The Cramps - Napa Mental Hospital

Heart-healthy Compound In Chocolate Identified

In a multifaceted study involving the Kuna Indians of Panama, an international team of scientists has pinpointed a chemical compound that is, in part, responsible, for the heart-healthy benefits of certain cocoas and some chocolate products.

The researchers, who are from the University of California, Davis; the Heinrich-Heine University of Duesseldorf, Germany; and Harvard Medical School, hope the findings will lead to new dietary or medicinal methods for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health.

The study showed that epicatechin, one of a group of chemicals known as flavanols, was directly linked to improved circulation and other hallmarks of cardiovascular health. Findings of the study are reported in the Jan. 16 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Although previous studies strongly indicated that some flavanol-rich foods, such as wine, tea and cocoa can offer cardiovascular health benefits, we have been able to demonstrate a direct relationship between the intake of certain flavanols present in cocoa, their absorption into the circulation and their effects on cardiovascular function in humans," said UC Davis biochemist Hagen Schroeter, who co-authored the paper along with cardiologist Christian Heiss of the Heinrich-Heine University.

"The results of this study provide direct proof that epicatechin is, at least in part, responsible for the beneficial vascular effects that are observed after the consumption of certain flavanol-rich cocoas," Schroeter said.

Key to the study were volunteers from the Kuna Indians, who live on the San Blas islands off the coast of Panama. High blood pressure and other signs of cardiovascular disease are rare among the island-dwelling Kuna, who are also known to consume large amounts of flavanol-rich cocoa -- three to four cups per day. However, previous studies carried out by Norman Hollenberg's research team at Harvard Medical School have found that Kuna who have migrated to the suburbs of Panama City on the mainland consume only about four cups of cocoa per week and, interestingly, do not enjoy the same level of cardiovascular health.

Through analyses of urine samples from members of both the island-dwelling and mainland Kuna, the researchers found that, compared to their mainland counterparts, the urine of island dwellers had more than twice the levels of urinary nitric oxide -- a chemical compound already known to be associated with healthy flow of blood through the arteries.

The Kuna project was only one part of a five-pronged study approach that the research team conducted in order to determine whether epicatechin meets five previously established criteria for compounds that directly cause improved circulation. In the other four parts of the study the researchers demonstrated that:


Levels of nitric oxide in the blood were higher in individuals who drank flavanol-rich cocoa, compared to those who drank cocoa beverages with low flavanol levels. This showed that flavanols contained in the cocoa were actually absorbed and subsequently present in the bloodstream.

Higher levels of the flavanol epicatechin in the bloodstream were accompanied by improved blood flow.

In the laboratory, flavanols administered to samples of vascular tissue caused the tissue to relax.

Pure epicatechin consumed by humans had much the same effect as did consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa.
Considered together, these findings point to epicatechin as one of the compounds found in cocoa that has beneficial impacts on cardiovascular health.

Funding for this research was provided by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Biomedicinisches Forschungszentrum of the University of Duesseldorf and Mars Inc.

Krispy Kreme Whole Wheat doughnuts

Product: Krispy Kreme Whole Wheat Glazed Doughnut

Price: 99 cents each (48g)

Manufacturer: Krispy Kreme, krispykreme.com

The Position: This sweet treat is an alternative for health conscious consumers with the benefits of 100 per cent whole wheat and only 180 calories, according to Stan Parker, senior vice-president of marketing.

Doughnut ingredients: Whole wheat flour, dextrose, vegetable shortening (partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil), water, corn syrup solids.

Nutritional breakdown: 1 doughnut (48g), 180 calories; 19g carb (10g sugar, 2g fibre); 11g fat (3g saturated, 3.5g trans); 2g protein.

Analysis: You're probably thinking one of two things: could there really be a healthy alternative to the typical doughnut, or who do they think they're fooling? Well as the saying goes, if it's too good to be true, then it probably is, and in this case the new Krispy Kreme whole-wheat doughnut fails to deliver.

