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The era of information and communication technology (ICT) has popularized adolescents' digital reading activities in their daily lives. Most prior studies focused on identifying significant factors that foster digital reading performance. Although educational quality is of great concern, it is crucial to consider the issue of educational equity in the digital world. Our study aims to unfold the mediating roles of ICT-related psychological needs between economic, social, and cultural status (ESCS) and digital reading performance. A multilevel mediation analysis was adopted for 36,490 students from six high-performing Asian regions participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The results indicated that perceived ICT autonomy significantly mediated the relationship in most Asian regions, while perceived ICT competence yielded mixed roles. Interestingly, the suppression effects were detected between ESCS, ICT in social interaction, and digital reading. Our research findings offer fresh insights into narrowing the digital divide in the online reading environment for adolescents.

Although academic resilience is of great concern to contemporary educational practitioners, there is no consensus on its measurement. Furthermore, protective factors characterized by East Asian societal contexts remain ambiguous. This systematic review aims to offer an overview of the operational definitions, statistical methodology, and protective factors of academic resilience identified in East Asian countries/economies. With a focus on large-scale assessment (LSA) research, three databases (i.e., Web of Science, CNKI, and AiritiLibary) were searched and returned 31 peer-reviewed studies over the last decade. Results indicated that the definition-driven method was commonly adopted in international LSA studies (e.g., Programme for the International Student Assessment) to measure academic resilience, and the research conducted in national/regional LSA (e.g., China Education Panel Survey) tended to use the process-driven approach. Logistic regression was the most frequently data analysis technique utilized in the definition-driven approach, while structural equation modeling and mediation/moderation analyses accounted for the largest proportion of the process-driven methods. Our study shed light on the methodological issues of academic resilience in LSA. Additionally, it highlights the aspiration of educational researchers to identify Asian-specific protective factors from the social-ecological perspective to propose appropriate interventions fostering academic resilience.

Several international large-scale assessments were conducted at the turn of the new century, and during the past two decades the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) completed seven cycles of assessment to facilitate practitioners' policy debates and governance. This study reviews PISA-related articles published in English and Chinese. Three literature databases were searched, with a focus on SSCI, CSSCI, and TSSCI journal publications. The frequency of publication was analyzed according to the author's country affiliation, type of journal, and research categories/themes. Findings indicate that research on student-, school- and system-level indicators with a focus on students' learning processes and outcomes as well as critiques of technical matters on PISA were frequent topics in the literature during the past two decades. Issues of equality and equity examined in the publications have implications for enhancing practitioners' capabilities in terms of policy making and governance.

With the rapid growth of education data in large-scale assessment, machine learning techniques are crucial to the interdisciplinary development of education and information. Although data mining tools are increasingly used to predict overall student performance, resilient students in the digital world remain unstudied. Our study aims to comprehensively identify key features in the classification of academically resilient students (ARS) and non-academically resilient students (NRS) in digital reading. With a sample of 11,496 disadvantaged students from seven high-performing Asian economies, data drawn from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 were analyzed through Support Vector Machine (SVM). Results indicated that 20 key features were selected from 105 contextual features at the individual, home, and school levels, which demonstrated a high predictive ability of the model. Personal experience, especially the use of metacognitive strategies in digital reading and reading enjoyment were predominant features. Interestingly, information and communication technology (ICT) resources and usage showed mixed effects on resilient students. This study provides significant implications for cultivating resilient students in online learning environments.

Latin America and Asia have been tied for hundreds of years through a transcontinental trade network, which has culminated in their current economic interdependence. This interdependence necessitates cooperation, which can be bolstered through cultural understanding between the two continents. International student mobility is one way to foster intercultural relations, which are currently quite low between these regions. Canada has faced a similar struggle as Latin America to attract students in the Americas when faced with competition from US universities, but has had some successes which Latin American countries could learn from. This study therefore completes a scoping review of the literature to categorize barriers and enablers to academic mobility between higher education institutions (HEIs) in Asia, Canada, and Latin America and synthesizes relevant suggestions. An integrative literature search of qualitative and quantitative studies was conducted using six different databases. After considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, 33 studies were selected and analyzed. The results were categorized into six themes: Cultural, Academic and Professional, Linguistic, Economic, Program Structure, and Political Climate. Each theme included factors which enabled or hindered student mobility between Asia and the Americas. The findings highlight the need for Latinamerican HEIs to emphasize relevant initiatives and qualities that go beyond rankings, boost the use of English among academics and staff, actively reach out to Asian partners, and collaborate to develop credit transfer policies compatible with Asian institutions. These considerations could be all the more timely considering students are currently more open to virtual international opportunities in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, generating possibilities of greater collaboration between these regions of the world.

ABSTRACT Introduction Aim Methods Results Discussion Implications for Practice Relevance Statement In Asia, many caregivers are culturally obliged to assume the role of taking care of individuals experiencing chronic schizophrenia, even as they grapple with stigma and compassion fatigue. Despite the significance of this phenomenon, the collective experiences of Asian caregivers remain poorly understood.To synthesise qualitative evidence on the experiences of informal caregivers when caring for individuals with chronic schizophrenia in Asia.A search was conducted on seven databases for studies published between 2013 and 2023. The included studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. Data extraction was based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Qualitative Extraction Form. The data synthesis was based on the framework by Sandelowski and Barroso.Our review included the experiences of 1345 informal caregivers from 57 included studies. The analysis yielded the overarching theme of ‘Navigating Challenges, Forging Resilience’. Three themes were identified: (i) challenges in caregiving, (ii) lack of support and (iii) coping and resilience.Our findings highlighted the Asian caregivers' stressors, particularly cultural and traditional factors, a facet often overlooked in the literature.Mental healthcare practitioners must provide caregivers with comprehensive information. Anticipatory guidance is essential during the initial stages of the diagnosis. To negate geographical limitations, caregiver‐training sessions can be pre‐recorded and posted to online platforms. Finally, cultural and spiritual beliefs can be integrated into the treatment plans for individuals with schizophrenia in the community.Within the institutional setting, mental healthcare practitioners are encouraged to provide caregivers with comprehensible information or training in person and through written or online platforms, which can transcend geographical limitations. Anticipatory guidance is essential, especially during the initial stages of the diagnosis, when confusion and uncertainties are prevalent. Periodic home visits by mental healthcare practitioners can help ease caregivers' concerns and enhance their caregiving confidence. Finally, cultural and spiritual beliefs should be integrated into the treatment plans for individuals with schizophrenia in the community as it promotes cultural acceptability, encourages referrals to appropriate institutions and reduces the stigma of mental healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterise lifestyle patterns (comprising dietary and movement behaviour aspects) of children in Singapore and examine the correlates of these patterns. Design: An observational study approach was used. Children recorded their diet and activities over two weekdays and two weekend