Autoimmune Hepatitis in the Asia-Pacific Area

Autoimmune hepatitis has been considered as a relatively rare immunological liver disease,especially in the Asia-Pacific area.Although the diagnosis criteria and immunosuppressive treatment regimens have been established,there are still some challenges.According to the different presentations,the personalized management of patients who suffer from this disease,including those with chronic or acute severe onset,the autoantibody-negative phenotype and cirrhosis are necessarily descriptive.Each subgroup of patients should receive an individualized therapy.Here,we review the recent studies of autoimmune hepatitis,mainly focusing on the epidemiology and genetics,personalized diagnostics,individualized treatment strategies,special subgroups and outcomes.Most of the research in the literature is based on Japanese and Chinese populations.

Socialization Development of ESG Business Models in Representative Asia-Pacific Countries:A State-of-the-Art Review and Recommendation

The integration of environmental,social,and governance(ESG)principles has become a pivotal factor in shaping sustainable and responsible corporate practices.The present study investigates the integration of ESG principles within corporate governance models in Asia-Pacific countries,focusing on socialization.By examining the governance culture,legal frameworks,and corporate practices in these representative countries,the paper delineates a strategic framework for embedding social governance into corporate strategies.The study introduces a Cultural,Economic,Legal,and Political(CELP)framework to assess corporate social governance,investigating the correlation between business practices and social changes.Through a systematic literature review and detailed thematic analysis,this paper aims to offer actionable insights and recommendations,guiding corporations in their transition towards more sustainable and socially responsible business practices.

DEVELOPING BOHAI SEA ZONE AND TIANJIN INTO A METROPOLITAN AREA IN THE EAST ASIAN & ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC BELT

Compared with the stagnanteconomy of the rest world,Asian-Pa-cific economy has been experiencingthe hightest growth since the 1980s.Now,most researchers and officials,and even entrepreneurs believe

Thoughts on Establishment of the Agricultural Products Quality and Safety(Standards) Cooperation Center in Asia-Pacific Region

The establishment of agricultural products quality and safety cooperation mechanism and the research demonstration center in the Asia-Pacific reg coordinating each other, is not only of great ening cooperation with countries in Asia-Pacific region and for agricultural production safety of those countries in Asia- Pacific region, but also very necessary for our country to build a responsible image in the quality and safety of agricultural products, protection of the benefit of agriculture-related enterprises, increasing exports, ensuring imported food safety and China＇s national food security, as Well as nice exploration of establishing the global agricultural＇ products quality and safety cooperation center.

Probiotics for gastrointestinal disorders: Proposed recommendations for children of the Asia-Pacific region

Recommendations for probiotics are available in several regions. This paper proposes recommendations for probiotics in pediatric gastrointestinal diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. Epidemiology and clinical patterns of intestinal diseases in Asia-Pacific countries were discussed. Evidence-based recommendations and randomized controlled trials in the region were revised. Cultural aspects,health management issues and economic factors were also considered. Final recommendations were approved by applying the Likert scale and rated using the GRADE system. Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745(Sb) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG(LGG) were strongly recommended as adjunct treatment to oral rehydration therapy for gastroenteritis. Lactobacillus reuteri could also be considered. Probiotics may be considered for prevention of(with the indicated strains): antibiotic-associated diarrhea(LGG or Sb); Clostridium difficile-induced diarrhea(Sb); nosocomial diarrhea(LGG); infantile colic(L reuteri) and as adjunct treatment of Helicobacter pylori(Sb and others). Specific probiotics with a history of safe use in preterm and term infants may be considered in infants for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis. There is insufficient evidence for recommendations in other conditions. Despite a diversity of epidemiological,socioeconomical and health system conditions,similar recommendations apply well to Asia pacific countries. These need to be validated with local randomized-controlled trials.

Utility of the Asia-Pacific colorectal screening scoring system and the presence of metabolic syndrome components in screening for sporadic colorectal cancer

AIM: To determine the utility of the Asia-Pacific colorectal screening (APCS) scoring system and metabolic syndrome components in individual screening for sporadic colorectal cancer.

