Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 183 in total

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  1. Fulltext Proficiency testing of Hb A1c: a 4-year experience in Taiwan and the Asian Pacific region
    Shiesh SC, Wiedmeyer HM, Kao JT, Vasikaran SD, Lopez JB, Laboratory Management Committee for the Asian-Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry
    Clin Chem, 2009 Oct;55(10):1876-80.
    PMID: 19617287 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2009.129726
    BACKGROUND: The correlation between hemoglobin A(1c) (Hb A(1c)) and risk for complications in diabetic patients heightens the need to measure Hb A(1c) with accuracy. We evaluated the current performance for measuring Hb A(1c) in the Asian and Pacific region by examining data submitted by laboratories participating in the Taiwan proficiency-testing program.

    METHODS: Five fresh-pooled blood samples were sent to participating laboratories twice each year. The results were evaluated against target values assigned by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program network laboratories; a passing criterion of +/-7% of the target value was used. Measurement uncertainty at Hb A(1c) concentrations of 7.0% and 8.0% were determined.

    RESULTS: A total of 276 laboratories from 11 countries took part in the Hb A(1c) survey. At the Hb A(1c) concentrations tested method-specific interlaboratory imprecision (CVs) were 1.1%-13.9% in 2005, 1.3%-10.1% in 2006, 1.2%-8.2% in 2007, and 1.1%-6.1% in 2008. Differences between target values and median values from the commonly used methods ranged from -0.24% to 0.22% Hb A(1c) in 2008. In 2005 83% of laboratories passed the survey, and in 2008 93% passed. At 7.0% Hb A(1c), measurement uncertainty was on average 0.49% Hb A(1c).

    CONCLUSIONS: The use of accuracy-based proficiency testing with stringent quality criteria has improved the performance of Hb A(1c) testing in the Asian and Pacific laboratories during the 4 years of assessment.

