therapeutic options for couples where deregulation of this component of the maternal immune system is suspected as the cause of infertility or implantation failure. Systematic review. Embase, LILACS, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL and CINAHL databases from 1946 to present were searched with no language restrictions. Studies evaluating the use of adjuvant therapies in women undergoing ART where NK cell numbers and/or activity were assessed were considered eligible for inclusion. Only three studies (one in abstract form only) meeting the inclusion criteria were identified: two reported the use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) and one the use of oral prednisolone. All studies demonstrated a beneficial effect of the interventions on clinical pregnancy rates with a risk ratio (RR) of 1.63 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-2.66] for prednisolone and 3.41 (95%CI 1.90-6.11) for IVIg. Studies assessing the efficacy of IVIg have also reported live birth rate with an RR of 3.94 (95% CI 2.01-7.69) favoring the intervention. Data heterogeneity was substantial however (I(2) = 66%) suggesting a cautious interpretation of the results. Differing study populations, lack of statistical power, method of data

Comparison of the Roche Cobas(®) 4800 HPV assay to Digene Hybrid Capture 2, Roche Linear Array and Roche Amplicor for Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Women undergoing treatment for cervical dysplasia.

PubMed

Phillips, Samuel; Garland, Suzanne M; Tan, Jeffery H; Quinn, Michael A; Tabrizi, Sepehr N

2015-01-01

The recently FDA (U.S. food and drug administration) approved Roche Cobas(®) 4800 (Cobas) human papillomavirus (HPV) has limited performance data compared to current HPV detection methods for test of cure in women undergoing treatment for high grade lesions. Evaluation of Cobas HPV assay using historical samples from women undergoing treatment for cervical dysplasia. A selection of 407 samples was tested on the Cobas assay and compared to previous results from Hybrid Capture 2, HPV Amplicor and Roche Linear Array. Overall, a correlation between high-risk HPV positivity and high grade histological diagnosis was 90.6% by the Cobas, 86.1% by Hybrid Capture 2, 92.9% by HPV Amplicor and 91.8% by Roche Linear Array. The Cobas HPV assay is comparative to both the HPV Amplicor and Roche Linear Array assays and better than Hybrid capture 2 assay in the detection of High-Risk HPV in women undergoing treatment for cervical dysplasia. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Suspicious breast calcifications undergoing stereotactic biopsy in women ages 70 and over: Breast cancer incidence by BI-RADS descriptors.

PubMed

Grimm, Lars J; Johnson, David Y; Johnson, Karen S; Baker, Jay A; Soo, Mary Scott; Hwang, E Shelley; Ghate, Sujata V

2017-06-01

To determine the malignancy rate overall and for specific BI-RADS descriptors in women ≥70 years who undergo stereotactic biopsy for calcifications. We retrospectively reviewed 14,577 consecutive mammogram reports in 6839 women ≥70 years to collect 231 stereotactic biopsies of calcifications in 215 women. Cases with missing images or histopathology and calcifications associated with masses, distortion, or asymmetries were excluded. Three breast radiologists determined BI-RADS descriptors by majority. Histology, hormone receptor status, and lymph node status were correlated with BI-RADS descriptors. There were 131 (57 %) benign, 22 (10 %) atypia/lobular carcinomas in situ, 55 (24 %) ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS), and 23 (10 %) invasive diagnoses. Twenty-seven (51 %) DCIS cases were high-grade. Five (22 %) invasive cases were high-grade, two (9 %) were triple-negative, and three (12 %) were node-positive. Malignancy was found in 49 % (50/103) of fine pleomorphic, 50 % (14/28) of fine linear, 25 % (10/40) of amorphous, 20 % (3/15) of round, 3 % (1/36) of coarse heterogeneous, and 0 % (0/9) of dystrophic calcifications. Among women ≥70 years that underwent stereotactic biopsy for calcifications only, we observed a high rate of malignancy. Additionally, coarse heterogeneous calcifications may warrant a probable benign designation. • Cancer rates of biopsied calcifications in women ≥70 years are high • Radiologists should not dismiss suspicious calcifications in older women • Coarse heterogeneous calcifications may warrant a probable benign designation.

The preconception diet is associated with the chance of ongoing pregnancy in women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.

PubMed

Twigt, J M; Bolhuis, M E C; Steegers, E A P; Hammiche, F; van Inzen, W G; Laven, J S E; Steegers-Theunissen, R P M

2012-08-01

Subfertility and poor nutrition are increasing problems in Western countries. Moreover, nutrition affects fertility in both women and men. In this study, we investigate the association between adherence to general dietary recommendations in couples undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment and the chance of ongoing pregnancy. Between October 2007 and October 2010, couples planning pregnancy visiting the outpatient clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands were offered preconception counselling. Self-administered questionnaires on general characteristics and diet were completed and checked during the visit. Six questions, based on dietary recommendations of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, covered the intake of six main food groups (fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, whole wheat products and fats). Using the questionnaire results, we calculated the Preconception Dietary Risk score (PDR), providing an estimate of nutritional habits. Dietary quality increases with an increasing PDR score. We define ongoing pregnancy as an intrauterine pregnancy with positive heart action confirmed by ultrasound. For this analysis we selected all couples (n=199) who underwent a first IVF/ICSI treatment within 6 months after preconception counselling. We applied adjusted logistic regression analysis on the outcomes of interest using SPSS. After adjustment for age of the woman, smoking of the woman, PDR of the partner, BMI of the couple and treatment indication we show an association between the PDR of the woman and the chance of ongoing pregnancy after IVF/ICSI treatment (odds ratio 1.65, confidence interval: 1.08-2.52; P=0.02]. Thus, a one-point increase in the PDR score associates with a 65% increased chance of ongoing pregnancy. Our results show that increasing adherence to Dutch dietary recommendations in women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment increases the chance of ongoing pregnancy. These data warrant further confirmation in

GIS Education in Taiwanese Senior High Schools: A National Survey among Geography Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Yao-Hui; Chen, Che-Ming

2013-01-01

Following the integration of GIS into the national curriculum standards of senior high school geography, Taiwan has systematically implemented GIS education for over a decade. However, the effectiveness of this implementation is currently unclear. Therefore, this study investigates the status of GIS education in Taiwanese senior high schools. A…

Implications for Counselling Asian Transnational Youth: The Experiences of Taiwanese Youth in Vancouver

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Petersen, Leah; Park-Saltzman, Jeeseon

2010-01-01

Using a phenomenological approach, this study sought to explore the long-term psychological impact of families' transnational separation on children through the lenses of Taiwanese youth in Vancouver. Over time, most participants found themselves in a position of an "ambivalent outsider," with an increased sense of uncertainty about…

Personalized Computer-Assisted Mathematics Problem-Solving Program and Its Impact on Taiwanese Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Chiu-Jung; Liu, Pei-Lin

2007-01-01

This study evaluated the effects of a personalized computer-assisted mathematics problem-solving program on the performance and attitude of Taiwanese fourth grade students. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the personalized computer-assisted program improved student performance and attitude over the nonpersonalized program.…

Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Manheimer, Eric; Zhang, Grant; Udoff, Laurence; Haramati, Aviad; Langenberg, Patricia; Berman, Brian M; Bouter, Lex M

2008-03-08

To evaluate whether acupuncture improves rates of pregnancy and live birth when used as an adjuvant treatment to embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Medline, Cochrane Central, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Database, hand searched abstracts, and reference lists. Review methods Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials that compared needle acupuncture administered within one day of embryo transfer with sham acupuncture or no adjuvant treatment, with reported outcomes of at least one of clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, or live birth. Two reviewers independently agreed on eligibility; assessed methodological quality; and extracted outcome data. For all trials, investigators contributed additional data not included in the original publication (such as live births). Meta-analyses included all randomised patients. Seven trials with 1366 women undergoing in vitro fertilisation were included in the meta-analyses. There was little clinical heterogeneity. Trials with sham acupuncture and no adjuvant treatment as controls were pooled for the primary analysis. Complementing the embryo transfer process with acupuncture was associated with significant and clinically relevant improvements in clinical pregnancy (odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.27 to 2.14; number needed to treat (NNT) 10 (7 to 17); seven trials), ongoing pregnancy (1.87, 1.40 to 2.49; NNT 9 (6 to 15); five trials), and live birth (1.91, 1.39 to 2.64; NNT 9 (6 to 17); four trials). Because we were unable to obtain outcome data on live births for three of the included trials, the pooled odds ratio for clinical pregnancy more accurately represents the true combined effect from these trials rather than the odds ratio for live birth. The results were robust to sensitivity analyses on study validity variables. A prespecified subgroup analysis restricted to the three trials with the higher rates of clinical pregnancy in the control group

Determinants of Hospital Death for Taiwanese Pediatric Cancer Decedents, 2001-2010.

PubMed

Hung, Yen-Ni; Liu, Tsang-Wu; Tang, Siew Tzuh

2015-11-01

Factors influencing pediatric cancer patients' place of death may have evolved with advances in medical and hospice care since earlier studies were done. To comprehensively analyze factors associated with hospital death in an unbiased population of pediatric cancer patients in Taiwan. This was a retrospective cohort study using administrative data for 1603 Taiwanese pediatric cancer patients who died in 2001-2010. Place of death was hypothesized to be associated with 1) patient sociodemographics and disease characteristics, 2) primary physician's specialty, 3) characteristics and health care resources at both the hospital and regional levels, and 4) historical trends. Most Taiwanese pediatric cancer patients (87.4%) died in an acute care hospital. The probability of dying in hospital increased slightly over time, reaching significance only in 2009 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 95% CI: 2.84 [1.32-6.11]). Children were more likely to die in an acute care hospital if they resided in the most urbanized area, were diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma (2.32 [1.39-3.87]), and received care from a pediatrician (1.58 [1.01-2.47]) in a nonprofit proprietary hospital (1.50 [1.01-2.24]) or large hospital, reaching significance for the third quartile (2.57 [1.28-5.18]) of acute care hospital beds. Taiwanese pediatric cancer patients predominantly died in an acute care hospital with a slightly increasing trend of shifting place of death from home to hospital. Propensity for hospital death was determined by residential urbanization level, diagnosis, primary physician's specialty, and the primary hospital's characteristics and health care resources. Clinical interventions and health policies should ensure that resources are allocated to allow pediatric cancer patients to die in the place they and their parents prefer to achieve a good death and promote their parents' bereavement adjustment. Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier

Attention Drainage Effect: How Background Music Effects Concentration in Taiwanese College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chou, Peter Tze-Ming

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to see whether different types of background music affect the performance of a reading comprehension task in Taiwanese college students. There are two major research questions in this study. First, this study tries to find out whether listening to music affect the learner's concentration when they are doing a task…

Sex-related differences in outcomes among men and women under 55 years of age with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Results from the PROMETHEUS study.

PubMed

Chandrasekhar, Jaya; Baber, Usman; Sartori, Samantha; Faggioni, Michela; Aquino, Melissa; Kini, Annapoorna; Weintraub, William; Rao, Sunil; Kapadia, Samir; Weiss, Sandra; Strauss, Craig; Toma, Catalin; Muhlestein, Brent; DeFranco, Anthony; Effron, Mark; Keller, Stuart; Baker, Brian; Pocock, Stuart; Henry, Timothy; Mehran, Roxana

2017-03-01

Young women undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) experience greater adverse events than men, potentially due to under-treatment. We sought to compare the 1-year outcomes by sex in patients ≤55 years of age from a contemporary PCI cohort. PROMETHEUS was a retrospective multicenter observational US study comparing outcomes in clopidogrel and prasugrel treated patients following ACS PCI. MACE was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke or unplanned revascularization. Clinically significant bleeding was defined as bleeding requiring transfusion or hospitalization. Hazard ratios were generated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. The study cohort included 4,851 patients of which 1,162 (24.0%) were women and 3,689 (76.0%) were men. In this cohort, the prevalence of diabetes (41.0 vs. 27.9%) and chronic kidney disease (12.7 vs. 7.2%) was higher among women compared with men. Irrespective of sex, prasugrel was used in less than one-third of patients (31.8% in men vs. 28.1% in women, P = 0.01). Unadjusted, 1-year MACE (21.1% vs. 16.2%, P < 0.001) and bleeding (3.6% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.01) was significantly higher in women compared with men, but these results were no longer significant after adjustment for risk (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.94-1.36 for MACE and HR 1.31, 95% CI 0.85-2.04 for bleeding). Women ≤ 55 years of age undergoing ACS PCI have significantly greater comorbidities than young men. Despite a higher risk clinical phenotype in women, prasugrel use was significantly lower in women than men. Female sex was associated with a significantly higher risk of 1-year MACE and bleeding than male sex, findings that are attributable to baseline differences. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Predictors of human papillomavirus infection in women undergoing routine cervical cancer screening in Spain: the CLEOPATRE study

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that may lead to development of precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix. The aim of the current study was to investigate socio-demographic, lifestyle, and medical factors for potential associations with cervical HPV infection in women undergoing cervical cancer screening in Spain. Methods The CLEOPATRE Spain study enrolled 3 261 women aged 18–65 years attending cervical cancer screening across the 17 Autonomous Communities. Liquid-based cervical samples underwent cytological examination and HPV testing. HPV positivity was determined using the Hybrid Capture II assay, and HPV genotyping was conducted using the INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra assay. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify putative risk factors for HPV infection. Results A lifetime number of two or more sexual partners, young age (18–25 years), a history of genital warts, and unmarried status were the strongest independent risk factors for HPV infection of any type. Living in an urban community, country of birth other than Spain, low level of education, and current smoking status were also independent risk factors for HPV infection. A weak inverse association between condom use and HPV infection was observed. Unlike monogamous women, women with two or more lifetime sexual partners showed a lower risk of infection if their current partner was circumcised (P for interaction, 0.005) and a higher risk of infection if they were current smokers (P for interaction, 0.01). Conclusion This is the first large-scale, country-wide study exploring risk factors for cervical HPV infection in Spain. The data strongly indicate that variables related to sexual behavior are the main risk factors for HPV infection. In addition, in non-monogamous women, circumcision of the partner is associated with a reduced risk and smoking with an increased risk of HPV infection. PMID:22734435

Predictors of human papillomavirus infection in women undergoing routine cervical cancer screening in Spain: the CLEOPATRE study.

PubMed

Roura, Esther; Iftner, Thomas; Vidart, José Antonio; Kjaer, Susanne Krüger; Bosch, F Xavier; Muñoz, Nubia; Palacios, Santiago; Rodriguez, Maria San Martin; Morillo, Carmen; Serradell, Laurence; Torcel-Pagnon, Laurence; Cortes, Javier; Castellsagué, Xavier

2012-06-26

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that may lead to development of precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix. The aim of the current study was to investigate socio-demographic, lifestyle, and medical factors for potential associations with cervical HPV infection in women undergoing cervical cancer screening in Spain. The CLEOPATRE Spain study enrolled 3 261 women aged 18-65 years attending cervical cancer screening across the 17 Autonomous Communities. Liquid-based cervical samples underwent cytological examination and HPV testing. HPV positivity was determined using the Hybrid Capture II assay, and HPV genotyping was conducted using the INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra assay. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify putative risk factors for HPV infection. A lifetime number of two or more sexual partners, young age (18-25 years), a history of genital warts, and unmarried status were the strongest independent risk factors for HPV infection of any type. Living in an urban community, country of birth other than Spain, low level of education, and current smoking status were also independent risk factors for HPV infection. A weak inverse association between condom use and HPV infection was observed. Unlike monogamous women, women with two or more lifetime sexual partners showed a lower risk of infection if their current partner was circumcised (P for interaction, 0.005) and a higher risk of infection if they were current smokers (P for interaction, 0.01). This is the first large-scale, country-wide study exploring risk factors for cervical HPV infection in Spain. The data strongly indicate that variables related to sexual behavior are the main risk factors for HPV infection. In addition, in non-monogamous women, circumcision of the partner is associated with a reduced risk and smoking with an increased risk of HPV infection.

Extremities of body mass index and their association with pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization in the United States.

PubMed

Kawwass, Jennifer F; Kulkarni, Aniket D; Hipp, Heather S; Crawford, Sara; Kissin, Dmitry M; Jamieson, Denise J

2016-12-01

To investigate the associations among underweight body mass index (BMI), pregnancy, and obstetric outcomes among women using assisted reproductive technology (ART). Retrospective cohort study using national data and log binomial regression. Not applicable. Women undergoing IVF in the United States from 2008 to 2013. None. Pregnancy outcomes (intrauterine pregnancy, live birth rates) per transfer, miscarriage rate per pregnancy, and low birth weight and preterm delivery rates among singleton and twin pregnancies. For all fresh autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles in the United States from 2008 to 2013 (n = 494,097 cycles, n = 402,742 transfers, n = 180,855 pregnancies) reported to the national ART Surveillance System, compared with normal weight women, underweight women had a statistically significant decreased chance of intrauterine pregnancy (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96-0.99) and live birth (aRR 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93-0.98) per transfer. Obese women also had a statistically decreased likelihood of both (aRR 0.94; 95% CI, 0.94-0.95; aRR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.86-0.88, respectively). Among cycles resulting in singleton pregnancy, both underweight and obese statuses were associated with increased risk of low birth weight (aRR 1.39; 95% CI, 1.25-1.54, aRR 1.26; 95% CI, 1.20-1.33, respectively) and preterm delivery (aRR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.23, aRR 1.42; 95% CI, 1.36-1.48, respectively). The association between underweight status and miscarriage was not statistically significant (aRR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.98-1.11). In contrast, obesity was associated with a statistically significantly increased miscarriage risk (aRR 1.23; 95% CI, 1.20-1.26). Among women undergoing IVF, prepregnancy BMI affects pregnancy and obstetric outcomes. Underweight status may have a limited impact on pregnancy and live-birth rates, but it is associated with increased preterm and low-birth-weight delivery risk. Obesity negatively impacts all ART and obstetric

Coping strategies of Taiwanese children with autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Chin, Wei-Chih; Chao, Kuo-Yu; Chang, Hsueh-Ling; Li, Hsin-Mei; Chen, Sue-Hsien

2017-11-01

To explore and describe the coping experiences of children with autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan. Children with autism spectrum disorders are faced with daily social and living challenges, which can cause stress. Chinese culture emphasises discipline and obedience, which may influence coping strategies of children with autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan. This qualitative study employed an exploratory descriptive design. Data were collected from in-depth, face-to-face structured interviews. Interviews explored coping strategies of Taiwanese school-aged children (aged 6-19) with autism spectrum disorders. Children (N = 17) and their caregivers were recruited by purposive sampling. Transcribed interview data were thematically analysed using the procedure of Miles and Huberman. Five themes emerged from the analysis of the data, which described the coping strategies of the children: (1) problem-solving, (2) acting-out, (3) avoidance, (4) seeking help and (5) self-regulation. These themes included multiple coping strategies, which employed the concepts of engagement and disengagement. The children with autism spectrum disorder used many strategies to cope with the stresses resulting from behaviours and symptoms associated with the disorder. Most of the Taiwanese children use both problem-solving and emotional-focused coping strategies. Understanding coping strategies of children with autism spectrum disorder could help caregivers (parents, teachers) and medical professionals develop interventions to reduce these challenges, which could alleviate stress and improve social functioning for these children. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The health benefits following regular ongoing exercise lifestyle in independent community-dwelling older Taiwanese adults.

