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Fulltext Antecedents of the Attitudes Toward Singlehood Among Young Adults in Malaysia, Japan, and India

Tan CS, Cheng SM, Nakayama T, George S

Front Psychol, 2021;12:756090.
PMID: 34867655 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.756090

With both theories and empirical studies supporting the benefits of having a romantic relationship, there remains an increasing tendency of staying single being documented globally. It is thus important to understand the antecedent factors of such voluntary single movement. Guided by the Investment Model of Commitment (IMC) process, the roles of subjective socioeconomic status (SSES), relational mobility, and desirability of control in attitudes toward singlehood were investigated. A total of 1,108 undergraduate students from Malaysia (n=444), Japan (n=316), and India (n=348) answered an online survey consisting of the Attitudes toward Singlehood Scale, MacArthur Scale of SSES, Relational Mobility Scale, Desirability of Control Scale, Mini-Social Phobia Inventory, and Single Item Narcissism Scale. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed a persistent positive relationship between desirability of control, but not socioeconomic status and relational mobility, with attitudes toward singlehood, even after statistically excluding the effects of social anxiety and narcissism. A similar pattern was also observed among those who were currently single. Moreover, an interaction effect of socioeconomic status and relational mobility was found in further exploratory analysis. The results highlight that retaining the autonomy and flexibility of managing one's own life and financial concern are the key reasons young adults prefer staying single to engaging in a romantic relationship. Implications and recommendations for future research are also presented in this study.
Fulltext Survey data to unveil the power of political crowdsourcing on social media

Tariq R, Zolkepli IA, Isawasan P, Tan C, Alhammad MM

Data Brief, 2024 Aug;55:110758.
PMID: 39156667 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110758

This paper describes a dataset collected from a survey carried out in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Pakistan, to understand the variables that impact political trust. The data was collected from September to November 2021 via an online survey on Google Forms, and 472 valid responses were obtained. Drawing on relevant literature, the survey instrument was designed to cover the respondents' opinions concerning partisanship, social media utilization, online social capital, voluntary online and offline political participation, and political trust. The dataset offers useful insights for institutional practitioners and policymakers working in the domains of democracy and political communication, facilitating policy formulation to bolster political trust through collaborative crowdsourcing.
Intrapericardial Administration to Achieve Localized and Targeted Treatment for Cardiac Disease

Xu Y, Chen Y, Tan JJ, Ooi JP, Guo Z

J Cardiovasc Transl Res, 2024 Aug 20.
PMID: 39164600 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-024-10553-3

Intrapericardial administration has been proposed as an alternative delivery route of pharmacological agents via the bilaminar sac of pericardium surrounding the heart. To date, intrapericardial administration has entailed the localized administration of a broad spectrum of therapeutic agents. These agents include stem cells, extracellular matrix, growth factor, drugs, bioactive materials, and genetic materials, to the heart and coronary arteries. The route not only overcomes the limitations associated with traditional systemic administration methods, but also presents multiple intrinsic advantages over the other approaches, allowing greater therapeutic actions. Intrapericardial administration exhibits versatility in addressing certain cardiac conditions and ongoing research in this field certainly holds promise for further innovations and advancements to improve cardiac treatment. Thus, this review discusses the anatomy and physiology of the pericardium, the intrapericardial administration access routes, the recent application of intrapericardial delivery in the context of cardiac repair as well as the challenges associated with the approach.
In vitro modulation of naturally occurring flavonoids on cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) activity

Tiong KH, Yiap BC, Tan EL, Ismail R, Ong CE

Xenobiotica, 2010 Jul;40(7):458-66.
PMID: 20402563 DOI: 10.3109/00498251003786749

