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Gaza's medical system is on the brink of collapse as Israeli airstrikes have decimated hospitals and the remaining clinics operate without power and supplies. The ongoing violence, combined with pre-existing shortages of medical supplies and fuel, poses a severe threat to the healthcare of Gaza's residents, particularly children who account for a significant portion of pediatric war injuries worldwide.

Kaiser Permanente and labor unions have reached a tentative deal following a strike involving over 75,000 union members. The strike, driven by issues including better pay and benefits and addressing staffing shortages, resulted in a four-year agreement, with significant wage increases, enhanced employee benefits, and increased investments in training and development, aimed at resolving these concerns.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has disavowed the term "excited delirium," stating that its 2009 white paper on excited delirium syndrome is outdated and not based on recent scientific evidence. This move by ACEP removes excited delirium as a medical diagnosis, and the term will no longer be recognized in court cases, where it had been controversially used to explain deaths in police custody .

The European Medicines Agency's safety committee (PRAC) has confirmed that atrial fibrillation will be listed as a common side effect for medicinal products containing omega-3-acid ethyl esters due to a dose-dependent risk increase, requiring permanent discontinuation if atrial fibrillation occurs. These medications are used to treat hypertriglyceridemia, a risk factor for coronary heart disease when lifestyle changes are insufficient.

Raynaud's phenomenon, which causes cold and numbness in fingers and toes, is likely influenced by two specific genes, according to a large genetic study published in Nature Communications. These findings could lead to more effective treatments for the condition, which affects 2-5% of the population. Existing medications for Raynaud's can have unwanted side effects, but understanding the genetic basis of the condition may lead to the development of targeted drugs.

A breakthrough in prosthetic technology has led to the creation of a bionic prosthetic hand that allows the wearer to feel some sensations and perform about 80% of what they could do with both hands.

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In recent years, a concerning trend has emerged in the world of healthcare — a notable increase in new lung cancer cases among younger women. What is even more alarming is that this trend is not limited to women in their late 20s or 30s; it extends to women aged 50 to 54. The reasons behind this demographic shift are complex and multifaceted, prompting rigorous investigations by medical professionals and researchers. In this article, we delve into the factors contributing to the rise of lung cancer cases in younger women and explore potential explanations for this worrisome trend.

Scientists are making significant progress toward solving the organ shortage crisis by developing xenotransplantation, which involves transplanting organs from genetically modified pigs into humans.

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

A male neonate, who was born at 36 weeks' gestation 2 hours ago in the labor and delivery unit of the hospital, now shows signs of respiratory difficulty. The mother, an 18-year-old primigravid woman, smoked one pack of cigarettes daily throughout her pregnancy. She received prenatal care during most of the pregnancy. One episode of chlamydial cervicitis was detected during the last trimester and treated with azithromycin. The neonate was born via cesarean delivery due to fetal heart rate decelerations. The amniotic fluid was stained with light particulate meconium. Apgar scores were 9 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. The patient is 50 cm (20 in; 50th percentile) long and weighs 3005 g (6 lb 10 oz; 50th percentile); head circumference is 35 cm (14 in; 50th percentile). The infant's vital signs now are temperature 36.6°C (97.8°F), pulse 150/min, and respirations 70/min. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 95%. Physical examination discloses mild subcostal and intercostal retractions. Chest x-ray shows prominent pulmonary vascular markings and fluid in the intralobar fissures.

Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A study by researchers in Germany has revealed that the menstrual cycle affects structural changes in key brain regions responsible for memory and spatial cognition. The brain's structural plasticity in these areas appears to be synchronized with the fluctuations in ovarian hormones during the menstrual cycle, shedding light on how hormonal changes may impact cognitive functions.

A study led by Dr. Sanja Jelic from Columbia University has found that chronic mild sleep deprivation, such as getting only five to six hours of sleep per night instead of the recommended seven to eight, can flood vascular cells with damaging oxidants and reduce their ability to activate antioxidant responses. This may lead to cellular inflammation and dysfunction, which are early signs of cardiovascular disease development, emphasizing the importance of adequate sleep for heart health.

High sugar intake, as well as high blood sugar levels related to diabetes, has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. A 2022 study revealed that consuming about 10 grams of sugar per day increased the risk of Alzheimer's, with lactose having the strongest link. High blood sugar from diabetes can promote the growth of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark feature of Alzheimer's.

Researchers at the University of Oxford have made significant progress in 3D printing human stem cells to mimic the architecture of the cerebral cortex. In this study, researchers 3D printed a two-layered brain tissue using human neural stem cells and successfully integrated them with mouse brain slices, indicating both structural and functional compatibility.

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My best wishes for a productive and idea-filled week ahead. Thanks for your ongoing efforts to improve the lives of the patients we all serve. Please send any news, comments, suggestions and ideas to hello@morningmed.email.

Quiz answer: The correct answer is D) "Transient tachypnea of newborn"

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