days on a validated web-based assessment, My E-Diary for Activities and Lifestyle (MEDAL). Lifestyle patterns were derived using principal component analysis, and the correlations of these with multiple known determinants organised by distal, intermediate, and proximal levels of influence were studied. Setting: Children of the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. Participants: Ten-year-old children (n = 397). Results: Three lifestyle patterns, "high snacks and processed food", "balanced" and "mixed", were identified. We focused on the more health-promoting "balanced" pattern, characterised by lower screen-viewing and higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, and dairy. Among the distal factors, girls were more adherent to the "balanced" pattern compared to boys, and children of parents with lower education levels were less adherent to this pattern. Among intermediate factors, children of mothers with higher diet quality were more adherent to the "balanced" pattern. Among the proximal factors, engagement in active transport, leisure sports, and educational activities outside of school were positively associated with the "balanced" pattern, whereas screen-viewing while travelling was negatively associated with this pattern. Having siblings, pet ownership, mother's physical activity, parenting style, parental bonding, child's outdoor time, and breakfast consumption were not associated with children's lifestyle patterns. Conclusions: These findings provide direction for future interventions by identifying vulnerable groups and contexts that should be prioritised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mongolian Plateau (MP), with its unique geographical landscape and cultural features, plays an important role in the safety of the regional ecological environment and sustainable development in North Asia. Land-cover data form the basis of MP studies; however, global-scale data products often fail to reflect regional characteristics. Despite improvements in data resolution, the level of detail remains insufficient for MP studies. This study aimed to improve the land cover classification system for MP. Based on multi-source data and extensive sample annotations, we constructed a high-quality land cover dataset for the MP and analyzed regional land cover changes. In this study, we used Landsat 5 and 8 images as primary data, which were supplemented by NASADEM, nighttime light data, ESA WorldCover, and other multi-source data for auxiliary analysis. The MP was divided into 13 major land cover categories: forest, shrub, meadow steppe, real steppe, desert steppe, wetland, water, cropland, built areas, bare area, desert, sand, and ice. For these categories, we manually labeled the samples for seven periods: 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. We constructed a set of image features and used a random forest model to train and predict land-cover data from 1990 to 2020. The overall accuracy of the land-cover products was 83.9 %, with a kappa coefficient of 0.817. Analysis of land cover changes over the past 30 years revealed that 65.04 % of land cover types in the MP remained unchanged from 1990 to 2020. The sandy area decreased annually, with a significant trend of bare areas transitioning to vegetation. The land-cover dataset produced in this study includes land-cover data and labeled samples for seven periods, exhibiting high application potential. It can be used for research on land-cover changes and related resource and environmental issues in the MP, providing data to support ecological protection and natural resource management in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying in a second language is probably one of the greatest challenges for international students. In this study, the relationship between language preparation and the first year graduate study among East Asian international graduate students in the United States was investigated in order to provide implications and suggestions for university administrators and policymakers. Language preparation before arriving in the United States and their first year experiences were explored in order to understand the challenges that East Asian international students face. The findings from 12 interviews reveal the first year academic experience of East Asian international graduate students and the needs of this population regarding university language support. In addition, the findings allow policymakers and higher education administrators to better understand the difficulties this population faces as well as the importance of support services and mentoring programs in ensuring their academic success in the United States.

Osmanthus fragrans has a long history of cultivation in Asia and is widely used in food production for its unique aroma, which has important cultural and economic values. It is rich in flavonoids with diverse pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-lipid activities. However, little is known regarding the effects of Osmanthus fragrans flavonoid extract (OFFE) on adipogenesis and pre-adipocyte transdifferentiation. Herein, this research aimed to investigate the effect of OFFE on the differentiation, adipogenesis, and beiging of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Results showed that OFFE inhibited adipogenesis, reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in mature adipocytes, and promoted mitochondrial biogenesis as well as beiging/browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This effect was accompanied by increased mRNA and protein levels of the brown adipose-specific marker gene Pgc-1a, and the upregulation of the expression of UCP1, Cox7A1, and Cox8B. Moreover, the research observed a dose-dependent reduction in the mRNA expression of adipogenic genes (C/EBPα, GLUT-4, SREBP-1C, and FASN) with increasing concentrations of OFFE. Additionally, OFFE activated the AMPK signaling pathway to inhibit adipogenesis. These findings elucidate that OFFE has an inhibitory effect on adipogenesis and promotes browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which lays the foundation for further investigation of the lipid-lowering mechanism of OFFE in vivo in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Nilaparvata lugens is a monophagous insect that poses a significant threat to food security in Asia. At present, the control of N. lugens mainly depends on application of insecticides and cultivation of resistant rice varieties. However, N. lugens develops resistance quickly, which makes it difficult to control. Death-associated protein-1 (DAP-1) plays crucial roles in cell growth, migration, autophagy, and apoptosis in mammals. However, its function in insects remains unclear. In the present study, we cloned and identified N. lugens DAP-1 (NlDAP-1). NlDAP-1 was expressed during all developmental stages and in all tissues of N. lugens, particularly higher in the ovaries of female adults. RNAi of NlDAP-1 expression significantly inhibited its expression, leading to premature death, delayed ovarian development, and fewer offspring of N. lugens. Additionally, an immunofluorescence experiment showed that NlDAP-1 was highly expressed when yeast-like symbionts (YLSs) entered N. lugens oocytes, and inhibiting the expression of NlDAP-1 disturbed the process. These results indicate that NlDAP-1 plays a crucial role in the reproductive development of N. lugens and the transovarial transmission of its YLSs, making DAP-1 as a potential target for RNAi to control N. lugens. Death-associated protein-1 (DAP-1) plays a crucial role in cell growth, migration, autophagy, and apoptosis in mammals. However, its function in insects remains unclear. In the present study, we cloned and identified Nilaparvata lugens DAP-1 (NlDAP-1). NlDAP-1 was expressed during all developmental stages and in all tissues of N. lugens, being particularly higher in the ovaries of female adults. RNAi with double-stranded NlDAP-1 RNA significantly inhibited the expression of NlDAP-1, leading to premature death (dying seven days earlier), delayed ovarian development, and fewer offspring (76.7% reduction in eggs with 77.4% reduction in egg hatching rate). Additionally, an immunofluorescence experiment showed that NlDAP-1 was highly expressed when yeast-like symbionts (YLSs) entered N. lugens oocytes, and inhibiting the expression of NlDAP-1 disturbed the process; the RNAi of NlDAP-1 caused a 34.9% reduction in the YLSs that entered oocytes. These results indicate that NlDAP-1 plays a crucial role in the reproductive development of N. lugens and the transovarial transmission of its YLSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paying attention to the relationship between EIA signatures and earthquakes can be useful to further understand the earthquake anomalies and seismo-ionospheric coupling mechanism. Based on the GIM TEC data, the EIA north crest signature in the south Asia region was investigated for 92 M ≥ 6.0 earthquakes from 1999 to 2022. A running mean method was utilized to extract the anomalies potentially associated with earthquakes. It was found that before the strong earthquakes, the EIA north crest significantly moves equatorward, and the formation time of the crest appears earlier than that in normal days. The TEC strength of EIA north crest can both increase or decrease prior to earthquakes. The results in this study further imply that the abnormal electric field formed around the epicenter is potential the main channel of Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling (LAIC) mechanisms during the earthquake preparation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most frequently diagnosed form of liver cancer, is observed in Africa and Asia. SYVN1 is upregulated in HCC; however, the biological roles of SYVN1 in immune evasion remain unclear. Methods: RT-qPCR and western blot were employed to detect the expression levels of SYVN1 and the key molecules in HCC cells and tissues. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of T cells, and an ELISA assay was used to determine the amount of IFN-γ secreted. Cell viability was monitored by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. The metastatic properties of HCC cells were detected by Transwell assays. Bioinformatics analysis, ChIP, and luciferase assays were used to study the transcriptional regulation of PD-L1. Co-IP was used to detect direct interaction between SYVN1 and FoxO1, as well as the ubiquitination of FoxO1. The in vitro findings were validated in xenograft and lung metastasis models. Results: In HCC cells and tissues, SYVN1 was upregulated while FoxO1 was downregulated. SYVN1 knockdown or FoxO1 overexpression reduced PD-L1 expression, and inhibited immune evasion, cell growth, and metastasis in HCC cells. Mechanistically, FoxO1 regulated PD-L1 transcription in a β-catenin-independent or -dependent manner. Functional studies further showed that SYVN1 promoted immune evasion, cell proliferation, migration and invasion via facilitating ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation of FoxO1. In vivo investigations showed that silencing of SYVN1 inhibited immune evasion and metastasis of HCC cells, possible via the FoxO1/PD-L1 axis. Conclusion: SYVN1 regulates FoxO1 ubiquitination to stimulate β-catenin nuclear translocation and promotes PD-L1-mediated metastasis and immune evasion in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Vibrational signal plays a crucial role in courtship communication in many insects. However, it remains unclear whether insect vibrational signals exhibit daily rhythmicity in response to changes in environmental cues. RESULTS: In this study, we observed daily rhythms of both female vibrational signals (FVS) and male vibrational signals (MVS) in the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), one of the most notorious rice pests across Asia. Notably, oscillations of FVS and MVS in paired BPHs were synchronized as part of male–female duetting interactions, displaying significant day‐night rhythmicity. Furthermore, we observed light dependency of FVS emissions under different photoperiodic regimes (18 L:6 D and 6 L:18 D) and illumination intensity levels (>300 lx, 50 lx, and 25 lx). Subsequently, the potential role of circadian clock genes cryptochromes (Nlcry1 and Nlcry2) in regulating FVS daily oscillations was examined using gene knockdown via RNA interference. We observed sharp declines and disrupted rhythms in FVS frequencies when either of the Nlcrys was downregulated, with Nlcry2 knockdown showing a more prominent effect. Moreover, we recorded a novel FVS variant (with a dominant frequency of 361.76 ± 4.31 Hz) emitted by dsNlcry1‐treated BPH females, which significantly diminished the impact of courtship stimuli on receptive males. CONCLUSION: We observed light‐dependent daily rhythms of substrate‐borne vibrational signals (SBVS) in BPH and demonstrated essential yet distinct roles of the two Nlcrys. These findings enhanced our understanding of insect SBVS and illustrated the potential of novel precision physical control strategies for disrupting mating behaviors in this rice pest. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ischemic stroke has the characteristics of high morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rate. This study aimed to describe and assess the burden of ischemic stroke in Asia based on the global burden of disease (GBD) 2019 data and provide a crucial scientific foundation for the prevention and control of this life-threatening disease. Method: This study used the GBD 2019 data to assess the burden of ischemic stroke. The indicators used in this study were derived from the following methods: (i) the incidence of ischemic stroke was estimated using the disability model for the global burden of disease study-mixed effects regression (DisMod-MR), a Bayesian meta-regression disease modeling tool; (ii) the nonspecific codes of all available data on mortality were corrected and used to estimate mortality rates for ischemic stroke and the cause of death ensemble model was used to estimate mortality rates; and (iii) the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) is the sum of years lived with disability (YLD) and the years of life lost (YLL), which quantifies the health loss due to specific diseases and injuries. In addition, the joinpoint regression model was adopted to analyze the temporal trend of ischemic stroke from 1990 to 2019 in Asia. Result: This study found an increase in the burden of ischemic stroke in 2019 compared to 1990. Moreover, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of ischemic stroke showed a gradual upward trend over the specific period. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) showed a downward trend in Asia from 1990 to 2019. The burden of ischemic stroke was more concentrated on older age groups, particularly those older than 65 years. East Asia had the highest burden of ischemic stroke compared to other regions in Asia. Particularly, China, India, Indonesia, and Japan had the highest burdens of ischemic stroke among the Asian countries and regions. However, the population with the highest burden of ischemic stroke was still the elderly group. Conclusion: Based on our study, it is evident that the burden of ischemic stroke exists substantially and exhibits variations in the aspects of age, gender, and geographical region in Asia. Without targeted implementation of population-wide primary strategies for prevention and control, the burden of ischemic stroke is likely to worsen significantly in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer is a common cancer worldwide and is responsible for over one million new cases in 2020 and an estimated 769,000 deaths, ranking fifth for incidence and fourth for mortality globally. Incidence rates are highest in Eastern Asia and Eastern Europe. Gastric cancer is highly heterogeneous and progresses rapidly. The prognosis of gastric cancer with liver metastases is poor, and clinical treatment remains challenging. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity is correlated to a bad prognosis for gastric cancer. Trastuzumab combined with systemic chemotherapy is the preferred treatment for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. However, intravenous chemotherapy has severe systemic toxicity, which reduces the local drug concentration and tumor uptake rate, and the effect is unsatisfactory. Case summary: We reported a 66-year-old patient with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer with jaundice due to multiple liver metastases, after 6 cycles of trastuzumab combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), the tumor retracted significantly, the jaundice subsided, and the patient recovered well. The patient achieved disease control with an intensive regimen followed by less toxic maintenance therapy. Trastuzumab combined with capecitabine maintenance therapy followed up for more than 16 months. Conclusion: HAIC plus trastuzumab may be a tolerable treatment option for patients with severe liver metastases from HER2-positive gastric cancer to achieve local control and prolong survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The butterfly genus of Teinopalpus , endemic to Asia, embodies a distinct species of mountain-dwelling butterflies with specific habitat requirements. These species are rare in the wild and hold high conservation and research value. Similar to other protected species, the genetic analysis of the rare Teinopalpus aureus poses challenges due to the complexity of sampling. In this study, we successfully extracted DNA and amplified mitochondrial genomic DNA from various noninvasive sources such as larval feces, larval exuviae, larval head capsules, pupal exuviaes, and filamentous gland secretions, all integral parts of butterfly metamorphosis. This was conducted as part of a research initiative focused on the artificial conservation of T. aureus population in Jinggang Shan Nature Reserve. Our findings illustrated the successful extraction of DNA from multiple noninvasive sources, achieved through modified DNA extraction methodologies. Although the DNA concentration obtained from noninvasive samples was lower than that from muscle tissues of newly dead larvae during rearing, all samples met the requirements for PCR amplification and sequencing, yielding complete circular sequences. These sequences are pivotal for both interspecific and intraspecific genetic relationship analysis. Our methods can be extended to other insects, especially scarce species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a notorious pest of rice in Asia. The larvae and adults of C. medinalis utilize specialized chemosensory systems to adapt to different environmental odors and physiological behaviors. However, the differences in chemosensory genes between the olfactory organs of these two different developmental stages remain unclear. Here, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of larvae heads, male antennae, and female antennae in C. medinalis and identified 131 putative chemosensory genes, including 32 OBPs (8 novel OBPs), 23 CSPs (2 novel CSPs), 55 ORs (17 novel ORs), 19 IRs (5 novel IRs) and 2 SNMPs. Comparisons between larvae and adults of C. medinalis by transcriptome