Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 497 in total

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  1. Shintani M, Minaguchi K, Suzuki K, Lim KA
    Biochem Genet, 1990 Apr;28(3-4):173-84.
    PMID: 2383244
    Three new variants of acidic proline-rich proteins (At, Au, Aw) were found in human parotid saliva by isoelectric focusing and basic gel electrophoresis. Electrophoretic comparison of the purified proteins and their tryptic peptides suggested minor charge and size differences from other acidic PRPs. Genetic and biochemical studies indicate that the At and Aw proteins are allelic products of the PRH1 locus. Gene frequencies of the At productive allele (PRH1(6)) in Japanese, Chinese, and Malays were 0.008, 0.012, and 0.004, respectively. The Au protein was also found in Japanese (2 in 746 samples), Chinese (1 in 215 samples), and Malays (1 in 220 samples), however, the Aw protein was found only in one Japanese (n = 746). These three proteins were not found in 106 Indian subjects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan/ethnology
  2. Ahmad, H.S.
    MyJurnal
    The past decade has seen a marked increase in the popularity of ATS use, particularly methamphetamine, within East Asia,and the Pacific region. In Malaysia, the National Anti Drug Agency has identified 8,870 addicts (from January till August 2008) out of which 1,126 was ATS dependence. During the same period, the police have arrested 46,388 people under the Dangerous Drug Act 1952. They also has seize 283kg of syabu, 545kg of ecstacy powder, 66194 tablets of esctacy pills and 222,376 tablets of yaba pills from Jan till August this year. The occurrence of psychosis arising from the use of ATS was first reported in the late 1930's. With growing ATS use, particularly methamphetamine, ATS-induced psychosis has become a major impact on public health.Symptoms of ATS-induced psychosis: Methamphetamine use produces a variety of effects, ranging from irritability, to physical aggression, hyperawareness, hypervigilance, and psychomotor agitation. Repeated or high-dose use of the stimulant can cause drug-induced psychosis resembling paranoid schizophrenia, characterized by hallucinations, delusions and thought disorders. When used in long term, methamphetamine may lead to development of psychiatric symptoms due to dopamine depletion in the striatum. The most common lifetime psychotic symptoms among methamphetamine psychotic patients - as reported in a cross-country study involving Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand - are persecutory delusion, auditory hallucinations, strange or unusual beliefs and thought reading. Those patients were also reported to suffer from impaired speech, psychomotor retardation, depression and anxiety. An ATS psychosis can be distinguished from primary psychotic disorders by time. In ATS-induced psychosis symptoms usually resolve after the drug is discontinued. If symptoms do not resolve within 2 weeks after cessation of stimulant use, a primary psychiatric disorder should be suspected. When compared with other stimulants, such as cocaine, psychosis is induced more commonly by ATS, possibly due to the longer duration of action produced by amphetamines.For example, while smoking cocaine produces a high that lasts for 20-30 minutes, smoking methamphetamine produces a high that lasts 8-24 hours. Other symptoms of ATS-induced psychosis reported include affective blunting,(6) violent behavior, and self-mutilation and self-injurious behavior.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  3. Huang WJ
    Fam Process, 2005 Jun;44(2):161-73.
    PMID: 16013743
    The goal of this article is to provide couple therapists and relationship educators with information to enhance the cultural relevance of their work with Asian populations. Because of the rapid social, economic, cultural, and gender role changes, the various Asian interpretations of the institution of marriage are undergoing major transformation. This article describes the general trends in marriage in several Asian nations, with a focus on the swiftly rising divorce rates and changing cultural attitudes to marriage, and discusses current relationship education initiatives in these nations. Finally, based on my experiences working with Asian populations, I present a few humble insights regarding adaptation of marriage education to render it more culturally appropriate for Asians.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  4. Liang Y, Tan Q, Song Q, Li J
    Waste Manag, 2021 Jan 01;119:242-253.