PubMed

Wang, Ching-Yi; Yeh, Chih-Jung; Wang, Chia-Wei; Wang, Chun-Feng; Lin, Yen-Ling

2011-03-01

To examine the effect of regular ongoing exercise lifestyle on mental and physical health in a group of independent community-dwelling Taiwanese older adults over a 2-year period. 197 older adults (mean age 72.5 years; 106 men and 91 women) who were independent in walking, instrumental and basic activities of daily living completed the baseline and a 2-year follow-up assessment. Older adults regularly performing exercises during the 2-year study period were grouped into regular exercise group; otherwise in the irregular exercise group. Baseline and follow-up assessments included a face-to-face interview and a battery of performance tests. The regular exercise group showed significantly less depression (P = 0.03) and tended to regress less on the performance tests (P = 0.025-0.410) across 2 years compared to the irregular exercise group. Regular exercise is important for maintaining or even improving mental and functional health, even for independent community-dwelling older adults. © 2010 The Authors. Australasian Journal on Ageing © 2010 ACOTA.

Media Presentations on the Reading Attention and Comprehension of Taiwanese Elementary School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ku, David Tawei; Cheng, Yu-Mei

2016-01-01

We adopted an experimental design to investigate the effects of various media presentation modes on the reading attention and comprehension of Taiwanese elementary school students. The participants comprised 138 students from 4 classes of third grade elementary school students from New Taipei City, Taiwan. The participants attended 5 short stories…

Taiwanese Students in Malaysia and Interculturality: When National Identities Take Primacy over Individualities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Machart, Regis; Lim, Sep Neo; Yeow, E-Lynn; Chin, Sin Zi

2014-01-01

Using a liquid approach, the authors analyze the intercultural discourse of Taiwanese students who had taken part in a short term exchange program with a Malaysian university. The four participants were graduating in Mandarin Chinese in their home institution and were following a Chinese program in multilingual Malaysia. Data were collected…

Relationships among Taiwanese Children's Computer Game Use, Academic Achievement and Parental Governing Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yeh, Duen-Yian; Cheng, Ching-Hsue

2016-01-01

This study examined the relationships among children's computer game use, academic achievement and parental governing approach to propose probable answers for the doubts of Taiwanese parents. 355 children (ages 11-14) were randomly sampled from 20 elementary schools in a typically urbanised county in Taiwan. Questionnaire survey (five questions)…

Dog ownership, dog walking, and leisure-time walking among Taiwanese metropolitan and nonmetropolitan older adults.

PubMed

Liao, Yung; Huang, Pin-Hsuan; Chen, Yi-Ling; Hsueh, Ming-Chun; Chang, Shao-Hsi

2018-04-04

This study examined the prevalence of dog ownership and dog walking and its association with leisure-time walking among metropolitan and nonmetropolitan older adults. A telephone-based cross-sectional survey targeting Taiwanese older adults was conducted in November 2016. Data related to dog ownership, time spent dog walking (categorized as non-dog owner, non-dog walkers, and dog walkers), and sociodemographic variables were obtained from 1074 older adults. Adjusted binary logistic regression was then performed. In this sample, 12% of Taiwanese older adults owned a dog and 31% of them walked their dogs for an average of 232.13 min over 5.9 days/week (standard deviation = 2.03). Older adults living in nonmetropolitan areas were more likely to own a dog (14.7% vs. 9.1%) but less likely to walk their dog (25.9% vs. 39.6%) than were those living in metropolitan areas. Compared with non-dog owners, only older adults living in nonmetropolitan areas who were dog walkers achieved 150 min of leisure-time walking (odds ratio: 3.03, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-8.77), after adjustment for potential confounders. Older Taiwanese adults living in nonmetropolitan areas who owned and walked their dogs were more likely to achieve health-enhancing levels of leisure-time walking. Tailored physical activity interventions for promoting dog walking should be developed for older adults who are dog owners living in nonmetropolitan areas and who do not engage in dog walking.

[Exploring the Experience of Dysmenorrhea and Life Adjustments of Women Undergoing Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment].

PubMed

Tsai, Min-Min; Yang, Fu-Chi; Lee, Shih-Min; Huang, Chiu-Mieh

2016-08-01

Previous studies of women with dysmenorrhea have focused on menstrual attitudes, the characteristics of menstrual pain, and self-care behavior. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) studies on dysmenorrhea, on the other hand, have focused on the efficacy and safety of TCM treatments. Few studies have investigated how women perceive their own TCM-treatment experience of dysmenorrhea. The objective of this study was to explore the experience of dysmenorrhea and life adjustments of women undergoing TCM treatment. A semi-structured interviewing guide was used to collect data. A total of 40 dysmenorrheal women participated in the study. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted for about 60-90 minutes with each participant. Their speech tone, facial expressions, and gestures during the interview process were also observed and recorded. The findings were analyzed using content analysis via ATLAS. ti 5.2 software. The process that the participants used to adjust to dysmenorrhea were distinguished into four progressive stages: "tip of the iceberg", "ice-breaking", "tug-of-war", and "blending-in". Initially, the participants perceived the symptoms of dysmenorrhea as the "tip of the iceberg". They attempted to hide / ignore the initial pain until the problem gradually worsened to the point that the symptoms began to significantly affect various aspects of life. It was only then that the participants began to pay attention to the problem and to seek help from TCM practitioners, which we defined as the "ice-breaking" stage. If they encountered unexpected situations with regard to the treatment regimen, the participants entered the "tug-of-war" stage, during which they struggled over whether to continue with TCM treatments. Afterward, the participants gradually achieved a "blending-in" of new ideas, which allowed them to identify the strategies that best facilitated adjustment and rebalancing. Eventually, the participants achieved a new life balance. The outcomes of the

Complexity science and participation in decision making among Taiwanese nurses.

PubMed

Liu, Yi

2008-04-01

The perspective of interconnection in complexity science is used to examine the concept of participation in decision making among Taiwanese nurses in the context of Chinese communication culture. Participation in decision making among nurses has been widely discussed and tested in the Western healthcare systems. Many studies have shown that participation in decision making relates to nurses' autonomy, job satisfaction and quality of care. However, participation in decision making has not been fully discussed in Taiwan's nursing community. In a different cultural environment, participation in decision making may have different effects. The concept of participation in decision making is analysed in three facets of Chinese communication culture: (1) hierarchical social relationship; (2) harmony maintenance; and (3) insider effects. Key issues Taiwanese nurses might establish different levels of participation and need to use different strategies to enhance participation in decision making for desired outcomes. While applying participation in decision making in a different context, it is very important to consider the social and cultural differences. Two implications are made. First, nursing leaders/managers who are working with a multicultural team should be aware of the cultural difference in the pattern of interaction in the process of participation in decision making. Second, leaders/managers should be creative and try to apply different strategies to encourage staff's participation in decision making.

Femoral stem size mismatch in women undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

PubMed

Dundon, John M; Felberbaum, Dvorah Leah; Long, William J

2018-06-01

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a highly successful surgery with a high prevalence in women. Women have been noted to have smaller proximal femoral anatomy and decreased bone strength compared to males. The goal of our study was to define the size discrepancy in femoral stem implants between men and women using a metaphyseal fitting single taper stem. We retrospectively reviewed the THA's performed by a single surgeon over the previous two years. Data was extracted from operative reports regarding stem size, neck length and offset, and conversion to a different type of stem. This data was reviewed with confidence intervals and a t -test was performed for independent samples with a p < 0.05 being determined significant. We analyzed the data from 276 THA's performed (129 in men, and 147 in women). Women were noted to be associated with smaller stem sizes compared to men (37.67% in women, 6.11% in men), with 7.48% of women requiring conversion to a different type of implant. There was a significant difference in mean stem size (9.21 in men, 6.70 in women, p < 0.0001). Women also required reduced neck options significantly more often than men (38.97% in women, 9.29% in men, p < 0.0001). Review of femoral stem sizes reveals that current femoral stem sizing may not appropriately account for women and alternative stem options should be available if using a metaphyseal fitting single tapered stems. Future consideration should be given to more anatomic female sized femoral stems or alternative options should be available.

Three-dimensional transvaginal sonographic assessment of uterine volume as preoperative predictor of need to morcellate in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy.

PubMed

Gerges, B; Mongelli, M; Casikar, I; Bignardi, T; Condous, G

2017-08-01

In light of recent statements from the United States Food and Drug Administration warning against the use of power morcellation of uterine leiomyomas during laparoscopy, we sought to evaluate the use of preoperative two- (2D) and three- (3D) dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (US) assessment of uterine volume to predict the need for morcellation in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH). This was a prospective observational study performed between October 2008 and November 2011 in a tertiary referral laparoscopic unit. All women scheduled to undergo LH were included and underwent detailed preoperative transvaginal US. Uterine volumes were calculated using 2D-US measurements (ellipsoid formula), and using Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL™) having acquired 3D-US volumes of the uterus. Age, parity, need to morcellate and final uterine dry weight at histology were recorded. The estimated uterine volumes were then incorporated into a previously published logistic regression model to predict the need to morcellate for both nulliparous and parous women. The probability threshold cut-off of 0.14 (95% sensitivity) was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratios (LRs). The performance of the models incorporating 2D- and 3D-US calculations were compared with 2D- and 3D-US-generated volumes alone, using receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves. Of 76 women who underwent LH during the study period, 79% (n = 60) had complete background and 3D-US data. Their mean age was 43.7 years, 91.7% were parous and 35% underwent morcellation. The greatest uterine volume that did not require morcellation was 404 mL estimated using 3D-US, which corresponded to a uterine volume of 688.8 mL using 2D-US. The smallest uterine volume that required morcellation was 118.9 mL using 3D-US, which corresponded to a uterine volume of 123.4 mL using 2D-US. The 3D-US uterine volume for

Comparison of Taiwanese and Canadian Students' Metacognitive Awareness of Science Reading, Text, and Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Jing-Ru; Chen, Shin-Feng; Fang, I.; Chou, Ching-Ting

2014-01-01

This study used a Chinese-language version of the Index of Science Reading Awareness to explore the science reading metacognition and comprehension of Taiwanese students. Structural equation modelling results confirmed the underlying model comprised three clusters of metacognitive knowledge: beliefs and confidence in science reading, knowledge of…

Well-Being and Support Systems of Taiwanese Mothers of Young Children with Developmental Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ho, Tzu-Hua

2013-01-01

This study investigated the influences of children's adaptive skills, problem behaviors, and parent support systems (informal support and formal professional support) on maternal well-being (health and stress) in Taiwanese mothers of young children with developmental disabilities. The study examined the moderating effects of formal support and…

Supporting stress management for women undergoing the early stages of fertility treatment: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Mori, Akiko

2009-06-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a support program for the stress management of women undergoing fertility treatment to reduce stress related to infertility and treatment. We randomly assigned seven institutions into an experimental group (four institutions, n = 96) and a control group (three institutions, n = 44) using cluster randomization. The women in the experimental group were asked to continue stress management homework for 3 months. A nurse provided feedback on the homework every month. Those in the control group were given only the booklet. The primary outcomes were the risk ratios of "depression" and "anxiety" according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The secondary outcomes were "health status" from the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36) v2 and "satisfaction" from the Visual Analogue Scale. We excluded 15 women who became pregnant and performed an intention-to-treat analysis of 125 women. There were no differences in the incidence of depression and anxiety between the experimental and control groups. There were significant interaction effects between the program and time in the scores of the two subscales of SF-36 and the summary. There was no difference in satisfaction. The use of ovulation-enhancing agents showed that the scores of "role functioning physical" and "physical component summary" in the non-use subgroup were higher at 2 and 3 months in the experimental group, compared to the control group. Positive effects of the support program were observed on two subscales of the SF-36 in the subgroup that did not use ovulation-enhancing agents.

Relapse antecedents for methamphetamine use and related factors in Taiwanese adolescents.

PubMed

Yen, Cheng-Fang; Chang, Yu-Ping

2005-02-01

The purpose of the present study was to identify the relapse antecedents for methamphetamine (MAMP) use in Taiwanese youth, and to examine the relationships between attribution of these antecedents, demographic variables, psychiatric disorders, characteristics of MAMP use, attitudes toward MAMP use, and personality. A total of 60 Taiwanese adolescents who had previously experienced MAMP relapse were studied. Their relapse antecedents for MAMP use were evaluated using the Questionnaire for Relapse Antecedents of Methamphetamine Use. Their psychiatric disorders were also assessed. The relationships among the relapse antecedents of MAMP use, demographic variables, MAMP-use characteristics, psychiatric disorders, attitudes toward MAMP use and personality were analyzed. The results of the analysis reveal that social pressure to use MAMP was the leading antecedent of relapse. Social adaptation, emotional stability, and education level were the factors that influenced adolescents' attributions of relapse antecedents for MAMP use. However, psychiatric disorder status and attitudes toward MAMP use were not related to any of the relapse antecedents. The results indicate that multiple factors influenced adolescents' attributions of relapse antecedents for MAMP use, and may serve as a basis for construction of models for teaching adolescents to manage the antecedents and reduce the risk of relapse of MAMP use.

Taiwanese adult cancer patients' reports of using complementary therapies.

PubMed

Lu, Jui-Hua; Tsay, Shiow-Luan; Sung, Su-Ching

2010-01-01

More information is needed by cancer clinicians regarding cancer patients' use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were used to obtain the reports of adult cancer patients regarding their use of CAM. Seven cancer patients (4 women, 3 men) who reported using CAM were recruited by snowball sampling. Content analysis was used to examine the interview transcriptions. Five themes and multiple categories were identified related to CAM use: (1) facing the challenges of cancer (I can't be defeated, need to cooperate with conventional medical treatment, rebuilding my confidence), (2) handling the physical and psychological distress of CAM use (extra loading due to the therapy, uncertainty and fear about the efficacy of CAM, being understood and supported, feeling guilty about being sick, (3) lifestyle disruption (altering social life, changing family living style), (4) having reasons for seeking other therapies (finding a way to cure the disease, boosting my immunity, improving my overall health status, and prolonging life and searching for peace of mind), and (5) unresolved practical concerns about CAM (finding an easy and effective way to practice CAM, needing CAM to be integrated into mainstream health care, and where to get the related information). Adult Taiwanese cancer patients who use CAM do experience burdens secondary to CAM use and prefer that oncology specialists be more informed about CAM. Oncology specialists who know where adult cancer patients could obtain helpful information about CAM would help to decrease the burdens that patients who use CAM experience.

Adoption of radio-frequency identification to establish traceability in Taiwanese eel exported to the Japanese market.

PubMed

Jeng, Shu-Ching; Wu, Chun-Lung; Yang, I-Da

2013-01-01

Eel culture and export to the Japanese market is an important industry in Taiwan; however, the average amount produced by each farm is small. Eels from different farms might be mixed before export, making it difficult to determine which farm is responsible for eels containing drug residues. Therefore, the Taiwanese government uses a two-stage procedure of inspection and accreditation for validating the use of good practice in aquaculture farming. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to trace any farm that has produced eels containing drug residues. Radio-frequency identification has the potential to establish traceability in eel products. Here we suggest that Japanese eel importers should insist on the use of radio-frequency identification by Taiwanese eel exporters to enable verification of the safety of eel products being exported to the Japanese market.

Annual dose of Taiwanese from the ingestion of 210Po in oysters.

PubMed

Lee, Hsiu-wei; Wang, Jeng-Jong

2013-03-01

Oysters around the coast of Taiwan were collected, dried, spiked with a (209)Po tracer for yield, digested with concentrated HNO(3) and H(2)O(2), and finally dissolved in 0.5 N HCl. The polonium was then spontaneously deposited onto a silver disc, and the activity of (210)Po was measured using an alpha spectrum analyzer equipped with a silicon barrier detector. Meanwhile, the internal effective dose of (210)Po coming from the intake of oysters by Taiwanese was evaluated. The results of the present study indicate that (210)Po average activity concentrations ranged from 23.4 ± 0.4 to 126 ± 94 Bq kg(-1) of fresh oysters. The oysters coming from Penghu island and Kinmen island regions contain higher concentrations of (210)Po in comparison with oysters from other regions of Taiwan. The value of (210)Po weighted average activity concentrations for all oyster samples studied is 25.9 Bq kg(-1). The annual effective dose of Taiwanese due to the ingestion of (210)Po in oysters was estimated to be 4.1 × 10(-2) mSv y(-1). Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Demographic factors influencing consensus opinion on the recall for women screened by mobile mammography unit in taiwan.

PubMed

Yu-Mei, Lee; Hsueh-Hua, Yao

2013-09-01

The incidence of breast cancer has had a four-fold increase from 1980 to 2005 in Taiwan. Limited data have been available on mobile breast screening in the Taiwanese population since 2009. This study aims at investigating the factors influencing consensus opinion on the recall for mobile breast screening in Taiwan. The factors were categorized by individual health background, socioeconomic status and knowledge about breast screening. There were 502 questionnaires collected from Taiwanese women examined on mobile mammography screening vehicle. Data were then analyzed by SPSS 12 via analysis of variance (ANOVA), F-test, t-test or chi-square test. Strong participation was associated with a younger age, higher educational level, higher incomes, previous history of cancer, previous family history of cancer, one or two prior mammographies, more correct recognitions of mammography, recall rate, and breast cancer risk. If the false-positive result occurred, 83.9%, 81.9% and 77.3% of the women agreed or strongly agreed to participate in noninvasive and invasive testing and screening mammography, respectively. The policy makers should notify the importance of demographic factors affecting further examination for early detection of breast cancer in Taiwan.

Culturally Responsive Teaching with New Taiwanese Children: Interviews with Class Teachers in Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Su-Ling; Hsiao, Yun-Ju; Hsiao, Hsi-Chi

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to understand how elementary school teachers implemented culturally responsive teaching in their classes in Taiwan. Data were collected through interviews from five teachers with new Taiwanese children in their classes. The results indicated that teachers practised culturally responsive teaching based on the…

The Gender of Child Discourse: Sex Roles and Communicative Styles at a Taiwanese Kindergarten.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farris, Catherine S.

This research study explores how sex role identity is related to the learning of communication and socialization processes in a Taiwanese kindergarten. The study hypothesized that undifferentiated baby-style verbal and nonverbal communication patterns are superceded with styles that become increasingly gender-linked, and language is viewed as a…

Tamoxifen Alters the Plasma Concentration of Molecules Associated with Cardiovascular Risk in Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

PubMed Central

Romero, Walckiria G.; Da Silva, Fabrício B.; Borgo, Mariana V.; Bissoli, Nazaré S.; Gouvêa, Sonia A.

2012-01-01

Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tamoxifen on blood markers that are associated with cardiovascular risk, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo-A), and apolipoprotein B-100 (Apo-B), in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Methods. Over a period of 12 months, we followed 60 women with breast cancer. The women were divided into the following groups: a group that received only chemotherapy (n = 23), a group that received chemotherapy plus tamoxifen (n = 21), and a group that received only tamoxifen (n = 16). Plasma CRP levels were assessed at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months, and Apo-A and Apo B levels as well as the Apo-B/Apo-A ratio were assessed at 0 and 12 months. Results. We found increases in the plasma concentration of CRP in the chemotherapy alone and chemotherapy plus tamoxifen groups after 3 and 6 months of treatment (before the introduction of tamoxifen). However, after 12 months of treatment, women who used tamoxifen (the chemotherapy plus tamoxifen and tamoxifen alone groups) showed a significant reduction in CRP and Apo-B levels and a decrease in the Apo-B/Apo-A ratio. A significant increase in serum Apo-A levels was observed in the group receiving chemotherapy alone as a treatment for breast cancer. Conclusion. The use of tamoxifen after chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer significantly reduces the levels of cardiovascular disease risk markers (CRP, Apo-B, and the Apo-B/Apo-A ratio). PMID:22491005

Clinical characteristics of central diabetes insipidus in Taiwanese children.