    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  2. Consultative meeting considers past successes and future programmes for subregional network
    Asia Pac POPIN Bull, 1999 Sep-Dec;11(3):1-3.
    PMID: 12349810
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  3. A preliminary study of international migration of the Chinese people
    Zhu G
    Chin J Popul Sci, 1994;6(4):403-15.
    PMID: 12319210
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  4. An ELISA-disc procedure for antibodies toPseudomonas pseudomallei: application for a serological study of melioidosis in an endemic area
    Embi N, Devarajoo D, Mohamed R, Ismail G
    World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 1993 Jan;9(1):91-6.
    PMID: 24419848 DOI: 10.1007/BF00656525
    The optimization and development of an ELISA-disc procedure for the detection of antibodies to whole cell surface antigens and purified exotoxin ofPseudomonas pseudomallei is described. Comparison of the serum agglutination test (SAT), the serum based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the ELISA-disc procedures used on goat and human sera demonstrated a high correlation in their ability to detect antibodies specific forP. pseudomallei antigens. A serological survey using the ELISA-disc method was carried out on a normal human population in Sabah, Malaysia, an area known to be endemic for melioidosis. The prevalances of antibodies towards cell surface antigens and exotoxin ofP. pseudomallei were 28% and 8%, respectively. As a procedure, the ELISA-disc technique reported here is technically simple and provides savings in costs and is thus deemed suitable for seroepidemiological surveillance of melioidosis in remote areas of South-East Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  5. East Asia review 1978-79. Introduction
    Clinton JJ, Baker J
    Stud Fam Plann, 1980 Nov;11(11):311-6.
    PMID: 7456105 DOI: 10.2307/1966032
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  6. Aedes albopictus in North America: probable introduction in used tires from northern Asia
    Hawley WA, Reiter P, Copeland RS, Pumpuni CB, Craig GB
    Science, 1987 May 29;236(4805):1114-6.
    PMID: 3576225
    North American strains of Aedes albopictus, an Asian mosquito recently introduced into the Western Hemisphere, exhibit photoperiodic sensitivity and cold-hardiness characteristics similar to strains originating from temperate zone Asia. Trade statistics for used tire imports, the most likely mode of introduction, also indicate a north Asian origin. Aedes albopictus, an important vector of dengue and a potential vector of many other arboviral diseases, may therefore have the capability of infesting much of temperate North America.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  7. Fulltext Extant primitively segmented spiders have recently diversified from an ancient lineage
    Xu X, Liu F, Cheng RC, Chen J, Xu X, Zhang Z, et al.
    Proc Biol Sci, 2015 Jun 07;282(1808):20142486.
    PMID: 25948684 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.2486
    Living fossils are lineages that have retained plesiomorphic traits through long time periods. It is expected that such lineages have both originated and diversified long ago. Such expectations have recently been challenged in some textbook examples of living fossils, notably in extant cycads and coelacanths. Using a phylogenetic approach, we tested the patterns of the origin and diversification of liphistiid spiders, a clade of spiders considered to be living fossils due to their retention of arachnid plesiomorphies and their exclusive grouping in Mesothelae, an ancient clade sister to all modern spiders. Facilitated by original sampling throughout their Asian range, we here provide the phylogenetic framework necessary for reconstructing liphistiid biogeographic history. All phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Liphistiidae and of eight genera. As the fossil evidence supports a Carboniferous Euramerican origin of Mesothelae, our dating analyses postulate a long eastward over-land dispersal towards the Asian origin of Liphistiidae during the Palaeogene (39-58 Ma). Contrary to expectations, diversification within extant liphistiid genera is relatively recent, in the Neogene and Late Palaeogene (4-24 Ma). While no over-water dispersal events are needed to explain their evolutionary history, the history of liphistiid spiders has the potential to play prominently in vicariant biogeographic studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  8. Molecular phylogeny and ancestral biogeographic reconstruction of Platanthera subgenus Limnorchis (Orchidaceae) using target capture methods
    Wettewa E, Wallace LE
    Mol Phylogenet Evol, 2021 04;157:107070.
    PMID: 33421614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107070
    Platanthera is one of the largest genera of temperate orchids in the Holarctic and exemplifies a lineage that has adaptively radiated into diverse habitats within North America, Asia, Europe, North Africa, Borneo, and Sarawak. Major centers of diversity in this genus are North America and eastern Asia. Despite its diversity, a thorough phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus is lacking because no studies have yet sampled taxa exhaustively or developed a robust molecular toolkit. While there is strong evidence that suggests monophyly of subgenus Limnorchis, most taxa in this group have not been included in a phylogenetic analysis. In this study, we developed a new toolkit for Platanthera consisting of genomic information from 617 low-copy nuclear loci. Using a targeted enrichment approach, we collected high-throughput sequence data in 23 accessions of nine of the 12 diploid species of subgenus Limnorchis and outgroup species across Platanthera. A maximum likelihood analysis resolved a strongly supported monophyletic clade for subgenus Limnorchis. Ancestral biogeographic reconstruction indicated that subgenus Limnorchis originated in western North America ca. 3-4.5 Mya from an ancestor that was widespread in western North America and eastern Asia and subsequently diversified in western North America, followed by dispersal of some species to eastern North America. Our results indicate complex biogeographic connections between Asia and North America, and therefore it suggests that Platanthera is a suitable system to test biogeographic hypotheses over time and space in the Holarctic. Our results are also expected to facilitate further study of diversification and biogeographic spread across Platanthera and lay the groundwork for understanding independent origins, biogeography, and morphological diversification of polyploid species within subgenus Limnorchis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  9. Fulltext Sequence and phylogeny of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Himalayan jungle crow (Corvidae: Corvus macrorhynchos intermedius) from Pakistan
    Iqbal F, Ayub Q, Song BK, Wilson R, Fahim M, Rahman S
    Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2019 Dec 18;5(1):348-350.
    PMID: 33366551 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2019.1704637
    Corvus macrorhynchos formerly referred to as the jungle crow or the large-billed crow is a polytypic species with unresolved taxonomy, comprising various subspecies widespread across South, Southeast, and East Asia. In this study, we report the complete mitogenome of one of these subspecies, Corvus macrorhynchos intermedius (Himalaya crow), from Pakistan. The mitochondrial genome is circular, 16,927 bp and contains typical animal mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA, and 22 transfer RNA) and one non-coding region (D-loop) with a nucleotide content of A (30.6%), T (24.8%), G (14.8%), and C (29.8%). Phylogenetic analysis using the whole mitochondrial genome showed that C. m. intermedius and only reported subspecies Corvus macrorhynchos culminatus (Indian Jungle crow) are genetically distinct and it supports the recognition of the latter as a separate biospecies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  10. Fulltext The relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and Helicobacter pylori across East Asian, European and Mediterranean countries: a meta-analysis
    Imawana RA, Smith DR, Goodson ML
    Ann Gastroenterol, 2020 06 06;33(5):485-494.
    PMID: 32879595 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2020.0507
    Background: The current literature suggests a protective benefit of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here we assessed whether this effect varied by IBD subtype-Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC)-and geographic region: East Asia, Europe (non-Mediterranean) or Mediterranean region.