    PMID: 33091837 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.09.049
    It is well known that Asia generates and receives large quantities of plastic waste. Through a detailed study of plastic waste generation and trade, the management and treatment of plastic waste in Asia were analyzed from the regional perspective. The amounts of plastic waste in municipal solid waste and in industrial solid waste were estimated to be 79 Mt and 42 Mt, respectively, in Asia. The overall treatment and recycling status in Asia are unsatisfactory. Asia imported 74% of the plastic waste in the world in 2016, and China (mainland) imported the most plastic waste until 2017, with 5.8 to 8.3 Mt. In 2017, about half the plastic waste imported by Asia came from other regions, and after subtracting the exported quantity, 98% of the plastic waste was left in Asia for treatment and disposal. The plastic waste imported by Asia declined about 72% in monetary value in 2018. There is still a large gap between the plastic waste quantity imported to Asia and that exported from Asia. China's ban of plastic waste imports caused import quantities to drop to 52 kt in 2018, simultaneously, exports from the largest exporting countries or regions such as Hong Kong (China), the USA, Japan, and Germany decreased. While Vietnam, Malaysia and some other Asian countries and regions saw significant increases in plastic waste imports from 2016 to 2018. Considering this situation, countries in Asia are starting to strictly limit plastic waste imports from other countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  5. Ohno H, Ogata Y, Suguro H, Yokota S, Watanabe A, Kamei K, et al.
    Intern. Med., 2010;49(5):491-5.
    PMID: 20190491
    Histoplasmosis, caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, is an endemic mycosis in many countries of the world except for Japan. Outbreaks of histoplasmosis among Japanese people are very rare and are mainly imported by travelers. We report an outbreak of histoplasmosis among healthy Japanese people who traveled to a resort area in Southeast Asia. Three young Japanese women traveled to Langkawi island, Malaysia and stayed on the island for five days without visiting caves, a known reservoir of H. capsulatum. All three individuals developed flu-like symptoms with multiple nodule shadows on chest X rays or chest CT scans at around ten days after their return to Japan. Serum samples obtained from the three subjects were positive for anti-Histoplasma antibody and specific PCR for H. capsulatum on lung biopsy specimens and the serum from one patient was positive. The clinical course of all three patients improved without the use of anti-fungal agents and no recurrence has been confirmed. Clinical attendants should consider histoplasmosis when they see patients with flu-like symptoms with abnormal chest X-rays after visiting H. capsulatum endemic areas, especially Southeast Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan/epidemiology
  6. Aliyu AS, Evangeliou N, Mousseau TA, Wu J, Ramli AT
    Environ Int, 2015 Dec;85:213-28.
    PMID: 26425805 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.09.020
    Since 2011, the scientific community has worked to identify the exact transport and deposition patterns of radionuclides released from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in Japan. Nevertheless, there still remain many unknowns concerning the health and environmental impacts of these radionuclides. The present paper reviews the current understanding of the FDNPP accident with respect to interactions of the released radionuclides with the environment and impacts on human and non-human biota. Here, we scrutinize existing literature and combine and interpret observations and modeling assessments derived after Fukushima. Finally, we discuss the behavior and applications of radionuclides that might be used as tracers of environmental processes. This review focuses on (137)Cs and (131)I releases derived from Fukushima. Published estimates suggest total release amounts of 12-36.7PBq of (137)Cs and 150-160PBq of (131)I. Maximum estimated human mortality due to the Fukushima nuclear accident is 10,000 (due to all causes) and the maximum estimates for lifetime cancer mortality and morbidity are 1500 and 1800, respectively. Studies of plants and animals in the forests of Fukushima have recorded a range of physiological, developmental, morphological, and behavioral consequences of exposure to radioactivity. Some of the effects observed in the exposed populations include the following: hematological aberrations in Fukushima monkeys; genetic, developmental and morphological aberrations in a butterfly; declines in abundances of birds, butterflies and cicadas; aberrant growth forms in trees; and morphological abnormalities in aphids. These findings are discussed from the perspective of conservation biology.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  7. Ta GC, Mokhtar MB, Mohd Mokhtar HA, Ismail AB, Abu Yazid MF
    Ind Health, 2010;48(6):835-44.
