Forbes' World's Most Expensive Home

$80 million Southampton, New York

The interior space of 13,500 square feet across four stories contains nine bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, four powder rooms and a movie theater. That's enough to catch anyone's eye, but what's really unique about this property is the waterfront. The home is situated between a pond and the ocean, and there is 1,000 feet of shore front and 1,000 feet of pond front.

$85 million Bel Air, California

One of the last homes designed by famed California architect Wallace Neff, this estate rests on seven acres of land in the Holmby Hills area of Bel Air. Lawns, walking paths and gardens surround the 12-bedroom, 10-bathroom main house, and there's also a tennis court and pool. Inside, the home bends around a giant central atrium with curving hallways and overlooks.

$88 million Côte d'Azur 

On the French Riviera, this 11-bedroom, 14-bathroom mansion has 29,000 square feet of interior space that open to manicured lawns and a swimming pool. The spiraling outdoor staircases and plentiful balconies and terraces have views across the water and of the surrounding hillsides. Working fireplaces, a sauna, outdoor kitchen and pool house are other features at Villa Leopolda.

$88 million Pagosa Springs, Colorado

We included the BootJack Ranch on our list because, while the price includes 3,100 acres of land, it's a luxury property more than a working ranch. The main house is 13,800 square feet and has four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Outlying guest cabins and lodges can host up to 50 people and bring the total interior space up to 77,000 square feet. In addition, there's a 12,000-square-foot spa and aquatic center.

$95 million Stamford, Connecticut

With its stone construction, hedged gardens, grass tennis court, manicured gardens and distinctive chimneys, Hillandale has all the markings of an English country manor. The 20,000-square-foot residence has eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. It's so big that the property straddles the New York-Connecticut border. The grounds also include four guest and staff residences and two barns, all connected by five miles of private roads.

$100 million Moscow, Russia 

This sizable property consists of an 11,700-square-foot manor house, two 4,000-square-foot guest houses and a 91,000-square-foot recreation center that has a pool, Turkish and Russian baths, a gym, sauna and lounges. The estate--Eurasia--is 15 miles from the Moscow city center.

$100 million Lake Tahoe, Nevada

 

Conveniently on the tax-free Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, this 210-acre property--Tranquility--is owned by Joel Horowitz, the co-founder of Tommy Hilfiger, who built the property from scratch. The main house has 20,000 square feet of living space, is modeled after a northern European mountain home and has a 3,500-bottle wine cellar. An indoor swimming pool and atrium, as well as a 19-seat movie theater, ensure constant entertainment, even if snowed in.

$110 million Windlesham, Surrey 

Larger than either Buckingham or Hampton Court palace, this 103-room home has 58 acres of gardens and woodlands, making it the idyllic English country home for those flush with cash. Several ballrooms and grand entrance ways punctuate Updown Court, which has a panic room, an indoor squash court, bowling alley, 50-seat cinema, helipads, space for eight limousines and a heated marble driveway. Marble bathrooms are nice, but some would say indoor spas, Jacuzzis and pools with views of the grounds are better. 

$125 million Greenwich, Connecticut

On 40 acres of rolling hills, with lawns and meadows broken by tree lines that provide privacy, this Jacobean manor has 21,897 square feet, 14 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. Vaulted ceilings, travertine marble floors, bay windows, limestone walls and wood paneling are notable interior features of Dunnellen Hall, as is a 52-foot-long indoor swimming pool.

$125 million Beverly Hills, California

The latest addition to the $100 million-plus club, Suzanne Saperstein's gem is aptly called the Fleur de Lys. Modeled after Louis XIV's palace at Versailles, the 45,000-square-foot home took five years to build following Saperstein's accumulation of five acres in Holmby Hills during the 1990s. Should strolling the grounds bore you, there is a 50-seat screening room and a library filled with first-edition books. Auto collectors will salivate over the nine-car garage.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as chronic renal disease, is a progressive loss of renal function over a period of months or years. The symptoms of worsening kidney function are unspecific, and might include feeling generally unwell and experiencing a reduced appetite. Often, chronic kidney disease is diagnosed as a result of screening of people known to be at risk of kidney problems, such as those with high blood pressure ordiabetes and those with a blood relative with chronic kidney disease. 

