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This study uses bibliometric techniques to explore the international knowledge base on climate change education (CCE), which considers education as crucial for addressing the climate emergency through fostering climate-literate citizens. Analyzing two decades of scientific literature on CCE, we identify evolving considerations, foci, trends, and recommendations, examining a total of 1,264 articles published between 2000 and 2022 in educational-related fields in Web of Science. Using bibliometric techniques, we assessed research trends, author co-citations and journal citations to reveal an evolving publication landscape, including shifts in locations of productive researchers, influential articles, and leading journals publishing CCE studies. Bibliometric techniques help to identify the intellectual knowledge structure and inter-journal referencing, encompassing Theoretical Basis of CCE, Psychology of CCE and Communication, Climate Change within Socioscientific Issues, Conceptions of Climate Change, and Epistemology in CCE. Based on the trends, association networks, limitations and gaps revealed by this analysis, we conclude with suggestions for future research.

Enabling all older adults to enjoy longer and better lives requires a better understanding of their time-use patterns, determinants, and effects, especially in developing Asia, where most of the world's older population lives. Older people in developing Asia face additional challenges compared to those in developed countries, and older women are even more disadvantaged. Research on how older adults in developing Asia spend their time is growing, aided by national or regional surveys. Studies show they engage in more paid work, less unpaid work, and less leisure than their counterparts in developed East Asian and Western societies, with larger gender gaps in unpaid work. Within developing Asia, gendered time-use patterns vary, reflecting differences in gender norms, family practices, economic opportunities, and public healthcare and pensions. This article identifies research gaps and calls for high-quality longitudinal data and further study on time use and gender inequality in developing Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ports are severely challenged by the uncertainty of the transportation environment. To evaluate the stability of maritime transportation network in Northeast Asia under port disruption, a network stability analysis model based on node failure rate that considers static and structural, dynamic and functional is proposed in this paper. In this model, the stability of the maritime transportation network is redefined. Based on complex network theory, the statistical topological parameters and evolution of the network are quantitatively analyzed. The active response and passive adaptation process of the maritime transportation network to the failure rate of the port are analyzed. The evaluation results illustrate that the initial stability of the port is proportional to the non-redundant connections and independence of the port. Network location advantages profoundly affect the probability of port failures. The diffusion of port failures in maritime transportation is phased, and the network is adaptive to port disruptions and has high stability. These results contribute to better planning of maritime transportation routes and strategies for port calls by strategic planners of shipping companies. • Node pressure is introduced to quantify the probability of node failure. • A network stability model that combines static and structural, dynamic and functional. • The number of non-redundant links in the port determines its initial stability. • The port's network location advantage is correlated with the port's failure probability. • The impact of failures on marine transportation is phased [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In collaboration with members of the Asia Pacific Society of Speech, Language and Hearing (APSSLH), the purpose of this tutorial was to outline a brief history and the current status of the speech-language pathology and audiology professions in Asian countries that are affiliated with the APSSLH. Method: Relevant literature and websites on the speech-language pathology and audiology professions in each country are reviewed and summarized. Information was also obtained via personal interviews. Results: A brief history, educational programs, licensure systems, and professional organizations of each country are addressed. Discussion: The developmental status of speech-language pathology and audiology professions in Asian countries varies from emerging to fully established. Several issues among countries in development are discussed, and recommendations for future development are addressed. Conclusion: This tutorial will improve awareness of speech-language pathology and audiology status in Asian countries and may facilitate ASHA and APSSLH members participation in and contributions to international relations and affairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the routine testing and reporting of piperacillin/tazobactam susceptibility in Elizabethkingia species, which are increasingly prevalent pathogens in Asia. The study found that there is variability in the results of different susceptibility assays, leading to inconsistent reporting of susceptibility rates. In addition, the presence of a specific gene, blaB, in Elizabethkingia species was found to increase resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam and reduce its efficacy in vivo. The authors suggest that routine testing and reporting of piperacillin/tazobactam susceptibility in Elizabethkingia species may not be informative for treatment decisions. [Extracted from the article]

Whether tectonic strain from the early stage India‐Asia collision has synchronously affected the far‐field margin of the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for understanding plateau deformation and growth processes. However, direct evidence for early far‐field deformation remains scarce. Utilizing illite K‐Ar dating of three fault gouge samples, we established the faulting history of the Leibo fault zone (LFZ) at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (SEMTP). Consistent authigenic illite ages of 52 ± 2, 54 ± 12 and 55 ± 6 Ma suggest the reactivated thrust faulting of the LFZ in the Early Cenozoic. Positioned ∼700 km east of the collisional boundary and at the intersection of three blocks with distinct lithospheric rheology in strength/viscosity, this event suggests a quasi‐synchronous far‐field tectonic response in the SEMTP to the India‐Asia collision. Plain Language Summary: Understanding how tectonic strain resulting from the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates in the Early Cenozoic can spread to the edges of the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for comprehending the plateau's tectonic development. To investigate this question, we used fault gouge, which resulted from the sliding of brittle faults, to directly reveal faulting information. By conducting illite K‐Ar dating on three samples from the Leibo fault zone (LFZ) at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (SEMTP), we found consistent ages of newly formed illite, 52 ± 2, 54 ± 12, and 55 ± 6 million years ago. Since this type of minerals form simultaneously with faulting, these ages reveal a reactivated thrust faulting event of the LFZ, suggesting a nearly simultaneous response of faulting in the SEMTP to the early stage of the India‐Asia collision. Key Points: Fault gouge illite K‐Ar dating is used to establish the faulting history of the Leibo fault zone, SE margin of the Tibetan PlateauThree consistent authigenic illite ages of ∼55, ∼54, and ∼52 Ma suggest a reactivated thrust faulting event of the Leibo fault zoneThis event indicates a quasi‐synchronous far‐field response of the SE margin of the Tibetan Plateau to the India‐Asia collision [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights Professor Gavin Jones’ seminal work on Asian divorce patterns, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia’s Muslim communities. Beginning in the 1980s, Jones addressed the challenges of fragmented and often unreliable demographic data on divorce. With careful compilation and analysis of aggregate data, paired with firsthand surveys and ethnographic studies, he set a foundation for examining shifting divorce trends in Southeast Asia. His findings challenged prevailing ethnocentric perspectives and questioned the notion that modernisation invariably leads to rising divorce rates. Jones stressed the importance of understanding divorce within the broader social, cultural, and historical contexts of the respective societies. Beyond his individual research, he was instrumental in cultivating a community of scholars studying marriage and divorce in Asia and fostering collaborations. Jones’ insights into Asia’s demographic shifts have been invaluable, and his legacy will continue to influence demographers for generations to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) causes severe wheat viral disease in Asia. However, the viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR) encoded by WYMV has not been identified. Here, the P1 protein encoded by WYMV RNA2 was shown to suppress RNA silencing in Nicotiana benthamiana. Mutagenesis assays revealed that the alanine substitution mutant G175A of P1 abolished VSR activity and mutant Y10A VSR activity remained only in younger leaves. P1, but not G175A, interacted with gene silencing‐related protein, N. benthamiana calmodulin‐like protein (NbCaM), and calmodulin‐binding transcription activator 3 (NbCAMTA3), and Y10A interacted with NbCAMTA3 only. Competitive Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co‐immunoprecipitation assays showed that the ability of P1 disturbing the interaction between NbCaM and NbCAMTA3 was stronger than Y10A, Y10A was stronger than G175A. In vitro transcript inoculation of infectious WYMV clones further demonstrated that VSR‐defective mutants G175A and Y10A reduced WYMV infection in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), G175A had a more significant effect on virus accumulation in upper leaves of wheat than Y10A. Moreover, RNA silencing, temperature, and autophagy have significant effects on the accumulation of P1 in N. benthamiana. Taken together, WYMV P1 acts as VSR by interfering with calmodulin‐associated antiviral RNAi defense to facilitate virus infection in wheat, which has provided clear insights into the function of P1 in the process of WYMV infection. Significance Statement: This study reveals that the wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) P1 acts as VSR by interfering with calmodulin‐associated antiviral RNAi defense and facilitates virus infection in wheat. Results of our research provide clear insights and solutions for further understanding the role of P1 in process of WYMV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main objective of this study was to investigate the risk of falls among middle-aged and older adults with dynapenic abdominal obesity. