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In a double-blind study of patients with chronic heart failure, supplementation with the fatty acids present in fish oil for an average of four years resulted in a small but statistically significant decrease in the number of patients who died or were hospitalized for cardiovascular reasons. The treatment consisted of 850 to 882 mg per day of a mixture of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (as their ethyl esters). In another double-blind trial, supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid improved heart function and decreased the number of hospitalizations in patients with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy.
Cod liver oil, another source of omega-3 fatty acids, has also been found to lower TGs. Cod liver oil is less expensive than the fish oil concentrates discussed previously. However, cod liver oil also contains relatively large amounts of vitamin A and vitamin D; too much of either can cause side effects. In contrast, fish oil concentrates have little or none of these vitamins. Individuals wishing to use cod liver oil as a substitute for a fish-oil concentrate should consult a doctor.
EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, lower blood pressure, according to an analysis of 31 trials. The effect was dependent on the amount of omega-3 fatty acids used, with the best results occurring in trials using unsustainably high levels: 15 grams per day—the amount often found in 50 grams of fish oil. Although results with lower intakes were not as impressive, trials using over 3 grams per day of omega-3 (as typically found in ten 1,000 mg pills of fish oil) also reported significant reductions in blood pressure. One double-blind trial reported that DHA had greater effects on blood pressure than EPA or mixed fish oil supplements. DHA is now available as a supplement separate from EPA.
Fish oil, which contains the fatty acids known as EPA and DHA, has been studied in the treatment of angina. In some studies, enough fish oil to provide a total of about 3 grams of EPA and 2 grams of DHA has reduced chest pain as well as the need for nitroglycerin; other investigators could not confirm these findings. People who take fish oil may also need to take vitamin E to protect the oil from undergoing potentially damaging oxidation in the body. It is not known how much vitamin E is needed to prevent such oxidation; the amount required would presumably depend on the amount of fish oil used. In one study, 300 IU of vitamin E per day prevented oxidation damage in individuals taking 6 grams of fish oil per day.
In a double-blind trial, fish oil was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving anxiety levels in a group of substance abusers (alcohol, cocaine, and/or heroin). The fish oil used in this study provided 3 grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids and was given for three months.
People diagnosed with depression may have lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. A double-blind trial found that bipolar patients taking 9.6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil per day in addition to their medications had significant improvements compared with those taking placebo. Similar benefits were reported in a preliminary trial that used 1.5 to 2 grams per day of pure eicosapentaenoic acid, a component of fish oil.However, in another double-blind trial, 8 grams per day of fish oil taken for 4 months was of no benefit for patients with bipolar disorder.In a preliminary trial, children with bipolar disorder saw benefits from omega-3 fatty acids (1,290 to 4,300 mg per day) from fish oil given for eight weeks.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid present in cod liver oil and other fish oils, is important for normal development of the brain and eyes. Studies have shown that higher concentrations of DHA in mothers' milk are associated with better visual acuity in the infants. Other studies have suggested that DHA improves the development of infants, although not all research agrees. Because DHA in the mother's diet passes into the breast milk, some doctors advise nursing mothers to supplement their diet with cod liver oil or another fish-oil supplement. Women wishing to use this or any supplement while breast-feeding should consult their doctors and use only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
In a double-blind trial, people with a type of arrhythmia known as ventricular premature complexes were supplemented for 16 weeks with either 15 ml (1 tbsp) per day of fish oil or a similar amount of safflower oil as placebo. Patients taking the fish oil had a significantly reduced frequency of abnormal heartbeats compared with those receiving placebo, and 44% of those receiving fish oil experienced at least a 70% reduction in the frequency of abnormal beats. In a separate study, however, men given 20 ml (4 tsp) of cod liver oil per day for six weeks, beginning one week after a heart attack, had the same frequency of irregular heart beats as did men given no supplemental oil. In a double-blind study, people who had a history of certain potentially life-threatening arrhythmias—sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation—had an increase in the recurrence rate of these arrhythmias when they took fish oil. A similar study found no adverse effect of fish oil supplements in people with these serious arrhythmias. Because of these conflicting findings, people with a history of either of these arrhythmias should consult a doctor before taking fish oil.
Fish oil helps relieve the inflammation of the gut that occurs in people suffering from Crohn's disease.
Inflammation within the gut occurs in people suffering from Crohn's disease. EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, have anti-inflammatory activity. Though research is conflicting, there is some evidence that fish oil improves Crohn's disease symptoms. A two-year trial compared the effects of having people with Crohn's disease eat 3.5 to 7 ounces of fish high in EPA and DHA per day or having them eat a diet low in fish. In that trial, the fish-eating group had a 20% relapse rate compared with 58% among those not eating fish. Salmon, herring, mackerel, albacore tuna, and sardines are all high in EPA and DHA.
In a double-blind trial, people with Crohn's disease who took supplements providing 2.7 g of EPA/DHA per day had a recurrence rate of 26% after one year, compared to a 59% recurrence rate among those taking placebo.
The impaired digestion of fats in people with CF often leads to a deficiency of essential fatty acids. This deficiency may in turn lead to lowered immune function, which makes people with CF more susceptible to respiratory infection. This deficiency may be reversed by supplementation with corn oil (1 gram per 2.2 pounds body weight per day),safflower oil (1 gram per 2.2 pounds body weight per day), linoleic acid (7.7 grams per day), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA from fish oil) (2.7 grams per day). EPA supplementation was particularly effective. In a double-blind trial, six weeks of supplementation with 2.7 grams of EPA per day led to a reduction in sputum and improvement in lung function in children with chronic respiratory infection due to CF.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, particularly DHA, are needed for normal nervous system function. Depressed people have been reported to have lower omega-3 fatty acid levels (for example, DHA) than people who are not depressed. Low levels of the other omega-3 fatty acid from fish, EPA, have correlated with increased severity of depression. In some double-blind trials, supplementation with various amounts of fish oil was beneficial for the treatment of depression in both children and adults, but fish oil was ineffective in other double blind trials.
Diets low in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have been associated with menstrual pain. In one double-blind trial, supplementation with fish oil, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, led to a statistically significant 37% drop in menstrual symptoms. In that report, adolescent girls with dysmenorrhea took an unspecified amount of fish oil that provided 1,080 mg of EPA and 720 mg of DHA per day for two months to achieve this result. A double-blind trial found that the same amount of EPA and DHA plus 7.5 mcg per day of vitamin B12 led to a greater than 50% decrease in menstrual symptoms, but a group taking only fish oil did not obtain as much relief. Six grams of fish oil per day provides the approximate levels of EPA and DHA used in these trials. In another double-blind trial, 1 gram per day of fish oil significantly decreased pain intensity, compared with a placebo, in women with dysmennorhea.
Ten grams of fish oil providing 1.8 grams of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) per day were given to a group of eczema sufferers in a double-blind trial. After 12 weeks, those using the fish oil experienced significant improvement. According to the researchers, fish oil may be effective because it reduces levels of leukotriene B4, a substance that has been linked to eczema. The eczema-relieving effects of fish oil may require taking ten pills per day for at least 12 weeks. Smaller amounts of fish oil have been shown to lack efficacy.
One trial using vegetable oil as the placebo reported that fish oil was barely more effective than the placebo (30% vs. 24% improvement). As vegetable oil had previously been reported to have potential therapeutic activity, the apparent negative outcome of this trial should not dissuade people with eczema from considering fish oil.
Consult a doctor for the amount to take. In a preliminary study, supplementation with 3.25 grams per day of a mixture of omega-3 fatty acids (primarily eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) for six months markedly reduced the frequency of seizures in five severely retarded epileptic patients. However, a double-blind trial found that fish oil was not beneficial in patients with epilepsy. A more recent double-blind trial found that a lower dose of fish oil (providing daily 1,080 mg of EPA + DHA) taken for 10 weeks reduced seizure frequency by one-third, whereas a higher dose (providing daily 2,160 mg of EPA + DHA) had no effect. Additional research is needed to determine whether fish oil is beneficial for people with epilepsy, and what the optimal level of intake is.
Fish oil contains the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have led to partial reversal of atherosclerosis in a double-blind trial. In another double-blind trial, individuals were given either fish oil (containing about 1 gram of EPA and 2/3 gram of DHA) or mustard oil (containing about 3 grams alpha linolenic acid, another omega-3 fatty acid) 18 hours after a heart attack. Both groups experienced fewer nonfatal heart attacks compared to a placebo group, while the fish oil group also experienced fewer fatal heart attacks. The largest published study on omega-3 fatty acids for heart attack prevention was the preliminary GISSI Prevenzione Trial, which reported that 850 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil per day for 3.5 years resulted in a 20% reduction in total mortality and a 45% decrease in sudden death. Other investigators suggest that fish oil reduces the amount of heart muscle damage from a heart attack and enhances the effect of blood-thinning medication. People wishing to supplement with fish oil should take fish oil supplements that include at least small amounts of vitamin E, which may protect this fragile oil against free radical damage.
Research on the effect of the omega-3 fatty acids that are abundant in some fish, fish oils, and flaxseed oil is conflicting. Liquid diets containing omega-3 fatty acids used in hospitals for critically ill people have been shown to improve immune function and reduce infections. However, in one controlled study in healthy people, a low-fat diet improved or maintained immune function, but when fish was added to increase omega-3 fatty acid intake, immune function was significantly inhibited.
Supplementation with DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil) in healthy young men has been shown to decrease the activity of immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, and to inhibit certain measures of inflammation in the test tube. The anti-inflammatory effects of DHA may be useful in the management of autoimmune disorders; however, such benefits need to be balanced with the potential for increased risk of infections. Other studies suggest that increased oxidative damage might be the reason for the negative effects on the immune system sometimes caused by fish oil, and that increased intake of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, could correct the problem.
In a double-blind study, supplementation with a proprietary blend of acetyl-L-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, and coenzyme Q10 for 12 months resulted in an improvement in both visual function and in objective findings on eye examination (a decrease in the drusen-covered area on the retina).
In one small trial, people with MS were given approximately 20 grams of fish oil in capsules per day. After one to four months, 42% of these people received slight but significant benefits, including reduced urinary incontinence and improved eyesight. However, a longer double-blind trial involving over 300 people with MS found that half this amount of fish oil given per day did not help.[REF] In another trial, combining fish oil supplementation (6 grams per day) with a low-fat diet (15% of total calories) appeared to reduce the relapse rate in people with the relapsing-remitting form of MS. However, a double-blind study found that supplementing with the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil (1,350 mg of EPA and 850 mg of DHA per day) for two years had no effect on disease activity or relapse rate in people with relapsing-remitting MS.
In a small preliminary trial, people with MS were given 20 grams of cod liver oil, as well as approximately 680 mg of magnesium and 1,100 mg of calcium per day in the form of dolomite tablets. After one year, the average number of MS attacks decreased significantly for each person. Unlike fish oil capsules, the cod liver oil in this trial contained not only eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), but 5,000 IU of vitamin D. Therefore, it is not known whether the vitamin D or fatty acids were responsible for the cod liver oil's effects. (One preliminary study found that giving vitamin D-like drugs to animals with MS was helpful.) It is also possible that the magnesium and/or calcium given to these people reduced MS attacks. Magnesium and calcium levels have been reported to be lower in the nerve tissue of people with MS compared with healthy people.