PubMed

Liu, Shih-Yao; Tung, Yi-Ching; Lee, Cheng-Ting; Liu, Hon-Man; Peng, Shinn-Forng; Wu, Mu-Zon; Kuo, Meng-Fai; Tsai, Wen-Yu

2013-10-01

Data on the clinical features of children with central diabetes insipidus (CDI) are lacking in Taiwan. This study investigated the clinical manifestations and etiology of CDI in Taiwanese children. From 1983 to 2012, 62 children with permanent diabetes insipidus were enrolled in the study. They were diagnosed at the Department of Pediatrics of National Taiwan University Hospital. Their medical records were thoroughly reviewed and their clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory data, and etiologies were analyzed. The patients' median age at diagnosis was 10 years and the median interval between initial manifestations and diagnosis was 0.5 years. The most common symptoms and signs were polyuria, polydipsia, nocturia, and growth retardation. Most patients had low urine osmolality and elevated plasma osmolality on diagnosis. Absence of a posterior pituitary hyperintense signal and thickening of the pituitary stalk were common findings on magnetic resonance imaging. Approximately 80% of the patients had anterior pituitary hormone deficiency and all patients had growth hormone deficiency. Approximately 60% of patients had intracranial lesions, the most common causes of which were germ cell tumor and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Two patients were initially believed to have idiopathic CDI but intracranial lesions were detected during the follow-up period. Because a delayed diagnosis of CDI is common in Taiwanese children, a high index of suspicion is important. The underlying etiology of CDI in children may not initially be obvious. Long-term surveillance is therefore necessary, especially for the early detection of evolving treatable intracranial lesions. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A Taiwanese Mandarin Main Concept Analysis (TM-MCA) for quantification of aphasic oral discourse.

PubMed

Kong, Anthony Pak-Hin; Yeh, Chun-Chih

2015-01-01

Various quantitative systems have been proposed to examine aphasic oral narratives in English. A clinical tool for assessing discourse produced by Cantonese-speaking persons with aphasia (PWA), namely Main Concept Analysis (MCA), was developed recently for quantifying the presence, accuracy and completeness of a narrative. Similar tools for Mandarin speakers are currently absent. The first aim is to develop and establish the validity of the Taiwanese Mandarin Main Concept Analysis (TM-MCA) for the Mandarin-speaking population in Taiwan, given the paucity of related investigations. Another aim is to establish the influence of age and education level on Taiwanese Mandarin speakers' oral narrative abilities. The third purpose is to examine how well the TM-MCA could distinguish between native speakers with and without aphasia in Taiwan. The final aim is to examine the reliability and validity of the TM-MCA. Eight speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and eight neurologically intact participants were involved to establish the TM-MCA main concepts. Another 36 neurologically intact participants and 10 PWA participated to validate the TM-MCA by contrasting their performance. Both age and educational level affected the oral discourse performance among the neurologically intact adults. Significant differences on the TM-MCA measures were noted between the control group and the group with aphasia. Moreover, the degree of aphasia significantly affected the oral discourse of PWA. The TM-MCA is a culturally appropriate quantitative system for the Taiwanese Mandarin population. It can be used to supplement standardized aphasia tests to help SLPs make more informative decisions not only on clinical diagnosis but also on treatment planning. © 2015 Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Clinical characteristics and surgical history of Taiwanese patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II: data from the hunter outcome survey (HOS).

PubMed

Lin, Hsiang-Yu; Chuang, Chih-Kuang; Chen, Ming-Ren; Lin, Shio Jean; Chiu, Pao Chin; Niu, Dau-Ming; Tsai, Fuu-Jen; Hwu, Wuh-Liang; Chien, Yin-Hsiu; Lin, Ju-Li; Lin, Shuan-Pei

2018-06-04

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is the most frequently occurring MPS in Taiwan, with an incidence of 2.05 per 100,000 live male births, but little is known about clinical characteristics and surgical history in Taiwanese patients. Medical history, demographics, signs and symptoms, and surgical history were analysed in all patients from Taiwanese centres in the Hunter Outcome Survey (HOS; NCT 03292887), a global, multicentre registry that collects real-world data on patients with MPS II. As of January 2016, 61 male Taiwanese patients were enrolled; 49% (24/49) had received at least one infusion of idursulfase. Median (10th, 90th percentiles) ages at signs and symptom onset and at diagnosis were 2.5 (0.2, 5.5) years (n = 55) and 3.5 (1.2, 11.9) years (n = 56), respectively. Hernia, facial features consistent with MPS II and claw hands were the earliest presenting signs and symptoms (median ages of 3.2 [0.4, 12.0] years, 4.3 [1.1, 12.0] years and 4.7 [2.5, 12.2] years [n = 45, 53 and 50], respectively). More than 75% of patients had undergone a surgical procedure, most commonly hernia repair (57% of patients). Median age at first surgery for hernia repair was 4.2 (0.5, 9.8) years (n = 35). Almost one-third (31.1%) of patients had at least one surgical procedure before diagnosis, and of the 20 procedures before diagnosis, 16 were hernia repair. This information from patients in HOS highlights the importance of both medical and surgical history in diagnosing MPS II in Taiwanese patients.

Propensity for home death among Taiwanese cancer decedents in 2001-2006, determined by services received at end of life.

PubMed

Tang, Siew Tzuh; Huang, Ean-Wen; Liu, Tsang-Wu; Rau, Kun-Ming; Hung, Yen-Ni; Wu, Shiao-Chi

2010-10-01

The discrepancy between patients' preferred and actual place of death highlights the dilemma inherent in achieving their preferences for home death. Research on determinants of home death has been limited largely by focusing on individual-level factors and somewhat on health care resources at the primary hospital and regional levels. To investigate factors associated with home death, specifically, services received by cancer patients at the end of life (EOL). This was a retrospective cohort study using administrative data from 201,201 Taiwanese cancer decedents in the period 2001-2006. Rates of home death decreased significantly over time (from 35.67% to 32.39%). Dying at home was associated with patient demographics (gender, age, and marital status) and disease characteristics (cancer type, metastatic status, postdiagnosis survival time, and comorbidity level). Taiwanese cancer patients were less likely to die at home if they received care from a medical oncologist and in hospitals or regions with abundant health care resources. Furthermore, Taiwanese cancer patients were less likely to die at home if they used life-sustaining treatments (intensive care unit care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intubation, and mechanical ventilation) in the last month of life. However, multiple emergency room visits in the last month of life and receiving hospice care increased Taiwanese cancer patients' propensity to die at home. Despite the causal ambiguity in interpreting our research findings, they indicate that using life-sustaining treatments at EOL not only exacts a substantial toll from patients, family members, and society, but also decreases the likelihood of dying at home. Copyright © 2010 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Level of depression in women undergoing gynecologic surgery].

PubMed

Lewicka, Magdalena; Makara-Studzińska, Marta; Sulima, Magdalena; Wdowiak, Artur; Bakalczuk, Grzegorz; Polska, Anna; Stasiak-Kosarzycka, Marzena; Wiktor, Henryk

2012-01-01

To determine the level of depression in women during the early post-operative period. 220 women treated surgically for various gynecologic conditions were enrolled. The study was done between day 4-6 after surgery using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). The results were analyzed statistically. It was found that the mean level of depression on the BDI scale in the study group of women was 12.24 +/- 8.73. The mean level of depression in patients who underwent surgery using the vaginal route was significantly greater (p = 0.003) than in patients after laparoscopy and patients after laparotomy. The mean level of depression in the study group approached values found in depression. Patients after surgery using the vaginal route demonstrated higher levels of depression than patients after laparoscopy. Age, education, source of subsistence, and number of children had an impact on the level of depression in the study group. Marital status and place of residence were without effect on the level of depression in the patients.

CHI3L1 polymorphisms associate with asthma in a Taiwanese population

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background A genome-wide association study uncovered Chitinase 3 like 1 (CHI3L1) as a candidate gene for asthma susceptibility. CHI3L1, which encodes the YKL-40 protein, is associated with asthma in Western European and American populations and with atopy in a Korean population. However, asthma-associated polymorphisms remain unknown for a Taiwanese population. Methods We enrolled 628 adult asthmatic patients and 1:1 age-sex matched community-based controls in southern Taiwan and performed a combined effect sizes analysis to test if CHI3L1 polymorphisms were related to genetic risks for asthma in the Asian population. Ten tagSNP polymorphisms for the CHI3L1 gene were selected from the HapMap database and genotyped using a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Results Adjusted odds ratios of the CHI3L1 rs1538372 CC genotype (aOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.23–3.14) and the rs10399931 GG genotype (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.13–2.77) were significantly associated with asthma in the Taiwanese populations. Predictive values of forced expiratory volume in the first second of the forced vital capacity (12.37%, P = 0.03) and of forced vital capacity (12.10%, P = 0.036) decreased in conjunction with an increase in YKL-40 levels among CHI3L1 rs1538372 CC carriers; these values were 16.1% (P = 0.004) and 14.5% (P = 0.011), respectively, among CHI3L1 rs10399931 GG carriers. Furthermore, steroid use by asthma patients did not affect serum YKL-40 levels, but both polymorphisms had significant effects on YKL-40 levels in asthma patients who used steroids. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the CHI3L1 polymorphisms rs1538372 and rs10399931 can be used as genetic markers for predicting asthma risk in the Taiwanese population. PMID:25056157

Ultrasound tomography imaging with waveform sound speed: parenchymal changes in women undergoing tamoxifen therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sak, Mark; Duric, Neb; Littrup, Peter; Sherman, Mark; Gierach, Gretchen

2017-03-01

Ultrasound tomography (UST) is an emerging modality that can offer quantitative measurements of breast density. Recent breakthroughs in UST image reconstruction involve the use of a waveform reconstruction as opposed to a raybased reconstruction. The sound speed (SS) images that are created using the waveform reconstruction have a much higher image quality. These waveform images offer improved resolution and contrasts between regions of dense and fatty tissues. As part of a study that was designed to assess breast density changes using UST sound speed imaging among women undergoing tamoxifen therapy, UST waveform sound speed images were then reconstructed for a subset of participants. These initial results show that changes to the parenchymal tissue can more clearly be visualized when using the waveform sound speed images. Additional quantitative testing of the waveform images was also started to test the hypothesis that waveform sound speed images are a more robust measure of breast density than ray-based reconstructions. Further analysis is still needed to better understand how tamoxifen affects breast tissue.

Undergraduate Taiwanese Students' Perceptions of Using Computer-Mediated Communication in a TOEIC Preparation Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tai, Shu-hui April

2016-01-01

The aim of this study is to investigate Taiwanese undergraduate students' perception of using computer-mediated communication (CMC) in a TOEIC preparation course and determine if using an online format motivates them to succeed. As a result, five factors are addressed in the study, namely, attitude, motivation, study habit, feedback, and…

Obesity and Motor Coordination Ability in Taiwanese Children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhu, Yi-Ching; Wu, Sheng K.; Cairney, John

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between obesity and motor coordination ability in Taiwanese children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD). 2029 children (1078 boys, 951 girls) aged nine to ten years were chosen randomly from 14 elementary schools across Taiwan. We used bioelectrical impedance…

Online Learning Era: Exploring the Most Decisive Determinants of MOOCs in Taiwanese Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsieh, Ming-Yuan

2016-01-01

Because the development of Taiwanese Massive Open Online Course (MOOCs) websites is at this moment full of vitality, this research employs a series of analytical cross-measurements of Quality Function Deployment method of House of Quality (QFD-HOQ) model and Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodology to cross-evaluate the weighted…

Taiwanese College Students' Reading Practices and Profiles in Both Print- and Internet-Based Formats

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Su-Yen; Fang, Sheng-Ping

2014-01-01

This study expanded the definition of reading practices to include both print- and Internet-based reading, and examined the relationship of reading profiles to Taiwanese college students' performance on various practices. The results showed that more time was spent on Internet-than print-based extracurricular reading, and that the three…

The relationship between spiritual well-being and psychosocial adjustment in Taiwanese patients with colorectal cancer and a colostomy.

PubMed

Li, Chia-Chun; Rew, Lynn; Hwang, Shiow-Li

2012-01-01

We examined relationships among demographic and clinical characteristics, spiritual well-being, and psychosocial adjustment in Taiwanese patients with colorectal cancer and a colostomy. A descriptive, cross-sectional, exploratory study design was used to answer research questions. Participants were recruited from the outpatient ambulatory clinic in the gastrointestinal surgical department at the medical center of National Taiwan University. Forty-five Taiwanese patients aged 42 to 83 years who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and underwent colostomy surgery participated in the study. Participants completed a personal data questionnaire designed for this study, along with 2 validated instruments, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report. Forty-five persons participated in the study; 69% reported a moderate level of spiritual well-being. Participants reported strong adjustment to extended family relationships, but poor adjustment in sexual relationships. Spiritual well-being was significantly associated with psychosocial adjustment (r = -0.52, P < .01), and 4 predictors (income change after surgery, self-rated disease severity, time since surgery, and spiritual well-being) accounted for 53% of the variance in psychosocial adjustment. Spiritual well-being plays an important role for Taiwanese patients when faced with psychosocial adjustment related to life with colorectal cancer and a colostomy.

Identification and characterization of a prevalent hepatitis B virus X protein mutant in Taiwanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PubMed

Yeh, C T; Shen, C H; Tai, D I; Chu, C M; Liaw, Y F

2000-11-02

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was a particular hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) mutant associated with Taiwanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Initially, the entire coding region of HBx gene from the serum samples of 14 Taiwanese patients were sequenced. A novel mutant, HBx-A31, was preferentially found in patients with HCC. Sera from 67 patients with HCC and 100 patients with chronic hepatitis B were thus subjected for codon 31 analysis using a dual amplification created restriction site method. HBx-A31 was detected more frequently in patients with HCC (52% versus 12%; P<0.001) and in patients with liver cirrhosis (44% versus 6%; P<0.001). Site directed mutagenesis experiment revealed that HBx-A31 was less effective in transactivating HBV enhancer I-X promoter complex, less efficient in supporting HBV replication, and less potent in enhancing TNF-alpha induced increment of CPP32/caspase 3 activities in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, a prevalent HBx mutant was identified in Taiwanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Development of this mutant might represent a strategy of the virus to escape immune surveillance and thus contribute to the process of multiple-step hepatocarcinogenesis.

Understanding Taiwanese children's perceptions of peace and strategies to make peace: a social and cultural perspective.

PubMed

Deng, Liang-Yu F; Shih, Yi-Ling

2009-12-01

This exploratory study described Taiwanese children's perceptions of peace and what they think children can do to make peace. In-depth interviews were conducted with 60 Taiwanese children ages 4 to 18 years. The most predominant themes for the perceptions of peace were what peace is not, prosocial behaviors, positive emotions, and positive evaluations of peace. Approximately half of the children (48%) provided specific strategies for making peace. The suggested strategies generally were based on the child's immediate environment, such as "don't fight" "don't argue," and specific prosocial behaviors. 52% of children either said, "I don't know" when asked what children can do to make peace, or did not feel empowered to make peace. The initial findings were interpreted in terms of sociocultural issues, such as cultural heritage and upbringing, as well as within a political context.

Changes in psychosocial work conditions in Taiwanese employees by gender and age from 2001 to 2010.

PubMed

Cheng, Yawen; Chen, I-Shin; Burr, Hermann; Chen, Chiou-Jong; Chiang, Tung-Liang

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine changes in working hours, shift work, psychological and physical job demands, job control and job insecurity in Taiwanese employees by gender and age during the period of 2001 to 2010. The study subjects were 36,750 men and 27,549 women, aged 25-64, from 4 rounds of cross-sectional surveys of representative employees. Psychosocial work conditions were assessed by a validated questionnaire. Regression analyses with adjustment of education and employment grade showed that from 2001 to 2010, the proportions of workers with long working hours (>48 hours/week) (OR=1.4 in men and 1.5 in women) and workers with short working hours (<40 hours/week) (OR=1.3 in both genders) both increased over time, indicating an increasing polarization in the distribution of working hours. Furthermore, the proportions of nonstandard work shifts (OR=1.7 in men and 2.1 in women) and work with high physical demands (OR=1.5 for both gender) increased. There were signs of decreasing levels of job control from 2001 to 2007, which seemed to be more apparent in younger workers than in older workers. However, a slight recovery in decision latitude and opportunity for learning was noticed in later years. The trend in job insecurity was not linear, with the highest prevalence found in 2004. Our findings suggested that certain aspects of psychosocial work environment had deteriorated in Taiwan. There is a need to raise public awareness about the changing patterns of psychosocial health risks at work as well as their causes and their potential impacts on worker well-being.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL STRESS MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON PSYCHOSOCIAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION IN WOMEN UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR BREAST CANCER

PubMed Central

Antoni, Michael H.; Lechner, Suzanne; Diaz, Alain; Vargas, Sara; Holley, Heather; Phillips, Kristin; McGregor, Bonnie; Carver, Charles S.; Blomberg, Bonnie

2009-01-01

BACKGROUND A diagnosis of breast cancer and treatment are psychologically stressful events, particularly over the first year after diagnosis. Women undergo many demanding and anxiety-arousing treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Psychosocial interventions that promote psychosocial adaptation to these challenges may modulate physiological processes (neuroendocrine and immune) that are relevant for health outcomes in breast cancer patients. METHODS Women with Stage 1 – 3 breast cancer recruited 4 – 8 weeks after surgery were randomized to either a 10-week group-based cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention or a 1-day psychoeducational control group and completed questionnaires and late afternoon blood samples at study entry and 6 and 12 months after assignment to experimental condition. RESULTS Of 128 women initially providing psychosocial questionnaire and blood samples at study entry, 97 provided complete data for anxiety measures and cortisol analysis at all time points, and immune assays were run on a subset of 85 of these women. Those assigned to a 10-week group-based CBSM intervention evidenced better psychosocial adaptation (lower reported cancer-specific anxiety and interviewer-rated general anxiety symptoms) and physiological adaptation (lower cortisol, greater Th1 cytokine [interleukin-2 and interferon-γ production and IL-2:IL-4 ratio) after their adjuvant treatment compared to those in the control group. Effects on psychosocial adaptation indicators and cortisol appeared to hold across the entire 12-month observation period. Th1 cytokine regulation changes held only over the initial 6-month period. CONCLUSIONS This intervention may have facilitated a “recovery or maintenance” of Th1 cytokine regulation during or after the adjuvant therapy period. Behavioral interventions that address dysregulated neuroendocrine function could play a clinically significant role in optimizing host immunologic resistance during a

Use of antibiotics for urinary tract infection in women undergoing surgery for urinary incontinence: a cohort study.

PubMed

Guldberg, Rikke; Kesmodel, Ulrik Schiøler; Brostrøm, Søren; Kærlev, Linda; Hansen, Jesper Kjær; Hallas, Jesper; Nørgård, Bente Mertz

2014-02-04

To describe the use of antibiotics for urinary tract infection (UTI) before and after surgery for urinary incontinence (UI); and for those with use of antibiotics before surgery, to estimate the risk of treatment for a postoperative UTI, relative to those without use of antibiotics before surgery. A historical population-based cohort study. Denmark. Women (age ≥18 years) with a primary surgical procedure for UI from the county of Funen and the Region of Southern Denmark from 1996 throughout 2010. Data on redeemed prescriptions of antibiotics ±365 days from the date of surgery were extracted from a prescription database. Use of antibiotics for UTI in relation to UI surgery, and the risk of being a postoperative user of antibiotics for UTI among preoperative users. A total of 2151 women had a primary surgical procedure for UI; of these 496 (23.1%) were preoperative users of antibiotics for UTI. Among preoperative users, 129 (26%) and 215 (43.3%) also redeemed prescriptions of antibiotics for UTI within 0-60 and 61-365 days after surgery, respectively. Among preoperative non-users, 182 (11.0%) and 235 (14.2%) redeemed prescriptions within 0-60 and 61-365 days after surgery, respectively. Presurgery exposure to antibiotics for UTI was a strong risk factor for postoperative treatment for UTI, both within 0-60 days (adjusted OR, aOR=2.6 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.5)) and within 61-365 days (aOR=4.5 (95% CI 3.5 to 5.7)). 1 in 4 women undergoing surgery for UI was treated for UTI before surgery, and half of them had a continuing tendency to UTIs after surgery. Use of antibiotics for UTI before surgery was a strong risk factor for antibiotic use after surgery. In women not using antibiotics for UTI before surgery only a minor proportion initiated use after surgery.