1. The effect of flavonoids on coumarin 7-hydroxylation, an activity marker of an important human liver cytochrome P450 isoform, cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6), was investigated in this study. 2. Coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity was measured fluorometrically in reaction mixtures containing cDNA-expressed CYP2A6, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate generating system and 10 uM coumarin, at various concentrations of flavonoids. 3. Among the 23 compounds tested, most of the active members were from flavonol group of hydroxylated flavonoids, with myricetin being the most potent inhibitor followed by quercetin, galangin, and kaempferol. 4. Further exploration of the inhibition mechanism of these compounds revealed that myricetin, galangin, and kaempferol exhibited mixed-type of inhibition pattern while quercetin was observed to exhibit competitive mode of inhibition. 5. Structure-function analyses revealed that degree of inhibition was closely related to the number and location of hydroxyl groups, glycosylation of the free hydroxyl groups, degree of saturation of the flavane nucleus as well as the presence of the alkoxylated function.
CYP2A6 polymorphisms in Malays, Chinese and Indians

Nurfadhlina M, Foong K, Teh LK, Tan SC, Mohd Zaki S, Ismail R

Xenobiotica, 2006 Aug;36(8):684-92.
PMID: 16891249

The genetically polymorphic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 is the major nicotine-oxidase in humans that may contribute to nicotine dependence and cancer susceptibility. The authors investigated the types and frequencies of CYP2A6 alleles in the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia and CYP2A6*1A, CYP2A6*1B, CYP2A6*1x2, CYP2A6*2, CYP2A6*3, CYP2A6*4, CYP2A6*5, CYP2A6*7, CYP2A6*8 and CYP2A6*10 were determined by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 270 Malays, 172 Chinese and 174 Indians. Except for CYP2A6*2 and *3 that were not detected in the Malays and Chinese, all the other alleles were detected. Frequencies for the CYP2A6*4 allele were 7, 5 and 2%, respectively, in Malays, Chinese and Indians. A statistically significant high frequency of the duplicated CYP2A6*1x2 allele occurred among Chinese. Among Malays and Chinese, the most common allele was CYP2A6*1B, but it was CYP2A6*1A among Indians. These ethnic difference in frequencies suggested that further studies are required to investigate the implications on diseases such as cancer and smoking behaviour among these major ethnic groups in Malaysia.
Fulltext The Struggle to Fit in: A Qualitative Study on the Sense of Belonging and Well-being of Deaf People in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Lee WY, Tan JTA, Kok JK

Psychol Stud (Mysore), 2022;67(3):385-400.
PMID: 35529704 DOI: 10.1007/s12646-022-00658-7

The sense of belonging plays an important role in a person's well-being. It also acts as a protective factor against mental distress. Deaf people struggle to fit into the dominant hearing society due to communication barriers. The multi-languages used in Malaysian families add to this communication challenge. Communication breakdown leaves the deaf person socially excluded while a poor sense of belonging also increases their vulnerability to mental health issues. Hence, this study explored the deaf person's sense of belonging and well-being through their social experiences in Malaysia. Baumeister's need-to-belong theory served as the theoretical framework of this study. An Ethnographic approach with in-depth interviews and participant observation was used to explore the social experiences of six Chinese deaf adults, aged 20-37, residing in Ipoh. Their hearing parents were interviewed as well to obtain parents' perspective of the child's well-being in the earlier years. Participants were selected using the purposive and snowballing sampling method. Upon data saturation, thematic analysis was used to identify themes, patterns, and interpret its meanings. The main themes that emerged from the data was the "struggle to fit in", "emotional effect", and "quality social connections". Findings of this study can be used in the formation of policies and strategies to ensure that deaf individuals are not excluded from their communities. Cultivating an inclusive community and developing the deaf community offers a better sense of belonging, which would help increase well-being of deaf people. Future research may focus on deaf identity and well-being of deaf youth in Malaysia.
CLINICAL AND IMAGING OUTCOMES OF XLIF SURGERY FOR LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS

