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"Mainland China and Taiwan have both successfully undergone remarkable transitions from high to low fertility in recent decades. Comparing the transitions of the two Chinese populations brings out striking similarities in the changes in age patterns of fertility, but distinctive contrasts between the trends and speed of declines.... An overview of the history of population dynamics in the past 500 years reaffirms the assertion that fertility and mortality rates in ancient China were primarily reflections of biological responses to population pressure on resources. The results of the regression analysis of this study demonstrates that this density-dependent relationship has gradually vanished as the deliberate control of fertility prevails in contemporary China and Taiwan. The prevalence of fertility control is in large part attributable in Taiwan to the rational response of the population to changes in economic and social conditions that favor fewer children while the size of families in China is largely prescribed by the government there." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

Urbanization trends in the Lower Yangtze region of China from 1500 to 1900 are examined. Data are from a variety of sources, including genealogies, local records, and other literature. An attempt is made to analyze the demographic characteristics of the urban population. "The demographic characteristics in respect to marriage, fertility and mortality found from the genealogies do reveal that there were dissimilarities between the rural and urban dwelling populations. Moreover, findings related to migration tend to support that rural to urban migration was an important factor that speeded up urbanization in the Lower Yangtze Region." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

The decline in mortality in Taiwan since World War II is analyzed using life tables. "Special features of the research include (1) a phase-of-life-specific, rather than an age-specific, analysis of mortality, and (2) the use of measures based upon person-years of life in phase intervals, rather than survival rates or expectation of life at given ages. The empirical results suggest that the mortality decline can be described as a two-stage process: an initial stage of substantial improvement in life expectancy between 1950 and 1965, and a final stage of slow gain in life expectancy since 1965." Age and sex variations in mortality and differing rates of mortality decline are noted. Implications of increased longevity for economic and social programs are also considered. (summary in ENG), (excerpt)

In April 2016, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) adjusted its polio vaccination strategy, converting trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) into bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV), and withdrawing type 2 oral polio vaccine (OPV2) globally. However, after the withdrawal of OPV2, there were many outbreaks of type-2 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) in Asia and Africa. In order to eradicate poliovirus completely, GPEI launched the research and development of the novel serotype 2 oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) in 2010 and considering whether it is necessary to reuse OPV. This paper summarizes the epidemiological situation of cVDPV2 before and after OPV2's withdrawal, the related factors affecting the reuse of OPV and the related research progress of nOPV2.

The plants of the Trigonostemon sp. genus(Euphorbiaceae family) comprising about 50 species worldwide are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia, 10 species of which can be found in southern of China. Phytochemical studies on the plants in the genus have demonstrated a large amount of terpenoids and alkaloids. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated cytotoxicity, antivirus, antibacterial, anti-inflammation and other pharmacological activities. In this paper, chemical compositions and biological activities of Trigonostemon genus at home and abroad over the past decade were summarized, in order to provide scientific basis for the further development and utilization of Trigonostemon plants.

Objective: To share related knowledge and experiences with countries along the line, literature regarding current cohort studies was summarized. Distribution, establishment and development of cohort studies among large prospective general population were analyzed in 17 countries of Western Asia and the 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Methods: Literature review was conducted to collect basic information on cohort studies, with descriptive study used to analyze the characteristics of these cohort studies. Results: There were 562 cohort studies with sample size as more than 1 000 stated in Western Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, including 468 (83.27 % ) carried out in the nation itself and 94 (16.73 % ) with international multicentered collaboration. According to the nature of cohort studies, 347 (61.74 % ) were etiologically based. As for the contents involved, 310 (55.16 % ) of them targeted on chronic/non-communicable diseases, 125 (22.24 % ) concentrated on maternal and child health. Among those on chronic/non-communicable diseases, 51 (16.45 % ) were on cancers and 83 (26.77 % ) on cardiovascular disease studies. There appeared 10 large prospective cohort studies targeting on general population, mainly ongoing in Iran and European countries, with a duration of 8-29 years, including 4 of them with sample size as more than 50 000. In terms of the contents, epidemiological investigation, physical examination and biological samples collection took the major parts. Few papers were published in 9 out of the 10 cohort studies at the early stage of those projects but the number of papers increased annually and stabilized to certain extent. Conclusions: The regional distribution of cohort studies carried out in countries from the Western Asia and Central and Eastern European areas appeared unbalanced. Contents of these designs would mainly involve etiological studies, with focus on non-communicable diseases as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, mental and psychological diseases, and maternal and infant health etc .. However, only few large prospective cohort studies would base on general population.

