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Fulltext Admission policies and methods at crossroads: a review of medical school admission policies and methods in seven Asian countries

Soemantri D, Karunathilake I, Yang JH, Chang SC, Lin CH, Nadarajah VD, et al.

Korean J Med Educ, 2020 Sep;32(3):243-256.
PMID: 32723988 DOI: 10.3946/kjme.2020.169

Selecting the right applicants is an important part of medical student admission. While one universally accepted selection criterion is academic capacity, there are other criteria such as communication skills and local criteria (e.g., socio-cultural values) that are no less important. This article reviews the policies and methods of selection to medical schools in seven countries with varying socio-economic conditions and healthcare systems. Senior academics involved in medical education in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan completed a pre-agreed pro-forma per each country to describe the country's admission policies and methods. The details were then compared and contrasted. This review identifies tension between many of the policies and methods used in medical school admissions, such as between the need to assess non-cognitive abilities and widen access, and between the need for more medical professionals and the requirement to set high entry standards. Finding the right balance requires careful consideration of all variables, including the country's human resource needs; socio-economic status; graduates' expected competencies; and the school's vision, mission, and availability of resources.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia
Asian consensus recommendations on optimizing the diagnosis and initiation of treatment of hepatitis B virus infection in resource-limited settings

Gane EJ, Charlton MR, Mohamed R, Sollano JD, Tun KS, Pham TTT, et al.

J Viral Hepat, 2020 05;27(5):466-475.
PMID: 31785182 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13244

Asia has an intermediate-to-high prevalence of and high morbidity and mortality from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Optimization of diagnosis and initiation of treatment is one of the crucial strategies for lowering disease burden in this region. Therefore, a panel of 24 experts from 10 Asian countries convened, and reviewed the literature, to develop consensus guidance on diagnosis and initiation of treatment of HBV infection in resource-limited Asian settings. The panel proposed 11 recommendations related to diagnosis, pre-treatment assessment, and indications of therapy of HBV infection, and management of HBV-infected patients with co-infections. In resource-limited Asian settings, testing for hepatitis B surface antigen may be considered as the primary test for diagnosis of HBV infection. Pre-treatment assessments should include tests for complete blood count, liver and renal function, hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), anti-HBe, HBV DNA, co-infection markers and assessment of severity of liver disease. Noninvasive tests such as AST-to-platelet ratio index, fibrosis score 4 or transient elastography may be used as alternatives to liver biopsy for assessing disease severity. Considering the high burden of HBV infection in Asia, the panel adopted an aggressive approach, and recommended initiation of antiviral therapy in all HBV-infected, compensated or decompensated cirrhotic individuals with detectable HBV DNA levels, regardless of HBeAg status or alanine transaminase levels. The panel also developed a simple algorithm for guiding the initiation of treatment in noncirrhotic, HBV-infected individuals. The recommendations proposed herein, may help guide clinicians, to optimize the diagnosis and improvise the treatment rates for HBV infection in Asia.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia
Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of plants of the genus Gynura

Bari MS, Khandokar L, Haque E, Romano B, Capasso R, Seidel V, et al.

J Ethnopharmacol, 2021 May 10;271:113834.
PMID: 33465439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113834

