Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Appl Clin Inform 2019 Mar 17;10(2):261-268. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Nursing & Emergency Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran.

Background:  Heart failure is one of the serious cardiovascular diseases, which poses a global pandemic and places a heavy burden on health care systems worldwide. The incidence of this disease in Iran is higher than in other Asian countries. To reduce patients' complications, readmission rates, and health care expenditures, it is necessary to design interventions, which are culturally appropriate and based on community needs. Read More

PLoS One 2019 17;14(4):e0215575. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Nephrology Training Program at Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America.

Background And Objectives: HIV-infected patients are at risk for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73m2. Our purpose was to understand the genesis of CKD in HIV patients from a large urban clinic in Houston, Texas, USA, and to characterize progression of CKD in the cohort. Read More

PLoS One 2019 17;14(4):e0208480. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Japan.

A new genus and species of non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid, Gobihadros mongoliensis, is described from a virtually complete and undeformed skull and postcranial skeleton, as well as extensive referred material, collected from the Baynshire Formation (Cenomanian-Santonian) of the central and eastern Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Gobihadros mongoliensis is the first non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid from the Late Cretaceous of central Asia known from a complete, articulated skull and skeleton. The material reveals the skeletal anatomy of a proximate sister taxon to Hadrosauridae in remarkable detail. Read More

PLoS One 2019 17;14(4):e0212743. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India.

Banni, located in the arid western India, is one of the largest tropical grasslands of the Asian continent. The net primary production in this grassland ecosystem is currently mediated by precipitation during the Indian summer monsoon (ISM). However, timing of the grassland expansion and its link to the intensity of monsoonal precipitation remains enigmatic due to the paucity of datasets. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 Apr 17;13(4):e0007343. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; St. Paul, MN, United States of America.

Congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was first linked to birth defects during the American outbreak in 2015/2016. It has been proposed that mutations unique to the Asian/American-genotype explain, at least in part, the ability of Asian/American ZIKV to cause congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). Recent studies identified mutations in ZIKV infecting humans that arose coincident with the outbreak in French Polynesia and were stably maintained during subsequent spread to the Americas. Read More

J Agric Food Chem 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Ganoderma lucidum, as food, tea, dietary supplement, and medicine, is widely used in China and Eastern Asian countries. In order to discover its anti-inflammatory constituents and provide some references for the usage of G. lucidum and G. Read More

J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

3 Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Sinonasal anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) without nodal involvement is extremely rare and the rarity of this tumor often leads to diagnostic dilemma. It has been predominantly reported in pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients, mostly of Asian origin. A 21-year-old female patient presented with history of epistaxis for 1 year. Read More

Chem Asian J 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Wuhan University, Department of Chemistry, Luojia Hill, 430072, Wuhan, CHINA.

The focus research on Z/E-isomers of tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivatives were scare in comparison with thousands of AIEgens based on TPE moiety. The similar chemical and physical properties made them difficult to be separated by conventional purification operation of silica gel column chromatography. However, the Z/E-TPE isomers can be isolated by the introduction of polarity groups, and pure isomers showed unique values in deciphering the AIE mechanism and exhibited very different photophysical, mechanochromism, host-guest coordinate properties. Read More

Ann Hum Biol 2019 Apr 17:1-10. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

d Forensic Identification Center, Public Security Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region , Lhasa , Tibet 850000 , China.

Background: Much attention has been paid to the genetic variants of microsatellites in East Asian populations, however, genetic diversity of high-altitude adaptation in Tibet Han remains largely uncharacterised.

Aim: To profile DNA samples from 338 high-altitude adaptation Han Chinese individuals and 933 low-altitude living Han Chinese individuals for 15 autosomal STRs which are used for human identification purposes and to estimate the forensic parameters as well as explore the genetic relationships among 38 Chinese populations.

Subjects And Methods: Fifteen autosomal STR loci and amelogenin gene were amplified in 1,271 individuals using the AmpFℓSTR® Sinofiler™ PCR Amplification Kit. Read More

Korean J Radiol 2019 May;20(5):739-748

Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.