and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the number and expression of chemosensory genes in larval heads were less than that of adult antennae. Only 17 chemosensory genes (7 OBPs and 10 CSPs) were specifically or preferentially expressed in the larval heads, while a total of 101 chemosensory genes (21 OBPs, 9 CSPs, 51 ORs, 18 IRs, and 2 SNMPs) were specifically or preferentially expressed in adult antennae. Our study found differences in chemosensory gene expression between larvae and adults, suggesting their specialized functions at different developmental stages of C. medinalis. These results provide a theoretical basis for screening chemosensory genes as potential molecular targets and developing novel management strategies to control C. medinalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study investigates the characteristics and factors of summer drought variations over Asia during 1950–2020 using 3-month Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI03) in July. The leading mode of Asian summer drought variations exhibits a roughly north–south contrasting distribution across 30° N with dominant interannual variability. The interannual variation of the leading mode is associated with both precipitation and temperature. In comparison, the contribution of precipitation is larger in the eastern part of the mid-latitude Asia. The Asian summer drought variations subject to both individual and combined impacts of preceding winter equatorial central-eastern Pacific (ECEP) sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies and concurrent North Atlantic (NA) tripole SST anomalies. Preceding ECEP SST anomalies induce anomalous vertical motion and precipitation over the mid-latitude Asia through large-scale divergence and convergence in previous winter and spring. The resulted soil moisture anomalies persist to summer and are conducive to anomalous summer precipitation through evaporation. The accompanying changes in cloud-radiation, surface longwave radiation and sensible heat flux induce temperature and evapotranspiration anomalies. The NA tripole SST anomalies induce anomalous vorticity forcing over the western mid-latitude NA. This contributes to a wave train that propagates from the NA to East Asia and affects wind and vertical motion over the mid-latitude Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenology is an important indicator for how plants will respond to environmental changes and is closely related to biomass production. Due to global warming and the emergence of intermittent warming, vegetation in northeast Asia is undergoing drastic changes. Understanding vegetation phenology and its response to climate change is of great significance to understanding the changes in the sustainable development of ecosystems. Based on Global Inventory Modelling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)3g data, and the mean value of phenological results extracted by five methods, combined with climatic data, this study analyzed the temporal changes in phenology and the responses to climatic factors of five vegetation types of broad-leaved, needle-leaf, mixed forests, grassland, and cultivated land in northeast Asia over 33 years (1982–2014). The results showed that, during the intermittent warming period (1999–2014), the start of the growing season (SOS) advancement (Julian days) trend of all vegetation types decreased. During 1982–2014, the average temperature sensitivity of the SOS was 1.5 d/°C. The correlation between the SOS and the pre-season temperature is significant in northeast Asia, while the correlation between the EOS and the pre-season precipitation is greater than that between temperature and radiation. The impact of radiation changes on the SOS is relatively small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on framing theory and construal level theory, this study conducted two experiments (N = 201 + 200) to examine the causal relationship between message framing strategies and changes in pro-environmental behavioral intentions (PEBI). The results revealed that the persuasiveness of gain-loss framing and emotional-rational appeal varies depending on social distance. This study also verified the mediating role of perceived effort worthiness. Green involvement moderated this mediation effect in that the above message framing strategies worked better for people with low green involvement. This study contributes to framing theory and provides practical implications to encourage pro-environmental behavior among tourists. [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]

Regional responses to Bond events during the Holocene are important components of paleoclimate and environmental change research. However, there are few records of Bond events during the Holocene in arid central Asia; such events remain poorly understood in this region because of a lack of continuous and high-resolution deposits. Here, new magnetic and grain-size records from a loess sediment sequence located on the southern margin of the Tarim Basin (TB) are provided, which exhibit strengthened dust activity at 9.6–9.4, 8.2–7.8, and 5.5–5.2 ka BP. These periods of strengthened dust activity during the early and middle Holocene in the TB are consistent with Bond events revealed from ice raft detritus in the North Atlantic, and abrupt climate events recorded by loess deposits, lake deposits, and stalagmite oxygen isotopes in arid central Asia and east Asia. We suggest that a delayed seasonal jet transition, resulting from the intensification and southward-shift of the westerly jet during Bond events, plays a key role in creating conditions in the TB that favor strengthened dust activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: To date, little is known about palliative care (PC) awareness and utilization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate PC awareness and its predictors, utilization of PC services, and perceived utilization barriers among advanced cancer patients from select hospitals in Asian LMICs.Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data of 759 advanced cancer patients at major hospitals of four LMICs in Asia (i.e., Bangladesh, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam). The predictors of PC awareness were investigated using multivariable logistic regression.Results: Overall PC awareness was 30.8% (n = 234). Patients with higher education (OR = 1.0; CI = 1.0,1.1), from upper-middle or high-income households (compared to low-income) (OR = 2.0; CI = 1.2,3.3), awareness of disease severity (OR = 1.5; CI = 1.0,2.2), and higher pain severity (OR = 1.1; CI = 1.0,1.2) had higher odds of PC awareness. Compared to patients who perceived themselves as being very informed about disease trajectory, those who were unsure (OR = 0.5; CI = 0.3,0.8) or uninformed (OR = 0.5; CI = 0.3,0.9) had lower odds of PC awareness. The PC utilization rate was 35.0% (n = 82) among those with PC awareness, and 47.8% (n = 66) among patients recommended PC by a healthcare professional (n = 138). The most cited PC utilization barriers were currently receiving anti-cancer treatment (n = 43; 33.9%), and having insufficient information about PC (n = 41; 32.3%).Conclusion: The low awareness of PC services in these major hospitals in Asian LMICs highlights that more effort may be required to promote the awareness of PC in this region. The efforts should especially focus on those from disadvantaged groups to reduce the gap in PC awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The spot-legged treefrog Polypedates megacephalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) is widely distributed in Asia. In previous studies, it has been noted that the mitochondrial gene ATP8 has not been confidently annotated in any sequenced Polypedates to date. Duplications of control regions (CRs) are often observed in the tree frog family Rhacophoridae, and in most cases the copied CRs are highly similar to one another. This feature may lead to sequence assembly errors. Our findings are the first to detect two copies of the ND5 genes and three copies of the CRs in P. megacephalus by employing a "primer bridging" approach and allude to the presence of ATP8 via bioinformatic analyses and RT-qPCR. However, the question of whether the ATP8 is functional needs to be addressed in future studies. In prior research on the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Polypedates megacephalus, the one copy of ND5 gene was translocated to the control region (CR) and the ATP8 gene was not found. Gene loss is uncommon among vertebrates. However, in this study, we resequenced the mitogenomes of P. megacephalus from different regions using a "primer bridging" approach with Sanger sequencing technologies, which revealed the "missing" ATP8 gene in P. megacephalus as well as three other previously published Polypedates. The mitogenome of this species was found to contain two copies of the ND5 genes and three copies of the control regions. Furthermore, multiple tandem repeats were identified in the control regions. Notably, we observed that there was no correlation between genetic divergence and geographic distance. However, using the mitogenome, gene expression analysis was performed via RT-qPCR of liver samples and it was thus determined that COIII, ND2, ND4, and ND6 were reduced to 0.64 ± 0.24, 0.55 ± 0.34, 0.44 ± 0.21 and 0.65 ± 0.17, respectively, under low-temperature stress (8 °C) as compared with controls (p < 0.05). Remarkably, the transcript of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) between positions 8029 and 8612 decreased significantly with exposure to low-temperature stress (8 °C). Antisense ND6 gene expression