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The genus Gynura (Compositae) includes around 46 species and is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Africa and Australia. Many species within this genus are used in ethnomedicine to treat various disorders including skin diseases, injuries, ulcers, wounds, burns, sores, scalds, as well as for the management of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, constipation, rheumatism, bronchitis and inflammation.
AIM OF THE REVIEW: This review is an attempt to provide scientific information regarding the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological profiles of Gynura species along with the nomenclature, distribution, taxonomy and botanical features of the genus. A critical analysis has been undertaken to understand the current and future pharmaceutical prospects of the genus.
MATERIALS & METHODS: Several electronic databases, including Google scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Semantic Scholar, MEDLINE and CNKI Scholar, were explored as information sources. The Plant List Index was used for taxonomical authentications. SciFinder and PubChem assisted in the verification of chemical structures.
RESULTS: A large number of phytochemical analyses on Gynura have revealed the presence of around 342 phytoconstituents including pyrrolizidine alkaloids, phenolic compounds, chromanones, phenylpropanoid glycosides, flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, steroids, steroidal glycosides, cerebrosides, carotenoids, triterpenes, mono- and sesquiterpenes, norisoprenoids, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and proteins. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the pharmacological potential of Gynura species, including antidiabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive and anticancer activities. Although the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids within a few species has been associated with possible hepatotoxicity, most of the common species have a good safety profile.
CONCLUSIONS: The importance of the genus Gynura both as a prominent contributor in ethnomedicinal systems as well as a source of promising bioactive molecules is evident. Only about one fourth of Gynura species have been studied so far. This review aims to provide some scientific basis for future endeavors, including in-depth biological and chemical investigations into already studied species as well as other lesser known species of Gynura.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
Methods in Screening Antiviral Drugs Against Enterovirus 71

Bajaber NAOA, Ramanathan B

Methods Mol Biol, 2021;2296:167-184.
PMID: 33977447 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1358-0_9

Enteroviruses 71 (EV71) is a single-stranded, neurotrophic RNA virus responsible for the numerous outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in the Asia-Pacific regions. HFMD primarily affects children to cause range of infection, from mild symptoms to acute flaccid paralysis, and hemorrhage. Despite increased incidence of EV71 epidemics globally and research against EV71 becoming prioritized, no antiviral agent against EV71 has yet been licensed and approved worldwide. In this chapter, detailed EV71 antiviral screening techniques are described, including plaque assay which determines viral titers through the use of a semisolid overlay, carboxymethyl cellulose to allow even viral spread and infection across the host cellular monolayers as well as a crystal violet, a distinct counterstain to visualize circular regions of infectious zones-plaques. qRT-PCR is used to quantify the viral genomic RNA in the infected samples and MTS cell viability assay to quantify the cell viability after infection or toxicity of the compound on the cells. Furthermore, various antiviral inhibition assays including prophylactic, post infection, and virucidal assays are demonstrated for estimation of the antiviral activity of potential antiviral drugs against EV71. These methods can be effectively utilized in virology laboratories for effective high-throughput screening of antiviral molecules against EV71 that can assist in the future development of antiviral drugs.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia
The associations between meeting 24-hour movement guidelines and adiposity in Asian Adolescents: The Asia-Fit Study

Hui SS, Zhang R, Suzuki K, Naito H, Balasekaran G, Song JK, et al.

Scand J Med Sci Sports, 2021 Mar;31(3):763-771.
PMID: 33249648 DOI: 10.1111/sms.13893

Less is known about how compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines for physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and sleep affects adiposity in young people. The purposes of this study were to compare compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines in Asian adolescents and to examine the associations between compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines and body fat percentage. A sample of 12 590 adolescents aged 13.63 (± 1.01) years from eight Asian metropolitan cities including Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong SAR, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Seoul (South Korea), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan), and Tokyo (Japan) completed interviewer-administered questionnaires to assess moderate-to-vigorous PA, recreational screen time, sleep duration, and covariates. Body fat percentage was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. We found that compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines differed in Asian adolescents across the eight cities. Adjusting for covariates, there was a negative association between number of the guidelines being met and body fat percentage in Asian adolescents. In addition, meeting only the sleep guideline and both the PA and sleep guidelines had negative associations with body fat percentage compared with no guidelines being met. Our findings improve the understanding about how compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines benefit a healthy body weight in adolescents, as well as contribute to development of evidence-based 24-hour movement guidelines for Asian young people. Future research is needed to gain better insights into the directionality of the associations between compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines and adiposity, as well as the mechanisms underlying the associations in Asian adolescents.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
Psychosocial rehabilitation models in the Asia-Pacific region

Deva MP

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 1998 Dec;52 Suppl:S364-6.
PMID: 9895195