A retrospective analysis of ovarian stimulation with letrozole in women undergoing artificial insemination by donor.

PubMed

Sun, X J; Jiang, L; Ji, L C; Nie, R; Chen, H; Jin, L; Zhu, G J; Qian, K

2017-04-01

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the clinical pregnancy rate in women undergoing letrozole ovarian stimulation and artificial insemination by donor (AID). Between 2012 and 2015, 130 natural cycles, 939 letrozole cycles and 130 letrozole plus gonadotrophin cycles were conducted. Letrozole cycles were divided into three groups according to LH concentration on the day of HCG administration (LH <10 mIU/ml and follicle size ≥18 cm; LH ≤10 to <20 mIU/ml; and LH ≥20 mIU/ml). Pregnancy rates were 17.3%, 22.4% and 26.8%, respectively (P = 0.012). In women given 10 mIU/ml LH or more, logistic regression identified oestradiol (OR 1.002, 95% CI, 1.000 to 1.004, P = 0.029) and leading follicle size (OR 0.861, 95% CI, 0.772 to 0.960, P = 0.007) as significant predictive factors of pregnancy rate; the higher the oestradiol and the smaller the follicles, the better the pregnancy rate. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the letrozole plus gonadotrophin group than the letrozole group (P = 0.04). Better pregnancy rates can be achieved if LH surge occurs before HCG administration, especially with higher oestradiol and lower follicle size; treatment with letrozole plus gonadotrophin was significantly more effective than letrozole alone in AID. Copyright © 2017 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tumor necrosis factor-308 polymorphism increases the embryo implantation rate in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

PubMed

Vialard, F; El Sirkasi, M; Tronchon, V; Boudjenah, R; Molina-Gomes, D; Bergere, M; Mauduit, C; Wainer, R; Selva, J; Benahmed, M

2013-10-01

Do TNF-308 and -238 polymorphisms impact the embryo implantation rate after in vitro fertilization (IVF) in women without female infertility factor? The presence of the TNF-308A allele is associated with high implantation and multiple pregnancy rates in women without known infertility factors after ovarian hyperstimulation with exogenous FSH. Multiple pregnancies are frequent after the use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Single embryo transfer (SET) has been proposed as a simple way to prevent these risks. However, the extension of SET indications to patients not selected based on specific criteria is controversial because of reduced pregnancy rates. To date, the predictive value of the parameters used for SET (age, gynecological history of the patient and uterine characteristics) allows a pregnancy rate of ~30%. The potential predictive value of TNF polymorphisms (-308, rs1800629 and -238, rs361525) on implantation rate was evaluated in 424 women requiring IVF due to male fertility factors. This cohort retrospective study was conducted over 4 years in University-affiliated hospitals. The entire patient group included 424 women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) due to male fertility factors without the contribution of any female factor. From among this group, a selected patient group included 120 women with a normal karyotype, age under 38 years, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (Day-3 FSH) levels below 10 IU/l, a long agonist desensitization protocol associated with recombinant FSH treatment and a Caucasian background. The TNF-238 polymorphism was not associated with implantation rate. In contrast, the presence of the TNF-308A allele was associated with increased Day 3-E2 levels as well as higher implantation and multiple pregnancy rates after fresh embryo transfer in women from the entire and selected patient groups. Moreover, in the selected patient group, the presence of the TNF-308A allele was also associated with a decrease in the

A New Paradigm in ESL Teaching and Learning Environments: Online Professional Development for Taiwanese Instructors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chu, Shiao-wei

2013-01-01

This case study investigates the perspectives of four Taiwanese English ESL (English as a second language) teachers with regard to their participation in an online professional development course. To build a collaborative online professional development community, in which teachers acquire professional knowledge to improve teaching instruction and…

A cross-cultural study of organizational factors on safety: Japanese vs. Taiwanese oil refinery plants.

PubMed

Hsu, Shang Hwa; Lee, Chun-Chia; Wu, Muh-Cherng; Takano, Kenichi

2008-01-01

This study attempts to identify idiosyncrasies of organizational factors on safety and their influence mechanisms in Taiwan and Japan. Data were collected from employees of Taiwanese and Japanese oil refinery plants. Results show that organizational factors on safety differ in the two countries. Organizational characteristics in Taiwanese plants are highlighted as: higher level of management commitment to safety, harmonious interpersonal relationship, more emphasis on safety activities, higher devotion to supervision, and higher safety self-efficacy, as well as high quality of safety performance. Organizational characteristics in Japanese plants are highlighted as: higher level of employee empowerment and attitude towards continuous improvement, more emphasis on systematic safety management approach, efficient reporting system and teamwork, and high quality of safety performance. The casual relationships between organizational factors and workers' safety performance were investigated using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicate that the influence mechanisms of organizational factors in Taiwan and Japan are different. These findings provide insights into areas of safety improvement in emerging countries and developed countries respectively.

The Experiences of Tobacco Use among South-Western Taiwanese Adolescent Males

PubMed Central

Hong, Rei-Mei; Guo, Su-Er; Chen, Mei-Yen

2015-01-01

Most smokers start young. Initiation of cigarette smoking at an earlier age leads to more life-years for tobacco use, makes quitting harder, and increases the risk of serious health consequences. Despite these challenges, research focusing on smoking behavior among adolescent boys in Taiwan is rare. Although the Taiwanese government enacted the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act in 2009, aimed at prevention and reducing the rate of smoking, the percentage of high school students who smoke has continued to increase. In 2006, 7.5% of adolescent boys engaged in smoking. By 2012 the rate had increased to 24.6%. This paper explores the experiences that contribute to adolescent Taiwanese boys making the decision to smoke. A phenomenological approach to inquiry was used as the philosophical foundations for this study with twelve adolescent boys who engaged in smoking behaviors. Data was gathered through two face-to-face semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi’s analysis method. Findings indicated that decisions to begin smoking were motivated by curiosity and as a means of establishing friendships while decisions to continue smoking were linked to the addictive nature of smoking and as a means of coping with stress and passing the time. The findings can be used to inform the prevention of tobacco use and to reduce the high smoking rates among adolescent boys. PMID:26343695

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dong, Shang-Lung; Chu, Tieh-Chi; Lin, Yung-Chien

Purpose: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) slab is one of the mostly used phantoms for studying breast dosimetry in mammography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the equivalence between exposure factors acquired from PMMA slabs and patient cases of different age groups of Taiwanese women in mammography. Methods: This study included 3910 craniocaudal screen/film mammograms on Taiwanese women acquired on one mammographic unit. The tube loading, compressed breast thickness (CBT), compression force, tube voltage, and target/filter combination for each mammogram were collected for all patients. The glandularity and the equivalent thickness of PMMA were determined for each breast using the exposuremore » factors of the breast in combination with experimental measurements from breast-tissue-equivalent attenuation slabs. Equivalent thicknesses of PMMA to the breasts of Taiwanese women were then estimated. Results: The average {+-} standard deviation CBT and breast glandularity in this study were 4.2 {+-} 1.0 cm and 54% {+-} 23%, respectively. The average equivalent PMMA thickness was 4.0 {+-} 0.7 cm. PMMA slabs producing equivalent exposure factors as in the breasts of Taiwanese women were determined for the age groups 30-49 yr and 50-69 yr. For the 4-cm PMMA slab, the CBT and glandularity values of the equivalent breast were 4.1 cm and 65%, respectively, for the age group 30-49 yr and 4.4 cm and 44%, respectively, for the age group 50-69 yr. Conclusions: The average thickness of PMMA slabs producing the same exposure factors as observed in a large group of Taiwanese women is less than that reported for American women. The results from this study can provide useful information for determining a suitable thickness of PMMA for mammographic dose survey in Taiwan. The equivalence of PMMA slabs and the breasts of Taiwanese women is provided to allow average glandular dose assessment in clinical practice.« less

The Study of Personal Constructs of Death and Fear of Death among Taiwanese Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Shu Ching; Chen, Shih-Fen

2009-01-01

This study administered an open-ended questionnaire about death and the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale (MODS) to explore the relationships between personal constructs about death and fears of death among Taiwanese adolescents. The sample included 329 adolescents in junior and senior high school grades 7 to 12. A coding manual was used to…

A Prospective Study on Changes of Cognitions, Interpersonal Influences, and Physical Activity in Taiwanese Youth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wu, Tsu-Yin; Jwo, Jun-Ling

2005-01-01

The decline of physical activity during adolescence is not well understood. This prospective study followed 969 Taiwanese students from eighth to ninth grade and examined their physical activity-related cognitions, interpersonal influences, and behavior of physical activity across the grade transition. Gender differences were found in the effects…

Short Research Report: Exploring Resilience Development in a Taiwanese Preschooler's Narrative--An Emerging Theoretical Mode

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Kuan-Ling Olivia

2016-01-01

It is important to foster resilience in early childhood as this quality is, according to this author, "an individual's progressing development to adjust to life difficulties." This narrative study provides a cultural perspective by investigating a Taiwanese context and shifts the attention to preschoolers' resilience development in both…

The Role of Achievement Motivations and Achievement Goals in Taiwanese College Students' Cognitive and Psychological Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Su-Yen; Lu, Luo

2015-01-01

This study explores how motivational factors are associated with Taiwanese college students' cognitive, personal, and social development by incorporating both relatively global, static self-attributes, such as social-oriented achievement motivation and individual-oriented achievement motivation, which are considered to be culturally balanced…

An Exploratory Study of Taiwanese Mathematics Teachers' Conceptions of School Mathematics, School Statistics, and Their Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Kai-Lin

2014-01-01

This study used phenomenography, a qualitative method, to investigate Taiwanese mathematics teachers' conceptions of school mathematics, school statistics, and their differences. To collect data, we interviewed five mathematics teachers by open questions. They also responded to statements drawn on mathematical/statistical conceptions and…

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Family Quality of Life Scale for Taiwanese Families of Children With Intellectual Disability/Developmental Delay.

PubMed

Chiu, Chun-Yu; Seo, Hyojeong; Turnbull, Ann P; Summers, Jean Ann

2017-04-01

The Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale is an internationally validated instrument for measuring family outcomes. To revise the scale for better alignment with the Family Quality of Life theory, the authors excluded non-outcome items in this revision. In this study, we examined reliability and validity of the revised scale (i.e., the FQoL Scale-21) and its scores for Taiwanese families of children and youth with intellectual disability and developmental delay (age 0-18). Results from 400 Taiwanese respondents suggested that the FQoL Scale-21 has the potential to be used as an indicator of positive outcomes in intervention evaluation, policy making, and service delivery.

Measuring the Confidence of 8th Grade Taiwanese Students' Knowledge of Acids and Bases

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jack, Brady Michael; Liu, Chia-Ju; Chiu, Houn-Lin; Tsai, Chun-Yen

2012-01-01

The present study investigated whether gender differences were present on the confidence judgments made by 8th grade Taiwanese students on the accuracy of their responses to acid-base test items. A total of 147 (76 male, 71 female) students provided item-specific confidence judgments during a test of their knowledge of acids and bases. Using the…

Using Key Part-of-Speech Analysis to Examine Spoken Discourse by Taiwanese EFL Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Yen-Liang

2015-01-01

This study reports on a corpus analysis of samples of spoken discourse between a group of British and Taiwanese adolescents, with the aim of exploring the statistically significant differences in the use of grammatical categories between the two groups of participants. The key word method extended to a part-of-speech level using the web-based…

Diversification, Biogeographic Pattern, and Demographic History of Taiwanese Scutellaria Species Inferred from Nuclear and Chloroplast DNA

PubMed Central

Liao, Pei-Chun

2012-01-01

The ragged topography created by orogenesis generates diversified habitats for plants in Taiwan. In addition to colonization from nearby mainland China, high species diversity and endemism of plants is also present in Taiwan. Five of the seven Scutellaria species (Lamiaceae) in Taiwan, for example, are endemic to the island. Hypotheses of multiple sources or in situ radiation have arisen to explain the high endemism of Taiwanese species. In this study, phylogenetic analyses using both nuclear and chloroplast markers revealed the multiple sources of Taiwanese Scutellaria species and confirmed the rapid and recent speciation of endemic species, especially those of the “indica group” composed of S. indica, S. austrotaiwanensis, S. tashiroi, and S. playfairii. The common ancestors of the indica group colonized first in northern Taiwan and dispersed regionally southward and eastward. Climate changes during glacial/interglacial cycles led to gradual colonization and variance events in the ancestors of these species, resulting in the present distribution and genetic differentiation of extant populations. Population decline was also detected in S. indica, which might reflect a bottleneck effect from the glacials. In contrast, the recently speciated endemic members of the indica group have not had enough time to accumulate much genetic variation and are thus genetically insensitive to demographic fluctuations, but the extant lineages were spatially expanded in the coalescent process. This study integrated phylogenetic and population genetic analyses to illustrate the evolutionary history of Taiwanese Scutellaria of high endemism and may be indicative of the diversification mechanism of plants on continental islands. PMID:23226402

Predictors of treatment attrition and treatment length in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy in Taiwanese families✩,✩✩

PubMed Central

Chen, Yi-Chuen; Fortson, Beverly L.

2015-01-01

Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has been used successfully in the United States and in other countries around the world, but its use in Asian countries has been more limited. The present study is the first of its kind to examine the predictors of treatment attrition and length in a sample of Taiwanese caregivers and their children. It is also the first to examine PCIT outcomes in Taiwanese families. Maladaptive personality characteristics of the caregiver were the best predictor of attrition, followed by single-parent, removal of the child from the home, and lower levels of caregiver education. Treatment length was predicted by child minority status and parent–child interactions (i.e., parent commands and negative parent talk). In terms of outcomes, statistically significant treatment changes were noted for all treatment outcome variables at post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. These findings suggest that PCIT is a promising intervention for this population. The predictors of treatment attrition and length can be used when Taiwanese caregiver–child dyads present for services so that additional assistance can be provided prior to or during treatment to increase adherence to the recommended number of treatment sessions for maximal impact. Future studies may replicate the present study with a larger clinical sample to examine the long-term effects of PCIT and to include a no-treatment control condition to afford a more robust empirical evaluation. PMID:26705373

Cognitive Complexity of Mathematics Instructional Tasks in a Taiwanese Classroom: An Examination of Task Sources

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsu, Hui-Yu; Silver, Edward A.

2014-01-01

We examined geometric calculation with number tasks used within a unit of geometry instruction in a Taiwanese classroom, identifying the source of each task used in classroom instruction and analyzing the cognitive complexity of each task with respect to 2 distinct features: diagram complexity and problem-solving complexity. We found that…

Factors affecting Taiwanese smokers' identification of smuggled cigarettes.

PubMed

Hsieh, Chi-Jung; Cheng, Chun-Hao; Lee, Jie-Min

2015-05-01

To analyze whether the perception that smuggled cigarettes are a greater health risk than legal cigarettes affects Taiwanese smokers' intention to distinguish smuggled cigarettes from legal cigarettes. The study used the Recursive Bivariate Probit Model to analyze data from a survey conducted in 2013 of 450 smokers of smuggled cigarettes. The study found that when smokers believe they are more likely to get lung cancer from consuming smuggled cigarettes than they are from consuming legal cigarettes, the probability of the intention to identify smuggled cigarettes increased by 42.46%. The government should strengthen educational policies and programs that teach consumers about the health risks of smoking in general and the even greater health risks of smoking smuggled cigarettes in particular.

Connectedness among Taiwanese Middle School Students: A Validation Study of the Hemingway Measure of Adolescent Connectedness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karcher, Michael J.; Lee, Yun

2002-01-01

Examines the psychometric properties of the Hemingway Measure of Adolescent Connectedness among 320 Taiwanese junior high school students. Finds that connectedness measure subscales and composite scales demonstrated acceptable reliability and concurrent validity. Also finds, among other things, that girls report more connectedness to school than…

Factors influencing the mammography utilization among Taiwanese women with intellectual disabilities, a nationwide population-based study.

PubMed

Lai, Hsien-Tang; Kung, Pei-Tseng; Tsai, Wen-Chen

2014-12-01

Women with intellectual disabilities (ID) have cognitive impairment and communication difficulties; for both caregivers and clinical personnel, discovering the early symptoms of breast cancer among women with ID is challenging. The mammography utilization rate of women with ID was significantly lower than that of women in the general population. This study employed a 2008 database of people with disabilities in Taiwan as a research target and analyzed the mammography utilization rate of women with ID aged 50–69 years. In addition, relevant factors influencing mammography utilization among women with ID were also investigated. A total of 4370 participants were recruited and the majority were illiterate or had elementary-level educations (82.27%). The majority of the participants had ID that was more severe than mild (83.80%). The mammography utilization rate of women with ID was 4.32%, which was significantly lower than that of women in the general population (12%). The mammography utilization rate among women with ID who were married, had higher education levels, and had been diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, or mild ID was significantly higher. However, the mammography utilization rate among women with ID, who had elementary-level educations or were illiterate, was only 4.03%. The utilization rate among women with profound ID was only 2.65%. Women with ID who had undergone pap smears or had utilized adult preventive health services demonstrated a significantly higher mammography utilization rate. This study identified that education level, a diagnosis of diabetes, and the application of pap smears or adult preventive health services were primary factors that influenced the mammography utilization rate among women with ID. This study also observed that in Taiwan, the mammography utilization rate of women with ID was lower than that of pap smears and adult preventive health services, and was only half of that of people with disabilities. An unequal situation

Study of seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified in East Asians for association with obesity in a Taiwanese population.

PubMed

Huang, Wei-Hsin; Hwang, Lee-Ching; Chan, Hsin-Lung; Lin, Hsiang-Yu; Lin, Yung-Hsiang

2016-08-10

This study aimed to examine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of seven previously reported obesity genes in East Asians and to analyse their associations and synergistic effects on obesity in the Taiwanese population. Cross-sectional study. One medical centre in northern Taiwan. A total of 323 non-obese and 264 obese participants were recruited. The threshold for obesity in this study was a body mass index of ≥27 kg/m(2), as defined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan. The study was performed with the approval of the institutional review board of MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (application number 12MMHIS106). We analysed the genotype distributions of seven SNPs localising to the PPARγ2, GNB3, SDC3, ADRB2, FTO, PPARγ and ESR1 genes in obese and non-obese groups and then paired obesity-related SNPs to determine if they have synergistic effects on obesity. Analysis of the genotype distributions in obese and non-obese groups revealed only a significant positive correlation between an SNP in rs2282440-syndecan 3 (SDC3) and obesity in the Taiwanese population (p=0.006). In addition, the T/T genotype of SDC3 was significantly associated with a larger waist and hip circumference, higher body fat percentage and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Moreover, the combination of the rs2282440-SDC3T/T genotype with the rs1801282-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 gene (PPARγ2) G carrier genotype was strongly associated with obesity (OR=6.77). We found that the rs2282440-SDC3T/T genotype is associated with obesity in the Taiwanese population. Furthermore, there is a synergistic effect of the high-risk alleles of the SDC3 and PPARγ2 genes on the obese phenotype in the Taiwanese population. 12MMHIS106; Results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Taiwanese Mothers' Beliefs about Reading Aloud with Preschoolers: Findings from the Parent Reading Belief Inventory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wu, Chu-Chu; Honig, Alice Sterling

2010-01-01

In this study we adapted DeBaryshe and Binder's Parent Reading Belief Inventory (PRBI) with middle-class, well-educated (M = 14-15 years of education) Taiwanese mothers to find what their beliefs were about reading aloud to young children. Parental reports of home literacy practices including children's emergent literacy behaviours were also…

Factors Associated with Nurses' Intention to Report Child Abuse: A National Survey of Taiwanese Nurses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Feng, J.Y.; Levine, M.

