Displaying publications 1861 - 1880 of 2458 in total

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  1. Forest fires and environmental haze in Southeast Asia: using the 'stakeholder' approach to assign costs and responsibilities
    Quah E, Johnston D
    J Environ Manage, 2001 Oct;63(2):181-91.
    PMID: 11721597
    The 'seasonal haze' problem is one which afflicts large parts of Southeast Asia in years of drought. The major cause is forest, bush and field fires in the states of Kalimantan and Sumatra in Indonesia, and to a lesser extent in Sabah, Sarawak, and other parts of Malaysia. Almost all of these fires now seem preventable, since they are intentionally set to clear land for cultivation. Theoretically, the government authorities at central, provincial and local levels in these countries should be responsible for controlling activities in their territory. In practice, however, air pollution control through regulatory policies and practices is extraordinarily difficult to implement and maintain in a situation of this kind in developing countries, especially at a time of crippling economic setbacks. Moreover, the establishment of legal liability, through an international tribunal or otherwise, hardly seems a politically feasible course of action for the government of an affluent 'victim state' such as Singapore. Faith in the usual solutions--science, regulation, law and diplomacy--is weakened by one's sense of current realities. The purpose of this paper is to review the issues and suggested responses, the cost implications of each, the responsibilities as well as entitlements that might apply to the various stakeholders, and the special role of Singapore as an affluent 'victim state'. We also discuss the incentive mechanisms that would be needed to manage forest fires.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
  2. Asthma control in the Asia-Pacific region: the Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific Study
    Lai CK, De Guia TS, Kim YY, Kuo SH, Mukhopadhyay A, Soriano JB, et al.
    J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2003 Feb;111(2):263-8.
    PMID: 12589343
    Few data on asthma management are available for the Asia-Pacific region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  3. Phylogeography of Kandelia candel in East Asiatic mangroves based on nucleotide variation of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNAs
    Chiang TY, Chiang YC, Chen YJ, Chou CH, Havanond S, Hong TN, et al.
    Mol Ecol, 2001 Nov;10(11):2697-710.
    PMID: 11883883
    Vivipary with precocious seedlings in mangrove plants was thought to be a hindrance to long-range dispersal. To examine the extent of seedling dispersal across oceans, we investigated the phylogeny and genetic structure among East Asiatic populations of Kandelia candel based on organelle DNAs. In total, three, 28 and seven haplotypes of the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) atpB-rbcL spacer, cpDNA trnL-trnF spacer, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were identified, respectively, from 202 individuals. Three data sets suggested consistent phylogenies recovering two differentiated lineages corresponding to geographical regions, i.e. northern South-China-Sea + East-China-Sea region and southern South-China-Sea region (Sarawak). Phylogenetically, the Sarawak population was closely related to the Ranong population of western Peninsula Malaysia instead of other South-China-Sea populations, indicating its possible origin from the Indian Ocean Rim. No geographical subdivision was detected within the northern geographical region. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed low levels of genetic differentiation between and within mainland and island populations (phiCT = 0.015, phiSC = 0.037), indicating conspicuous long-distance seedling dispersal across oceans. Significant linkage disequilibrium excluded the possibility of recurrent homoplasious mutations as the major force causing phylogenetic discrepancy between mtDNA and the trnL-trnF spacer within the northern region. Instead, relative ages of alleles contributed to non-random chlorotype-mitotype associations and tree inconsistency. Widespread distribution and random associations (chi2 = 0.822, P = 0.189) of eight hypothetical ancestral cytotypes indicated the panmixis of populations of the northern geographical region as a whole. In contrast, rare and recently evolved alleles were restricted to marginal populations, revealing some preferential directional migration.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  4. Male circumcision and penis enhancement in Southeast Asia: matters of pain and pleasure
    Hull TH, Budiharsana M
    Reprod Health Matters, 2001 Nov;9(18):60-7.