Hoang T, Kieu H, Nguyen V, Tran T, Ngee T, Duong H

Georgian Med News, 2024 Jun.
PMID: 39230213

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of lateral interbody bone graft surgery and posterior percutaneous screws for lumbar spinal stenosis Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. There were 27 patients with 30 segments of surgery diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis that were surgically treated with the XLIF method. Clinical outcomes measured included VAS scores for lower back pain and leg pain, ODI, and JOA scores. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine after surgery was used to evaluate indirect decompression. X-ray or CT scan to evaluate bone fusion after 6 months of surgery. Differences were determined by independent T-test.
RESULTS: There were 27 patients with 30 segments of surgery. They were 12 males and 15 females with an average age of 58.81±8.1. There was significant improvement in VAS for lower back pain from 7.11±1.31 to 3.67±1.3, VAS for leg pain from 6.81±2.19 to 1.59±1.89, ODI from 26.41±8.95 to 13.69±8.34, and JOA score from 7.63±2.87 to 13.5±1.73. A-P diameter increased 134%, lateral diameter increased 120%, lateral recess depth increased 166%, disc height increased 126%, foraminal height increased 124%, spinal canal area increased 30%. The p-values were all <0.001. The average hospital stay was 6.79±3.01 days. Complications included 1 pedicle screw malformation, 1 ALL avulsion fracture, 1 abdominal herniation, 1 venous damage, 1 failure.
CONCLUSION: XLIF surgery presents a favorable option for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. This is a minimally invasive surgical method that reduces pain, reduces bleeding, and is effective in indirectly decompressing the spinal canal both clinal and imaging.
Fulltext Fostering closed-loop supply chain orientation by leveraging strategic green capabilities for circular economy performance: empirical evidence from Malaysian electrical and electronics manufacturing firms

Shaharudin MR, Zailani S, Tan KC, Cross J, Hotrawaisaya C

Environ Dev Sustain, 2023 Jan 18.
PMID: 36687740 DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02832-3

In recent years, the concept of a circular economy (CE) has gained importance and attracted significant attention among scholars and practitioners. Research that examines the firm's supply chain capabilities and orientation for performance is well established nonetheless still lacking in supporting the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy. The firms can foster a closed-loop supply chain orientation (CLSCO) through strategic green capabilities as an alternative obtainable to SC firms to achieve CE performance. Thus, this study is interested to examine the antecedents and outcomes of CLSCO by applying the Resource-Based View and Natural Resource-Based View theories. In total, 150 Malaysian manufacturers responded to the survey and were analysed using the SEM Lisrel method. Among the hypotheses tested, only one had no direct effect on CLSCO, and that was the recovery capacities. The remaining hypothesis indicates that CLSCO is positively affected by integration and production capabilities. In contrast, the results of CLSCO indicate that the extent of a company's CLSCO does affect its success in the circular economy. The study concludes, based on the RBV and NRBV principles, that the success of firms in optimising their resources would enable them to use the CLSCO and attain CE performance. Thus, there are numerous ways in which this study can provide practitioners with valuable research insights.
Fulltext Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines moderates the association between vaccination status and mental distress

Tan CM, Owuamalam C, Sarma VJ, Ng PK

Stress Health, 2023 Oct;39(4):744-752.
PMID: 36574671 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3216

Previous research has demonstrated that becoming vaccinated with the Coronavirus vaccine may lower mental distress. However, it remains uncertain whether this relationship holds amid concerns of vaccine side effects and doubts of the vaccine's protective capabilities. We presented three studies that showed how vaccine confidence negatively influences the relationship between vaccine uptake and mental distress. Using two-way fixed effects regression models, Study 1 analyzes longitudinal survey of respondents from Los Angeles County in the US, while Study 2 uses the same analytical strategy but generalises findings by analysing longitudinal data of participants across all 50 US states. Main results of both studies show that (i) vaccination uptake is linked with reduced mental distress among individuals with high vaccine confidence (ii) vaccine uptake has no effect on mental distress among individuals with low vaccine confidence. Lastly, Study 3 applies multilevel analysis to a large-scale pseudo-panel study of 15 developed countries. Results for the third study corroborate finding (i) but not (ii) in that the multinational study finds that vaccine uptake is actually associated with higher mental distress among individuals with low vaccine confidence. In sum, our paper shows that the palliative effect of vaccination on mental health only exists when vaccine confidence is high. Results are mixed on whether vaccination affects mental distress when individual vaccine confidence is low.
Understanding de-inking in packaging plastic recycling: Bridging the gap in resource conservation and establishing average hazard quotient