2005-01-01

Objective:The objectives were to determine the experiences of Taiwanese nurses with a new child abuse reporting law and to assess attitudinal correlates of nurses' intention to report. Method: A stratified quota sampling technique was used to select registered nurses working in pediatric, psychiatric and emergency care units in Taiwan. A total of…

Soy Intake Modifies the Relation Between Urinary Bisphenol A Concentrations and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction

PubMed Central

Mínguez-Alarcón, Lidia; Chiu, Yu-Han; Gaskins, Audrey J.; Souter, Irene; Williams, Paige L.; Calafat, Antonia M.; Hauser, Russ

2016-01-01

Context: Experimental data in rodents suggest that the adverse reproductive health effects of bisphenol A (BPA) can be modified by intake of soy phytoestrogens. Whether the same is true in humans is not known. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether soy consumption modifies the relation between urinary BPA levels and infertility treatment outcomes among women undergoing assisted reproduction. Setting: The study was conducted in a fertility center in a teaching hospital. Design: We evaluated 239 women enrolled between 2007 and 2012 in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study, a prospective cohort study, who underwent 347 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire and provided up to 2 urine samples in each treatment cycle before oocyte retrieval. IVF outcomes were abstracted from electronic medical records. We used generalized linear mixed models with interaction terms to evaluate whether the association between urinary BPA concentrations and IVF outcomes was modified by soy intake. Main Outcome Measure: Live birth rates per initiated treatment cycle were measured. Results: Soy food consumption modified the association of urinary BPA concentration with live birth rates (P for interaction = .01). Among women who did not consume soy foods, the adjusted live birth rates per initiated cycle in increasing quartiles of cycle-specific urinary BPA concentrations were 54%, 35%, 31%, and 17% (P for trend = .03). The corresponding live birth rates among women reporting pretreatment consumption of soy foods were 38%, 42%, 47%, and 49% (P for trend = 0.35). A similar pattern was found for implantation (P for interaction = .02) and clinical pregnancy rates (P for interaction = .03) per initiated cycle, where urinary BPA was inversely related to these outcomes among women not consuming soy foods but unrelated to them among soy consumers. Conclusion: Soy food intake may protect against the adverse

Soy Intake Modifies the Relation Between Urinary Bisphenol A Concentrations and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction.

PubMed

Chavarro, Jorge E; Mínguez-Alarcón, Lidia; Chiu, Yu-Han; Gaskins, Audrey J; Souter, Irene; Williams, Paige L; Calafat, Antonia M; Hauser, Russ

2016-03-01

Experimental data in rodents suggest that the adverse reproductive health effects of bisphenol A (BPA) can be modified by intake of soy phytoestrogens. Whether the same is true in humans is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether soy consumption modifies the relation between urinary BPA levels and infertility treatment outcomes among women undergoing assisted reproduction. The study was conducted in a fertility center in a teaching hospital. We evaluated 239 women enrolled between 2007 and 2012 in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study, a prospective cohort study, who underwent 347 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire and provided up to 2 urine samples in each treatment cycle before oocyte retrieval. IVF outcomes were abstracted from electronic medical records. We used generalized linear mixed models with interaction terms to evaluate whether the association between urinary BPA concentrations and IVF outcomes was modified by soy intake. Live birth rates per initiated treatment cycle were measured. Soy food consumption modified the association of urinary BPA concentration with live birth rates (P for interaction = .01). Among women who did not consume soy foods, the adjusted live birth rates per initiated cycle in increasing quartiles of cycle-specific urinary BPA concentrations were 54%, 35%, 31%, and 17% (P for trend = .03). The corresponding live birth rates among women reporting pretreatment consumption of soy foods were 38%, 42%, 47%, and 49% (P for trend = 0.35). A similar pattern was found for implantation (P for interaction = .02) and clinical pregnancy rates (P for interaction = .03) per initiated cycle, where urinary BPA was inversely related to these outcomes among women not consuming soy foods but unrelated to them among soy consumers. Soy food intake may protect against the adverse reproductive effects of BPA. As these findings represent the first report suggesting a

Evaluating wait times from screening to breast cancer diagnosis among women undergoing organised assessment vs usual care

PubMed Central

Chiarelli, Anna M; Muradali, Derek; Blackmore, Kristina M; Smith, Courtney R; Mirea, Lucia; Majpruz, Vicky; O'Malley, Frances P; Quan, May Lynn; Holloway, Claire MB

2017-01-01

Background: Timely coordinated diagnostic assessment following an abnormal screening mammogram reduces patient anxiety and may optimise breast cancer prognosis. Since 1998, the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) has offered organised assessment through Breast Assessment Centres (BACs). For OBSP women seen at a BAC, an abnormal mammogram is followed by coordinated referrals through the use of navigators for further imaging, biopsy, and surgical consultation as indicated. For OBSP women seen through usual care (UC), further diagnostic imaging is arranged directly from the screening centre and/or through their physician; results must be communicated to the physician who is then responsible for arranging any necessary biopsy and/or surgical consultation. This study aims to evaluate factors associated with diagnostic wait times for women undergoing assessment through BAC and UC. Methods: Of the 2 147 257 women aged 50–69 years screened in the OBSP between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2009, 155 866 (7.3%) had an abnormal mammogram. A retrospective design identified two concurrent cohorts of women diagnosed with screen-detected breast cancer at a BAC (n=4217; 47%) and UC (n=4827; 53%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between wait times and assessment and prognostic characteristics by pathway. A two-sided 5% significance level was used. Results: Screened women with breast cancer were two times more likely to be diagnosed within 7 weeks when assessed through a BAC vs UC (OR=1.91, 95% CI=1.73–2.10). In addition, compared with UC, women assessed through a BAC were significantly more likely to have their first assessment procedure within 3 weeks of their abnormal mammogram (OR=1.25, 95% CI=1.12–1.39), ⩽3 assessment procedures (OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.41–1.69), ⩽2 assessment visits (OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.70–2.05), and ⩾2 procedures per visit (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.28–1.55). Women diagnosed through a BAC were also more likely

Evaluating wait times from screening to breast cancer diagnosis among women undergoing organised assessment vs usual care.

PubMed

Chiarelli, Anna M; Muradali, Derek; Blackmore, Kristina M; Smith, Courtney R; Mirea, Lucia; Majpruz, Vicky; O'Malley, Frances P; Quan, May Lynn; Holloway, Claire Mb

2017-05-09

Timely coordinated diagnostic assessment following an abnormal screening mammogram reduces patient anxiety and may optimise breast cancer prognosis. Since 1998, the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) has offered organised assessment through Breast Assessment Centres (BACs). For OBSP women seen at a BAC, an abnormal mammogram is followed by coordinated referrals through the use of navigators for further imaging, biopsy, and surgical consultation as indicated. For OBSP women seen through usual care (UC), further diagnostic imaging is arranged directly from the screening centre and/or through their physician; results must be communicated to the physician who is then responsible for arranging any necessary biopsy and/or surgical consultation. This study aims to evaluate factors associated with diagnostic wait times for women undergoing assessment through BAC and UC. Of the 2 147 257 women aged 50-69 years screened in the OBSP between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2009, 155 866 (7.3%) had an abnormal mammogram. A retrospective design identified two concurrent cohorts of women diagnosed with screen-detected breast cancer at a BAC (n=4217; 47%) and UC (n=4827; 53%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between wait times and assessment and prognostic characteristics by pathway. A two-sided 5% significance level was used. Screened women with breast cancer were two times more likely to be diagnosed within 7 weeks when assessed through a BAC vs UC (OR=1.91, 95% CI=1.73-2.10). In addition, compared with UC, women assessed through a BAC were significantly more likely to have their first assessment procedure within 3 weeks of their abnormal mammogram (OR=1.25, 95% CI=1.12-1.39), ⩽3 assessment procedures (OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.41-1.69), ⩽2 assessment visits (OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.70-2.05), and ⩾2 procedures per visit (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.28-1.55). Women diagnosed through a BAC were also more likely than those in UC to have imaging (OR=1.99, 95

A comparative analysis of British and Taiwanese students' conceptual and procedural knowledge of fraction addition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hui-Chuan

2014-10-01

This study examines students' procedural and conceptual achievement in fraction addition in England and Taiwan. A total of 1209 participants (561 British students and 648 Taiwanese students) at ages 12 and 13 were recruited from England and Taiwan to take part in the study. A quantitative design by means of a self-designed written test is adopted as central to the methodological considerations. The test has two major parts: the concept part and the skill part. The former is concerned with students' conceptual knowledge of fraction addition and the latter is interested in students' procedural competence when adding fractions. There were statistically significant differences both in concept and skill parts between the British and Taiwanese groups with the latter having a higher score. The analysis of the students' responses to the skill section indicates that the superiority of Taiwanese students' procedural achievements over those of their British peers is because most of the former are able to apply algorithms to adding fractions far more successfully than the latter. Earlier, Hart [1] reported that around 30% of the British students in their study used an erroneous strategy (adding tops and bottoms, for example, 2/3 + 1/7 = 3/10) while adding fractions. This study also finds that nearly the same percentage of the British group remained using this erroneous strategy to add fractions as Hart found in 1981. The study also provides evidence to show that students' understanding of fractions is confused and incomplete, even those who are successfully able to perform operations. More research is needed to be done to help students make sense of the operations and eventually attain computational competence with meaningful grounding in the domain of fractions.

Attitudes toward Older People and Coworkers' Intention to Work with Older Employees: A Taiwanese Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lu, Luo

2010-01-01

The aim of this research was to examine attitudinal barriers to the employment of Taiwanese older workers (aged 60 and above). Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data using structured questionnaires from a sample of full-time employees (N = 258). We found that: (1) positive attitudes toward older people in general, perceived…

The Virtues of Taiwanese Internet-Using Adolescents: The Development and Validation of the Cyber Virtues Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Chih-Ming; Hung, Min-Ling; Lu, Jui-Lien; Chou, Chien

2018-01-01

Given the importance of cultivating users' positive behaviors in cyberspace, this study presents a comprehensive vision of how to address important virtues that might foster Taiwanese adolescents' positive behaviors in cyberspace. In this study, we constructed an instrument--the Cyber Virtues Scale (CVS)--for measuring the underlying dimensions of…

From Snow White to Digimon: Using Popular Media to Confront Confucian Values in Taiwanese Peer Cultures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadley, Kathryn Gold; Nenga, Sandi Kawecka

2004-01-01

Parents, educators and social commentators have repeatedly claimed that passive media consumption can harm children. Building on recent attempts to understand how children actively interpret media, the authors use an interpretive model of socialization to analyze fieldnote excerpts from a Taiwanese kindergarten and first grade. Contrary to popular…

A Comparative Study of American, Japanese, and Taiwanese Early Childhood Teachers' Perceptions of Clean-Up Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Izumi-Taylor, Satomi; Ito, Yoko; Lin, Chia-Hui; Akita, Kiyomi

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences of American, Japanese, and Taiwanese kindergarten teachers' perspectives about clean-up time. The participants consisted of two female American kindergarten teachers in the southeastern US, two female Japanese kindergarten teachers on the main island, and two female Taiwanese…

Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in Taiwanese Middle-Aged Women Stroke Survivors.

PubMed

Pai, Hsiang-Chu; Wu, Ming-Hsiu; Chang, Mei-Yueh

Female stroke victims have a higher survival rate and experience a greater loss of quality of life than do male stroke victims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of health-related quality of life in middle-aged women stroke survivors. This study is a cross-sectional design. This cross-sectional research uses a descriptive, prospective, and correlational study design to investigate the associations between latent variables. Participants included women stroke survivors, aged 45-65 years, who were patients at a medical center in Taiwan. Participants completed an interview and a six-part questionnaire comprising the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Modified Rankin Scale, Burden Scale, Chinese Health Questionnaire, and five items that pertain to the survivor's cognitive appraisal of coping. Structural equation modeling (SEM), with the use of the partial least squares (PLS) method, was used to examine the proposed conceptual model. A total of 48 dyad samples (48 female stroke survivors, mean age = 55.29; 48 caregivers, mean age = 42.71) participated in the study. Overall, women's physical functioning (PF; stroke severity), cognitive appraisal of coping, and caregiver's psychosocial functioning were the predictors, explaining 43.3% of the variance in women's health-related quality of life. We found that female stroke survivors' level of stroke severity and negative appraisal-impact of stroke are significant predictors of the stroke survivor's quality of life. In addition to assisting women in their PF rehabilitation, rehabilitation nurses also should help to develop survivors' self-care confidence as a means to avoid the recurrence of stroke.

Risk factors and incidence of ischemic stroke in Taiwanese with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation-- a nation wide database analysis.

PubMed

Lin, Lian-Yu; Lee, Chang-Hsing; Yu, Chih-Chieh; Tsai, Chia-Ti; Lai, Ling-Pin; Hwang, Juey-Jen; Chen, Pau-Chung; Lin, Jiunn-Lee

2011-07-01

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a risk factor for ischemic stroke. Stroke-prevention strategies based on risk schemes have been developed but most of the data are from western people. Our goal is to investigate the risk factors of ischemic stroke in Taiwanese with AF in a nation-wide database. A universal national health insurance (NHI) program has been implemented in Taiwan since 1995. We used system sampling database from 1997 to 2008 with a total of 1,000,000 subjects. By using ambulatory and inpatient claim data, we included subjects with AF and were above 20 years old. We excluded those who had ever taken warfarin or aspirin or had valvular heart diseases. A total of 7920 patients (3633 women, 4287 men) were included in the final analyses. Cox regression analysis showed that the risk factors for ischemic stroke were age (OR=1.338 for age 65-74 years vs. age 20-64 years, P=0.014; OR=1.652 for age over 75 years vs. age 20-64 years, P<0.001), hypertension (HTN) (OR=2.656, P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR=1.341, P=0.005), heart failure (OR=1.611, P<0.001), previous ischemic stroke or transient ischemic accident (TIA) (OR=2.752, P<0.001) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (OR=1.814, P=0.006). The gender, coronary artery disease, history of myocardial infarction and chronic renal insufficiency were not associated with ischemic stroke. The rate of ischemic stroke was much lower in current cohort as compared with that in whites. Frequent used risk schemes including CHADS₂ and CHA₂DS₂-VASC had comparable but only limited ability to predict ischemic stroke in subjects with AF. Compare with western people, hypertension plays a more important role in ischemic stroke in Taiwanese with AF and the incidence is lower. A substantial number of ischemic strokes cannot be accurately predicted by current risk schemes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance of the internal audit department under ERP systems: empirical evidence from Taiwanese firms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Wen-Hsien; Chen, Hui-Chiao; Chang, Jui-Chu; Leu, Jun-Der; Chao Chen, Der; Purbokusumo, Yuyun

2015-10-01

In this study, the performance of the internal audit department (IAD) and its contribution to a company under enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems was examined. It is anticipated that this will provide insight into the factors perceived to be crucial to a company's effectiveness. A theoretical framework was developed and tested using the sample of Taiwanese companies. Using mail survey procedures, we elicited perceptions from key internal auditors about the ERP system and auditing software, as well as their opinions concerning the IAD's effectiveness and its contribution within a company. Data were analysed using the partial least square (PLS) regression to test the hypotheses. Drawing upon a sample of Taiwanese firms, the study suggests that a firm can improve the performance of the IAD through an enterprise-wide integrated, effective ERP system and appropriate auditing software. At the same time, the performance of the IAD can also contribute significantly to the company. The results also show that investments in computer-assisted auditing techniques (CAATs) are crucial due to their tremendous effectiveness in regard to the performance of the IAD and for the contributions CAATs can make to a company.

A Comparative Analysis of British and Taiwanese Students' Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge of Fraction Addition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Hui-Chuan

2014-01-01

This study examines students' procedural and conceptual achievement in fraction addition in England and Taiwan. A total of 1209 participants (561 British students and 648 Taiwanese students) at ages 12 and 13 were recruited from England and Taiwan to take part in the study. A quantitative design by means of a self-designed written test is adopted…

Factors for Healthy Food or Less-Healthy Food Intake among Taiwanese Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yen, Chia-Feng; Lin, Jin-Ding

2010-01-01

Little information is available on the prevalence and risk factors for less-healthy food intake among people with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study aimed to provide the information of healthy or less-healthy food intake among Taiwanese adolescents with ID and to examine the risk factors to their food intake. A cross-sectional data on 1419…

Efficacy of Femarelle for the treatment of climacteric syndrome in postmenopausal women: An open label trial.

PubMed

Chen, Fang-Ping; Chang, Chee Jen; Chao, An-Shine; Huang, Hong-Yuan; Huang, Jian-Pei; Wu, Meng-Hsing; Tsai, Ching-Chou; Kung, Fu-Tsai; Chang, Ching-Wen; Tsai, Yung-Chieh

2016-06-01

To assess the effects of 2 months of treatment with Femarelle for climacteric syndrome in Taiwanese postmenopausal women. A multi-center, open-label trial of 260 postmenopausal women, age ≥ 45 years with vasomotor symptoms. Women were enrolled after obtaining a detailed medical history and a thorough physical examination. They then received Femarelle (640 mg/d) twice daily for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the changes in the frequency and severity of hot flushes from baseline to 4 weeks (1 month) and 8 weeks (2 months). Changes of general climacteric syndrome were assessed using a modified climacteric scale designed by Greene. The frequency and severity of hot flushes were significantly improved with Femarelle use (p < 0.001). After 8 weeks of treatment, the percentage of women with various climacteric syndromes was reduced (from 100% to 20.9% for hot flushes, from 97.7% to 87.9% for psychological symptoms, from 93.8% to 78.8% for somatic symptoms, and from 87.8% to 74.9% for sexual symptoms). General climacteric syndrome scores also significantly decreased, from 20.8 ± 0.7 at the time of enrollment to 12.9 ± 0.7 after 8 weeks of Femarelle treatment (p < 0.0001). Participants experienced improvement of various climacteric symptoms and signs after 8 weeks of treatment (75.1% for hot flushes, 68.7% for psychological symptoms, 70.6% for somatic symptoms, and 69.0% for sexual problems respectively). After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment with Femarelle, patients showed statistically significant improvement in climacteric symptoms (p < 0.0001). Three women (1.2%) withdrew from the study after 4 weeks of treatment due to adverse effects. Femarelle significantly improved climacteric symptoms in Taiwanese postmenopausal women. However, further evaluation is needed regarding the safety of long-term consumption. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

"Parenting about Peace": Exploring Taiwanese Parents' and Children's Perceptions in a Shared Political and Sociocultural Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deng, Liang-Yu F.