    PMID: 11765401
    This paper reviews some uniquely male sexual health concerns in Southeast Asia, with particular attention to Indonesia. These include various forms of male circumcision, different types of 'penis enhancement' carried out across the region and the use of dry sex by women. These practices appear to be motivated by specific notions of sexual pleasure, based on indigenous gender constructs. Although they may or may not pose a serious public health problem, as markers of misguided or exploitative gender relations they do reveal important aspects of social psychology related to sexuality and sexual health. Male circumcision provides an ideal opportunity to consider male reproductive health needs and risks in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Practices that involve cutting the male genitals need to be addressed in ways that stress the importance of sexual relationships based on mutual respect and open communication. Penis implants and inserts and other penis augmentation devices, as well as dry sex practices, are potentially dangerous to both men and women, and of questionable value in bringing pleasure to either, and should be discouraged.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
  5. Molecular phylogenetic studies on Theileria parasites based on small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences
    Chansiri K, Kawazu S, Kamio T, Terada Y, Fujisaki K, Philippe H, et al.
    Vet Parasitol, 1999 Jun 15;83(2):99-105.
    PMID: 10392966
    Classification of Theileria parasites of south-east Asian countries is still ambiguous due to the lack of basic studies, especially their molecular genetic information. In this study, we included 6 known species and 14 unclassified Theileria parasite isolates: Theileria annulata, Theileria parva, Theileria taurotragi, Theileria sergenti, Theileria buffeli, Theileria types Sable, Theileria types A, B, B1, B2, C, D, E, F, G, G1, Theileria type Medan (Indonesia), Theileria type Ipoh (Malaysia) and Theileria type Thong Song (Thailand). Small subunit ribosomal RNA (srRNA) nucleotide sequence data were collected by PCR, cloning and dideoxy sequencing. The srRNA nucleotide sequences were aligned and analyzed by distance methods, maximum parsimony algorithms and maximum likelihood methods to construct phylogenetic trees. Bootstrap analysis was used to test the strength of the different phylogenetic reconstructions. The data indicated that all of the tree-building methods gave very similar results. This study identified two groups of Theileria, the pathogenic and benign groups, which are strongly supported by bootstrap analysis. The analysis also indicated that three subgroups (A, B and C) were generated within the benign Theileria group whereas the classification of Theileria type D and Thong Song is questionable. However, more basic information such as life cycle differences, vectors, modes of transmission, virulent and genetic/sexual compatability is essential for clearer taxonomic definition of the benign Theileria parasites.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
  6. Phylogeography of the asian elephant (Elephas maximus) based on mitochondrial DNA
    Fleischer RC, Perry EA, Muralidharan K, Stevens EE, Wemmer CM
    Evolution, 2001 Sep;55(9):1882-92.
    PMID: 11681743
    Populations of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) have been reduced in size and become highly fragmented during the past 3,000 to 4,000 years. Historical records reveal elephant dispersal by humans via trade and war. How have these anthropogenic impacts affected genetic variation and structure of Asian elephant populations? We sequenced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to assay genetic variation and phylogeography across much of the Asian elephant's range. Initially we compare cytochrome b sequences (cyt b) between nine Asian and five African elephants and use the fossil-based age of their separation (approximately 5 million years ago) to obtain a rate of about 0.013 (95% CI = 0.011-0.018) corrected sequence divergence per million years. We also assess variation in part of the mtDNA control region (CR) and adjacent tRNA genes in 57 Asian elephants from seven countries (Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia). Asian elephants have typical levels of mtDNA variation, and coalescence analyses suggest their populations were growing in the late Pleistocene. Reconstructed phylogenies reveal two major clades (A and B) differing on average by HKY85/gamma-corrected distances of 0.020 for cyt b and 0.050 for the CR segment (corresponding to a coalescence time based on our cyt b rate of approximately 1.2 million years). Individuals of both major clades exist in all locations but Indonesia and Malaysia. Most elephants from Malaysia and all from Indonesia are in well-supported, basal clades within clade A. thus supporting their status as evolutionarily significant units (ESUs). The proportion of clade A individuals decreases to the north, which could result from retention and subsequent loss of ancient lineages in long-term stable populations or, perhaps more likely, via recent mixing of two expanding populations that were isolated in the mid-Pleistocene. The distribution of clade A individuals appears to have been impacted by human trade in elephants among Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India, and the subspecies and ESU statuses of Sri Lankan elephants are not supported by molecular data.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  7. Antimicrobial susceptibility and occurrence of resistance genes among Salmonella enterica serovar Weltevreden from different countries
    Aarestrup FM, Lertworapreecha M, Evans MC, Bangtrakulnonth A, Chalermchaikit T, Hendriksen RS, et al.