    Methods: A database search was performed up to July 2019 inclusive for all studies that compared H. pylori infection in IBD patients vs. non-IBD controls. The relative risk (RR) was used to quantify the association between IBD and H. pylori, and the effects were combined across studies using a mixed-effects meta-regression model, which included IBD subtype and geographic region as categorical moderator variables.

    Results: Our meta-regression model exhibited moderate heterogeneity (I2=48.74%). Pooled RR depended on both region (P=0.02) and subtype (P<0.001). Pooled RRs were <1 for all subtype and region combinations, indicative of a protective effect of H. pylori against IBD. The pooled RR was 28% (9%, 50%; P=0.001) greater for UC vs. CD and 43% (4%, 96%; P=0.02) greater for Mediterranean countries vs. East Asia. The pooled RR was 18% (-13%, 60%; P=0.48) greater for Europe vs. East Asia and 21% (-13%, 68%; P=0.42) greater for Mediterranean vs. Europe, though these differences were not statistically significant.

    Conclusions: The protective effect of H. pylori on IBD varied by both subtype (more protection against CD vs. UC) and region (East Asia more protected than Mediterranean regions). Variation due to these effects could provide insight into IBD etiology.

    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  11. Fulltext COVID-19 Epidemic in Malaysia: Epidemic Progression, Challenges, and Response
    Hashim JH, Adman MA, Hashim Z, Mohd Radi MF, Kwan SC
    Front Public Health, 2021;9:560592.
    PMID: 34026696 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.560592
    COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest communicable disease outbreak to have hit Malaysia since the 1918 Spanish Flu which killed 34,644 people or 1% of the population of the then British Malaya. In 1999, the Nipah virus outbreak killed 105 Malaysians, while the SARS outbreak of 2003 claimed only 2 lives. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has so far claimed over 100 Malaysian lives. There were two waves of the COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. First wave of 22 cases occurred from January 25 to February 15 with no death and full recovery of all cases. The ongoing second wave, which commenced on February 27, presented cases in several clusters, the biggest of which was the Sri Petaling Tabligh cluster with an infection rate of 6.5%, and making up 47% of all cases in Malaysia. Subsequently, other clusters appeared from local mass gatherings and imported cases of Malaysians returning from overseas. Healthcare workers carry high risks of infection due to the daily exposure and management of COVID-19 in the hospitals. However, 70% of them were infected through community transmission and not while handling patients. In vulnerable groups, the incidence of COVID-19 cases was highest among the age group 55 to 64 years. In terms of fatalities, 63% were reported to be aged above 60 years, and 81% had chronic comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases. The predominant COVID-19 strain in Malaysia is strain B, which is found exclusively in East Asia. However, strain A, which is mostly found in the USA and Australia, and strain C in Europe were also present. To contain the epidemic, Malaysia implemented a Movement Control Order (MCO) beginning on March 18 in 4 phases over 2 months, ending on May 12. In terms of economic impacts, Malaysia lost RM2.4 billion a day during the MCO period, with an accumulated loss of RM63 billion up to the end of April. Since May 4, Malaysia has relaxed the MCO and opened up its economic sector to relieve its economic burden. Currently, the best approach to achieving herd immunity to COVID-19 is through vaccination rather than by acquiring it naturally. There are at least two candidate vaccines which have reached the final stage of human clinical trials. Malaysia's COVID-19 case fatality rate is lower than what it is globally; this is due to the successful implementation of early preparedness and planning, the public health and hospital system, comprehensive contact tracing, active case detection, and a strict enhanced MCO.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  12. Fulltext Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen: potential source of natural antioxidants
    Norain Mohd Tamsir, Norhaizan Mohd Esa, Siti Nursalwah Che Omar, Nurul Husna Shafie
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(106):196-204.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen or sapodilla is a fruit-bearing tree that has been cultivated mainly in tropical areas including Mexico and South East Asia. The fruits and the other parts of M. zapota plant have been used since ages ago for various medicinal purposes. However, the data on the antioxidant properties of various parts of M. zapota is limited. Therefore, we aimed to measure the content and capacity of antioxidants in various M. zapota plant parts and also to screen the phytoconstituents present in the part with the highest antioxidant content and capacity. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant evaluation including the content of total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC) as well as β-carotene bleaching and 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability of the leaves, seeds, flesh, and peels of M. zapota extracted by aqueous and ethanol were determined. The plant part that exhibited the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity was selected for phytoconstituents identification using liq- uid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: M. zapota leaves aqueous extract exhibited the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacities and therefore selected for phytoconstituents identification. Our study provide additional data in which a total of 39 phytoconstituents have been identified in the M. zapota leaves including m-coumaric acid, quinic acid, robinetinidol-4alpha-ol, isoorientin 6’’-O-caffeate, apocynin A, and C16 Sphinganine. Conclusion: Thus, our study revealed that M. zapota leaves aqueous extract has potential as a promising naturally-occurring an- tioxidant candidate which could be useful for medicinal and nutritional functions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  13. Fulltext Metagenomic datasets of air samples collected during episodes of severe smoke-haze in Malaysia
    James GL, Latif MT, Isa MNM, Bakar MFA, Yusuf NYM, Broughton W, et al.
    Data Brief, 2021 Jun;36:107124.
    PMID: 34095374 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.107124