    PMID: 20616463
    Chemical classification and labelling systems may be roughly similar from one country to another but there are significant differences too. In order to harmonize various chemical classification systems and ultimately provide consistent chemical hazard communication tools worldwide, the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) was endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Several countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Malaysia, are now in the process of implementing GHS. It is essential to ascertain the comprehensibility of chemical hazard communication tools that are described in the GHS documents, namely the chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Comprehensibility Testing (CT) was carried out with a mixed group of industrial workers in Malaysia (n=150) and factors that influence the comprehensibility were analysed using one-way ANOVA. The ability of the respondents to retrieve information from the SDS was also tested in this study. The findings show that almost all the GHS pictograms meet the ISO comprehension criteria and it is concluded that the underlying core elements that enhance comprehension of GHS pictograms and which are also essential in developing competent persons in the use of SDS are training and education.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  8. Cejp B, Jimi N, Aguado MT
    Zootaxa, 2023 Feb 21;5244(4):341-360.
    PMID: 37044457 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5244.4.2
    The phylogenetic relationships of Syllidae have been analyzed in several studies during the last decades, resulting in highly congruent topologies. Most of the subfamilies were found to be monophyletic, while other groups (Eusyllinae and several genera) have been reorganized attending their phylogenetic relationships. However, there are still several enigmatic genera, which could not be assigned to any of the established subgroups. These enigmatic genera usually show a combination of characters indicating relationships with several different groups, and some show morphological traits unique to Syllidae. One of the most intriguing genera, still unclassified within Syllidae is Clavisyllis Knox. Herein, we provide a complete description of a new species Clavisyllis tenjini n. sp. from Japan. We sequence the complete mitochondrial genome, compare with the available data from other syllids, and perform a phylogenetic analysis of three genes (18S, 16S, COI), traditionally used in previous studies. Clavisyllis shows a unique combination of characters within Syllidae, such as nuchal lappets and large ovoid dorsal cirri. The new species has additional anterior appendages that have not been found in any other syllid. Our results show the genus is a member of Eusyllinae, closely related to Pionosyllis Malmgren. The mitochondrial gene order agrees with the considered plesiomorphic gene order in Annelida, which is present in all members of Eusyllinae investigated so far. Clavisyllis reproduces by epigamy, the reproductive mode of members of Eusyllinae. The present study contributes to the systematics of Syllidae, a complex group with a large number of species and striking reproductive modes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  9. Tan HL, Chan KG, Pusparajah P, Saokaew S, Duangjai A, Lee LH, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2016;7:191.
    PMID: 27445824 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00191
    Epimedium (family Berberidaceae), commonly known as Horny Goat Weed or Yin Yang Huo, is commonly used as a tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-rheumatic and anti-cancer agent in traditional herbal formulations in Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea. The major bioactive compounds present within this plant include icariin, icaritin and icariside II. Although it is best known for its aphrodisiac properties, scientific and pharmacological studies suggest it possesses broad therapeutic capabilities, especially for enhancing reproductive function and osteoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective effects. In recent years, there has been great interest in scientific investigation of the purported anti-cancer properties of icariin and its derivatives. Data from in vitro and in vivo studies suggests these compounds demonstrate anti-cancer activity against a wide range of cancer cells which occurs through various mechanisms such as apoptosis, cell cycle modulation, anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastasis and immunomodulation. Of note, they are efficient at targeting cancer stem cells and drug-resistant cancer cells. These are highly desirable properties to be emulated in the development of novel anti-cancer drugs in combatting the emergence of drug resistance and overcoming the limited efficacy of current standard treatment. This review aims to summarize the anti-cancer mechanisms of icariin and its derivatives with reference to the published literature. The currently utilized applications of icariin and its derivatives in cancer treatment are explored with reference to existing patents. Based on the data compiled, icariin and its derivatives are shown to be compounds with tremendous potential for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  10. Shahrizaila N, Kokubun N, Sawai S, Umapathi T, Chan YC, Kuwabara S, et al.
    Neurology, 2014 Jul 8;83(2):118-24.
