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PubMed2006

[A french-speaking institute for tropical medicine in Asia: the IFMT in Vientiane, Lao PDR].

Since the year-2000, a French-speaking Institute for Tropical Medicine (French acronym, IFMT) has been operating in Lao PDR through funding provided by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie. The IFMT is a postgraduate teaching centre dedicated to improving skills of health care professionals in clinical sciences, epidemiology, public health and management as well as to research and health care intervention. These activities are conducted in the capital as well as provinces and districts throughout Laos with special focus on priority health issues facing developing countries in tropical regions. The IFMT organizes a 4-semester international course taught in French to medical doctors from Southeast Asia, mainly Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Southern China, but also from other countries. To date, a total of 72 students have graduated from the IFMT. In 2005 the Institute delivers a master degree. This article describes the course objectives and some features of the curriculum. It also presents a general overview of health, teaching, and research facilities in Southeast Asia as well as of the major challenges now confronting the region.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed1985

Parasitism by Placobdella multilineata (Hirudinoidea: Glossiphoniidae) and its first record from Asia.

Placobdella multilineata (Hirudinoidea: Glossiphoniidae) a temporary, bloodsucking ectoparasite, was previously recorded only from the southern United States, with turtles and the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensis) as hosts. This is the first record of P. multilineata from Asia (Beijing, People's Republic of China) and also a new host record for the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). The introduction of P. multilineata to Asia occurred as a result of the transfer of American alligators. All 34 specimens of P. multilineata collected in Beijing were non-clitellate but blood in their guts indicated that feeding had occurred on the host.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗
PubMed1995

How to reduce the risk factors of osteoporosis in Asia.

Osteoporosis can be predicted to be a new burden to public health in Asia. Currently, the incidence of osteoporosis-related fractures is lower there than in most western communities. By the year 2050, however, 50% of the 6.3 million hip fractures which occur worldwide will be in Asians as a result of an aging population, a decrease in physical activity and westernization of lifestyles. The cost of treatment and cure of these patients will be enormous, a sufficient financial burden to consume current economic gain and cripple the future advancing development of Asian countries. Individual risk factors for osteoporosis have been identified by the extensive Mediterranean Osteoporosis Study (MEDOS). Fortunately, Asians, the rural population and farmers in particular, have the favorable lifestyle identified by the study, including high physical activity and exposure to sunlight. Strikingly, tea drinking, a daily habit in Asia, is also identified as a protective factor against osteoporosis. In addition, bioflavonoids and phytoestrogen-rich soybeans and vegetables are consumed in large quantities by Asians. A soy diet reduces mortality in breast and prostate cancer because it contains weak estrogens. The weakly estrogenic phytoestrogens require further study to demonstrate their pharmacological effect in reducing the rate of osteoporosis. Public health education, however, is needed to encourage the Asian population to maintain their traditionally good lifestyle and to reduce the risk factors for osteoporosis. In turn, these steps may reduce the public health burden by 2050.

Estrogens, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1994

Demonstration of antibodies against foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) type O and Asia-1 in non-descriptive crossbred calves.

Sera from non-descriptive crossbred calves were screened for the presence of neutralizing antibodies against FMDV type O and Asia-1 for a period up to 215 days. The antibody titer of 16 remained constant up to 215 days against type O and up to 190 days against type Asia-1 virus in some animals. In majority of the animals the antibody titers remained constant up to three months. The possible reason for a frequent breakdown of immunity in the vaccinated animals even 3-4 months after vaccination could be the fact that the calves were vaccinated repeatedly at their very early age with an ill effect of immunization in the presence of persisting antibodies.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Determination of effectiveness of FMD vaccine type Asia 1 in neutralization tests in cattle].

On June 20th 1984 FMD type ASIA 1 appeared in two herds of cattle for the first time in Europe (Greece). All affected and suspected cattle (1200) were killed on July 4th to 13th 1984. Blood samples of 125 of these animals were collected and examined by neutralisation test. All susceptible animals in this area as well as of buffer zone were vaccinated against ASIA 1 (from FAO, produced by IFFA Merieux). In three weeks after this first vaccination blood samples from 148 animals were collected, examined and the results of the neutralisation test were correlated with the effectiveness of the vaccine. 17.2% from these animals have been found to have neutralisation titers less than 1.2.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus type Asia-1.