For recanalization of emergent large vessel occlusions (ELVOs), endovascular therapy (EVT) using newer devices, such as a stent retriever and large-bore catheter, has shown better patient outcomes compared with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator only. Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a major cause of acute ischemic stroke, the incidence of which is rising worldwide. Thus, it is not rare to encounter underlying ICAS during EVT procedures, particularly in Asian countries. Read More

Musculoskeletal Care 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Staffordshire University, Stoke on Trent, UK.

Objective: This research sought to explore the pain management beliefs of members of the South Asian community living in the UK. In particular, their understanding of the key components of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) informed pain management programmes (PMPs) was explored.

Methods: Snowball sampling was used to recruit 10 participants from a South Asian background for interview. Read More

Pediatr Dermatol 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program, Stanford University Medical Center and Cancer Institute, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, California.

Objectives: To characterize clinical differences among nonwhite/multiethnic vs white children, adolescents, and young adults with melanoma or atypical melanocytic neoplasms, including atypical Spitz tumors.

Patients And Methods: A cohort of 55 patients (< 25 years of age) prospectively followed from 1995 to 2018 in the Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program was analyzed for differences in clinical presentation, including skin phototype, race/ethnicity, age, sex, tumor/melanoma characteristics, and outcome.

Results: Seventeen patients (9 males and 8 females) were classified as nonwhite (predominantly skin phototype IV) and of Hispanic, Asian, or Black/African American ethnicity, and 38 patients (21 males and 17 females) were classified as white (predominantly phototypes I/II). Read More

J Plant Res 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.

Ottelia, a pantropical genus of aquatic plants belonging to the family Hydrocharitaceae, includes several narrowly distributed taxa in Asia. Although the Asian species have received comparatively more research attention than congeners in other areas, various key taxonomic questions remain unaddressed, especially with regards to apparent cryptic diversity within O. alismoides, a widespread species complex native to Asia, northern Australia and tropical Africa. Read More

Neurotox Res 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India.

Alterations in the basal ganglia circuitry are critical events in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). We earlier compared MPTP-susceptible C57BL/6J and MPTP-resistant CD-1 mice to understand the differential prevalence of PD in different ethnic populations like Caucasians and Asian-Indians. The MPTP-resistant CD-1 mice had 33% more nigral neurons and lost only 15-17% of them following MPTP administration. Read More

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Main building, Beishan Industrial Zone, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China.

Coix seed (CS) is widely used as food material and herbal medicine in Asian countries with hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties. But whether CS takes effect by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota remains unknown. Here, three groups of mice were fed different diets for 5 weeks: standard chow, high fat (HF), and CS added to HF. Read More

Transplant Direct 2019 Apr 25;5(4):e340. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Division of Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Background: A multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel group, pilot, 52-week study in Asian countries that assessed the renal function, efficacy, and safety of reduced-exposure versus standard-exposure prolonged-release tacrolimus (PR-T) in adult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Methods: Posttransplantation, KTRs received PR-T from weeks 0 to 4 (initial dose, 0.2-0. Read More

J Cancer Prev 2019 Mar 30;24(1):26-32. Epub 2019 Mar 30.

Department of Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: This study was conducted to explore the effect of known risk factors, focusing on risk factors including age at menarche, age at menopause, number of children, family history of breast cancer, and age at first birth according to breast density, in consideration of interaction among East-Asian women.

Methods: Case-control study with 2,123 cases and 2,121 controls with mammographic density was conducted. Using the mammographic film, breast density was measured using Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System. Read More

Taiwan J Ophthalmol 2019 Jan-Mar;9(1):49-52

Department of Ophthalmology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.

An 86-year-old Asian man with asteroid hyalosis presented with decreased vision in the left eye. He underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of silicone intraocular lens (IOL) in the left eye 18 years ago, and also received neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser 3 years ago. At presentation, his corrected visual acuity (CVA) was 20/1000 in the left eye. Read More

Psychol Res Behav Manag 2019 18;12:179-194. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Department of Public Administration, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Background: The purpose of this study is to present a broad-brush picture based on empirical evidence on the role of hindrance stressors, motivation, and cultural novelty in expatriate adjustment. Drawing on trait activation theory, this study examines the moderating role of extraversion in enhancing cultural adjustment to achieve positive work engagement and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) by expatriates.