    Transboundary emissions of smoke-haze from land and forest fires have recurred annually during the dry period (June to October, over the past few decades) in South East Asia. Hazardous air quality has been recorded in Malaysia during these episodes. Agricultural practices such as slash-and-burn of biomass and peat fires particularly in Sumatera and Kalimantan, Indonesia, have been implicated as the major causes of the haze. Past findings have shown that a diversity of microbes can thrive in air including in smoke-haze polluted air. In this study, metagenomic data were generated to reveal the diversity of microorganisms in air during days with and without haze. Air samples were collected during non-haze (2013A01) and two haze (2013A04 and 2013A05) periods in the month of June 2013. DNA was extracted from the samples, subjected to Multiple Displacement Amplification and whole genome sequencing (Next Generation Sequencing) using the HiSeq 2000 Platform. Extensive bio-informatic analyses of the raw sequence data then followed. Raw reads from these six air samples were deposited in the NCBI SRA databases under Bioproject PRJNA662021 with accession numbers SRX9087478, SRX9087479 and SRX9087480.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  14. Celiac disease screening in southern and East Asia
    Makharia GK
    Dig Dis, 2015;33(2):167-174.
    PMID: 25925919 DOI: 10.1159/000369537
    Until 1970s, celiac disease (CD) was considered to be an uncommon disease except in Western Europe. The global epidemiology of CD continues to evolve with improvement in the diagnostic tests, simplification of the diagnostic criteria and increase in awareness about the disease. The Asian region is currently at the crossroads of the frontier of knowledge and awareness of CD. In many Asian nations, CD is still considered to be either nonexistent or very rare. A notable exception is India, where CD has been well recognized, especially in the northern part, and 2 population-based studies have revealed a prevalence of 0.3-1.04%. Initial reports from Malaysia, China, Japan and Singapore suggest the existence of CD in these countries. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of the predisposing factors predicts a high probability of occurrence of CD in fair numbers in China. There are no formal reports on CD from Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan and many other nations in this region. With the impending CD epidemic in Asia, there are many challenges. Some of the efforts which are required include determination of prevalence of CD across the region, spreading of awareness among physicians and patients, training of dieticians for proper counseling and supervision of patients, creation of gluten-free food infrastructure in the food supply and creation of patient advocacy organizations. Although the absolute number of patients with CD at present is not very large, this number is expected to increase over the next few years/decades. It is thus appropriate that the medical community across Asia define the extent of the problem and get prepared to handle the impending CD epidemic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  15. Fulltext Airway Relaxation Effects of Water-Soluble Sclerotial Extract From Lignosus rhinocerotis
    Lee MK, Li X, Yap ACS, Cheung PCK, Tan CS, Ng ST, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2018;9:461.
    PMID: 29867469 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00461
    Lignosus rhinocerotis has a long history of use by the indigenous community within East Asia to treat a range of health conditions including asthma and chronic cough. To date, there is limited scientific evidence to support its therapeutic effects in relieving these airways conditions. In this study, we examined the effects of the different molecular weight fractions [high-molecular-weight (HMW), medium-molecular-weight (MMW), and low-molecular-weight (LMW)] obtained from the cold water sclerotial extract (CWE) of L. rhinocerotis on airways patency using airway segments isolated from Sprague Dawley rat in an organ bath set-up. It is demonstrated that the HMW and MMW fractions exhibited higher efficacy in relaxing the pre-contracted airways when compared to the CWE and LMW fraction. In addition, the HMW fraction markedly supressed carbachol-, 5-hydroxytrptamine-, and calcium-induced airway contractions. CWE demonstrated a lower efficacy than the HMW fraction but it also significantly attenuated carbachol- and calcium-induced airway contractions. Results showed that the bronchorelaxation effect of CWE and fractions is mediated via blockade of extracellular Ca2+ influx. The composition analysis revealed the following parts of carbohydrate and proteins, respectively: HMW fraction: 71 and 4%; MMW fraction: 35 and 1%; and LMW fraction: 22 and 0.3%. Our results strongly suggest that the polysaccharide-protein complex or proteins found in the HMW and MMW fractions is likely to contribute to the bronchorelaxation effect of CWE.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  16. Variations des caractéristiques des huiles de palme et notamment de leurs caroténoides
    Bienaymé A, Servant M
    Qualitas Plantarum et Materiae Vegetabiles, 1958;3-4:336-353.
    DOI: 10.1007/BF01884062
    During two years the authors have assembled monthly analytical data of oilpalms, from 15 different stations. The determinations spread as far as the French, Portuguese and Spanish territory in Africa and British Malaya also. The following analyses were carried out: iodine number, titer point, melting point and the carotenoids of these oils, according to origine, race and time of gathering. As to iodine number and amount of carotenoid, the race is decisive for these data; the oils from the natural stock of the Ivory Coast have a higher iodine number (57-60). The oils from the natural stock of Togo, Dahomey, Portuguese and French Guinea are richer in carotene (up to 0.16, even 0.19%) with medium iodine number (54-56). The oils from the industrial plantations, with selected trees of the race Dura-Deli, from the Far East as well as from the Ivory Coast, have lower iodine numbers (52-53) and are poor in carotene (0.05). South of the equator in Africa, all analysed races of oil palms had a lower iodine number (53-55) and were poor in carotene (0.05). During one year the amount of carotene fluctuates about one third of its maximum; this maximum is rather striking in Togo and Dahomey; it is to be found from January to May; period of high production of the oil in the Palm groves, e.g. in the dry season with warm climate and good insolation. Heavy rain-showers effect a rapid decrease of the contents of carotene after six weeks (duration of the formation of the fruit). Furthermore, the residual oils (extracted by solvents) were analysed; they are 2 to 3 times richer in carotenoids than the common palm oil; but the contents of β-carotene seems somewhat lower. The authors think it possible to find exactly defined uses for the different oils. © 1958 Uitgeverij Dr. W. Junk.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  17. Distribution of transferrin (Tf) subtypes in several Mongoloid populations of East Asia