Eight clones of hybrid cells secreting monoclonal antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus type Asia-1 were prepared; three of them neutralized viral infection. The specificity of THE monoclonal antibodies was analyzed by various immunoenzyme assays using 146S viral particles, trypsin-treated 146S particles, 12S particles, and certain viral polypeptides. The epitopes unique for virus type Asia-1 and conservative among several types were detected on the surface of viral particles. Epitopes on the surface of viral particle were mapped.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1997

Differential distribution of hepatitis C virus subtypes in Asia: comparative study among Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is currently classified into at least six major genotypes, each of which is further divided into a number of subtypes. It has been reported that prevalence of each subtype varies among different geographical regions of the world and that severity of liver disease and sensitivity to interferon treatment varies with different subtypes. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the prevalence of each subtype among HCV isolates in different areas in Asia such as southern (Hat Yai) and northern (Chiang Mai) parts of Thailand, Indonesia (Surabaya), the Philippines (Manila) and Japan (Kobe). Sera were obtained from various groups of patients and tested for antibodies against HCV using second and/or third generation ELISA kits. RNA was extracted from anti-HCV-positive sera and reverse-transcribed into cDNA. The cDNA-preparations were subjected to nested PCR to amplify NS5B and 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR) sequences. Amplified fragments were sequenced and subtypes of the isolates were determined based on sequence similarities with reported sequences. In Chiang Mai and Hat Yai, Thailand, HCV-3a, HCV-1a and HCV-1b were common in various populations. HCV type 6 variants were commonly found among blood donors and drug addicts in Chiang Mai, but not in Hat Yai. In Surabaya, Indonesia, HCV-2a was frequently detected in blood donors, but less frequently in patients with chronic liver disease. In blood donors, HCV-1a, HCV-1b and HCV-1d were more strongly associated with elevation of serum aminotransferase levels than HCV-2a. HCV-1a was significantly more common in patients on maintenance hemodialysis than in blood donors or patients with chronic liver disease. HCV-1d was detected exclusively in Indonesia. Another unique subtype HCV-3g was found also in Indonesia, though less frequently than HCV-1d. In the Philippines, a vast majority of the isolates were either HCV-1a or HCV-1b. Thus, HCV subtype prevalence varies among different regions of Asia.

Hepacivirus↗
PubMed1997

Annual economic loss caused by Taenia saginata asiatica taeniasis in three endemic areas of east Asia.

The Taenia saginata-like tapeworm in East Asia has been designed as a separate subspecies of T. saginata. It was named as T. saginata asiatica and the classical T. saginata as T. saginata saginata. In the course of conducting experimental infections and morphological studies, a large number of adult worms of T. saginata asiatica was collected. It is possible to estimate the annual economic loss caused by this infection, since the worm load and the weight of worm habored by each infected person were determined from the collection. In the mountainous areas of Taiwan, the infection rate of T. saginata asiatica taeniasis was 11.0%, the worm load was 1.6 worms/case, and the average weight of an adult worm was 20.5 g. The annual economic loss was estimated to be US$ 11,327,423. On Cheju Island of Korea, the infection rate was 6.0%, the worm load was 2 worms/case, and the average weight of an adult worm was 19.3 g. The annual economic loss was estimated to be US$ 13,641,021. On Samosir Island of Indonesia, the infection rate was 21%, the worm load was 1.8 worms/case, and the average weight of an adult worm was 22 g. The annual economic loss was estimated to be US$ 2,425,500. These figures indicate that taeniasis is not only a significant public health problem but also an important economic problem in East Asia.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Detection of north-Asia tick-borne spotted fever in ticks and rodents along the Heilongjiang river-side by restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR products].

