RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ –The Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission, part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, has revealed that the Riyadh Book Fair 2024 is its largest edition yet, featuring a diverse range of translated international books. With more than 2,000 local, Arab, and international publishers participating, the Fair has strengthened its position as a leading cultural event in the Arab world. This year’s edition promotes Saudi Arabia’s cultural openness and supports the spread of cross-border knowledge.

Riyadh International Book Fair 2024

The 2024 Fair edition stands out for hosting renowned thinkers, intellectuals, and global figures in literature, art, and knowledge who share their insights and success stories with the public. Among the key speakers are Fareed Zakaria, acclaimed media personality and author; Walter Isaacson, world-renowned biographer; poet and writer Kwame Alexander; and acclaimed novelist Jonathan Franzen. The Fair also features prominent literary and artistic figures from the Middle East.

Dr Mohammed Hasan Alwan, CEO of the Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission, emphasised the significance of the Fair, stating: “The Riyadh International Book Fair is not only one of the most important book fairs in the Arab region but also a premier platform for publishers and authors to expand their reach in the Arab cultural market. This year’s edition is especially notable for its focus on cultural diversity and translation, with an exceptional programme featuring some of the world’s leading intellectuals.”

During his visit, His Excellency Chang Hua, the Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, expressed admiration for the Saudi public’s enthusiasm for reading. CNN’s Fareed Zakaria praised the Kingdom’s remarkable transformation and its growing global influence.

This year also marks the return of the popular “Riyadh Reads French” initiative, featuring several French publishers. Al-Saeed Ezz, Communication Officer at the French Embassy, noted that this year’s programme has expanded to include children’s activities and free French language courses in collaboration with the French Cultural Institute, bringing French culture closer to Saudi visitors.

The Riyadh International Book Fair plays a key role in supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s cultural goals, contributing to the Kingdom’s cultural economy, projected to reach $9.3 billion. Attracting over one million visitors annually, it ranks among the highest-selling book fairs in the Arab world.

Source

Fratricide-resistant CD7 CAR-T therapy by NUS proves effective in treating relapsed or refractory T-cell leukaemia

SINGAPORE, Oct. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A new cell therapy, targeting CD7 on leukaemia cells, gives a potentially effective treatment for patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) who have exhausted all standard treatment options. Published in the prestigious medical journal Nature Medicine on 3 September 2024^[1], the study highlights the effectiveness of a new chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.

Developed in-house by researchers and clinicians from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) and the National University Health System (NUHS), the therapy was given to 17 patients between April 2019 and October 2023 at the National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore and Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù in Rome, Italy.

All the 17 patients, ranging from two to 72 years of age, had T-ALL that could not be eliminated with chemotherapy or had relapsed after treatment. Using a technology developed in Professor Dario Campana’s laboratory under the Department of Paediatrics at NUS Medicine, the patient’s own T cells were reprogrammed to express an anti-CD7 CAR, and then re-infused into the patients. The anti-CD7 CAR protein redirects the CAR T-cells to kill T-leukaemia cells that have CD7 protein on their surface.

Notably, 16 of the 17 patients achieved complete remission within one month, and leukaemic cells became undetectable even with ultra-sensitive flow cytometry tests that can detect one leukaemia cell in the background of 10,000 normal cells, developed by Ms Elaine Coustan-Smith’s laboratory at NUS Medicine. The same techniques were key to analyse CD7 expression in leukaemic cells and determining patient eligibility as well as to monitor expansion and persistence of CAR-T cells after infusion. The first patient treated with this therapy has been in remission for five years, without needing additional chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant.

The treatment was well-tolerated, and side effects were mild, given the fact that all patients enrolled had a high tumour burden and had received prolonged and intensive treatment prior to CAR-T therapy.

T-ALL accounts for approximately 10 per cent of ALL cases in children and 25 to 30 per cent in adolescents and young adults^[2],[3]. Although 70 to 80 per cent of children are cured with intensive and prolonged chemotherapy, the cure rate in adults remains approximately 60 per cent or lower^[4].

Patients with relapsed or refractory T-ALL have less than 10 per cent survival, while in this series, 50 per cent survived. This fratricide-resistant CD7 CAR-T therapy is being trialled in NUH.

