Vitamin E slows Alzheimer's progression

New York: A daily dosage of vitamin E can slow functional decline and reduce caregiver time in assisting Alzheimer's patients.

Researchers have found that alpha tocopherol - a fat-soluble vitamin (E) and antioxidant - in patients with moderately severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) was shown to be effective in slowing clinical progression.

'We examined the effectiveness and safety of vitamin E and memantine (a drug used for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type) in patients who were taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (a chemical that increases the level and duration of action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine),' said Maurice W. Dysken of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

The trial included 613 patients at 14 medical centres. Participants received either 2,000 IU/day of vitamin E, 20 mg/day of memantine, a combination of both vitamin E and memantine or placebo - a substance containing no medication and prescribed to reinforce a patient's expectation to get well.

They found that participants receiving vitamin E had slower functional decline than those receiving placebo. Neither memantine nor the combination of vitamin E and memantine showed clinical benefit in this trial, claimed the study published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

'Because vitamin E is inexpensive, it is likely these benefits are cost-effective as alpha tocopherol improves functional outcomes and decreases caregiver burden,' concluded the study.

Vitamin E slows Alzheimer's progression

New York: A daily dosage of vitamin E can slow functional decline and reduce caregiver time in assisting Alzheimer's patients.

Researchers have found that alpha tocopherol - a fat-soluble vitamin (E) and antioxidant - in patients with moderately severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) was shown to be effective in slowing clinical progression.

'We examined the effectiveness and safety of vitamin E and memantine (a drug used for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type) in patients who were taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (a chemical that increases the level and duration of action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine),' said Maurice W. Dysken of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

The trial included 613 patients at 14 medical centres. Participants received either 2,000 IU/day of vitamin E, 20 mg/day of memantine, a combination of both vitamin E and memantine or placebo - a substance containing no medication and prescribed to reinforce a patient's expectation to get well.

They found that participants receiving vitamin E had slower functional decline than those receiving placebo. Neither memantine nor the combination of vitamin E and memantine showed clinical benefit in this trial, claimed the study published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

'Because vitamin E is inexpensive, it is likely these benefits are cost-effective as alpha tocopherol improves functional outcomes and decreases caregiver burden,' concluded the study.

27 killed in Maharashtra accident

Thane (Maharashtra):At least 27 passengers were killed and 18 injured when a state transport bus fell into a 400 feet deep ravine in the Malshej Ghats here Thursday morning, police said.

The accident occurred around 10.30 a.m. when the Thane-Ahmednagar bus belonging to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) went off the road and plunged into the narrow gorge. 

According to preliminary investigations, the bus driver lost control of vehicle at a steep curve on the treacherous ghat roads, and the bus with 45 passengers fell into the ravine, an officer of the Thane rural police said.

Helped by local villagers, police and fire brigade personnel from Thane and Pune are engaged in the rescue operations which are hampered by the steep mountain slopes. Several wounded people were rushed to hospitals in Murbad and Thane. The toll is likely to go up, police said.

27 killed in Maharashtra accident

Thane (Maharashtra):At least 27 passengers were killed and 18 injured when a state transport bus fell into a 400 feet deep ravine in the Malshej Ghats here Thursday morning, police said.

The accident occurred around 10.30 a.m. when the Thane-Ahmednagar bus belonging to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) went off the road and plunged into the narrow gorge. 

According to preliminary investigations, the bus driver lost control of vehicle at a steep curve on the treacherous ghat roads, and the bus with 45 passengers fell into the ravine, an officer of the Thane rural police said.

Helped by local villagers, police and fire brigade personnel from Thane and Pune are engaged in the rescue operations which are hampered by the steep mountain slopes. Several wounded people were rushed to hospitals in Murbad and Thane. The toll is likely to go up, police said.

'Australian gang targeted people of Indian appearance': Melbourne Cou

'Melboune:  An Australian teenager, charged with brutally attacking and robbing a 20-year-old Indian student in Melbourne, was part of a gang that targeted people of Indian appearance, a court heard Thursday. A 17-year-old Sydenham boy was denied bail by a children's court after being arrested for the Sunday attack on Manrajwinder Singh following which he remains in an induced coma in a hospital in Melbourne.

Singh, in Australia to study accounts, was bashed up by thugs in Birrarung Marr near Princes Bridge, as he and two other friends waited for a train. He suffered serious head injuries in the incident. The offenders, perceived to be of African appearance, assaulted Singh by kicking him on the head and hitting him with a stick. They also punched his friend on the face.

The teenager, charged with intentionally causing serious injury, robbery and theft, was refused bail when it emerged he was on bail at the time following an alleged assault and robbery on another Indian victim in November. He was remanded to return to court later this month. Victoria Police opposed the gang member's bail application on the grounds he allegedly committed the offence while on bail and would be a danger to the public if released, the Herald Sun reported.

The court heard the boy, his twin brother and their younger brother were named by another of those arrested as being responsible for attacking the two men, The Age reported. The boy's brothers were still at large and their father had little control over his sons despite trying to help investigators. The court was told the 17-year-old is a member of a gang of men known as 'KYR' - an acronym for 'Kill Your Rivals'. CCTV footage has captured eight men approaching the victim.