Objective: To detect the chloroquine-resistant molecular marker polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum imported into China, investigate the mutation types of P. falciparum chloroquine resistant transporter ( Pfcrt ) gene at positions 72 to 76, and analyze the specificity of the P. falciparum specimens with different origins., Methods: A total of 674 filter paper blood samples were collected from the National Malaria Diagnosis Reference Laboratory of China in 2012 and 2018. The amino acid po- sitions 72 to 76 of the Pfcrt gene on chromosome 7 were amplified using nested PCR assay and sequenced, and the sequencing results of the target gene fragment and the geographical region-specific prevalence of the mutations in the Pfcrt gene were analyzed., Results: Among the 674 imported P. falciparum malaria cases in China in 2012 and 2018, 99.5% (644/674) were from Africa, which were predominantly from western and central Africa (80.4%, 518/644), and 4.5% (30/674) from Southeast Asia and Oceania (Papua New Guinea). A total of 4 site mutations (C72S, M74I, N75E and K76T) and 5 haplotypes (CVMNK, CVIET and SVMNT and two mixed types) were identified, with haplotypes CVMNK and CVIET present in parasites of both African and Southeast Asian origins, SVMNT detected in Southeast Asia (Myanmar) and Papua New Guinea isolates, the mixed type of haplo- types CVMNK/CVIET detected in P. falciparum of African and Southeast Asian origins, and the mixed type of haplotypes CVMNK/SVMNT detected only in the Myanmar isolate. Most P. falciparum parasites of the African origin carried the wild-type Pfcrt allele (77.7%, 478/615), and 68.0% (17/25) of the P. falciparum parasites of the Southeast Asian and Papua New Guinea or- igins harbored chloroquine resistant molecular markers ( χ 2 = 28.5, P < 0.05). The constituent ratio of the wild- and mutant-type Pfcrt allele varied in different geographical regions of Africa ( P < 0.01), and the lowest prevalence of the wild-type Pfcrt allele was seen in western Africa., Conclusions: Among the 674 imported malaria cases in China in 2012 and 2018, the P. falciparum imported from Sotheast Asia habors a higher proportion of resistance to chloroquine and a higher molecular polymophism at ami- no acid positions 72 to 76 of the Pfcrt gene than the parasite of the African origin.

Wolfberry has important unique medical values as well as edible and commerce values. In this paper,we analyze the characteristics and problems of international trade of wolfberry based on the customs data between 2008 and 2017. During periods of these ten years,the wolfberry was mainly exported with a small proportions of imports. The total export volume increased steadily,reached 82 182. 08 tons and 696. 622 million dollars respectively. Wolfberry came from 31 provinces/autonomous regions and exported to 105 countries and regions through 21 ports. Most of the total exports of wolfberry flew to markets of Asia and Europe,the Ningxia autonomous region was the major export province. Large amount of wolfberry exported through Tianjin port. Compared with the export volume,the import is almost negligible,mainly coming from North Korea,almost all through Changchun port,Jilin province to enter the domestic market. There is a situation of"import of domestic goods". To enhance the international competitiveness of wolf berry industry,we must rely on the fundamental research of wolfberry,speed up the standardization process,strengthen the scientific and technological innovation in wolfberry products,improve the added value and profit of wolfberry.