Dr Bernice Oh, the first author of the study and a Consultant in the Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology at the Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute (KTP-NUCMI), NUH, said: “This CAR-T therapy is a new and promising tool to treat T-ALL patients who have failed conventional treatment. These patients had exhausted all potentially curative options, and we are heartened that we could give them another clear chance at cure without severe side-effects. We are committed to seek better cures for patients with complex and treatment-resistant cancers.”

Professor Allen Yeoh, who led the clinical application of this new technology and is Head and Senior Consultant in the Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology at NUH’s KTP-NUCMI and the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, said: “While we celebrate this wonderful milestone, we are only at the beginning of this exciting journey. There is a lot of scientific and medical enquiry to understand how to better use CD7 CAR T-cells. Each patient, in this series, taught us a lot. Ultimately, for every member of our team, seeing each patient smile and given another chance, after achieving remission, is priceless.”  Professor Yeoh is also the VIVA-Goh Foundation Professor in Paediatric Oncology at NUS Medicine.

This research is supported by the Singapore Ministry of Health through the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Office, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd under the NMRC Singapore Translational Research Investigator Award (MOH-000708), NMRC Research Training Fellowship (MOH-000616), NMRC Clinician Scientist Award (NMRC/CSA/003/2008 and NMRC/CSA/0053/2013) and NMRC Centre Grant (NMRC/CG/NCIS/2010), as well as the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, the Goh Foundation, Children’s Cancer Foundation, Singapore Totalisator Board, Bone Marrow Donor Programme (Singapore) and VIVA Foundation for Children with Cancer.

About the National University Health System (NUHS)

The National University Health System (NUHS) aims to transform how illness is prevented and managed by discovering causes of disease, development of more effective treatments through collaborative multidisciplinary research and clinical trials, and creation of better technologies and care delivery systems in partnership with others who share the same values and vision.

Institutions in the NUHS Group include the National University Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Jurong Community Hospital and Alexandra Hospital; three National Specialty Centres – National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) and National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS); the National University Polyclinics (NUP); Jurong Medical Centre; and three NUS health sciences schools – NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (including the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies), NUS Faculty of Dentistry and NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

With member institutions under a common governance structure, NUHS creates synergies for the advancement of health by integrating patient care, health science education and biomedical research.

As a Regional Health System, NUHS works closely with health and social care partners across Singapore to develop and implement programmes that contribute to a healthy and engaged population in the Western part of Singapore.

For more information, please visit www.nuhs.edu.sg.

About the National University Hospital (NUH)

The National University Hospital (NUH) is Singapore’s leading university hospital. While the hospital at Kent Ridge first received its patients on 24 June 1985, our legacy started from 1905, the date of the founding of what is today the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. NUH is the principal teaching hospital of the medical school.

Our unique identity as a university hospital is a key attraction for healthcare professionals who aspire to do more than practise tertiary medical care. We offer an environment where research and teaching are an integral part of medicine, and continue to shape medicine and transform care for the community we care for.

We are an academic medical centre with over 1,200 beds, serving more than one million patients a year with over 50 medical, surgical and dental specialties. NUH is the only public and not-for-profit hospital in Singapore to provide trusted care for adults, women and children under one roof, including the only paediatric kidney and liver transplant programme in the country.

The NUH is a key member of the National University Health System (NUHS), one of three public healthcare clusters in Singapore.

For more information, please visit: www.nuh.com.sg.

About the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 

The National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) is an academic, national specialist centre for cancer under the National University Health System (NUHS), and is the only public cancer centre in Singapore that treats both paediatric and adult cancers in one facility.

As one of two national cancer centres in Singapore, NCIS (pronounced as “n-sis”) offers a broad spectrum of cancer care and management from screening, diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and survivorship, as well as palliative and long-term care. NCIS’ strength lies in the multi-disciplinary approach taken by our clinician scientists and clinician-investigators to develop a comprehensive and personalised plan for each cancer patient

NCIS provides the full suite of specialised oncology and haematology services at the NUH Medical Centre at Kent Ridge, Singapore, including those by the NCIS Chemotherapy Centre, NCIS Radiotherapy Centre and NCIS Cellular Therapy Centre.