Methods: We gathered data using a sample of 458 eastern expatriates with current international assignments in different countries around the world. Read More

Asian J Surg 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sakarya University, Faculty of Mecidine, Sakarya, Turkey. Electronic address:

Background: The objectives of this study are to assess the chest drainage volumes of patients undergoing anatomic resection of non-small cell lung carcinoma and to determine the safety and effectiveness of administering enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis.

Methods: A total of 77 patients were included in the study. A study was conducted on the first group of 42 patients in which enoxaparin prophylaxis (enoxaparin, 40 mg) was subcutaneously injected once a day for a period of three days after the patients underwent anatomic pulmonary resection between March 2016 and March 2018. Read More

Pediatr Dent 2019 Mar;41(2):95-112

Dr. Kirubakaran is a biostatistician, South Asian Cochrane Network and Centre, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review to assess current evidence for association between various risk factors and the prevalence or incidence of early childhood caries (ECC). Two reviewers searched various databases until January 2019. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to perform risk of bias assessment. Read More

J Dent Child (Chic) 2019 Jan;86(1):3-9

Clinical professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Ill., USA.

To determine if caregivers' race and ethnicity impact their willingness to accept passive immobilization for their child's dental treatment and to determine if a detailed description of passive immobilization will make caregivers more likely to accept the technique.
Caregivers of one- to 11-year-old patients were recruited in a university pediatric dental clinic. They completed two surveys and reviewed a written and pictorial description of passive immobilization. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Apr 15;20(8). Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Université de la Réunion, INSERM U1187, CNRS UMR 9192, IRD UMR 249, Unité Mixte Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, Plateforme Technologique CYROI, Sainte Clotilde, 97490 La Réunion, France.

The recent emergence and re-emergence of viral infections transmitted by vectors, such as the Zika virus (ZIKV) and Dengue virus (DENV), is a cause for international concern. These highly pathogenic arboviruses represent a serious health burden in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Despite the high morbidity and mortality associated with these viral infections, antiviral therapies are missing. Read More

Cytogenet Genome Res 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Uniparental disomy (UPD) is a rare type of chromosomal aberration that has sometimes been detected in paternity testing. We examined a 3-person family (father, mother, daughter) first by using short tandem repeat markers, which revealed 4 markers, TPOX, D2S1338, D2S1772, and D2S441, on chromosome 2 that were not transmitted in a Mendelian style. We then performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) to determine the range of the UPD. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2019 Apr 16:e12938. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Br J Surg 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

National Centre for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Indications for hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have portal hypertension (PH) have been controversial. Some studies have concluded that PH is a contraindication to hepatectomy, whereas others have suggested that perioperative prophylactic management (PPM) can help overcome complications after hepatectomy associated with PH. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the short- and long-term outcomes after hepatectomy for HCC in patients with PH, with or without PPM. Read More

J Med Food 2019 Apr;22(4):421-426

3 Ilisimatusarfik, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.

Dietary iodine is important to human health, and both low and high iodine intake levels increase the risk of disease. Seaweed is rich in iodine and it is a common component in both Asian and in Arctic cuisines. While the intake and impact are known for Asian people, data are lacking for Arctic people. Read More

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2019 May;27(4):318-319

Chem Asian J 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Fudan University, Department of Materials Science, Handan Road 220, 200433, Shanghai, CHINA.

The catalytic tubular micro/nanomachines convert chemical energy from surrounding aqueous fuel solution into mechanical energy to generate autonomous movements, propelled by the oxygen bubbles decomposed by hydrogen peroxide and expelled from the microtubular cavity. With the development of nanotechnology, micro/nanomotor has attracted more and more interest due to its varieties of important potential in vivo and in vitro applications. Here, highly efficient chemical catalytic microtubular motor was fabricated via 3D laser lithography and their motion behavior under the action of driving force in fluids was demonstrated. Read More

J Diabetes Investig 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare autoimmune blistering skin disorder, which involves an immune response directed against hemidesmosomal proteins of basal keratinocytes, BP antigen 180 (BP180) and BP antigen 230 (BP230). It manifests as polymorphic pruritus, blisters, erosions and crusts on the skin. It has been classically known that the development of BP can be induced by certain medications such as diuretics, β-blockers, and antibiotics. Read More

Chem Asian J 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Harbin Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering, 92 West Dazhi Street, Mainhouse Room 125, 150001, Harbin, CHINA.