Objective: To understand characteristics of demographic, seasonal and spatial distribution of H5N1 cases in major countries of Asia (Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, China) and Africa (Egypt). Methods: Through searching public data resource and published papers, we collected cases information in five countries from May 1st, 1997 to November 6th, 2017, including general characteristics, diagnosis, onset and exposure history, etc. Different characteristics of survived and death cases in different countries were described and χ(2) test was used to compare the differences among death cases and odds ratio ( OR ) and 95 %CI value was used to compare death risk in different countries. Results: A total of 856 cases were reported in five countries with Egypt had the most cases (44.3%). The highest number of cases were reported in 2015 (18.3%). 53% cases were reported from January to March, and 96.1% of cases had the history of poultry exposure. 64.2% (43 cases) cases in China had live poultry market exposure, but the sick/dead poultry exposure was the major exposure for cases in other four countries. 452 death cases were reported in five countries, and the fatality rate was 52.8%. With Egypt as the reference group, the highest death risk was seen in Indonesia ( OR (95 %CI ): 11.52 (7.46-17.77)), followed by Cambodia ( OR (95 %CI ): 4.27(2.37-7.69)) and China ( OR (95 %CI ): 2.87 (1.73-4.74)). The age distribution of death cases among 5 countries was statistically significant, and the highest fatality rate was in 15-54 years group in Egypt (83.6%, 102 cases), while in Cambodia the highest fatality rate was in 0-14 years group (76.9%, 30 cases). The highest number of deaths were reported in 2006, and 48.3% were reported from January to March. There was difference in exposure routes among 5 countries (χ(2)=43.85, P= 0.001), 63.2% (24 cases) of the death cases in China had live poultry market exposure. 92.9% (79 cases), 83.3% (40 cases) and 100.0% (38 cases) death cases in Indonesia, Vietnam and Camodia had sick/dead poultry exposure, respectively;and 81.6% (31 cases) of the death cases in Egypt had backyard poultry exposure. Conclusion: The geographical distribution, seasonal age, gender, exposure matter and outcome of H5N1 cases in five countries were different.

The occurrence and prevalence of pine wilt disease cause huge losses to Japan, China, and South Korea in East Asia, and have received concerns from many countries. By the methods of field observation and meteorological data analysis, this paper studied the characteristics of the occurrence and prevalence of pine wilt disease and their relations to the meteorological disaster events. In Japan, China and South Korea, the meteorological extreme events of persistent summer drought and strong typhoon could trigger the occurrence of pine wilt. In extremely dry and hot environment, pine trees often appeared energy metabolism imbalance and entire tree wilt. However, in the years with lower temperature and more rainfall, less or nearly no pine wilt event occurred. It was suggested that before the attack by pine wood nematode and its vectors, the vigor of the pines had already declined, and thus, pine wilt disease could be confined in the areas often hit by summer drought and strong typhoon events. In the areas with suitable natural environment characterized by less summer drought and strong typhoon events and no improperly enlarged pine planting, there would be little possibility of widespread occurrence of pine wilt disease.