NCIS also offers cancer services at other hospitals in Singapore:

• NCIS Cancer & Blood Clinic @ Ng Teng Fong General Hospital
• NCIS Radiotherapy Centre @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital
• NCIS Radiotherapy Clinic @ Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

To bring cancer care even closer to our patients, our NCIS on the Go programme delivers a range of cancer services at clinics within the community for their convenience.

For more information, please visit www.ncis.com.sg.

About the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine)

The NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine is Singapore‘s first and largest medical school. Our enduring mission centres on nurturing highly competent, values-driven and inspired healthcare professionals to transform the practice of medicine and improve health around the world.

Through a dynamic and future-oriented five-year curriculum that is inter-disciplinary and inter-professional in nature, our students undergo a holistic learning experience that exposes them to multiple facets of healthcare and prepares them to become visionary leaders and compassionate doctors and nurses of tomorrow. Since the School‘s founding in 1905, more than 12,000 graduates have passed through our doors.

In our pursuit of health for all, our strategic research programmes focus on innovative, cutting-edge biomedical research with collaborators around the world to deliver high impact solutions to benefit human lives.

The School is the oldest institution of higher learning in the National University of Singapore and a founding institutional member of the National University Health System. It is one of the leading medical schools in Asia and ranks among the best in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by subject and the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by subject 2023).

For more information about NUS Medicine, please visit https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/

About the National Medical Research Council (NMRC)

The NMRC was established in 1994 to oversee research funding from the Ministry of Health and support the development and advancement of biomedical research in Singapore, particularly in the public healthcare clusters and medical schools. NMRC engages in research strategy and planning, provides funding to support competitive research grants and core research enablers, and is responsible for the development of clinician scientists through awards and fellowships. The council’s work is supported by the NMRC Office which is part of MOH Holdings Pte Ltd. Through its management of the various funding initiatives, NMRC promotes healthcare research in Singapore, for better health and economic outcomes.

Source

Exhibitions, talks and conferences in name of ‘Made in Italy‘

DARWIN, Australia, Oct. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — 450-seat conference room, a multimedia exhibition, talks, conferences and exhibitions for an immersive experience in Made in Italy through the country’s excellence.
This is Villaggio Italia, the traveling expo that will open its doors Saturday in Darwin, Australia, where the Amerigo Vespucci docked Thursday as part of the 24th stop of its world tour.
The initiative, strongly supported by the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, combines the traditional training activity of the Navy’s officer cadets and the promotion of Italy in the world.
During the three days of opening of the Village, meetings, debates and talks will be organized that will range from solidarity to research, passing through culture and cinema.
Every day the exhibition will also host a performance by the historic fanfare of the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment of the “Garibaldi” Brigade, which has already been a protagonist both in Darwin and in the city of Palmerstone, also in the Northern Territory.
Inside the Village it will be possible to immerse oneself in the beauty of Italy thanks to a multimedia exhibition that will present Italy through its craftsmanship, its culture, the faces, landscapes and panoramas that are symbols of the country.
As is the case in every world stage of the Vespucci Tour, the work “La David” by Jago will also be on display.
For visitors, who will have free access to the Darwin conference centre where the Village is located, there will also be the opportunity to visit the “Italia Geniale” (Genius Italy) exhibition created by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy and the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Adi Design Museum dedicated to Italian design.
During the opening days a conference is also scheduled on the “Spirito di Stella” initiative, the catamaran completely accessible to the disabled, which just like the Vespucci, has been touring the world since 1 July 2023.
The research work dedicated to marine ecosystems that the Vespucci ship is carrying out during its tour will be the focus of the workshop entitled “Vespucci meets the marine ecosystem” created together with the foreign ministry and the Italian embassy in Canberra.
The Villaggio Italia will offer visitors many contents dedicated to the protection of marine and coastal habitats, to “marine protected areas” on the protection of underwater environmental and artistic beauties, on the monitoring, prevention and fight against marine pollution.
As in the Los Angeles and Tokyo stages, the Ministry of Tourism and Enit will be protagonists with a series of events including the conference dedicated to the theme of “Return Tourism”.
The inauguration of the Village is scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 (2 am in Italy) in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini, the Ambassador to Australia Paolo Crudele, the President of Difesa Servizi Gioacchino Alfano and the Commander of the Vespucci, Captain Giuseppe Lai.

