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Effect of variation in basic emulsion structure and polysaccharide content on the physicochemical properties and structure of composite-based emulsion gels as cube fat mimetics

Ren Y, Wei L, Hao Yoong J, Miao Z, Li H, Cao J, et al.

Food Chem, 2024 Feb 15;434:137450.
PMID: 37722331 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137450

This study aimed to reveal the effect of different basic emulsion structures (W/O/W and O/W) and polysaccharide additions on protein-polysaccharide composite-based emulsion gels utilizing soybean protein isolate, palm oil and konjac glucomannan. The results of texture profile, rheological tests, microstructure observations, and oral tribology showed that basic emulsion structures and konjac glucomannan addition had significant effect on the emulsion gels' properties, while the impact of konjac glucomannan addition was stronger. W/O/W double emulsion gels (DEG) exhibited lower oral friction coefficients and obtained higher scores for oiliness and juiciness during the sensory evaluation. However, O/W single emulsion gels (SEG) displayed a firmer texture and higher chewiness, a 29.62% and 49.57% increase compared to the DEG at 7% konjac glucomannan addition on the hardness and chewiness respectively. It has demonstrated the emulsion gels' potential as cube fat mimetics and feasibility of adjusting their properties by changing the basic emulsion structure.
Tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption of a heavy-duty diesel vehicle using palm oil biodiesel blended fuels

He L, Li Y, Min Y, Yoong J, Chen S, Jiao J, et al.

Sci Total Environ, 2024 Dec 10;955:177048.
PMID: 39447901 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177048

Biodiesel application, such as using waste cooking oil biodiesel in Shanghai, China, is a sustainable solution that addresses the challenges posed by escalating air pollution, energy security, and climate change. Future efforts may involve blending biodiesel from alternative sources like crude palm oil with diesel in China. This study tested a China V heavy-duty diesel vehicle equipped with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system using various palm oil biodiesel blended fuels (i.e., B0, B5, B10, and B20). The findings indicated that using biodiesel blends led to reductions in carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and particle number (PN) emissions compared to B0, while nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions remained similar. Higher biodiesel content significantly reduced petroleum diesel consumption, but no statistically significant differences were found in total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fuel consumption. Various factors such as vehicle speed, payload, and cold starts influence tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption. Specifically, high-speed phases notably reduced CO, HC, and PN emissions with the use of biodiesel blends. Lower payloads were linked to decreased CO2 emissions and fuel consumption but increased NOX emissions. Cold starts increased HC and NOX emissions, especially with higher biodiesel blending ratios. These results can provide valuable empirical insights into palm oil biodiesel emissions.
Fulltext Estimating direct and spill-over impacts of political elections on COVID-19 transmission using synthetic control methods

Lim JT, Maung K, Tan ST, Ong SE, Lim JM, Koo JR, et al.

PLoS Comput Biol, 2021 May;17(5):e1008959.
PMID: 34043622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008959

Mass gathering events have been identified as high-risk environments for community transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Empirical estimates of their direct and spill-over effects however remain challenging to identify. In this study, we propose the use of a novel synthetic control framework to obtain causal estimates for direct and spill-over impacts of these events. The Sabah state elections in Malaysia were used as an example for our proposed methodology and we investigate the event's spatial and temporal impacts on COVID-19 transmission. Results indicate an estimated (i) 70.0% of COVID-19 case counts within Sabah post-state election were attributable to the election's direct effect; (ii) 64.4% of COVID-19 cases in the rest of Malaysia post-state election were attributable to the election's spill-over effects. Sensitivity analysis was further conducted by examining epidemiological pre-trends, surveillance efforts, varying synthetic control matching characteristics and spill-over specifications. We demonstrate that our estimates are not due to pre-existing epidemiological trends, surveillance efforts, and/or preventive policies. These estimates highlight the potential of mass gatherings in one region to spill-over into an outbreak of national scale. Relaxations of mass gathering restrictions must therefore be carefully considered, even in the context of low community transmission and enforcement of safe distancing guidelines.
Population-level impact of weight loss on predicted healthcare spending and the incidence of obesity-related outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region: a modelling study

Yoong J, Schnecke V, Aekplakorn W, Bandgar T, Butt JR, Romano JGU, et al.

BMC Glob Public Health, 2024 Oct 08;2(1):68.
PMID: 39681944 DOI: 10.1186/s44263-024-00094-x

BACKGROUND: The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region includes a significant proportion of the global population currently living with overweight and obesity. This modelling analysis was conducted to quantify the incidence of obesity-related comorbidities and change in obesity-related costs over 10 years with a hypothetical 10% weight loss in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India.
METHODS: An epidemiological-economic model was used to describe current prevalence and direct medical costs of ten obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension, in adults aged 20-69 years living with obesity, and estimate incidence and costs over 10 years. Incidence reduction and the associated savings by 2032 were then estimated for a 10% weight-loss scenario.
RESULTS: The total estimated medical costs for the ten obesity-related comorbidities in 2022 were 2.9, 7.5, 10.2, and 23.3 billion USD in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India, respectively. Costs increase to 6.9, 18.4, 23.5, and 44.3 billion USD in 2032, if insufficient action is taken. A 10% weight reduction would result in estimated savings of 0.3, 1.2, 2.2, and 3.0 billion USD in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India, respectively, in 2032, with cumulative savings over the 10-year period of 1.8, 7.0, 13.0, and 17.4 billion USD. Incidence of comorbidities were estimated to rise less in the weight-loss scenario.
CONCLUSIONS: The financial, societal, and health benefits of a substantial but achievable 10% weight loss in adults living with obesity, and the consequences of insufficient action, are pronounced in the APAC region. To achieve sustained weight loss in the real world, policy actions for addressing barriers to obesity management are required.