Based on the bi-linearly interpolated meteorological reanalysis data from National Centers for Environmental Prediction, USA and by using the leaf area index data derived from the GIMMS NDVI to run the process-based Boreal Ecosystems Productivity Simulator (BEPS) model, this paper simulated and analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of the terrestrial ecosystem gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP) in East Asia in 2000-2005. Before regional simulating and calculating, the observation GPP data of different terrestrial ecosystem in 15 experimental stations of AsiaFlux network and the inventory measurements of NPP at 1300 sampling sites were applied to validate the BEPS GPP and NPP. The results showed that BEPS could well simulate the changes in GPP and NPP of different terrestrial ecosystems, with the R2 ranging from 0.86 to 0.99 and the root mean square error (RMSE) from 0.2 to 1.2 g C x m(-2) x d(-1). The simulated values by BEPS could explain 78% of the changes in annual NPP, and the RMSE was 118 g C x m(-2) x a(-1). In 2000-2005, the averaged total GPP and total NPP of the terrestrial ecosystems in East Asia were 21.7 and 10.5 Pg C x a(-1), respectively, and the GPP and NPP exhibited similar spatial and temporal variation patterns. During the six years, the total NPP of the terrestrial ecosystems varied from 10.2 to 10.7 Pg C x a(-1), with a coefficient of variation being 2. 2%. High NPP (above 1000 g C x m(-2) x a(-1)) occurred in the southeast island countries, while low NPP (below 30 g C x m(-2) x a(-1)) occurred in the desert area of Northwest China. The spatial patterns of NPP were mainly attributed to the differences in the climatic variables across East Asia. The NPP per capita also varied greatly among different countries, which was the highest (70217 kg C x a(-1)) in Mongolia, far higher than that (1921 kg C x a(-1)) in China, and the lowest (757 kg C x a(-1)) in India.

Objective: To examine the effects of parenteral supplementation of glutamine dipeptide on the outcomes of surgical patients., Methods: The relevant data 1997 to March or May 2005 were retrieved from SCI, Medline, EMBASE, Chinese Cochrane Centre databases. The bibliographies of the retrieved papers and the personal file were searched as well. All the patients in the retrieved papers received parenteral nutrition, whether alanyl-glutamine dipeptide (Ala-Gln) was added was the only difference between the intervention and control groups. Methodological quality assessment was based on the Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook and Jadad's Score Scale. Statistical software RevMan4.2 was used for meta-analysis. The data were treated by intention-to-treat method., Results: A total of 1074 relevant papers were screened. Thirteen prospective randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) from European & Asian studies met the inclusion criteria. Ten RCTs reported 355 cases of infectious complications showed that Ala-Gln administration significantly reduced the prevalence of infectious complications with a pooled relative risk (RR) of 0.42 (95% CI 0.24 - 0.72; P = 0.002). Eight studies with 273 cases reported the postoperative length of stay (LOS) and showed that Ala-Gln significantly reduced the postoperative LOS by 3.25 days (95% CI = -4.87 to -1.62; P = 0.00009). There was no significant effect of Ala-Gln on cost of hospitalization, though there was a trend to reduction (2 studies, pooled n = 52, P = 0.2)., Conclusion: Parenteral Ala-Gln significantly reduces the post-operative infectious morbidity and LOS among surgical patients.

"This paper extends research on the difference in ageing factors between Taipei City and Taiwan's rural area in terms of the changes in fertility, mortality, and migration rates.... The analysis--based on data collected from 1968-1993 demographic data in Taiwan-Fukien Demographic Fact Book...provides strong evidence that population processes (fertility, mortality, and migration) have different influences on the population ageing of Tapei City and Taiwan's rural area." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

"This paper studies the inter- and intra-provincial migration patterns, major streams, the demographic characteristics of migrants and their reasons based on the 1990 100% China census. Under the government efforts [to move] to a market economy, the household registration system gradually loses its function. The social and economic impacts of [the] significant size of floating population [in] cities are addressed." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

"Based on the cohort component projection, this paper simulates the effects of fertility compression on birth sequence and age composition in Taiwan, and explores the implications for social welfare. As a first step, we fix the fertility schedule on the age pattern of 1956 while leaving the TFR to shift as it was, [and] simulate the single year of age population groups from 1956 to 1992.... We subsequently assumed a fixed age pattern of fertility, a compressed pattern and an expanded pattern in a projection of five year...age groups from 1997 to 2097." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

"The purpose of the paper is to examine the nature and the structure of elderly women's dependency [in Taiwan] and the underlying socio-cultural-political forces. From the social constructive perspective, we focused on three constructive forces--the Chinese patriarchal/patrilocal family system, the gender role, and the state policy on elderly welfare. Three types of dependency--economic dependency, dependency for personal and health care, and living arrangement--were examined." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