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to review and analyze relevant studies. Dynapenia was measured by handgrip strength, and abdominal obesity was measured by waist circumference. The search keywords included "older people" OR "elderly" OR "middle age" AND "dynapenia" AND "abdominal obesity" AND "fall." The search was not limited by time and included articles published up until April 2023. The literature search process followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, involving extraction and examination of the retrieved relevant articles. Systematic literature searches were performed in databases such as Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Results: This study collected a total of eight articles with a combined sample size of 15,506 participants. The findings revealed that the average follow-up period for falls was 6.6 years (SD = 3.67). The overall results of the study showed that individuals with dynapenic abdominal obesity had a higher risk of falls compared to those without dynapenic abdominal obesity (RR = 6.91, 95% CI: 5.42–8.80). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that both prospective studies (HR = 6.61; 95% CI = 4.29–10.20) and retrospective studies (OR = 7.37; 95% CI = 5.13–10.59) consistently found a higher risk of falls among individuals with dynapenic abdominal obesity. However, there was no significant difference in fall risk between community-dwelling individuals with dynapenic abdominal obesity and hospitalized individuals with dynapenic abdominal obesity (Qbetweenx2 = 0.29, p = 0.58). Additionally, there was no difference in fall risk between individuals with dynapenic abdominal obesity residing in Europe and Latin America compared to those residing in Asia (Qbetweenx2 = 0.05, p = 0.81). It was worth noting that male individuals with dynapenic abdominal obesity had a higher risk of falls compared to females (Qbetweenx2 = 4.73, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Empirical studies have demonstrated that individuals with dynapenic abdominal obesity have a higher risk of falls. Therefore, healthcare professionals should conduct early fall risk assessments and develop effective preventive strategies specifically targeted at individuals with dynapenic abdominal obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zanthoxylum bungeanum (family Rutaceae) is an economically important deciduous shrub that is widely distributed across Asia. The leaves of this plant are rich in chemical compounds and have a variety of biological activities. However, a spot disease was discovered on Z. bungeanum leaves in Zunyi, China, in 2020. In the present study, a fungal isolate (YY-815) was obtained from Z. bungeanum leaves with leaf spot symptoms and identified as Didymella segeticola based on its morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. This isolate could cause leaf spot disease and be re-isolated, fulfilling Koch's postulates. The fungicides boscalid, penthiopyrad and pydiflumetofen significantly inhibited hyphal growth of D. segeticola under in vitro conditions. This is the first study to report a leaf spot disease on Z. bungeanum caused by D. segeticola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The tropical and subtropical paddy frog, Fejervarya kawamurai (Anura: Dicroglossidae), is a common and widespread species in Asia. Amphibians can adapt to small changes in climate, but extreme temperature changes can lead to metabolic abnormalities affecting numerous cell functions. Damage or disruption of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes can be lethal. The present study characterizes the mitochondrial genome of F. kawamurai to evaluate its evolutionary relationship within Dicroglossidae and to analyze the effects of extreme temperature change on mitochondrial gene expression of proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Unusual climates can lead to extreme temperatures. Fejervarya kawamurai, one of the most prevalent anurans in the paddy fields of tropical and subtropical regions in Asia, is sensitive to climate change. The present study focuses primarily on a single question: how do the 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs) respond to extreme temperature change compared with 25 °C controls? Thirty-eight genes including an extra tRNA-Met gene were identified and sequenced from the mitochondrial genome of F. kawamurai. Evolutionary relationships were assessed within the Dicroglossidae and showed that Dicroglossinae is monophyletic and F. kawamurai is a sister group to the clade of (F. multistriata + F. limnocharis). Transcript levels of mitochondrial genes in liver were also evaluated to assess responses to 24 h exposure to low (2 °C and 4 °C) or high (40 °C) temperatures. Under 2 °C, seven genes showed significant changes in liver transcript levels, among which transcript levels of ATP8, ND1, ND2, ND3, ND4, and Cytb increased, respectively, and ND5 decreased. However, exposure to 4 °C for 24 h was very different in that the expressions of ten mitochondrial protein-coding genes, except ND1, ND3, and Cytb, were significantly downregulated. Among them, the transcript level of ND5 was most significantly downregulated, decreasing by 0.28-fold. Exposure to a hot environment at 40 °C for 24 h resulted in a marked difference in transcript responses with strong upregulation of eight genes, ranging from a 1.52-fold increase in ND4L to a 2.18-fold rise in Cytb transcript levels, although COI and ND5 were reduced to 0.56 and 0.67, respectively, compared with the controls. Overall, these results suggest that at 4 °C, F. kawamurai appears to have entered a hypometabolic state of hibernation, whereas its mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was affected at both 2 °C and 40 °C. The majority of mitochondrial PCGs exhibited substantial changes at all three temperatures, indicating that frogs such as F. kawamurai that inhabit tropical or subtropical regions are susceptible to ambient temperature changes and can quickly employ compensating adjustments to proteins involved in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates how the awareness of a security vulnerability index affects firms' security protection strategy and how the information awareness effect interacts with firm incentives and country-wide information technology (IT) development level. The security index is constructed based on outgoing spams and phishing website hosting, which may serve as an indicator of a firm's security controls. To study whether security vulnerability awareness causes firms to improve their security, we conducted a randomized field experiment on 1,262 firms in six Pan-Asian countries and regions. Among 631 randomly selected treated firms, we alerted them of their security vulnerability index and their relative rankings compared to their peers via advisory emails and websites. Difference-in-differences analyses show that compared with the controls, the treated firms improve their security over time, with a statistically significant reduction of outgoing spam volume according to one of the data sources but not phishing website hosting. However, a statistically significant reduction in phishing website hosting was observed among non-web hosting firms, suggesting that firms' underlying incentives play an important role in the treatment effect. Lastly, exploiting the multi-country nature of the data, we found that firms in countries with high information and communications technology (ICT) development are more responsive to our intervention because they have higher IT capabilities and more resources to resolve security issues. Our study provides cybersecurity policymakers with useful insights on how firm incentives and ICT environments play roles in firms' security measure adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating more than 40 years of studies on locus of control (LOC), this meta-analysis investigated whether (a) the magnitude of the relationship between LOC and psychological symptoms differed among cultures with distinct individualist orientations and (b) depression and anxiety symptoms yielded different patterns of cultural findings with LOC. We included studies that examined global self-ratings of LOC and at least 1 of the criterion variables in nonclinical samples (age range: 18-80 years). Data were analyzed on the basis of 152 independent samples, representing the testing of 33,224 adults across 18 cultural regions. Results revealed moderately strong relationships for external LOC with depression symptoms (k = 123, N = 28,490, r = 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.27, 0.32]) and anxiety symptoms (k = 65, N = 13,208, r = 0.30, 95% CI [0.27, 0.33]). Individualism explained 20% of unique variance only in the external LOC-anxiety relationship: The link between external LOC and anxiety symptoms was weaker for collectivist societies (k = 8, N = 2,297, r = 0.20, 95% CI [0.13, 0.28]) compared with individualist societies (k = 54, N = 9,887, r = 0.32, 95% CI [0.29, 0.34]). Such cultural differences were attributed to the reduced emphasis on agentic goals in more collectivist societies. It is noteworthy that external LOC does not carry the same negative connotations across cultures, and members of collectivist societies may be more ready to endorse such items. Culture has been examined at the country level, and the findings may not be applicable to any particular person in a cultural region. Implications for integrating cultural meaning of perceived control into formulation of theories, research design, and intervention programs are discussed. (Contains 4 tables, 3 figures and 7 footnotes.)