Krispy Kreme has jumped on the whole grain bandwagon with the reformulation of existing products to include whole grains. The new doughnut for the "health conscious consumer" has a whole 20 calories fewer than the original version. Both the original and the new version provide 3g of saturated fat, but that's not the worst of it: both contain a good dose of the heart-disease and diabetes promoting trans fat. This is because the doughnut is made with partially hydrogenated oils, and while there is healthy range for saturated fat intake (about 20-25g/day) there is no acceptable level of trans fats. The goal is to consume as little as possible, but don't be fooled by a small number. In the world of trans fat, 3.5g is a lot.

This is hardly an improvement on the original and any benefit from the whole grains is negated by the use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Alternative: A better choice for breakfast or a snack would be a half a whole grain bagel with 1 tbsp peanut butter – protein, healthy fat and good carbs.

Take it or leave it: Pass on this healthy whole grain imposter.

Makers of Sodas Try a New Pitch: They’re Healthy

That may strike some as an oxymoron. But for Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, it’s a marketing opportunity.

In coming months, both companies will introduce new carbonated drinks that are fortified with vitamins and minerals: Diet Coke Plus and Tava, which is PepsiCo’s new offering.

They will be promoted as “sparkling beverages.” The companies are not calling them soft drinks because people are turning away from traditional soda, which has been hurt in part by publicity about its link to obesity.

Read the full article in The New York Times here.

Wahlberg, Scorsese launching Boardwalk Empire

The Departed’s Mark Wahlberg and Martin Scorsese are re-teaming to create a new drama series for HBO based on Atlantic City’s growth from sleepy seaside town to entertainment and gambling mecca. Scorsese will executive produce with Wahlberg and Leverage Management’s Stephen Levinson (Wahlberg and Levinson already executive produce Entourage and the upcoming drama In Treatment). The project is being developed in conjunction with the Nelson Johnson book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City, which HBO has optioned. Scorsese previously visited Atlantic City in his 1986 movie The Color of Money.

Singer Kelis arrested!

Singer Kelis was arrested early Friday morning in Miami Beach after screaming racial obscenities at two female police officers who were posing as prostitutes. Damn. She’s bossy!

The officers were working an undercover operation in South Beach, when cops say Kelis started screaming racial slurs at the women. She continued screaming and rushed toward them, and had to be restrained by friends, a police report said. According to the report, Kelis’ “actions caused people walking by to stop and form a crowd. The sidewalk was blocked by the disturbance, causing people to walk in the street and causing traffic to stop.”

Kelis, the wife of rapper Nas, was charged with two misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and for resisting arrest.

A rep for Kelis had no comment.

1706558 friends and counting...

That is quite a mailing list you have there, little girl. And you just made the TOP 50 most important people on the Internet. Whoa...

Porsche Speedboat - Designed for the Aquabahn™

Perfect aesthetics meets high performance – in the exclusive cooperation between Fearless Yachts and Porsche Design Studio. The results are two state-of-the-art luxury yachts, each featuring a bold design and top quality finishes for extraordinary comfort. With the highest standards for functionality and performance and a unique, sporty and elegant design, which is sure to cause a sensation when introduced at the Miami Boat Show in February 2007.

PAUL OAKENFOLD AND MASTERS AT WORK SET TO PLAY NIGHT TENNIS

Sony Ericsson brings a revolutionary new experience to Sony Ericsson Open – Miami

Miami, Florida – 6 March, 2007 – Sony Ericsson today announces the launch of Night Tennis Miami, a revolutionary new concept that combines a tennis tournament, the world’s best DJ acts and a UV fashion feast – all in the dark. Paul Oakenfold, Masters at Work and Murk will be taking to the decks and promise to rock Miami on the 22nd and 23rd March 2007.