In order to elucidate the natural foci of North-Asia tick-borne spotted fever along the bank of Heilongjiang river, we used PCR/RFLP to detect spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks and rodents. The results showed that the wild samples of Dermacentor silvarum, Haemaphysalis concinna and Apodemus agrarius, Microtus fortis, Clethrionomys rufocanus and Ondatra zibethica were all positive with amplification, but typhus rickettsiae, tsutsugamushi fever rickettsiae and Q fever rickettsiae were all negative. Futher RFLP analysis of amplified products with PstI and Rsal demonstrated that their restriction endonuclease profiles were identical to Rickettsia sibirica, but were different from the other prototype strains of SFG rickettsiae, suggesting the possible existance of natural foci of North-Asia tick borne spotted fever in these areas.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Blood pressure, cholesterol, and stroke in eastern Asia. Eastern Stroke and Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative Research Group.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in most populations of eastern Asia, and the incidence, particularly of haemorrhagic stroke, is generally higher than in western populations. This study aimed to assess the contributions of blood pressure and blood cholesterol concentrations to stroke risk in populations from eastern Asia. METHODS: The project included 13 cohorts from the People's Republic of China and five from Japan (124,774 participants, 837,214 person-years of observation). All 18 cohorts provided data on blood pressure and 12 (69,767 participants) provided data on cholesterol concentrations. Parametric and non-parametric analyses were done, with adjustments for several potential confounding factors. Analyses were based on estimated usual diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol concentration during follow-up, rather than baseline measurements, to avoid regression dilution bias. FINDINGS: Overall mean blood pressure was 124/78 mm Hg and mean cholesterol concentration was 4.5 mmol/L. 1798 strokes occurred; 751 (42%) were classified as haemorrhagic and 707 (39%) were confirmed by computed tomography or necropsy. Each 5 mm Hg lower usual diastolic blood pressure was associated with lower risk of non-haemorrhagic stroke (odds ratio 0.61 [95% CI 0.57-0.66]) and lower risk of haemorrhagic stroke (0.54 [0.50-0.58]). With decreasing cholesterol concentrations there were trends towards a decrease in risk of non-haemorrhagic stroke (odds ratio for 0.6 mmol/L decrease, 0.77 [0.57-1.06]) and an increase in risk of haemorrhagic stroke (1.27 [0.84-1.91]). Overall, there was no clear evidence of any interaction between cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure. INTERPRETATION: Blood pressure is an important determinant of stroke risk in eastern Asian populations, whereas cholesterol concentration is less important, affecting the proportions of stroke subtypes more than overall stroke numbers. The association between blood pressure and stroke seems stronger than in western populations; a population-wide reduction of 3 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure should eventually decrease the number of strokes by about a third.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Colorectal neoplasia in Asia: a multicenter colonoscopy survey in symptomatic patients.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of colorectal cancer is rising rapidly in some Asian countries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and the distribution of colorectal neoplasm in Asian populations. DESIGN: A multicenter colonoscopy survey. PATIENTS: Between July 2004 and April 2005, consecutive symptomatic patients undergoing colonoscopic examinations in 10 different Asian countries. SETTING: The location and the histologic features of all colonic neoplasms were recorded. Advanced neoplasm was defined as adenoma larger than 10 mm in size, with >25% villous features or with high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The prevalence and the distribution of colorectal neoplasm and advanced neoplasm. RESULTS: A total of 5464 eligible patients underwent colonoscopy. Advanced neoplasm was found in 512 patients (9.4%). Factors associated with the presence of advanced neoplasm in this symptomatic Asian population included male sex (relative risk [RR] 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-1.84), older age (RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.06), and ethnicity (P = .001). Advanced proximal neoplasm was detected in 136 patients (2.5%); 83 (61.0%) of the patients had normal distal colon. The RR of proximal advanced neoplasm was 2.5, 95% CI 1.7-3.7 in those with any adenoma in the distal colon compared with those with normal distal colon. LIMITATIONS: Possible underrepresentation of some ethnic groups because of uneven ethnic group distribution and the lack of population-based registry. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first multicenter colonoscopy survey that examined the characteristics of colorectal neoplasm in Asia. The results will have important implications on the planning for future colorectal cancer screening in this region.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

How pervasive are sex differentials in childhood nutritional levels in south Asia?