The PKU diet is low in fatty acids, some of which are essential for proper brain development. In one controlled study of children with PKU who were deficient in fatty acids, supplementation with fish oil (but not with black currant seed oil) for six months improved the deficiency. The children received 500 mg of oil per 8.8 pounds of body weight each day for 6 months. The amount varied from 5–8 capsules (each containing 500 mg) per day for each child. In another study, fish oil supplementation (providing 15 mg of docosahexaenoic acid per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day) improved body coordination and fine motor skills in children with PKU.
Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, and animal studies suggest that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may improve recovery and prevent infection after surgery. A controlled human trial found that intravenous nutritional formulas containing omega-3 fatty acids given post-operatively lowered the production of inflammatory chemicals compared with standard nutritional formulas. Other human studies of omega-3 fatty acid-supplemented nutritional formulas used in surgery patients have included other supplemental nutrients as well and are discussed below.
In a double-blind trial, fish oil (10 grams per day) was found to improve the skin lesions of psoriasis. In another trial, supplementing with 3.6 grams per day of purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, one of the fatty acids found in fish oil) reduced the severity of psoriasis after two to three months. That amount of EPA is usually contained in 20 grams of fish oil, a level that generally requires 20 pills to achieve. However, when purified EPA was used in combination with purified docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, another fatty acid contained in fish oil), no improvement was observed.
Additional research is needed to determine whether fish oil itself or some of its components are more effective for people with psoriasis. One trial showed that applying a preparation containing 10% fish oil directly to psoriatic lesions twice daily resulted in improvement after seven weeks. In addition, promising results were reported from a double-blind trial in which people with chronic plaque-type psoriasis received 4.2 g of EPA and 4.2 g of DHA or placebo intravenously each day for two weeks. Thirty-seven percent of those receiving the essential fatty acid infusions experienced greater than 50% reduction in the severity of their symptoms.
Supplementing with fish oil also may help prevent the increase in blood levels of triglycerides that occurs as a side effect of certain drugs used to treat psoriasis (e.g., etretinate and acitretin).
In a double-blind trial, supplementation with 12 large capsules of fish oil per day (providing 4 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] per day) for 6 or 12 weeks reduced the severity of blood-vessel spasm in 5 of 11 people with Raynaud's phenomenon. Fish oil was effective in people with primary Raynaud's disease, but not in those whose symptoms were secondary to another disorder.
In a preliminary trial, 13 patients with sickle cell anemia were given two supplement combinations for seven to eight months each. The first combination included 109 mg zinc, 153 IU vitamin E, 600 mg vitamin C, and 400 ml (about 14 ounces) of soybean oil containing 11 grams of linoleic acid and 1.5 grams of alpha linolenic acid. The second combination included 140 IU vitamin E, 600 mg vitamin C, and 20 grams of fish oil containing 6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. Reduction in diseased cells was observed only during the administration of the first protocol. The authors concluded that zinc was the important difference between the two combinations and may be a protector of red blood cell membranes.
Fish oil alone has also been studied. In a double-blind trial, supplementation with menhaden oil, in the amount of 250 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day for one year, reduced the frequency of severe pain episodes by approximately 45%, compared with placebo. This treatment may work by correcting an imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that occurs in people with sickle cell anemia. The beneficial effect of the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil was confirmed in another double-blind study.
One older controlled trial found that children given 3 teaspoons of cod liver oil per day (containing roughly 800 IU of vitamin D) for an entire school year had over 50% fewer new cavities. These promising results have not been followed up with modern placebo-controlled trials.
Preliminary and double-blind trials have found that fish oil supplementation reduces inflammation, decreases the need for anti-inflammatory drugs, and promotes normal weight gain in people with UC. However, fish oil has not always been effective in clinical trials for UC. Amounts used in successful clinical trials provided 3.2 grams of EPA and 2.2 grams of DHA per day—the two important fatty acids found in fish oil.
In a double-blind trial, supplementing with the fatty acids present in fish oil (0.6 grams per day of EPA and 1.7 grams per day of DHA) for six months was not beneficial in people with Alzheimer's disease. However, in the subgroup of people with very mild cognitive impairment, supplementation with these fatty acids slowed the rate of cognitive decline compared with a placebo.
In a preliminary study, four patients with chronic fatigue syndrome reported an improvement in their symptoms after taking an essential fatty acid supplement daily for at least 12 weeks. The amount used was 10 to 18 capsules per day, and each capsule contained 93 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 29 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and 10 mg of gamma-linolenic acid. Because there was no placebo group in this study and, because fatigue often improves after treatment with a placebo, additional research is needed to confirm this report.
A greater intake of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils has been linked to reduced risk of COPD, though research has yet to investigate whether fish oil supplements would help people with COPD. In a double-blind trial, people with COPD received a fatty acid supplement (providing daily 760 mg of gamma-linolenic acid, 1,200 mg of alpha-linolenic acid, 700 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid, and 340 mg of docosahexaenoic acid) or a placebo (80% palm oil and 20% sunflower oil) during an eight-week rehabilitation program. Compared with the placebo, the fatty acid supplement significantly improved exercise capacity. While two of the fatty acids supplied in this supplement (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic [DHA] acid) are found in fish oil, is not known which components of the supplement were most responsible for the improvement. Gamma-linolenic acid is found in evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil, and borage oil; alpha-linolenic acid is found in flaxseed oil and other oils.
Surveys have shown that Inuit people, who consume large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, have a much lower incidence of some types of glaucoma than do Caucasians. Although there have been no studies on the use of omega-3 fatty acids to treat glaucoma, one study found that cod liver oil (a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids) reduced intraocular pressure in animals.
An assessment of 3,654 Australians aged 49 years or older found an association between a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish and a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration.
The omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil, EPA and DHA, have anti-inflammatory effects and have been studied primarily for rheumatoid arthritis, which involves significant inflammation. However, osteoarthritis also includes some inflammation. In a 24-week controlled but preliminary trial studying people with osteoarthritis, people taking EPA had "strikingly lower" pain scores than people who took placebo. However, in a double-blind trial by the same research group, supplementation with 10 ml of cod liver oil per day was no more effective than a placebo.
In a small preliminary trial, supplementation with fish oil (10 grams per day for three months) reduced photosensitivity in 90% of people suffering from polymorphous light eruptions.
Glucose tolerance improves in healthy people taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements. And in one trial, people with diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy) and diabetic nephropathy experienced significant improvement when given 600 mg three times per day of purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)—one of the two major omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements—for 48 weeks. However, controlled studies have found that fish oil supplementation increases cholesterol in people with type 1 diabetes. Until the risk–benefit ratio of using fish oil is clarified, people with diabetes should feel free to increase their fish intake, but they should consult a doctor before taking fish oil supplements.
Glucose tolerance improves in healthy people taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and some studies have found that fish oil supplementation also improves glucose tolerance, high triglycerides, and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. And in one trial, people with diabetic neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy experienced significant improvement when given 600 mg three times per day of purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)—one of the two major omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements—for 48 weeks. However, other studies have found that type 2 diabetes worsens with fish oil supplementation. Until this issue is resolved, people with diabetes should feel free to eat fish, but they should consult a doctor before taking fish oil supplements.
In one trial, the maximum amount of fish oil tolerated by people being treated for cancer-related weight loss was reported to be approximately 21 grams per day.2 However, in people who do not have cancer, the maximum tolerated amount may be different.
So-called "primitive" diets have much higher levels of EPA and DHA than modern diets. As a result, some researchers and doctors believe that most people who eat a typical western diet are likely to be consuming less-than-optimal amounts of EPA and DHA. To a very limited extent, omega-3 fatty acids from vegetable sources, such as flaxseed oil, can be converted in the body to EPA.
Anemia is one of the side effects of ribavirin therapy. In a preliminary trial, supplementing with EPA partially prevented the decline in hemoglobin levels in patients with hepatitis C who were being treated with the combination of ribavirin and pegylated interferon alpha-2b.
In patients with major depression, the addition of the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil (1.8 g per day of eicosapentaenoic acid and 0.4 g per day of docosahexaenoic acid, in 2 divided amounts per day for 8 weeks) enhanced the antidepressant effect of citalopram.
1. Belluzzi A, Brignola C, Campieri M, et al. Effects of new fish oil derivative on fatty acid phospholipid-membrane pattern in a group of Crohn's disease patients. Dig Dis Sci 1994;39:2589-94.
2. Burns CP, Halabi S, Clamon GH, et al. Phase I clinical study of fish oil fatty acid capsules for patients with cancer cachexia: cancer and leukemia group B study 9473. Clin Cancer Res 1999;5:3942-7.
3. Maes M, Smith R, Christophe A, et al. Fatty acid composition in major depression: decreased omega 3 fractions in cholesteryl esters and increased C20: 4 omega 6/C20:5 omega 3 ratio in cholesteryl esters and phospholipids. J Affect Disord 1996;38:35-46.
4. Edwards R, Peet M, Shay J, Horrobin D. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in the diet and in red blood cell membranes of depressed patients. J Affect Disord 1998;48:149-55.
5. Peet M, Murphy B, Shay J, Horrobin D. Depletion of omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes of depressive patients. Biol Psychiatry 1998;43:315-9.
6. Maes M, Christophe A, Delanghe J, et al. Lowered omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in serum phospholipids and cholesteryl esters of depressed patients. Psychiatry Res 1999;85:275-91.
7. Navarro E, Esteve M, Olivé A, et al. Abnormal fatty acid pattern in rheumatoid arthritis. A rationale for treatment with marine and botanical lipids. J Rheumatol 2000;27:298-303.
8. Gaby, AR. Nutritional Medicine. Concord, NH: Fritz Perlberg Publishing, 2011.
9. Luostarinen R, Wallin R, Wibell L, et al. Vitamin E supplementation counteracts the fish oil-induced increase of blood glucose in humans. Nutr Res 1995; 15:953-68.
10. Sheehan JP, Wei IW, Ulchaker M, Tserng KY. Effect of high fiber intake in fish oil-treated patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66:1183-7.
11. Adler AJ, Holub BJ. Effect of garlic and fish-oil supplementation on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;65:445-50.
12. Leaf A, Weber PC. Cardiovascular effects of n-3 fatty acids. N Engl J Med 1988;318:549-57 [review].
13. Malasanos TH, Stacpoole PW. Biological effects of omega-3 fatty acids in diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 1991;14:1160-79.
14. Schectman G, Kaul S, Kassebah AH. Effect of fish oil concentrate on lipoprotein composition in NIDDM. Diabetes 1988;37:1567-73.
15. Toft I, Bonaa KH, Ingebretsen OC, et al. Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on glucose homeostasis and blood pressure in essential hypertension. Ann Intern Med 1995;123:911-8.
16. Dunstan DW, Burke V, Mori TA, et al. The independent and combined effects of aerobic exercise and dietary fish intake on serum lipids and glycemic control in NIDDM. Diabetes Care 1997;20:913-21.
17. Harris WS, Zucker ML, Dujovne CA. Omega-3 fatty acids in type IV hyperlipidemia: fish oils vs. methyl esters. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;45:858 [abstract].
18. Kmet A, Unger J, Jahangir K, Kolber MR. Fish-oil capsule ingestion: a case of recurrent anaphylaxis. Can Fam Physician 2012;58:e379-81.