Adaptation of Asia-Pacific forests to climate change

Climate change is a threat to the stability and productivity of forest ecosystems throughout the AsiaPacific region. The loss of forests due to climate-induced stress will have extensive adverse impacts on biodiversity and an array of ecosystem services that are essential for the maintenance of local economies and public health. Despite their importance, there is a lack of decision-support tools required to evaluate the potential effects of climate change on Asia-Pacific ecosystems and economies and to aid in the development of regionally appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies. The project Adaptation of AsiaPacific Forests to Climate Change, summarized herein,aims to address this lack of knowledge and tools and to provide support for regional managers to develop effective policy to increase the adaptive capacity of Asia-Pacific forest ecosystems. This objective has been achieved through the following activities：（1） development of a highresolution climate downscaling model, Climate AP, applicable to any location in the region;（2） development of climate niche models to evaluate how climate change might affect the distribution of suitable climatic conditions for regionally important tree species;（3） development and application of forest models to assess alternative management strategies in the context of management objectives and the projected impacts of climate change;（4） evaluation of models to assess forest fire risk and the relationship between forest fire and climate change;（5） development of a technique to assess ecosystem carbon storage using Li DAR; and（6） evaluation of how vegetation dynamics respond to climate change using remote sensing technology. All project outputs were developed with a focus on communication and extension to facilitate the dissemination of results to regional forest resource managers to support the development of effective mitigation and adaptation policy.

Multinational survey on the preferred approach to management of Barrett’s esophagus in the Asia-Pacific region

BACKGROUND Major societies provide differing guidance on management of Barrett’s esophagus(BE),making standardization challenging.AIM To evaluate the preferred diagnosis and management practices of BE among Asian endoscopists.METHODS Endoscopists from across Asia were invited to participate in an online questionnaire comprising eleven questions regarding diagnosis,surveillance and management of BE.RESULTS Five hundred sixty-nine of 1016(56.0%)respondents completed the survey,with most respondents from Japan(n=310,54.5%)and China(n=129,22.7%).Overall,the preferred endoscopic landmark of the esophagogastric junction was squamocolumnar junction(42.0%).Distal palisade vessels was preferred in Japan(59.0%vs 10.0%,P<0.001)while outside Japan,squamo-columnar junction was preferred(59.5%vs 27.4%,P<0.001).Only 16.3%of respondents used Prague C and M criteria all the time.It was never used by 46.1%of Japanese,whereas 84.2%outside Japan,endoscopists used it to varying extents(P<0.001).Most Asian endoscopists(70.8%)would survey long-segment BE without dysplasia every two years.Adherence to Seattle protocol was poor with only 6.3%always performing it.73.2%of Japanese never did it,compared to 19.3%outside Japan(P<0.001).The most preferred(74.0%)treatment of non-dysplastic BE was proton pump inhibitor only when the patient was symptomatic or had esophagitis.For BE with low-grade dysplasia,6-monthly surveillance was preferred in 61.9%within Japan vs 47.9%outside Japan(P<0.001).CONCLUSION Diagnosis and management of BE varied within Asia,with stark contrast between Japan and outside Japan.Most Asian endoscopists chose squamo-columnar junction to be the landmark for esophagogastric junction,which is incorrect.Most also did not consistently use Prague criteria,and Seattle protocol.Lack of standardization,education and research are possible reasons.

FEATURES AND COMPARISONS OF THE QUASI-BIENNIAL VARIATIONS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC MONSOON SUBSYSTEMS

The National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data, Climate Diagnostics Center Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) results, and NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (SST), have been utilized in this paper to study the quasi-biennial variations in Asia-Pacific monsoon subsystems and associated SST anomalies (SSTA) and wind anomalies. Four monsoon indices are computed from NCEP/ National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) reanalysis to represent the South Asian monsoon (SAM), South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM), Western North Pacific monsoon (WNPM) and East Asian monsoon (EAM), respectively. The quasi-biennial periods are very significant in Asia-Pacific monsoons (as discovered by power spectrum analysis), and for SAM and EAM---with moderate effects by El Ni?o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)---the quasi-biennial periods are the most important factor. For SCSSM and WNPM (once again due to the effects of ENSO), the quasi-biennial periods are of secondary durations. There are obvious interdecadal variations in the quasi-biennial modes of the Asia-Pacific monsoon, so in the negative phase the biennial modes will not be significant or outstanding. The wind anomalies and SSTA associated with the biennial modes are very different in the SAM, WNPM and EAM regions. Since the WNPM and SCSSM are very similar in the biennial modes, they can be combined into one subsystem, called SCS/WNPM.