"In this paper we employ family status life tables to assess the effects of demographic processes on family composition and to reveal trends in elderly living arrangements [in Taiwan]. We found that further declining fertility and changing nuptiality are responsible for the prevalence of nuclear family composition. [The] increasing proportion of nuclear families indicates a decreasing probability [of] elderly parents living with their married children. In addition, according to the current nuptiality trends, the increasing proportion of women of all ages who remain [unmarried] will strengthen its effects on family composition in the near future." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

"This paper applies the multiple-decrement life table to the analysis of mortality and self-reported disability [for Taiwan], annually from 1986 until 1989.... It was found that during this period of time, the shifts in 'mortality' and 'disability' curves conform to the compression hypothesis. The area in between the two curves [has] shrunk in the 4 year period.... The sex differential in disability has been examined. It is concluded that though at the younger ages women tend to spend less person-years in disability, the situation is quite different at older ages. Women tend to have greater chance [of] and longer duration suffering from disability at old age than men." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

Primary open angle glaucoma is the second most important cause of permanent blindness in the Asia-Pacific region. Thus it is very important to identify epidemiological and other risk factors which are associated with open angle glaucoma. The risk for glaucoma optic nerve damage increases with the age and with the level of the intraocular pressure. In this paper, I will highlight our study of several risk factors for development of the open angle glaucoma like (1) elevated intraocular pressure, (2) myopia, (3) suspicious large optic disc cup, (4) cupping with disc haemorrhages and (5) nerve fibre defect. The general and systemic conditions which are implicated as risk factors are (1) family history of glaucoma. (2) increase in age, (3) diabetes mellitus, (4) cardiovascular conditions like central retinal vein occlusion etc. (5) the endocrine disorders with increased thyroid and increased corticosteroids responsiveness in patients with glaucoma will be discussed.

"This paper [tests] both Clark's negative exponential model and Newling's quadratic exponential model [using data for] population densities in districts of Kaohsiung Metropolis [Taiwan]. It proposes four theoretical amendments and supplements to the population density function and the related theories." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

"In this paper, we will focus on [population growth, birth, and marriage rates in Taiwan] and explore [them] in terms of the time series model. Furthermore, the comparison and analysis will be made utilizing [the] univariate ARIMA model, transfer function model and multivariate ARIMA model accordingly. The seasonal factor will also be considered. Lastly, [projections] will be made on the short term growth rate of these three indexes, and we will also estimate the monthly sum of population of the next two years in Taiwan." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

The author discusses urbanization in the People's Republic of China and problems in data analysis "due to the lack of standardized and well-defined terms for the urban settlements and urban population on the mainland. This paper clarifies the relationship between geographic units and demographic data, identifies the major types of urban population and their characteristics, explains the reasons for the differing levels of urbanization revealed in various data sources, and presents a comprehensive data series on mainland China's urbanization that best approximates reality." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)

The quality of children has mostly been discussed in so far as it can affect fertility. The sex of children is a particularly important subject in this context. Because a child's sex is stochastically determined, Ben-Porath and Welch used the household production approach to identify risky decision points. The purpose of this paper is twofold. One is to simplify Ben-Porath's and Welch's model. The other is to use KAP data in Taiwan to examine the causes of preferring to have at least 1 boy and to test in what direction and the degree to which such preferences affect fertility. The results can be summarized as follows: 1) preferring to have at least 1 boy is significant in Taiwan; 2) the data support both the assumption of inelastic demand and mild learning; 3) concerning the dummy variable for the existence of at least 1 boy preference, it can be shown that the regression coefficients for each of family structure, wife's education, and husband's occupation were statistically significant at the .01 significance level; and 4) when the impact of "at least 1 boy preference" on completed family size is concerned, the regression coefficient for the existence of at least 1 boy preference is positive as expected and also the most significant variable included.