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Well, there’s no Sharks match this week, so at least I should be able to pick with head, rather than heart. That said, round 2 was a pretty good one for me, as I correctly picked six out of seven winners correctly (only getting the Lions-Stormers result wrong – and I like to think I was in good company there). Let’s see what round 3 will dish up.
It’s to the North Island we go, with both of these teams seeking redemption after opening-round losses. Both have made changes at flyhalf, in search of better performances and in essence, the changes that have been made make it pretty hard to predict what will happen. The Crusaders certainly won’t leave 15 points on the table through missed goal kicks again, but we fancy the Blues might just have enough to edge the rusty-looking former champs, at home. Blues to win a close game by 3 points.
Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 George Moala, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid (captain)/Brendon O’Connor, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Sam Prattley.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Liaki Moli, 20 Brendan O’Connor/Jordan Manihera, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Benji Marshall, 23 Pita Ahki.
Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Rob Thompson, 13 Reynold Lee-Lo, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Richie McCaw, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Tim Perry.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Adam Whitelock, 23 Israel Dagg.
This is going to be a hugely important game for both sides. While their fans may beat their chests about last week’s result, the reality is that a poor Cheetahs outfit were only marginally better than a terrible Bulls one in Bloemfontein and really can’t make any meaningful claim to be starting their tour off in good form. The Rebels are an unknown quantity, having made a lot of off-season changes both in terms of coaching and playing staff – what’s more, they have yet to see action this year, so we really don’t know what to expect. The home side has never recorded a victory against the Cheetahs, but we saw last year when they beat the Stormers and Waratahs that the Rebels are capable of the occasional big performance. In other words, don’t wright them off as having no hope here. If the Cheetahs play to their potential, they should see off the Australians, but I really can’t pretend to be full of confidence in that result. I’m going to back the Cheetahs for a close win, by about 5 points, but it could very easily go the other way too unless Naka Drotske’s men improve drastically on what they’ve shown so far.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Colby Fainga’a, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Angus Roberts, 23 Tom Kingston.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Nicolaas van Dyk, 19 Rynhardt Landman, 20 Jean Cook, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Hennie Daniller.
Wow, who fancies calling this one? Let’s be frank, if the Stormers play like they did last week, the Canes will kill them, simple as that. A week is a long time in rugby, though and one feels that the wake-up call has probably been properly heard in Cape Town. I’m not sure that “backlash” is exactly the right word to use here, but it’s unlikely that the Stormers can be as utterly woeful for a second successive week. Add to that a pack which really should replicate the sort of dominance that the Sharks showed and you should have the foundation for a reasonable win. I also think that the Canes might suffer a bit of a delayed effect after the beating they took upfront in the energy-sapping Durban heat. All the signs, in other words, point to a Stormers win; now if only they could find a way to score some tries to make it a telling victory. Stormers to prevail by 6 points.
DHL Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Ryno Eksteen.
Hurricanes: 15 Marty Banks, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 John Schwalger, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 James Broadhurst, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Alapati Leiua, 23 James Marshall.
Another Kiwi derby, this one should be a bit easier to get right. The Highlanders defied expectations in downing a somewhat off-colour Blues team last week, but look unlikely to really threaten the defending champs, especially without talisman Brad Thorn up front, who is now out injured. Expect the Mooloo Men to record a decent enough victory at home; Chiefs by around 10 points.
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden (captain), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Nick Crosswell, 5 Matt Symons, 4 Michael Fitzgerald, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Tevita Koloamatangi, 20 Liam Squire, 21 Brad Webber, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 James Lowe.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Winston Stanley, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Malakai Fekitoa, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (co-captain), 7 John Hardie, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames.
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Matias Diaz, 18 Craig Millar, 19 Josh Bekhuis, 20 Shane Christie, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Trent Renata, 23 Phil Burleigh.
These games are so tough to call and pretty much always go the way you don’t expect them to. The Reds were decent, without being great against the Brumbies, whilst the Tahs got off to a flying start against a new look Force side that quite simply couldn’t match them in any area. Don’t expect another big win here, but I fancy the home side should edge the contest given their slightly better form. Waratahs to win a humdinger (which might be high-scoring) by about 4 points.
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Stephen Hoiles, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Jacques Potgieter, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements – from: 16 Tola Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Pat McCutcheon, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Rob Horne, 23 Matt Carraro, 24 Pat McCutcheon, 25 Jonno Lance.
Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Anthony Fainga’a, 11 Dom Shipperley, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O’Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Ben Lucas, 23 Chris Feauai-Sautia.
The Force haven’t been named yet (big surprise) but they really did take a whipping in Sydney on Sunday. The Brumbies looked a little underdone in their opening loss against the Reds, but there was enough in that performance to suggest that they’ll probably have too much for a Force side full of new players and still trying to find rhythm. Brumbies to win by around 7.
Force: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Patrick Dellit, 13 Junior Rasolea, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (c), 6 Chris Alcock, 5 Hugh McMeniman, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20 Angus Cottrell, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Sias Ebersohn, 23 Jayden Hayward.
Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Leon Power, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Lionel Cronje.
Probably the most interesting game of the round from a South African perspective, after surprising all comers with their opening performances, the Lions have a real chance of adding an unprecedented third South African scalp in as many weeks. The Bulls have not gone winless for in their opening three matches since 2005, though and have made a few changes that should strengthen a side that has been very poor in the opening weeks. There’s a lot of rather smart money on the Lions this week, given form, but I’m going to buck that trend and back the Bulls to pull off a gritty and much-needed home win. It won’t be pretty, but I think the Bulls will pull through, by about 6 points. Let’s hope there are at least some of the “faithful” at Loftus to see them do it.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Grant Hattingh, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Jono Ross, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe (captain), 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Ulrich Beyers.
Lions: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Jacobus Jonker, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 20 Willie Britz, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Courtnall Skosan, 23 Coenie van Wyk.
cant bring yourself to back the Lions ?
i have noticed they never win when you pick them so hopefully this week will be the same i suspect it to be a tight match . winner 3 points either way imo not over confident . but would be a good win if it happens .
Is it prudent to think that we could have 2 SA home teams being boooooood by their home crowd this weekend.
Eish Rob there some tough games to call. I think with Read and Mccaw the Saders could probably get it done against the Blues. I have a little feeling that the Highlanders could upset the Chiefs- but its only a little feeling. The Rebels side do look average- but that game is anyone’s bet. Same as Tahs vs Reds.Brumbies will win unless they are poor. Stormers side looks much more balanced and should win. Bulls will be desperate and also look more balanced. Think the Lions 2 weeks of all hands on deck could catch up in the 2nd half.
So it looks like the Stormers have gone and got themselves another Pacific Islander wing. Hoo boy, but will they be able to convince the masses that he can talk Afrikaans.
I sometimes wonder what the hell actually happens in that boardroom.
Last week I got 2 of 7 – Sharks and Tahs, this week I’m with Rob on all but one of his calls – Crusaders, let’s see if my record will improve.
Went with the Saders and . . gulp the lions! For the rest I backed the favourites.
Wow, 5/6 so far, not bad. Now lets the see the bulls knock over the lions and have them coming to Durban next week a little demotivated (not that we’ll need it).