Chronic kidney disease may also be identified when it leads to one of its recognized complications, such as cardiovascular disease, anemia or pericarditis.
Chronic kidney disease is identified by a blood test for creatinine. Higher levels of creatinine indicate a falling glomerular filtration rate (rate at which the kidneys filter blood) and as a result a decreased capability of the kidneys to excrete waste products. Creatinine levels may be normal in the early stages of CKD, and the condition is discovered if urinalysis (testing of a urine sample) shows that the kidney is allowing the loss of protein or red blood cells into the urine. To fully investigate the underlying cause of kidney damage, various forms of medical imaging, blood tests and often renal biopsy(removing a small sample of kidney tissue) are employed to find out if 

there is a reversible cause for the kidney malfunction. 

Recent professional guidelines classify the severity of chronic kidney disease in five stages, with stage 1 being the mildest and usually causing few symptoms and stage 5 being a severe illness with poor life expectancy if untreated. Stage 5 CKD is also called established chronic kidney disease and is synonymous with the now outdated terms end-stage renal disease (ESRD), chronic kidney failure (CKF) or chronic renal failure (CRF).

There is no specific treatment unequivocally shown to slow the worsening of chronic kidney disease. If there is an underlying cause to CKD, such as vasculitis, this may be treated directly with treatments aimed to slow the damage. In more advanced stages, treatments may be required for anemia and bone disease. Severe CKD requires one of the forms of renal replacement therapy; this may be a form of dialysis, but ideally constitutes a kidney transplant.

Signs and Symptoms

Initially it is without specific symptoms and can only be detected as an increase in serum creatinine or protein in the urine. As the kidney function decreases:

- blood pressure is increased due to fluid overload and production of vasoactive hormones, increasing one's risk of developing hypertension and/or suffering from congestive heart failure

- Urea accumulates, leading to azotemia and ultimately uremia (symptoms ranging from lethargy to pericarditis and encephalopathy). Urea is excreted by sweating and crystallizes on skin ("uremic frost").

- Potassium accumulates in the blood (known as hyperkalemia with a range of symptoms including malaise and potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias)

- Erythropoietin synthesis is decreased (potentially leading to anemia, which causes fatigue)- Fluid volume overload - symptoms may range from mild edema to life-threatening pulmonary edema

- Hyperphosphatemia - due to reduced phosphate excretion, associated with hypocalcemia (due to vitamin D3 deficiency).                  

         -Later this progresses to tertiary hyperparathyroidism, with hypercalcaemia, renal osteodystrophy and vascular calcification that further impairs cardiac function.

- Metabolic acidosis, due to accumulation of sulfates, phosphates, uric acid etc. This may cause altered enzyme activity by excess acid acting on enzymes and also increased excitability of cardiac and neuronal membranes by the promotion of hyperkalemia due to excess acid (acidemia)

People with chronic kidney disease suffer from accelerated atherosclerosis and are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than the general population. Patients afflicted with chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease tend to have significantly worse prognoses than those suffering only from the latter.

Diagnosis

In many CKD patients, previous renal disease or other underlying diseases are already known. A small number presents with CKD of unknown cause. In these patients, a cause is occasionally identified retrospectively.

It is important to differentiate CKD from acute renal failure (ARF) because ARF can be reversible. Abdominal ultrasound is commonly performed, in which the size of the kidneys are measured. Kidneys with CKD are usually smaller (<9cm)>

Another diagnostic clue that helps differentiate CKD and ARF is a gradual rise in serum creatinine (over several months or years) as opposed to a sudden increase in the serum creatinine (several days to weeks). If these levels are unavailable (because the patient has been well and has had no blood tests) it is occasionally necessary to treat a patient briefly as having ARF until it has been established that the renal impairment is irreversible.

Additional tests may include nuclear medicine MAG3 scan to confirm blood flows and establish the differential function between the two kidneys. DMSA scans are also used in renal imaging; with both MAG3 and DMSA being used chelated with the radioactive element Technetium-99. 
In chronic renal failure treated with standard dialysis, numerous uremic toxins accumulate. 

These toxins show various cytotoxic activities in the serum, have different molecular weights and some of them are bound to other proteins, primarily to albumin. Such toxic protein bound substances are receiving the attention of scientists who are interested in improving the standard chronic dialysis procedures used today.

