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ORLANDO -- An investigational oral platelet growth factor increased platelet levels in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) reported investigators here.

HEIDELBERG, Germany -- Older children in big families may be at elevated risk of brain and other nervous system tumors, according to a large epidemiologic study.

A 73-year-old woman presents with apainless, nonpruritic rash of recent onseton her right lower ankle. She has nofever, chills, nausea, vomiting, malaise,or other systemic complaints. Her medicalhistory includes fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis,stable angina, and anxiety;there is no history of connective tissuedisease.

NEWARK, N.J. -- Whole-body Swedish massage proved safe and effective in reducing pain and improving function in osteoarthritis of the knee, according to a pilot study.

ORLANDO -- Antibody-directed therapy added to induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) improved disease-free survival without major added toxicity, international researchers reported here.

CAMPOBASSO, Italy -- Moderate drinking has a protective effect on all-cause mortality, not only coronary heart disease, according to a meta-analysis of 34 prospective studies.

ORLANDO -- For chromic myeloid leukemia patients who develop resistance or are refractory to Gleevec (imatinib), nilotinib is waiting in the wings, according to an international evaluation.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Major hormonal contraception methods appear to have little or no effect on HIV susceptibility for women at moderate risk, according to a study of more than 4,000 African women.

ORLANDO -- Mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow show promise for severe steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease, reported European investigators here.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- The FDA's drug-eluting stent advisory panel recommended today that the agency change the labels of the two approved coronary devices to warn that off-label use may increase the risk of thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and death.

LEEDS, England -- Once again the question of whether women ages 40 to 49 should have routine screening mammograms has arisen.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- The FDA's drug-eluting stent safety panel recommended today that the labels of Cypher (sirolimus-eluting) and Taxus (paclitaxel-eluting) stents be changed to include a warning that off-label use of the devices may carry an increased risk of stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and death. The panel also called for the label to carry a recommendation for 12-months of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and Plavix (clopidogrel) when drug-eluting stents are used off-label.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Gleevec (imatinib) has led to an overall 60-month survival rate of 95% for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with who took the tyrosine kinase inhibitor daily, found an international study. Yet the drug doesn't cure the disease.

BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Cutting down on cigarettes may be an effective stepping stone toward eventually kicking the habit, according to researchers here. On the other hand, cutting back in and of itself has no known health benefit.

GENEVA -- Patients in the intensive care unit who give informed consent to participate in a clinical trial may not be capable of making such a decision, according to a small Swiss study.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Low doses of Mifeprex (mifepristone) -- the compound at the heart of the abortion pill -- shrink uterine fibroids and improve quality of life for women with the condition, according to researchers here.

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- For a person at high risk for schizophrenia, a reduction in gray matter in the temporal lobes over time suggests a high likelihood that psychosis will develop, reported investigators here.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- There are more questions than answers on the eve of the start of a two-day special FDA advisory panel on drug-eluting stents, such as whether they are safe, who should get get them, and who should not.