Villaggio Italia opens in Darwin, Australia on October 5th, 2024 on the occasion of the stopover of the Amerigo Vespucci Navy Ship during its World Tour

Source

XIAMEN, China, Oct. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On September 30th, the 13th Gulangyu Piano Art Week commenced with great fanfare on the enchanting island of Gulangyu in Xiamen. It captivated global musical elites and piano enthusiasts alike, once again showcased the island’s enduring allure and brilliance as the “Island of Pianos” and the “Island of Music.”

Under the stars and moonlight, with piano melodies resonating throughout, the festival’s opening night on September 30th was highlighted by a performance from Dang Thai Son, a Vietnamese-Canadian pianist and Gulangyu resident artist hailed as “Asia’s first Chopin.” He performed solo piano pieces including Adagio, BWV 564 and Images, Book I, followed by collaborative performances with his student Wang Zitong and the Fuzhou Strait Symphony Orchestra, delivering timeless concertos such as Concerto for Two Pianos, K.365 and Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21. The opening concert set the tone for the week-long festivities with a flourish of extraordinary music. Each note played on the black-and-white keys pulsed with Gulangyu’s unique rhythm and emotions, while Dang Thai Son’s masterful artistry led the audience through a captivating musical journey, earning enthusiastic applause and acclaim. Additionally, French national honoree and fellow Gulangyu resident artist Michel Dalberto hosted a masterclass, sharing his insights with the public, further strengthening Gulangyu’s bridge to the world of music and uniting music lovers across the globe.

As a key highlight of this year’s Gulangyu Piano Art Week, the premium concerts not only feature Gulangyu resident artists Dang Thai Son and Michel Dalberto, but also welcome distinguished guests including Sofia Gulyak, the first female pianist to win First Prize and the Princess Mary Gold Medal in the history of the Leeds International Piano Competition, Andrei Pisarev, Russian Honored Artist and head of the piano department at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Lin Shuobin, organ instructor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and organ education series tutor at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and Caroline Robinson, organist and assistant choral conductor at Atlanta’s Cathedral of St. Philip. These top-tier artists delivered exceptional performances that align with international standards, creating a world-class musical feast. In addition, seven high-level academic activities, combining experience and knowledge-sharing, invited music lovers and professionals from various fields to engage in the artistic journey together.

Moreover, diverse music events such as courtyard concerts, beach concerts, and piano classes offered citizens and visitors a glimpse into the boundless possibilities of music, enriching the cultural lives of the public. Throughout the event, publicly accessible pianos across the island, starlit markets, art film screenings, and interactive art installations were open to all, encouraging the public to explore Gulangyu on foot and experience the pure essence and power of music, fostering a deeper passion for music and contributing to the transmission and development of musical culture. On October 1st, all the pianos on the island played 《My Motherland and Me》 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, with beautiful melodies commemorating this significant occasion.

The Gulangyu Piano Art Week, one of the most important piano art brands in China and the broader Asian region, continues to serve as a prestigious public music event, enhancing Gulangyu’s reputation as a cultural hub. The music culture of Gulangyu blends the elegance of grand concert halls with the vibrancy of community life. From intimate family concerts to lively street performances, music has become an integral part of island life, attracting music enthusiasts and professionals from all over the world. This, in turn, injects a steady stream of vitality into the island and contributes to Xiamen’s reputation as a “Cultural Center, City of Arts, and Island of Music.”

As the 13th Gulangyu Piano Art Week sets sail, the World Cultural Heritage site of Gulangyu once again shines with a dazzling musical celebration, leveraging its unique cultural charm and deep musical heritage to contribute to the protection and preservation of world heritage, while opening a new chapter in global music culture. With the theme “Romantic World Heritage, Enjoy the Piano Island: OUR ISLAND, OUR PIANO,” this year’s piano art week is jointly organized by the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government, the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Fujian Federation of Literary and Art Circles. The event is hosted by the Xiamen Gulangyu-Wanshishan Scenic Area Management Committee, the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the Xiamen Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the Siming District People’s Government, and Xiamen Media Group. The event was running from September 30 to October 6 and featured over 50 exciting events under eight key themes.