Syed Ali SA, Ilankoon IMSK, Zhang L, Tan J

J Hazard Mater, 2024 Aug 17;479:135554.
PMID: 39232354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135554

Achieving circularity in the plastic economy predominantly depends on sourcing higher quality recyclates. Packaging plastic poses a significant challenge as it is often not prioritised for collection or recycling initiatives. The presence of additives, such as printing ink, impedes the quality of recyclates. Considering the volume of packaging plastics and the importance of branding (aesthetics and consumer information), ink removal is a critical pre-treatment step. However, the literature is limited, with only 14 studies exploring de-inking processes. Drawing parallels with the detergent laundering process, surfactants have been widely investigated in plastic de-inking, with cationic surfactants proving the most effective with a de-inking efficiency of up to 100%. However, concerns exist regarding the toxic and hazardous nature of the surfactants and chemicals. The average hazard quotient (AHQ) was developed, which compares de-inking chemicals as one of the key findings. AHQ provides a quantitative proxy for the hazards and toxicities, which are qualitatively presented as part of the globally harmonised system (GHS) classification of chemicals. To drive emerging packaging plastic de-inking, including the development of green surfactants (e.g. gamma-valerolactone), this work enables an informed chemical selection minimising potential hazards (rather than creating more adverse effects in plastic recycling processes) and toxicities from plastic waste, fulfilling the objectives of cleaner plastic waste recycling.
Fulltext Rheological characterization and fouling deposition behavior of coconut cream emulsion at heat processing temperature range

Maghazechi A, Mohammadi Nafchi A, Tan TC, Easa AM

Food Sci Nutr, 2022 Nov;10(11):3801-3813.
PMID: 36348806 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2977

Fouling deposition in the coconut cream emulsion (CCE) is considered a severe technical issue in the industry. Since the fouling deposition results from the heating effect on the CCE bulk, the heat-induced structural changes in the CCE bulk at different temperatures were rheologically investigated in the first part of this study. The second part applied different heat treatment conditions to investigate generated fouling deposition (GFD). Chemical composition, FTIR, and SEM imaging were used to explore GFDs thoroughly. The increase in viscosity and storage modulus (G') reflect such heat-induced changes over the experimental conditions. More structural changes were predicted at around ≥85°C, accompanied by a sharp increase in viscosity and (G'), which was associated with the gelation of CCE. The conformational transition, fat agglomeration in CCE bulk, generated fouling deposits (GFDs) were significant around 70°C. The chemical composition of the GFD has shown an increasing trend in the protein, carbohydrates, and ash, meanwhile fluctuation in the fat contents with increasing temperature. The FTIR peaks showed novel peaks around temperature ≥85°C, which implied new amide groups or new protein conformation. The SEM images provided the different microstructures of GFDs at high-temperature levels. More likely the GFDs appeared at temperature ≥85°C are a gel deposit layer. These findings strongly suggest that emulsion gelation was the primary cause of coconut cream fouling.
Fulltext Therapeutic effects of isosteviol sodium on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating autophagy via Sirt1/AMPK pathway

Mei Y, Hu H, Deng L, Sun X, Tan W

Sci Rep, 2022 Jul 27;12(1):12857.
PMID: 35896572 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16119-0

Isosteviol sodium (STVNa) is a beyerane diterpene synthesized via acid hydrolysis of stevioside, which can improve glucose and lipid metabolism in animals with diabetes. However, it remains unknown whether STVNa can exhibit a therapeutic effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying mechanism. We hypothesize that autophagic initiation may play a key role in mediating the development of NAFLD. Herein, we assessed the effects of STVNa on NAFLD and its underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrated that STVNa treatment effectively ameliorated NAFLD in rats fed high-fat diet (HFD). Moreover, STVNa decreased the expression of inflammation-related genes and maintained a balance of pro-inflammatory cytokines in NAFLD rats. STVNa also reduced lipid accumulation in free fatty acid (FFA)-exposed LO2 cells. In addition, STVNa attenuated hepatic oxidative stress and fibrosis in NAFLD rats. Furthermore, STVNa enhanced autophagy and activated Sirtuin 1/adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (Sirt1/AMPK) pathway both in vivo and in vitro, thus attenuating intracellular lipid accumulation. In summary, STVNa could improve lipid metabolism in NAFLD by initiating autophagy via Sirt1/AMPK pathway. Therefore, STVNa may be an alternative therapeutic agent for treatment of NAFLD.
A compendium of all-in-one solar-driven water splitting using ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts: guiding the path from the past to the limitless future

