The association between calcium supplementation and adverse cardiovascular events has recently become a topic of debate due to the publication of two epidemiological studies and one meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. The reports indicate that there is a significant increase in adverse cardiovascular events following supplementation with calcium; however, a number of experts have raised several issues with these reports such as inconsistencies in attempts to reproduce the findings in other populations and questions concerning the validity of the data due to low compliance, biases in case ascertainment, and/or a lack of adjustment. Additionally, the Auckland Calcium Study, the Women's Health Initiative, and many other studies included in the meta-analysis obtained data from calcium-replete subjects and it is not clear whether the same risk profile would be observed in populations with low calcium intakes. Dietary calcium intake varies widely throughout the world and it is especially low in East Asia, although the risk of cardiovascular events is less prominent in this region. Therefore, clarification is necessary regarding the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events following calcium supplementation and whether this relationship can be generalized to populations with low calcium intakes. Additionally, the skeletal benefits from calcium supplementation are greater in subjects with low calcium intakes and, therefore, the risk-benefit ratio of calcium supplementation is likely to differ based on the dietary calcium intake and risks of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases of various populations. Further studies investigating the risk-benefit profiles of calcium supplementation in various populations are required to develop population-specific guidelines for individuals of different genders, ages, ethnicities, and risk profiles around the world.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Calcium* ; Calcium, Dietary ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Compliance ; Far East ; Osteoporosis ; Publications ; Risk Assessment* ; Women's Health

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) that parasitize the globally threatened swan goose Anser cygnoides have been long recognized since the early 19th century, but those records were probably biased towards sampling of captive or domestic geese due to the small population size and limited distribution of its wild hosts. To better understand the lice species parasitizing swan geese that are endemic to East Asia, we collected chewing lice from 14 wild geese caught at 3 lakes in northeastern Mongolia. The lice were morphologically identified as 16 Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805), 11 Ornithobius domesticus Arnold, 2005, and 1 Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus, 1758). These species are known from other geese and swans, but all of them were new to the swan goose. This result also indicates no overlap in lice species between older records and our findings from wild birds. Thus, ectoparasites collected from domestic or captive animals may provide biased information on the occurrence, prevalence, host selection, and host-ectoparasite interactions from those on wild hosts.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Birds ; Far East ; Geese* ; Lakes ; Mastication* ; Mongolia ; Phthiraptera* ; Population Density ; Prevalence

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) that parasitize the globally threatened swan goose Anser cygnoides have been long recognized since the early 19th century, but those records were probably biased towards sampling of captive or domestic geese due to the small population size and limited distribution of its wild hosts. To better understand the lice species parasitizing swan geese that are endemic to East Asia, we collected chewing lice from 14 wild geese caught at 3 lakes in northeastern Mongolia. The lice were morphologically identified as 16 Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805), 11 Ornithobius domesticus Arnold, 2005, and 1 Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus, 1758). These species are known from other geese and swans, but all of them were new to the swan goose. This result also indicates no overlap in lice species between older records and our findings from wild birds. Thus, ectoparasites collected from domestic or captive animals may provide biased information on the occurrence, prevalence, host selection, and host-ectoparasite interactions from those on wild hosts.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Birds ; Far East ; Geese* ; Lakes ; Mastication* ; Mongolia ; Phthiraptera* ; Population Density ; Prevalence

Human prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders that are characterized by spongiform changes, astrogliosis, and the accumulation of an abnormal prion protein (PrP(Sc)). Approximately 10%-15% of human prion diseases are familial variants that are caused by pathogenic mutations in the prion protein gene (PRNP). Point mutations or the insertions of one or more copies of a 24 bp repeat are associated with familial human prion diseases including familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome, and fatal familial insomnia. These mutations vary significantly in frequency between countries. Here, we compare the frequency of PRNP mutations between European countries and East Asians. Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of several candidate genes including PRNP and CJD have been reported. The SNP of PRNP at codon 129 has been shown to be associated with sporadic, iatrogenic, and variant CJD. The SNPs of several genes other than PRNP have been showed contradictory results. Case-control studies and genome-wide association studies have also been performed to identify candidate genes correlated with variant and/or sporadic CJD. This review provides a general overview of the genetic mutations and polymorphisms that have been analyzed in association with human prion diseases to date.
Europe ; Far East ; Humans ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prion Diseases/epidemiology/*genetics ; Prions/*genetics

