An update of the contemporary donor screening tests used in fecal microbiota transplantation for its future developments: A systematic review

Review question / Objective: Western pacific and South-east Asian region have its own lifestyle and dietary habits, for an example, the prevalence of parasites and the MDR pathogens are different compared to the European region where most consensus documents have been disseminated. Hence, current investigation is being carried out in view of appraising contemporary methods that have been used internationally and to propose rigorous donor screening methods appropriate for the regional requirement. Information sources: EMBASE and MEDLINE through PubMed and WEB of SCIENCE. Additionally, we have reviewed all international consensus documents and local guidelines published in English.

ASEAN as an Optimal/Nonoptimal Currency Area

Economists have been arguing to this day about the benefits and risks of introducing a community currency. It is very difficult to clearly determine which side is right. Most often, scientists refer to the example of the so-called Eurozone, but it is still far from reaching an agreement between supporters and opponents of such a solution. This paper presents the issues of monetary integration in ASEAN+3 (i.e. ASEAN member countries, China, South Korea, and Japan) in terms of the optimal currency area and other necessary conditions for the creation of a sustainable development region. The researchers argue about whether ASEAN+3 should introduce a single currency. Some suggest that the group meets several OCA theory criteria, i.e. labour mobility and economic openness. According to the results of the study, ASEAN+3 is an economically diverse area and there is a lack of institutions enabling effective monetary integration in the short term. Optimization assumptions included in the analysis determine the real chances of development and survival within the currency area. The author's analysis has indicated that ASEAN+3 should not introduce a single currency for three reasons: failure to meet the optimization criteria, diversification of socio-economic development, lack of an institutional framework and inconsistency in the perception of monetary integration. On the other hand, it should be noted that a single currency could contribute to increasing the monetary security of the entire South-East Asian region, which means that the ​​monetary integration may be a long-term idea.

The Prevalence of Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM) in Anemic and Non-anemic Pregnant Women at a Tertiary Level Hospital

The incidence of maternal and fetal morbidities and mortalities are very high in anemic patients. According to WHO anemia is the most common medical disease in pregnancy in south east Asian region. 18-20 pregnant women are anemic in developed countries as compared to the incidence is as high as 40% to 75% in south east Asian region. According to Center of Disease Control (CDC) anemia in pregnancy means hemoglobin is less than 11 g/dl (Hematocrit; {Hct} < 33%) in the first and third trimester and less than 10.5 g/dl (Hct < 32%) in the second trimester. According to World Health Organization (WHO), anemia in pregnancy is defined as Hb level is less than 11gm/dl. As physiological hemodilution occurs during pregnancy, pregnant women are at higher risk of anemia and more commonly iron deficiency anemia. The aim of the study is to compare the risk of PROM between anemic pregnant women and non-anemic pregnant women. It is a prospective observational study held in Z.H.Sikder women’s medical college & hospital from April,2020 to march,2021. 100 cases of anemic and 100 cases of non-anemic pregnant women were purposively taken as study population. The prevalence of PROM equaled to 64% in pregnant anemic group. In bivariable analysis, the risk factors of anemia such as, maternal working condition, socio economic status and maternal age were studied. The risk of PROM is higher in anemic pregnant women than in non-anemic pregnant women. Doctors and healthcare workers should be more careful to prevent and treat anemia in pregnancy to avoid the adverse outcomes.

Insider Perspectives on the Sustainability of the Malaysian and Singaporean Paralympic Movements

The paper reports on in-depth qualitative interviews with six participants involved in the Paralympic movement: One past and three present Para-athletes as well as high-ranking administrative representatives from both National Paralympic Committees of Malaysia and Singapore. These insiders share experiences and opinions on the local movements, media, and measures for future developments in the South East Asian region. Findings suggest that the Para-movements in Malaysia and Singapore are promoting the sustainability of the movement through funding opportunities and educational campaigns. Moreover, links between the persons with disabilities (PWD) community and the business landscape are increasing the inclusive culture in these societies. However, improvements can be made to promote further sustainability: more interaction between the Para-athletes and Paralympic Committees; higher remuneration for Paralympic gold medal winners in Singapore; greater media representation of Para-sports; and more visibility of PWD in public spaces.

STUDY OF ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY IN SEVERE FALCIPARUM MALARIA WITH SHOCK KEY WORDS: Falciparum Malaria, Shock, Adrenal

Malaria remains a serious health problem in South East Asian Region (SEAR) with nearly 290 million people are estimated to be at high risk.India accounts for 77% of the regional total malarial cases.Most of deaths in malaria are due to severe falciparum malaria. Odisha is a unique state in the eastern region of India, which contributes 4% of the population and counting up to >40% of total falciparum malaria cases of India. Malaria is one of the most important public health disease in Odisha. In spite of such an important disease, there are many areas on severe falciparum malarias where research work is scanty. One among of them is detection of relative adrenal insufficiency in severe falciparum malaria. As there is limited work about the relative adrenal insufficiency in severe falciparum malaria with shock and its relation to mortality. This study has been undertaken with the following aims and objectives, firstly detection of relative adrenal insufficiency in severe falciparum malaria with shock and secondly to establish the relation of mortality with or without adrenal insufficiency in severe falciparum malaria.The present study has established that relative adrenal insufficiency is an important cause contributing to shock and increased mortality. Thus addition of corticosteroid saves life and must be used in the relative adrenal insufficiency. However the firm diagnosis of relative adrenal insufficiency depends upon estimation of basal serum cortisol level & post ACTH serum cortisol level. As corticosteroid reduces the mortality rate, it should be empirically used in critically ill severe falciparum malaria cases with shock.

SINO-ASEAN COOPERATION: PERCEPTIONS AND COUNTER STRATEGIES OF USA, JAPAN AND INDIA

China and ASEAN have established cooperation since 1990 for the pursuit of their respective strategic and economic interests. They have achieved unprecendented heights in their cooperation covering various fields. As a result of the strong relations between China and ASEAN the influence and presence of China in the region has increased manifold. As a consequence of China’s growing influence and presence in the South East Asian region, the US, Japan and India appear worried as their strategic and economic interests in the region seem to be threatened by China. They perceive China as an emerging threat to their interests in the region. Thus, the US, Japan and India have designed counter strategies to check the influence of China and protect their interests in the region. This paper attempts to summarise the findings of a doctoral study by Behan, which studies the relations between China and ASEAN and the perpection and counter strategies of the US, Japan, and India.

Higher Education and Regional Integration in South-East Asia

Harmonization of higher education institutions (HEI) has a potential to build up a cohesive South East Asia. The Kuala Lumpur declaration on higher education has provided a suggestive framework to promote collaborative activities in higher education, which can have a far-reaching impact on the geopolitical scenario of the Southeast Asia. Moreover, the growing threat of climate change, need for disaster management, promotion of lifelong learning, and the mandate for SDGs also call for increased collaborations among HEIs. A well-integrated South-East Asian region with collaborative mechanisms for student exchange, academic collaborations, collaborative research projects, and common educational programmes aimed at people to people contacts has a potential to achieve the common goal of the region. This chapter examines these possibilities, highlights some important cases, and makes recommendations.