Mental illnesses and mental health have, out of ignorance and fear, evoked a low priority in healthcare systems the world over. The concept that all mental illnesses were synonymous with madness has its origins in the beginnings of ignorance and fear. To a large extent, these have contributed to the marginalization of psychiatry and neglect of the mentally ill. The kings of old, seeing the ill-treatment of the mentally ill, built asylums for them, but again, the prejudice soon was overwhelming and care of the mentally ill was often given to those who were not the best administrators and carers. The long and controversial tradition of mental asylum care for the mentally ill was also brought about by the lack of specific treatments for mental illnesses. With the advent of chlorpromazine in the 1950s and other psychotropics afterwards, the need for incarceration in asylums became largely redundant. However, what also became obvious soon after was the fact that the psychotropics only helped to control symptoms and not to cure diseases of the mind. Although considerable research has gone into attempts at correcting supposed defects in neurotransmission, the cure of mental illness seems some way off. The need for rehabilitating or re-housing those with mental illnesses especially those needing long-term care and those whose cure seems difficult has been recognized for a long time. It was Phillipe Pinel who almost 200 years ago unchained the mental patients at an asylum in Paris and proposed work therapy and humane care. Psychosocial rehabilitation of the mentally ill is not, therefore, a new concept. The need for methods of changing the behavior, thinking and functioning of those with severe mental illnesses using psychological, social, occupational, behavioral and medical methods is called psychosocial rehabilitation. This method, although developed in stages over the past two centuries, has undergone changes and deterioration and development in different parts of the world with different priorities and emphasis.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
Fulltext Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis of the First Complete Genome of Ricetungro spherical virus in Malaysia

Kannan M, Mohamad Saad M, Zainal Z, Kassim H, Ismail I, Talip N, et al.

Iran J Biotechnol, 2020 Oct;18(4):e2566.
PMID: 34056024 DOI: 10.30498/IJB.2020.2566

Background: Rice tungro disease (RTD) is a viral disease mainly affecting rice in Asia. RTD caused by Rice tungro bacilliform virus and Rice tungro spherical virus. To date, there are only 5 RTSV isolates have been reported.
Objectives: In this study, we aimed to report the complete nucleotide sequence of Malaysian isolate of Rice tungro spherical virus Seberang Perai (RTSV-SP) for the first time. RTSV-SP was characterized and its evolutionary relationship with previously reported Indian and Philippines isolates were elucidated.
Materials and Methods: RTSV-SP isolate was isolated from a recent outbreak in a paddy field in Seberang Perai zone of Malaysia. Its complete genome was amplified by RT-PCR, cloned and sequenced.
Results: Sequence analysis indicated that the genome of RTSV-SP consisted of 12,173 nucleotides (nt). Comparative analysis of 6 complete genome sequences using Clustal Omega showed that Seberang Perai isolate shared the highest nucleotide identity (96.04%) with Philippine-A isolate, except that the sORF-2 of RTSV-SP is shorter than RTSV Philippine-A by 27 amino acid residues. RTSV-SP found to cluster in Southeast Asia (SEA) group based on the whole genome sequence phylogenetic analysis using MEGA X software.
Conclusions: Phylogenetic classification of RTSV isolates based on the complete nucleotide sequences showed more distinctive clustering pattern with the addition of RTSV-SP whole genome to the available isolates. Present study described the isolation and molecular characterization of RTSV-SP.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
Mortality in adult epilepsy patients in Malaysia: a hospital-based study

Khor SB, Lim KS, Fong SL, Ho JH, Koh MY, Tan CT

Seizure, 2021 May;88:56-59.
PMID: 33812309 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.03.024

