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Wolbachia is a ubiquitous endosymbiotic bacterium that manipulates insect reproduction. A notable feature of Wolbachia is male killing (MK), whereby sons of infected females are killed during development; however, the evolutionary processes by which Wolbachia acquired the MK ability remain unclear. The tea tortrix moth Homona magnanima (Tortricidae) harbours three non‐MK Wolbachia strains (wHm‐a, wHm‐b and wHm‐c) and an MK strain wHm‐t. Although wHm‐t and wHm‐c are closely related, only wHm‐t has an MK‐associated prophage region. To understand the evolutionary processes underlying the emergence of MK wHm‐t, we examined Wolbachia infections and phenotypes in 62 tortricid species collected from 39 localities across Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. PCR assays detected wHm‐c relatives in 51 species and triple infection of wHm‐a, wHm‐b and wHm‐c in 31 species. Apart from Taiwanese H. magnanima, no species exhibited the MK phenotype and were positive for the wHm‐t‐specific prophage. While wHm‐t infection was dominant in Taiwanese H. magnanima, wHm‐a, wHm‐b and wHm‐c were dominant in Japanese H. magnanima populations. These results suggest that wHm‐a, wHm‐b and wHm‐c strains descended from a common ancestor with repeated infection loss and that wHm‐t evolved from the wHm‐c acquiring MK ability in allopatric populations of H. magnanima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rare diseases, also referred to as orphan diseases, are characterised by their low prevalence with majority of them are chronically debilitating and life threatening. Given the low prevalence and the widely dispersed but very small patient base for each disease, there may often be a disproportion in the availability of treatments and resources to manage patients, spur research and train experts. This is especially true in Southeast Asian countries that are currently in the process of implementing or revising their universal health coverage schemes. This paper aims to examine the status of rare disease management in Southeast Asian countries. It will serve as the basis for a more active discussion on how countries in the region can address an under-recognised rare disease burden and enhance national and regional capacities.Methods: The study consists of literature reviews and key stakeholders interviews in six focus countries, including the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand and five countries as best practice, comprising of France, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea. Rare disease management initiatives across each country were examined based on the World Health Organization's framework for action in strengthening health systems.Results: The results suggest rare disease management remains challenging across Southeast Asia, as many of the focus countries face fundamental issues from basic healthcare systems to funding. Nonetheless, there are substantial improvement opportunities, including leveraging best practices from around the world and organising a multi-stakeholder and regional approach and strategy.Conclusions: Southeast Asian countries have made significant progress in the management of rare disease, but there remain key areas for substantial development opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that procedural justice has a contribution to parent-subsidiary links within multinational enterprises (MNEs). Design/methodology/approach -- A mailed survey is adopted in this study. A total of 152 valid and complete questionnaires were returned from the respondents. Structural equation modeling and Chow test are used in this research paper. Findings -- Based on structural equation modeling, three significant dimensions of the parent-subsidiary links are found to contribute to the financial performance of the subsidiaries (resource commitment, information flow, and control flexibility). Based on Chow test, these dimensions can lead to better financial performance under greater procedural justice in the decision-making processes of MNEs. Research limitations/implications -- This study only collected information from Taiwanese multinational firms in East Asia and the Pacific countries, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Generally, these regions are the emerging market, with structurally volatile but fast-growing economies. In addition, further studies can extend the research to other countries, Environmental interferences, such as culture and legal rules, were not considered in this study. Practical implications -- In reality, although the due process is sometimes neglected because of time limitations or lack of patience, superior managers still should pay more attention to the processes of strategic decision making to keep the procedure fair and transparent. Originality/value -- This paper underlines the importance and value of the procedural justice in MNE management. The exercise of the procedural justice motivated subsidiary managers to aim for better financial performance with voluntary effort and their best ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]