Prospect Analysis of the United States' Crude Oil Exports to the Asia-Pacific Region

At the end of 2015, the United States lifted a 40-year ban on crude oil exports, which has far-reaching implications for the global crude oil market and crude oil trade patterns. Since the release of crude oil exports, with the recovery of crude oil production and improved export infrastructure in the United States, U.S. crude oil exports have been growing rapidly, with an average of about one million barrels/day in 2017, making the U.S one of the major global crude oil exporters. Currently, the AsiaPacific region has replaced North America as the first major destination for U.S. crude oil exports. In light of future trends in the oil refining industry of the Asia-Pacific region, it will usher in a new wave of refinery operations around 2020 and crude oil imports will continue to grow rapidly. The American region, represented by the United States, will replace West Africa as the second largest source of crude oil imports to the Asia-Pacific region, and that energy trade cooperation between the Asia-Pacific region and the United States will continue to grow. In particular, for China, the United States will become an important source of crude oil imports for our country in the future, and the two countries will shift from the past of energy competition to energy cooperation. Sino-US energy trade will play a more active role in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Asia-Pacific International Emergency Forum(APIEF) 2016 Annual Congress of Hainan Provincial Society for Emergency Medicine Association Second Announcement

Dear distinguished guests and to whom it may concern.You are cordially invited to attend the first Asia-Pacific International Emergency Forum(APIEF)-2016 Annual Congress of Hainan Provincial Society for Emergency Medicine Association.The symposium will be sponsored by the Intensive Care Medicine Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University,the Asia Pacific Journal of

Ecological-Based Mining:A Coal-Water-Thermal Collaborative Paradigm in Ecologically Fragile Areas in Western China

A substantial reduction in groundwater level,exacerbated by coal mining activities,is intensifying water scarcity in western China’s ecologically fragile coal mining areas.China’s national strategic goal of achieving a carbon peak and carbon neutrality has made eco-friendly mining that prioritizes the protection and efficient use of water resources essential.Based on the resource characteristics of mine water and heat hazards,an intensive coal-water-thermal collaborative co-mining paradigm for the duration of the mining process is proposed.An integrated system for the production,supply,and storage of mining companion resources is achieved through technologies such as roof water inrush prevention and control,hydrothermal quality improvement,and deep-injection geological storage.An active preventive and control system achieved by adjusting the mining technology and a passive system centered on multiobjective drainage and grouting treatment are suggested,in accordance with the original geological characteristics and dynamic process of water inrush.By implementing advanced multi-objective drainage,specifically designed to address the“skylight-type”water inrush mode in the Yulin mining area of Shaanxi Province,a substantial reduction of 50%in water drillings and inflow was achieved,leading to stabilized water conditions that effectively ensure subsequent safe coal mining.An integrated-energy complementary model that incorporates the clean production concept of heat utilization is also proposed.The findings indicate a potential saving of 8419 t of standard coal by using water and air heat as an alternative heating source for the Xiaojihan coalmine,resulting in an impressive energy conservation of 50.2%and a notable 24.2%reduction in carbon emissions.The ultra-deep sustained water injection of 100 m^(3)·h^(-1)in a single well would not rupture the formation or cause water leakage,and 7.87×10^(5)t of mine water could be effectively stored in the Liujiagou Formation,presenting a viable method for mine-water management in the Ordos Basin and providing insights for green and low-carbon mining.

China’s Involvement with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) is the most influential economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region. China is not only a participant but also a staunch supporter of and a major contributor to economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. China has always upheld the spirit of Asia-Pacific partnership, leaving its footprints deeply engraved in the historical development of APEC. Through its involvement with APEC, China has not only furthered its own development, but also made important contributions to regional and even global economic development. Over the years, the practice of APEC, centering on the cooperative vision represented by the Bogor Goals, has greatly improved the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment and has raised the level of economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. With the deadline for achieving the Bogor Goals approaching, the direction that such cooperation will take after 2020 has become a focus of popular concern. The international structure is now undergoing profound changes unseen in the past century. As unilateralism and protectionism affect the globalization process, APEC faces both opportunities and challenges in the near future. To draw up a future cooperation blueprint together with the other economies involved, China has to forge ahead bravely through all kinds of weather.