Night Tennis is part of Sony Ericsson’s sponsored entertainment, competitions and events programme running during the week of the Sony Ericsson Open (21st March – 1st April). This is the second Night Tennis event, the first premiered in Madrid during the Sony Ericsson Championships, November 2006.

Eight players will take to the court wearing specially designed neon whites to serve up a new type of tennis. Played in pitch black, with UV as the only source of light, its fast paced round robin format promises to revolutionise the way tennis is played and watched.

Night Tennis will provide clubbers with a sensory extravaganza like no other. Each tennis game is punctuated by explosive beats and an incredible light show, delivered to the audience on a unique 25m projection screen. The balls, court and net along with player’s shirts, skirts and shoes will be fully UV reactive. In between games a fashion extravaganza will showcase the latest in illuminated style.

As each tournament draws to a close and the adrenaline starts to drop away, Murk will warm up the crowd up with their Miami Classics Set. On the Thursday night, Masters at Work will follow, playing their legendary New York Classics Set and Friday night will see legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold take the crowd dancing long into the night with his Classics Set.

Paul Oakenfold is a pioneer of the dance music scene and likes to be ahead of the game. He is therefore looking forward to performing at Night Tennis; “I’m very intrigued by the whole Night Tennis concept - who would have expected sport and electronic culture to combine in this way? The opportunity to play a rare set of classics at the Winter Music Conference is something that is a challenge as well as being a real night of nostalgia for me and the people of Miami.”

Louie Vega from Masters At Work says, ‘We are delighted to be invited to play at this unique event during the Miami conference week. To play a night of complete classics for the Miami week will be very special for us’.

Dee Dutta, CVP and Head of Marketing for Sony Ericsson explains, “Sony Ericsson is really excited to be staging Night Tennis at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Our aim is to create a party experience that young people in the city can enjoy, bringing them closer to the excitement and power of the stadium tennis being played by some of the world’s most famous sports stars. It’s brilliant to have DJs like Paul Oakenfold and Masters at Work onboard for Night Tennis. We’re looking forward to a truly spectacular event.

Our partnership with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour is the largest and most innovative in the history of the sport. We are making the game more fan friendly, interactive and exciting through music and technology – live bands at events, live scoring and enhanced content to mobile phones.

The Sony Ericsson Open will be held at the Tennis Centre at Crandon Park, Miami, Florida from March 21 - April 1, 2007. It boasts the strongest full-field of players from both the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour outside the Grand Slams. 96 men and 96 women in the singles and 32 men's teams and 32 women's teams in the doubles will vie for over $6.9 million in prize money. Defending champions are Roger Federer in the men’s singles, Svetlana Kuznetsova in the women’s singles, Jonas Bjorkman/Max Mirnyi in the men’s doubles and Lisa Raymond/Samantha Stosur in the women’s doubles.

Event Details
How can I get hold of tickets?
Tickets are free. Apply for tickets on line at www.sonyericsson.com/miami or www.night-tennis.com

Where is being held?
Night Tennis will take place at the Ice Palace Film Studio:
Ice Palace Film Studios, 1400 North Miami Avenue, Miami

Time Table
Thursday 22nd March 2007
23:00 - Doors open
23:00 to 23:30 - House DJ
23:30 to 01:00 - UV Tennis tournament with music / fashion
01:00 to 02:00 - Murk Miami Classics Set
02:00 to 04:00 - Masters At Work Exclusive New York Classics Set

Friday 23rd March 2007
23:00 - Doors open
23:00 to 23:30 - House DJ
23:30 to 01:00 - UV Tennis tournament with music / fashion
01:00 to 02:00 - Murk Miami Classics Set
02:00 to 04:00 - Paul Oakenfold Exclusive Classics Set

Where can I find out more information on Night Tennis?
For more information visit www.sonyericsson.com/miami or www.night-tennis.com

Night Tennis Rules of Play
• Underarm serve to cross court service box from behind service box baseline
• Ball must bounce in receiver box before being returned by receiver who must stand outside his box to receive serve
• Server cannot volley first return from receiver
• Retain serve if point won and lose serve if point lost – no second serve
• Serve from alternate server boxes if point won or lost