industry_corpus2: Sports


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SWANSEA have taken a ‘massive risk’ by putting their faith in Garry Monk.
That’s the verdict of former Swansea star Andy Legg.
Club captain Monk has surprisingly been put in charge of the Swans' relegation fight after Michael Laudrup was sacked on Tuesday.
But ex-Wales and Swans midfielder Legg warned his former club they have taken a huge gamble with their Premier League survival.
Monk, 34, has no previous managerial experience but must somehow rescue Swansea’s chaotic season.
The Swans are just two points off relegation after one win in 10 and face arch rivals Cardiff on Saturday.
“The board have taken a massive gamble on Garry,” said former favourite Legg, who spent five years at Swansea from 1988 to 1993.
Monk has played in all four divisions of the League over the past 10 years at the Welsh club.
That alone should be enough to guarantee him the backing of the players, board and fans.
Legg, who also played for Cardiff, said: “He was a winner as captain and he will have the respect of the players and board. That will go a long way but the issue is his inexperience.
“He has not managed at any level, let along in the Premier League with a team in a slump.
Monk’s first move was to order double training sessions.
Laudrup’s preparation – or a perceived lack of it - was one of the biggest gripes over his management at boardroom level.
Laudrup’s assistant manager Morten Wieghorst, fitness coach Oscar Garcia and European scout Erik Larsen were yesterday also sacked, as the clear-out at the Liberty Stadium continued.
Now Monk must try to repair a fractured dressing room in time for the south Wales derby.
Legg added: “Every manager has their way of doing things.
“I didn’t hear anyone complaining about Laudrup’s training methods or the time he spends away when Swansea were winning the cup, finishing high in the league or beating Valencia.
“But it goes back to last summer when he and the chairman weren’t speaking to each other over signings. That’s when the relationship broke down.


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Cable trunking is the widely used cable tray which is engineered to support and protect wires and cables from damage. Cable tray is often made of hot dip galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, fiberglass or polyvinyl chloridere (PVC). Metal type is the extensively used in supermarkets, hotels, hospitals and factories, but fiberglass and PVC type are often used in the places where are more corrosive and explosion proof places like water treatment factories, tunnels, underground mines, etc. JINHENG brand cable tray is made with high quality materials by full automatic production line. They are available in different sizes, forms and easy to access fittings for your demands.
We are not only manufacturing high quality cable tray products but also providing designing and logo customization, ODM and OEM are also available. Welcome to visit our factory.

industry_corpus2: Manufacturing


text:
Label: homemade mailboxes. homemade mailboxes in jax fla. homemade wooden mailboxes. homemade mailboxes ideas. homemade valentine mailboxes school.
Label: diy home art studio. home art studio supplies. home art studio tumblr. home art studio. home art studio furniture.
Label: vintage pink flower vases. vintage flower vases. vintage silver flower vases. vintage pottery flower vases. vintage flower vases for sale.
Label: large makeup storage containers. makeup storage containers for drawers. makeup storage containers south africa. storage containers for makeup and jewelry. makeup storage containers travel.
Label: yourself. treatments. french. door. it.
Label: pictures for kitchen curtains. fruit pictures for kitchen. country pictures for kitchen. canvas pictures for kitchen. pictures for kitchen amazon.
Label: accent wall designs. accent wall designs dining room. accent wall design tips. accent wall designs to make room bigger. accent wall design ideas.

industry_corpus2: Others


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are there any spaces for Grade 9 (2016)? I'd like to register my interest for a space for my nephew. pls advise.
Please some one help me with Badihagwa Secondary School's address?
I, Rabai Philip, currently a final year medical student (doing Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery) at the University of Papua New Guinea, am writing to express my interest in teaching at your school.
I was one of the students who passed out of BTSS in 2010 and was the only one from that era to be selected to UPNG, doing Science Foundation Year. Since then I thought of giving something back to my former school in terms of visiting the school and give motivational and encouraging speech to students there but then time was not on my side.
Since this academic year, 2016, has been terminated, I find that this could be my only chance to give something back to my former school in terms teaching the upcoming student.
If I am given the opportunity I would be more than happy to give my best in working with your team to producing some good students and results for this year, 2016. I would love to teach biology and mathematics if given the opportunity.
For further information, I can be contacted via my email address rabaiphil@gmail.com or my digicel phone # 716 116 70.
Could someone pls contact me so I can discuss about my niece who has been 'stood down' from school (grade 9) due to non payment of school fees.
Thank you and await your urgent response.
Hi, is there available space for Grade 9 new intakes 2017? I have my daughter who's selected to continue gr.9 at Mainohana Cath Sch, but due to the distance, i would like her to be transfered to a nearby school to where we currently reside. Pls advise if there is space to put her in your school and what more of the requirements to be enrolled sooner before school starts. your help would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
Please I'm seeking for space for (grade 11). Please e-mail me.
Please could you help me looking for grade 11 space, in Badihagwa secondary school.
Subject. Expression of Interest for Teaching in NCDC next year 2019.
s per the above subject mentioned, I wish to apply for a teaching position in the province to come and teach next year.
Kindly would like to enroll my elder daughter which she completed her grd 8, last year 2018, can her name can be confirmed and informed me on email or call me on 71508678, that will be much apricated your reply.

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


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Chocolate and navy beans – not usually ingredients that go together. I’ve said it before and I’ll likely say it again because they’re amazing – beans and legumes are SO underrated when it comes to desserts. They’re virtually tasteless when you add other flavours, give a great texture to many recipes and are packed full of protein, which means you don’t get a sugar slump after eating dessert. I don’t know why they’re not used more considering how cheap they are, but I love them and after making this recipe I hope you will too!
This Chocolate Navy Bean Mousse is really delicious. I’m always looking for ways to create healthier desserts without compromising on taste and this one is just so good – I could eat it each day. The beans provide protein and vitamins, and the cashews and avocados make it taste creamy. It’s easy to make and just requires a high speed blender or food processor (this bit’s important otherwise you’ll end up with a lumpy mousse which believe me, you won’t want to eat). I recommend using dates and maple syrup but you could just use maple syrup if you can’t be bothered with blending the dates to a paste or if you’re short on time (if you do this, simply blend all ingredients together at once).
The beauty of this recipe is really in the presentation – you can decorate it with whatever you like, but for these images I’ve used freeze-dried raspberries, shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, pecans and cacao nibs. The key is colour! Berries, dried fruit, nuts and seeds work really well as decorations.
You can freeze thisChocolate Navy Bean Mousse, though if you do I recommend covering it and only decorating once you remove it from the freezer. Enjoy!
Add the dates, melted coconut oil, water and maple syrup to a blender or food processor and blend until you have a relatively smooth date paste.
Add all remaining ingredients and blend on medium to full power until a really smooth texture forms. Spoon into ramekins or bowls, decorate with your favourite toppings and serve.
Store any remains in the fridge, covered, for up to five days.
Disclaimer: if you’re a regular to this blog you’ll know that I like chocolate (understatement). This is actually the third chocolate mousse/pudding recipe I’ve posted – each one uses slightly different ingredients so you can pick the best one to suit your tastes/cravings/moods. Go find them here.

industry_corpus2: Hospitality & Catering


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Bob writes a letter 2 minutes after talking to Marj on the phone to further detail yet another successful trip to Washington.
The troop’s demonstration for the general gets rained out, much to Bob’s relief.
Bob sends a few Aberdeen themed postcards in lieu of the usual stationery. He gets into the swing of things at the new post, but also finds time to see a couple symphonies and a mountaineering presentation.


