Maniolas

© anucha maneechote/shutterstock.com (Miami, United States–AFP) – A stubborn bacterial infection often acquired in hospitals and which can be deadly may have a new treatment on the horizon, US researchers said Wednesday. Antibiotics only work about 25 percent of the time in wiping out Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, a pathogen that infects the digestive tract and kills about 15,000 people and hospitalizes 250,000 each year in the United States. But the antioxidant drug ebselen was shown to kill C. diff by targeting its toxins, not by killing the bacteria and wiping out beneficial gut microbes at the same time, said researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine. The study in the journal Science Translation Medicine was done on mice, but researchers say human trials could be expedited because the drug is already being investigated for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, stroke, atherosclerosis and cancer. “Unlike antibiotics — which are both the frontline treatment for C. difficile infection and, paradoxically, possibly its chief cause — the drug didn’t kill the bacteria,” said senior author Matthew Bogyo, professor of pathology and of microbiology and immunology. Rather, it disabled a toxin produced by the pathogen and prevented intestinal damage and inflammation. C. diff costs the United States more than $4 billion in healthcare expenses and it often recurs in patients, requiring further hospitalization, researchers said. The infection is particularly perilous for those with weakened immune systems. About seven percent of people who are infected die within a month of diagnosis. ksh/pst

Flashback Friday: Solenn Heussaff, Georgina Wilson, Rhian Ramos, Iza Calcado, Erwan Heussaff, Richard and Raymond Gutierrez “fat kid” photos

Give-A-Tree cards, chocolate, coffee. The Arbor Day Foundation will brighten up your fall by offering five free crapemyrtle trees or other trees selected for your area when you join the Foundation in October. The free trees are part of the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation’s Trees for America campaign, a program dedicated to environmental stewardship through tree planting. “Crapemyrtles are especially beautiful in the fall and were selected for this campaign because of their elegant color and form,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. Crapemyrtles make an attractive addition to the home landscape.” The trees will be shipped postpaid between Nov. 1 and Dec. 10, at the right time for planting. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Planting instructions are enclosed with each shipment of trees. New members of the Arbor Day Foundation also receive The Tree Book, which includes information about tree planting and care. To receive the free crapemyrtle trees, send a $10 membership contribution to Five Crapemyrtles, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, by October 31, 2015, or join online at arborday.org/october.

Toni Gonzaga (MNS photo) Toni Gonzaga was named Best Actress at the 63rd FAMAS Awards held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on Sunday night for her performance in the Star Cinema movie “Starting Over Again.” On Instagram, Gonzaga posted a photo of her trophy with the caption: “To God be the glory.” Her husband, director Paul Soriano, also took to Instagram to congratulate Gonzaga, saying: “My wife wins best actress! So proud of you, Tin. Hard work pays off. God is good!” Gonzaga recalled her younger days when she and her sister Alex were still just dreaming of becoming actresses one day. “Nung bata kami ni Alex, naglalaro kami ng artista-artistahan. May hawak kaming bote ng shampoo na kunwari nanalo kami ng award. Ngayon totoong award na hawak ko at FAMAS pa,” she said. For the Best Actress award, Gonzaga bested nominees including Gretchen Barretto, Kris Aquino, Kathryn Bernardo, Jennylyn Mercado, Jean Garcia, Sam Pinto, Vina Morales, Gladys Reyes and Aiko Melendez. Allen Dizon was named the Best Actor for his performance in the movie “Magkakabaung.” Meanwhile, Sarah Geronimo was hailed as the youngest recipient of the Iconic Movie Queen of Philippine Cinema award as she joined the likes of Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, Maricel Soriano, Dawn Zulueta and Nora Aunor. All six of them were honored during the star-studded ceremony. Below is the list of winners in this year’s FAMAS Awards: Best Actress: Toni Gonzaga (Starting Over Again) Best Actor: Allen Dizon (Magkakabaung) Best Picture: Bonifacio Ang Unang Read More …

Fright-filled “Halloween Horror Nights” was announced by Universal Studios Hollywood recently. The theme park guests will be treated to an “extreme fear destination” which features horror-filled mazes, a terror tram experience and awesome hip-hop dance show from Friday, September 18 through Sunday, November 1st. The event starts each night at 7 p.m. but closing hours vary each night throughout the event. The horror-filled mazes were inspired by visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, who directed, co-wrote and produced Universal Pictures feature film “Crimson Peak.” This three-dimensional film was designed to have theme park guests” experience an actual replica of the film, while they spiral through the chilling maze and into the footsteps of the film’s lead character, Edith Cushing, as she ventures from her home in America, to the decaying and haunted Allendale Hall mansion in a remote English countryside.” The legendary Guillermo del Toro’s vision of “Crimson Peak” as a gothic romance, stars Tom Huddleston, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam/ In producing the film, Mr. Del Toro was quoted saying “ I am a devoted fan of Universal Studios’ ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ and I am honored to partner with them to create a real-life version of ‘Crimson Peak’.” Guillermo del Toro tours the Crimson Peak maze at Halloween Horror Nights. Photo by David Sprague A terror-filled series of unnerving scare zones will infiltrate “Halloween Horror Nights” designed to provoke an unrelenting sense of fear to terrorize guests as they navigate through the darkness from one terrifying maze to another. Aboard the “terror tram” on the other hand, guests will Read More …