Scoring
• Each game is played for three minutes, time displayed on a count down clock to zero
• Winner of a game is the player with the most points when the clock runs down to zero
• Game is over as soon as the clock runs down, point being played does not count
• If the number of points is equal at zero seconds, the point is stopped. The point is restarted with the same person who served serving again. Next point the winner
• Change ends only after each game – best of three games wins match
• 3 points for winner hit from Front Zone


Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold has long been one of the most important names in modern club culture. Most people are familiar with Oakenfold’s name, although many people who think they're unfamiliar with Oakenfold’s music have actually heard it quite often. His sound is featured globally on radio and TV and in commercials supporting mega brands such as Coca-Cola, Toyota and Saab; not to mention his contributions to hit films such as Swordfish (which Oakenfold scored), The Matrix Reloaded and Michael Mann’s Collateral. In fact, when Paul Oakenfold sold out the Hollywood Bowl in recent years, many viewed the event as definitive proof that dance culture had finally arrived in America.

Masters at Work
Masters at Work is the house music production and remix team of Kenny 'Dope' Gonzales and Little Louie Vega. They first worked together using the name (which had originally been loaned to a mutual friend Todd Terry) in 1990. They have also produced music together under the names MAW, KenLou, River Ocean, and Nuyorican Soul.

Their Nuyorican Soul project sees them working extensively with real (as opposed to sampled or synthesized) musicians, in a variety of styles including Latin, disco, jazz, etc. Musicians who took part in this project include Vincent Montana Jr., Roy Ayers, George Benson, Jocelyn Brown, Tito Puente, and members of the Salsoul Orchestra. The self-titled album released by Nuyorican Soul in 1996 included original tracks as well as cover versions of songs by the performers they were working with, such as "Sweet Tears" (Roy Ayers), and "Runaway," originally sung by Loleatta Holloway with the Salsoul Orchestra, here sung by India, featuring musicians from the original recording of 1977.

MAW have a history as remixers, having recreated tracks for various acts both inside and outside the world of dance music. Some of the artists remixed by the two producers include Madonna, Donna Summer, Jody Watley, Janet Jackson, Jamiroquai and Earth Wind & Fire.

Murk
Oscar G. & Ralph Falcon, aka MURK, Murk Boys, Deep South, Liberty City and Funky Green Dogs, are regarded as one of the most successful dance DJs and production teams in the world. For over thirteen years, the duo has created hundreds of original productions and remixes

Murk went on set a new record with five number one singles in the Billboard dance chart in one year only Madonna, Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston had previously done better. In 2004, Murk received the Best Producer award at the Dancestar USA Awards: they were also nominated for Best Single (Alright) and Best DJ (Oscar G). It is beyond any doubt that Murk has played a major role in the development of house music over the last decade

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications serves the global communications market with innovative and feature-rich mobile phones, accessories and PC-cards. Established as a joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in 2001, with global corporate functions located in London, the company employs over 7,500 people worldwide, including R&D sites in Europe, Japan, China and America. Sony Ericsson celebrated the 5th anniversary of the start of the joint venture on 1st October, 2006.

Sony Ericsson is the global title sponsor of the Women's Tennis Association, and works with the Association to promote the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in over 80 cities during the year. The Tour culminates at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Madrid, Spain. Sony Ericsson is also the title sponsor of the Sony Ericsson Open, the leading international professional tennis tournaments outside of the four Grand Slams, a mandatory tournament on the men’s ATP Masters Series and the women’s Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. The tournament is held annually in March in Miami, Florida.

David Lynch's dark arts laid bare

Film director David Lynch has appeared in Paris to launch the first major exhibition of his paintings and photographs.