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The Deal On Rims has been one of the largest distributor of Brazen wheels since Brazen wheels first began producing rims. All Brazen wheels carry the manufacturor's warranties against defects in workmanship. If you have a warranty issue on a set of Brazen wheels that we sold you, just give us a call and we will facilitate the warranty process. If you purchase a Brazen wheel and tire package from us, we can mount them and balance them with the recommended tire size for your vehicle and send the set to your door ready to be installed onto your vehicle. All of our wheellines are of the tested for quality and durability or we don't carry them. One thing that you can be sure of is that you have chosen one of the largest distirbutor of wholesale Brazen wheels in the nation!!
Brazen Wheels is America's leading manufacturer of aluminum after-market automobile and truck wheels. We are the oldest privately held and family owned corporation in the industry. We maintain and operate our own distribution network of wholesale locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Brazen Wheels operates several manufacturing facilities in the U.S., one in California and the second in South Carolina. We utilize the most advanced technologies in the industry including: ProE, ProMechanica and Magma engineering software within our R&D teams; "counter-pressure-casting" technologies, which were pioneered by Brazen and research facilities in Europe; exclusive use of precision CNC machine tools and state-of-the-art coatings facilities to create the finest finishes available. Brazen Wheel Corporation is committed to exceeding customer expectations by manufacturing the highest quality products at competitive costs. Through state-of-the-art technology and a responsibility to environmental concerns, we strive to be a benefit to our employees, an asset to the community, and a positive experience for all who have contact with the company. A new addition to Brazen Wheels. Two-tone black and machined finished Brazen rims with stainless Steel Technology. Our Brazen Chrome rims are still a top seller. All Brazen custom wheels are designed & engineered for today's enhanced performance cars and trucks. All of our Brazen wheels accept accept aftermarket TPMS sensors. All Brazen wheels carry the manufacturor's warranties. All foose classics wheels are designed to fit most any applications. MHT Forged Edition offers ultra high performance tire and wheel packages for a vast range of luxury and exotic applications. From the dramatically staggered combinations on the Dodge Vipor or Lamboughini Murcielago to a massive 32" hummer applications, MHT Forged Edition can accomodate nearly every difficult application that appears in your sales office. Turn to MHT 2-Piece forged Edition for unparalleled quality, strength and trouble free applications for your valued luxury clients. Since 1986 we have been influencing the automotive industry with the hottest products on the streets. Our plan is simple, original design and superior quality supported by the best and brightest people in the industry. Excellence in customer service and product availablity are the cornerstones upon which we built our reputation.

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


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Dr. Bogner is continuously striving to bring forth cutting-edge research for effective therapeutic options. Having lectured both nationally and internationally on autism spectrum disorders, Dr. Bogner’s goal is to optimize each affected individual’s path for recovery by integrating the latest research in this field of medicine. His commitment to healing through nutrition is exemplified by his accomplishment receiving his certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University. His primary interests are hyperbaric and phytocannabinoid therapeutics as well as stem cell research.
Alongside his team of experts, he was instrumental in launching the Autism Recovery Thru Synergy (ARTS) program. As mainstream medicine slowly starts to recognize autism to be a neuroinflammatory condition, Dr. Bogner is implementing this vital realization into practice. Typical routine lab work often falls short of uncovering subtle abnormalities which can have a profound effect on health. Unless accurately addressed, this vicious cycle will continue to inhibit the various biochemical pathways necessary for proper neurological and immune function.
Dr. Bogner joined the team at Oxford in 2018. He has four children, one affected with autism. He has skin in the game and is ready to meet with you for a comprehensive evaluation.


text:
Deanna shares where she sees God.
Deric sees God in the faith he has and the grace he’s experienced.
Lovella saw God in friends who are going back to Africa to build an orphanage.


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In the Peel District School Board’s French Immersion (FI) program at our school, students achieve a high level of proficiency in French, while they continue to develop English language skills.
From grades 1 to 8, FI students spend half of their school day learning in French and the other half learning in English.
The Peel board provides busing for students in the elementary FI program. Depending on how far a family lives from the nearest FI school, an elementary child may qualify for busing. The board determines busing based on the age of the students and the distance from the school.
Parents can visit the Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) website at www.stopr.ca and enter their address to determine if their child is eligible for busing, and to find out the bus stop and route information.
In high school, FI students are required to complete 10 credits in French. By the end of the four year secondary school program, students will have successfully completed the sequence of four courses in French Immersion and a minimum of six courses in other subjects taught in French. By the end of high school, Immersion students have proficiency in both French and English. When they graduate, they receive a certificate of French Immersion studies.
Busing eligibility for FI is in accordance with Board Policy 39 - Transportation.
For more information about the Peel board’s FI program, including dates for information nights and registration information, visit bit.ly/PeelFrench.
Required courses for a Bilingual Certificate at Applewood Heights S.S.


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Well today the my new Ortlieb Office Bag was tested by commuting to work on my bicycle. It carried all I needed it to carry, which included my Asus netbook, a change of clothes and lunch. It mounted onto the rack well with the QL2 mounting system which is so easy to adjust. When off the bike the bag stands up neatly not constantly falling over like my Carradice bag did. All in all very happy with the bag. I can see why people rave about Ortlieb.
Credit where credit is due, Wiggle’s shipping pace is bloody fantastic. I ordered an Ortlieb Office bag a week ago and here it is all the way from UK in a week. Now that is indeed impressive, particularly as shipping is included in the price.
The Ortlieb Office bag fulfills a desire I have had for a while to own an Ortlieb bag. Ortlieb bags are cool indeed, they are fully waterproof, this one uses their classic roll top closure. Believe it or not the bag is actually made in Germany, not China or some other cheap manufacturing centre. On arrival the bag is very neatly packaged, which adds to the feeling of a quality product.
The bag uses Ortlieb’s QL2 mounting system which is very easy to adjust and setup for each rack, no tools were necessary. The bag is not huge but should be large enough for my netbook and a change of clothes for work. You can see a fair amount of space with only my netbook in there.
The bag is quite a neat looking bag when closed, in fact it looks like many other office bags. My previous bag the Carradice Bike Beureau was larger but nowhere near as neat looking as the Ortlieb.


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We rely on our investment philosophy to generate superior returns for our shareholders over the long term, to promote sound corporate governance and business practicies, and to benefit our partners, counterparties, employees, consumers and society at large.
Simply stated, we are value-oriented investors. In evaluating any investment opportunity, our investment philosophy is driven by the opportunity to purchase assets that, due to perceived risk, low liquidity, disinterest or a lack of understanding on the part of market participants, are undervalued.
We believe the most attractive opportunities are in world emerging markets.
Much of our past success has been the result of our comprehensive knowledge and understanding of emerging markets, in particular, the Russian and CIS markets. We believe there are still substantial opportunities in the world's emerging markets and that we are well placed to take full advantage of them.
We typically take a longer-term view, in order to realize the full potential of our investments.
We do everything necessary to develop our investments, making them more attractive to a potential buyer. While we do not particularly welcome the inflexibility of being wed to an investment for the longer term, we lower our risks by seeking undervalued investments that provide ample down side protection and when possible, interim cash flows.
We view co-operation with foreign investors and the attraction of foreign capital as important to the development of our companies.
Foreign investors provide not only capital investment, but also the expertise which is needed to successfully develop and realize the full value of our investments. We know from experience that the failure to attract longer-term foreign investment will result in under-developed assets and missed business opportunities. Also, with regard to exit strategy, sale to foreign investors provides us with a logical and attractive means of exiting our investments.
First and foremost we are investors, not business managers.
Companies of Consortium are independent entities and are given fairly wide latitude to conduct their affairs. We continually measure the financial performance of our investments.
We are guided by the philosophy of investing in only those companies that are leaders in their respective fields of business.
We require those in which we invest to be one of the top three in their business field or with a clear potential to become one of the top three within a reasonable period. Where we see that our investments are not meeting this criterion, we take active measures to divest and free up our financial and management resources for more effective investments.