BACKGROUND: The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of epilepsy in Asia ranges from 2.5 to 5.1. However, there are no such published data in Malaysia to date. Understanding the mortality rate and related factors will allow us to better assess and monitor the health status of PWE, thereby, preventing premature deaths among PWE. Hence, this study aimed to determine the mortality rate of adults with epilepsy (PWE) at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.
METHOD: A total of 2218 PWE were recruited retrospectively into this study. Deceased cases from 2009-2018 were identified from the National Registry Department of Malaysia. Age-, gender-, and ethnic-specific SMR were calculated.
RESULT: There was a total of 163 deaths, of which 111 (68.1%) were male. The overall case-fatality rate (CFR) was 7.3%. Male PWE had higher CFR (9.2%) compared to females (5.1%, p<0.001). The annual death rate of PWE was 867 per 100, 000 persons. The overall all-cause SMR was 1.6 (CI 95% 1.3-1.8). The SMR for younger age groups (15-19 and 20-29 years) were higher (5.4-5.5) compared to other age groups (0.4-2.5). Overall SMR for male PWE (1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.1) was higher than females (1.2, 95% CI 0.9-1.6). However, the SMR for female PWE in the younger age groups (15-19, 20-29 and 30-39 years) was higher. SMR among the Indian PWE was the highest (1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.0) compared to the Chinese (1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9) and the Malays (1.4, 95% 1.0-1.9). The CFR was higher in those with focal epilepsy (8.5% vs. 2.5-3.7% in genetic and other generalized epilepsies, p=0.003), epilepsy with structural cause (9.5% vs. 5.9% in others, p=0.005) and uncontrolled seizures (7.9% vs. 5.2% in seizure-free group, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: The mortality rate of PWE in Malaysia is higher than that of the general population but lower compared to other Asian countries. Specifically, the rates are higher in the younger age group, male gender, and Indian ethnicity. Those with focal epilepsy, structural causes and uncontrolled seizures have higher mortality rates.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia; Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Fulltext Anticancer activity of Momordica cochinchinensis (red gac) aril and the impact of varietal diversity

Wimalasiri D, Dekiwadia C, Fong SY, Piva TJ, Huynh T

BMC Complement Med Ther, 2020 Nov 25;20(1):365.
PMID: 33238969 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03122-z

BACKGROUND: Momordica cochinchinensis (Cucurbitaceae) is a nutritionally and medicinally important fruit restricted to South East Asia with diverse morphological and genetic variations but there is limited information on its medicinal potential.
METHODS: M. cochinchinensis aril from 44 different samples in Australia, Thailand and Vietnam were extracted using different solvents and tested for its anticancer potential. Anticancer activity of M. cochinchinensis aril on breast cancer (MCF7 and BT474) and melanoma (MM418C1 and D24) cells were compared to control fibroblasts (NHDF). The cytotoxicity of the cells following treatment with the aril extract was determined using CCK-8 assay. Biochemical and morphological changes were analysed using flow cytometry, confocal and transmission electron microscopy to determine the mechanism of cell death.
RESULTS: The water extract from the aril of M. cochinchinensis elicited significantly higher cytotoxicity towards breast cancer and melanoma cells than the HAE extract. The IC50 concentration for the crude water extract ranged from 0.49 to 0.73 mg/mL and induced both apoptotic and necrotic cell death in a dose- and time-dependant manner with typical biochemical and morphological characteristics. The greatest cytotoxicity was observed from Northern Vietnam samples which caused 70 and 50% melanoma and breast cancer cell death, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The water extract of M. cochinchinensis aril caused significant apoptosis and necrosis of breast cancer and melanoma cells, with varieties from Northern Vietnam possessing superior activity. This highlights the potential of this fruit in the development of novel anticancer agents against such tumours, with specific regions on where to collect the best variety and extraction solvent for optimum activity.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
A call for more research and global collaboration in South-East Asia to address challenges of DMT access and MS management in the region

Vijayasingham L, Viswanathan S

Mult Scler, 2019 01;25(1):130-131.
PMID: 30132396 DOI: 10.1177/1352458518797290
Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
Population diversity of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in China based on whole mitochondrial genome sequences

Wu F, Jiang H, Beattie GAC, Holford P, Chen J, Wallis CM, et al.

