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Aim There were only a few reports on laparoscopic portoenterostomy for biliary atresia in children. We report our experience on laparoscopic Kasai operation for biliary atresia. Material and methods A retrospective review of all children who had biliary atresia underwent laparoscopic portoenterostomy from January 2002 to September 2006 were included and analyzed. Results Sixteen children (five boys and eleven girls) with a mean age of 66 days (range 47–106 days) at operation were included in this study. All patients had type III biliary atresia. There was no conversion to open procedure. The operative time ranged from 193 to 435 min (mean 292 min). At a median follow-up of 72 months (range 33–89 months), eight patients were free of jaundice with bilirubin level <20 μmol/L and did not require liver transplantation. Seven patients underwent liver transplantation. One patient who had persistent elevated bilirubin defaulted follow-up. One patient complicated with volvulus of intestine post-operatively. All patients survived except one patient who had combined liver and intestine transplantation. Conclusion Laparoscopic portoenterostomy in children with biliary atresia is technically feasible. 50% of children who had type III biliary atresia were free of jaundice and did not require liver transplantation. A longer follow-up is required to assess the long-term outcome.

The annual is a venue of publication for sociological studies of Chinese societies and the Chinese all over the world. The main focus is on social transformations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the mainland, Singapore and Chinese overseas.

The annual is a venue of publication for sociological studies of Chinese societies and the Chinese all over the world. The main focus is on social transformations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the mainland, Singapore and Chinese overseas.

Computational tools can now facilitate screening precursors and selecting suitable biotransformation enzymes for producing new bioactive compounds. This study applied the data-mining approach to screen for candidate precursors of glycosyltransferases to produce new glucosides from 412 commercial natural compounds. Among five candidates, experimental results showed that only corylin could be glycosylated by the bacterial glycosyltransferase, Bs UGT489. Analysis of interaction potential between candidates and glycosyltransferase by molecular docking tools also found that corylin was the only compatible substrate. The new glucoside was purified and confirmed to be corylin-7- O - β -glucoside. The aqueous solubility of corylin-7- O - β -glucoside was 14.2 times more than its precursor aglycone, corylin. Corylin-7- O - β -glucoside retained anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production of murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, with an IC 50 value of 121.1 ± 9.5 µM. Further, corylin-7- O - β -glucoside exhibited more potent anti-melanoma activity against murine B16 and human A2058 melanoma cells than corylin. Together, predictive studies facilitate the production of a new glucoside, corylin-7- O - β -glucoside, which is highly soluble and possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-melanoma activities and therefore has promising future applications in pharmacology.

An exploration of the importance of the Confucian precept of zhongyong to the project of modernity argues that this Confucian doctrine of the mean also represents a rational mode of action. The zhongyong presumption of a holistic perspective is seen as likely to provide a socio-psychological impetus for rational communication. Theoretical discourses on rationality & modernity by the Enlightenment thinkers, Max Weber, & the Frankfurt School are reviewed along with Jurgen Habermas's construct of communicative rationality. Special attention is given to the close identification of zhongyong rationality with the moral principles of Confucianism & its problematical role in conflict resolution. An empirical study of conflict resolution in the rural People's Republic of China that analyzes 150 cases of disputes about the management of village affairs is examined to support the argument that the relationship between zhongyong & the substantive oral principles of Confucianism is not necessarily intrinsic. It is concluded that, by displacing efficiency with temperance, zhongyong allows the actor to consider collective interests as equal to his/her own, thereby promoting the Confucian value of harmonious co-existence without renouncing instrumental reason. 49 References. J. Lindroth

As a major source of social values in East Asia, Confucianism assumes especial significance amidst the proliferation of instrumental rationality in modern societies. This study attempts to answer the question: how Confucian are contemporary Chinese? By way of constructing an ideal type of Confucian actors, which is then applied to a survey of three Chinese communities, this study tries to formulate a new perspective in depicting the character of modern Confucian actors, measured in terms of their dynamic proximity to the Confucian ideal type. Our approach marks a shift of emphasis, both empirically and methodologically, compared with previous work on this topic. On the empirical side, our study breaks with the long-standing, classical distinction between the 'gentleman' and the 'commoner' prevalent in Confucian discourse. Degrees of proximity to Confucian values are viewed in representational—i.e. non-evaluative—terms. In constructing the ideal type of Confucian actors, we distinguish between formal and substantive values in Confucianism. This analytical distinction allows our study to demonstrate the continued relevance of Confucianism. While substantive values change over time, the formal, analytical core that captures the essence of Confucianism continues to survive in the face of the vicissitudes of modernity and the spread of instrumental rationality.

The present study takes Confucian entrepreneurs as an entry point to portray the dynamics and problems involved in the process of putting moral precepts into practice, a central issue in business ethics. Confucian entrepreneurs are defined as the owners of manufacturing or business firms who harbor the moral values of Confucianism. Other than a brief account of their historical background, 41 subjects from various parts of Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were selected for in-depth interviews. By studying the moral choices they made in the market, it was discovered that, contrary to the prevalent mode of inquiry in economics either to reduce all social phenomena to rational calculations or to consider moral actions in terms of utilitarian values, their economic action cannot be accounted for by the postulate of utility maximization, and that the efforts to do business according to their moral principles can be very costly. The study also attempts to document how these Confucian entrepreneurs reconciled the conflict between the moral values they cherished and the instrumental goals they pursued, and will seek to uncover how they responded when faced with this dilemma.

Introduction Antibiotic resistance is a global issue especially in developed areas. With the emergence of antibiotic resistant-bacteria, the traditional choice of broad spectrum antibiotics may not be effective in complicated appendicitis. We herein report the bacteriology and antibiotic susceptibility of intra-operative peritoneal culture in children with acute appendicitis in Hong Kong. This may guide us to adjust the choice of antibiotics with evidence. Methods A retrospective review of all cases of children who underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy from 2003 to 2007 was performed. Data including histology of appendixes, the choice of antibiotics, bacteriology, and antibiotic susceptibility of the intra-operative peritoneal cultures were analyzed. Results Over a 5-year period, 250 children were included in this study. 41 children had gangrenous- and 77 had ruptured appendicitis, respectively. Peritoneal swab was taken in 158 children. Common bacteria isolated including E. coli , Streptococcus, and Bacteroides. Ampicillin, cefuroxime, and metronidazole were our choice of antibiotics. 26% of children with gangrenous- and 25% with ruptured appendicitis were insensitive to the current regime. Using 3 antibiotics regime by switching cefuroxime to ceftazidime, it covered 77% resistant bacteria. Using 4 antibiotics regime by adding gentamycin, it covered 96% resistant bacteria. Conclusions One-fourth of children with gangrenous or ruptured appendicitis were insensitive to the current regime. This study provides evidence-based information on the choice of antibiotics.