The Hindu Indumati P. Patil (84), writer, publisher and wife of veteran journalist Patil Puttappa, passed away on Wednesday. Indumati P. Patil (84), writer, publisher and wife of veteran journalist Patil Puttappa, passed away here on Wednesday. Ms. Indumati had been unwell for the last few months and was undergoing treatment in the ICU of KIMS Hospital here since last Friday. KIMS director Vasantha Kamath told The Hindu that Ms. Indumati died due to multiple health complications, including cardiac arrest and stroke. Ms. Indumati, who married Mr. Puttappa 65 years ago, was the publisher of the now-defunct Kannada weekly Prapancha and at one point of time was responsible for bringing out a magazine focused on women, Sthree. She had also written eight works in Kannada. Mr. Puttappa has always termed Ms. Indumati as his inspiration for his writing. He had said she was his strength during his early years in journalism. Ms. Indumati was also part of the Kannada movement popularly known as Gokak Chaluvali. Mr. Puttappa was at a function at the Hubli Railway Station to flag off new trains when he received the news of his wifes death. By the time Ms. Indumatis body reached home, a large … Continue reading →

TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- An international team of scientists has identified 48 new genetic variants associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study says. The findings bring to 110 the number of genetic variants linked to MS and offer new insight into the biology of the progressive neurological disease. The genes pinpointed in the new study underline the central role played by the immune system in the development of MS and show significant overlap with genes known to be involved in other autoimmune diseases, according to the study, which was published online Sept. 29 in the journal Nature Genetics. The International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium included 193 investigators in 13 countries. They analyzed DNA from more than 29,000 people with MS and nearly 51,000 people without the disease, making it the largest MS study ever undertaken. Although there are now 110 genetic variants known to be associated with MS, each variant individually confers only a small risk of developing the disease. Collectively, these genetic variants explain about 20 percent of the genetic component of MS, the researchers said. The new findings are "a major step forward," according to study co-leader Jacob McCauley of the University of Miami Miller … Continue reading →

Novartis International AG / Real-world evidence showed superiority of Novartis' Gilenya(R) to reduce MS relapse rates compared to interferons or glatiramer acetate . Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters ONE. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -- Real-world data showed Gilenya reduced the annualized relapse rate and risk of relapse by around 50% versus interferons or glatiramer acetate -- Reducing the frequency and probability of future relapses in patients with MS is a key treatment goal, as relapses can significantly advance an individual's level of disability -- Recovering from a relapse can take weeks or months for a patient with MS, and approximately half of all relapses may leave lasting effects The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here: http://multimediacapsule.thomsonone.com/novartis/gilenya-real-world-efficacy-global-press-release Basel, October 3, 2013 - Novartis announced today findings from an international multiple sclerosis (MS) registry and a US health claims data base which showed the real-world superiority of Gilenya(R) (fingolimod) in reducing risks of relapses compared to standard therapies[1]-[3]. These data confirm the positive results seen in clinical trials with Gilenya, and were presented at the ongoing 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) … Continue reading →

Real-world data showed Gilenya reduced the annualized relapse rate and risk of relapse by around 50% versus interferons or glatiramer acetate Reducing the frequency and probability of future relapses in patients with MS is a key treatment goal, as relapses can significantly advance an individual`s level of disability Recovering from a relapse can take weeks or months for a patient with MS, and approximately half of all relapses may leave lasting effects The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here: Basel, October 3, 2013 - Novartis announced today findings from an international multiple sclerosis (MS) registry and a US health claims data base which showed the real-world superiority of Gilenya (fingolimod) in reducing risks of relapses compared to standard therapies[1]-[3]. These data confirm the positive results seen in clinical trials with Gilenya, and were presented at the ongoing 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Relapses can make life unpredictable for patients with MS and they can potentially significantly advance an individual`s level of disability[4]. MS patients` clinical outcomes are regularly assessed and switching between disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), to reduce the rate or likelihood of a relapse, … Continue reading →

WESTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today announced results from several new analyses of TYSABRI (natalizumab) data that demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity. This effect was particularly significant in people with relapsing MS who initiated treatment when they had lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores as well as in those who have been treated for more than two years. These data will be presented at the 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Copenhagen, Denmark from 2-5 October. These analyses build upon a growing body of evidence that demonstrates greater clinical benefits for people with MS when TYSABRI is initiated earlier in the course of the disease, as well as when TYSABRI is used for a longer duration in appropriate patients, said Alfred Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D., group senior vice president, Development Sciences and Chief Medical Officer, Biogen Idec. More Patients Demonstrated No Evidence of Clinical or MRI Disease Activity with Earlier TYSABRI Use AFFIRM was a two-year, randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 942 patients evaluating the effect of TYSABRI on the rate of clinical relapses and the progression of disability as measured by at least … Continue reading →