Cyclists face arthritis risk

Cyclists and people who spend long periods of time in a squatting position may be at greater risk of developing arthritis in their knees, new research shows.

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage of the joints breaks down, and usually begins after a person reaches middle age. It commonly affects the knees and can be disabling.

To determine whether occupational or leisure-time activities could influence the risk of a person developing the condition, Dr S Dahaghin of Tehran Medical University in Iran and colleagues compared 480 people with osteoarthritis of the knee and 490 arthritis-free controls.

People who spent more than 30 minutes daily in a squatting position were at 1.5-fold greater risk of knee osteoarthritis, while people who cycled for more than 30 minutes daily were twice as likely to have osteoarthritis in their knees, the researchers found.

People with jobs that required them to bend their knees for more than half an hour daily were about twice as likely to develop knee osteoarthritis, although the findings were of borderline statistical significance.

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Film "This Is It" premieres in Los Angeles

Taiwan artist Gao Ling-feng poses during the premiere of Michael Jackson's film "This Is It" in Taipei October 28, 2009. After months of industry hype, Hollywood on Tuesday rolled out the red carpet for Jackson's movie "This Is It" showing the final performance of the fallen King of Pop. The film has been culled from 80 hours of videotape taken of the pop star's final days of rehearsals for a series of London concerts in July also titled "This Is It". The photograph has been rotated 180 degrees. [Agencies]

Actor Jamie Kennedy and his girlfriend, actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, pose at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Singer Katy Perry poses with former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Kenny Ortega, director of the documentary "This Is It," hugs actress Ashley Tisdale at the documentary's premiere in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Singer Katy Perry poses at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Jermaine Jackson and his wife Halima Rashid pose at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Actress Ashley Tisdale poses at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Actress Ashley Tisdale poses at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Singer Katy Perry poses at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Paris Hilton poses at the premiere of the documentary "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Moscow Fashion Week Ⅲ

A model presents a creation by French designer Thierry Mugler during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by French designer Thierry Mugler during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

Models present creations by French designer Thierry Mugler during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation of Russian designer Natali Kvon during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Madonna attends school brick-laying ceremony in Malawi

U.S. singer Madonna receives flowers as she arrives to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna turns the soil to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna smiles after making a speech at a soil turning ceremony to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna reacts as she plants a tree during a soil turning ceremony to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna smiles after making a speech at a soil turning ceremony to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna and her daughter Lourdes attend a ceremony to the lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school Madonna is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongwe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna (L) sits with her daughter Lourdes before the laying of the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe, October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna plants a tree during a soil turning ceremony to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Squatting, cycling linked to arthritis of the knees

NEW YORK - Cyclists and people who spend long periods of time in a squatting position may be at greater risk of developing arthritis in their knees, new research shows.

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage of the joints breaks down, and usually begins after a person reaches middle age. It commonly affects the knees and can be disabling.

To determine whether occupational or leisure-time activities could influence the risk of a person developing the condition, Dr. S. Dahaghin of Tehran Medical University in Iran and colleagues compared 480 people with osteoarthritis of the knee and 490 arthritis-free controls.

People who spent more than 30 minutes daily in a squatting position were at 1.5-fold greater risk of knee osteoarthritis, while people who cycled for more than 30 minutes daily were twice as likely to have osteoarthritis in their knees, the researchers found.

People with jobs that required them to bend their knees for more than half an hour daily were about twice as likely to develop knee osteoarthritis, although the findings were of borderline statistical significance.

Housewives were also more likely than women who worked outside the home to develop knee osteoarthritis.

There was no link between playing sports or working in a non-sedentary occupation and knee osteoarthritis.

The findings support the hypothesis that overuse of a joint can influence arthritis risk, the researchers say.

"Education on preventable risk factors should be considered in order to ensure people use knee joints appropriately and avoid overuse," they conclude.

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Fashionable Istanbul

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

British designer Vivienne Westwood (C) poses with models after a fashion show at the Fashionable Istanbul in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation during the young designers fashion show at the Fashionable Istanbul in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation during the young designers fashion show at the Fashionable Istanbul in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Moscow Fashion Week II

A model presents a creation by Russian designer Lisa Romanyuk during Moscow Fashion Week October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Natali Bolgar during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Alena Serebrova during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designer Lisa Romanyuk during Moscow Fashion Week October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian design studio Zolota during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Natali Bolgar during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Alena Serebrova during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Natali Bolgar during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Watch the fur fly

This winter, fur is in vogue.

Saga Furs, owned jointly by the Finnish and Norwegian Fur Breeders' Association, co-hosted a fur show with the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT), displaying cutting-edge creations by rising stars from nine of the world's premier fashion institutes.

The event was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of BIFT.

One fur creation by Xiang Yingchao from BIFT comes in bright red with a pattern featuring the Chinese character " 回" or hui, meaning to return. He says this character is steeped in meaning and reflects the layout of the historic city of Beijing, and the Chinese philosophical idea of harmony. Unsurprisingly, his fur clothes, bags and trousers are covered with vertical and horizontal lines.

Julia Sviridova from the St Peterburg State Academy of Art and Design does not believe in symmetry. She uses a mix of natural and artificial furs and combines them with textile and cashmere for her overcoat that also has a kimono-inspired oversized collar.

While fans of fur believe the material conveys dignity and elegance, Patrik Prusak from the University of Art and Design, Helsinki, believes in creating a fun look with furs. He draws inspiration from the ethnic art and textiles of northern Africa and the street fashions of the 1990s, giving his creations a childlike appeal.

By Gan Tian (China Daily)

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Helen Mirren,Meryl Streep and other celebs on red carpet at Rome Film Festival

Actress Helen Mirren poses with her award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actress for the movie "The last station". [Agencies]

Actress Meryl Streep poses on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2008. Streep received the Marco Aurelio award for career achievement. [Agencies]

Actress Meryl Streep poses on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2008. Streep received the Marco Aurelio award for career achievement. [Agencies]

Actress Helen Mirren poses with her award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actress for the movie "The last station". [Agencies]

Actress Helen Mirren poses with her award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2008. Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actress for the movie "The last station". [Agencies]

Actress Meryl Streep (L) and her husband Don Gummer pose on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2008. Streep received the Marco Aurelio award for career achievement. [Agencies]

Actor Sergio Castellitto poses with his award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Castellitto received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actor for the movie "Alza la testa". [Agencies]

Danish director Nicolo Donato poses with his award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Donato received the Golden Marc'Aurelio jury award for best film "Brotherhood". [Agencies]

Actor Sergio Castellitto and actress Helen Mirren pose on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Castellitto and Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actors. [Agencies]

Actor Sergio Castellitto (L) kisses actress Helen Mirren as they pose on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Castellitto and Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actors. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


Read more!