industry_corpus2: Finance & Economics


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Whether it’s a store, café, pharmacy or football stadium, the time a customer spends in your venue can make or break their view of your brand. Newland, a global barcode scanner and mobile computer manufacturer, developed their NQuire 300 with exactly that in mind. The new entry-level Android Micro Kiosk makes the most of the customer experience by streamlining self service in the form of price checking, access control or self check-out. The NQuire 300 is an improved and modernized variation of their successful NQuire 200, a Linux-based micro kiosk. While the NQuire 200 will continue to be sold as a straight-forward scanning solution, the NQuire 300 offers an array of improvements in a similar jacket.
In Q1 of 2017, 86.1% of smartphone sales worldwide had an Android operating system. This global dominance extends into business markets like retail, hospitality, healthcare, logistics and more. Over the last few years, Newland EMEA has built a strong Android portfolio with a variety of Mobile Computers, and with the NQuire 300 they are now adding a Micro Kiosk to this product range.
A wide variety of features further enhance the versatility of the NQuire 300. Users can take advantage of a built-in Newland 2D imager that delivers snappy barcode scanning on linear and 2D barcodes. In addition, several connectivity options – including Bluetooth, Ethernet and WiFi – illuminate everyday tasks that involve asset and people management. The HF RFID reader opens the door to NFC applications like payment and access control, as well as supply chain management with short-range wireless data transfer, and an external USB and GPIO port allow users to connect an external device, such as a handheld scanner.
The NQuire 300 is available starting today.
NQuire301WP-M1 Android Customer information terminal with 4.3 color Touch screen, 1D CCD engine, Wi-Fi, POE, RFID (OS Android 4.4.2) and multiplug adapter.
NQuire304WP-M1 Android Customer information terminal with 4.3 color Touch screen, 1D/2D CMOS engine with laser Aimer, Wi-Fi, POE, RFID (OS Android 4.4.2) and multiplug adapter.
STD200 Desktop Stand for NQuire 200 series, NQuire 300 Series, NQuire 1000 series.
For more information about the NQuire 300, view the product page.
NQuire 300 with VESA 75 stand.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


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Sundance Film Festival has added the world premiere of the documentary 'Leaving Neverland' to its lineup.
The documentary focuses on sexual abuse allegations against the late pop legend Michael Jackson, Variety reported.
Produced and directed by Dan Reed, the film describes how Jackson allegedly began relationships with two boys, aged 7 and 10. The two, now in their 30s, claim they were sexually abused by Jackson and reveal how they have come to terms with it years later.
In response to the announcement, representatives for the Jackson estate issues a statement, "This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson."
'Leaving Neverland' will screen in the special event category at the festival in two parts, totalling nearly four hours, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
The film describes how Jackson allegedly began relationships with two boys, aged 7 and 10.

industry_corpus2: Film & Entertainment


text: I can take you anywhere you need to be. I have reasonable rates. I'm a 46 white male. All I need is the address of pickup & drop off locations so I can give you an exact quote. I'm available anytime, day or night. I've taken people to New York, Ohio,Wisc, Indiana, Mich & Vegas too. I will take you anywhere.


text:
I cooked dinner for Wetsoks earlier this week - a nice wintery beef stew with lots of vegetables, which she eyed with some suspicion.
There was a short, awkward silence.
Me: Nevermind. Look, here's your plate. Now be careful, it's hot.
Wetsoks: Good god, it's like lava!
Me: Yes, it's hot. I just said that.
Wetsoks: (trying to eat) Volcano stew! I'm losing the first layer of skin from my mouth.
Me: (exasperated) Dude, just wait a minute til it cools.
Wetsoks: Oh, I mean to say - the Cublet and I chose some songs for the Sarahnator's list, for our road trip. She won't like them.
Me: I assume you've included lots of heavy metal, and Glee covers, since those are the things she hates most?
Wetsoks: Yup, I even put 'You're Having My Baby' on it.
Me: It's totally worth the rest of us suffering through that song just to see her face.
Me: I love our friends.
I picked up my fork, and decided to test the stew. This, as it turns out, was a mistake.
Me: Ahh! Ahh! It burns!
Wetsoks: (calmly eating stew which is clearly still steaming) Yeah, it kind of does.
Me: I can't feel my tongue! It's burning my mouth!
Me: That's your answer?! Chew quicker? So that it can scorch my insides instead of my mouth?
Me: I worry about you sometimes.
Wetsoks: ..... Stew's not bad, by the way.
Me: .....Yeah, I'm proud of it.
… and now I am hungry.
Why is it so Hard to get a Goddamn 50g Bag of Adequately Flavoured Dry Roasted Peanuts in this Town?
This Is A Blues Riff In "B"


text:
...the sun bright, the sky blue, the land black and white and ahead and to the right the Kunluns, mystical mountains, low and dumpy nearby, soft-edged conical towers of sugar up ahead. It was very beautiful but all I could do was swear, pant and curse and inch forward, through deep, slick mud, deep slush, deep snow, deep sand, occasional firmer patches of horrendously washboarded grit. My wheels sank sank sank into mud sand and snow, and the hyper-pedalling needed to get through left me collapsed, slumped over the crossbar, head down on the handlebars, panting panting panting. Often I had to get off and haul, right hand hooked behind the saddle, but just dismounting, swinging a leg over the saddle, left me breathless before I could begin.
Budongquan was in sight but never getting closer, all I could think of was being benighted 10 kilometres from the cluster of tents that is Budongquan, and having to spend the night out in the open (there is no shelter here, it is dead flat) in the wind and the cold and exhausted at 4700 metres. From 40 km away I could see the viaduct of the new Tibet railway, but it was never any closer, despite seeming so close - the air is so clear in this high-altitude desert that all the way to the horizon things appear close enough to touch, but they are always far, far away.
I remember seeing Zamyn Uud in the Gobi in 2004 from 70 km away; it took all of the next day to reach.
A truck came by, towing a bike-sized trailer and offered me a lift. It hurt to say no but it would have hurt more to say yes. And then the going got worse and worse and the truck was disappearing into the distance, churning up more mud and sand and snow for me.
Should I camp now while it is light and I have strength to get clothes on and cook? Perhaps in the morning when everything is frozen hard again the road will be easier. But the sight of the bridge and the railway makes me believe it is possible to make it tonight, even though each time I do the sums - the remaining kilometres, the remaining hours of daylight, my rate of progress - it doesn't add up. I'm making about 4 km/h, I won't make it.
But I plod on because there is nothing else to do and because I'm hoping for a miracle and because bad roads can't go on being bad forever, and then I remember Rob Lilwall took 12 days to cover 100 kilometres in Papua New Guinea.
Now the supposedly bad road from the east joins my road, and I wonder how the bad road can possibly be any worse than my road, and there are 15 km to go and the headwind starts to hit me hard, limiting me more than the terrain now that the track become a sand and grit swathe as wide as an LA 8-lane, just firm enough that you don't sink in, just soft enough to make every pedalstroke hard, washboarded badly but I say Sorry bum, you are called upon to make a sacrifice here and take the pain, and I give it no mercy, riding hard across the washboarding, swinging left to right and back across the 8-lane looking for a stretch that is smoother, but it never is, or where it is the sand is too deep, and off the track the desert looks firm but in fact the top is soft and my tyres cut through and sink deep so it is back to the washboard, sorry bum, the sun nearly gone now, the wind cold, cold, cold, biting, three wild asses stand apart, stare at me, and there is still the railway viaduct, 25 km nearer but no nearer, still the same distant mirage, and I curse myself for allowing myself one extra dream in my tent this morning, and if there was a full moon I could maybe ride with the night, but the moon is new now because I spent too long in Yushu, and now the sun has tucked behind the sky's only cloud on the western rim of the desert, to set and undress in private, it is really really cold and I don't want to be in my tent tonight and all my theories about why surely the wind must die at sunset don't seem to work out in practice, even though yesterday it did, and I resent the people who will soon be riding the rails to Lhasa in smug, snug air-conditioned pressurised comfort, and the travel brochures which will sell it as the Adventure of a Lifetime, and pretty hostesses in prim uniforms will bring them tea and when they look out and think how beautiful is the world outside their cinemascope windows will they see me still dragging and cursing through mud and snow and wind and cold, and will they realise how far away their bloody viaduct still is, how many hours I can slog through mud and snow and water and sand towards their bloody viaduct and it still isn't any closer, please I don't want to be in my tent tonight and I'm hitting those washboard ruts and my bum has stopped complaining, like a dog grown resigned to beatings, and then a deep-cut washed-out river valley appears on my right and geese honk overhead, why can't I fly, because it's too easy that's why, and the river is flowing against me so I must be climbing yet the viaduct seems below me, and then the track swings right and the viaduct really does seem near, but is near one kilometre or ten, I don't know, I'm not going towards it any more but parallel to it and there are some huts down there, or is it up there, and a kind of hill above them with a digger digging out stuff in the half-darkness, and it seems an odd thing to be doing, digging out stuff on top of a sort of hill in the half-darkness, when there is stuff everywhere here, stuck to my wheels, tyres, feet, face, stuff everywhere, enough for everyone and my bum shrieks as I hit the next rut and then goes back to silent whimpering again and those buildings, are they really getting closer now, is the wind blowing them towards me, and suddenly the track slips down into the river-cut and one of the buildings must be a petrol station, The Road! The Road!, and a light is moving along it, lights glowing, is it moving fast, or is it near now, good god the huts have fairy lights and music blaring, yes, yes, this really was the road to hell and here is hell at the end of it, and I'm under the railway, two sturdy viaduct legs the gates to hell, the music louder, the lights brighter, and I am up a slope and an unfamiliar feeling under my wheels, grip, smooth, firm, hell, a road, a real road, and two more lights moving fast towards me now and the music blares louder, a single, angry note, the lights swerve and the music dopplers an ugly semitone down and the rush of wind and the truck is past me and it is Budongquan.
Things spin and ache and I am dog-tired. Inside I lie down and wait for sleep to come, but sleep is busy for a long time with snow and mud and cold and wind and the viaduct, always so close and always so far away, and the passengers looking out at the beautiful world.
Can I put an order in for your book now?
Entertainment from someone else's pain, but entertaining all the same.
I'll take that as a firm order then, and send it to prospective publishers as evidence that I will sell at least one copy.
And so would a bunch of my friends!

industry_corpus2: Travel & Geography


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Thank you for requesting a free trial of Sage Coretime.
One of our friendly team will be in touch shortly to get you started with your free trial. In the meantime, why not take a look at how Sage Coretime has already helped businesses like yours by reading some of our more recent case studies or, catch up on the latest news from the Sage Coretime team at Onesys.