Background: Increased protein intake has been recommended to prevent sarcopenia/frailty, reports on the quantity and quality of protein intake needed and the associated prognosis, particularly in the aging population of Asia, are limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between protein intake and mortality in Japanese individuals, aged 85 years and older. Methods: The data were obtained from The Kawasaki Aging and Wellbeing Project, which is a prospective cohort study of older adults aged between 85 and 89 years with no physical disability at baseline. Of the 1,026 adults in the cohort, 833 were included in the analysis, after excluding those who had not completed a brief, self-administered diet history questionnaire or those who scored less than 24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination. The participants were grouped into quartiles based on protein intake: Q1 (protein < 14.7, %Energy), Q2 (14.7 ≤ protein < 16.7, %Energy), Q3 (16.7 ≤ protein < 19.1, %Energy), and Q4 (≥ 19.1, %Energy). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to evaluate the association between protein intake and all-cause mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were employed to investigate the relationship between protein intake and all-cause mortality. Results: The mean protein intake of our study population was 17.0% of total energy. Animal protein intake, particularly fish intake, increased significantly along with total protein intake. The study had an average observation period of 1,218 days and recorded 89 deaths. After adjusting for age, sex, skeletal muscle mass index, cardiovascular disease, cancer, education, and serum albumin levels, a lower risk of all-cause mortality was observed in the highest protein intake (Q4) group than in the lowest protein intake (Q1) group (hazard ratio: 0.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.22–0.90, p-value: 0.020). Conclusion: Protein intake is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality in older adults (aged ≥ 85 years) who engage in independent activities of daily living. This association may impact all-cause mortality independent of muscle mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 and migration, marriages & births Pandemics exert a significant impact on the migratory decisions and movements of people; the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be no exception. Estimating excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic analysis of COVID-19-related mortality, 2020-21. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has had and will continue to have a profound influence on human society for many years to come. [Extracted from the article]

The Taiwan Birth Cohort Study (TBCS) is the first nationwide birth cohort database in Asia designed to establish national norms of children's development. Several challenges during database development and data analysis were identified. Challenges include sampling methods, instrument development and statistical approach to missing data. The purpose of this paper is to describe the pilot study underpinning the TBCS, testing of the TBCS developmental instrument and the resolution of methodological challenges. Bayesian analysis fill in missing data, three-step regression analysis for the investigation of mediating and moderating effect, the use of structural equation modeling in a large scale investigation, investigating direct and indirect effects, confounding factors and reciprocal relationships in children's development, and used latent growth model in longitudinal observations are described. The TBCS will provide ongoing longitudinal information regarding the predisposing and maintaining factors affecting the long term outcome of pediatric illnesses. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is a proven essential water conservation region in Asia. However, various factors, such as anthropogenic activities, climate, and vegetation significantly affect its water conservation. Along these lines, a deep understanding of the spatiotemporal patterns of water conservation for this plateau and relevant influencing elements is considered of great importance. This paper calculates the water conservation on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau based on the InVEST model, and given that the evapotranspiration data are an important parameter of the InVEST model, this study selects the mainstream evapotranspiration data to compare the accuracy of the simulated water yield, and also selects the most accurate remote sensing evapotranspiration data examined in the study to carry out the study of water conservation on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Due to the large area of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and the various types of climate and ecological zones, this paper analyzes the spatial and temporal variations of water conservation on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in each ecological zone and climate zone division and detects the factors affecting water conservation on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau by using the geo-detector method. From our analysis, the following outcomes are proven: on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, (1) the overall water conservation decreased from southeast to northwest; (2) the water conservation of the studied plateau in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 was 656.56, 590.85, 597.4, and 651.85 mm, respectively; (3) precipitation, evapotranspiration, and NDVI exhibited a positive relationship with water conservation; (4) the precipitation factor had the biggest impact on the spatial distinctions of the water resource governance; (5) the above factors are combined with the slope factor and the interaction of each factor to improve water conservation. Our work provides valuable insights for the further implementation of ecological projects with a view to enhancing water resource management methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a rapid increase in the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in newly industrialized countries, yet epidemiological data is incomplete. We herein report the methodology adopted to study the incidence of IBD in newly industrialized countries and to evaluate the effect of environmental factors including diet on IBD development. Methods: Global IBD Visualization of Epidemiology Studies in the 21st Century (GIVES-21) is a population-based cohort of newly diagnosed persons with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to be followed prospectively for 12 months. New cases were ascertained from multiple sources and were entered into a secured online system. Cases were confirmed using standard diagnostic criteria. In addition, endoscopy, pathology and pharmacy records from each local site were searched to ensure completeness of case capture. Validated environmental and dietary questionnaires were used to determine exposure in incident cases prior to diagnosis. Results: Through November 2022, 106 hospitals from 24 regions (16 Asia; 6 Latin America; 2 Africa) have joined the GIVES-21 Consortium. To date, over 290 incident cases have been reported. All patients have demographic data, clinical disease characteristics, and disease course data including healthcare utilization, medication history and environmental and dietary exposures data collected. We have established a comprehensive platform and infrastructure required to examine disease incidence, risk factors and disease course of IBD in the real-world setting. Conclusions: The GIVES-21 consortium offers a unique opportunity to investigate the epidemiology of IBD and explores new clinical research questions on the association between environmental and dietary factors and IBD development in newly industrialized countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding historic patterns of land use and land cover change across large temporal and spatial scales is critical for developing effective biodiversity conservation management and policy. We quantify the extent and fragmentation of suitable habitat across the continental range of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) based on present-day occurrence data and land-use variables between 850 and 2015 A.D. We found that following centuries of relative stability, over 64% (3.36 million km2) of suitable elephant habitat across Asia was lost since the year 1700, coincident with colonial-era land-use practices in South Asia and subsequent agricultural intensification in Southeast Asia. Average patch size dropped 83% from approximately 99,000–16,000 km2 and the area occupied by the largest patch decreased 83% from ~ 4 million km2 (45% of area) to 54,000 km2 (~ 7.5% of area). Whereas 100% of the area within 100 km of the current elephant range could have been considered suitable habitat