    J Antimicrob Chemother, 2003 Oct;52(4):715-8.
    PMID: 12972453
    This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella Weltevreden isolates from different sources in South-East Asia (Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam), Australia, Denmark, New Zealand and the USA.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
  8. Husbands' versus wives' fertility goals and use of contraception: the influence of gender context in five Asian countries
    Mason KO, Smith HL
    Demography, 2000 Aug;37(3):299-311.
    PMID: 10953805 DOI: 10.2307/2648043
    Using data from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, we explore how gender context influences (1) husband-wife concordance in the demand for children and (2) the impact of each spouse's fertility preferences on contraceptive use. We also explore whether the husband's pronatalism can explain the wife's unmet need for contraception. The results suggest that gender context has little net effect on couples' concordance, but influences the relative weight of husbands' and wives' preferences in determining contraceptive use. Analysis of women's unmet need for contraception suggests that the husbands' pronatalism contributes to wives' unmet need, but only to a relatively small degree, especially in settings where unmet need is high. This is the case because the proportion of couples with differing fertility goals is small in most communities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  9. The present status of assisted reproductive technology in Asia-Oceania
    Chang YS, Jun JK, Choi YM, Moon SY
    Asia Oceania J Obstet Gynaecol, 1994 Dec;20(4):331-44.
    PMID: 7832663
    This is a survey on the present status of assisted reproductive technology in the Asia-Oceanic region. The survey formats were sent to the 19-member societies of AOFOG. By the end of August 1991, 11 countries responded: Australia, Egypt, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of China, Singapore and Thailand. This report is a summary of data from 12 countries including Korea. It comprised of 14 headings: IVF, GIFT, AIH, AID, donor sperm in ART, donor eggs in ART, preembryos from IVF for donation, cryopreservation of eggs, cryopreservation of fertilized eggs and preembryos, research of preembryos, surrogate mothers, additional procedures, quality assurance in reproductive technology and formation of policy for emerging reproductive technology. Each heading is composed of status of regulations, cost and coverage and the results and management of program.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
  10. Presidential address
    Vohra U
    IIPS Newsl, 1993 Jul;34(3):4-6.
    PMID: 12287408
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  11. Effective IEC approaches for Asia. IEC evaluation workshop
    JOICFP News, 1996 Feb.
    PMID: 12290712
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  12. Knocking at the door: Asian immigration to Australia
    Hugo G
    Asian Pac Migr J, 1992;1(1):100-44.
    PMID: 12317236
    "This paper assesses the level and composition of contemporary Asian immigration to Australia and explores its processes and impacts. The final reversal of the White Australia Policy in the 1970s opened the door to substantial increases in Asian immigration, particularly from Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, China, India and Hong Kong." Aspects considered include migrant categories, age, sex, and social and economic adaptation to Australia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  13. Chinese culture and fertility decline
    Wu C, Jia S
    Chin J Popul Sci, 1992;4(2):95-103.
    PMID: 12317926
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  14. Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in foodstuffs from Asian and oceanic countries
    Kannan K, Tanabe S, Giesy JP, Tatsukawa R
    Rev Environ Contam Toxicol, 1997;152:1-55.