Stages

All individuals with a Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60>

The rationale for including individuals with GFR 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 is that GFR may be sustained at normal or increased levels despite substantial kidney damage and that patients with kidney damage are at increased risk of the two major outcomes of chronic kidney disease: loss of kidney function and development of cardiovascular disease.

The loss of protein in the urine is regarded as an independent marker for worsening of renal function and cardiovascular disease. Hence, British guidelines append the letter "P" to the stage of chronic kidney disease if there is significant protein loss.

Stage 1 CKD

Slightly diminished function; Kidney damage with normal or increased GFR (>90 mL/min/1.73 m2). Kidney damage is defined as pathologic abnormalities or markers of damage, including abnormalities in blood or urine test or imaging studies.

Stage 2 CKD
Mild reduction in GFR (60-89 mL/min/1.73 m2) with kidney damage. Kidney damage is defined as pathologic abnormalities or markers of damage, including abnormalities in blood or urine test or imaging studies.

Stage 3 CKD

Moderate reduction in GFR (30-59 mL/min/1.73 m2).[1] British guidelines distinguish between stage 3A (GFR 45-59) and stage 3B (GFR 30-44) for purposes of screening and referral

Stage 4 CKD

Severe reduction in GFR (15-29 mL/min/1.73 m2)[1] Preparation for renal replacement therapy

Stage 5 CKD

Established kidney failure (GFR <15>

Causes

The most common causes of CKD are diabetic nephropathy, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. Together, these cause approximately 75% of all adult cases. Certain geographic areas have a high incidence of HIV nephropathy.

Historically, kidney disease has been classified according to the part of the renal anatomy that is involved, as:

- Vascular, includes large vessel disease such as bilateral renal artery stenosis and small vessel disease such as ischemic nephropathy, hemolytic-uremic syndrome and vasculitis

- Glomerular, comprising a diverse group and subclassified into

       - Primary Glomerular disease such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and IgA nephritis

       -Secondary Glomerular disease such as diabetic nephropathy and lupus nephritis

- Tubulointerstitial including polycystic kidney disease, drug and toxin-induced chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis and reflux nephropathy

- Obstructive such as with bilateral kidney stones and diseases of the prostate

Treatment

The goal of therapy is to slow down or halt the otherwise relentless progression of CKD to stage 5. Control of blood pressure and treatment of the original disease, whenever feasible, are the broad principles of management. Generally, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs) are used, as they have been found to slow the progression of CKD to stage 5.

Replacement of erythropoietin and vitamin D3, two hormones processed by the kidney, is usually necessary, as is calcium. Phosphate binders are used to control the serum phosphatelevels, which are usually elevated in chronic kidney disease.When one reaches stage 5 CKD, renal replacement therapy is required, in the form of either dialysis or a transplant.In some cases, dietary modifications have been proven to slow and even reverse further progression. Generally this includes limiting a persons intake of animal protein.

Prognosis

The prognosis of patients with chronic kidney disease is guarded as epidemiological data has shown that all cause mortality (the overall death rate) increases as kidney function decreases.
 The leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease is cardiovascular disease, regardless of whether there is progression to stage 5. 

While renal replacement therapies can maintain patients indefinitely and prolong life, the quality of life is severely affected. Renal transplantation increases the survival of patients with stage 5 CKD significantly when compared to other therapeutic options; however, it is associated with an increased short-term mortality (due to complications of the surgery). Transplantation aside, high intensity home hemodialysis appears to be associated with improved survival and a greater quality of life, when compared to the conventional three times a week

hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Organizations

In the USA, the National Kidney Foundation is a national organization representing patients and professionals who treat kidney diseases. The Renal Support Network (RSN) is a nonprofit, patient-focused, patient-run organization that provides non-medical services to those affected by CKD. The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is a non-profit, patient-centric group focused on improving the health and well-being of CKD and dialysis patients.

The Renal Physicians Association (RPA) is an association

representing nephrology professionals. In the United Kingdom, the National Kidney Federation represents patients, and the Renal Association represents renal physicians and works closely with the National Service Frameworkfor kidney disease.The International Society of Nephrology is an international body representing specialists in kidney diseases.

p/s: I have been kidney disease since 9 years old. But now my kidney health are cure and I really emphasize of it. So, this topic are realize me how dangerous it is and i'm going through with it. =)

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur ~ New Attraction in Malaysia

The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is a shopping mall in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was successfully opened on the 20th of September 2007. It consists of four major components; a retail mall, an office tower, two towers of residences and a proposed hotel.

