Gene flaws may protect against heart disease

WASHINGTON: A rare set of genetic mutations found in fewer than one percent of the population may cut the risk of heart disease by 40 percent, researchers said Wednesday.

The findings in the New England Journal of Medicine show how certain flaws in a gene called APOC3 work to reduce a certain type of fat found in blood, known as triglycerides.

About one in 150 people carry one of these four genetic mutations, said the findings based on a study of the DNA of nearly 4,000 people of European and African ancestry.

Normal levels of triglycerides are generally less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Among those with any of the four APOC3 mutations, triglyceride levels were around 85 mg/dL."Based on our findings, we predict that lowering triglycerides specifically through inhibition of APOC3 would have a beneficial effect by lowering disease risk," said senior co-author Alex Reiner, a research professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington´s School of Public Health.

Drugs already exist that can lower triglycerides -- which like cholesterol are a type of lipid in the blood -- but these have not been proven to lower the risk of heart disease, perhaps because they don´t lower the lipids enough, researchers said.

Recent studies have also suggested that the long-running effort to improve Americans´ "good" cholesterol, or high-density lipoproteins (HDL), was not the magic bullet against heart disease that some experts had hoped.

"The combination of our genetic results, together with recent clinical trials of drugs that raised HDL levels but failed to prevent heart disease, are turning decades of conventional wisdom on its head," said senior author Sekar Kathiresan, a Broad Institute associate member and director of preventive cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"It has long been presumed that low HDL is the causal factor in heart disease, and triglycerides are along for the ride.

But our genetic data indicate that the true causal factor may not be HDL after all, but triglycerides.

"Heart disease is the leading killer in the United States, taking nearly 600,000 lives per year.

SCBA to protect judiciary’s dignity

 

ISLAMABAD: President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Kamran Murtaza on Monday condemned the attack on Jang Multan Resident Editor Zafar Aheer and the burning of vans carrying copies of Jang and The News and demanded that the government should probe the incidents.
Talking to reporters at the Supreme Court, Kamran pledged to uphold the dignity of the judiciary and to protect the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.“We always stood with the judiciary and will protect its dignity,” Kamran Murtaza said. He said the situation pertaining to ridiculing the judiciary will not be tolerated at any cost and the SCBA will protect the dignity of the judiciary as well as strengthen the democratic process.

He condemned the anti-judiciary programmes broadcast on ARY adding that they would not let any present or former judge be humiliated.“Those who are trying to dishonour the dignity of the judiciary will not be spared,” the SCBA president said.

Replying to a question, Kamran Murtaza lauded the role of the Jang Group and Geo TV in the promotion of true journalism. He said the closure of Geo TV on the cable network was a violation of freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 and 19-A of the Constitution.

“The TV channels celebrating the closure of Geo TV may also face a similar situation in future; hence all media groups should raise their voice for restoration of Geo TV transmission,” Kamran said.

EU calls on Pak government to protect media freedom

BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) has called on the Pakistani government to protect media freedom in a statement issued here on Friday.

In its statement the EU said an atmosphere should be created in the country in which the media can operate with freedom and it was ready to assist Pakistan in this regard. Expressing concern over media freedom in Pakistan, the EU in its statement said freedom of expression was essential in a democratic society.

The EU welcomed the Pakistani government’s investigation on the attack on senior Geo News anchor Hamid Mir, stating that people should be kept aware of probes conducting into attacks on journalists.

According to the EU 34 journalists had been killed since 2008 and Pakistan was the most dangerous country for journalists. The EU said that trials were not held in several cases of attacks on journalists and the Pakistani government should investigate them.

Govt committed to protect rights of minorities: President Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday reiterated firm resolve of the democratic government to protect and uphold the rights and privileges of minority community as enshrined in Constitution of the country.

This was stated by the President during a meeting with a delegation headed by Bishop Tony Rubinson, Bishop of Wakefield and Chairman of Pakistan Focus Group setup by the Arch Bishop of Canterbury UK here at the Presidency.

The President said minorities were equal citizens of the country and all possible steps were afoot to bring them into the mainstream of national life.

The delegation included Canon Yaqub Masih Board of Directors, West Yorkshire Police Community Trust in UK, Elvin Jalal Din Chairman Pakistan Christian Concern Pakistan, Samule Payara President Bright Future Society, Chief Coordinator Rehabilitation Response UK, Wajid Nadeem, Project Director, Governor's Clean Water Initiative and M. Akmal Hameed and Pervez Barkat.

The President lauded the role being played by the minority community in the socio-economic development of Pakistan and said Pakistan values their invaluable contributions in nation building and that the government would continue to work for protection of rights of all non-Muslim citizens.

He reaffirmed government's commitment towards the welfare and uplift of the Christians and all non-Muslims living in Pakistan.

The President called upon all concerned especially leaders of all faiths and schools of thoughts to play their role in promoting interfaith harmony and said that need for religious harmony and tolerance was never as great as it was today.

He said religious tolerance was the best way to create interfaith harmony as all religions stress tolerance and co- existence of people of all faiths, the President said.

Discussing UK-Pakistan relations, the President said that the two countries enjoy close and fraternal ties encompassing diverse areas of cooperation, adding that Pakistan considers UK as a close friend and genuine development partner.

The President welcomed Bishop Tony Rubinson on his visit to Pakistan for the great cause of inter-faith harmony and also appreciated his noble gesture to inaugurate clean drinking water and water treatment plants at Gojra, Punjab.

Bishop Tony Robinson appreciated the various steps being taken by the government for the welfare and betterment of the Christians and minority community in Pakistan. The delegation also appreciated the efforts being made by the government for promoting harmony among various faiths and religions.