Chong WK, Ng BJ, Tan LL, Chai SP

Chem Soc Rev, 2024 Sep 02.
PMID: 39222069 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs01040f

Photocatalytic water splitting represents a leading approach to harness the abundant solar energy, producing hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy carrier. Zinc indium sulfide (ZIS) emerges as one of the most captivating candidates attributed to its unique physicochemical and photophysical properties, attracting much interest and holding significant promise in this domain. To develop a highly efficient ZIS-based photocatalytic system for green energy production, it is paramount to comprehensively understand the strengths and limitations of ZIS, particularly within the framework of solar-driven water splitting. This review elucidates the three sequential steps that govern the overall efficiency of ZIS with a sharp focus on the mechanisms and inherent drawbacks associated with each phase, including commonly overlooked aspects such as the jeopardising photocorrosion issue, the neglected oxidative counter surface reaction kinetics in overall water splitting, the sluggish photocarrier dynamics and the undesired side redox reactions. Multifarious material design strategies are discussed to specifically mitigate the formidable limitations and bottleneck issues. This review concludes with the current state of ZIS-based photocatalytic water splitting systems, followed by personal perspectives aimed at elevating the field to practical consideration for future endeavours towards sustainable hydrogen production through solar-driven water splitting.
Pickering Foam Stabilized by Diacylglycerol-Based Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Effect of Protein Modification

Chen D, Lee YY, Tan CP, Wang Y, Qiu C

J Agric Food Chem, 2024 Sep 04;72(35):19480-19493.
PMID: 39171455 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c05495

Pickering foams have great potential for applications in aerated foods, but their foaming ability and physical stability are still far from satisfactory. Herein, solid lipid particles (SLNs) were fabricated by using diacylglycerol of varying acyl chain lengths with modification by a protein. The SLNs showed different crystal polymorphisms and air-water interfacial activity. C14-DAG SLN with a contact angle ∼ 79° formed aqueous foam with supreme stability and high plasticity. Whey protein isolate and sodium caseinate (0.1 wt %) considerably enhanced the foamability and interfacial activity of SLNs and promoted the packing of particles at the bubble surface. However, high protein concentration caused foam destruction due to the competitive adsorption effect. β-sheet increased in protein after adsorption and changed the polymorphism and thermodynamic properties of SLN. The foam collapsing behaviors varied in the presence of protein. The results gave insights into fabricating ultrastable aqueous foams by using high-melting DAG particles. The obtained foams demonstrated good temperature sensitivity and plasticity, which showed promising application prospects in the food and cosmetic fields.
Food order and glucose excursion in Indian adults with normal and overweight/obese Body Mass Index: A randomised crossover pilot trial

Lee CL, Shyam S, Lee ZY, Tan JL

Nutr Health, 2021 Jun;27(2):161-169.
PMID: 33349136 DOI: 10.1177/0260106020975573