showed a downward trend, but this was not significant. These results reveal that modulations of protein-coding mitochondrial genes and lncRNAs of P. megacephalus play a crucial role in the molecular response to cold stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Asia, the proportion of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with abdominal discomfort alone is significantly higher than that in western countries. The purposes of this study are to understand the cognition of abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort in Chinese patients with IBS and to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with abdominal pain alone and with abdominal discomfort alone. Methods: Patients with IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) who met the Rome III diagnostic criteria and had episodes of at least one day/week were consecutively enrolled. The cognition of abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort were investigated through face-to-face unstructured interview. Patients were divided into a pain group and a discomfort group according to the cognition interviews, then the characteristics and severity of symptoms (IBS symptom severity scale, IBS-SSS), IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL) and psychological state were compared between groups. Results: A total of 88 patients with IBS-D were enrolled. Most of the patients with self-reported abdominal pain described their pain as spasm/cramping; patients with self-reported abdominal discomfort had as many as 24 different descriptions of discomfort. Most patients having abdominal pain and discomfort could accurately distinguish the two symptoms. The degree of abdominal pain in the pain group was higher than abdominal discomfort in the discomfort group (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in IBS-SSS, extra-intestinal pain, IBS-QOL, and psychological state between the two groups. Conclusions: For Chinese patients with IBS-D, abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort are two different symptoms, but they have similar clinical features. Trial registration: ChiCTR, ChiCTR1900028082. Registered 11 December 2019 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a global challenge due to its high morbidity and mortality rates especially in Asia as well as poor response to treatment. As a member of the adhesion protein family and transmembrane glycoprotein, EpCAM expressed excessively in cancer cells including GC cells. The database assay showed that EpCAM is excessively expressed and easily mutated in cancers, especially in early stage of GC. Methods: To explore the roles EpCAM plays in oncogenesis and progression of GC, the expression of EpCAM was deleted in GC cells with CRISPR/Cas9 method, and then the changes of cell proliferation, apoptosis, motility and motility associated microstructures in EpCAM-deleted GC cells (EpCAM-/-SGC7901) were detected to evaluate the rules EpCAM played. Results: The results showed that EpCAM deletion caused cell proliferation, motility and the development of motility-relevant microstructures inhibited significantly, apoptotic trend and contact inhibition enhanced in EpCAM-deleted GC cells. The results of western blot suggested that EpCAM modulates the expression of epithelial/endothelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) correlated genes. All results as above indicated that EpCAM plays important roles to enhance the oncogenesis, malignancy and progression as a GC enhancer. Conclusions: Combining our results and published data together, the interaction of EpCAM with other proteins was also discussed and concluded in the discussion. Our results support that EpCAM can be considered as a novel target for the diagnosis and therapy of GC in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The geographic information science-based interactive map provided good prospects for the public health to study disease prevalence. The purpose of this study is to understand global spatial–temporal trends of childhood overweight and obesity and underlying causes help formulating intervention strategies. Methods: This multiple cross-sectional study included data on childhood overweight and obesity prevalence, gross national income per capita, and urbanization rate for 191 countries from 1975–2016. Autoregressive integrated moving average model, standard deviational ellipse model and mixed-effects models were used to explore spatial–temporal trends of childhood overweight and obesity and associations with gross national income per capita and urbanization rate. Results: Globally, childhood overweight and obesity rate would reach 30.0% in 2030 (boys: 34.2%, girls: 27.4%). By 2030, it would reach 58.3% in middle- and high-income countries and 68.1% in Western Pacific region. Spatial–temporal trendline for childhood overweight and obesity in 1975–2030 exhibited a "C" shape, migrating from 1975 (15.6。E, 24.6。N) to 2005 (10.6。E, 21.7。N), then to 2030 (14.8。E, 17.4。N). The trendline for urbanization rate was also an irregular "C", and the turning point appeared five years earlier than childhood overweight and obesity. Conclusions: Globally, childhood overweight and obesity prevalence will continue to increase. Its weight mean center migrated from western countries to Asia and Africa following economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is a common etiology of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO) in Asia, which complicated endovascular treatment (EVT). We aimed to investigate the incidence, impacts, and predictors of ICAD in VBAO. Methods: Subjects were selected from the Endovascular Treatment Key Technique and Emergency Work Flow Improvement of Acute Ischemic Stroke registry and divided into two groups based on whether underlying ICAD existed. Underlying ICAD was determined when the following situations arise in the occlusion site during EVT: (1) fixed stenosis degree >70% or (2) stenosis >50% with distal blood flow impairment or evidence of repeated reocclusion. Multivariable regression models were used to investigate the effect of underlying ICAD on outcomes measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days and to identify baseline characteristics associated with underlying ICAD. Results: Among the 315 patients enrolled, 171 (54.3%) had underlying ICAD. Favorable functional outcomes (mRS 0–3) occurred in 79 of 163 patients (48.5%) with ICAD and 69 of 137 patients (50.4%) without ICAD (p = 0.743). Outcomes were similar between the two groups and remained similar after adjusting for the confounders. History of hypertension and elevated admission neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were strong predictors of underlying ICAD, whereas history of atrial fibrillation and distal basilar artery occlusion were negative predictors. Conclusions: In our study, underlying ICAD was recognized in approximately half of the VBAO patients, leading to comparable outcomes after more complex EVT strategies. Some baseline characteristics were identified to be predictors for underlying ICAD, which were helpful to guide the EVT strategies before the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though service design has been frequently utilised to enhance employee experiences, it is rarely applied for talent development in an Asian healthcare context. The article discusses service design’s use in the redesign of the Management Associate Programme in Singapore’s Tan Tock Seng hospital and distils three key insights from this exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Species of the genus Buddleja in Asia are mainly distributed in the Sino-Himalayan region and form a challenging taxonomic group, with extensive hybridization and polyploidization. A phylogenetic approach to unravelling the history of reticulation in this lineage will deepen our understanding of the speciation in biodiversity hotspots. Methods For this study, we obtained 80 accessions representing all the species in the Asian Buddleja clade, and the ploidy level of each taxon was determined by flow cytometry analyses. Whole plastid genomes, nuclear ribosomal DNA, single nucleotide polymorphisms and a large number of low-copy nuclear genes assembled from genome skimming data were used to investigate the reticulate evolutionary history of Asian Buddleja. Complex cytonuclear conflicts were detected through a comparison of plastid and species trees. Gene tree incongruence was also analysed to detect any reticulate events in the history of this lineage. Key Results Six hybridization events were detected, which are able to explain the cytonuclear conflict in Asian Buddleja. Furthermore, PhyloNet analysis combining species ploidy data indicated several allopolyploid speciation events. A strongly supported species tree inferred from a large number of low-copy nuclear genes not only corrected some earlier misinterpretations, but also indicated that there are many Asian Buddleja species that have been lumped mistakenly. Divergent time estimation shows two periods of rapid diversification (8–10 and 0–3 Mya) in the Asian Buddleja clade, which might coincide with the final uplift of the Hengduan Mountains and Quaternary climate fluctuations, respectively. Conclusions This study presents a well-supported phylogenetic backbone for the Asian Buddleja species, elucidates their complex and reticulate evolutionary history and suggests that tectonic activity, climate fluctuations, polyploidization and hybridization together promoted the diversification of this lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern Tianshan Mountains are located in the arid interior of Asia, where tree