Source

MARKHAM, ON, Oct. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Lorex Technology announces the release of their first 2K Dual Lens Indoor Pan-Tilt Security Camera, an innovative dual-purpose device, setting a new benchmark in both indoor monitoring and interactive technology.  

Equipped with two high-definition lenses in a compact vertical design, this camera not only delivers expansive coverage with the ability to monitor two separate areas simultaneously but the included call button transforms the camera into an instant video calling tool, providing an adaptable solution for various household needs.

Every Corner Covered

The dual lenses are strategically aligned to merge the views of two distinct areas into a unified single screen for comprehensive monitoring. To extend the range, the top camera sits on a rotating axis, enabling smooth pan-tilt adjustments, which delivers 360° panoramic view.

To offer a convenient hands-free tracking feature, the pan-tilt camera comes equipped with Auto-Tracking capabilities to monitor moving subject across the room, perfect for pets, young children or those who require assisted care. An enhancement to the Auto-Tracking feature is the ability to set Presets, allowing you to configure up to 8 locations, for instant navigation of multiple high traffic areas without the need for manual panning.

One-Touch for Instant Assistance

Lorex has redefined the indoor surveillance with the included one-touch call button, conveniently positioned on the front of the camera. This offers an instant safety feature, enabling the monitored individual to quickly contact the account holder or caregiver when assistance is needed.

“We recognize how crucial value is to our customer and appreciate the need for simplicity and efficiency,” said Leroy Lo, IoT Product Manager at Lorex Technology. “This 2-in-1 indoor camera with a call button is a perfect example, offering seamless monitoring and enhanced communication features in a single device. Also, with advanced image sensors and integrated local AI processing, the video footage is not only clear but secure.”

Clarity Counts:

To further enhance the monitoring experience, this device includes high-grade internal components, which produce precise 2K Resolution, ensuring critical details are captured. The clarity extends to nighttime video with the ability to record clear night vision, even in complete darkness.

Proactive Smart Alerts

With industry-leading chipsets, this camera can distinguish between motion caused by a person or an animal, sending real-time notifications to alert the owner. Paired with the 2-Way Talk function, users can directly communicate with the person or animal on the other end of the camera or choose a pre-recorded Quick Response message to respond instantly.

Add a little ambience

The Smart Security Lighting (SSL) LED band, offers versatile lighting options, allowing users to customize settings to serve as a nightlight or ambient mood lighting for a baby’s room or lounge area. Alternatively, can act as dynamic visual cues for motion notifications and updates.

In addition, the SSL band serves a crucial functioning role. When the one-touch call button is pressed, the band flashes red indicates the call request and changes and rotates green when answered, indicating the call is in progress.

Double the Privacy

Equipped with multiple privacy settings, users can easily rotate the top pan-tilt camera lens 180- degrees downward to ensure no video is captured. Additionally, with a simple tap of a button, privacy mode can be activated, instantly disabling both cameras from recording, providing complete peace of mind and control over privacy.

With various storage options available, users can store video directly on a local MicroSD card or choose Lorex Cloud Storage for double protection for their recordings.

Empowering users with control and ownership over their video recordings, this camera incorporates the guiding principles of the Lorex Video Vault™ Technology: Private by Design, Dedicated Local Storage, and In-Camera Edge Artificial Intelligence.

The Lorex 2K Dual Lens Indoor Pan-Tilt Security Camera is priced at $99.99 USD and is now available at Best Buy locations nationwide across the US and on BestBuy.com and Bestbuy.ca.

About Lorex Technology

Lorex is committed to safeguarding what matters most. Founded in Canada, we have a team of professionals across North America devoted to designing, developing, and deploying ingenious smart home security and monitoring solutions that enhance our customers’ lifestyles and sense of well-being. We provide a fully tailored, best-in-class ecosystem for home and business requirements that has earned us the trust of our customers for over 32 years. To learn more about our commitment, visit Lorex.

Source