Outcome and Conclusions from the 2024 Southeast Asia Agri-Food Roundtable

The Southeast Asia Agri-Food Roundtable 2024, organized by Thai Wah and Temasek on the 30 May 2024 in Bangkok, convened over 150 agri-food leaders to advance a climate-smart food system in Southeast Asia. Key discussions focused on decarbonizing the agri-food supply chain, enhancing food security amidst climate change, and innovating plant-based proteins. The event highlighted the importance of scalable innovation, effective partnerships, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to address regional agri-food challenges and emphasized the need for research and strategic actions in these areas leading up to the next Roundtable in 2025

Chronic hepatitis B infection and liver cancer

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most well recognised human carcinogens. Since its discovery about 40 years ago, HBV has been studied extensively. This article summarises the evidence derived from various studies including epidemiological, animal model, histopathology studies and molecular genetics studies leading to the establishment of HBV as the main aetiological agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The reduction in the incidence of childhood HCC due to mass hepatitis B vaccination in Taiwan is a dramatic demonstration of the critical aetiological role of hepatitis B in HCC. Thus it is essential for interventionalists to understand the epidemiological and pathogenesis of HCC to ensure optimal patient care

Outcome and Conclusions from the 2024 JEC Forum Southeast Asia, Bangkok

The JEC Forum Southeast Asia 2024, held in Bangkok from 11-12 June 2024, highlighted advancements in composites across 4 key sectors: automotive, aerospace, sports, and construction. The discussions focused on sustainability, recycling innovations, and the integration of natural fibers to enhance performance while reducing environmental impact

In vitro study on the mechanisms of action of a novel phytotherapeutic compound against human hepatoma cells.

HepG2 human hepatoma cells were incubated for 24 or 48 h with various concentrations of YHK solution. After 24 h incubation, cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl)-5-(3carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2Htetrazolium (MTT) assay. Cytotoxicity or necrosis was expressed as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. After exponential growth phase HepG2 cells were treated with different doses of YHK and apoptosis was assessed by using an Annexin V-FITC kit. Further, oxidative stress was measured by dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay. As compared to control, YHK-treated cultures showed a significant time-course decrease of the proliferation rate of HepG2 cell growth (p < 0.01). This is likely to be due to an enhanced cytotoxicity (MTT and LDH tests) (p < 0.001). On the other hand, YHK showed in vitro to significantly enhance the oxidative stress of HepG2 cell (p < 0.01) while also markedly increasing apoptosis at 72 h with cells G2/M phase arrest (p < 0.01). These data suggest that YHK seem to modulate the extrinsic and intrinsic regulators of apoptosis and sensitize tumour cells to apoptosis. These preliminary data are worth interest when considering that this nutraceutical has been shown in vitro and in vivo to exert protective anti-tumour effect by redox statusmodulating and immuno-regulatory actions. Given its lack of toxicity so far reported, such natural product might represent an effective nutritional supplement i

Gate-to-grave assessment of plastic from recycling to manufacturing of TENG: a comparison between India and Singapore

\ua9 The Author(s) 2024. This study assesses the viability of recycled plastic-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for sustainable energy harvesting in India and Singapore, concurrently examining plastic waste management. Using material flow analysis and life cycle assessment, the findings revealed that in Singapore, waste-to-energy incineration has a lower environmental impact than landfilling and mechanical recycling, attributed to natural gas usage. In India, recycling offsets impacts from incineration and landfilling, contributing to a lower net environmental impact. Economic performance of a TENG module from PET recyclates showed a 20% carbon footprint reduction when scaling up from lab to industrial “freeze-drying” processes. Key challenges in TENG manufacturing processes are also assessed for future development. This research highlights the potential of recycled plastic-based TENGs in sustainable energy and waste management

Process intensification in micro-fluidized bed systems: A review

Micro-fluidized bed (MFB) is a novel technology for engineering processing and screening application due to its good mixing, high mass/heat transfer, reduced reaction time and cost, but issues that remain unresolved are the low fluidization quality and scalability. In this review paper, fundamental and characteristic studies are reviewed to gain an understanding of the miniaturized fluidized bed system for rapid processing and screening. Subsequently, recent progress of the MFB applications is evaluated and compared with other types of reactors from the perspective of process intensification (PI). Finally, the challenges and prospects for this technology for PI are also discussed

The potential of physical activity and technology interventions to reduce anxiety in older adults

Background: Older adults have low levels of mental health literacy relating to anxiety, which may explain why they delay or do not seek help. Emerging evidence supports effectiveness of lifestyle interventions, including physical activity (PA), in reducing anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted technology's potential to facilitate healthcare provision. We explored older adults’ understanding of anxiety, perspectives on whether PA interventions could reduce anxiety, and whether technology could facilitate this. Methods: The INDIGO trial evaluated a PA intervention for participants aged 60 years and above, at risk of cognitive decline, and not meeting PA guidelines at baseline. Twenty-nine trial completers attended follow-up semi-structured qualitative interviews. Results: Thematic analysis revealed participants’ diverse understanding of anxiety with some relating anxiety to worry, uncertainty and fear, as well as physical manifestations and feeling out of control, while others found the concept confusing. Participants generally thought that PA interventions could reduce anxiety through “mindful” and/or “physiological” processes. Views about technology were more polarised, possibly reflecting a “digital divide”. Participants expressed that technology could help with information provision, health monitoring and motivation. Participants were open to using wearable activity monitors, online platforms and portable devices. Limitations: Participants had completed a PA intervention trial, had relatively high education levels and interviews were only conducted in English. Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of providing more information and education about anxiety to older adults to increase understanding and help-seeking. Findings also support likely acceptability of PA interventions for anxiety, with the option of technology as a facilitator

Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Reinforced Electrospun Alginate-Based Nanofibrous Scaffolds with Improved Physical Properties.

Mechanically robust alginate-based nanofibrous scaffolds were successfully fabricated by electrospinning method to mimic the natural extracellular matrix structure which benefits development and regeneration of tissues. Alginate-based nanofibres were electrospun from an alginate/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polyelectrolyte complex. SEM images revealed the spinnability of the complex composite nanofibrous scaffolds, showing randomly oriented, ultrafine, and virtually defects-free alginate-based/MgO nanofibrous scaffolds. Here, it is shown that an alginate/PVA complex scaffold, blended with near-spherical MgO nanoparticles (⌀ 45 nm) at a predetermined concentration (10% (w/w)), is electrospinnable to produce a complex composite nanofibrous scaffold with enhanced mechanical stability. For the comparison purpose, chemically cross-linked electrospun alginate-based scaffolds were also fabricated. Tensile test to rupture revealed the significant differences in the tensile strength and elastic modulus among the alginate scaffolds, alginate/MgO scaffolds, and cross-linked alginate scaffolds (P < 0.05). In contrast to cross-linked alginate scaffolds, alginate/MgO scaffolds yielded the highest tensile strength and elastic modulus while preserving the interfibre porosity of the scaffolds. According to the thermogravimetric analysis, MgO reinforced alginate nanofibrous scaffolds exhibited improved thermal stability. These novel alginate-based/MgO scaffolds are economical and versatile and may be further optimised for use as extracellular matrix substitutes for repair and regeneration of tissues.Peer Reviewe