in the year 1700, over half was unsuitable by 2015, driving potential conflict with people. These losses reflect long-term decline of non-forested ecosystems, exceeding estimates of deforestation within this century. Societies must consider ecological histories in addition to proximate threats to develop more just and sustainable land-use and conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk) is an essential green leafy vegetable in Asia. In this study, we induced autotetraploid water spinach by colchicine. Furthermore, DNA methylation and transcriptome of tetraploid and diploid were compared using Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing (WGBS) and RNAsequencing techniques. Autotetraploid water spinach was created for the first time. Compared with the diploid parent, autotetraploid water spinach had wider leaves, thicker petioles and stems, thicker and shorter adventitious roots, longer stomas, and larger parenchyma cells. The whole genome methylation level of the autotetraploid was slightly higher than that of the diploid. Compared with the diploid, 12281 Differentially Methylated Regions (DMRs)were found in the autotetraploid, including 2356 hypermethylated and 1310 hypomethylated genes, mainly enriched in 'Arginine and Proline metabolism', 'beta - Alanine metabolism', 'Plant homone signal translation', 'Ribome', and 'Plant - pathgen interaction' pathways. Correlation analysis of transcriptome and DNA methylation data showed that 121 differentially expressed genes undergone differential methylation, related to four pathways 'Other types of O-glycan biosynthesis', 'Terpenoid backbone biosynthesis', 'Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites', and 'Metabolic paths'. This work obtained important autotetraploid resources of water spinach and revealed the genomic DNA methylation changes after genome doubling, being helpful for further studying the molecular mechanism of variations caused by polyploids of the Ipomoea genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The begomovirus–betasatellite complex constantly threatens crops in Asia. However, the quantitative relationship between begomoviruses and betasatellites remains largely unknown. The quantities of tobacco curly shoot virus (TbCSV) and its betasatellite (TbCSB) and their ratio varied significantly in initial infection, and thereafter, the ratio tended to become constant. The TbCSB/TbCSV ratio in agrobacteria inoculum significantly affected that in plants in the initial infection but not thereafter. Null-mutation of βC1 that encodes a multifunctional protein important for pathogenesis in TbCSB significantly reduced the TbCSB/TbCSV ratio in plants. Viral inoculum plants with higher TbCSB/TbCSV ratios promoted whitefly transmission of the virus. The expression of AV1 encoded by TbCSV, βC1 encoded by TbCSB and the βC1/AV1 ratio varied significantly in the initial infection and thereafter the ratio tended to become constant. Additionally, the temporal dynamics of the ratio between another begomovirus and its betasatellite was similar to that of TbCSV and was positively regulated by βC1. These results indicate that the ratio between monopartite begomoviruses and betasatellites tend to become constant as infection progresses, and is modulated by βC1, but a higher betasatellite/begomovirus ratio in virally inoculated plants promotes virus transmission by whiteflies. Our findings provide novel insights into the association between begomoviruses and betasatellites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Golovinomyces cichoracearum complex is morphologically highly variable and causes powdery mildew on a wide range of Compositae, including Hieracium spp. and Lapsana communis. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Golovinomyces, published in 2013, revealed that G. cichoracearum s. str. was confined to Scorzonera and Tragopogon spp. as hosts (Compositae, tribe Lactuceae, subtribe Scorzonerinae). To clarify the phylogeny and taxonomy of Golovinomyces on Hieracium spp. (Compositae, tribe Lactuceae, subtribe Hieraciinae), which is common in Asia and Europe, morphology and phylogenetic analyses of ITS + 28S rDNA sequences were conducted for 57 powdery mildew specimens of Hieracium spp. and Lapsana communis. Golovinomyces on Hieracium spp. in Asia and Europe, previously referred to as G. cichoracearum, is a previously undescribed, cryptic species, which is described here as Golovinomyces hieraciorum sp. nov. Since a sequence retrieved from a powdery mildew on Lapsana communis in Switzerland clustered in sister position to the G. hieraciorum clade, numerous German specimens identified as G. cichoracearum were included in the present examinations. All the re-examined collections of "G. cichoracearum" on L. communis were misidentified, and were shown to belong to Neoërysiphe nevoi or Podosphaera ergerontis-canadensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applications of geostationary (GEO) satellite measurements at an unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution from the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) for monitoring and forecasting the alarming ozone pollution in Asia through data assimilation remain at the early stage. Here we investigate the benefit of multiple ozone observations from GEMS geostationary satellite, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, and surface networks on summertime ozone simulations through individual or joint data assimilation, built on our previous observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) framework (Shu et al., 2022). We find that data assimilation improves the monitoring of exceedance, spatial patterns, and diurnal variations of surface ozone, with a regional mean negative bias reduction from 2.1 to 0.2–1.2 ppbv in ozone simulations as well as significant improvements of a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of by 5 %–69 % in most Asian countries. Furthermore, the joint assimilation of GEMS and surface observations performs the best. GEMS also brings direct added value for better reproducing ozone vertical distributions, especially in the middle to upper troposphere at low latitudes, but may mask the added value of LEO measurements, which are crucial to constrain surface and upper tropospheric ozone simulations when observations from other platforms are inadequate. Our study provides a valuable reference for ozone data assimilation as multisource observations become gradually available in the era of GEO satellites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valsa canker of apple (VCA) caused by Valsa mali severely affected apple production in east Asia. With the increase in drug resistance, there is an urgent need for efficient and environmentally friendly antifungal agents. Coumarins have attracted much attention due to their excellent antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens. In this study, the antifungal activity of several coumarins against phytopathogenic fungi was evaluated, and then the antifungal activity of the screened 6-MCM against V. mali and its underlying mechanism was further investigated. The results of the in vitro antifungal activity assay showed that some coumarins had significant inhibitory effects on V. mali. Notably, 400 mg/L of 6-MCM had the best antifungal activity of 94.6%. Further experiments showed that 6-MCM slowed down the growth of V. mali mycelia and the germination of spores in a concentration-dependent manner, with EC50 of 185.49 and 54.62 mg/L, respectively. In addition, 6-MCM treatment increased mycelial conductivity, extracellular protein leakage, and MDA content, resulting in damage to the cell membrane. Moreover, 6-MCM significantly reduced the cell wall degrading enzymes secreted by V. mali, including EG, PG and PL, thereby limiting its pathogenic capacity. SEM and TEM results showed that 6-MCM treatment had a significant effect on the morphology and ultrastructure of mycelial cells. Inoculation of isolated apple branches found that the application of 6-MCM effectively inhibited the development of VCA and significantly reduced the incidence. All these results suggest that 6-MCM has the potential as a green substitute for VCA control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to assess the predictive value of blood fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in adult patients. Methods. We retrieved relative publications from electronic databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, web of science, and Wanfang Data from their inception to Aug 2022. Results. This meta-analysis study included seven prospective cohort trials comprising 1,655 adult patients. The overall pooled area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) from seven studies was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.80 to 0.86). Significant heterogeneity was identified (Q = 9.82, P = .004, I2 = 80). Pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.59 to 0.87) and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.87), respectively. Pooled positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were 3.3 (95% CI: 1.8 to 6.3), 0.32 (95% CI: 0.16 to 0.63), and 10 (95% CI: 3 to 38); respectively. Moreover, our sensitivity analysis showed that when a trial from Asia was excluded, the predictive value of FGF-23 was declined. Conclusion. Our results of meta-analysis of seven prospective cohort trials suggested that blood FGF-23 is a candidate indicator for the prediction of AKI in adult patients. Results of future large and well-designed clinical trials are still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considers comparative education's relevance to Asian educational development, recommending ways to improve the effectiveness and research base of comparative education. Examines Asia's diversity and comparative education's role in solving common problems. Highlights the Asian and Pacific Programme of Educational Innovations for Development (APEID) as a model comparative program. (CH)

