Paris,  SEP 28 (AP/UNB) — Balmain defied the trends in designer Olivier Rousteing's rebellious ode to the 90s, serving up an infectious soundtrack of nostalgia that had Kris Jenner and Eva Longoria tapping their feet.

And the debut of Issey Miyake's new designer tried literally to take flight with a multi-segment musical and gravity-defying dance performance.

Here are some highlights of Friday's spring-summer 2020 ready-to-wear collections in Paris, including Celine.

HIT ME BALMAIN ONE MORE TIME

Spring found Rousteing in a philosophical mood, posing a fundamental question about fashion.

Contemporary houses constantly mine the 60s, 70s and 80s for inspiration. But are styles from the 34-year-old designer's own youth — the 90s and early aughts — "too recent to consider"?

Cue a display in which Rousteing explored that era and, with no apology, "riffing on the distinctive sounds, spirit and styles of my youth."

Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" blasted on the soundtrack as gentle, Barbie pink flares — as might befit the costumes of the 90s' pop princess— billowed down the runway at Paris' Opera Garnier.

In contrast to Rousteing's normally austere and structured looks, this 90s musing moved him in a softer direction.

Monochrome and graphic prints graced models sporting 90s shades with hair parted at the side. While, polka-dot tuxedo jackets were constructed with a fluidity that nicely captured the heyday of, say, Janet Jackson.

Rousteing reflected on why recycled trends never encroach into a past more recent than 30 years: "It's perhaps due to a feeling that those looks need a bit more of the filter of time that always helps to smooth out past era's fashion bumps."

While the concept of the show was admirable, in its execution there were some unintended fashion bumps owing to the over-exuberance of certain detailing.

On some asymmetrical looks, the weight of voluminous fabric at the midriff tugged down and produced an unpleasant off-kilter effect.

DIAMONDS ARE THE WORLD'S BEST FRIEND

Fashion is one of the world's most polluting industries, but some houses are launching eco-friendly initiatives of note - some more incremental, some more important.

Chloe has started sending out electronic invitations, in favor of gas-guzzling courier.

And another such move was on display at Balmain's show that featured diamonds incorporated into the spring designs and adornments.

The house proudly claims the sparkle in the show's embellishments were "sustainably created diamonds" and were sourced from the world's only carbon-neutral diamond producer Diamond Foundry.

ISSEY MIYAKE'S FLYING START

Acrobatic ballerinas in parachute-like gowns twirled on one foot as they were hoisted up by a gravity-defying cable.

Models on electric skateboards whizzed past front row guests.

And a circle of models danced around holding hands like the figures in Henri Matisse's 1910 masterpiece "The Dance."

But the highlight by new designer Satoshi Kondo, one that had guests reaching for their cameras, came as Hula Hoops with stretch-material dresses inside descended from the ceiling above three standing models.

A dress slid into place over each model's head — triggering gasps from spectators.

It was the cue for the models to dance to funky music as the material in their gowns bounced like an accordion or a jack-in-the-box, which evoked the house's iconic 1994 Flying Saucer dress.

This last segment showed off the house's famed prowess with techno fabrics.

Yet, Kondo's color-rich designs as a whole didn't feel as fresh as the presentation, nor did he really seem to move the house in a new direction.

Still, there were many beautiful ideas in the spring silhouettes.

The first looks, a series of baby powder coats, had layers of material that folded around the body like origami. While, later in the collection, diaphanous brightly-colored anoraks billowed as they filed past like the cape of an Asian warrior at battle.

These specific looks encompassed what the program notes poetically described as the essential "sense of joy that is primitive and instinctive" in wearing clothes.

ISSEY MIYAKE'S NEW DESIGNER

Iconic Japanese designer Issey Miyake may have retired from the design helm of the house he founded in 1970, but he continues to exert great influence over the Franco-Japanese maison.

Miyake stepped in to appoint Kondo, the house said in a statement: "Mr. Miyake... has made a point of giving talented young designers within the company the opportunity to develop their skills."

But it's unclear why the designer since 2011, Yoshiyuki Miyamae, was replaced. Perhaps it was due to the lukewarm reception of his collections in recent years that some critics felt had lost their edginess.

In a curt explainer, the house said: "Regarding the change, it was a natural decision that came after the last show."

CELINE HAS CHANGED

Smoldering red column structures set the stage for Hedi Slimane's re-branded vision of Celine in an annex near the gilded Invalides.