2012-01-01

This study explored what Taiwanese parents would educate their children about peace and what children retained from parental teaching, as well as children's reported communication with parents about peace. In-depth interviews were conducted with 60 parents and one of their children. Based on the perceptions of children, the most influential…

Implementing Problem-Based Learning in a Taiwanese Elementary Classroom: A Case Study of Challenges and Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Hui-Chuan

2012-01-01

This paper outlines some preliminary findings from a one-year problem-based learning (PBL) intervention in a Taiwanese elementary mathematics classroom. PBL stands within the philosophy of social constructivism, which emphasises that learning is a social process, not a product. In general, it involves three main characteristics. The first is that…

Teachers' Perceptions of National Identity in the English and Taiwanese Citizenship Curricula: Civic or Ethnic Nationalism?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hung, Cheng-Yu

2014-01-01

This article examines and compares the hotly debated issue of national identity in the Taiwanese and English citizenship curricula and investigates the extent to which schoolteachers' perceptions fall in line with the written curriculum. The author describes the background to the evolution of national identity in each country. Following this…

The Effect of Principals' Technological Leadership on Teachers' Technological Literacy and Teaching Effectiveness in Taiwanese Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, I-Hua

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships among principals' technological leadership, teachers' technological literacy, and teaching effectiveness. The survey target population consists of 1,000 teachers randomly selected from Taiwanese elementary schools. The survey asked teachers to measure the effectiveness of principals'…

Employment among Older Workers and Inequality of Gender and Education: Evidence from a Taiwanese National Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lu, Luo

2010-01-01

The aim of this research was twofold: to examine the prevalence of employment and under-employment among Taiwanese older workers (aged 50 and above), and to explore personal correlates of their employment status, in particular gender and education. Using a national representative sample, we found that: 1) a rather substantial percentage of people…

Highly purified human-derived follicle-stimulating hormone (Bravelle®) has equivalent efficacy to follitropin-beta (Follistim ®) in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization

PubMed Central

Dickey, Richard P; Nichols, John E; Steinkampf, Michael P; Gocial, Benjamin; Thornton, Melvin; Webster, Bobby W; Bello, Sandra M; Crain, Jack; Marshall, Dennis C

2003-01-01

Background These data compare the efficacy and safety of highly purified human-derived follicle-stimulating hormone (Bravelle(R)) and recombinant follitropin-β (Follistim(R)) in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Methods This report describes the pooled data from two, nearly identical, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, multicenter studies conducted in a total of 19 academic and private IVF-ET centers in the United States. Infertile premenopausal women underwent pituitary down-regulation using leuprolide acetate followed by a maximum of 12 days of subcutaneous Bravelle(R) (n = 120) or Follistim(R) (n = 118), followed by administration of human chorionic gonadotropin, oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer. The primary efficacy measure was the mean number of oocytes retrieved; secondary efficacy measures included the total dose and duration of gonadotropin treatment; peak serum estradion levels; embryo transfer and implantation rates; chemical, clinical and continuing pregnancies; and live birth rates. All adverse events were recorded and injection site pain was recorded daily using a patient, self-assessment diary. Results Similar efficacy responses were observed for all outcome parameters in the two treatment groups. Although patients receiving Bravelle(R) consistently reported a greater number of chemical, clinical and continuing pregnancies, as well as an increased rate of live birth, the data did not attain statistical significance (P > 0.05). The overall incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups, but compared to Follistim(R), injections of Bravelle(R) were reported by patients to be significantly less painful (P < 0.001). Conclusions Bravelle(R) and Follistim(R) had comparable efficacy in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing IVF-ET. There were no differences in the nature or number of adverse events between the treatment groups although Bravelle(R) injections were reported to be significantly less painful. PMID

The effect of pioglitazone and resistance training on body composition in older men and women undergoing hypocaloric weight loss.

PubMed

Shea, M Kyla; Nicklas, Barbara J; Marsh, Anthony P; Houston, Denise K; Miller, Gary D; Isom, Scott; Miller, Michael E; Carr, J Jeffrey; Lyles, Mary F; Harris, Tamara B; Kritchevsky, Stephen B

2011-08-01

Age-related increases in ectopic fat accumulation are associated with greater risk for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and physical disability. Reducing skeletal muscle fat and preserving lean tissue are associated with improved physical function in older adults. PPARγ-agonist treatment decreases abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and resistance training preserves lean tissue, but their effect on ectopic fat depots in nondiabetic overweight adults is unclear. We examined the influence of pioglitazone and resistance training on body composition in older (65-79 years) nondiabetic overweight/obese men (n = 48, BMI = 32.3 ± 3.8 kg/m(2)) and women (n = 40, BMI = 33.3 ± 4.9 kg/m(2)) during weight loss. All participants underwent a 16-week hypocaloric weight-loss program and were randomized to receive pioglitazone (30 mg/day) or no pioglitazone with or without resistance training, following a 2 × 2 factorial design. Regional body composition was measured at baseline and follow-up using computed tomography (CT). Lean mass was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Men lost 6.6% and women lost 6.5% of initial body mass. The percent of fat loss varied across individual compartments. Men who were given pioglitazone lost more visceral abdominal fat than men who were not given pioglitazone (-1,160 vs. -647 cm(3), P = 0.007). Women who were given pioglitazone lost less thigh subcutaneous fat (-104 vs. -298 cm(3), P = 0.002). Pioglitazone did not affect any other outcomes. Resistance training diminished thigh muscle loss in men and women (resistance training vs. no resistance training men: -43 vs. -88 cm(3), P = 0.005; women: -34 vs. -59 cm(3), P = 0.04). In overweight/obese older men undergoing weight loss, pioglitazone increased visceral fat loss and resistance training reduced skeletal muscle loss. Additional studies are needed to clarify the observed gender differences and evaluate how these changes in body composition influence functional status.

Physical function mitigates the adverse effects of being thin on mortality in a free-living older Taiwanese cohort.

PubMed

Lee, M-S; Chen, R C-Y; Chang, Y-H; Huang, Y-C; Wahlqvist, M L

2012-01-01

To examine the significance of underweight and physical function as well as their interaction on mortality in the aged. Prospective cohort. The Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan during 1999-2000. Total of 1435 representative free-living elders (739 men and 696 women). Body composition was assessed by various anthropometrics. Physical function score (PF, ranged 0-100) was derived from the SF-36(®). Death by December 31, 2006 was the outcome measure. After 7.9 (median: 7.0) years follow-up, 381 (223 men, 158 women) of 1435 eligible participants had died. Those with the lowest PF (<45) had 3.43 (hazards ratio (HR), 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.20-5.36) times the all-cause mortality risk of the highest PF (≥58). Interactions for PF and BMI (P =0.02) and for PF and wrist circumference (P =0.09) on death were found after controlling for potential confounders. Jointly, compared to normal-BMI-highest-PF, the greatest HR for death occurred where BMI <18.5 kg/m2 was combined with the lowest-PF after covariate adjustments (HR = 8.67, 95% CI = 3.77-20.0). Similarly, the lowest arm muscle circumference (MAMC)-PF had a HR of 5.22 compared to mid-MAMC-highest-PF. However, percent and absolute body fat, estimated by bioelectrical impedance, was comparable to non-sarcopenic individuals. Thin elderly Taiwanese with sarcopenia, and less skeleton, are at the most risk of death, especially if physical function is limited.

Association of perceived stress with depressive symptoms in older Taiwanese: Results of a population-based study.

PubMed

Tsai, Alan C; Chi, Shu-Huang; Wang, Jiun-Yi

2015-05-01

We determined the association of perceived stress with depressive symptoms in older Taiwanese. We analyzed the 2007 dataset of the Taiwan Longitudinal Survey on Aging, a population-based survey of 4534 persons aged ≥54 years. Perceived stress was based on respondents' reports of whether each of the five situations (own health, financial status, job, getting along with family members and family members' problems) "makes you feel stressed or anxious". Participants were rated with the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (score 0-30; ≥10 as having depressive symptoms). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the association of each perceived stress situation with depressive symptoms in persons aged 54-64 years (middle-aged), 65-74 years (young-old) and ≥75 years (old-old). Over one-third of respondents were stressed over their own health. The middle-aged respondents who were stressed were 2.0-10.9-fold as likely to have depressive symptoms, the young-old were 3.1-8.1-fold as likely and the old-old were 4.3-12.6-fold as likely compared with the non-stressed respondents (all P < 0.001). Financial stress and its association with depressive symptoms deceased with increasing age. Nearly half of the Taiwanese older adults had concerns over family members' problems and the concern was associated with depressive symptoms in the younger age groups. Relationship strain with family members existed in <10% of older Taiwanese, but the association with depressive symptoms was strong. Job-related stress was not associated with depressive symptoms. Perceived stress and its association with depressive symptoms vary according to stress situations and age. The present findings should be useful for developing appropriate strategies to reduce the risk of depression in older adults. © 2014 Japan Geriatrics Society.

Vitamin D decreases the secretion of eotaxin and RANTES in nasal polyp fibroblasts derived from Taiwanese patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

PubMed

Wang, Ling-Feng; Chien, Chen-Yu; Tai, Chih-Feng; Chiang, Feng-Yu; Chen, Jeff Yi-Fu

2015-02-01

Eosinophils are important inflammatory cells involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Vitamin D and its derivatives, in addition to their classic role as regulators of electrolytes homeostasis, have modulatory effects in immunological and inflammatory responses. Such properties suggest that vitamin D might also play a role in inflammatory airway diseases such as CRSwNP. In this study, we investigated the effect of vitamin D derivatives (calcitriol and tacalcitol) on the secretion of eotaxin and Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES), the two major eosinophil chemoattractants, in fibroblasts derived from the polyps of Taiwanese CRSwNP patients. Patients diagnosed with eosinophilic CRSwNP but without malignancies or asthma and undergoing elective endoscopic sinus surgery were recruited. Three primary fibroblast cultures were established using the polyp specimens obtained from these patients. The third to eighth passages of the fibroblasts were used for in vitro studies. Nasal polyp-derived fibroblasts were stimulated with IL-1β (10 ng/mL) for 24 hours, followed by replacement with media alone or with calcitriol or tacalcitol (10 μM) and incubation for another 24 hours. After the treatments, the levels of secreted eotaxin and RANTES were evaluated by ELISA assays. The results showed that IL-1β could substantially stimulate the secretion of eotaxin (p < 0.01) and RANTES (p < 0.01) in nasal polyp-derived fibroblasts. More importantly, this stimulatory effect was significantly suppressed by adding calcitriol (p ≤ 0.002 for eotaxin and p ≤ 0.008 for RANTES) or tacalcitol (p ≤ 0.009 for eotaxin and p ≤ 0.02 for RANTES). Therefore, the inhibitory effect of vitamin D derivatives on eotaxin and RANTES secretion might shed light not only on the disease mechanism, but also on the potential use of vitamin D in pharmacotherapy of Taiwanese patients with CRSwNP. Copyright © 2014. Published by

[The Relationship Between Coping Behaviors and Symptom Distress in Elderly Patients With Cancer Undergoing Initial Chemotherapy].

PubMed

Wu, Shih-Ping; Hsu, Ya-Chuan

2016-12-01

treatment had no significant influence of symptom distress. Findings confirmed the relationship between coping behavior and symptom distress in elderly Taiwanese cancer patients undergoing initial chemotherapy. The results suggest that healthcare providers may use interventions that target patient coping behavior in order to alleviate the chemotherapy-induced symptoms of distress in elderly cancer patients.

Evaluation of using the Chinese version of the Spirituality Index of Well-Being (SIWB) scale in Taiwanese elders.

PubMed

Lee, Yi-Hui; Salman, Ali

2016-11-01

Spirituality and spiritual well-being have emerged as important indicators for one's quality of life and health outcomes. Nursing as a profession is concerned with a holistic approach to improve health and overall well-being. To evaluate the outcomes of holistic nursing interventions, using valid and reliable instruments to assess spiritual well-being becomes necessary. There is a lack of instruments for measuring spiritual well-being in Chinese populations. Little has been known about the feasibility of using the Spirituality Index of Well-Being (SIWB) in Taiwanese elders. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the uses of the translated Chinese version of the Spirituality Index of Well-Being (SIWB-C) with Taiwanese elders. A total of 150 individual who were 65 years old or older and living in southern Taiwan were recruited from a public community center. A four-step procedure was used to translate the English version of the SIWB to the traditional Chinese language. Internal consistency, factor analysis, and correlation coefficient were conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the SIWB-C. The SIWB-C demonstrated a high internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha .95. The construct validity of SIWB-C was supported by factor analysis and by significant correlations with its subscales and the CES-D scale. The psychometric analysis indicates that the SIWB-C is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring spiritual well-being. This instrument provides a feasible and valid approach for assessing Taiwanese elders' spiritual well-being in the future. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Japanese and Taiwanese pelagic longline fleet dynamics and the impacts of climate change in the southern Indian Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michael, P. E.; Wilcox, C.; Tuck, G. N.; Hobday, A. J.; Strutton, P. G.

2017-06-01

Climate change is projected to continue shifting the distribution of marine species, leading to changes in local assemblages and different interactions with human activities. With regard to fisheries, understanding the relationship between fishing fleets, target species catch per unit effort (CPUE), and the environment enhances our ability to anticipate fisher response and is an essential step towards proactive management. Here, we explore the potential impact of climate change in the southern Indian Ocean by modelling Japanese and Taiwanese pelagic longline fleet dynamics. We quantify the mean and variability of target species CPUE and the relative value and cost of fishing in different areas. Using linear mixed models, we identify fleet-specific effort allocation strategies most related to observed effort and predict the future distribution of effort and tuna catch under climate change for 2063-2068. The Japanese fleet's strategy targets high-value species and minimizes the variability in CPUE of the primary target species. Conversely, the Taiwanese strategy indicated flexible targeting of a broad range of species, fishing in areas of high and low variability in catch, and minimizing costs. The projected future mean and variability in CPUE across species suggest a slight increase in CPUE in currently high CPUE areas for most species. The corresponding effort projections suggest a slight increase in Japanese effort in the western and eastern study area, and Taiwanese effort increasing east of Madagascar. This approach provides a useful method for managers to explore the impacts of different fishing and fleet management strategies for the future.

Personal and family perfectionism of Taiwanese college students: relationships with depression, self-esteem, achievement motivation, and academic grades.

PubMed

Wang, Kenneth T

2012-01-01

An increasing number of perfectionism studies have been conducted across different countries outside of the Western framework. Using an international egalitarian approach that adopts indigenous frameworks and concepts from the cultural context of the population studied is imperative. This study examines different groups of perfectionists with a sample of 348 Taiwanese college students, emphasizing the collectivistic culture. In particular, this is a follow-up study to further explore characteristics of a group with low standards/high discrepancy--a feeling that they are not good enough despite having low standards--found in a previous study with Taiwanese students. More specifically, this study investigates whether the source of the high discrepancy scores among this group is related to having higher perfectionistic standards from their family. Perfectionism was examined not only from a personal/individualistic perspective, but also from a familistic dimension to reflect Taiwanese collectivistic cultural values. Results partially supported the hypotheses--this group reported having higher family discrepancy, but not family standards, than nonperfectionists. However, this group of participants reported lower academic grades, which implies the possibility of their discrepancy being associated with poorer performance. Four cluster groups--adaptive perfectionists, maladaptive perfectionists, nonperfectionists, and those with low standards/high discrepancy--were compared on their levels of depression, self-esteem, achievement motivation, and academic grades. Maladaptive perfectionists reported the highest depression level, while adaptive perfectionists reported the highest self-esteem. Results also show that aspects of personal perfectionism and family perfectionism related to self-esteem differently among this sample. Findings and implications are discussed with consideration of the collectivistic cultural context in Taiwan.

Urinary Phthalate Metabolite Concentrations and Reproductive Outcomes among Women Undergoing in Vitro Fertilization: Results from the EARTH Study.

PubMed

Hauser, Russ; Gaskins, Audrey J; Souter, Irene; Smith, Kristen W; Dodge, Laura E; Ehrlich, Shelley; Meeker, John D; Calafat, Antonia M; Williams, Paige L

2016-06-01

KW, Dodge LE, Ehrlich S, Meeker JD, Calafat AM, Williams PL, for the EARTH Study Team. 2016. Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and reproductive outcomes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: results from the EARTH study. Environ Health Perspect 124:831-839; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1509760.

Short-form Mini-Nutritional Assessment with either BMI or calf circumference is effective in rating the nutritional status of elderly Taiwanese -- results of a national cohort study.

PubMed

Tsai, Alan C; Chang, Tsui-Lan; Wang, Jiun-Yi

2013-09-28

The present study was aimed to validate two normalised short-form (SF) Mini-Nutritional Assessments (MNA) that contained either BMI (Taiwan version 1, T1) or calf circumference (CC; Taiwan version 2, T2) for rating the nutritional status of elderly Taiwanese. Both versions adopted Taiwanese anthropometric cut-offs, but T2 further had the BMI item replaced by CC. We compared the ability of the two SF in rating the nutritional status of 2674 elderly Taiwanese in the 1999 ‘Taiwan Longitudinal Survey on Aging’ with their respective full versions. We evaluated the agreement between the SF and full scales with weighted κ and performed Cox regression analysis for the follow-up 4-year mortality according to nutritional status rated at baseline. The results showed that the agreements between the respective SF and the full MNA were good (weighted κ: 0·679 for T1 and 0·667 for T2). Both SF performed well in predicting follow-up 4-year mortality relative to the full MNA. In conclusion, MNA-T1-SF and -T2-SF have good consistency with the full MNA and have quite comparable abilities in rating the nutritional status of elderly Taiwanese. Both SF versions appear appropriate for functioning as stand-alone units for rating the nutritional status of the elderly in community-living settings or the general population.

The Associations between Health Literacy, Reasons for Seeking Health Information, and Information Sources Utilized by Taiwanese Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wei, Mi-Hsiu

2014-01-01

Objective: To determine the associations between health literacy, the reasons for seeking health information, and the information sources utilized by Taiwanese adults. Method: A cross-sectional survey of 752 adults residing in rural and urban areas of Taiwan was conducted via questionnaires. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used for…

The Entanglement of Emotion and Reality: An Investigation of the Taiwanese People's Attitudes towards Taigi

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsu, Hui-ju

2018-01-01

This study adopted both indirect and direct methods to probe into Taiwanese people's attitudes towards Taigi. The indirect method involved a verbal guise experiment with four Taigi speakers--Old-H (higher competence), Old-L (lower competence), Young- H, and Young-L. Participants, including old and young, must complete a questionnaire indirectly…

Situational leadership style as a predictor of success and productivity among Taiwanese business organizations.

PubMed

Silverthorne, C; Wang, T H

2001-07-01

The present study was an evaluation of the impact of Taiwanese leadership styles on the productivity of Taiwanese business organizations. Specifically, it looked at the impact that both adaptive and nonadaptive leaders have on 6 measures of productivity: absenteeism, turnover rate, quality of work, reject rates, profitability, and units produced. The results indicated that the greater the level of adaptability, the more productive the organization is likely to be. Although not all of the computed correlations were statistically significant, they were all in the predicted directions. In particular, the findings for units produced and reject rates were consistently statistically significant. The study was also an examination of the usefulness of the Leadership Effectiveness and Adaptability Description (LEAD) questionnaire (P. Hersey & K. Blanchard, 1988), which appeared to be an accurate predictor of adaptability and valid for use in Taiwan. The final part of this study was an investigation of whether successful companies were more likely to have a greater percentage of adaptive leaders than unsuccessful companies. The data supported this expectation, although it is suggested that caution be used in the interpretation of this particular finding because it could have several different explanations. Overall, the evidence supported the value of adaptive leadership styles in high-technology industries in Taiwan.

Decreased live births among women of Middle Eastern/North African ethnicity compared to Caucasian women.