Communication and interaction are crucial distinctive features of organisms to live in an ecological system. Inspired by nature, micro-/nanorobots are expected to possess communication or interaction behaviors for a significant number of novel and advanced functionalities. The micro/nanoscale size and self-driven capability attract considerable attention for the potential applications of micro-/nanorobots. Read More

Chem Asian J 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

CHINA.

A series of porphyrin-containing polyimide (PI) photocatalysts were synthesized by one-step solvothermal method. Characterization results revealed that porphyrin was uniformly coupled into PI framework through covalent bonding and the visible light absorption was greatly improved. The photodegradation activity of porphyrin-containing PIs for methyl orange (MO) under visible light was enhanced significantly, with highest pseudo-first-order rate constant 35 times more than that of neat porphyrin and 10 times more than that of porphyrin-free PI. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Purpose: Gliosarcoma is characterized by the World Health Organization as a Grade IV malignant neoplasm and a variant of glioblastoma. The association of race and ethnicity with survival has been established for numerous CNS malignancies, however, no epidemiological studies have reported these findings for patients with gliosarcoma. The aim of this study was to examine differences by race and ethnicity in overall survival, 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, and 30-day readmission. Read More

Obes Surg 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Weight Loss and Health Management Center, E-Da Dachang Hospital, No. 305, Dachang 1st Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan.

Background: Preoperative anemia is a risk factor for acute kidney failure after high-risk surgeries. We assessed the impact of preoperative anemia on kidney function in an obese Asian population after laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Methods: Patient characteristics, comorbidities, type of surgery, perioperative profiles, eGFR, and micronutrition were retrospectively reviewed in 341 patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. Read More

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

School of Public Affairs, The Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, 777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA, 17057, USA.

Though they have comparable prevalence of mental illness, American racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to receive mental health services than white Americans. Minorities are often part of racial and ethnic social networks, which may affect mental health service utilization in two ways. While these networks can encourage service utilization by working as a channel of knowledge spillover and social support, they can also discourage utilization by stigmatizing mental illness. Read More

Naturwissenschaften 2019 Apr 13;106(5-6):15. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kamigamo, Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan.

The yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina has become one of the major alien species in European and East Asian countries. As in its homeland, the invading V. velutina is reported as the major predator of honeybees and is becoming a threat to beekeeping in Europe. Read More

Anal Bioanal Chem 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.

Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening is a devastating disease of citrus trees that is caused by the gram-negative Candidatus Liberibacter spp. bacteria. The bacteria are phloem limited and transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, and the African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae, which allows for a wider dissemination of HLB. Read More

J Econ Entomol 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA.

Chrysoperla comanche (Banks) and its sibling species Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister) are voracious predators of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), an invasive pest that vectors a bacterium responsible for the lethal and incurable citrus greening disease. The Comanche lacewing naturally occurs in Southern California, whereas C. rufilabris is currently one of only two commercially available green lacewing in the United States. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2019 May 12;17(5):3789-3799. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China.

Velvet antler, which exhibits immune and growth enhancing effects, is commonly used in a variety of Asian health care products, but its complex components remain unknown. The current study analyzed extracts using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry in the MS mode. Automated detection and data filtering were performed using UNIFI software and peaks were compared with a proprietary scientific library (Traditional Medicine Library; TML). Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Apr 15;9(1):6080. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan.

The pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the causal agent of pine wilt disease, one of the most devastating forest diseases in East Asian and West European countries. The lifecycle of B. xylophilus includes four propagative larval stages and gonochoristic adults which are involved in the pathogenicity, and two stages of dispersal larvae involved in the spread of the disease. Read More

Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals & University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Tedizolid phosphate is approved for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) caused by Gram-positive bacteria in the USA, Europe, and other countries.In this multicenter, double-blind, Phase 3 study, 598 adult ABSSSI patients in China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and the USA were randomized to receive tedizolid 200 mg, intravenous (IV)/oral (PO), once daily for 6 days or linezolid 600 mg, IV/PO twice daily for 10 days. The primary endpoint was early clinical response rate at 48-72 hours. Read More

Asian J Surg 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China.

