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NEW YORK -- Four genes have been found to drive the spread of breast cancer to the lungs and -- at least in mice -- their activity can be blocked by available drugs, according to researchers here.

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- A simple test of ulnar fovea tenderness that led to discovery of a common type of ligament injury may ease the diagnosis of unexplained wrist pain, researchers found.

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Guidant has recalled approximately 73,000 implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds) because of a defect that shortened battery life, the FDA reported.

CHICAGO -- A majority of physicians in a large survey declared that religion and spirituality, including devine intervention, affect their patients' health.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A panel of 85 variants in 70 genes singled out as key predictors of heart disease risk factors failed to tell the tale, researchers reported here.

PHILADELPHIA -- The investigational epilepsy drug retigabine is safe and effective in reducing partial-onset seizures, according to researchers here.

SEATTLE -- One in three American women may not get the recommended comprehensive surgical treatment for ovarian cancer, according to researchers here.

DURHAM, N.C. -- There is more credibility to the curious finding that Parkinson's disease patients are more likely to be non-smokers and sparing in their consumption of caffeine.

ATLANTA -- The combined strategy of eating enough fruits and vegetables and getting enough physical exercise remains an elusive health goal for all Americans, irrespective of race, ethnicity, and gender, CDC researchers found.

PRINCETON, N.J. -- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest health care philanthropy, announced it will commit at least million over the next five years to combat childhood obesity.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Radiologists can claim a victory over computers at reading mammograms, reported a multicenter team of investigators. Computer-aided detection resulted in 20% more biopsies, many of them false-positives.

HONG KONG -- If cadaver livers for transplant are scarce, a rapid but thorough four-step workup of living donors -- completed before the altruistic spirit fades -- can enhance the rate of usable volunteer organs for surgery.

PHILADELPHIA -- A new skirmish has broken out over whether a medically mandated annual mammogram for low-risk women younger than 50 is a good idea, rekindling a quiescent issue that once embroiled breast-cancer screening.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A child who does not respond to his or her name by age one could have an autism spectrum disorder, although this sign of recognition deficiency may be a red herring.

abstract: Hemoptysis has many causes, including bronchiectasis, lung cancer, and bronchitis. The initial goals of the history and physical examination are to differentiate hemoptysis from epistaxis and hematemesis and then to establish its severity. A variety of signs and symptoms may suggest the underlying cause. For example, hematuria suggests vasculitis or an immunologically mediated disease, such as Wegener granulomatosis or systemic lupus erythematosus. The workup includes chest radiography and measurement of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, platelet count, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, and creatinine level. Chest CT scanning often identifies sources of bleeding that are not apparent on radiographs and sometimes can be used in conjunction with bronchoscopy. Patients with massive hemoptysis should be hospitalized for rapid evaluation and intervention; treatment may include interventional bronchoscopy, angiography, or embolization. (J Respir Dis. 2007;28(4):139-148)

In the case described here, hypoxemic respiratory failure occurred secondary to a right-sided pleural effusion associated with an obstructive uropathy. The patient, a 75-year-old man with a history of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), presented with a gradual onset of shortness of breath, tachypnea, and oliguria. Renal ultrasonography and CT scanning revealed bilateral hydronephrosis. A right thoracentesis yielded fluid with characteristics consistent with urinothorax. The patient was given medication for BPH, taught how to do self-straight catheterization, and scheduled for an outpatient cystoscopy. At follow-up, his chest radiograph showed no effusions.

Oral Contraceptives: Five Vignettes Illustrate Dx and Rx Problems-- and Solutions

A 67-year-old man presented with right lower quadrant pain of 3 days' duration. CT findings suggested acute appendicitis with ascites and omental caking. Laparotomy revealed a ruptured appendix, which was removed, and numerous gelatinous deposits throughout the abdomen.