United Kingdom

Novel compound significantly reduces brain lesions in multiple sclerosis

London, October 24: Trials of a new compound called BG-12 have shown that it can reduce the number of new gadolinium enhancing (Gd+) lesions by 69 percent in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), compared to treatment with placebo.

The oral compound was also found to show a 53 percent reduction in the mean number of T1-hypointense lesions, and a 44 percent reduction in cumulative new Gd+ lesions in patients treated during the trial.

While the presence of Gd+ lesions is thought to indicate continuing inflammatory activity within the central nervous system, T1-hypointense lesions are associated with significant breakdown and loss of brain tissue.

British queen's first visit to Slovakia under way

British queen's first visit to Slovakia under way Bratislava - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrived in Slovakia Thursday for her first visit to the ex-communist country that went independent 15 years ago and became an economic success story.

The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, came off a trip to Slovenia, a smaller country to the south that once was part of Yugoslavia.

Pudgy pets worry British veterinarians

Pudgy pets worry British veterinariansLondon - About half the dogs and a third of all cats in Britain are too fat, a veterinary charity warned Thursday.

Worse: most pet owners don't notice that their four-legged friends are packing too many pounds.

According to the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, only a fifth of cat owners are aware that their pet has a weight problem. That applied to only a third of dog owners.

Since so many dogs and cats are overweight, pet owners have unrealistic perceptions of the ideal weight and shape for their pet, said veterinarian Sean Wensley.

Macca's head coughs up cash for London tramp

Macca's head coughs up cash for London trampLondon  - A homeless man is set to receive a reward for finding a wax likeness of Paul McCartney's head a week after it was lost on a train, according to The Sun in its Thursday edition.

According to the paper, Tony Silva, 45, discovered the likeness of the former Beatle at a train station west of London. Now he could receive a finder's fee of 2,000 pounds
(3,248 dollars).

"I feel like I've won the lottery," said Silva, who learned about the finder's fee from a newspaper he happened to be sleeping on.

Gordon Brown leaves VIPs in stitches with Mandela, Winehouse story

Horlicks and Maggie Noodles ads banned in UK

Horlicks and Maggie Noodles ads banned in UKLondon, October 23 :

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