Component
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur has seven levels of retail complex.

The 1,400,000 square feet (130,000 m2) of retail space will house 450 outlets in six precincts -

- Bintang Circle:
At the very heart of Pavilion KL is Bintang Circle, a vast public space ablaze with activities and promotions all year round. Fed by natural light and fuelled by vibrancy, this will be the focal point of grand launches, festivities, performances and everything else that is exciting.

- Gourmet Emporium:
Passionately designed for the love of food, Gourmet Emporium brings together the most delicious tastes from around the globe. This is where you will feast your senses on the treasure trove of international and local cuisines and the freshest produce from around the world.

- Couture:
is the ultimate expression of designer luxury. With its impressive collection of international boutiques, haute fashion straight off the catwalks of Paris, Milan, New York and Tokyo, it’s a haven for all fashionistas who want to have what’s ‘in’ every season.

- Connection:
Feel the pulse of the city at this urban canopy of light, sound, food and music. Connection answers the calls of cosmopolites who crave round-the-clock action with its vibrant and dynamic mix of fitness centre, karaoke, cinema, bistros and more.

- Home:
Home Precinct on Level 6 is a one-stop choice of déco items and ideas for your home and office. You will find a magnificent showcase of the latest designer furniture and interior trends from around the globe. From flooring and blinds to cabinets, frames and plants, bring your living and working environment up to date.

- Seventh Heaven:
Today’s women are no longer limited to gender-specific roles. They wear many hats and their presence graces every field. Seventh Heaven is their refuge, away from their demanding lifestyle; the one destination where they can relax mind, body and soul. Women step out feeling energised, revitalised, confident and more beautiful than ever.

History
The site where Pavilion KL now stands used to be the campus of Bukit Bintang Girls' School, the oldest school in Kuala Lumpur. The Bukit Bintang campus was vacated in 2000 when the school moved to Cheras and renamed itself as Sekolah Seri Bintang Utara.

Tenants of Pavilion KL

Flagship Stores:
There are a number of double-storey flagship stores, of which some were street-front which opened in Pavilion KL, such as-

Versace

Prada

Juicy Couture

Hermes

Gucci

Chopard

Salvatore Ferragamo

Coach

Club Monaco
Burberry

Mont Blanc

Burberry Prorsum

Esprit

Canali

Hugo Boss

Other Stores:

There are other international fashion and luxury goods boutiques which opened in Pavilion KL such as Aigner, Bally, BCBG, Calvin Klein, Celine, Chloé, Cole Haan, DKNY, Ermenegildo Zegna, IWC, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Longchamp, Mandarina Duck, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Mikimoto, Omega SA, Ralph Lauren, Rolex, Stuart Weitzman, TAG Heuer, Ted Baker, Tod's, Tommy Hilfiger, Thomas Pink, Tiffany and Co, Yves Saint Laurent, Adidas, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Bebe stores, Cortefiel, Dorothy Perkins, Forever 21, G2000, GAP, Guess?, La Senza, Levi's, Massimo Dutti, Nike, Nine West, Paul Frank, Pull and Bear, Quicksilver, Raoul, Roxy, Topshop and Zara.

Labels like Paul Frank, Juicy Couture, Kiehl's, Thomas Pink, Bebe and Shanghai Tang opened their first store in Malaysia at Pavilion KL.

Anchor stores include an upscale Parkson, Singaporean departmental store Tangs, Golden Screen Cinemas and Harvey Norman.

There are several eateries and cafés in the shopping mall including Tony Roma's, Food Republic, T.G.I. Friday's, YO! Sushi, KFC, Carl's Jr., J.CO Donuts, Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Gloria Jean's.

Amenities:
Within the shopping centre are facilities such as ATMs, banks that include EON Bank and Kuwait Finance House, cobbler, laundrette, money changers, public phones, restrooms and baby rooms, strollers and wheelchairs and surau.

Opening hours are from 10.00am to 10.00pm daily, seven days a week.

