Lower doses of heart meds save lives
MIAMI — People who suffered a heart attack lived longer when their dose of a medication known as a beta-blocker was a quarter of the amount commonly prescribed, researchers said on Monday.
The study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology involved more than 6,000 patients whose survival post-heart attack was compared according to the amount of beta-blockers they were prescribed afterward.
Beta-blockers help ward off heart failure by stopping the effect of adrenaline on the heart and preventing arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. They are prescribed to nearly everyone who has had a heart attack.
The study found that patients taking one-fourth the dose tested in large clinical trials had a 20% to 25% increase in survival, compared to those on the standard dose.
The findings came as a surprise to lead investigator Jeffrey Goldberger, a professor of medicine in cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
He began the study after discovering heart attack patients were being treated with much lower doses of beta-blockers than were used in clinical trials.
“We expected to see patients treated with the lower doses to have worse survival,” said Mr. Goldberger.
“We were shocked to discover they survived just as well, and possibly even better.”
The study of 6,682 people showed that of those people who received the full dose, 14.7% died within two years.
Among those taking a half dose, 12.9% died in two years and for those taking a quarter dose, 9.5% died.
Earlier clinical trials did not assess the most appropriate beta-blocker doses for individual patients.
Mr. Goldberger said new studies should be launched to figure out how to best treat patients and avoid side effects such as fatigue, sexual dysfunction and depression.
“There is probably not one right dose for every single patient,” Mr. Goldberger said.
“It doesn’t make sense that the same dose will work for an 80-year-old frail man who had a small heart attack as a burly 40-year-old man with a huge heart attack.” — AFP
Forever blowing bubbles
BUBBLES may seem pretty ordinary to the naked eye, but for Louis Pearl, the world’s leading “bubbleologist,” there is more to them than meets the eye.
Pearl — known as “The Amazing Bubble Man” — is currently performing his one-man show at the RCBC Plaza’s Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati until Sept. 27. There he unravels the art, magic, science, and fun of bubbles.
The 75-minute spectacle, produced by Lunch Theatrical Productions and Concertus Manila, explores the dynamics of bubbles through entertainment and audience participation, while explaining some fascinating facts about bubbles — bringing science to life in a fun manner.
The show features a wide range of science themes, which include subjects such as the colors of bubbles, the physics of soap and water molecules, aerodynamics, and surface tension, among others.
Pearl, who has been bubbling professionally since 1980, began exploring the different aspects of bubbles when he started the Tangent Toy Company. He began performing in 1983 with a show at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
For nearly three decades, Pearl has performed to more than one million people in hundreds of cities around the world. He is a favorite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing his eighth successive season this year.
A literature and art graduate, he has written two books about bubbles, has made a video called Lights, Camera, Bubbles!, and has so far produced 21 fantastic bubble inventions.
Tickets to the show are available at TicketWorld (891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph).
Boom time for Filipino writers
By Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
PRINT’S NOT DEAD. Philippine Literature is not dead. It’s alive and perhaps, livelier than ever before.
Five new areas pushed as diving destinations
By Joseph L. Garcia
IT’S NOT JUST Coron, anymore, folks — five new “rising stars” among diving spots were pinpointed by the Department of Tourism (DoT).
Art with a colonial flavor
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO — With cobblestone streets and no traffic lights, San Miguel de Allende has the look of a sleepy Mexican town.
GoodAh!!! leverages nostalgia, whimsy with new partner Abunda
TAPSILOG, a portmanteau of tapa (cured beef), sinangag (fried rice) and itlog (egg), has become a Filipino breakfast staple and all-around comfort food. The name itself was something that came from the kitchens of GoodAh!!!, a local fast-food chain that has been in the industry for 33 years.
Australian Nutella lovers make fun with personalized labels
SYDNEY — An Australian marketing campaign that lets people personalize their jars of chocolate spread has not gone to plan, with participants designing labels and posting them online that read “diabetes” and “poop.”
Audi ‘Truth in Engineering’ ads come back to bite amid probe
“IT’S NOT THAT easy being green.”
That was Kermit the Frog’s lament to comedian Joel McHale in an advertisement during Sunday night’s Primetime Emmy Awards, touting Audi’s latest innovations in low emissions technology.
Honoring Our Lady and the Pope
ADS & Ends
Nanette Franco-Diyco
AWARENESS of Our Holy Father Pope Francis is at a particular high again with his forthcoming visit to New York and Philadelphia this week.
‘Redefining Action’ rebranding for AXN
SONY PICTURES Television Networks, Asia (SPT Asia) has launched a new visual identity for AXN to align with the TV channel’s current programming.
One of Asia’s finest bartenders curates exclusive drink selection for Aqua Boracay
Fondly known as Bali’s “King of Cocktails,” Raka Ambarawan ignites a night of fine cocktail selection last July 3, 2019 at Gallery by Chele, Bonifacio Global City. Alongside kitchen powerhouse and world-renowned chef Chele Gonzalez, the famous Balinese barman brings his A game to curate a special tropical drink spread for Aqua Boracay’s The Day Club.
Luxury resort and one of Boracay’s newest party destinations, Aqua Boracay delights its discerning clientele with the opening of The Day Club. True to its name, The Day Club takes pride in its vast selection of original cocktail mixes and beachside bites that can be enjoyed pre and post sunset.
To give a better understanding on how Chef Chele Gonzalez envisions The Day Club, Aqua Boracay teams up with mixology master Raka Ambarawan as they launch the Sexy Pool Menu of Boracay’s hottest day club.
The creative concept behind The Day Club’s menu can be traced back to Gonzalez’s countless beach trips. “For the whole menu, I coupled various tropical elements with my own personal touch rooted from my previous travels in different islands here, and outside. I want to make it accessible for Filipinos. I want to make it a unique experience for them. The level of paradise I have witnessed in recent years is my inspiration,” Gonzalez talks.
Some of Gonzalez’s fine food selection during the intimate launch:
- Coconut Tempura
- Grilled Shrimp tacos
- Parmesan Nuggets
- The Day Club’s Chori Burger
- Tuna Sliders
To complement Gonzalez’s grub spread, Ambarawan presents a full cocktail menu inspired by Philippine’s tropical wonders.
Ambarawan’s flavorful drink fusions during the intimate launch:
- Wine and Basil, a rose-colored drink, with a taste of a roasted pineapple juice, acid feeling of lime and bourbon- a blend of flavors with a bracing kick.
- Spicy Kalamansi, mix of tequila, chili syrup and lemon juice. A spirited citric spicy savor.
- Aqua Sour, an ultimate crowd favorite made with bourbon, angostura bitter, and a hint of kalamasi.
- Choco Rhum Valder, a manly taste of campari, red vermouth and chocolate. Raka’s top choice for a unique experience of heat and sweetness.
The Day Club at Aquaboracay is now open. Visit https://www.aquaboracay.com for more information. Follow Aqua Boracay on Facebook and @aquaboracay on Instagram.
Experience world-class fun and luxury resort living at Aqua Boracay. For reservations, inquire through reservations@aquaboracay.com