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WASHINGTON -- Hypnotherapy is superior to standard care in children and adolescents with functional abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome, a Dutch researcher said here.

The American College of Cardiology Board of Trustees said today that it would bar Martin Leon, M.D. of Columbia University from participation "as a presenter, reviewer, or panelist" at its 2008 meeting. The sanction, which was recommended by the ACC's ethics committee, was a response to Dr. Leon's premature disclosure of the embargoed findings of the COURAGE trial, which led to the "consequent premature lifting of the embargo". Related article: COURAGE Embargo Break: Slip of the Tongue or Sabotage?

SAN DIEGO -- The key to the efficacy of atypical or second-generation antipsychotic agents in treatment of schizophrenia is their affinity for binding to and occupying the dopamine D2 receptor.

CLEVELAND -- A meta-analysis of 42 randomized trials released online by the New England Journal of Medicine today found a 43% increase in the risk of myocardial infarction among type 2 diabetics treated with rosiglitazone (Avandia), although the absolute number of events was small. A journal editorial says FDA action is warranted, and a congressional inquiry is expected.

SAN DIEGO -- Frequency of dosing for antipsychotic agents does not appear to affect medication adherence in most patients with schizophrenia, reported investigators here.

CHICAGO -- Obesity appears to be associated with an increased risk of diastolic rather than systolic hypertension subtypes, researchers said here.

WASHINGTON -- The suddenly embattled diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia) is an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis, researchers said here.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Expanding the urologic applications of botulinum toxin, two small clinical studies demonstrated significant symptom improvement in women with refractory interstitial cystitis.

CHICAGO -- Among women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, MRI of both breasts may be helpful in determining surgical treatment, researchers here suggested.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Topical vitamin A (retinol) may improve fine wrinkles, collagen deficiency, and atrophy in the fragile skin of elderly patients.

ANAHEIM -- Intermittent androgen deprivation for advanced prostate cancer led to a similar rate of progression to androgen-independent disease compared with continuous therapy and caused fewer hot flashes, found a randomized trial.

WASHINGTON -- Recombinant clotting Factor VIIa should be used only as a last resort to treat variceal bleeding in patients with advanced cirrhosis, according to European researchers.

WASHINGTON -- Sacral nerve stimulation may be an effective alternative to surgery for patients whose idiopathic constipation doesn't respond to laxatives or biofeedback, researchers reported here.

WASHINGTON -- When fatty liver is the problem, a simple blood test can determine as well as an hepatic biopsy whether the condition is dangerous or benign, a researcher said here.

LONDON -- Ovarian suppression can help reduce the risk of recurrence of hormone-sensitive premenopausal breast cancer, found international investigators.

LONDON -- A single oral dose of vitamin D may give the immune system enough ammunition to fight off tuberculosis for six weeks after exposure, researchers here found.

STOCKHOLM -- Blood transfusions from donors with an undetected cancer do not increase the recipients' risk of developing a malignancy, researchers here reported.

CHICAGO -- If the human target is healthy, a shock from a Taser X26 causes no lasting ill effects, a researcher said here.