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Larry Hagman: The loveable lunatic in a 10-gallon hat

0 shares 29 View comments Who shot JR? In the summer of 1980, it was the question that swept the world. It was emblazoned on T-shirts, mugs, billboards and newspapers, made the Ten O’clock News, kept bookies busy for months and was even mentioned in Parliament. Nearly 400 million people in more than 57 countries tuned in to watch scheming oil baron JR Ewing gunned down in the closing episode of the third series of Dallas. Even the U.S. election wasn’t immune when Jimmy Carter’s Republican opponents wore badges saying, ‘A Democrat shot JR’. And a session of the Turkish Parliament was suspended so legislators could get home in time to tune in. Loveable lunatic: Larry Hagman's off-screen life often rivalled that of his alter-ego JR Ewing in terms of excitement and entertainment Then when, months later, the video tape identifying the culprit finally arrived in London by plane, it was transported to the BBC under armed escort. Such was the global grip of America

Jacob Rees-Mogg: JANE FRYER meets the poshest man in politics

0 shares 118 View comments The honourable member for Somerset North East, Jacob Rees-Mogg, is enjoying a bit of a purple patch. He has recently been described as a ‘mini Boris’ and the ‘undisputed star of the backbenches’, constantly perking up dreary Commons sessions with his brilliant speeches and wonderfully dry humour (often in Latin) and sitting (very elegantly) back down to cries of ‘More! More!’ from both sides of the chamber. Quite a feat considering 43-year-old Jacob — second youngest child of the late Lord William Rees-Mogg — must be the poshest man in politics, alternately known as The Mogg, a Bertie Wooster throwback, ‘David Cameron’s worst nightmare’ and ‘the honourable member for the early 20th century’. Jacob Rees-Mogg has recently been described as a 'mini Boris' and the 'undisputed star of the backbenches', constantly perking up dreary Commons sessions with his brilliant speeches and wonderfully dry humour He is so unashamedly up

DR ELLIE CANNON: Impact of psoriasis could be more than skin deep

16 View comments The impact a skin disorder such as psoriasis can have on mental health is too often underestimated by GPs and non-sufferers. Those with psoriasis have higher-than-average rates of depression and suicide, and difficulties with employment and relationships. Skin deep: Psoriasis might be on the surface but it's effects can run far deeper How can a skin disease affect one’s mental health? A visible, often disfiguring disease such as psoriasis has a multitude of psychological and social effects. It often starts in the teenage years, just as a person is developing a sense of self and when self-esteem is critical. Research has shown that in the UK, more than 300 suicide attempts are attributable to psoriasis annually. Is there help available for those with skin-related psychological problems? The impact of psoriasis on mental health is now being recognised. In hospitals with centres of excellence for psoriasis, such as London’s Royal Free, psychologists

Why GP drug bias won't happen here

0 shares 10 View comments I was agog at the news last week that US doctors had accepted Madonna concert tickets, among other gifts, as incentive to prescribe GlaxoSmith-Kline’s medicines. The UK-based manufacturer was given a $3 billion penalty after admitting to what’s being called the ‘biggest healthcare fraud in history’. One antidepressant involved is Paxil. Known here as Seroxat, or paroxetine, it has been linked to a higher risk of suicide in some patients. Links: Antidepressant Seroxat is used in Britain. Manufacturer GlaxoSmith-Kline was given a $3billion penalty after admitting to what's being called the 'biggest healthcare fraud in history' In one case in 2003, an 18-year-old Londoner, Jamie Hoole, hanged himself after being put on it for two months. An inquest concluded his death may have been ‘wholly or in part’ linked to his use of the drug. The new scandal adds to the worry for the millions of Britons on antidepressants, including Seroxa

DR ELLIE CANNON: Keep abreast of 'moobs'

0 View comments Gynaecomastia is a condition where men grow breast tissue. Up to a third are affected and in some cases, it can be a sign of a more serious problem. Gynaecomastia: Weight gain in the chest area in men can sometimes resemble breasts and is usually a result of obesity Isn’t gynaecomastia just a fancy name for ‘moobs’? Weight gain in the chest area in men can sometimes resemble breasts and is usually a result of obesity. Weight loss can often remedy the problem. True gynaecomastia is the growth of breast tissue due to an imbalance of sex hormones. Testosterone wanes in old age so the condition is common in over-70s. It can also occur during puberty, and as a result of diseases such as liver cirrhosis, testicular cancer, kidney failure and an overactive thyroid. In a fifth of cases it’s caused by medication. What medication causes the condition? Drugs such as digoxin, amiodarone and amlodipine, used for high blood pressure. Anti-psychotic drugs for many men

DR ELLIE CANNON: Romney fails the NHS test

110 View comments Completely wrong: Mitt Romney criticised the NHS American presidential candidate Mitt Romney had the audacity last week to criticise the NHS for making his son wait six weeks for a colonoscopy when he presented with seemingly worrying symptoms while living in the UK in 1995. He claims this put his son in danger because the wait would be enough to make an operable cancer inoperable. He’s completely wrong. If a patient sees a GP in this country with worrying signs for any cancer, they are seen within two weeks by a specialist. This is an important target taking into account the length of time cancers take to develop and grow. Romney’s son was 19 at the time and it would be very rare to develop bowel cancer at this age. A colonoscopy would have been ordered for him to rule out bowel diseases such as Crohn’s or colitis. While waiting six weeks would be frustrating, it is unlikely to have been dangerous. A colonoscopy is a camera test where a thin flexible

Is measles on the way back, asks Dr Ellie Cannon

10 View comments There were almost twice as many measles cases in England and Wales in the first six months of 2012 as in the same period last year, according to Health Protection Agency figures. This implies parents may still worry about the MMR vaccination, more than a decade after false claims about its safety were first raised. The measles virus: Parents may still worry about the MMR vaccination, more than a decade after false claims about its safety were first raised Why is measles on the rise? This is unclear. Vaccination rates are now high at 93 per cent in England and Wales. In 2002, rates were less than 80 per cent. However, the cases may be in older children and teenagers who missed vaccines due to the scandal a decade ago. Is there a legal obligation on parents to vaccinate their children? No, but there is an ethical one. Measles kills and causes brain damage. As this is preventable, it could be considered negligent not to accept this protection for children