The greatest burden of hip fractures around the world is expected to occur in East Asia, especially China. However, there is a relative paucity of information on the epidemiology and burden of fractures in East Asia. Osteoporosis is greatly under-diagnosed and under-treated, even among the highest-risk subjects who have already suffered fractures. The accessibility to bone densitometry, the awareness of the disease by professionals and the public, and the use and reimbursement of drugs are some of the areas which need improvement especially. Cost-effective analysis on screening strategy and intervention thresholds based on local epidemiology data and economic status are available only in Japan. In addition, clinical risk factor models for the assessment of fracture probability may be ethnic specific. Further research is needed to develop a cost-effective risk assessment strategy to identify high-risk individuals for screening and treatment based on local data. Moreover, inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake is still an issue faced by this region.
Asia ; Calcium ; China ; Densitometry ; Epidemiology ; Far East* ; Hip Fractures ; Japan ; Mass Screening ; Osteoporosis* ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin D

BACKGROUNDSpinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is known as an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia; patients with genetically confirmed diagnoses of SCA7 have increased rapidly in recent years. However, SCA7 is a rare subtype of SCA, and most data available about SCA7 are those of white people. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the prevalence and clinical and genetic aspects of SCA7 patients in East Asian population.

METHODSA search for publications on SCA7 was performed by using the "PubMed" database with the published language limited in English. Publications mainly focusing on the prevalence of SCA7 in patients with SCA and the clinical and genetic features of SCA7 patients were fully reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTSThe prevalence of SCA7 in SCA patients ranged from 0 to 7.7%, which was similar to those reported previously. The clinical manifestations were typically present at the 30's of its victims (median, 29 years; interquartile range (IQR), 19.5-36.5 years), and the symptoms appeared 15 years ((15.17+/-4.22) years) earlier on average in the offspring than in the parents. Gait ataxia and visual impairment were both found in all patients of whom the clinical features were described. Mutant SCA7 alleles contained 40-100 CAG repeats, with a median of 47 repeats (IQR, 44.5-50.0); and the offspring had 13 more repeats on average compared with their parents (12.62+/-19.03). A strong negative correlation was found between CAG repeat size and the onset age of patients (r=-0.739, P=0.000). In addition, no significant difference was found in CAG repeat sizes between patients with visual impairment as the initial symptom and those with gait disturbance as their initial symptom (P=0.476).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of SCA7 in SCA patients, the age at onset and CAG repeats of SCA7 patients in East Asia are consistent with those of white people. However, larger population study is needed to assess the correlation between the CAG repeat size and initial symptoms of SCA7 patients in East Asia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Far East ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinocerebellar Ataxias ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Recent predictions of catastrophic epidemic surge of HIV infection in East Asia concern experts and governmental organizations. As in many other areas, countries in East Asia show diversities in their HIV epidemics, both geographically and temporally. However, they have similar regional, cultural and racial characteristics which allow them to have certain common factors. Having a clear picture of the current extent and feature of HIV/AIDS in this region is a very difficult task largely due to the fast pacing of expending epidemic and difficulty in data-sharing among countries in the region. Hence, we decided to study the epidemiologic feature of HIV/AIDS in East Asia through East Asia Network on HIV (EAN-HIV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The epidemiological patterns of HIV/AIDS in East Asian countries were investigated by collecting data through EAN-HIV. RESULTS: The HIV/AIDS epidemic in East Asia started relatively late at mid 1980s. Since then, the number of newly infected HIV/AIDS cases has been steadily increasing with stiffer escalation in recent years. In China and Taiwan, IDU plays an important part in the swiftly growing HIV epidemics; however, in other regions like Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, MSM (men who have sex with men) seems to be more of a problem. The major subtypes of HIV in East Asia are subtype B, C, and CRF01_AE, and rapidly evolving circulating recombinant forms (CRF) between subtypes such as CRF07_BC give dynamic change to the current status. CONCLUSION: The incidence of HIV/AIDS is rapidly increasing in East Asia. The epidemic pattern has undergone dynamic changes over time. China seems to be the leading source of HIV/AIDS epidemic in East Asia due to its large population and rapidly growing epidemics.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Epidemiology* ; Far East* ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Incidence ; Japan ; Korea ; Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Recent predictions of catastrophic epidemic surge of HIV infection in East Asia concern experts and governmental organizations. As in many other areas, countries in East Asia show diversities in their HIV epidemics, both geographically and temporally. However, they have similar regional, cultural and racial characteristics which allow them to have certain common factors. Having a clear picture of the current extent and feature of HIV/AIDS in this region is a very difficult task largely due to the fast pacing of expending epidemic and difficulty in data-sharing among countries in the region. Hence, we decided to study the epidemiologic feature of HIV/AIDS in East Asia through East Asia Network on HIV (EAN-HIV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The epidemiological patterns of HIV/AIDS in East Asian countries were investigated by collecting data through EAN-HIV. RESULTS: The HIV/AIDS epidemic in East Asia started relatively late at mid 1980s. Since then, the number of newly infected HIV/AIDS cases has been steadily increasing with stiffer escalation in recent years. In China and Taiwan, IDU plays an important part in the swiftly growing HIV epidemics; however, in other regions like Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, MSM (men who have sex with men) seems to be more of a problem. The major subtypes of HIV in East Asia are subtype B, C, and CRF01_AE, and rapidly evolving circulating recombinant forms (CRF) between subtypes such as CRF07_BC give dynamic change to the current status. CONCLUSION: The incidence of HIV/AIDS is rapidly increasing in East Asia. The epidemic pattern has undergone dynamic changes over time. China seems to be the leading source of HIV/AIDS epidemic in East Asia due to its large population and rapidly growing epidemics.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Epidemiology* ; Far East* ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Incidence ; Japan ; Korea ; Taiwan