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of mini-open anterior approach focal cleaning combined with posterior internal fixation for thoracolumbar tuberculosis.

Methods: A total of 149 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis were reviewed retrospectively and divided into 3 groups: mini-open anterior approach (group A), conventional anterior extraperitoneal approach (group B), and posterior approach (group C). After the operation, drainage tubes were routinely placed and the draining fluid was collected on the 4th day for the PCR detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA test (MTD), and Roche culture. Read More

Asian J Surg 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: Hemithyroidectomy has a known but less predictable sequelae of hypothyroidism. Presence of anti-thyroid antibody is known, well studied risk factor. Other postulated risk factors include higher pre-operative TSH level and lower ratio of post-operative thyroid remnant to the patient's weight. Read More

Asian J Surg 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Department of Pathology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhhot, 010010, PR China. Electronic address:

In our clinical work, we found that there is a certain angle in the extrahepatic biliary system, that is to say, there is an angle between the extension line of the lower common bile duct and the upper duodenal segment of bile duct system In Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), the angle of a patient with bile duct injury(BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was measured and compared with that of a patient without BDI during LC We suspect that the bigger angle may be related to the occurrence of BDI in LC We named the angle in the coronal and sagittal positions as "proximity angle" and "exposure angle" respectively. Our experience is that preoperative assessment of relevant angles may be helpful to avoid the occurrence of BDI. Read More

Clin Nutr 2019 Mar 21. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Background: Vitamin D inadequacy is associated with a wide range of diseases. However, optimal strategies to improve vitamin D status, especially in Asian populations, remain unclear. We tested the hypotheses that (1) relevant sun exposure or oral vitamin D supplementation would significantly increase serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations compared with placebo, (2) sun exposure and supplementary vitamin D would be similar in serum 25OHD increases, and (3) the two interventions may have different effects on cardio-metabolic markers. Read More

Biomed J 2019 Feb 20;42(1):19-26. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

MRC Human Immunology Unit, WIMM, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK; CAMS Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, OX3 9FZ, UK. Electronic address:

The role of host genetics in influenza infection is unclear despite decades of interest. Confounding factors such as age, sex, ethnicity and environmental factors have made it difficult to assess the role of genetics without influence. In recent years a single nucleotide polymorphism, interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) rs12252, has been shown to alter the severity of influenza infection in Asian populations. Read More

AIDS Res Ther 2019 Apr 15;16(1). Epub 2019 Apr 15.

National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 16 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308442, Singapore.

Background: Practical screening strategies are necessary to detect neurocognitive impairment of all severities in HIV populations, which remains prevalent despite highly active antiretroviral therapy and requires full neuropsychological testing for diagnosis. We aimed to develop a brief and clinically feasible battery to screen for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in resource-limited settings even where English is not the native language.

Methods: A total of 53 outpatients were recruited from a multi-ethnic Southeast Asian HIV-positive cohort. Read More

Trials 2019 Apr 15;20(1):217. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Background: Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) is frequent in Asian countries including Korea. The quality of life can be degraded by the symptoms of CHHF. In particular, gynecological disorders such as menstrual pain, infertility, leucorrhea, and irregular bleeding may be related to CHHF. Read More

Insects 2019 Apr 2;10(4). Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agric-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Science Education, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China.

spp., which are self-incompatible plants, are some of the most important woody species producing edible oil in Southeast Asian countries. However, the demand for camellia oil currently exceeds the supply due to low product yields that have resulted from a decrease in pollination services. Read More

J Soc Work Pract Addict 2017 12;17(1-2):10-35. Epub 2017 Apr 12.

Assistant Professor, Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY, USA.

This study examined the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on gender and racial/ethnic disparities in accessing and using behavioral health services among a national sample of adults who reported heavy/binge alcohol use (n=52,496) and those with alcohol use disorder (n=22,966). Difference-in-differences models estimated service-related disparities before (2008-2009) and after (2011-2014) health care reform. A sub-analysis was conducted before (2011-2013) and after (2014) full implementation of the ACA. Read More