PubMed

Salem, W H; Abdullah, A; Abuzeid, O; Bendikson, K; Sharara, F I; Abuzeid, M

2017-05-01

The objective of this study is to determine if IVF outcome disparities exist among MENA women in the USA in comparison to a control group of Caucasian women. A retrospective cohort study comparing MENA (N = 190) and Caucasian (N = 200) women undergoing their first IVF cycle between 5/2006 and 5/2014 was carried out at an academically affiliated fertility practice. All MENA cycles during that time period undergoing IVF/ICSI using autologous embryos and blastocyst transfers were compared to a control group of Caucasian women. MENA women were significantly younger (32.9 vs 34.5, P < 0.005) and had a lower BMI (25.2 vs 27.1, P < 0.001). Male factor infertility was higher among partners of MENA women (62 vs 50%, P < 0.05). MENA women experienced decreased live birth rates per blastocyst transfer compared to Caucasian women after controlling for age and BMI (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.85 P = 0.007). The odds of a miscarriage were also significantly higher among MENA women (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.04-6.27 P = 0.036). Middle Eastern/North African women have worse IVF outcomes with decreased live birth rates per blastocyst transfer and increased miscarriage rates compared to Caucasian women.

Comparison of free fatty acid content of human milk from Taiwanese mothers and infant formula.

PubMed

Chuang, Chih-Kuang; Yeung, Chun-Yan; Jim, Wai-Tim; Lin, Shuan-Pei; Wang, Tuen-Jen; Huang, Sung-Fa; Liu, Hsuan-Liang

2013-12-01

Few studies on the free fatty acid (FFA) content of milk from non-Caucasian mothers have been published. We compared the FFA concentrations in human milk (HM) from Taiwanese mothers of preterm (PTHM) and full-term infants (FTHM) and in infant formula (IF). Thirty-eight HM samples were collected from 23 healthy lactating mothers and 15 mothers who gave birth prematurely (range 29-35 weeks, mean 33 weeks). The regular formula and preterm infant formula (PTIF) for three brands of powdered IF were also evaluated. Milk samples were extracted and methylated for analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Reference values for individual FFAs in breast milk from Taiwanese mothers were determined. The mean total FFAs were significantly higher in IF (21,554 μmol/L) and PTIF (19,836 μmol/L) than in FTHM (8,540 μmol/L) and PTHM (9,259 μmol/L) (p < 0.05). Saturated FAs were predominant in all types of milk (43.1% for FTHM, 42.8% for PTHM, 45.5% for IF and 45.3% for PTIF). Monounsaturated FAs were significantly higher in IF and PTIF (42.6% and 43.9%) than in FTHM and PTHM (37.7% and 39.5%), and polyunsaturated FAs in FTHM and PTHM (20% and 18.2%) were higher than in IF and PTIF (11.9% and 10.9%). HM had a more desirable linoleic acid/α-linolenic acid ratio than IF. No significant differences in individual FFAs in FTHM were observed among three lactating periods. FFA levels in HM from Taiwanese mothers are in agreement with results for different geographically distinct populations. Nevertheless, the FFA content in IF did not meet well with HM, particularly, the excess additives of saturated and monounsaturated FAs, and the shortage of polyunsaturated FAs. The effect of variations in FFA content in IF on future unfavorable outcomes such as obesity, atopic syndrome, and less optimal infant neurodevelopment should be further investigated. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A prospective investigation of perceived stress, infertility-related stress, and cortisol levels in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: influence on embryo quality and clinical pregnancy rate.

PubMed

Cesta, Carolyn E; Johansson, Anna L V; Hreinsson, Julius; Rodriguez-Wallberg, Kenny A; Olofsson, Jan I; Holte, Jan; Wramsby, Håkan; Wramsby, Margareta; Cnattingius, Sven; Skalkidou, Alkistis; Nyman Iliadou, Anastasia

2018-03-01

Women undergoing fertility treatment experience high levels of stress. However, it remains uncertain if and how stress influences in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle outcome. This study aimed to investigate whether self-reported perceived and infertility-related stress and cortisol levels were associated with IVF cycle outcomes. A prospective cohort of 485 women receiving fertility treatment was recruited from September 2011 to December 2013 and followed until December 2014. Data were collected by online questionnaire prior to IVF start and from clinical charts. Salivary cortisol levels were measured. Associations between stress and cycle outcomes (clinical pregnancy and indicators of oocyte and embryo quality) were measured by logistic or linear regression, adjusted for age, body mass index, education, smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption, shiftwork and night work. Ultrasound verified pregnancy rate was 26.6% overall per cycle started and 32.9% per embryo transfer. Stress measures were not associated with clinical pregnancy: when compared with the lowest categories, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the highest categories of the perceived stress score was 1.04 (95% CI 0.58-1.87), infertility-related stress score was OR = 1.18 (95% CI 0.56-2.47), morning and evening cortisol was OR = 1.18 (95% CI 0.60-2.29) and OR = 0.66 (95% CI 0.34-1.30), respectively. Perceived stress, infertility-related stress, and cortisol levels were not associated with IVF cycle outcomes. These findings are potentially reassuring to women undergoing fertility treatment with concerns about the influence of stress on their treatment outcome. © 2017 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Employment insecurity, workplace justice and employees' burnout in Taiwanese employees: a validation study.

PubMed

Cheng, Yawen; Huang, Hsun-Yin; Li, Pei-Rong; Hsu, Jin-Huei

2011-12-01

Employment insecurity and workplace injustice are important psychosocial hazards. However, few studies of these associations have been conducted in Chinese-speaking populations. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of employment insecurity and workplace justice scales, and examined their associations with the levels of workers' burnout status in Taiwanese workers. Study subjects were participants in a national survey of employees in Taiwan, consisting of 9,636 men and 7,406 women. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess employment insecurity (six items) and workplace justice (nine items), as well as other psychosocial work characteristics. After the survey was completed, in-depth interviews with 10 employees were conducted for a qualitative evaluation. Cronbach's α was 0.87 or greater for the workplace justice scale and 0.76 or greater for the employment insecurity scale, indicating satisfactory internal consistencies. Exploratory factor analyses revealed a factor pattern consistent with the theoretically assumed structure, except that the items with statements in reversed direction were loaded on separated factors. Higher levels of employment insecurity and lower levels of workplace justice were associated with higher burnout scores. However, results from the qualitative interviews suggested that some questionnaire items contained double-barreled questions, and some questions were misinterpreted or considered irrelevant by participants. The Chinese version of employment insecurity and workplace justice scales were found to have satisfactory reliability and validity. However, improvement of these scales is still needed.

How Did the Meanings Constructed by Taiwanese Pre-Service Teachers from Educational News Media Affect Their Beliefs?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Shih-Hsiung; Tsao, Shih-Chieh

2013-01-01

The study investigates how Taiwanese pre-service teachers make meaning after reading positive or negative news coverage of educational events and how they construct meaning impact their pedagogical beliefs. An experiment with a two-group pre-test-post-test design, consisting of a positive and negative news group, is conducted. Multimedia news…

The follicular hormonal profile in low-responder patients undergoing unstimulated cycles: Is it hypoandrogenic?

PubMed

de los Santos, M J; García-Laez, V; Beltrán, D; Labarta, E; Zuzuarregui, Jose Luis; Alamá, P; Gámiz, P; Crespo, J; Bosch, E; Pellicer, A

2013-01-01

What is the final hormonal milieu of pre-ovulatory follicles of low-responder (LR) patients undergoing unstimulated cycles? Neither androgen secretion nor LH was impaired in pre-ovulatory follicles of LR women. Therapies currently used to improve ovarian response in LR women have an impact on the final hormonal follicular milieu, and these changes are believed to be partially responsible for determining the success rate in these women. Surprisingly, as far as we know, there is no report of the final hormonal profile of LR women undergoing unstimulated cycles or evidence that follicular androgen secretion in LR women is impaired. A prospective case-control study including 94 women, 36 normal controls and 58 LR patients (19 Young ≤ 35 years LR and 39 Aged >35 years LR) from 2009 to 2011. Fifty-eight LR women were divided into two groups: Young LR (age ≤ 35; n = 19) and Aged LR (ALR; age >35; n = 39). The control group (group C) comprised 36 egg donors undergoing an unstimulated cycle in our IVF unit. Serum and follicular fluid hormonal concentrations for estradiol (E₂), progesterone, testosterone and androstendione were measured. The spindle parameters of metaphase II oocytes generated from these groups were also analysed. Pre-ovulatory follicles from LR patients had similar androgenic and LH concentrations to those observed in the control group. However, higher intrafollicular concentrations of FSH and progesterone were observed in ALR. Moreover, no differences were found for the spindle evaluation of oocytes between groups by the Oosight technology. The controls were younger and had a lower BMI than the LR women. The sample size available restricted statistical power. This study suggests that the problem with LR women is not the final pre-ovulatory follicular androgen concentration since this is similar to normal responders, but in the ability to respond to controlled ovarian stimulation protocols. Therefore, efforts should be focused on long

Personal values, advertising, and smoking motivation in Taiwanese adolescents.

PubMed

Chang, Chingching

2005-01-01

This article explores the role that personal values plays in motivating Taiwanese adolescents to smoke. In a nationwide survey of high school students, smokers attached greater importance to hedonic gratification values and less importance to idealism values than did nonsmokers. Hedonic gratification values were associated with favorable attitudes toward smoking, while idealism values were associated with unfavorable attitudes toward smoking. Attitudes toward smoking predicted adolescent smoking behavior. Evidence suggested that advertising plays an important role in motivating adolescents with hedonic gratification values to smoke. First, in the survey, hedonic gratification values were associated with paying attention to and expressing favorable attitudes toward cigarette advertising. Second, a content analysis of cigarette ads in magazines found hedonic gratification values to be the most commonly portrayed values, occurring in 62.7% of ads.

Induction of labor versus expectant management for women with a prior cesarean delivery.

PubMed

Palatnik, Anna; Grobman, William A

2015-03-01

Previous studies of induction of labor in the setting of trial of labor after cesarean have compared women undergoing trial of labor after cesarean to those undergoing spontaneous labor. However, the clinically relevant comparison is to those undergoing expectant management. The objective of this study was to compare obstetric outcomes between women undergoing induction of labor and those undergoing expectant management ≥39 weeks of gestation. This was a secondary analysis of data from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Cesarean Registry that included women with singleton gestations at a gestational age of ≥39 weeks and a history of 1 low transverse cesarean delivery. Outcomes of induction at 39, 40, and 41 weeks were compared to expectant management beyond each gestational age period using univariable and multivariable analyses. Women with scheduled repeat cesarean deliveries done for the indication of prior cesarean delivery were excluded from the analysis. In all, 12,676 women were eligible for analysis. The rate of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) was higher among women undergoing induction of labor at 39 weeks compared to expectant management (73.8% vs 61.3%, P < .001). The risk of uterine rupture also was higher among women undergoing induction of labor at 39 weeks compared to expectant management (1.4% vs 0.5%, P = .006, respectively). In multivariable analysis, induction of labor at 39 weeks remained associated with a significantly higher chance of VBAC and uterine rupture (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.67; and odds ratio, 2.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-6.12, respectively). Induction of labor at 39 weeks, when compared to expectant management, was associated with a higher chance of VBAC but also of uterine rupture. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Subjective quality of life and suicidal behavior among Taiwanese schizophrenia patients.

PubMed

Kao, Yu-Chen; Liu, Yia-Ping; Cheng, Tsung-Hsing; Chou, Ming-Kuen

2012-04-01

Research of suicidal behavior in individuals with schizophrenia has often suggested that clinical characteristics and symptoms likely influence a patient's suicidal risk. However, there is a lack of research describing the link between patients' subjective quality of life (SQOL) and suicidal behavior in non-Western countries. Therefore, the current study attempts to explore how schizophrenia patients' SQOL and their suicidal behavior are related in a Taiwanese sample. In this study, 102 schizophrenia outpatients were investigated using the Taiwanese World Health Organization Quality of Life Schedule-Brief Version (WHO-QOL-BREF-TW), several Beck-Related symptom rating scales, and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for psychopathology. These patients were also evaluated for suicidal risk using the critical items of the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) and lifetime suicide attempts. Statistical analyses, including independent sample t tests, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and logistic stepwise regression models were completed. Compared with the non-suicidal group, suicidal patients had significantly lower scores in SQOL domains. The differences in social domain remained significant after adjusting for depressive symptoms. In multiple logistic regression analyses, level of depressive and psychotic symptoms increased and poor social and psychological SQOL were significant contributors to suicidal behavior. Having removed depressive symptoms from the model, only dissatisfaction with social SQOL was associated with heightened suicidal risk. Schizophrenia is associated with a high suicidal risk, of which depressive and psychotic symptoms are the major correlates. Again, the present study confirms and extends previous research showing that dissatisfied SQOL, particularly dissatisfaction with social relationships, should be considered in the assessment of suicidal risk in outpatients with schizophrenia, even when accounting other possible confounding factor

Cultural and hierarchical influences: ethical issues faced by Taiwanese nursing students.

PubMed

Yeh, Mei-Yu; Wu, Shu-Mei; Che, Hui-Lian

2010-05-01

OBJECTIVES Improving nurses' competence in resolving clinical ethical issues must start with ethics education in training and clinical practice. However, many students complain that they cannot apply classroom learning to actual clinical scenarios. This study explored ethical issues and dilemmas, and their impact experienced by student nurses in clinical practice. METHODS Focus groups were conducted with 44 first-year student nurses from a 2-year college course in northern Taiwan. Interviews were tape-recorded and verbatim transcripts were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS Students expressed and discussed their views in eight focus groups. Analysis of interviews revealed five themes: frustration at inability to help some patients; oppression caused by lower status; lack of honesty and ethical courage; powerlessness, and self-encouragement in adversity. CONCLUSIONS Taiwanese nurse ethics training was only recently introduced and the curriculum has not addressed the clinical reality in Taiwan. This reality includes limitations arising from the medical hierarchy and the socio-cultural role of families in medical decision making, which may inhibit ethical judgements and decision making. In clinical dilemmas, the most common problems faced by Taiwanese nursing students involved not knowing how to handle some situations, inability to abide by principles, and a lack of appropriate role models. Hence, we suggest that nursing ethics education should: (i) integrate scenarios involving ethical dilemmas into daily routines; (ii) give students opportunities to discuss their feelings about their experiences; (iii) allow teachers and students to talk about scenarios with ethical implications, and (iv) provide students with opportunities to reflect on clinical scenarios in order to clarify their values and learn how to respect the value of life.

The dimensions of responsiveness of a health system: a Taiwanese perspective.

PubMed

Hsu, Chih-Cheng; Chen, Likwang; Hu, Yu-Whuei; Yip, Winnie; Shu, Chen-Chun

2006-03-17

Responsiveness is an indicator used to measure how well a health system performs relative to non-health aspects. This study assessed whether seven dimensions proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to measure responsiveness (dignity, autonomy, confidentiality, prompt attention, social support, basic amenities, and choices of providers) are applicable in evaluating the health system of Taiwan. A key informant survey and focus group research were used in this study. The translated WHO proposed questionnaire was sent to 205 nominated key informants by mail, and 132 (64.4%) were returned. We used principal component analysis to extract factors. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the total score and the extracted factors. A qualitative content analysis was also carried out in focus group research. Principal component analysis produced five factors (respect, access, confidentiality, basic amenities, and social support) that explained 63.5% of the total variances. These five factors demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and four of them (except social support) were significantly correlated with the total responsiveness score. The focus group interviews revealed health providers' communication ability and medical ethics were also highly appraised by Taiwanese. When the performance of a health system is to be evaluated, elements of responsiveness proposed by WHO may have to be tailored to fit different cultural backgrounds. Four key features illustrate the uniqueness of Taiwanese perspectives: the idea of autonomy may not be conceptualized, prompt attention and choice of providers are on the same track, social support during care is trivially correlated to the total responsiveness score, and accountability of health providers is deemed essential to a health system.

Relationship of Zolpidem and Cancer Risk: A Taiwanese Population-Based Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Kao, Chia-Hung; Sun, Li-Min; Liang, Ji-An; Chang, Shih-Ni; Sung, Fung-Chang; Muo, Chih-Hsin

2012-01-01

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the use of zolpidem and subsequent cancer risk in Taiwanese patients. Methods We used data from the National Health Insurance system of Taiwan to investigate whether use of zolpidem was related to cancer risk. For the study cohort, we identified 14,950 patients who had received a first prescription for zolpidem from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2000. For each zolpidem user, we selected randomly 4 comparison patients without a history of using zolpidem who were frequency-matched by sex, age, and year of the index date. Incidence rates of all cancers and selected site-specific cancers were measured by the end of 2009, and related hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the cancer were measured as well. Results The risk of developing any cancer was greater in patients using zolpidem than in nonusers (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.55-1.82). The stratified analysis showed that the overall HR for high-dosage zolpidem (≥300 mg/y) was 2.38. The site-specific cancer risk was the highest for oral cancer (HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.57-3.56), followed by kidney cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, and bladder cancer (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.06-2.41). Men were at higher risk than women. Conclusion This population-based study revealed some unexpected findings, suggesting that the use of zolpidem may be associated with an increased risk of subsequent cancer. Further large-scale and in-depth investigations in this area are warranted. PMID:22560522

Dermatological toxicity in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

PubMed

Gozzo, Thais de Oliveira; Panobianco, Marislei Sanches; Clapis, Maria José; de Almeida, Ana Maria

2010-01-01

This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of skin toxicity caused by drugs used in the protocol of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy among women with breast cancer. Patient records of 72 women who were subject to this therapy between 2003 and 2006 were assessed. Of the 558 cycles of chemotherapy, 152 adverse events were registered. There were 37 registrations of dermatological toxicity, of those, 20 were extravasations that affected 17 women. Nine reports of hardened local injury, local fibrosis, pain, and hyperemia were registered during neoadjuvancy. In adjuvancy, among the 11 extravasations registered there were reports of hardened local injury, fibrosis and local pain. Lack of follow-up records for both periods was observed. Registration of the events and reports by the nursing team are essential to monitor the sites of venous puncture during the chemotherapy treatment, besides measuring and making a photographic record of the site.

Perceived knowledge and clinical comfort with genetics among Taiwanese nurses enrolled in a RN-to-BSN program.