    Saha N
    Ann Hum Biol, 1987 7 1;14(4):349-56.
    PMID: 3662433
    The distribution of serum transferrin subtypes was determined by PAG electrophoresis and isoelectric focussing in a group of 2288 individuals from 10 Mongoloid populations of East Asia. The sample comprised 857 Chinese from different localities: Singapore (239), Malaysia (228), Taiwan (265), Hong Kong (65), Fouzhou (60); Koreans (332), Filipinos (281), Thais (455), Malays (335) and Indonesians (28). The frequencies of TfC1 varied from 0.73 to 0.79 in the Chinese and from 0.76 to 0.83 in the other Mongoloid populations. TfC3 was observed at a frequency of 0.02 in the Koreans and Chinese from Fouzhou. TfDChi was present in a low frequency (0.01 to 0.03) in all the populations. A low frequency of TfB was also present in all the populations. The phenotypic distribution of transferrin subtypes was at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all the populations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  18. Perceived Loneliness, Peer, and Parental Relationship With Smoking: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Adolescents Across South-East Asia
    McClure-Thomas C, Lim C, Sebayang S, Fausiah F, Gouda H, Leung J
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2022 Nov;34(8):770-777.
    PMID: 35880310 DOI: 10.1177/10105395221115220
    Tobacco use among youth in the South-East Asian region is quite prevalent. This study aims to examine if psychosocial factors (perceived loneliness, peer, and parental relationships) were associated with adolescent smoking, and whether the effects were different according to sex and age. Data came from the Global School-based Student Health Surveys collected between 2012 and 2015 in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. 64 578 (males = 48.5%) adolescents aged 13-18 completed the survey. Prevalence of past-month cigarette use was 10.6%. Adolescent smoking was associated with loneliness (OR = 1.75), lack of close friends (OR = 1.43), and lack of parental understanding (OR = 1.35). There was significant interactions between sex with loneliness, close friends, and parental understanding (p < .001). Interactions indicated having no close friends is associated with smoking and is stronger for females than males. Conversely, loneliness was associated with smoking more strongly in males than females. Results indicate that psychosocial factors are linked to adolescent smoking in South-East Asia, suggesting a further need for research on the relation of psychosocial factors with smoking, and their underlying factors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  19. Fulltext Social and communicative functions of informed consent forms in East Asia and beyond
    Yoshizawa G, Sasongko TH, Ho CH, Kato K
    Front Genet, 2017;8:99.
    PMID: 28775738 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2017.00099
    The recent research and technology development in medical genomics has raised new issues that are profoundly different from those encountered in traditional clinical research for which informed consent was developed. Global initiatives for international collaboration and public participation in genomics research now face an increasing demand for new forms of informed consent which reflect local contexts. This article analyzes informed consent forms (ICFs) for genomic research formulated by four selected research programs and institutes in East Asia - the Medical Genome Science Program in Japan, Universiti Sains Malaysia Human Research Ethics Committee in Malaysia, and the Taiwan Biobank and the Taipei Medical University- Joint Institutional Review Board in Taiwan. The comparative text analysis highlights East Asian contexts as distinct from other regions by identifying communicative and social functions of consent forms. The communicative functions include re-contact options and offering interactive support for research participants, and setting opportunities for family or community engagement in the consent process. This implies that informed consent cannot be validated solely with the completion of a consent form at the initial stage of the research, and informed consent templates can facilitate interactions between researchers and participants through (even before and after) the research process. The social functions consist of informing participants of possible social risks that include genetic discrimination, sample and data sharing, and highlighting the role of ethics committees. Although international ethics harmonization and the subsequent coordination of consent forms may be necessary to maintain the quality and consistency of consent process for data-intensive international research, it is also worth paying more attention to the local values and different settings that exist where research participants are situated for research in medical genomics. More than simply tools to gain consent from research participants, ICFs function rather as a device of social communication between research communities and civic communities in liaison with intermediary agents like ethics committees, genetic counselors, and public biobanks and databases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
  20. Fulltext Prevalence of and factors associated with multimorbidity among 18 101 adults in the South East Asia Community Observatory Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Malaysia: a population-based, cross-sectional study of the MUTUAL consortium
    Tan MMC, Prina AM, Muniz-Terrera G, Mohan D, Ismail R, Assefa E, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2022 Dec 23;12(12):e068172.
    PMID: 36564121 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068172
    OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with multimorbidity in a community-dwelling general adult population on a large Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) scale.

    DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study.

    SETTING: South East Asia Community Observatory HDSS site in Malaysia.

    PARTICIPANTS: Of 45 246 participants recruited from 13 431 households, 18 101 eligible adults aged 18-97 years (mean age 47 years, 55.6% female) were included.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome was prevalence of multimorbidity. Multimorbidity was defined as the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions per individual. A total of 13 chronic diseases were selected and were further classified into 11 medical conditions to account for multimorbidity. The conditions were heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, musculoskeletal disorder, obesity, asthma, vision problem, hearing problem and physical mobility problem. Risk factors for multimorbidity were also analysed.

    RESULTS: Of the study cohort, 28.5% people lived with multimorbidity. The individual prevalence of the chronic conditions ranged from 1.0% to 24.7%, with musculoskeletal disorder (24.7%), obesity (20.7%) and hypertension (18.4%) as the most prevalent chronic conditions. The number of chronic conditions increased linearly with age (p<0.001). In the logistic regression model, multimorbidity is associated with female sex (adjusted OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.40, p<0.001), education levels (primary education compared with no education: adjusted OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.74; secondary education: adjusted OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.70; tertiary education: adjusted OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.80; p<0.001) and employment status (working adults compared with retirees: adjusted OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.82, p<0.001), in addition to age (adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.05, p<0.001).

    CONCLUSIONS: The current single-disease services in primary and secondary care should be accompanied by strategies to address complexities associated with multimorbidity, taking into account the factors associated with multimorbidity identified. Future research is needed to identify the most commonly occurring clusters of chronic diseases and their risk factors to develop more efficient and effective multimorbidity prevention and treatment strategies.

    Matched MeSH terms: Far East
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