Background: Surgical resection is a mainstay to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) in east Asia. However, the postoperative recurrence rate is high. It is necessary to explore neo-adjuvant therapy to increase the surgical resection rate and improve overall survival. Evidence has shown that lenvatinib combined with PD-1 inhibitors is safe and effective in the treatment of advanced unresectable HCC. Radiotherapy is also an effective treatment method for PVTT and has a synergistic effect in combination with PD-1 inhibitors. Surgical resection after Lenvatinib and sintilimab combined with radiotherapy as a neoadjuvant treatment regimen may be a new exploration of HCC with PVTT, but there were not any reported. Methods: This open-label, single-arm, prospective, multi-center Phase I trial will enroll 20 HCC patients with PVTT who have a resectable primary tumor and no extra-hepatic metastasis. Eligible patients will be given radiotherapy, 3Gy*10 fraction, and will receive lenvatinib 8-12mg once daily and sintilimab 200mg once every three weeks. Surgical resection will be performed 6-8 weeks after radiotherapy. The primary endpoint is safety (number of patients ≥3G TRAE) and the number of patients who complete pre-op treatment and proceed to surgery. The secondary study endpoints include Major Pathological Response (MPR), 1-year tumor recurrence-free rate, Objective Response Rate (ORR), Imaging-Pathology Concordance Rate (IPCR), PVTT regression rate, Median Overall Survival (OS) and Recurrence Free Survival (RFS). Discussion: This trial may confirm that surgical resection following intensive neoadjuvant therapy can provide a safe and efficient regimen for BCLC stage C patients with PVTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a serious disease affecting the global graziery industry. Once an epidemic occurs, it can lead to economic and trade stagnation. In recent decades, FMD has been effectively controlled and even successfully eradicated in some countries or regions through mandatory vaccination with inactivated foot-and-mouth disease vaccines. Nevertheless, FMD still occurs in some parts of Africa and Asia. The transmission efficiency of foot-and-mouth disease is high. Both disease countries and disease-free countries should always be prepared to deal with outbreaks of FMD. The development of vaccines has played a key role in this regard. This paper summarizes the development of several promising vaccines including progress and design ideas. It also provides ways to develop a new generation of vaccines for FMDV and other major diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emissions of air pollutants and their precursors in urban air closely relate to urbanization involving economic development, population growth, and industrialization. Here we use formaldehyde (HCHO) columns from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), night‐time light (NTL) radiance from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, and population density data as respective proxies to explore how anthropogenic non‐methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) emissions evolve with urbanization in Asia. HCHO columns correlate moderately to highly (0.64 ≤ r ≤ 0.99) with the NTL radiance within most major Asian countries. On both national (across Asia) and provincial scales (within China), HCHO columns increase monotonically with NTL radiance or population density with a log‐linear pattern, implying anthropogenic NMVOC emissions in Asia may similarly respond to urbanization with no apparent turnover yet. Our study confirms TROPOMI HCHO columns as a proxy of anthropogenic NMVOC emissions. Plain Language Summary: We use multi‐source satellite remote sensing data and population density data to examine how anthropogenic non‐methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) emissions evolve with urbanization in Asia. Anthropogenic NMVOC emissions (indicated by satellite formaldehyde columns) correlate moderately to highly with urbanization (indicated by night‐time light or population density) within most major Asian countries. We find a monotonic response between anthropogenic NMVOC emissions and urbanization in Asia, with no apparent turnover yet. Key Points: Satellite formaldehyde (HCHO) columns correlate moderately to highly with night‐time light radiance and population density in most major Asian countriesA monotonic response between anthropogenic non‐methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) emissions and urbanization may exist in Asia, with no apparent turnover yetTROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument HCHO column is confirmed as a reliable proxy of anthropogenic NMVOC emissions in Asia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishment of vegetable soybean (edamame) [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasms has been highly valued in Asia and the United States owing to the increasing market demand for edamame. The idea of core collection (CC) is to shorten the breeding program so as to improve the availability of germplasm resources. However, multidimensional phenotypes typically are highly correlated and have different levels of missing rate, often failing to capture the underlying pattern of germplasms and select CC precisely. These are commonly observed on correlated samples. To overcome such scenario, we introduced the "multiple imputation" (MI) method to iteratively impute missing phenotypes for 46 morphological traits and jointly analyzed high-dimensional imputed missing phenotypes (ECimpu) to explore population structure and relatedness among 200 Taiwanese vegetable soybean accessions. An advanced maximization strategy with a heuristic algorithm and PowerCore was used to evaluate the morphological diversity among the ECimpu. In total, 36 accessions (denoted as CCimpu) were efficiently selected representing high diversity and the entire coverage of the ECimpu. Only 4 (8.7%) traits showed slightly significant differences between the CCimpu and ECimpu. Compared to the ECimpu, 96% traits retained all characteristics or had a slight diversity loss in the CCimpu. The CCimpu exhibited a small percentage of significant mean difference (4.51%), and large coincidence rate (98.1%), variable rate (138.76%), and coverage (close to 100%), indicating the representativeness of the ECimpu. We noted that the CCimpu outperformed the CCraw in evaluation properties, suggesting that the multiple phenotype imputation method has the potential to deal with missing phenotypes in correlated samples efficiently and reliably without re-phenotyping accessions. Our results illustrated a significant role of imputed missing phenotypes in support of the MI-based framework for plant-breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the second leading cause of malignant death in Asia, and Asia reports 72.5% of the world's cases in 2020. As the most common histological type, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of incidence and mortality of liver cancer cases. This review presents the changing epidemiology of HCC in Asian countries in recent years. Globally, aged, male and Asian populations remain the group with the highest risk of HCC. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are still the leading risk factors of HCC with a slight decline in most Asian countries, which is mainly attributed to HBV vaccination of newborns, prevention of HCV horizontal transmission and treatment of chronic hepatitis. However, the prevalence of HCC caused by metabolic factors, including metabolic syndrome, obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, is increasing rapidly in Asian countries, which may eventually become the major cause of HCC. Excessive alcohol consumption continues to be an important risk factor as the average consumption of alcohol is still growing. Hopefully, great effort has been made to better prevention and treatment of HCC in most Asian regions, which significantly prolongs the survival of HCC patients. Asian countries tend to use more aggressive intervention than European and American countries, but it remains unclear whether this preference is related to a better prognosis. In conclusion, HCC remains a major disease burden in Asia, and the management of HCC should be adjusted dynamically based on the changing epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sparassis latifolia is an edible and medicinal mushroom in Asia commercially cultivated on substrates containing pine sawdust. Its slow mycelial growth rate greatly increases the cultivation cycle. In this study, we mainly studied the role of oxalic acid (OA) secreted by S. latifolia in its saprophytic process. Our results show that crystals observed on the mycelial surface contained calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) according to X-ray diffraction (XRD). Vegetative mycelia secreted large amounts of OA during extended culture periods. However, high concentrations of OA decreased the mycelial growth rate significantly. Moreover, the degradation of lignocellulose was significantly inhibited under high concentrations of OA. These changes could be attributed to the significantly decreased activities of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. In conclusion, by establishing a link between OA secretion by the mycelium and the slow growth rate of its saprophytic process, this work provides fundamental information for shortening the cultivation cycle of S. latifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the second leading cause of malignant death in Asia, and Asia reports 72.5% of the world's cases in 2020. As the most common histological type, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of incidence and mortality of liver cancer cases. This review presents the changing epidemiology of HCC in Asian countries in recent years. Globally, aged, male and Asian populations remain the group with the highest risk of HCC. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are still the leading risk factors of HCC with a slight decline in most Asian countries, which is mainly attributed to HBV vaccination of newborns, prevention of HCV horizontal transmission and treatment of chronic hepatitis. However, the prevalence of HCC caused by metabolic factors, including metabolic syndrome, obesity and non‐alcoholic fatty liver diseases, is increasing rapidly in Asian countries, which may eventually become the major cause of HCC. Excessive alcohol consumption continues to be an important risk factor as the average consumption of alcohol is still growing. Hopefully, great effort has been made to better prevention and treatment of HCC in most Asian regions, which significantly prolongs the survival of HCC patients. Asian countries tend to use more aggressive intervention than European and American countries, but it remains unclear whether this preference is related to a better prognosis. In conclusion, HCC remains a major disease burden in Asia, and the management of HCC should be adjusted dynamically based on the changing epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between body mass index (BMI) and oesophageal cancer (OC) has been consistently negative among Asians, whereas different associations based on histological OC subtypes have been observed in Europeans and North Americans. We examined the association between BMI and OC mortality in the Asia Cohort Consortium.Methods: We performed a pooled analysis to evaluate the association between BMI and OC mortality among 842 630 Asians from 18 cohort studies. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs.Results: A wide J-shaped association between BMI and overall OC mortality was observed. The OC mortality risk was increased for underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2: HR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.80-2.70) and extreme obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m2: HR = 4.38, 95% CI 2.25-8.52) relative to the reference BMI (23-25 kg/m2). This association pattern was confirmed by several alternative analyses based on OC incidence and meta-analysis. A similar wide J-shaped association was observed in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Smoking and alcohol synergistically increased the OC mortality risk in underweight participants (HR = 6.96, 95% CI 4.54-10.67) relative to that in reference BMI participants not exposed to smoking and alcohol.Conclusion: Extreme obesity and being underweight were associated with an OC mortality risk among Asians. OC mortality and BMI formed a wide J-shaped association mirrored by OSCC mortality. Although the effect of BMI on OSCC and oesophageal adenocarcinoma mortality can be different in Asians, further research based on a large case-control study is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequently occurring liver malignancy in Asia. Glycyrrhizic acid is known to reduce the risk of HCC formation in patients with chronic hepatitis C. To identify whether glycyrrhizic acid may play a role in anti‐HCC therapy as an adjuvant is important. However, the inhibitory effect of glycyrrhizic acid on cell cycle progression in HCC cells and the mechanism of such have not been fully elucidated. This study used the comet assay, cell cycle analysis, immunofluorescence staining, the TUNEL assay, and Western blotting to identify the anti‐HCC role of glycyrrhizic acid. Glycyrrhizic acid may induce DNA damage, apoptosis, activation of ATM, and expression of p21, and p27 in HCC cells. In addition, glycyrrhizic acid may also induce G1 phase arrest and suppress NF‐κB‐mediated Cyclin D1 expression. DNA damage and NF‐κB inactivation may be associated with glycyrrhizic acid‐induced G1 phase arrest in HCC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many essential oils have excellent insecticidal activity and have the potential to be developed as alternatives to chemical insecticides for pest control. Previously, we showed that β‐asarone, a major constituent of the essential oil derived from Acorus calamus L. (Acoraceae), has strong pesticidal activity against brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), the most notorious rice pest in Asia. Here, we report the first evaluation of the sublethal and transgenerational effects of β‐asarone on N. lugens. β‐Asarone significantly decreased female longevity, male longevity, fecundity, and hatchability of F0 generation individuals exposed to the LD30 and LD45 of β‐asarone relative to the acetone control. Moreover, compared with acetone, exposure to LD30 and LD45 of β‐asarone significantly shortened the duration of the egg stage, developmental duration of first instars, and female longevity of F1 generation individuals. Furthermore, the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproductive rates (R0) of insects treated with LD30 and LD45 of β‐asarone were significantly lower than those of insects treated with acetone. Compared with acetone, the fecundity and hatchability of F1 generation individuals were significantly decreased after exposure to β‐asarone at LD30 and LD45. These findings indicate the negative effects of sublethal doses of β‐asarone on N. lugens and provide novel information on the potential use of β‐asarone as a substitute chemical pesticide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life cycle, ultrastructure, and molecular phylogeny of a new intranuclear microsporidian, Nucleospora hippocampi n. sp., infecting the intestine of the Hippocampus erectus , were described. The histopathology revealed an extensive infection, mainly in the columnar epithelium of the intestinal mucosa layer. The enterocytes were the important target cell for Nucleospora hippocampi n. sp. infection. