Smokers’ skin may age faster
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MOKERS are likely to get bags under their eyes and wrinkles around their lips earlier than non-smokers, according to a new study of identical twins. Judges who didn’t know which twin smoked said the smoker looked older 57 percent of the time. That pattern held when both twins were smokers but one had smoked for many years longer than the other. “Smoking makes you look old. That’s all there is to it,” Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi said. “Besides lung cancer, heart attacks and strokes, just one more good reason to stop smoking is that it’s definitely making you look a lot older,” she told Reuters Health. Tanzi is a dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and George Washington University Medical Center. She was not involved in the new study but said it confirms what she and others see in practice. The findings are based on standardized photos of 79 pairs of identical twins taken at the Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. Dr. Bahman Guyuron from Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland and his colleagues showed the photos to three trained judges, then asked them to grade each person’s wrinkles and age-related facial features. The twins were in their late 40s, on average. About three-quarters of them were women. Forty-five sets of twins included one smoker and one non-smoker. Smokers tended to have more wrinkles and other signs of face aging. But the differences were often small. For instance, on a 0-to-3 scale, where 0 means no wrinkles and 3 is severe wrinkles, upper eyelids were rated at 1.56 among smokers and 1.51 among non-smokers. Jowls were
rated at 1.0 among smokers and 0.93 among non-smokers, on average. There was no difference in assessments of crow’s feet or forehead wrinkles based on smoking. Other factors related to skin aging like sunscreen use, alcohol drinking and stress at work were similar among smoking and non-smoking twins, the researchers noted. Of the remaining 34 twin pairs, one twin had smoked for an average of 13 years longer than the other. Twins who had smoked for more years had more pronounced bags under their eyes and more wrinkles around their lower lips, according to findings published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “It really just kind of confirms a lot of stuff that most people believed,” said Dr. Alan Boyd. He is a dermatologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and wasn’t part of the study team. “I can usually spot a smoker from across the room because of some of their facial skin changes,” Boyd told Reuters Health. Still, he said the study adds another layer of evidence by putting numbers on the effect of smoking on different parts of the face. The researchers didn’t take into account how many cigarettes people smoked each day. And although weight was similar between smokers and non-smokers, they didn’t know if differences in fat distribution affected facial appearance. Tanzi said toxins from smoking can speed up the breakdown of collagen, protein fibers that support skin and help it stick together. Smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen going to the skin, she said.
Business is seen closed at Safora Goth during strike called by Jiye Sindh Muttahida Mahaz.
MQM image being tarnished STAFF REPORTER
KARACHI—Muttahida Quami Movement’s (MQM) Sindh Assembly members strongly condemned the extrajudicial killings of Dilshad Ahmed Khan and Ajmal Beig, raids on MQM’s workers and officers and illegal detention of workers. They said they did not know anything about their five workers picked up by the law enforcement agency In a joint statement elected representatives said that MQM’s public image was being destroyed under garb of operation against criminals and extortionists. In order to discredit MQM’s leaders of good repute and integrity, they had registered false and fabricated cases against them. MQM’s name was linked to the Mohajir Republican Army. Workers were being arrested and detained and subjected to inhuman torture, which caused the deaths of Dilshad Ahmed Khan and Ajmal Beg and disabled MPA Sharmila Farooqi cutting ribbon along with Chairman IEEEP and CEO of Badar scores of workers. Expo Solutions to inaugurate ‘IEEEP Fair 2013’.