"Intelligence suggests that he and other associates are in a gang called KYR. They target vulnerable groups and they target Indians," a Victoria Police officer told the court. Two other teens were arrested in connection with the attack while a search is on for five others.The victim's brother Yadwinder Singh today said his sibling was still in induced coma but was responding well to medicines. "He is not out of danger but he is responding well to the medicines. However, right now our main concern is the recovery of our brother," Singh said. Officials at the Indian consulate in Melbourne are also in regular touch with Singh's family and helping them to speed up the visa process of his parents who are currently in India.

 

'Australian gang targeted people of Indian appearance': Melbourne Cou

'Melboune:  An Australian teenager, charged with brutally attacking and robbing a 20-year-old Indian student in Melbourne, was part of a gang that targeted people of Indian appearance, a court heard Thursday. A 17-year-old Sydenham boy was denied bail by a children's court after being arrested for the Sunday attack on Manrajwinder Singh following which he remains in an induced coma in a hospital in Melbourne.

Singh, in Australia to study accounts, was bashed up by thugs in Birrarung Marr near Princes Bridge, as he and two other friends waited for a train. He suffered serious head injuries in the incident. The offenders, perceived to be of African appearance, assaulted Singh by kicking him on the head and hitting him with a stick. They also punched his friend on the face.

The teenager, charged with intentionally causing serious injury, robbery and theft, was refused bail when it emerged he was on bail at the time following an alleged assault and robbery on another Indian victim in November. He was remanded to return to court later this month. Victoria Police opposed the gang member's bail application on the grounds he allegedly committed the offence while on bail and would be a danger to the public if released, the Herald Sun reported.

The court heard the boy, his twin brother and their younger brother were named by another of those arrested as being responsible for attacking the two men, The Age reported. The boy's brothers were still at large and their father had little control over his sons despite trying to help investigators. The court was told the 17-year-old is a member of a gang of men known as 'KYR' - an acronym for 'Kill Your Rivals'. CCTV footage has captured eight men approaching the victim.

"Intelligence suggests that he and other associates are in a gang called KYR. They target vulnerable groups and they target Indians," a Victoria Police officer told the court. Two other teens were arrested in connection with the attack while a search is on for five others.The victim's brother Yadwinder Singh today said his sibling was still in induced coma but was responding well to medicines. "He is not out of danger but he is responding well to the medicines. However, right now our main concern is the recovery of our brother," Singh said. Officials at the Indian consulate in Melbourne are also in regular touch with Singh's family and helping them to speed up the visa process of his parents who are currently in India.

 

Don’t link Aadhar with LPG: CPI-M

New Delhi: The CPI-M Thursday denounced as "totally unjustified" the hike in prices of unsubsidized gas cylinders and asked the government not to link LPG supply with Aadhar cards. The Communist Party of India-Marxist said the price hike of Rs.220 on every unsubsidized liquefied petroleum gas cylinder by oil companies "will be an intolerable burden on people".

"Since there is a ceiling on subsidized cylinders at nine, people have to now buy gas cylinders at exorbitant prices." It said that the oil companies' insistence that Aadhar identification number was required for getting subsidized gas cylinders "is illegal and unauthorized". 

"It is another way to deprive households from access to gas cylinders. It goes against the Supreme Court judgement to keep the Aadhar use in abeyance till a final verdict. "The union government should immediately step in to stop this linkage of supply of subsidized gas cylinders with Aadhar."

Don’t link Aadhar with LPG: CPI-M

New Delhi: The CPI-M Thursday denounced as "totally unjustified" the hike in prices of unsubsidized gas cylinders and asked the government not to link LPG supply with Aadhar cards. The Communist Party of India-Marxist said the price hike of Rs.220 on every unsubsidized liquefied petroleum gas cylinder by oil companies "will be an intolerable burden on people".

"Since there is a ceiling on subsidized cylinders at nine, people have to now buy gas cylinders at exorbitant prices." It said that the oil companies' insistence that Aadhar identification number was required for getting subsidized gas cylinders "is illegal and unauthorized". 

"It is another way to deprive households from access to gas cylinders. It goes against the Supreme Court judgement to keep the Aadhar use in abeyance till a final verdict. "The union government should immediately step in to stop this linkage of supply of subsidized gas cylinders with Aadhar."

Musharraf rushed to hospital with 'heart problem': Police

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf was rushed to hospital on Thursday after suffering a "heart problem" on his way to court for a hearing in his trial for treason, police and an aide said.

The 70-year-old had been summoned to the special tribunal after failing to show up for two previous sessions due to security threats against him. Jan Mohammad, a senior police official told the court in Islamabad that Musharraf had fallen ill while being transported to the hearing under heavy security.

"He has been shifted to Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology after he got heart problem," Mohammad said.

An aide to Musharraf, who is facing a series of criminal cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule, told AFP the retired general was in "bad shape".

Musharraf rushed to hospital with 'heart problem': Police

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf was rushed to hospital on Thursday after suffering a "heart problem" on his way to court for a hearing in his trial for treason, police and an aide said.

The 70-year-old had been summoned to the special tribunal after failing to show up for two previous sessions due to security threats against him. Jan Mohammad, a senior police official told the court in Islamabad that Musharraf had fallen ill while being transported to the hearing under heavy security.

"He has been shifted to Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology after he got heart problem," Mohammad said.

An aide to Musharraf, who is facing a series of criminal cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule, told AFP the retired general was in "bad shape".