Friday, February 27, 2009

Swiss doctors uncover new gaming related disease

GENEVA – A 12-year-old girl was ordered to stop playing video games for 10 days by her Swiss doctor after it was found that a serious hand infection she was suffering from was caused by excessive gaming.

A young woman plays on a PlayStation 3 (PS3) games console in Toyko. [Agencies]


The new infection has since been dubbed "Palmare PlayStation Hidradenitis" by professor Vincent Piguet from the University Hospital of Geneva, Swiss news agency ATS reported.

The girl was taken to her doctor after suffering from painful lesions on her palms for four weeks.

"They were huge red nodes which were very spectacular," Piguet said, adding that he later learnt that the girl had hidden from her parents the fact that she spent hours on her PlayStation.

Piguet and his team concluded that the tension of the hands on the console and frenetic pressing on the buttons had triggered minuscule cutaneous injuries which were aggravated by sweat.

After her 10-day ban from PlayStation, the lesions went away.

The research was published in the British Journal of Dermatology.



Taken From : China Daily

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Caffeine may offer some skin cancer protection

Rich Westerfield, the owner of Aldo Coffee Company serves his cappuccinos to the judges in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic Region Barista Competition in Cranberry, Pa., Friday, Feb. 6, 2009.[Agencies]

THURSDAY, Feb. 26 -- Past studies have suggested that caffeine might offer some protection from skin cancer, and new research may explain why.

"We have found what we believe to be the mechanism by which caffeine is associated with decreased skin cancer," said lead researcher Dr. Paul Nghiem, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Washington in Seattle.

For the study, Nghiem's team looked at caffeine's effect on human skin cells in a laboratory that had been exposed to ultraviolet radiation. They found that in cells damaged by UV rays, caffeine interrupted a protein called ATR-Chk1, causing the damaged cells to self-destruct.

"Caffeine has no effect on undamaged cells," Nghiem said.

ATR is essential to damaged cells that are growing rapidly, Nghiem said, and caffeine specifically targets damaged cells that can become cancerous. "Caffeine more than doubles the number of damaged cells that will die normally after a given dose of UV," he said.

"This is a biological mechanism that explains what we have been seeing for many years from the oral intake of caffeine," he added.

The findings were published online Feb. 26 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

But, Nghiem added, people shouldn't increase the amount of coffee or tea they drink to prevent skin cancer. "You are talking a lot of cups for a lot of years for a relatively small effect," he said. "But if you like it, it's another reason to drink it."

Nghiem has also been experimenting with applying caffeine directly to the skin. "It suppresses skin cancer development by as much as 72 percent in mice, and human studies are moving ahead slowly," he said.

It's possible that topical caffeine preparations might one day be used to help prevent skin cancer, Nghiem said. "Caffeine is both a sunscreen and it deletes damaged cells," he said. "It may well make sense to put it into a sunscreen preparation."

Dr. Robin Ashinoff, a dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University's Langone Medical Center, thinks these findings need to be verified before they can have any clinical application.

"This study tells me that caffeine may be a useful ingredient topically to remove ultraviolet-genetically damaged cells from reproducing," Ashinoff said. "This may help prevent the development of skin cancer."

"It is interesting that caffeine, which is thought to have a negative connotation, has already been shown to be associated with lower incidences of non-melanoma skin cancers in several epidemiological studies," she added.

Dr. Albert Lefkovits, a spokesman for the Skin Cancer Foundation and an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, doesn't think it's been proven that caffeine reduces the risk of skin cancer.

"While this is an interesting concept that has been explored before, it will take years of extensive testing to determine whether this will be a worthwhile prevention method," Lefkovits said.

"And, the study doesn't discuss how much caffeine would be needed for any real benefit," he said. "For instance, many people drink large amounts of caffeine on a daily basis and still get skin cancer. Protecting yourself from the sun is currently the only proven way to prevent skin cancer."



Taken From : China Daily

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Emporio Armani F/W 2009/10 women's collection in Milan

A model displays a creation as part of Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 women's collection during Milan.[Agencies]




A model displays a creation as part of Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 women's collection during Milan.[Agencies]




A model displays a creation as part of Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 women's collection during Milan.[Agencies]




A model displays a creation as part of Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 women's collection during Milan.[Agencies]




A model displays a creation as part of Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 women's collection during Milan.[Agencies]





A model displays a creation as part of Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 women's collection during Milan.[Agencies]




A model displays a creation as part of Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 women's collection during Milan.[Agencies]




A model displays a creation as part of Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 women's collection during Milan.[Agencies]



Taken From : China Daily


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Anne is hot

Anne Hathaway, modeling for GQ magazine Russian edition (January 2009), looks rather sexy. [Photo:ent.sina.com.cn]

Anne Hathaway, modeling for GQ magazine Russian edition (January 2009), looks rather sexy. [Photo:ent.sina.com.cn]




Anne Hathaway, modeling for GQ magazine Russian edition (January 2009), looks rather sexy. [Photo:ent.sina.com.cn]

Anne Hathaway, modeling for GQ magazine Russian edition (January 2009), looks rather sexy. [Photo:ent.sina.com.cn]

Anne Hathaway, modeling for GQ magazine Russian edition (January 2009), looks rather sexy. [Photo:ent.sina.com.cn]


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Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson promote the movie "Marley & Me" in Paris

Cast members Jennifer Aniston (R) and Owen Wilson pose during the photocall to promote the movie "Marley & Me" in Paris February 26, 2009. [Agencies]




Cast members Jennifer Aniston (R) and Owen Wilson pose during the photocall to promote the movie "Marley & Me" in Paris February 26, 2009. [Agencies]