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that this microsporidian developed directly within the host cell nucleoplasm. In the intranuclear life cycle, the transformation from meront to sporogonial plasmodium was recognized by forming electron-dense disc structures, which were considered the polar tube precursors. The microsporidian showed the typical morphological characteristics of the family Enterocytozoonidae in the formation and development of spore organelles prior to the division of the sporogonial plasmodium. According to wet smear observation, eight spores were generally formed in a single host nucleus. Mature spores were elongated ovoids that were slightly bent and measured 1.93 × 0.97 μm. The isofilar polar tube was arranged in 7~8 coils in one row. Phylogenetic analysis of its small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences demonstrated that the parasite belonged to the Nucleospora group clade. The histological, ultrastructural, and molecular data support the emergence of a new species in the genus Nucleospora. This is the first report of Nucleospora species in Asia and threatened syngnathid fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fern species Tectaria fuscipes and morphologically similar species, which are common in tropical and subtropical mainland Asia, constitute a taxonomically confusing group. To better understand species boundaries and relationships within the T. fuscipes group, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of five plastid regions and morphological observations of herbarium specimens and living plants. As a result, we produced a generally well-resolved phylogeny of the T. fuscipes group and related species in Asia. The phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of the T. fuscipes group, which includes T. dissecta, T. fuscipes, T. ingens, T. paradoxa, T. setulosa, T. subfuscipes, T. subsageniacea and a new species, but excludes T. kusukusensis. However, T. fuscipes, T. subfuscipes and T. subsageniacea are almost indistinguishable in morphology, which form a complex characterised by the black linear-lanceolate stipe scales. The new species found in southern China and Vietnam is described here as T. fungii. It is similar to the T. fuscipes complex and T. kusukusensis, but differs from the former mainly by its brown-castaneous lanceolate stipe scales and from the latter by having nearly hairless laminae (versus frond axes abaxially bearing copious hairs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptic species comprise two or more taxa that are grounded under a single name because they are more-or-less indistinguishable morphologically. These species are potentially important for detailed assessments of biodiversity, but there now appear to be many more cryptic species than previously estimated. One taxonomic group likely to contain many cryptic species is Dicranopteris , a genus of forked ferns that occurs commonly along roadsides in Asia. The genus has a complex taxonomical history, and D. linearis has been particularly challenging with many intra-specific taxa dubiously erected to accommodate morphological variation that lacks clear discontinuities. To resolve species boundaries within Dicranopteris , we applied a molecular phylogenetic approach as complementary to morphology. Specifically, we used five chloroplast gene regions (rbcL , atpB , rps4 , matK , and trnL-trnF) to generate a well-resolved phylogeny based on 37 samples representing 13 taxa of Dicranopteris , spanning the major distributional area in Asia. The results showed that Dicranopteris consists of ten highly supported clades, and D. linearis is polyphyletic, suggesting cryptic diversity within the species. Further through morphological comparison, we certainly erected Dicranopteris austrosinensis Y.H. Yan & Z.Y. Wei sp. nov. and Dicranopteris baliensis Y.H. Yan & Z.Y. Wei sp. nov. as distinct species and proposed five new combinations. We also inferred that the extant diversity of the genus Dicranopteris may result from relatively recent diversification in the Miocene based on divergence time dating. Overall, our study not only provided additional insights on the Gleicheniaceae tree of life, but also served as a case of integrating molecular and morphological approaches to elucidate cryptic diversity in taxonomically difficult groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Survival outcomes and acquired T790M mutation frequency of EGFR 19del subtypes with EGFR-TKI therapy are provided. • Patients with a deletion starting from E746del show better OS than those with other 19del subtypes. • Patients with the most common E746_A750del subtype have a higher frequency of acquired T790M mutation. • NGS is the recommended detection method. Exon 19 deletion (19del) is a sensitive mutation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and consists of a large number of variants. It remains unclear whether 19del subtype impacts clinical outcomes following EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. We systematically searched web databases and identified eligible studies comparing the clinical outcomes of various EGFR 19del subtypes with EGFR-TKIs. The hazard ratio (HR) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), as well as the risk ratio (RR) for objective response rate and the frequency of acquired T790M mutation were used as study endpoints. A total of eleven retrospective studies and one prospective study involving 1,630 NSCLC patients with EGFR 19del were included in this meta -analysis. Most of studies were from Asia, and the 19del subtypes in these studies were grouped differently. Patients harboring deletions starting from E746 had significantly longer OS than those with deletions starting from L747 (HR, 0.79; 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.96, P = 0.019), and relatively but not significantly longer PFS (HR, 0.86; 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.06, P = 0.160). Patients with E746_A750del, the most common 19del subtype, had a significantly higher frequency of acquired T790M mutation when treated with first- or second-generation EGFR-TKIs compared to those with other 19del subtypes (RR, 0.76; 95% CI: 0.64–0.89, P = 0.001). There were no differences in PFS between the E746_A750del group and the uncommon group, or between the 15-nucleotide deletion group and other patients. This is the first meta -analysis to present survival outcomes and acquired T790M mutation frequency in the context of EGFR 19del subtype with EGFR-TKI therapy. Patients with a deletion starting from E746 show better OS than those with other subtypes, and patients with E746_A750del subtype have a higher frequency of acquired T790M mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional mutualism between insects and symbiotic bacteria is widespread. The various sap‐feeding whitefly species within the Bemisia tabaci complex associate with the same obligate symbiont (Portiera) and multiple secondary symbionts. It is often assumed that some of the symbionts residing in the whiteflies play crucial roles in the nutritional physiology of their insect hosts. Although effort has been made to understand the functions of the whitefly symbionts, the metabolic complementarity offered by these symbionts to the hosts is not yet well understood. We examined two secondary symbionts, Arsenophonus and Wolbachia, in two species of the B. tabaci whitefly complex, provisionally named as Asia II 3 and China 1. Genomic sequence analyses revealed that Arsenophonus and Wolbachia retained genes responsible for the biosynthesis of B vitamins. We then conducted transcriptomic surveys of the bacteriomes in these two species of whiteflies together with that in another species named MED of this whitefly complex previously reported. The analyses indicated that several key genes in B vitamin syntheses from the three whitefly species were identical. Our findings suggest that, similar to another secondary symbiont Hamiltonella, Arsenophonus and Wolbachia function in the nutrient provision of host whiteflies. Although phylogenetically distant species of symbionts are associated with their respective hosts, they have evolved and retained similar functions in biosynthesis of some B vitamins. Such metabolic complementarity between whiteflies and symbionts represents an important feature of their coevolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that consuming coffee may lower the risk of death, but evidence regarding tea consumption in Asians is limited. We examined the association between coffee and tea consumption and mortality in Asian populations.Methods: We used data from 12 prospective cohort studies including 248 050 men and 280 454 women from the Asia Cohort Consortium conducted in China, Japan, Korea and Singapore. We estimated the study-specific association of coffee, green tea and black tea consumption with mortality using Cox proportional-hazards regression models and the pooled study-specific hazard ratios (HRs) using a random-effects model.Results: In total, 94 744 deaths were identified during the follow-up, which ranged from an average of 6.5 to 22.7 years. Compared with coffee non-drinkers, men and women who drank at least five cups of coffee per day had a 24% [95% confidence interval (CI) 17%, 29%] and a 28% (95% CI 19%, 37%) lower risk of all-cause mortality, respectively. Similarly, we found inverse associations for coffee consumption with cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific and cancer-specific mortality among both men and women. Green tea consumption was associated with lower risk of mortality from all causes, CVD and other causes but not from cancer. The association of drinking green tea with CVD-specific mortality was particularly strong, with HRs (95% CIs) of 0.79 (0.68, 