growth is especially sensitive to climate. The ratio of stable carbon isotopes (δ13C) in the tree rings can provide information on changes in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, water availability, and physiological processes within the tree. In particular, the use of tree-ring δ13C values as a proxy for past atmospheric CO2 concentrations has gained widespread acceptance. In this study, detrended stable carbon isotope chronologies (13Ccorr) of Larix sibirica Ledeb. and Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et Mey was established using tree-ring samples from high elevations in the eastern Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, China. The relationships between the tree-ring 13Ccorr and different climatic factors were explored using the correlation function and collinearity analysis. Our results demonstrate that the tree-ring δ13Ccorr of L. sibirica is significantly and negatively correlated with precipitation and relative humidity during the growing season. The main climate factor affecting the stable carbon isotope fractionation of L. sibirica during the growing season is relative humidity during the growing season. The tree-ring δ13Ccorr of P. schrenkiana is significantly and negatively correlated with the mean temperature, mean minimum temperature, precipitation, and vapor pressure deficit from the end of the previous growing season and throughout the current growing season, especially in summer. However, it is significantly and positively correlated with relative humidity, indicating that the relationship between the climate factors and the tree-ring stable carbon isotope fractionation of P. schrenkiana is more complex. Further analysis showed that summer temperature and summer precipitation jointly controlled the tree-ring stable carbon isotope fractionation of P. schrenkiana at a high elevation. This research has important implications for our understanding of past and future climate change, as well as for the development of effective strategies to mitigate and adapt to these changes. This study also contributed to the development of a more in-depth understanding of the effects of climate change on tree growth in extremely arid environments and provided evidence to support effective forest management in arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is an increasing etiology of liver dysfunction, with various incidence worldwide. To better understand the disease burden and establish appropriate preventive and treatment strategies, a systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies on the incidence of DILI published up to June 1, 2022. According to the predefined criteria, only population‐based studies were included. Incidence was presented as cases per 100 000 person‐years with 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random‐effects model. Results: A total of 14 studies were included. The overall incidence of DILI was 4.94 per 100 000 person‐years (95% CI 4.05–5.83). Time‐based cumulative meta‐analysis suggested that the incidence of DILI increased over time since 2010. The incidence varied by regions, with Asia having the highest incidence of 17.82 per 100 000 person‐years (95% CI 6.26–29.38), while North America having the lowest incidence of 1.72 per 100 000 person‐years (95% CI 0.48–2.95). All studies reported a higher incidence of DILI in the elderly but comparable incidences between male and female (3.42 per 100 000 person‐years vs 4.64 per 100 000 person‐years). Conclusions: The global incidence of DILI has been increasing since 2010, with the highest incidence in Asia. Understanding the epidemiological characteristics of DILI helps establish specific strategies to deal with this emerging health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The great species diversity of Lithocarpus is associated with interspecific fruit morphological variation, represented by acorn (AC) and enclosed receptacle (ER) fruit types. Species representing both fruit types co-occur in the same forests and share two distribution centers in southern China and southeastern Asia. The predation selection hypothesis suggests that the fruit morphological mechanical trade-off between two fruit types could represent divergent dispersal strategies under varied predation pressures. By integrating phylogenetic construction with fruit morphometric study, we tried to verify the predation selection hypothesis and elucidate the fruit type evolution of Lithocarpus, which is critical in interpreting the distribution and diversification of the genus. Results: We identified the functional trade-off between the two fruit types: ER species have bigger seeds which are enclosed mainly by receptacle representing stronger physical defense; whereas the seeds of AC species are smaller and enclosed mainly by thin pericarp representing lower mechanical protection. Despite some reversals from ER back to AC, the ancestral state reconstruction in combination with thermal analysis supports the hypothesis that ER is the derived fruit type from AC-like ancestors independently across all clades. Conclusion: Our results support the predation selection hypothesis by verifying the mechanical trade-off between the two fruit types. We propose a divergent selection theory for the two fruit types: the seed size and mechanical defense of AC species become smaller, whereas those of ER species become larger and require more morphological modifications in the receptacle. This signified the importance of the receptacle in differentiating the two fruit types and in the fruit morphological modification through evolutionary time. We found that the ER-type species evolved independently in all clades and across varied climates from tropical to warm temperate regions. As ER fruits are products of convergent evolution, we propose to examine the predation and dispersal variation between two fruit types in the future to verify whether predation selection is the reason behind fruit type evolution of the stone oaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coptis chinensis Franch. (Huanglian in Chinese) is an important economic crop with medicinal value. Its rhizome has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for thousands of years in Asia. Protoberberine alkaloids, as the main bioactive component of Coptis chinensis, have a series of pharmacological activities. However, the protoberberine alkaloids content of C. chinensis is relatively low. Understanding the molecular mechanisms affecting the transcriptional regulation of protoberberine alkaloids would be crucial to increase their production via metabolic engineering. WRKY, one of the largest plant-specific gene families, regulates plant defense responses via the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites such as alkaloids. Totally, 41 WRKY transcription factors (TFs) related to protoberberine alkaloid biosynthesis were identified in the C. chinensis genome and classified into three groups based on phylogenetic and conserved motif analyses. Three WRKY genes (CcWRKY7, CcWRKY29, and CcWRKY32) may regulate protoberberine alkaloid biosynthesis, as suggested by gene-specific expression patterns, metabolic pathways, phylogenetic, and dual-luciferase analysis. Furthermore, the CcWRKY7, CcWRKY29, and CcWRKY32 proteins were specifically detected in the nucleus via subcellular localization. This study provides a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of protoberberine alkaloid biosynthesis and valuable information for breeding C. chinensis varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding plant-insect interactions requires the uncovering of the host plant use of insect herbivores, but such information is scarce for most taxa, including nocturnal moth species, despite their vital role as herbivores and pollinators. In this study, we determined the plant species visited by an important moth species, Spodoptera exigua, by analyzing attached pollen on migratory individuals in Northeast China. Pollen grains were dislodged from 2334 S. exigua long-distance migrants captured between 2019 and 2021 on a small island in the center of the Bohai Strait, which serves as a seasonal migration pathway for this pest species, and 16.1% of the tested moths exhibited pollen contamination, primarily on the proboscis. Subsequently, 33 taxa from at least 23 plant families and 29 genera were identified using a combination of DNA barcoding and pollen morphology, primarily from the Angiosperm, Dicotyledoneae. Moreover, the sex, inter-annual, and seasonal differences in pollen adherence ratio and pollen taxa were revealed. Notably, compared to previously reported pollen types found on several other nocturnal moths, we found that almost all of the above 33 pollen taxa can be found in multiple nocturnal moth species, providing another important example of conspecific attraction. Additionally, we also discussed the indicative significance of the pollen present on the bodies of migratory individuals for determining their migratory route. Overall, by delineating the adult feeding and pollination behavior of S. exigua, we advanced our understanding of the interactions of the moths with their host plants, and its migration pattern, as well as facilitated the design of (area-wide) management strategies to preserve and optimize ecosystem services that they provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cervical traumatic spinal cord injury (CTSCI) is a seriously disabling disease that severely affects the physical and mental health of patients and imposes a huge economic burden on patients and their families. Accurate identification of the prognosis of CTSCI patients helps