Asia-Pacific Minilateral Cooperation and Its Impact

Over the past decade,a series of minilateral cooperative endeavors have emerged in the Asia-Pacific region,which have become a new phenomenon in this region.Unlike the regional multilateralism that followed the Cold War,this round of minilateral cooperation has taken on new features,including de-ASEANization,strong ideological color,and an emphasis on security issues.The rise of this pattern of minilateral cooperation is related to regional countries’dissatisfaction with existing multilateral mechanisms and the strategies adopted by relevant countries to deal with the regional changes.However,this has had a relatively negative effect on inter-state relations and the regional order in the Asia-Pacific region,which has attracted attention from all corners.

First Asia-Pacific Forum on Andrology 17-21 October 2002, Shanghai, China

Honorary President: Jie-Ping WuChairman: Shao-Zhen QianSecretary General: Hong XiaoInternational Advisory CommitteeChairman: Geoffrey MH WaitesVice-Chairman: Ilpo Huhtaniemi, Ying-Lu GuoMembers: Hector Chemes, Rune Eliasson, Louis JG Gooren, Carlos R Morales, Wolf-Bernhard Schill, Fred CW Wu

THE CHANGING WORLD ECONOMY AND ASIA-PACIFIC COOPERATION

Just at the turn of the century,mankind is experiencing a historical changein world economy,of which the following points are worthy of our close at-tention: 1.The momentum of the present vigorous economic growth in developingcountries will continue to persist and make its impact upon the whole world,which will fundamentally transform the existing world economic pattern.

Correlation of periodontal inflamed surface area with glycated hemoglobin,interleukin-6 and lipoprotein(a)in type 2 diabetes with retinopathy

BACKGROUND The two-way relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is well established.Prolonged hyperglycemia contributes to increased periodontal destruction and severe periodontitis,accentuating diabetic complications.An inflammatory link exists between diabetic retinopathy(DR)and periodontitis,but the studies regarding this association and the role of lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)]and interleukin-6(IL-6)in these conditions are scarce in the literature.AIM To determine the correlation of periodontal inflamed surface area(PISA)with glycated Hb(HbA1c),serum IL-6 and Lp(a)in T2DM subjects with retinopathy.METHODS This cross-sectional study comprised 40 T2DM subjects with DR and 40 T2DM subjects without DR.All subjects were assessed for periodontal parameters[bleeding on probing(BOP),probing pocket depth,clinical attachment loss(CAL),oral hygiene index-simplified,plaque index(PI)and PISA],and systemic parameters[HbA1c,fasting plasma glucose and postprandial plasma glucose,fasting lipid profile,serum IL-6 and serum Lp(a)].RESULTS The proportion of periodontitis in T2DM with and without DR was 47.5%and 27.5%respectively.Severity of periodontitis,CAL,PISA,IL-6 and Lp(a)were higher in T2DM with DR group compared to T2DM without DR group.Significant difference was observed in the mean percentage of sites with BOP between T2DM with DR(69%)and T2DM without DR(41%),but there was no significant difference in PI(P>0.05).HbA1c was positively correlated with CAL(r=0.351,P=0.001),and PISA(r=0.393,P≤0.001)in study subjects.A positive correlation was found between PISA and IL-6(r=0.651,P<0.0001);PISA and Lp(a)(r=0.59,P<0.001);CAL and IL-6(r=0.527,P<0.0001)and CAL and Lp(a)(r=0.631,P<0.001)among study subjects.CONCLUSION Despite both groups having poor glycemic control and comparable plaque scores,the periodontal parameters were higher in DR as compared to T2DM without DR.Since a bidirectional link exists between periodontitis and DM,the presence of DR may have contributed to the severity of periodontal destruction and periodontitis may have influenced the progression of DR.

Preventive Diplomacy in Asia-Pacific Context

Preventive diplomacy, a nascent security issue of heated debate at the Asean Re-gional Forum last year, is expected to come up again in the session this year,notwithstanding the current overriding issue of regional financial crisis. Closescrutiny on the topic will help member nations to choose the appropriate form to actupon. when conditions are ripe for it, so as to build a favorable regional securityenvironment.