BACKGROUND: Postprandial glycaemia has an impact on health but there is limited data about the effect of food order on postprandial glycaemia by body weight status.
AIM: To investigate the effects of food order on postprandial glucose (PPG) excursion, in Indian adults with normal (NL) and overweight/obese (OW) Body Mass Index.
METHODS: This randomised crossover study was conducted at a Malaysian university among Indian adults without diabetes. The participants consumed isocaloric test meals at three study visits based on randomised food orders: carbohydrate first/protein last (CF); protein first/carbohydrate last (CL); and a composite meal containing carbohydrate and protein (CM). Capillary blood glucose was measured at baseline, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after starting the meal.
RESULTS: The CL food order had a blunting effect on PPG excursion at 30 and 60 minutes (p < 0.01). The CL food order resulted in lower glucose peak when compared with the CF and CM food order (p < 0.001). The CL food order resulted in lower incremental glucose peak (mmol/L) (NL: CF 3.9 ± 0.3, CM 3.0 ± 0.3, CL 2.0 ± 0.2; OW: CF 2.9 ± 0.3, CM 2.5 ± 0.3, CL 1.8 ± 0.2) and iAUC 0-120 min (mmol/Lxmin) (NL: CF 272.4 ± 26.7, CM 206.2 ± 30.3, CL 122.0 ± 14.8; OW: CF 193.2 ± 23.1, CM 160.1 ± 21.7, CL 113.6 ± 15.3) when compared with the CF food order (p < 0.001). The effect of food order on postprandial excursion did not differ between the NL (n = 14) and the OW (n = 17) groups.
CONCLUSION: In participants with normal and overweight/obese BMI, consuming food in the protein first/carbohydrate last order had the biggest effect in reducing PPG excursion.
Fulltext Eye Masks and Earplugs to Improve Night Sleep Duration in Nulliparas: A Randomized Trial

Teo IH, Hong J, Tan PC, Lim BK

Cureus, 2022 Dec;14(12):e32226.
PMID: 36620851 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32226

Background Women experience significant sleep disruption throughout pregnancy. Lack of sleep during the last month of pregnancy is associated with longer labor, a higher rate of Cesarean births, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preterm birth. Eye-mask and earplugs through sensory deprivation increase sleep duration and quality in patients in the intensive care environment but their impact at home or during pregnancy is not known. We sought to evaluate eye-mask and earplugs compared to sham/placebo headbands on night sleep duration in pregnancy. Materials and methods A randomized trial was performed in a university hospital in Malaysia. Nulliparas between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation with self-reported night sleep of fewer than six hours were randomized to the use of eye-mask and earplugs or "sham" headbands during night sleep (both introduced as sleep aids). Night sleep duration was measured through a wrist actigraphy monitor during non-intervention week one and intervention week two with the allocated sleep aid. Results Data from 56 participants were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Mean night sleep duration increased in intervention week two compared to non-intervention week one in both trial arms, which were 279 ± 19 vs. 304 ± 19 minutes (mean increase of 25 minutes) p = <0.001 and 286 ± 21 vs. 302 ± 22 minutes (mean increase of 16 minutes) p = <0.001 for eye-masks-earplugs and headband respectively. However, the mean increase in night sleep duration across trial arms (p=0.13) was not significant. A higher proportion of participants in the eye-masks and earplugs arm had their night sleep duration increased by at least 30 minutes, 13/29 (45%) vs. 5/26 (19%), relative risk (RR) 2.3 (95% CI 1.0-5.6) p = 0.04, more likely to agree that they slept better 19/29 (66%) vs. 7/27 (26%), RR 2.2 (95% CI 1.1-4.6) p = 0.03, expressed higher satisfaction score with their sleep aid 7 (7.0-7.5) vs. 6 (5-7), p = 0.003 and had lower induction of labor rates 4/29 (14%) vs. 12/27 (44%), RR 0.3 (95%CI 0.1-0.8) p = 0.02. Conclusion Eye masks and earplugs use in nulliparas with short night sleep duration in late pregnancy, lengthen their night sleep duration over baseline. Sleep is reportedly better and maternal satisfaction is higher with eye masks and earplugs use.
Unlocking play willingness: the dual pathways of curiosity drive and downward social comparison in game advertising

Zetian D, Juan X, Jiaxin D, Hoe Tan W

Front Psychol, 2024;15:1374649.
PMID: 39246312 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1374649

The integrity and clarity of information have long been regarded as the cornerstones of advertising strategy. However, recent game advertising has taken a different approach. Specifically, incomplete game videos, especially those showcasing losing gameplay, are more likely to stimulate players' interest compared to complete videos of winning gameplay. This study, through five experiments, uncovers a dual-pathway mechanism behind this phenomenon. Firstly, information gaps resulting from incomplete videos trigger curiosity drive, compelling viewers to seek more information and reinforcing their willingness to engage in gaming. Secondly, witnessing failures in game demonstrations activates components of downward social comparison and competitive motivation. These findings offer valuable insights into the complex dynamics of game advertising, shedding light on the effects of information gaps, curiosity, and social comparison. They provide valuable implications for advertising strategies within the gaming industry.
Fulltext MOSQUITO-BORNE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN MALAYA