clinicians to design individualized treatment plans for patients. For this purpose, a dynamic nomogram was developed to predict the recovery of CTSCI patients after 6 months. Methods: We retrospectively included 475 patients with CTSCI in our institution between March 2013 and January 2022. The outcome variable of the current study was a satisfactory recovery of patients with CTSCI at 6 months. Univariate analyses and univariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with CTSCI. Subsequently, variables (P < 0.05) were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate these factors further. Eventually, a nomogram model was constructed according to these independent risk factors. The concordance index (C‐index) and the calibration curve were utilized to assess the model's predictive ability. The discriminating capacity of the prediction model was measured by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC). One hundred nine patients were randomly selected from 475 patients to serve as the center's internal validation test cohort. Results: The multivariate logistic regression model further screened out six independent factors that impact the recovery of patients with CTSCI. Including admission to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade, the length of high signal in the spinal cord, maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC), spinal segment fractured, admission time, and hormonal therapy within 8 h after injury. A nomogram prediction model was developed based on the six independent factors above. In the training cohort, the AUC of the nomogram that included these predictors was 0.879, while in the test cohort, it was 0.824. The nomogram C‐index incorporating these predictors was 0.872 in the training cohort and 0.813 in the test cohort, while the calibration curves for both cohorts also indicated good consistency. Furthermore, this nomogram was converted into a Web‐based calculator, which provided individual probabilities of recovery to be generated for individuals with CTSCI after 6 months and displayed in a graphical format. Conclusion: The nomogram, including ASIA grade, the length of high signal in the spinal cord, MSCC, spinal segment fractured, admission time, and hormonal therapy within 8 h after injury, is a promising model to predict the probability of content recovery in patients with CTSCI. This nomogram assists clinicians in stratifying patients with CTSCI, enhancing evidence‐based decision‐making, and individualizing the most appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenic variation in BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) causes high risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and BRCA variation data are important markers for BRCA‐related clinical cancer applications. However, comprehensive BRCA variation data are lacking from the Asian population despite its large population size, heterogenous genetic background and diversified living environment across the Asia continent. We performed a systematic study on BRCA variation in Asian population including extensive data mining, standardization, annotation and characterization. We identified 7587 BRCA variants from 685 592 Asian individuals in 40 Asia countries and regions, including 1762 clinically actionable pathogenic variants and 4915 functionally unknown variants (https://genemutation.fhs.um.edu.mo/Asian-BRCA/). We observed the highly ethnic‐specific nature of Asian BRCA variants between Asian and non‐Asian populations and within Asian populations, highlighting that the current European descendant population‐based BRCA data is inadequate to reflect BRCA variation in the Asian population. We also provided archeological evidence for the evolutionary origin and arising time of Asian BRCA variation. We further provided structural‐based evidence for the deleterious variants enriched within the functionally unknown Asian BRCA variants. The data from our study provide a current view of BRCA variation in the Asian population and a rich resource to guide clinical applications of BRCA‐related cancer for the Asian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "toe syndactyly, telecanthus and anogenital and renal malformations" (STAR) syndrome is a rare X‐linked dominant inherited kidney ciliopathy caused by CCNQ gene mutations. Here, we investigated the genotype and phenotype in the first two twin sisters with a novel tail extension CCNQ variant in Asia. Genetic variants of the pedigree were screened using whole‐exome sequence analysis and validated by direct Sanger sequencing. The genetic function was investigated through cultured cells and zebrafish embryos transfected with mutant. The proband is suffered from end‐stage renal disease, telecanthus, scoliosis, anal atresia, bilateral hydronephrosis pyeloureter dilation and hearing loss, while her twin sister had milder phenotypes. A novel heterozygous variant c.502_518delinsA (p.Val168SerfsTer173) in CCNQ gene was identified in the twins and their asymptomatic mosaic mother. The concurrent deletion of 17 bases and insertion of one base variant led to the loss of 5 amino acids, subsequently caused a 96 more amino acids tail extension delaying the appearance of stop codon. The loss‐of‐function variant of CCNQ not only led to the impaired expression of cyclin M but also increased the binding affinity of CDK10‐cyclin M complex, which is different from the previous study. The research expanded the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of STAR syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hantaan virus (HTNV) infection causes an epidemic of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) mainly in Asia. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T lymphocytes known to play an important role in innate host defense during virus infection. However, their roles and phenotypes during HTNV infection have not yet been explored. We characterized CD8+MAIT cells from HFRS patients based on scRNA-seq data combined with flow cytometry data. We showed that HTNV infection caused the loss and activation of CD8+MAIT cells in the peripheral blood, which were correlated with disease severity. The production of granzyme B and IFN-γ from CD8+MAIT cells and the limitation of HTNV replication in endothelia cells indicated the anti-viral property of CD8+MAIT cells. In addition, in vitro infection of MAIT cells by HTNV or HTNV-exposed monocytes showed that the activation of MAIT cells was IL-18 mediated. In conclusion, this study identified, for the first time, gene expression profiles of MAIT cells, provided underlying molecular mechanisms for activation of MAIT cells during HTNV infection, and suggested a potential anti-viral role of MAIT cells in HFRS. HTNV infection caused the activation and deficiency of MAIT cells in the peripheral blood. The production of IFN-γ from MAIT cells can limit the replication of HTNV. The activation of MAIT cells was mediated by IL-18, which was sourced from monocytes infected by HTNV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What are the challenges and opportunities offered to queer communities and practices by digital media, particularly digital platforms, in the context of Asia? In earlier scholarly discussions about "Digital Asia," voices from and about queer communities are underexplored. Bringing together communication scholarship on "Digital Asia" and the expanding critical paradigm of "Queer Asia," this Special Section aims to renew our critical interrogation of the intersection between queerness and Asia at a time when digital media and platforms are inseparable from social lives. Through six empirical studies, covering amateur porn cultures, online intimacy, self-representation, and fandom, this Special Section captures the complexities and tensions surrounding queer cultures in "Digital Asia.". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The brown planthopper (BPH) is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in Asia. RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated pest management has been under development for years, and the selection of appropriate target genes is important for pest‐targeted RNAi. C‐type lectins (CTLs) are a class of genes that perform a variety of functions, such as the regulation of growth and development. Results: A CTL‐S protein named Nllet1, containing a single calcium ion (Ca2+)‐dependent carbohydrate‐binding domain (CRD) with a conserved triplet motif QPD was identified and functionally characterized in BPH. Expression profiles at both the transcriptional and translational levels show that Nllet1 accumulates during the serosal cuticle (SC) formation period. Immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling further demonstrated that Nllet1 is located in the serosal endocuticle (en‐SC). Maternal RNAi‐mediated silencing of Nllet1 disrupted the SC structure, accompanied by a loss of the outward barrier and 100% embryo mortality. Injection of 10 ng dsNllet1 or dsNllet1' per female adult BPH resulted in a total failure of egg hatching. Conclusion: Nllet1 is essential for SC formation and embryonic development in BPH, which helps us understand the important roles of CTL‐Ss. Additionally, BPH eggs show high sensitivity to the depletion of Nllet1. This study indicates that Nllet1 is a promising candidate gene that can be used to develop RNAi‐based control strategies at the BPH egg stage, and it can also be used as a target for developing novel ovicides. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant Bauhinia (Leguminosae) is a genus of 300 species of trees, shrubs, and lianas, widely distributed in pantropical areas, but its diversification history in southeastern Asia, one of its centers of highest diversity, remains unclear. We report new fossils of three Bauhinia species with cuticular preservation from the Paleogene of Puyang Basin, southwestern China. Our finding likely extends the emergence of Bauhinia in Asia to the late Eocene. Together with previously reported fossil records, we show that the diversification of Bauhina in Asia and the phenomenon of a small region harboring multiple Bauhinia species in southwestern China could be traced back to the Paleogene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought variations are determined by precipitation and temperature changes. The present study examines the relative contributions of precipitation and temperature to temporal variations of short‐term, medium‐term and long‐term droughts over Asia. This is accomplished by comparing (a) the variations of Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) that extend over 3, 9 and 24 months (i.e., short‐term, medium‐term and long‐term droughts, respectively) and (b) the strength of the relationship of SPEI to precipitation and temperature. Both precipitation and temperature contribute to variations of the north–south dipole pattern of short‐term and medium‐term droughts with a relatively larger contribution from temperature. The contribution of precipitation and temperature to the variations of long‐term drought depends upon the spatial pattern. The variation of the north–south dipole pattern of long‐term drought is mainly contributed by the temperature trend with additional contribution of precipitation in eastern and southwestern Asia. The variation of the southwest–northeast tripole pattern of long‐term drought is mainly contributed by precipitation in central Asia and has a comparable contribution of precipitation and temperature in southern and eastern Asia. The tripole pattern and dipole pattern of long‐term drought have a closer relation to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), respectively. The PDO effect on long‐term drought variation is mainly through modulating precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sogatella furcifera is one of the most serious insect pests that affect rice in Asia. One class of small RNAs (sRNAs; ~22 nt long) is miRNAs, which participate in various biological processes by regulating the expression of target genes in a spatiotemporal manner. However, the role of miRNAs in nymph‐to‐adult transition in S. furcifera remains unknown. In this study, we sequenced sRNA libraries of S. furcifera prepared from individuals at three different developmental stages (pre‐moult, moulting and early adult). A total of 253 miRNAs (134 known and 119 novel) were identified, of which 12 were differentially expressed during the nymph‐to‐adult developmental transition. Moreover, Real time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) analysis revealed that all 12 miRNAs were differentially expressed among five different nymph tissues and 14 different developmental stages (first to fifth instar nymphs and 1‐day‐old adults). Injection of miR‐2a‐2 mimic/antagomir and miR‐305‐5p‐1 mimic/antagomir into 1‐day‐old fifth instar nymphs significantly increased the mortality rate. In addition, a defective moulting phenotype was observed in nymphs injected with miR‐2a‐2 and miR‐305‐5p‐1, suggesting that these miRNAs are involved in S. furcifera nymph–adult transition. In conclusion, these results reveal the function of critical miRNAs in S. furcifera nymph–adult transition, and also provide novel potential targets of insecticides for the long‐term sustainable management of S. furcifera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines against cervical cancer precursors and HPV persistent infection among Asian populations. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trials conducted in Asian countries were identified from three electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library). Publication retrieval was performed on September 1, 2022 and only those written in English were included. The data were analyzed with Cochrane Review Manager (version 5.3) and Stata/SE (15.1). Effect sizes were presented as risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Ten articles were considered in the meta-analysis, without significant heterogeneity among them. The fixed-effect RRs and 95% CIs for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1+) and CIN2+ were 0.10 (0.05-0.21) and 0.11 (0.04-0.27), respectively. Positive effect of HPV vaccination on 6- and 12-month persistent infection were observed, with the respective pooled RRs of 0.05 (95% CI: 0.03-0.09) and 0.09 (95% CI: 0.05-0.15). HPV vaccination has a positive effect on the incidence of cytological abnormalities associated with HPV 16/18 (RR, 0.13; 95% CI (0.09-0.20)). Positive effects of HPV vaccination were also observed for HPV 16- and 18-specific immunogenicity (RR, 235.02; 95% CI (82.77-667.31) and RR, 98.24; 95% CI (50.36-191.67), respectively). Females receiving an initial vaccination showed significant decreased incidences of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, HPV persistent infection and cytological abnormalities and a significantly higher antibody positive conversion rate compared with non-vaccination counterparts. Conclusion: Prophylactic HPV vaccines are highly efficacious in preventing cervical cancer in Asian females. The government should accelerate the processes of vaccine introduction and vaccination implementation by prioritizing them in public health policies, which should be helpful to enhance Asian females' awareness of receiving HPV vaccination volitionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: China is one of the most rapidly aging countries in Asia, and nearly 90% of elderly individuals with disabilities choose to receive traditional, family-based, long-term care. A majority of family caregivers have insufficient care capacity and experience physical and emotional distress, which in turn affects the elderly. Objective: To describe the dyadic care experiences of elderly individuals with disabilities and their caregivers from the perspective of family resilience. Methods: A phenomenological research method was used. Semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews with 9 dyads of elderly people with disabilities and their families were conducted from August 2020 to February 2021. The Colaizzi method was used to analyze, summarize, and refine the interview data. Results: The dyadic care experiences of elderly individuals with disabilities and their caregivers can be summarized in terms of two themes. Theme 1 is dyadic pressure, which includes the following subthemes: (1) substantial objective burden; (2) dual negative experiences, i.e., the perceived low value of elderly individuals and low positive gains by caregivers; and (3) dyadic emotional transmission. Theme 2 is dyadic cooperative coping, which includes the following subthemes: (1) adjustment of family beliefs, including by giving meaning to stress, maintaining a positive outlook toward the future and ensuring spiritual sustentation; (2) changes in family patterns, including flexible adjustment of family patterns and multichannel utilization of social resources; and (3) improvement of family communication, including effective information transmission, rational emotional expression and emotional connection, and cooperation to solve and prevent problems. Conclusion: Elderly individuals with disabilities and their family caregivers face multiple physical, psychological, and social difficulties and demands during daily care, in which context negative experiences exert influence on this dyad. They collaborate to exhibit family resilience via the adaptation and improvement of family beliefs, family patterns and family communication. The family as a unit expends a great deal of effort to adapt to conditions of stress in the context of caring and shows family resilience, which is closely related to the family's cultural background and community situation. Dyadic resilience-based interventions can be developed based on core elements found by this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunus mume, a famous perennial ornamental plant and fruit tree in Asia, blooms in winter or early spring in the Yangtze River area. The flowering time directly determines its ornamental and economic value, so it is of great significance to study the molecular mechanism of flowering time. SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN (SBP), often regulated by miR156, is an important flowering regulator, although its function is unknown in P. mume. Here, 11 miR156 precursors were analyzed and located in five chromosomes of the P. mume genome. The expression pattern showed that PmSBP1/6 was negatively correlated with miR156. The promoters of PmSBP1/6 were specifically expressed in the apical meristem. Overexpression of PmSBP1/6 in tobacco promoted flowering and changed the length ratio of pistil and stamen. Moreover, PmSBP1 also affected the number and vitality of pollen and reduced the fertility of transgenic tobacco. Furthermore, ectopic expression of PmSBP1/6 caused up-regulated expression of endogenous SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO1 (NtSOC1). The yeast-one hybrid assay showed that PmSBP1 was bonded to the promoters of PmSOC1s. In conclusion, a miR156-PmSBP1-PmSOC1s pathway was formed to participate in the regulation of flowering time in P. mume, which provided references for the molecular mechanism of flowering time regulation and molecular breeding of P. mume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]