    PMID: 9297984
    Public concern about the adverse environmental and human health impacts of organochlorine contaminants led to strict regulations on their use in developed nations two decades ago. Nevertheless, DDT and several other organochlorine insecticides are still being used for agriculture and public health programs in developing countries in Asia and the South Pacific. As a consequence, humans in this region are exposed to greater dietary levels of organochlorines. In this review, published information on organochlorine concentrations in foodstuffs from South and Southeast Asia and Oceanic countries has been compiled. Foodstuffs that contribute to human exposures and dietary intakes of organochlorines were examined, and the data compared with those reported from more developed nations. Among various developing countries in Asia, considerable information on organochlorines in foodstuffs has been available from India since the late 1960s. DDT and HCH were the major insecticides in Indian foodstuffs. Concentrations of these insecticides have declined more than two orders of magnitude in farm products, such as food grains and vegetables, in two decades. Milk and milk products are the major sources of dietary exposure to DDT and HCH in India. The residues of these insecticides in dairy products were close to or above the MRLs of the FAO/WHO. Dietary intake of DDT and HCH by Indians was > 100 fold that in more developed nations. Sporadic incidences of greater concentrations (> 1 microgram/g) of aldrin, dieldrin, and heptachlor have been measured in Indian vegetables. Untreated surface waters could be a potential source of DDT and HCH exposure. In most Southeast Asian countries DDT was the common contaminant in animal origin foodstuffs. The higher percentage of p,p'-DDT in meat and fish from Southeast Asian countries, except Japan and Korea, indicated the recent use of DDt in vector control operations. Dietary intakes of DDt and HCH in Southeast Asia were an order of magnitude less than those of Indians but 5- to 10 fold greater than in more developed nations. In addition to DDT, aldrin and dieldrin were prominent in meat collected from Thailand and Malaysia. Aquatic food products from more industrialized countries, such as Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, contained significant levels of PCBs. In South Pacific countries, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, chlordanes and PCBs were the most prevalent organochlorines in foodstuffs. Food contamination by DDT, HCH, aldrin, and dieldrin was less than in developing countries in Asia but greater than in the U.S. and Japan. Intake of PCBs in Australia was greater than in the U.S. Meat and fish were the major sources of organochlorine exposure by Australians. Human dietary intake of organochlorines has been declining more slowly in developing countries in Asia. Current intakes were at least 5- to 100 fold greater than those in more developed nations, suggesting a greater risk from organochlorine exposure. Factors such as malnutrition, common among rural poor in developing nations, can increase these risks. Of greatest concern is the magnitude of exposure to organochlorines to which infants and children are subjected through human and dairy milk. The estimated intake of DDT by infants was at least 100 fold greater than the ADI of the FAO/WHO. In addition to DDT, excessive exposures to HCH and dieldrin may cause potential health effects in infants because they are more vulnerable to toxic effects. The design and implementation of appropriate epidemiological studies and their integration with monitoring of human, food, and environmental samples would be a major step in assessing the risks of organochlorine residues in foods and controlling or eliminating them. With the continued globalization of trade in food products, and the concomitant risk that food contaminated through point-source pollution may be widely distributed, identification of sources and their control should be matters of
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  15. For the sake of purity (and control). Female genital mutilation
    Gilbert D
    Links, 1993;9(5):6-8, 30.
    PMID: 12159278
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  16. Amok
    Kon Y
    Br J Psychiatry, 1994 Nov;165(5):685-9.
    PMID: 7866687
    BACKGROUND: Amok is reviewed from a historical standpoint, tracing how it has changed from the Hindu states of India where it was a war tactic to the sudden incomprehensible violence and mass murder by a single individual associated with the syndrome today.

    METHOD: A typical amok attack is described and the criteria for amok discussed. Amok in Malaysia, New Guinea, Laos, North America and other countries are presented. The possible motives for such violent killings and a possible psychiatric diagnosis in relation to contemporary diagnostic criteria is discussed.

    CONCLUSION: Classification of amok remains unresolved. The reason for its frequency in and around Malaysia remains unknown.

    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  17. The condom controversy: should latex prophylactics be part of everyday life?
    Asiaweek, 1994 Jan 19.
    PMID: 12288297
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  18. Reabsorption of returning workers from the Gulf: the Asian experience
    Kazi S
    Pak Dev Rev, 1994;33(4 Pt 2):1333-44.
    PMID: 12346198
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  19. "Clutching a knifeblade": human rights and development from Asian women's perspective
    Sancho-liao N
    Focus Gend, 1993 Jun;1(2):31-6.
    PMID: 12345217
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
  20. A probe into reasons for international migration in Fujian Province
    Zhu G
    Chin J Popul Sci, 1990;2(3):229-46.
    PMID: 12284987
    Matched MeSH terms: Asia
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