Parking is available on Level B1, B2 and B3 with multiple entry and exit points along Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Raja Chulan.

p/s: I went to Pavilion currently twice diz year.. It's beautiful and have a nice window shopping here..

Top 10 People's World Most Beautiful People 2008

NUMBER 10
....................................................
VANESSA HUDGENS

"I grew up in the business, so I was used to putting on makeup every day," says the 19-year-old star of the High School Musical movies, who went without makeup for her PEOPLE photo shoot. "Just recently I've learned to be okay with myself without wearing makeup. I think it was a special someone telling me that I didn't need it. I started taking care of my skin and realized I didn't need as much as I thought I did."

NUMBER 9
...................................................
MINKA KELLY

"I make sure to wash my face every night before I go to bed. I've been using eye cream since I was 19, and moisturizer. I can't get out of the shower without fully lathering my whole face and body with moisturizer."

NUMBER 8
..................................................
ELIZABETH BANKS

"Yes, I had a big zit the day I did my shoot.[She recovered it with her hand, not concealer.]It's no fun, but I don't worry about acne as much as I used to. I just think, when I look at other people, I focus on their eyes or what they're saying. I don't ever think,'Look at that giant zit!' I have a pretty good relationship with my skin. I don't have one of those uber-mirrors that blows your pores up 500 times."

NUMBER 7
..................................................
ZOE SALDANA

"I feel self-conscious when I have makeup on. It just doesn't feel like it's part of me," says the actress, 29, who didn't wear any for her PEOPLE shoot. "I feel my most confident when I am at my most natural. However, I do have my days when I really want to do something dramatic, whether it be really dark, dark eyes or dark lipstick. I love red lipstick."

NUMBER 6
..................................................
KIRSTEN BELL

"It is superintimidating to see all this perfection, as someone who is addicted to magazines and who loves beauty products. It can make you really insecure. One of my girlfriends once told me, when I was cheering her up, that my smile was 'infectious'. It was light-years ahead of someone telling me I looked pretty. I try to smile as much as possible."

NUMBER 5
.................................................
TAYLOR SWIFT

"I have blonde eyelashes and blonde eyebrows, so my typical insecurity is that my eyes go away when I don't have makeup on," says the Grammy-nominated country singer, 19, who also went makeup-free for her PEOPLE shoot. "But it's important to be comfortable with who you are and go natural once in a while."

NUMBER 4
................................................
JENNIFER LOVE HEWIT

"Ross[McCall, her fiance] prefers me without makeup, which means a lot to me. The only thing that's tough for me about not wearing makeup is that I look 8. Sometimes it's uncomfortable because it looks like he's taking his kid sister to the movies. And it's very hard to have an adult conversation when you look like a kid. Sometimes I put it on for certain situations to actually not feel like my friends are babysitting me for the day."

NUMBER 3
................................................
GABRIELLE UNION

"I almost never wear makeup when I'm not working. Airports and meeting are the only places I do. I used to go the airport looking a hot mess in sweats or whatever. Now with the tabloids, you're met with a camera crew and paparazzi who waiting for Eva Longoria but say, 'Oh, we'll take Gabriel Union.' So you have to put a little more makeup on."

NUMBER 2
................................................
BROOKE SHIELD

"Ever since I was little, my face was something that got photographed and put on the cover, then I went back to being me, and the two didn't really coincide. I have a very different relationship with beauty: I'm sort of separate from it. Now, I'm in a show [Lipstick Jungle] that is so beauty- conscious, and all of a sudden I'm like, 'This is so exhausting! It's exhausting being these women.' It's like I'm visiting it for the first time."

NUMBER 1
...............................................
KATE HUDSON

She's on the cover of this year's Most Beautiful issue, but Hudson doesn't owe her famous sun-kissed looks to thousands of hours logged at a spa. "I don't even remember the last time I got a manicure," says the 29-year-old mom to son Ryder, 4. "I even got to the point where I started waxing my own legs because I don't have the time. I'd rather be home with Ryder sitting there waxing my legs. I haven't gotten a facial in a million years. I don't do those kinds of things. And when I do, I always think, 'I should do this more often.'"

source: People's Magazine May 2008

p/s: For me, every women have their own beauties.. And their beauties is one of the gift from God to appreciate it and deserve for men.. =P