Pest Manag Sci, 2018 Nov;74(11):2569-2577.
PMID: 29688605 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5044

BACKGROUND: Diaphorina citri (Asian citrus psyllid; ACP) transmits 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' associated with citrus Huanglongbing (HLB). ACP has been reported in 11 provinces/regions in China, yet its population diversity remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated ACP population diversity in China using representative whole mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences. Additional mitogenome sequences outside China were also acquired and evaluated.
RESULTS: The sizes of the 27 ACP mitogenome sequences ranged from 14 986 to 15 030 bp. Along with three previously published mitogenome sequences, the 30 sequences formed three major mitochondrial groups (MGs): MG1, present in southwestern China and occurring at elevations above 1000 m; MG2, present in southeastern China and Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam) and occurring at elevations below 180 m; and MG3, present in the USA and Pakistan. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in five genes (cox2, atp8, nad3, nad1 and rrnL) contributed mostly in the ACP diversity. Among these genes, rrnL had the most variation.
CONCLUSION: Mitogenome sequences analyses revealed two major phylogenetic groups of ACP present in China as well as a possible unique group present currently in Pakistan and the USA. The information could have significant implications for current ACP control and HLB management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
Fulltext Proceedings of the 3rd expert consultation and planning meeting on infant and young child nutrition-(part 2)

Amarra, Sofia, Chan, Pauline

Malays J Nutr, 2013;19(1):139-142.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The Infant and Early Childhood Nutrition Task Force, International Life Sciences Institute Southeast Asia (ILSI SEA) Region, organised the 1st and 2nd Expert Consultation and Planning Meeting on Infant and Early Childhood Nutrition in 2009 and 2011, respectively. The goal of the consultations was “to generate and promote relevant science-based information that will help improve nutritional status, growth and development of infants and young children in Southeast Asia.” Methods: An Expert Panel Core Group was created whose role is to provide advice and recommendations through a review of current scientific knowledge regarding issues related to early childhood growth and nutrition. The Panel is composed of experts representing 7 countries (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam). In July 2012, the Panel convened the 3rd Expert Consultation and Planning Meeting on Infant and Young Child Nutrition in Singapore. This report presents the highlights of the meeting and recommendations made by the Panel on ways to improve infant and young child nutrition in Southeast Asia. Results and Conclusion: The effective use of WHO indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices, mitigating the effects of maternal employment on breastfeeding, using behaviour change communication, updating the education of health personnel, and improving maternal health were considered important actions to be taken. Since current feeding practices in Southeast Asia fall short of WHO recommendations, studies are needed to develop strategies which take into consideration the diverse cultural settings that characterise the region.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
A case of severe Plasmodium knowlesi malaria in a post-splenectomy patient

Cheo SW, Khoo TT, Tan YA, Yeoh WC, Low QJ

Med J Malaysia, 2020 07;75(4):447-449.
PMID: 32724015

Malaria is a parasitic disease that is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Worldwide, it remains a significant public health problem especially in the Africa region where it contributes to more than 90% of cases and malaria death. However, zoonotic (simian) Plasmodium knowlesi parasite is a widely prevalent cause of malaria in the South East Asian countries. It is known to cause severe human disease due to its 24hour erythrocytic cycles. Thus far, cases of severe falciparum malaria have been reported in asplenic patients. Here, we report a case of severe P.knowlesi malaria in a 51-year-old man who is a postsplenectomy patient.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
Clinical stage of chronic granulocytic leukaemia and BCR breakpoint location in South-East Asian patients

Dyck JA, Bosco JJ

Br J Haematol, 1989 May;72(1):64-7.
PMID: 2736243

Forty-six Malaysian patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia were found to be rearranged in the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) of chromosome 22, molecular evidence of Philadelphia chromosome (t9.22) translocation. Through the use of a 1.2 kb 3' BCR probe and two restriction enzyme digests, patients' breakpoints could be localized either to 5' or 3' regions of the BCR. Breakpoint site localization at the time of DNA sampling did not show any positive statistical association to clinical status defined as chronic phase, chronic phase with less than 6 months to blast crisis, accelerated phase and blast crisis. This was in contrast to earlier reports which indicated that patients with breakpoint at 3' site were at a higher biologic risk for entering blast crisis.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
An overview of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from four Asian countries

Ang CF, Ong CS, Rukmana A, Pham Thi KL, Yap SF, Ngeow YF, et al.