Unity of Muslims: Key to rid of crises STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Islamic Spiritual Mission Pakistan (Islami Roohani Mission Pakistan) Patron-in-Chief Prof Dr Maulana Muhammad Maqsood Elahi Naqshbandi has said the poverty and despondency would only be rid after Muslims would stand united under the divine guidance and the Muslim had to refrain from acts and deeds of adultery and immodesty. He expressed these views while addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press club Wednesday. No reforms could appeal us unless we would be ready to take a critical analysis of our acts and
Jinnah University admission schedule KARACHI—Jinnah University for Women (JUW) has announced admission schedule of its degree programmes viz BS, MSc, MS and PhD for the year 2014. The entrance test will be held on Nov 23, 2013 in 26 different fields under four faculties. Considering the role and importance of women in the economy of the country, the University is expected to launch two new departments this year. These departments will offer courses of BS, M.Sc and MS in food, agriculture and animal sciences and fisheries and aqua culture, said a JUW release on Wednesday. The minimum qualifications required for admission to the above two departments is Intermediate in (Pre-Medical).—APP
deeds and take on a passion of sharing the wounds and sorrows of the others and this was the prime theme of the Islamic Spiritual Mission Pakistan, which 3-day congregation would be held at Eid Gah located in Nazimabad, starting from Oct 31 till Nov 2, 2013. Prof Naqshbandi said that the country was passing through critical time and people were being left to wander from here to there. The economic situation of the country was reaching a state of devastation and the unemployed youth was set to waste their time and energy due to which the anti-social elements had been trapping such large number of the youth to get their
vested designs accomplished. It was the reciprocal responsibility of the state and the civil society that were should take a detailed review of our individual and collective attitude and seek Allah’s mercy and blessing to get rid of the chain of menaces. He said that the Pakistani nation could regain the lost dignity and it was only possible when we decide to avoid being indulged into trifles and stay united, which the need of the hour. Prof Naqshbandi said that none should be worried by his call for the unity of the Muslims as it would never be used against any religious community, Christian or Jews, Hindus or Sikhs.
BBSUL to have Pharmacy dept
Religious leaders urged to maintain harmony KARACHI—Deputy Commissioner, Karachi-East, Ganahanwar Ali Laghari has directed the officials concerned to ensure prompt cleaning of sewerage lines, removal of garbage dumped on lanes and thoroughfares with adequate provision for uninterrupted power supply during Moharram. Chairing a meeting in his office he said KESC officials are also being approached to ensure that there is no load-shedding at all on Moharram 9 and 10. Laghari said religious leaders have to particularly play their role in maintaining religious harmony among the people.
He also urged them to keep strict vigil on unscrupulous elements trying to create disarray among people and suggested that close coordination between religious leaders of different sects, and law enforcers could help maintain sanctity of the holy month. The DC-East said the routes of Moharram processions would not only be adequately guarded but will also be provided with all relevant facilities. He said cleanliness around Imambargahs must be initiated on priority basis and expressed his satisfaction that fumigation is being regularly undertaken in
the district. Meanwhile, Member National Assembly, Salman Mujahid Baloch alongwith DMC East Administrator, Manzoor Abbasi and Municipal Commissioner, Nazeer Ahmad Khalifo chaired a meeting to review arrangements being made to facilitate people during Muharram. Member of Sindh Assembly, Nishat Mohammad Zia Qadri reviewed the arrangements being made in Shah Faisal Colony and responding to the problems faced by the citizens, he said official concerned in close coordination with public representatives must address public grievances.—APP
Training to cope with terrorism STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Ten-day training workshop for senior police officers to enhance their professional capacity, especially investigation skills to cope with new trends of
terrorism and other serious crimes, successfully concluded here on Wednesday. The workshop titled “Basic Training Techniques and Investigation of Crime Scene” was aimed at creating master train-
ers for overall change in the police force. Twenty senior police officers deputed in police training centres, schools and colleges in the province participated, said a police release here.