    PMID: 24920848 DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000000577
    To comprehensively investigate the relationship between antibodies to single glycolipids and their complexes and Guillain-Barré syndrome subtypes and clinical features.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  11. Khairul Anuar A, Rahmah N, Dighe VC, Zurainee MN, Suresh K, Yano A
    JUMMEC, 1999;4:34-38.
    In vitro lymphocyte proliferative response of peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) to purified Toxoplasma gondii antigen were evaluated by 3[H] methyl thymidine incorporation in patients acutely and chronically infected with Toxoplama gondii. PBL from three patients with acute sylnptonlatic toxoplaslnosis showed no response to T. gondii antigen during the emergence of anti-Toxoplasma 1gM antibodies and the response returned as the infection became chronic. Lymphocytes of twelve chronically-infected patients responded positively to the antigen. In all patients the lymphocyte proliferative response to the mitogen, Concanavalill A (Con A) was normal. Analysis of Toxoplasma proliferative response of PBL from a patient with acute toxoplasrnosis showed that CD8+ cells were responsible for induction of suppression while the response during the chronic infection was lnediated by CD4+ cells. In human toxoplasmosis there was antigen-specific lymphocyte unresponsiveness during the acute phase of the infection and it appears that the initnunesuppression was mediated by CD8+ cells. KEYWORDS: Toxoplasmosis-lymphocyte blastogenesis-antigen specific-CD4+, CD8+
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  12. Luu MN, Imoto A, Matsuo Y, Huy NT, Qarawi A, Alhady STM, et al.
    PLoS One, 2024;19(3):e0280144.
    PMID: 38489310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280144
    INTRODUCTION: In the context of collective efforts taken in Japan to control the spread of COVID-19, the state of emergency and social distancing have caused a negative impact on the mental health of all residents, including foreign communities in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the level of anxiety and its associated factors among non-Japanese residents residing in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    METHODS: A web-based survey in 13 languages was conducted among non-Japanese residents living in Japan during the COVID-19 situation. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory assessed the level of anxiety-State (STAI-S) scores prorated from its six-item version. The multivariable logistic regression using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) method was performed to identify the associated factors of anxiety among participants.

    RESULTS: From January to March 2021, we collected 392 responses. A total of 357 valid responses were analyzed. 54.6% of participants suffered from clinically significant anxiety (CSA). In multivariable logistic model analysis, the CSA status or the high level of anxiety was associated with three factors, including having troubles/difficulties in learning or working, decreased sleep duration, and decreased overall physical health (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Our study suggests several possible risk factors of anxiety among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic, including the troubles or difficulties in learning or working, the decrease in sleep duration, and the decrease in overall physical health.

    Matched MeSH terms: Japan/epidemiology
  13. Ruiz Estrada MA, Yap SF, Park D
    Disasters, 2014 Jul;38 Suppl 2:S206-29.
    PMID: 24905816 DOI: 10.1111/disa.12069
    Natural hazards have a potentially large impact on economic growth, but measuring their economic impact is subject to a great deal of uncertainty. The central objective of this paper is to demonstrate a model--the natural disasters vulnerability evaluation (NDVE) model--that can be used to evaluate the impact of natural hazards on gross national product growth. The model is based on five basic indicators-natural hazards growth rates (αi), the national natural hazards vulnerability rate (ΩT), the natural disaster devastation magnitude rate (Π), the economic desgrowth rate (i.e. shrinkage of the economy) (δ), and the NHV surface. In addition, we apply the NDVE model to the north-east Japan earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 to evaluate its impact on the Japanese economy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  14. Tanaka R, Cleenwerck I, Mizutani Y, Iehata S, Bossier P, Vandamme P
    Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, 2017 Aug;67(8):3050-3056.