J Med Microbiol, 2008 Aug;57(Pt 8):1039-1040.
PMID: 18628510 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.47850-0
Matched MeSH terms: Asia
Fulltext Antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogenic mycoplasmas in chickens in Asia

Morrow CJ, Kreizinger Z, Achari RR, Bekő K, Yvon C, Gyuranecz M

Vet Microbiol, 2020 Nov;250:108840.
PMID: 33068825 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108840

Mycoplasma synoviae (n = 26) and M. gallisepticum (n = 11) isolates were gained from 164 clinical samples collected from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Thailand. Most isolates were from commercial chicken production systems. A method of filtering (0.45 μm) samples immediately after collection was convenient allowing over a week for transit to the laboratory. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were characterized by a broth microdilution method to enrofloxacin, difloxacin, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, doxycycline, tylosin, tilmicosin, tylvalosin, tiamulin, florfenicol, lincomycin, spectinomycin and lincomycin and spectinomycin combination (1:2). Increased MICs to various antimicrobials were seen in different isolates but appeared largely unrelated to the antimicrobial treatment histories. Overall, the results were similar to other MIC surveys around the world. Generally, low MICs to tetracyclines, tiamulin and tylvalosin were observed. Increased tilmicosin MICs were observed in both M. synoviae and M. gallisepticum isolates (≥64 μg/ml MIC90 values) and this was seen in all isolates with high tylosin MICs. Increases in lincomycin MICs were mostly associated with increases in tilmicosin MICs. The results also suggested that antimicrobial use after mycoplasma vaccination may interfere with vaccine strain persistence and efficacy (field strains were more commonly observed in flocks that had treatments after vaccination) and this area warrants more investigation. The study shows that isolation and MIC determination can be done from remote locations and suggests that this may provide information that will allow more effective use of antimicrobials or other methods of control of avian mycoplasma in chickens (e.g. live vaccines) and therefore more responsible use of antimicrobials from a one health perspective.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia
Fulltext Breeding patterns of the JE vector Culex gelidus and its insect predators in rice cultivation areas of northern peninsular Malaysia

Abu Hassan A, Hamady D, Tomomitsu S, Michael B, Jameel S L AS

Trop Biomed, 2010 Dec;27(3):404-16.
PMID: 21399580 MyJurnal

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus activity is an important cause of viral encephalitis in Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, JEV activity has been first detected in Culex gelidus in 1976. Since then, no study has fully addressed the seasonal dynamics of this mosquito. As irrigated rice production expands, the incidence of JEV vectors, particularly Cx. gelidus is expected to increase. We surveyed Penang Island to determine the breeding patterns of Cx. gelidus and their potential insect predators, in relation to habitat/niche and rice growing period. Six rice fields proper (RFP) and related drainage canals (DC) were visited through three cultivation cycles (CCs) over 17 months. Weekly visits were performed to each of the 36 sites and mosquito larvae and aquatic insects were sampled from RFP and DCs using dippers. Culex gelidus was abundant in RFP and almost absent in DCs. Its densities usually were high during the first and 3rd CC and when the RFs were in Fp, Pp and Gp. In DCs, the mosquito was abundant during Mp, e.g., 2nd CC. Predators, especially those belonging to the families Corixidae, Coenagrionidae and Dytiscidae, were more present in RFP. Predator numbers usually were high during the first CC; in some cases predator abundance peaked during other CCs, e.g., corixids and dysticids. In RFP, neither corixids nor coenagrionids showed any positive correlation with densities of Cx. gelidus. However, dytiscids' population peaked when the mosquito densities were on the rise. These observations suggest that Cx. gelidus is active during the period of rice cultivation. Operational vector control through bio-control or with insecticides near the end of the rice cultivation season in RFP may prove beneficial in reducing the density of Cx. gelidus, but also the amount of bio-agent or insecticide applied on riceland.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
Fulltext Mutagenic and cytotoxic properties of three herbal plants from Southeast Asia