It was the rebellious designer's third Celine women's collection to date, in which he continued in his clean break-away from its traditional designs.

Spring continued where fall left off — somewhere in the 70s.

Faded denim flares were a key theme in the pared-down designs that featured retro center partings, silk headscarves in leopard print, boho floral gowns and ruffled tan leather boots.

High necks defined the aesthetic of silk shirts that were accessorized by large fedora hats with razor sharp brims.

Smolder it didn't, but the former Saint Laurent designer served up a saleable collection, in which he put his youth-culture-infused stamp on the 74-year-old house.

 

Dhaka, Sept 26 (UNB) - Discolouration of teeth caused by caffeine is real. A lot of people enjoy their first cup in the morning, and continue to consume coffee throughout the day. Over time, this can cause stains on teeth, which, if not removed/taken care of, could affect dental health as well, reports The Indian Express. 

The stains occur when the tannins — organic substances found in plants — build up on the tooth enamel. Tannins are found in coffee, tea and even wine. In fact, black tea can cause more discolouration than coffee.

But you don’t have to give up on your love for coffee and like beverages altogether. There are some things that you can do instead to save your teeth from the stains. 

This activity has to be the basic one. You cannot obviously brush your teeth every time you drink coffee. But you could begin and end your day with it. Tooth stain is basically plaque accumulation, which could be taken care of by brushing you teeth with a whitening toothpaste and visiting the dentist every now and then for regular check ups.

You must also floss regularly because brushing alone cannot remove all the bacteria in the mouth.

Use a straw

When you use a straw, less liquid touches the teeth. This, in turn, means a lesser chance for it to stain your teeth. While most people use a straw for colder beverages, you can use one for hot ones too.

Sip on water 

Sip on water between cups of coffee to wash away the tannins, before they have a chance of settling on the teeth.

Add milk

Adding milk to coffee makes all the difference. According to a study published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, casein — the main protein in milk — can latch onto tannins and prevent staining.

Chew on a gum

Chewing on a sugar-free gum does the dual task of fighting the coffee breath and cleaning your teeth at the same time. Chewing a gum increases the amount of saliva in your mouth, which, in turn, helps wash away acids and plaque.

Dhaka, Sept 26 (UNB) - A person is said to be diabetic when their blood sugar is excessively high and the insulin hormone produced in the pancreas — that breaks down the glucose — is neither made by the body nor utilised well. The condition, if not managed well, can severely damage one’s eyes, kidneys and overall health, reports The Indian Express. 

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) estimate, 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes in 2016. It was the seventh-leading cause of death that year. But, it’s not all grim. The good news is that diabetes can at times be managed through a disciplined diet, regular screening and exercising.

There are several home remedies that could help you to deal with sugar level in your body along with the doctor’s prescribed medicines. One such ingredient is cinnamon, a common spice in Indian kitchen. It is used to add distant flavours to various dessert and savoury recipes. A study reported in the July 2000 edition of Agricultural Research Magazine found that consuming 1g of cinnamon per day can increase insulin sensitivity and help manage or reverse type 2 diabetes.

Benefits of having cinnamon in your diet: 

* The spice is known to stimulate cells for glucose consumption.

* Consuming cinnamon promotes the release of insulin from the pancreas and boosts insulin sensitivity that helps in the processing of glucose.

* It also contains mineral chromium that keeps one’s appetite under check and helps in getting rid of visceral fat.

* Packed with essential nutrients, it makes for an excellent detox drink.

* Results from a clinical study published in the Diabetes Care journal in 2003 suggest that cassia cinnamon (cinnamon bark) improves blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes, and may reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Here’s how you can include cinnamon in your diet in a few simple ways: 

Start the day with cinnamon water

Drinking warm water in the morning is a good way to start the day, To make it healthier just add a pinch of cinnamon bring to a full boil and drink the warm water. It will not just help in diabetes but also help you burn some extra fats.

A healthy substitute for sugar

Cinnamon has an inherently sweet flavour which you can use as a natural sweetener and also as a healthy alternative for refined sugar. Be it desserts like cake, pies, kheer, halwa or barfi just dust some cinnamon powder to enjoy a guilt-free dessert.

Add it to tea and coffee

Cinnamon goes well with tea and coffee, it tastes amazing too. The unique taste of cinnamon in your masala chai or hot coffee, plus its various health benefiting properties will level up your hot cup of beverage in ways more than one.