RUDNICK A, TAN EE, LUCAS JK, OMAR MB

Br Med J, 1965 May 15;1(5445):1269-72.
PMID: 14278815
Smartphone-controlled patch electro-acupuncture versus conventional pain relief during colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial

Joan Gan CY, Chan KK, Tan JH, Tan Chor Lip H, Louis Ling LL, Mohd Azman ZA

ANZ J Surg, 2021 06;91(6):E375-E381.
PMID: 33876547 DOI: 10.1111/ans.16870

BACKGROUND: Smartphone-controlled patch electro-acupuncture (SCEA) is a novel device which gives the same analgesic effect as with conventional acupuncture. There are no published articles in the English literature on the use of this device as a primary mode of pain relief during colonoscopy. Primary aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of SCEA as a substitute for pain relief during colonoscopy.
METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were randomized to receive SCEA (n = 19) or placebo (n = 18) during colonoscopy. Additional rescue sedation was administered to patients if they had pain or discomfort during the procedure. Visual analogue scale was used to quantify the intensity of pain from the beginning to end of the procedure. Other variables analysed were the amount of sedation used, duration from start to caecal intubation, length of time for completion of colonoscopy and recovery time to home discharge.
RESULTS: Patients who received SCEA had a lower median pain score of 4.6 (interquartile range 5.7) compared to the placebo group of 6.0 (interquartile range 3.2). Statistical analysis comparing the groups revealed a non-significant P-value of 0.12, although more than 90% of the patients indicated willingness for SCEA as the primary analgesia if they were to repeat the procedure. Throughout the study, there were no adverse complications that occurred during the use of SCEA.
CONCLUSIONS: Even though this study did not demonstrate, a significance in pain reduction, SCEA remains a safe modality which, more than 90% of patients favoured as a substitute for pain relief during colonoscopy.
Fulltext E-Cigarette Markets and Policy Responses in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review

van der Eijk Y, Tan Ping Ping G, Ong SE, Tan Li Xin G, Li D, Zhang D, et al.

Int J Health Policy Manag, 2022 Sep 01;11(9):1616-1624.
PMID: 33906338 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2021.25

BACKGROUND: The global e-cigarette market has proliferated and is increasingly dominated by transnational tobacco companies. While Southeast Asian countries have received relatively little attention in e-cigarette research, the region represents an area of potentially untapped growth for the industry. We review the e-cigarette situation in Southeast Asia in terms of the e-cigarette markets, advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes, reported health impacts of e-cigarette use, and policy responses in the region.
METHODS: We examined e-cigarette market data from the Euromonitor Global Market Information Database (GMID) Passport database, searched in the academic literature, grey literature and news archives for any reports or studies of e-cigarette related diseases or injuries, e-cigarette marketing, and e-cigarette policy responses in Southeast Asian countries, and browsed the websites of online e-cigarette retailers catering to the region's active e-cigarette markets.
RESULTS: In 2019, e-cigarettes were sold in six Southeast Asian markets with a total market value of $595 million, projected to grow to $766 million by 2023. E-commerce is a significant and growing sales channel in the region, with most of the popular or featured brands in online shops originating from China. Southeast Asian youth are targeted with a wide variety of flavours, trendy designs and point of sale promotions, and several e-cigarette related injuries and diseases have been reported in the region. Policy responses vary considerably between countries, ranging from strict bans to no or partial regulations.
CONCLUSION: Although Southeast Asia's e-cigarette market is relatively nascent, this is likely to change if transnationals invest more heavily in the region. Populous countries with weak e-cigarette regulations, notably Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines, are desirable targets for the transnationals. Regulatory action is needed to prevent e-cigarette use from becoming entrenched into these societies, especially among young people.

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