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The founders Coco Coig and Jorge Sánchez, travelled all around the world searching high and low to produce the best burger, making sure that every sauce and every pickle was made from scratch. The restaurants craveable recipes, affordable price point, and cozy bar vibe distinguishes Le Chick as an up-scale casual dining experience for those seeking flavorful comfort food.Opening a cozy restaurant in Wynwood with casual food like Mac ‘n cheese, gourmet burgers, smoked baby back ribs and a perfect late-night vibe, has always been our dream.
Our approach is straightforward: we source the highest quality ingredients and cook them to perfection. The process begins with all-natural organic chicken, seasoned with herbs and spices cooked on our rotisserie. The chicken is then left to sit on our Green Egg, leaving a unique Smokey flavor that is quick to capture your taste buds.


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New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has quickly become a voice to be reckoned with. Although she is a freshman representative, she has quickly gained notoriety from both sides of the political aisle. However, on Monday, she posted a long tweet on Twitter that has sparked quite a controversy. In the communication, she suggested that the United States made a mistake issuing force against the perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The Twitter remarks came after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded to comments made by Reprehensive Ilhan Omar regarding lawmaker’s relationship and loyalty to the foreign state of Israel, which were called anti-Semitic.
Although many Democrats were quick to challenge the remarks, AOC seized the opportunity to contribute to the controversy. She supports Rep. Omar, defending the other young representative while few others would dare to do so.
Part of the reason that things got so heated was that one side saw Omar’s statements as a critique of foreign policy while the others saw it as anti-Jewish.
It has been shown that getting involved in the Iraq War was unfounded as Saddam Hussein did not have access to “weapons of mass destruction” or “WMDs” as they were called. It has since been shown that President Bush, as well as other leadership, lied about this fact in order to get troops into action across the sea.
Her remarks may be controversial but, like President Trump in 2016, her words are resonating with a base of people who have long been underrepresented and are angry with the way the country is being run at the moment.
The AUMF (Authorization of Military Force) passed a few days after the September 11th terrorist attacks with Lee’s sole dissenting vote.
What do you think about Ocasio-Cortez’s statements?
What are People Saying About: Mark Wahlberg Stopping the 9/11 Terrorists?

industry_corpus2: Politics & Administration


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Creating a new website should be a productive and enjoyable process; therefore I work closely with you using open communication and active feedback so we can form the perfect website for your business together.
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I design and build bespoke marketing websites which generate more leads or sales and raise awareness of your brand. I create websites that work successfully for your business, product and your customers.
I focus on the details when it comes to designing and building the web and mobile applications. I consider every aspect of a project to achieve not just something that looks beautiful, desire but building works and achieves its business purpose.
Like so many start up businesses, I built our first website on a shoestring. It look cheap, meaning we lost customers and sales, I knew it was time to invest in a professionally designed website. The end result it a website that not only looks really modern and professional, but also website that does what it is meant to do -sell! The website now has a smooth journey from the homepage to signing up and this has definitely resulted in an increase in sales. Best of all we can manage and update the website through a very easy to use content management system.
Since the launch of my new website, I have found an increase in traffic within my target market, which has been hugely beneficial to my business. It has brought in an audience, which my old website was struggling with and has allowed me to focus on other aspects of running business. I would like recommend mydesireweb to anyone who is looking to take their business to the next level.
I'm currently booking in projects to commence in April 2017.