0.91) for men and 0.78 (0.68, 0.90) for women who drank at least five cups per day of green tea compared with non-drinkers. The association between black tea consumption and mortality was weak, with no clear trends noted across the categories of consumption.Conclusions: In Asian populations, coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of death overall and with lower risks of death from CVD and cancer. Green tea consumption is associated with lower risks of death from all causes and CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD) prevalence has been increasing over the recent decades. Numerous host factors are associated with NTM-LD development, including susceptible phenotypes such as ciliary defect and lung structural change, pulmonary clearance defect with poor clearance of secretions, and immune suppression. Specifically, regarding the susceptible host phenotypes without clear pathogenesis, a slender body, pectus excavatum, and postmenopausal female status are common. Also, decreased host immunity to NTM, especially T helper 1 cell responses is frequently observed. Even so, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear and relevant large-scale studies are lacking. Infections due to host genetics associated defects are mostly untreatable but rare in Asia, particularly Taiwan. Nevertheless, some risks for NTM-LD are controllable over disease progression. We suggest that clinicians first manage host factors and deal with the controllable characteristics of NTM-LD, followed by optimizing anti-NTM treatment. Further researches focusing on NTM-LD pathogenesis, especially the host-NTM interaction may advance understanding the nature of the disease and develop efficient therapeutic regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incense is an indispensable material with religion and life in Asia. It is also a bridge of cultural expression and inheritance. Because the operating environment concentration of dust generated during the production process is considerable, most of the research pertaining to the hazard of incense factories has investigated air pollution, such as PM2.5, PM10, and VOCs. However, the production of incense causes dust dispersion, high temperature from ovens, and static electricity generated by friction. It can all possibly lead a dust explosion. To prevent and alleviate hazard from re-occurring, we used sandalwood dust at an incense factory in Taiwan, measured the effect of moisture content on the explosion parameters under normal conditions by 20-L apparatus, and used the oven to diminish its moisture content to 0%, 10.0%, and 15.0% as a control group to analyze the explosion characteristics at the different moisture contents, such as maximum explosion pressure and explosion limit. The results showed that the minimum ignition energy of dry dust was 30 mJ. Beyond doubt, incense factories face potential explosion hazards. The above results could be evaluated by the most dangerous range to avoid incense dust in this range at the workplace, lessening hazards caused by a dust explosion. The effect of moisture content on the suppression of the dust explosion was explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pharmacotherapy including mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are frequently used in bipolar disorder (BD); however, the lack of consensus regarding the definition of polypharmacy hinders conducting comparative studies across different settings and countries. Research on Asian Prescription Pattern (REAP) is the largest and the longest lasting international collaborative research in psychiatry in Asia. The objective of REAP BD was to investigate the prescription patterns of psychotropic medications across Asian countries. The rates of polypharmacy and psychotropic drug load were also analyzed. Methods: The data collection was web-based. Prescription patterns were categorized as (1) mood stabilizer monotherapy: one mood stabilizer; (2) antipsychotic monotherapy: one antipsychotic; (3) simple polypharmacy: one mood stabilizer and one antipsychotic; and (4) complex polypharmacy: ≤ 2 mood stabilizers or/and antipsychotics. The psychotropic drug load in each patient was calculated using the defined daily dose method. Results: Among 2003 patients with BD (52.1% female, 42.4 years) from 12 countries, 1,619 (80.8%) patients received mood stabilizers, 1,644 (82.14%) received antipsychotics, and 424 (21.2%) received antidepressants, with 14.7% mood stabilizer monotherapy, 13.4% antipsychotic monotherapy, 48.9% simple polypharmacy, 20.3% complex polypharmacy, and 2.6% other therapy. The average psychotropic drug load was 2.05 ± 1.40. Results varied widely between countries. Conclusion: Over 70% of psychotropic regimens involved polypharmacy, which accords with the high prevalence of polypharmacy in BD under a permissive criterion (2 or more core psychotropic drugs) worldwide. Notably, ≤ 80% of our sample received antipsychotics, which may indicate an increasing trend in antipsychotic use for BD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the impact of US monetary policy uncertainty (MPU) on the dollar exchange rates of ten Asian economies between February 2006 and January 2019. Our results, which are based on an EGARCH model, indicate that MPU tends to increase the variance of exchange rates rather than affecting the level of exchange rates. The results may have significant implications for the ten economies' conduct of monetary policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opioids are effective analgesics for pain relief, however, inappropriate use may cause risks. The aims of the study were to evaluate trends of opioid consumption for pain management in Taiwan and compare them among neighboring Asian countries. Opioid consumption data, including fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, codeine, and pethidine, were collected from the Controlled Drugs Management Information System of Taiwan Food and Drug Administration from 2008 to 2018. Data of different continents and neighboring Asian countries were retrieved from the WHO website. The major findings include: (1) In Taiwan, the total annual opioid consumption has gradually increased from 2008 to 2018, with fentanyl being the most frequently consumed opioid analgesic, followed by morphine. Codeine and pethidine consumption dropped significantly over the years. (2) In neighboring Asian countries, the opioid consumption in order from highest to lowest consumption were South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong (China), and China. We concluded that, from 2008 to 2018, the total opioid consumption trend for pain management in Taiwan has slowly increased, with fentanyl and morphine being the most commonly used opioids.When compared with neighboring Asian countries, level of opioid consumption in Taiwan was between Japan and Singapore. The research results may provide a reference for healthcare professionals worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptic species comprise two or more taxa that are grounded under a single name because they are more-or-less indistinguishable morphologically. These species are potentially important for detailed assessments of biodiversity, but there now appear to be many more cryptic species than previously estimated. One taxonomic group likely to contain many cryptic species is Dicranopteris , a genus of forked ferns that occurs commonly along roadsides in Asia. The genus has a complex taxonomical history, and D. linearis has been particularly challenging with many intra-specific taxa dubiously erected to accommodate morphological variation that lacks clear discontinuities. To resolve species boundaries within Dicranopteris , we applied a molecular phylogenetic approach as complementary to morphology. Specifically, we used five chloroplast gene regions (rbcL , atpB , rps4 , matK , and trnL-trnF) to generate a well-resolved phylogeny based on 37 samples representing 13 taxa of Dicranopteris , spanning the major distributional area in Asia. The results showed that Dicranopteris consists of ten highly supported clades, and D. linearis is polyphyletic, suggesting cryptic diversity within the species. Further through morphological comparison, we certainly erected Dicranopteris austrosinensis Y.H. Yan & Z.Y. Wei sp. nov. and Dicranopteris baliensis Y.H. Yan & Z.Y. Wei sp. nov. as distinct species and proposed five new combinations. We also inferred that the extant diversity of the genus Dicranopteris may result from relatively recent diversification in the Miocene based on divergence time dating. Overall, our study not only provided additional insights on the Gleicheniaceae tree of life, but also served as a case of integrating molecular and morphological approaches to elucidate cryptic diversity in taxonomically difficult groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]