This paper considers the assumption that there are widespread sex differentials in the household allocation of food in South Asia. From primary field data and a critical review of the existing literature, it concludes that we have no reason to believe that girls in this region invariably get an unfair deal in the matter of nutrition, even in those areas where sex differentials in child mortality are the most acute. Too much of the research to support such a contention starts with the biased view that gender differences in nutritional status must exist. It is pointed out in this paper that a new look at this issue is essential if we are to use scarce resources most effectively to fight gender inequalities. By identifying more precisely the areas in which women are worst discriminated against, action to affect these areas can be focused much better than by spreading efforts into programs where the need is at best marginal.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1996

Labor contracting in international migration: the Japanese case and implications for Asia.

"This paper is intended to be a prelude of a study on intermediaries in international migration in Asia, based primarily on the Japanese case. In the next section, I introduce the legal framework of labor contracting in Japan.... In Section 3, I pick up several actual examples of the channels of migrant workers coming to Japan. They are: (i) Japanese-descended migrant workers from Brazil, (ii) job-trainees from China, (iii) entertainers from the Philippines, (iv) ¿slavery' women from Thailand, and (v) workers smuggled from China by snake heads. This illustrates differences according to types of migrants, as well as common features across them. In Section 4, I try to explain the features by using simple economic concepts. Section 5 considers a broader Asian context. Section 6 concludes with a summary of major findings in this paper."

Asia↗
PubMed1983

[The population and character of traditional communities in insular Southeast Asia].

"This article discusses the character of population distribution and its relation to the structure of societies and states in Insular Southeast Asia in the early and mid nineteenth century. Except in Java and Bali, populations were characterized by sparsity, diversity, smallness, and mutual independence. Despite the effects of crisis mortality, the long-term population growth in the traditional period seems not to have been much different from [that] in India and China, which suggests the smallness of the original or early populations." The author notes that new communities were formed by the separation of settlements in frontier regions and that these patterns continued into the middle of the nineteenth century. The traditional order seems to have broken down in the late nineteenth century as a result of the combined pressures of colonialism and population increase. (summary in ENG)

Asia↗
PubMed1985

Migration and employment in urban Southeast Asia: examples from Indonesia and the Philippines.

"Migration and employment characteristics are compared for two intermediate-sized cities in Southeast Asia: Cebu, the Philippines, and Medan, Indonesia. Using samples of household interviews as a source of information, the basic characteristics of migrant heads of household in the two cities are examined. In addition the nature of the employment and the search for employment are analyzed and contrasted."

Asia↗
PubMed1995

Population movement in the Asia Pacific region: Singapore perspective.

"This article [is] structured to give some brief overview of the trends and characteristics of population movement in the Asia Pacific region. Wherever relevant, the implications of these regional and global trends for Singapore will be highlighted to offer a better appreciation of its case study. This will touch on Singapore's own experiences of outflow and inflow of people and its policies and philosophy on such movement. Noted are implications on labor policy arising from Singapore's strategy to become a capital exporter and anchor itself in economies like China."

Asia↗
PubMed1964

SOME ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM OF ARTHROPOD-BORNE ANIMAL VIRUSES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGIONS.

In recent years there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of arthropod-borne viruses in the Western Pacific region and in South-East Asia. This realization of the importance of these viruses as causes of human morbidity and mortality and of economic loss due to infection of domestic animals has led to studies attempting to elucidate the basic ecology of some of these viruses. The author reviews the extent of knowledge of the ecology of Japanese and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses and indicates possible mechanisms for the overwintering of the viruses based on experiments in which other viruses were mainly used. He discusses the limited available knowledge on the ecology of dengue and emphasizes the necessity of research on the possibility that this disease is a zoonosis. A brief discussion is also given of the haemorrhagic diseases which are found in these regions and a brief description of the state of knowledge on the ecology of Kyasanur Forest disease and epidemic nephroso-nephritis. A brief discussion is also included on the ecology of the tick-borne Russian spring-summer encephalitis.

Animals↗