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Be inventive in terms of visualizing what possible can be. Don’t look back at the past to ensure the future. Also, put down the paranoid thoughts such as “I lack the time” or “I can’t perhaps”. Certainly, you might cut a sorry figure in doing the Flying Insect pose within your first fortnight of your fitness class, but set down-to-earth goals that you can reach and feel proud of when you have carried out them.
Ensure you set your visions in the future and make them concise with every key domain of your life included. Your vision should make you feel excited when you read it. While you create the vision, make sure you use present tense and write it as though it is. So whether you are planning to drop ten pounds or run a marathon a few months from now, be aware of what it is!
Make sure that your vision needs to include every key goal of your life viz. personal, health, professional, financial, spiritual. Create your vision and set goals to cover everything you want to achieve in your life otherwise you will feel out of balance and unfulfilled.
4. Be really, really bold. Think big and confident.
Set goals that are bold and entail you to be a bit uncomfortable. It is your life. You simply look forward it to be rewarding, thrilling and stimulating. So be bold and genuine in conceiving your future. Whether it is signing up for a fitness program that you never witnessed yourself taking or pushing yourself to the additional boundary in your fitness classes, you will be pleased you did.
Share your vision with your buddies, contemporaries or any other person who will help you to keep you focused. Keep a tab on your fitness progress on a regular or weekly basis. Ensure you revel in your successes while never beating yourself up for the bumbling you are bound to do.
Take ownership of your life and the way you want to live. Genuinely keying out your vision and taking daily action towards achieving will help you achieve something in making your vision a reality.
‹ PreviousHow to resolve most health problems and enjoy a healthier lifestyle with exercise routines?
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I was 25 years old the first time I saw Sir Bartholomew Neville in person, at a TV convention in Chelsea in early 1998. It was one of the greatest moments of my life, even though it consisted basically of sitting on a tight chair in a crowded auditorium the whole night while other fans screamed and cheered. I almost didn’t make it there in time and was probably the last person to enter the theatre before the doors were closed. I had to skip work, which would probably get me fired the following day. I also had to borrow my brother’s car, and was supposed to fill the tank and take it for a wash before returning it. But it’s silly to complain when you’re about to meet your greatest hero, the man you looked up to throughout your whole adolescence. Granted, in many aspects my adolescence was barely over, but the BBC was still making money with reruns of The Baker Street Sleuth. It was beyond my comprehension why they had cancelled the show in the first place. Some magazines said it was because of Bartholomew Neville’s harsh temper, but to me that was just gossip. Even if he did have such temper, who cared? He was the best and always would be. To me, getting home from school every afternoon meant sitting in the couch and watching the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Watson - and no actor had ever played the world’s greatest detective as amazingly as Neville.
The Baker Street Sleuth ran for four series, and for each one of those a BAFTA decorated Bartholomew Neville’s shelf. The writers seemed to lose most of their creativity by the last series, which was a bit weaker as a result. The mysteries were kind of predictable and the catchphrases were overused, but Neville’s performance was as impeccable as ever. And aside from that disappointing final year, there were still those three masterful first series, and they never got old, no matter how many times I watched them.
I was supposed to meet some friends there, if you could call them that. Friends are usually people you share secrets and interests with. The Baker Street Sleuth was the only one interest I shared with those guys, and we rarely talked about anything else. Not that it mattered, anyway. Socialization was never my top priority, especially not that night. I had attended many conventions before, but that was the first time I’d be able to share the same room with Sherlock Holmes himself.
The plan was to be the first one in line to enter the auditorium, but the traffic was so heavy it took me forever to arrive there, and the line was already huge. I looked through the line, trying to find someone I knew, when my eyes caught Caesar Ace, one of my least favourite people in the world. In theory we ought to have been best friends, since we were both huge fans of The Baker Street Sleuth. But I guess that was what made us so bitter with each other. We were always arguing to see who knew more about the show.
Hi, Caesar, I said, trying to earn some solidarity. You must have arrived early.
Look, if it ain’t Jerry Bellamy! he said. I thought you worked on nightshift.
I do, I said, trying to smile. I was a bagger at a quick market; not the most glamorous job in the world, but it paid the bills. Well, some of them. Listen, I was caught in the traffic. Do you think maybe we...?
I didn’t know you had a car, Caesar said.
Why don’t you try to talk to Andrea? he said, pointing behind with his thumb. I know she’ll be delighted to see you.
Andrea Linskey was another of our so-called ‘friends’. She had short green hair, thick eyebrows and bad breath. Caesar knew I had tried to hit on her at another convention, a couple of months before, and all she did was laugh in my face. I decided not to ask any favours from anyone else and walked to the end of the line, just before the gate was opened. When I got inside, there were no seats left, but I didn’t feel like complaining. I was in, and that was what mattered.
The auditorium wasn’t very big, but I managed to be fairly close to the stage by sitting in the aisle. I wasn’t the only one in that situation, as there were also people standing at the corners, squeezed into the small space between the chairs and the walls.
I was so nervous, sitting on the cold floor in that auditorium, trying to imagine what to say to Neville if, by chance, he noticed my existence. Should I say I was his number one fan? Neville was famous all around the world and had millions of admirers. I loved his stuff, but didn’t have the money to buy every product a number one fan was ‘supposed’ to own. But what wouldn’t I do to be able to talk to him face to face, just the two of us! I wouldn’t even ask him to sign anything for me; all I wanted was to let him know that, for me, he would always be the best.
I looked up and saw a redheaded girl in tweed. She had a serious look in her face and was so beautiful it hurt my eyes. She didn’t seem to belong here with the rest of us and didn’t strike me as a fan. But then again, it was easy to see that not everyone attending that meeting had seen the show. Most of them, I thought, would be glad just to be in a room alongside a famous person.
I got up to let the redhead pass, and she went quietly to a brunette sitting three chairs from the aisle, about ten feet from where I sat. The redhead girl opened her purse and gave a piece of paper to the brunette.
The brunette read the letter with a face of surprise and delight. She asked the redhead something, but the auditorium was so noisy that she repeated the question in a louder voice. The usual? Her voice was sharp and sounded like fingernails against a blackboard.
The redhead nodded and said: You can go. I’ll take your place.
The brunette collected her stuff and walked out. As she passed me on her way to the exit, her purse hit me in the face. The brunette didn’t seem to care and just kept walking. I yelled something at her, but she was already gone. I turned back my head and saw that she had left a piece of paper on the floor. I picked it up and put it in my pocket without looking at it.
The redheaded girl sat in her place and, as though that was his cue, the host appeared onstage and I lost interest in her. My idol was about to appear in front of me, after a forty-minute delay; by the time he finally came on I was hungry, sleepy and needed to go to the toilet, but I wouldn’t have left my spot for the world. Other fans were starting to get angry, but I wasn’t. If the greatest actor in the world was willing to grace us with his presence, however briefly, it was our duty to stay put. And if he needed a few more minutes, who were we to complain?
When the host said: Ladies and gentlemen, Sir Bartholomew Neville , the crowd fell silent. The lights changed. We saw his shadow first, stretching out from the back of the stage. Then somebody spotted the tip of his pipe. The man was there, in his deerstalker hat and plaid cape, the pipe in his left hand, the magnifying glass in his right. His nose was as thin as it was on TV, his face even bonier. And his walk - what a walk! Like a cat that pretends nonchalance when he knows he’s the centre of attention and is enjoying every minute of it. The announcer was wrong; it wasn’t Bartholomew Neville up there, it was Sherlock Holmes in the flesh.
Suddenly, we were all cheering. People clapped, whistled, yelled, but the man just stood there, pretending to smoke his unlit pipe, as though he didn’t see us. There wasn’t any space in his brilliant mind for all that noise. People had their cameras in their hands, taking pictures, but they were missing the real thing. He remained there and waited until we were finished. Then he sat in a chair by the host’s side.
Thanks, Josh, he said. It’s a pleasure to be here.
You’d think that calling Neville by his real name would make him break character, but it didn’t. Neither did the questions about his career and personal life. It was like seeing Holmes answering questions for a completely different person. When the host, Josh, asked Neville about an episode in the second series, he answered as the detective responsible for solving that particular crime, not as the actor who had played a role and followed a script. We were all mesmerised.
The first questions were about Neville’s latest works. He had played Iago in a small production of Othello, but it had only lasted for one season. He’d also been in talks to play Van Helsing in a new Dracula movie and had been considered for a starring role in a new series about the adventures of an archaeologist. None of these projects had thrived, but then, Neville wasn’t here to talk about these roles. The audience, including myself, soon started to get impatient; the host, sensing this, finally turned his attention to what really mattered.
"What was your favourite episode of The Baker Street Sleuth?"
My favourite case is always the one I’m in currently , answered Sir Bartholomew. But since you have to ask, I took a great deal of pleasure investigating the Henry Baskerville case.
That’s the Hound of the Baskervilles, everyone! said the host. Like we didn’t know that already. Goddamn it, was Josh the host really the best person they could find for the job of interviewing Bartholomew Neville? How did you feel about being off-screen for most of the episode?
I took a different approach on that case, said Neville. Some people believe I should have been more direct, but my absence was crucial to preventing Sir Henry from falling victim to that dreadful conspiracy.
Isn’t it true that you have demanded more screen time from your agent?
For an extremely brief second I saw Neville’s look. I don’t know if anyone else saw it, but in that moment, an expression of hatred flickered across his face. It was so fast that I thought maybe I’d imagine it, and it would be a long time before I remembered it again.
The glimpse of Neville was fleeting; soon it was Sherlock Holmes again on the stage. He put his pipe aside and gave a great answer. Time is crucial in a case like that, he said, referring again to the Baskerville case. If I could somehow find more time, I most certainly would.
The crowd applauded and the host tried not to look too stupid. He finally realised how clueless he was about the whole subject and let Neville guide the rest of the interview, asking vague questions and letting the great man work his magic. After some time, he turned questions over to the audience. We all raised our arms; some raised both. Neville studied every raised hand before pointing to a bald guy in the last row; he was wearing a Pierce Brosnan James Bond t-shirt, a golden watch and giant glasses.
You, sir, Neville said. Let’s hear what you have to say. He paused and added, "I sincerely doubt you’ve ever seen an episode of The Baker Street Sleuth; I think it rather more likely that your presence here may be explained by a desire to obtain an autograph for your daughter’s birthday."
With that, we were silent again. Neville slowly filled his pipe with fresh tobacco.
How do you know that? the bald man asked, after a moment of dumbfounded silence.
Neville smiled as he tamped down the tobacco. That t-shirt you’re wearing, he said. "It’s three sizes too big and has never been worn before. You bought it ten minutes ago, at reception, and not because you’re a fan of James Bond. There were plenty of Bond t-shirts in many sizes, but you selected a Tomorrow Never Dies print that doesn’t fit - probably because the film is being released this month, and it’s all over the media. Even a non-Bond fan such as yourself must be familiar with that movie. He clamped the pipe between his teeth and spoke around it. You were trying to fit into the crowd, but you clearly stand out. You are here exclusively to get an autograph. I can see you have a briefcase with you and that you’ve already taken a shower. That must mean you’ve already checked out of the hotel and are going directly to the airport after this event. You were in London for business, but decided to come by and get this autograph for your daughter. I believe it’s her birthday tomorrow, since you couldn’t afford to spend another night in London, even to get a better night’s sleep."
And how did you know I have a daughter instead of a son? he asked.
Am I right? Neville asked.
Well, yes, said the man.
Do come here, said Neville. Let me sign this for you.
Everybody cheered. The man didn’t even get to ask his question. He got his autograph and practically ran away from the auditorium, clearly spooked by Neville’s eerie insight. We all were, to some extent; it was uncanny how much Sir Bartholomew seemed to parallel his fictional counterpart. Far fewer hands were raised as the host asked for another question. One of those hands was mine, of course, but again I wasn’t selected. They pointed to someone in the row next to me, and I wasn’t pleased to see Caesar Ace getting up.
Sir Bartholomew, he said. "There has been a debate amongst fans regarding how many different actors played Watson in the show. Most people believe there are only three, and the official guides agree on that, but in the original airing of The Final Problem..."
I’m sorry, said Josh. But I was pointing to the girl next to you.
Lots of people laughed, and I was one of them. It was great to see Ace so embarrassed, especially when he was trying to show off. Josh had selected the girl sitting right next to Ace: the redhead I’d seen earlier. She got up and for a moment the whole auditorium fell silent. When she spoke, there was some fear in her voice.
I know this is weird, Sir Bartholomew, she said, voice shaking. But I’m here because I need you to find the man who killed my father.
The girl twisted a handkerchief in her small fingers.
I’m sorry, said the host quickly, looking alarmed at her words and clearly eager to cut her off before she said anything else. I think we’d better end things here.
Neville stared at her for a long time, and then, with trembling hands, he lit his pipe. Little by little, Sherlock Holmes drained out of his face. It was like he had met her before. When he spoke, his voice was completely different.
Do I know you? he asked.
He was interrupted by the loud shriek of the fire alarm. Ms Ferguson tried to speak again, but the host had already grabbed Neville by the arm and was propelling him towards the door. I caught three words out of Lucy Ferguson’s mouth: at the second . As the crowd surged towards the exits, I ran to Ms Ferguson. It wasn’t the wisest thing to do, but my instincts told me that she was in danger. She stood still, seemingly oblivious to the alarm, and if there were a real fire she probably would burn to death. My own actions were courageous but stupid: as I ran towards her, a little voice in my head reminded me that I could die trying to save someone I didn’t know. But something in that whole situation smelled, and it wasn’t because of smoke.
I was moving against the crowd and had to force my way through, elbowing any number of people as I went. We weren’t that far apart from each other, but the crowd was too large, and I was running against it. I briefly lost sight of her as I put my head down and pushed forward; when I came back up and refocused my attention on the space she’d occupied, Lucy Ferguson was no longer there.
We all gathered in the street and stared at the building, trying to see some fire, but there was no sign of it. It didn’t take much time for everyone to realise it had been a false alarm. We all wanted to go back inside and continue the event, but they wouldn’t let us. I tried to find Lucy Ferguson amongst the crowd, but she had disappeared.