Breakfast oatmeals

Sprinkle cinnamon powder on a bowlful of fruits and cereals taste great as is.

Curries

Saute a small cinnamon stick with other dry spices like cloves and peppercorns to make flavoursome curries.

Dhaka, Sept 24 (UNB) – World leaders have adopted a high-level United Nations political declaration on universal health coverage (UHC), the “most comprehensive set of health commitments” ever adopted at this level.

“This declaration represents a landmark for global health and development,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO.

The WHO DG said the world has 11 years left to make good on its sustainable development goals. “Universal health coverage is the key to ensuring that happens.”

He said universal health coverage is a political choice. “World leaders have signaled their readiness to make that choice. I congratulate them.”

The declaration came on Monday, the day after the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners flagged the need to double health coverage between now and 2030 or leave up to 5 billion people unable to access healthcare, said the UN Information Center in Dhaka quoting the WHO.

In adopting the declaration, UN Member States have committed to advancing towards UHC by investing in four major areas around primary healthcare.

These include mechanisms to ensure no-one suffers financial hardship because they have had to pay for healthcare out of their own pockets and implementing high-impact health interventions to combat diseases and protect women’s and children’s health.

Besides, countries must strengthen health workforce and infrastructure and reinforce governance capacity. They will report back on their progress to the UN General Assembly in 2023.

“Now that the world has committed to health for all, it is time to get down to the hard work of turning those commitments into results,” said Melinda Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“We all have a role to play. Donors and country governments need to move beyond business as usual to bolster the primary health care systems that address the vast majority of people’s needs over their lifetimes,” said Gates.

On Tuesday, WHO and 11 other multilateral organisations, which collectively channel one third of development assistance for health, launched their Global Action Plan for health and wellbeing for all.

The plan will ensure the 12 partners provide more streamlined support to countries to help deliver universal health coverage and achieve the health-related SDG targets.

Dhaka, Sept 24 (UNB) - Consuming unhealthy food, high in fat and sugar, may have negative long-term effects on spatial memory, a study conducted in rats suggests, reposts The Indian Express. 

Spatial memory is responsible for the recording of information about one’s environment and spatial orientation.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, investigated cognitive function in rats that alternated between a ‘cafeteria diet’ of foods high in fat and sugar — like pies, cake, biscuits and chips — and their regular, healthy diet.

Over a period of six weeks, the rats were fed junk food in intervals of either three, five, or seven consecutive days, separated by their healthy chow diet.

The researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia found that the rats’ spatial memory recognition deteriorated in increments according to their pattern of access to junk food — the more days in a row they ate junk food, the worse their memory got.

“Anything over three days a week of eating badly impacted memory in these animals,” said Professor Margaret Morris from the UNSW School of Medical Sciences, and senior author of the study.

The researchers tested the rats’ spatial memory by first familiarising them with two objects.

They then repositioned one of the objects and monitored the rats’ ability to recognise a change in their environment.

A healthy animal, Morris explained, would be more likely to explore the object that had been moved.

“We all know that a healthy diet with minimal junk foods is good for our overall health and performance, but this paper shows that it is critical for optimal brain function as well,” she said.

Morris and her team previously showed diet-related changes in rats’ hippocampuses, which she explained as the part of the brain responsible for helping us find things and navigate spaces.

“This particular brain region is important in all of us. It’s also already known to be affected in humans by poor diet,” she said.

In addition to the reduced spatial memory recognition, the study also identified physical differences between rats who consumed the junk food on the three-day and five-day intervals.

The rats who were fed the cafeteria diet on the five-day schedule were considerably heavier, longer and had greater fat mass than those on the three-day schedule.

Their metabolic profile also bore a closer resemblance to those on the seven-day schedule than those on the three-day schedule.

The study adds to existing research on cognitive function and unhealthy diets — but it differs from the body of evidence in important ways.

Many existing studies test animals that have unrestrained access to junk food, which doesn’t resemble how junk food is consumed by humans.

“I think these kinds of experiments where animals have access only some of the time is a better model. I hope this paper starts to add to a more accurate idea of what happens when we eat unhealthily part of the time, not all of the time,” said lead author of the paper, Michael Kendig.

The researchers said that while the study produced important results, more research was needed before the findings could be translated to humans.

“It is notoriously difficult to do this kind of work in humans, due to ethical concerns,” Morris said.