Cast member Jennifer Aniston poses during the photocall to promote the movie "Marley & Me" in Paris February 26, 2009. [Agencies]



Cast members Jennifer Aniston (R) and Owen Wilson pose during the photocall to promote the movie "Marley & Me" in Paris February 26, 2009. [Agencies]



Cast members Jennifer Aniston (R) and Owen Wilson pose during the photocall to promote the movie "Marley & Me" in Paris February 26, 2009. [Agencies]



Cast member Jennifer Aniston poses during the photocall to promote the movie "Marley & Me" in Paris February 26, 2009. [Agencies]



Taken From : China Daily


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Thursday, February 26, 2009

US files complaint against Forest for kids' drug

Assorted medicines. The US government Wednesday filed a complaint against pharmaceutical Forest Laboratories Inc. for marketing an anti-depressant that was not approved for children and paying kickbacks to doctors who prescribed it.[Agencies]

WASHINGTON – The US government Wednesday filed a complaint against pharmaceutical Forest Laboratories Inc. for marketing an anti-depressant that was not approved for children and paying kickbacks to doctors who prescribed it.

The Justice Department alleges that Forest's "illegal promotional practices surrounding its antidepressant drugs Celexa and Lexapro caused thousands of false and fraudulent claims to be submitted to federal health care programs."

The complaint refers to a clinical trial that found Celexa "no more effective than the placebo" for children's use, and that "more patients taking Celexa attempted suicide or reported suicidal thoughts than those in the group taking the placebo."

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates and supervises the safety of foods, drugs and medical products and devices, had turned down Forest?s request to approve Celexa for pediatric use.

The FDA later also mandated that Forest add a clear warning on Celexa and Lexapro labels, the Justice Department said.

Despite the FDA's actions, it added, Forest "actively promoted pediatric use of the drugs and misled physicians and the public by failing to disclose the results of the negative study."

The company also tried to "induce physicians and others to prescribe Celexa and Lexapro by providing them with various forms of illegal remuneration, including cash payments ... expensive meals and lavish entertainment ... all in violation of the federal anti-kickback statute," the complaint added.

The US government said it based its complaint on two whistleblower actions against New York City-based Forest, under the False Claims Act.

Under the statute, the Justice Department explained, "if it is established that a person has submitted or caused others to submit false or fraudulent claims to the United States, the government can recover treble damages and 5,500 dollars to 11,000 dollars for each false or fraudulent claim filed."

In a successful litigation, whistleblowers stand to receive a share of between 15 percent and 25 percent of the amount recovered, it added.



Taken From : China Daily

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Christopher kane 2009 A/W collection at London Fashion Week

A model presents a creation from the Christopher kane 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the Christopher kane 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the Christopher kane 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the Christopher kane 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the Christopher kane 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the Christopher kane 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the Christopher kane 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week.[Agencies]



Taken From : China Daily

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MAN 2009 A/W collection at London fashion Week.

A model presents a creation from the MAN 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the MAN 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London fashion Week.[Agencies]




A model presents a creation from the MAN 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the MAN 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the MAN 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the MAN 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the MAN 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London fashion Week.[Agencies]



A model presents a creation from the MAN 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London fashion Week.[Agencies]





Taken From : China Daily

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Kylie Minogue in Mumbai to work on MV for Bollywood film 'Blue'

Australian singer Kylie Minogue reacts as she looks at fans from a car after arriving at the international airport in Mumbai early February 26, 2009. Minogue is in Mumbai to work on a music video for the Bollywood film 'Blue' which stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan. The movie has its music scored by Oscar winner A R Rahman. [Agencies]




Australian singer Kylie Minogue gestures towards fans after arriving at the international airport in Mumbai early February 26, 2009. Minogue is in Mumbai to work on a music video for the Bollywood film 'Blue' which stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan. The movie has its music scored by Oscar winner A R Rahman. [Agencies]




Australian singer Kylie Minogue gestures towards fans after arriving at the international airport in Mumbai early February 26, 2009. Minogue is in Mumbai to work on a music video for the Bollywood film 'Blue' which stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan. The movie has its music scored by Oscar winner A R Rahman. [Agencies]



Australian singer Kylie Minogue gestures towards fans after arriving at the international airport in Mumbai early February 26, 2009. Minogue is in Mumbai to work on a music video for the Bollywood film 'Blue' which stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan. The movie has its music scored by Oscar winner A R Rahman. [Agencies]




Australian singer Kylie Minogue gestures towards fans after arriving at the international airport in Mumbai early February 26, 2009. Minogue is in Mumbai to work on a music video for the Bollywood film 'Blue' which stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan. The movie has its music scored by Oscar winner A R Rahman. [Agencies]




Taken From : China Daily

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Son Tae-yeong 'in style'

Actress Son Tae-yeong modelled for the South Korean March edition of 'In Style' magazine just before her giving birth in early February. [Photo: In Style]

Just prior to her giving birth in early February, actress Son Tae-yeong modelled for the South Korean March edition of 'In Style' magazine, which was published on Feb. 16. The beauty did not look any different, despite reports that she had gained seven kilograms during her pregnancy.

The actress also gave a short interview with the fashion magazine and revealed how she met her husband kwon Sang-woo and how he proposed to her.

Son Tae-Young married her actor husband on September 28 last year and gave birth to a healthy baby boy on February 6 in Seoul.












Taken From : China Daily


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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Luella 2009 A/W collection at London Fashion Week

A model presents a creation from the Luella 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week.[Agencies]


taken from : China Daily

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