Lynch sits in front of a darkened cinema screen, telling us how much he likes the sound of fire and electricity, as his fingers flutter gently, rhythmically up and down beside his face.
It is a moment that can only be described as pure Lynch, thanks to the disconnect between his kindly James Stewart face and some of what he says.

For the most part, though, he seems surprisingly normal - for the director who gave the world the weirdness of Eraserhead, the dark vision of Blue Velvet and the compelling but unsettling Twin Peaks.

Few realise he started out as a fine artist. And if you thought Lynch's films were weird or impenetrable - just wait until you see the art.

Hidden fears

Walking into the exhibition is like walking into the mind of David Lynch - and you know it will not be a comfortable place.

In fact, much of it resembles your blackest nightmares or darkest hidden fears splattered onto canvas.


On the ground floor, mounted on brightly-coloured curtains, are huge paintings of people - men and women with their body parts splayed or dissected.
One couple is shown in the middle of a violent act of murder, while another a man is being shot, with shocking red blood spurting from his torso.

A mixed oil collage features a nude woman with half her torso torn off and leaking with what looks like yellow viscous blood.

So how does Lynch himself explain his art? The fingers flutter again as he responds.

"What I can say is what you see... what you see is what I can say. And the works - they're there and they speak for themselves," he says.

"Each thing - painting, watercolour, photography - so much of it is a wordless thing."

Dark fairytale

Downstairs in the darkened basement, the small cinema is showing some early Lynch films.

The first is Six Men Being Sick. Which is what it shows, literally, with six Monty Python-esque cartoon heads vomiting.

Next, the reassuringly-titled The Grandma, is actually a rather dark fairytale about a small boy who is abused by his parents.

So he grows his own grandmother from a seed he plants and waters in his bed - with a large, looming monstrous pod giving birth to the kindly old lady.


That darker side of humanity is something that interests David Lynch so, so much
Ilana Shamoon
Exhibition curator

Everywhere, a soundtrack of industrial noise plays, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
"There is a lot of disturbing imagery," admits the exhibition's curator Ilana Shamoon.

"Especially in the paintings and the distorted nude photograph series, because that darker side of humanity is something that interests David Lynch so, so much and comes through in both his artwork and his films."

Yet she insists there is also a brighter side, gesturing towards the brightly-painted room we're standing in.

'Humorous sculptures'

It has a child-sized zebra-striped sofa and cactuses around the edges.

"There is also a lot of hope and joy in his artwork - like in his humorous sculptures," Ms Shamoon says.


Hope and joy are not things one might associate with Lynch, though he himself insists he is a "very happy man" who has enjoyed transcendental meditation at least twice a day for 30 years.
Yet his art clearly comes from a deep, dark place. Lynch's photographs, the nude series, are extremely disturbing.

They display naked female bodies, many with odd protrusions or vital parts missing.

They look like a cross between Francis Bacon, Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte and the Chapman brothers.

"Francis Bacon is someone who's the obvious comparison," Ms Shamoon says. "He is someone who influenced David Lynch from the beginning, when he went to a fine arts school in Philadelphia."


It's all done with such confidence - this is not amateur work
Jonathan Romney
Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday's film critic Jonathan Romney is impressed by the work.
"David Lynch is prolific," he says. "It's amazing that he's kept all this stuff down the years. And it's all done with such confidence. This is not amateur work."

So what inspires this dark art? Lynch says it can be anything.

"What fascinates me is ideas," he says. "Sometimes we get ideas for paintings, sometimes ideas for music, sometimes for cinema, but everything starts with an idea." And he smiles beatifically.

"Painting is the most beautiful act in solitude - it's you and the paint, and the ideas flowing."

Downstairs in the gloom of the basement, there are some black-and-white paintings that sum up the exhibition, featuring scribbled hands and body parts.

On one is a man whose head is floating away from him as he gropes desperately to get it back, with the slogan: "My head is disconnected."

Walking out of the exhibition and back into the spring sunshine, I knew exactly how he felt.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/entertainment/6412525.stm