    PMID: 28820118 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.002080
    A Gram-negative, aerobic, polar-flagellated and rod-shaped, sometimes slightly curved bacterium, designated MA5T, was isolated from the gut of an abalone of the species Haliotis gigantea collected in Japan. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, gyrB, hsp60 and rpoB gene sequences placed strain MA5T in the genus Arcobacter in an independent phylogenetic line. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of this strain with those of the type strains of the established Arcobacter species revealed A. nitrofigilis (95.1 %) as nearest neighbour. Strain MA5T grew optimally at 25 °C, pH 6.0 to 9.0 and in the presence of 2 to 5 % (w/v) NaCl under both aerobic and microaerobic conditions. The predominant fatty acids found were summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c), C12 : 0 3-OH and C18 : 1 ω7c. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and menaquinone-7 (MK-7) were found as the major respiratory quinones. The major polar lipids detected were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Strain MA5T could be differentiated phenotypically from the phylogenetic closest Arcobacter species by its ability to grow on 0.05 % safranin and 0.01 % 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC), but not on 0.5 % NaCl. The obtained DNA G+C content of strain MA5T was 27.9 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic distinctiveness of MA5T, this strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Arcobacter, for which the name Arcobacter haliotis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MA5T (=LMG 28652T=JCM 31147T).
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  15. Tan WL, Chua KLM, Lin CC, Lee VHF, Tho LM, Chan AW, et al.
    J Thorac Oncol, 2020 03;15(3):324-343.
    PMID: 31733357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.10.022
    Stage III NSCLC represents a heterogeneous disease for which optimal treatment continues to pose a clinical challenge. Recent changes in the American Joint Commission on Cancer staging to the eighth edition has led to a shift in TNM stage grouping and redefined the subcategories (IIIA-C) in stage III NSCLC for better prognostication. Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy has remained standard-of-care for stage III NSCLC for almost 2 decades, contemporary considerations include the impact of different molecular subsets of NSCLC, and the roles of tyrosine kinase inhibitors post-definitive therapy and of immune checkpoint inhibitors following chemoradiotherapy. With rapid evolution of diagnostic algorithms and expanding treatment options, the need for interdisciplinary input involving multiple specialists (medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists and thoracic surgeons) has become increasingly important. The unique demographics of Asian NSCLC pose further challenges when applying clinical trial data into clinical practice. This includes differences in smoking rates, prevalence of oncogenic driver mutations, and access to health care resources including molecular testing, prompting the need for critical review of existing data and identification of current gaps. In this expert consensus statement by the Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group, an interdisciplinary group of experts representing Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Mainland China was convened. Standard clinical practices for stage III NSCLC across different Asian countries were discussed from initial diagnosis and staging through to multi-modality approaches including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  16. Nakao A, Tomita M, Wagai R, Tanaka R, Yanai J, Kosaki T
    J Environ Radioact, 2019 Aug;204:86-94.
    PMID: 30986719 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.03.028
    Radiocesium (RCs) is selectively adsorbed on interlayer sites of weathered micaceous minerals, which can reduce the mobility of RCs in soil. Therefore, soils developed from mica-deficient materials (e.g. serpentine soils) may have a higher risk of soil-to-plant transfer of RCs. Soils were collected from three serpentine soil profiles; Udepts in Oeyama, Japan, and Udepts and Udox in Kinabalu, Malaysia. Soil was sampled every 3 cm from 0 to 30 cm depth and sieved to isolate soil particles of ≤20 μm diameter for the assessment of radiocesium interception potential (RIP) after a series of pretreatments. One subset was treated with H2O2 to remove organic matter (OM). Another subset was further treated with hot sodium citrate to remove hydroxy-Al polymers (Al(OH)x). RIPuntreated was <0.4 mol kg-1 whereas mica-K content was <0.02% by weight for ≤20-μm soil particles from Udepts and Udox in Kinabalu, Malaysia, values as low as those of non-micaceous minerals (e.g. kaolinite and smectite). Neither OM nor Al(OH)x removal resulted in a large increase in RIP value for these soils. These results clearly indicated that serpentine soils in Malaysia have very few RCs selective adsorption sites due to the absence of micaceous minerals. In contrast, soil from Udepts in Oeyama, Japan showed average RIPuntreated of 5.6 mol kg-1 and mica-K content of 0.72% by weight for the ≤20-μm particles. Furthermore, the RIP value was significantly increased to an average of 22.5 mol kg-1 after removing both OM and Al(OH)x. These results strongly suggest that weathered micaceous minerals primarily control the ability to retain RCs. These micaceous minerals cannot originate from serpentine minerals, and are probably incorporated as an exotic material, such as Asian dust. This hypothesis is supported by the δ18O value of quartz isolated from the ≤20-μm soil particles from Oeyama, Japan (+16.13‰±0.11‰), very similar to that of Asian dust. In conclusion, serpentine soils in Japan may exhibit a reduced risk of soil-to-plant transfer of RCs due to the historical deposition of Asian dust.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  17. Ho, Christopher C.K., Teo, C.H., Ng, C.J., Zulkifli, M.Z., Tan, M.H.