KARACHI—Vice Chancellor, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Lyari (BBSUL), Prof. Rasheed Ahmed Shah has said that keeping in view the increasing demand of the field of pharmacy, the department of studies for Pharmacy will be launched in the BBSUL. He said that the government of Sindh has been requested to provide financial assistance to meet the requirements in connection with the setting up and running of the department of Pharmacy in the BBSUL. He said this while talking to a delegation of notables of Lyari, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. The VC BBSUL said that at the moment total five departments have been established in the varsity and after addition of Pharmacy, the numStudents enjoying themselves during Students’ Week at Karachi University. ber will rise to six.—APP
Rotavirus major obstacle: UNICEF AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—Pakistan is striving to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4) to reduce child mortality to 43 per 1000 live births by 2015, which was standing at 86 per 1000 live births in 2012 according to UNICEF. The Millennium Project was commissioned by the United Nations in 2002 to develop a concrete action plan for the world to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and to reverse the grinding poverty, hunger and disease affecting billions of people. The 4th goal or MDG4 is categorized by the reduction of child mortality which has to be
reduced by two-third to meet the MDG4 by the year 2015. According to WHO, 6.6 million children under five died in 2012. Almost 75% of all child deaths are attributable to just six conditions: neonatal causes, pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles, and HIV/AIDS. The aim is to further cut child mortality by two thirds by 2015 from the 1990 level. The way out is immunization and vaccination of children against these deadly diseases but unfortunately as per figures available in Pakistan viz. vaccination, more than half (53.0%) of Pakistani children do not get all the recommended vaccines. 6% of children have no vaccination at all. Punjab is highest in
vaccination with a percentage of 56 per cent while Balochistan is at the lowest ebb, 35 per cent. In Pakistan, private sector caters to the health care needs of 71.2% of Pakistan’s population. This sector is not taken on board while developing conceptual frameworks, planning and execution of immunization programs by the relevant ministries. There is lack of formal linkages between the government and private sector for national and provincial immunization programs. Exclusion of these key stakeholders from policy development and implementation is one of the causes of unsatisfactory coverage of immunization. Majority of these children are dying from infectious dis-
eases but many of these deaths are preventable. This trend also suggests that while parents are a bit caring for children under five years of age there seems some sloppiness in their attitude as far as infant and neonatal vaccination is concerned. If the parents get their children vaccinated without missing their due dates the mortality rates in these children can be brought down comprehensively. Data reveals that under five years of age mortality rate in 2008 was 87 out of 1000 live births while in case of infant mortality it was 71/1000. These ratios have to be reduced to 43 per 1000 live births by the year 2015 to meet the Millennium Development
Goals 4 which can only be made possible if children are timely vaccinated for prevention from those diseases. Although there are many diseases the children are vulnerable to until their fifth birthday but the experts feel that amongst these Rotavirus is a major public health issue in Pakistan at present. Approximately 100 children die everyday due to Rotavirus diarrhea. An estimated 1 in 40 infants experience a severe episode of rotavirus gastroenteritis annually in Pakistan. Pakistan is one of six countries that accounts for 50% of all rotavirus-related deaths worldwide. Almost 90% of all rotavirus cases were in children less than two years of
age. Some medical experts say that although the prevalence of disease is similar between developed and less developed countries but in developing countries, poor access to primary health care and poor nutrition results in more severe cases thereby, increasing the costs of treatment. Rota Virus also known as HRV has demonstrated high levels of efficacy over three years in Asian infants against severe RVGE (Rota virus gastroenteritis). The government, they feel, should expand the delivery network by utilizing private clinics as fixed immunization sites and making free of cost vaccination available in the private sector.
PIMA for stroke prevention programme KARACHI—Doctors have urged the government to initiate “National Stroke Prevention Programme” with major focus on public awareness campaign, formation of prevention guidelines and support for research related to stroke. Through the platform of Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) on Wednesday they said that despite being third cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the country stroke has received little attention from health care authorities. PIMA President, Dr Misbahul Aziz, Neuro-physician Prof Muhammad Tariq and Neurologist Dr Abdul Malik cited Stroke as one of the unfortunate diseases in Pakistan. They said that due to poor post stroke care up to 40% die within six months and remaining 60% are added to the pool of disabled people. Mentioning that high blood pressure or hypertension is the top most cause of stroke they said as per National Health survey every third Pakistani above age 45 is hypertensive. Majority of these patients are unaware of their high blood pressure and they only find out once they have a stroke or heart attack, which is too late, said the doctors.—APP
Moot on head & neck cancer challenges KARACHI—Oncologists from South Asia will participate and share their experiences as well as medical research with each other during a regional moot focussing Head and Neck Cancer here on Saturday. The event with the theme Head and Neck Cancer-Challenges for Developing Countries will be addressed by Dr Anil D’ Cruz from India who would discuss the regional guidelines viza-viz the ailment. Dr AFM Kamaluddin from Bangladesh and Dr Arif Jamshed from Pakistan will share their work on role of induction chemotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer.—APP