Over the past ten years there has been a marked increase in cases of severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome in East Asia. This tick-borne hemorrhagic fever presents along with clinical signs including high fever and leukopenia. In addition to humans, the virus has also been detected with shared genetic homology in farm animals including goats, cattle, horses, and pigs. Furthermore, several genotypes of severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) are currently co-circulating between humans and animals. In China, where the virus was first detected in rural areas in 2009, the SFTSV mortality rate has been reported to be as 6% and higher than 30%, especially in immuno-compromised patients. Moreover, this virus has been isolated in neighbor countries including Japan and South Korea where the fatality rates in 2015 were more than 30% in both countries. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the virology, genotypes, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of SFTSV infection in humans and animals. Currently, a collaborative global approach against SFTSV infection is being undertaken; however, the need for continuous disease surveillance and production of an effective vaccine is imperative as this virus may lead to an epidemic of irreversible status in both humans and animals.
Animals ; Animals, Domestic ; Cattle ; China ; Epidemiology ; Far East ; Fever ; Genotype ; Goats ; Horses ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Leukopenia ; Mortality ; Swine ; Thrombocytopenia ; Virology

Network scale-up is an indirect size estimation method, in which participants are questioned on sensitive behaviors of their social network members. Therefore, the visibility of the behavior affects the replies and estimates. Many attempts to estimate visibility have been made. The aims of this study were to review the main methods used to address visibility and to provide a summary of reported visibility factors (VFs) across populations. We systematically searched relevant databases and Google. In total, 15 studies and reports that calculated VFs were found. VF calculation studies have been applied in 9 countries, mostly in East Asia and Eastern Europe. The methods applied were expert opinion, comparison of NSU with another method, the game of contacts, social respect, and the coming-out rate. The VF has been calculated for heavy drug users, people who inject drugs (PWID), female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, male who have sex with male (MSM), alcohol and methamphetamine users, and those who have experienced extra-/pre-marital sex and abortion. The VF varied from 1.4% in Japan to 52.0% in China for MSM; from 34.0% in Ukraine to 111.0% in China for FSWs; and from 12.0% among Iranian students to 57.0% in Ukraine for PWID. Our review revealed that VF estimates were heterogeneous, and were not available for most settings, in particular the Middle East and North Africa region, except Iran. More concrete methodologies to estimate the VF are required.
Africa, Northern ; Bias (Epidemiology)* ; China ; Drug Users ; Europe, Eastern ; Expert Testimony ; Far East ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; Japan ; Male ; Methamphetamine ; Methods* ; Middle East ; Sex Workers ; Ukraine