    MyJurnal
    The aim of this review was to analyze the gender disparities found as well as the life expectancies in Asia. An analysis of the data on gender disparities as well as life expectancies of the different Asian countries was done based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory Data Repository as well as the regional government databases. Middle Eastern countries have the highest male to female population ratio. The results show that in terms of population pyramid, Asia is moving towards a more geriatric population. Qatar has the highest life expectancy for men and is the only country in Asia where men live longer than women (difference of 2 years). In general, women in Asia live longer than men. High income countries like Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore have higher life expectancies as compared to those on the lower income nations. The life expectancy of Asian men still lags women. Men’s health care needs to be addressed urgently. The disparity in income-status reflecting the lifespan of men is an impetus for us to narrow the gap of health in Asian countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  18. Niikura R
    J Soc Psychol, 1999 Dec;139(6):690-9.
    PMID: 10646304
    The author investigated modes of self-expression as they reflect the quality of assertiveness among Japanese, Malaysian, Filipino, and U.S. white-collar workers. The author collected respondents' answers to a questionnaire consisting of 33 items involving assertiveness related to modes of expression typical of the Japanese people. Several modes of expression considered specific to the Japanese people--styles of group-oriented behavior, younger people's courtesy toward older people, and the deference of the individual to group consensus--were also found among the Malaysian and the Filipino respondents. These behaviors were in contrast to those observed among the U.S. respondents.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  19. Yeoh EK, Chong KC, Chiew CJ, Lee VJ, Ng CW, Hashimoto H, et al.
    One Health, 2021 Jun;12:100213.
    PMID: 33506086 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100213
    While most countries in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) had similar trajectories of COVID-19 from January to May, their implementations of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) differed by transmission stages. To offer a better understanding for an implementation of multidisciplinary policies in COVID-19 control, we compared the impact of NPIs by assessing the transmissibility and severity of COVID-19 in different phases of the epidemic during the first five months in WPR. In this study, we estimated the piecewise instantaneous reproduction number (R
    t
    ) and the reporting delay-adjusted case-fatality ratio (dCFR) of COVID-19 in seven WPR jurisdictions: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Japan, Malaysia, Shanghai, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. According to the results, implementing NPIs was associated with an apparent reduction of the piecewise R
    t
    in two epidemic waves in general. However, large cluster outbreaks raised the piecewise R
    t
    to a high level. We also observed relaxing the NPIs could result in an increase of R
    t
    . The estimated dCFR ranged from 0.09% to 1.59% among the jurisdictions, except in Japan where an estimate of 5.31% might be due to low testing efforts. To conclude, in conjunction with border control measures to reduce influx of imported cases which might cause local outbreaks, other NPIs including social distancing measures along with case finding by rapid tests are also necessary to prevent potential large cluster outbreaks and transmissions from undetected cases. A comparatively lower CFR may reflect the health system capacity of these jurisdictions. In order to keep track of sustained disease transmission due to resumption of economic activities, a close monitoring of disease transmissibility is recommended in the relaxation phase. The report of transmission of SARS CoV-2 to pets in Hong Kong and to mink in farm outbreaks highlight for the control of COVID-19 and emerging infectious disease, the One Health approach is critical in understanding and accounting for how human, animals and environment health are intricately connected.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
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