PubMed

Hsiao, Chiu-Yueh; Lee, Shu-Hsin; Chen, Suh-Jen; Lin, Shu-Chin

2013-08-01

Advances in genetics have had a profound impact on health care. Yet, many nurses, as well as other health care providers, have limited genetic knowledge and feel uncomfortable integrating genetics into their practice. Very little is known about perceived genetic knowledge and clinical comfort among Taiwanese nurses enrolled in a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. To examine perceived knowledge and clinical comfort with genetics among Taiwanese nurses enrolled in a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and to assess how genetics has been integrated into their past and current nursing programs. The study also sought to examine correlations among perceived knowledge, integration of genetics into the nursing curriculum, and clinical comfort with genetics. A descriptive, cross-sectional study. Taiwanese nurses enrolled in a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program were recruited. A total of 190 of 220 nurses returned the completed survey (86.36% response rate). Descriptive statistics and the Pearson product-moment correlation were used for data analysis. Most nurses indicated limited perceived knowledge and clinical comfort with genetics. Curricular hours focused on genetics in a current nursing program were greater than those in past nursing programs. The use of genetic materials, attendance at genetic workshops and conferences, and clinically relevant genetics in nursing practice significantly related with perceived knowledge and clinical comfort with genetics. However, there were no correlations between prior genetic-based health care, perceived knowledge, and clinical comfort with genetics. This study demonstrated the need for emphasizing genetic education and practice to ensure health-related professionals become knowledgeable about genetic information. Given the rapidly developing genetic revolution, nurses and other health care providers need to utilize genetic discoveries to optimize health outcomes

Germline variations at JAK2, TERT, HBS1L-MYB and MECOM and the risk of myeloproliferative neoplasms in Taiwanese population

PubMed Central

Chiang, Yi-Hao; Chang, Yu-Cheng; Lin, Huan-Chau; Huang, Ling; Cheng, Chun-Chia; Wang, Wei-Ting; Cheng, Hung-I; Su, Nai-Wen; Chen, Caleb Gon-Shen; Lin, Johnson; Chang, Yi-Fang; Chang, Ming-Chih; Hsieh, Ruey-Kuen; Chou, Wen-Chien; Lim, Ken-Hong; Kuo, Yuan-Yeh

2017-01-01

Germline variations at JAK2, TERT, HBS1L-MYB and MECOM have been found to associate with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) in European populations. Whether these germline variations are associated with MPNs in Taiwanese population is obscure. Here we aimed to evaluate the association of five germline variations (JAK2 46/1 haplotype tagged by rs12343867, JAK2 intron 8 rs12339666, TERT rs2736100, HBS1L-MYB rs9376092 and MECOM rs2201862) and the risk of MPNs in Taiwanese population. A total of 178 MPN patients (109 essential thrombocythemia, 54 polycythemia vera and 15 primary myelofibrosis) were enrolled into this study. The information of 17033 control subjects was obtained from Taiwan Biobank database. The JAK2 46/1 haplotype, JAK2 rs12339666 and TERT rs2736100 were significantly associated with Taiwanese MPNs (P = 3.6×10-19, 1.9×10-19 and 3.1×10-6, respectively), and JAK2V617F-positive MPNs (n=121) (P = 5.6×10-21, 4.4×10-21 and 8.6×10-7, respectively). In JAK2V617F-negative cases (n=55), only the JAK2 46/1 haplotype and JAK2 rs12339666 remained statistically significant (P= 0.009 and 0.007, respectively). When stratified by disease subtypes, the JAK2 46/1 haplotype and JAK2 rs12339666 were significantly associated with all three MPN subtypes, but TERT rs2736100 was only associated with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera. We did not find any association of these five SNPs with CALR mutations in our cohort. Furthermore, the risk alleles of MECOM rs2201862 and HBS1L-MYB rs9376092 were demonstrated to be negatively associated with the risk of developing polycythemia vera. In conclusion, germline variations at JAK2 (both the 46/1 haplotype and rs12339666) and TERT rs2736100 were associated with MPNs in Taiwanese population. PMID:29100304

Rhetorical Structure and Linguistic Features of Case Presentations in Case Reports in Taiwanese and International Medical Journals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hung, Hsuan; Chen, Pi-Ching; Tsai, Jing-Jane

2012-01-01

The case presentation is the core section of a medical case report. Issues in the teaching of case report writing have recently been the subject of great interest in medical education, especially in the era of globalization. Given that Taiwanese medical students, residents and junior physicians are requested to write case reports in English and…

The associations between suicidal ideation and attempt and anxiety symptoms and the demographic, psychological, and social moderators in Taiwanese adolescents.

PubMed

Yen, Cheng-Fang; Lai, Chien-Yu; Ko, Chih-Hung; Liu, Tai-Ling; Tang, Tze-Chun; Wu, Yu-Yu; Yang, Pinchen

2014-01-01

The objectives of this study were to examine the associations between suicidal ideation and attempt and anxiety symptoms and the moderators in 5,027 Taiwanese adolescents. The associations between suicidal ideation and attempt and anxiety symptoms on the Taiwanese version of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC-T) were examined using logistic regression analysis. The moderating effects of demographic (gender and age), psychological (problematic alcohol use, severe depressive symptoms, and low self-esteem), and social factors (bullying victimization, and low family function) on the associations were examined. Adolescents who had anxiety symptoms were more likely to have suicidal ideation and attempt than those who did not have anxiety symptoms. Bullying victimization had a moderating effect on the association between suicidal ideation and anxiety symptoms. Assessment of suicidal ideation and attempt should be routine practice among adolescents who present with anxiety symptoms.

Socio-demographic profile of women undergoing abortion in a tertiary centre.

PubMed

Bahadur, Anupama; Mittal, Suneeta; Sharma, Jai Bhagwan; Sehgal, Rohini

2008-10-01

Induced abortion is the most controversial area of family planning and it is often the most important method of fertility regulation by a community to control family size. Although abortion has been greatly liberalized, the annual number of legal abortions performed in India is 0.5 million of the annual estimated 6 million abortions. This cross-sectional, descriptive, population based study of the socio-demographic profile of women was conducted between March and August 2007 in the Family Planning Clinic at AIIMS, New Delhi. An ethical clearance was obtained and informed written consent taken from both the partners. Hundred and eighty women requesting an abortion were eligible for inclusion. Mean age of the participants was 29.2 years (range SD+/-3.5) and mean parity was 2.8 (range 1-6, SD+/-0.9). Thirty-four percentage of women reported a previous abortion in the preceding 2 years. 52.5% of women whose present pregnancy was unintended had used a highly effective form of contraception 6 months before the event, like oral contraceptive pill (18.2%), condoms (36.8%), withdrawal method (32.5%) or periodic abstinence (12.1%). The reasons cited for termination of pregnancy were unplanned pregnancy 32.8% women, inadequate income 24.6%, family complete 20.3% and contraceptive failure 22.3%. The vast majority of women were uneducated (34.8%) with 31.4% having passed high school and above while 33.8% had left their education before completing high school. In a country like India with its vast population women in their reproductive age-group face a set of problems not only because of low literacy, low socio-economic status but also because they have lack of control over their reproductive intentions and are ignorant as to how to fulfill them. Abortion is a vulnerable time for all women and is a good opportunity for intervention for the ones belonging to the lower socio-economic strata of society who have less contact with health professionals. Thus there is a need to provide

A single mutation in Taiwanese H6N1 influenza hemagglutinin switches binding to human-type receptors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

de Vries, Robert P.; Tzarum, Netanel; Peng, Wenjie

In June 2013, the first case of human infection with an avian H6N1 virus was reported in a Taiwanese woman. Although this was a single non-fatal case, the virus continues to circulate in Taiwanese poultry. As with any emerging avian virus that infects humans, there is concern that acquisition of human-type receptor specificity could enable transmission in the human population. Despite mutations in the receptor-binding pocket of the human H6N1 isolate, it has retained avian-type (NeuAcα2-3Gal) receptor specificity. However, we show here that a single nucleotide substitution, resulting in a change from Gly to Asp at position 225 (G225D), completelymore » switches specificity to human-type (NeuAcα2-6Gal) receptors. Significantly, G225D H6 loses binding to chicken trachea epithelium and is now able to bind to human tracheal tissue. Structural analysis reveals that Asp225 directly interacts with the penultimate Gal of the human-type receptor, stabilizing human receptor binding.« less

[The health of adults undergoing an eviction process].

PubMed

Bolívar Muñoz, Julia; Bernal Solano, Mariola; Mateo Rodríguez, Inmaculada; Daponte Codina, Antonio; Escudero Espinosa, Cecilia; Sánchez Cantalejo, Carmen; González Usera, Isis; Robles Ortega, Humbelina; Mata Martín, José Luis; Fernández Santaella, M Carmen; Vila Castellar, Jaime

2016-01-01

To analyze perceived health status and other health-related indicators in the adult population in Granada (Spain) undergoing an eviction process from their homes, whether rented or owned, in comparison with health indicators in the general adult population in Andalusia. A cross-sectional survey was administered by trained staff. The survey included instruments from the Andalusian Health Survey 2011 for measuring variables related to physical and mental health, as well as health-related habits. We compared the results with those obtained from the Andalusian general population through the Andalusian Health Survey. A bivariate analysis using the χ2 test and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted. We obtained a total sample of 205 people in the process of eviction. A total of 59.5% (n=122) were women, and 40.5% (n=83) were men. Participants were more likely to have poor health (odds ratio [OR]: 12.63, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 8.74-18.27), have cardiovascular diseases (OR: 3.08; 95%CI: 1.54- 6.16), or to smoke (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.21-2.33) compared with the Andalusian general population. Most of the health indicators analyzed showed a worse outcome for women undergoing an eviction process. Our results suggest that, in the current context of economic crisis, people undergoing a process of eviction in Granada and its metropolitan area show poorer health than the Andalusian general population. Further research is needed on health and evictions from different methodological approaches, for a better understanding of the topic. Copyright © 2015 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Improving induction of labour - a quality improvement project addressing Caesarean section rates and length of process in women undergoing induction of labour

PubMed Central

O'Dwyer, Sabrina; Raniolo, Caterina; Roper, Janice; Gupta, Manish

2015-01-01

Induction of labour (IOL) in maternity care is often not an area of priority in maternity services, which often results in protracted delays, a poor patient experience, and patient complaints. Caesarean section (CS) rates among women undergoing IOL at this inner city district general hospital were noted to be higher than other units nationwide. We collected pre and post-intervention data of the following outcome measures: time taken to administer prostaglandin after arrival, time taken to achieve established labour, mode of delivery, and user satisfaction scores. Our introduction of a dedicated IOL Suite, promotion of out-patient IOL, use of a single administration prostaglandin (as opposed to traditional six hourly prostaglandin), widespread staff engagement and rolling audit has resulted in positive change in the maternity unit. CS rates for women undergoing IOL have been reduced from 29% to 22% (p=0.05), time taken to administer the induction medication has decreased from 6.3h to 2.7h (p=0.0001), and out-patient induction rates have increased from 3% to 33% (p=0.001). We have achieved a reduction in the overall length of in-patient stay. We have also received positive feedback from both staff and patients. We used a bottom-up approach, engaging frontline staff in problem identification and pathway design. Our staff engagement questionnaire showed other benefits such as increased staff morale as a result. Collection of simple performance data and sharing of this in real time with staff acts as a valuable tool for acceptance of change and continuous improvement. Communicating plans to a large body of people is important in ensuring the success of an intervention. Staff showing disengagement may require specific detailed information to allay their concerns. Following initial successes, ongoing vigilance, and collection of audit data is key to sustaining any improvement. PMID:26734422

Exploring Organizational Evaluation Capacity and Evaluation Capacity Building: A Delphi Study of Taiwanese Elementary and Junior High Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheng, Shu-Huei; King, Jean A.

2017-01-01

Researchers have conducted numerous empirical studies on evaluation capacity (EC) and evaluation capacity building (ECB) in Western cultural settings. However, little is known about these practices in non-Western contexts. To that end, this study identified the major dimensions of EC and feasible ECB approaches in Taiwanese elementary and junior…

Assessing Taiwanese College Students' Intercultural Sensitivity, EFL Interests, Attitudes toward Native English Speakers, Ethnocentrism, and Their Interrelation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Su, Ya-Chen

2018-01-01

The development of travel opportunities and technology in the 21st century has brought people from different cultures and countries more opportunities to closely interact. The purposes of the study are to assess the degree of Taiwanese college students' intercultural sensitivities, ethnocentrism, and attitudes toward native English speakers (NES)…

The Assessment of Taiwanese College Students' Conceptions of and Approaches to Learning Computer Science and Their Relationships

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liang, Jyh-Chong; Su, Yi-Ching; Tsai, Chin-Chung

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to explore Taiwanese college students' conceptions of and approaches to learning computer science and then explore the relationships between the two. Two surveys, Conceptions of Learning Computer Science (COLCS) and Approaches to Learning Computer Science (ALCS), were administered to 421 college students majoring in…

PRKCSH genetic mutation was not found in Taiwanese patients with polycystic liver disease.

PubMed

Yang, An-Ming; Shih, Shou-Chuan; Chu, Cheng-Hsin; Wang, Tsang-En; Yang, Wei-Shiung

2010-03-01

Polycystic liver disease (PCLD) without polycystic kidney is infrequent in clinical setting. Family clustering is found in patients with PCLD, and it is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Through positional cloning in North America and Europe (mostly in Dutch and Finnish descents), mutations in PRKCSH gene on chromosome 19 were found to be responsible for the disease. We investigated the prevalence of liver cysts and PCLD in Taiwan and investigated whether the PRKCSH mutations exist in Taiwanese. The prevalence of liver cysts is only 0.17% in people under 30 years old and increased gradually to 14.29% in people between 55 and 60 years old and 14.19% in people over 65 years old. PCLD was not found in people under 40 years old. The prevalence is 0.15% between 40 and 45 years old, and increased to 1.37% between 55 and 60 years old, 1.21% between 60 and 65 years old, and 0.99% over 65 years old. There is only one polymorphism (deletion of one GAG repeat in exon 11) found, and the genotype and allele frequency were the same in Taiwanese patients and controls. No mutation, even polymorphism reported in the literature, was found in the 20 cases of PCLD. Our results suggest that PRKCSH gene is not a major genetic cause of PCLD and there may be at least another locus responsible for the disease in Taiwan.

Regret, shame, and denials of women's voluntary sterilization.

PubMed

Lalonde, Dianne

2018-06-01

Women face extraordinary difficulty in seeking sterilization as physicians routinely deny them the procedure. Physicians defend such denials by citing the possibility of future regret, a well-studied phenomenon in women's sterilization literature. Regret is, however, a problematic emotion upon which to deny reproductive freedom as regret is neither satisfactorily defined and measured, nor is it centered in analogous cases regarding men's decision to undergo sterilization or the decision of women to undergo fertility treatment. Why then is regret such a concern in the voluntary sterilization of women? I argue that regret is centered in women's voluntary sterilization due to pronatalism or expectations that womanhood means motherhood. Women seeking voluntary sterilization are regarded as a deviant identity that rejects what is taken to be their essential role of motherhood and they are thus seen as vulnerable to regret. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Experiences of the Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy at a Public Hospital Peshawar Pakistan

PubMed Central

Habibullah, Gulzar; Gul, Raisa; Cassum, Shanaz; Elahi, Rehana

2018-01-01

Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of female breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) in a public hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. Methods: This study employed a descriptive exploratory method. A purposive sample of 14 breast cancer women undergoing RT was selected for this study. Data were collected over the period of 5 months, using a semi-structured interview guide and conducting in-depth face-to-face interviews. These interviews were audio taped and transcribed by a bilingual transcriber. The translated version of the interview was coded, and the analysis was done manually. Results: Four main categories emerged from data analysis, which were: feelings and perceptions of the patients, their challenges, coping strategies, and teaching and informational needs. Conclusions: Women undergoing RT in this culture experience more intense psychological effects, as compared to the physical effects. Keeping in mind, the magnitude of the emotional stress experienced by the participants, recommendations for policy reforms, and training for female RT staff are suggested based on findings of this research. PMID:29607379

Doppler-shift compensation in the Taiwanese leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros terasensis) recorded with a telemetry microphone system during flight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hiryu, Shizuko; Katsura, Koji; Lin, Liang-Kong; Riquimaroux, Hiroshi; Watanabe, Yoshiaki

2005-12-01

Biosonar behavior was examined in Taiwanese leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros terasensis; CF-FM bats) during flight. Echolocation sounds were recorded using a telemetry microphone mounted on the bat's head. Flight speed and three-dimensional trajectory of the bat were reconstructed from images taken with a dual high-speed video camera system. Bats were observed to change the intensity and emission rate of pulses depending on the distance from the landing site. Frequencies of the dominant second harmonic constant frequency component (CF2) of calls estimated from the bats' flight speed agreed strongly with observed values. Taiwanese leaf-nosed bats changed CF2 frequencies depending on flight speed, which caused the CF2 frequencies of the Doppler-shifted echoes to remain constant. Pulse frequencies were also estimated using echoes returning directly ahead of the bat and from its sides for two different flight conditions: landing and U-turn. Bats in flight may periodically alter their attended angles from the front to the side when emitting echolocation pulses.

Predicting who will undergo surgery after physiotherapy for female stress urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Labrie, J; Lagro-Janssen, A L M; Fischer, K; Berghmans, L C M; van der Vaart, C H

2015-03-01

To predict who will undergo midurethral sling surgery (surgery) after initial pelvic floor muscle training (physiotherapy) for stress urinary incontinence in women. This was a cohort study including women with moderate to severe stress incontinence who were allocated to the physiotherapy arm from a previously reported multicentre trial comparing initial surgery or initial physiotherapy in treating stress urinary incontinence. Crossover to surgery was allowed. Data from 198/230 women who were randomized to physiotherapy was available for analysis, of whom 97/198 (49 %) crossed over to surgery. Prognostic factors for undergoing surgery after physiotherapy were age <55 years at baseline (OR 2.87; 95 % CI 1.30-6.32), higher educational level (OR 3.28; 95 % CI 0.80-13.47), severe incontinence at baseline according to the Sandvik index (OR 1.77; 95 % CI 0.95-3.29) and Urogenital Distress Inventory; incontinence domain score (OR 1.03; per point; 95 % CI 1.01-1.65). Furthermore, there was interaction between age <55 years and higher educational level (OR 0.09; 95 % CI 0.02-0.46). Using these variables we constructed a prediction rule to estimate the risk of surgery after initial physiotherapy. In women with moderate to severe stress incontinence, individual prediction for surgery after initial physiotherapy is possible, thus enabling shared decision making for the choice between initial conservative or invasive management of stress urinary incontinence.

Urinary Phthalate Metabolite Concentrations and Reproductive Outcomes among Women Undergoing in Vitro Fertilization: Results from the EARTH Study

PubMed Central

Hauser, Russ; Gaskins, Audrey J.; Souter, Irene; Smith, Kristen W.; Dodge, Laura E.; Ehrlich, Shelley; Meeker, John D.; Calafat, Antonia M.; Williams, Paige L.

2015-01-01

, and live birth following ART. Citation: Hauser R, Gaskins AJ, Souter I, Smith KW, Dodge LE, Ehrlich S, Meeker JD, Calafat AM, Williams PL, for the EARTH Study Team. 2016. Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and reproductive outcomes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: results from the EARTH study. Environ Health Perspect 124:831–839; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1509760 PMID:26545148

Going Cheap: Determinants of Bird Price in the Taiwanese Pet Market

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Background International wildlife trade is the largest emerging source of vertebrate invasive alien species. In order to prevent invasions, it is essential to understand the mechanics of trade and, in particular, which traded species are most likely to be released or escape into the wild. A species’ economic value is a key factor, because we expect cheaper species to be less assiduously secured against escaping, and more likely to be deliberately released. Here, we investigate determinants of the price of species in the Taiwanese bird trade. Taiwan is an international hub for bird trade, and several native species are threatened by alien bird species. Methodology We investigated the relationship between the traded species sale price in Taiwan and the species availability for trade (the number of birds for sale, geographic range size and their origin, conservation and CITES status) and traits (body size, coloration, song attractiveness). We used phylogenetic generalized least squares models, with multi-model inference, to assess the variables that are best related to the price of birds in the Taiwanese pet trade. Principal Findings / Conclusions We found that species available for sale in larger numbers, native to Taiwan, not globally endangered, and small-bodied are all relatively cheaper, as too are species lacking yellow coloration and without attractive songs. Our models of price revealed high levels of phylogenetic correlation, and hence that closely related species tended to be sold for similar prices. We suggest that, on the basis of price, native species are more likely to be deliberately or accidentally released than alien species. Nevertheless, our survey of bird shops recorded 160 species alien to Taiwan (7,631 individuals), several of which are for sale cheaply and in large numbers. Alien bird species in trade therefore present an ongoing, non-trivial invasion risk on the island. PMID:26017386

Going cheap: determinants of bird price in the Taiwanese pet market.