Mohd-Fuat AR, Kofi EA, Allan GG

Trop Biomed, 2007 Dec;24(2):49-59.
PMID: 18209708 MyJurnal

Three popular medicinal plants regarded as improving human sexual function in some parts of Southeast Asia were analysed for their mutagenic properties using modified Ames test (fluctuation test). Extract of one of the plants, Tacca integrifolia Ker-Gawl., was found to be mutagenic using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. Extract of T. integrifolia, Eurycoma longifolia Jack and Helmintostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook were cytotoxic to human cell lines, Hep2 and HFL1, with IC50 ranging from 11 mug/ml to 55 mug/ml. Extract of E. longifolia was the most cytotoxic with IC50 of 11 mug/ml and 13 mug/ml on Hep2 and HFL1 cell lines respectively. Combined extract of T. integrifolia and H. zeylanica was more cytotoxic than single extract on both Hep2 and HFL1 cell lines while combined extract of E. longifolia and H. zeylanica was more cytotoxic than single extract on Hep2 cell lines. Under the conditions of this study it can be concluded that T. integrifolia is mutagenic and the combined extracts of the medicinal plants was highly cytotoxic.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern
Fulltext Drug-coated balloon treatment in coronary artery disease: Recommendations from an Asia-Pacific Consensus Group

Her AY, Shin ES, Bang LH, Nuruddin AA, Tang Q, Hsieh IC, et al.

Cardiol J, 2021;28(1):136-149.
PMID: 31565793 DOI: 10.5603/CJ.a2019.0093

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is currently the leading cause of death globally, and the prevalence of this disease is growing more rapidly in the Asia-Pacific region than in Western countries. Although the use of metal coronary stents has rapidly increased thanks to the advancement of safety and efficacy of newer generation drug eluting stent (DES), patients are still negatively affected by some the inherent limitations of this type of treatment, such as stent thrombosis or restenosis, including neoatherosclerosis, and the obligatory use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with unknown optimal duration. Drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment is based on a leave-nothing-behind concept and therefore it is not limited by stent thrombosis and long-term DAPT; it directly delivers an anti-proliferative drug which is coated on a balloon after improving coronary blood flow. At present, DCB treatment is recommended as the first-line treatment option in metal stent-related restenosis linked to DES and bare metal stent. For de novo coronary lesions, the application of DCB treatment is extended further, for conditions such as small vessel disease, bifurcation lesions, and chronic total occlusion lesions, and others. Recently, several reports have suggested that fractional flow reserve guided DCB application was safe for larger coronary artery lesions and showed good long-term outcomes. Therefore, the aim of these recommendations of the consensus group was to provide adequate guidelines for patients with CAD based on objective evidence, and to extend the application of DCB to a wider variety of coronary diseases and guide their most effective and correct use in actual clinical practice.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia
Fulltext A glycaemic index compendium of non-western foods

Henry CJ, Quek RYC, Kaur B, Shyam S, Singh HKG

Nutr Diabetes, 2021 01 06;11(1):2.
PMID: 33414403 DOI: 10.1038/s41387-020-00145-w

Current international tables published on the glycaemic index (GI) of foods represent valuable resources for researchers and clinicians. However, the vast majority of published GI values are of Western origin, notably European, Australian and North American. Since these tables focus on Western foods with minimal inclusion of other foods from non-Western countries, their application is of limited global use. The objective of this review is to provide the GI values for a variety of foods that are consumed in non-Western countries. Our review extends and expands on the current GI tables in an attempt to widen its application in many other regions of the world.

Matched MeSH terms: Asia

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