Your dose of health news

MorningMed is the best way to keep up with the world of health and medicine through curated round-ups, useful insights and other practical resources.

Three U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns that Americans' prescription drug records are being shared with law enforcement agencies without the customer's knowledge and without a judge's warrant, according to a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The lawmakers want the federal government to tighten rules, so pharmacies only release medical records to investigators with a judge's approval.

The lead contamination in recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches from WanaBana may have been intentional, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency is investigating the contamination and has focused on cinnamon as the source of the lead, theorizing "economically motivated adulteration" or "food fraud" as a possibility. Economically motivated adulteration occurs when a cheaper ingredient is added to a product to enhance it or bulk it up without disclosure.

Poison control centers in the U.S. have seen a 15-fold increase in calls related to semaglutide, an injected medication for diabetes and weight loss, with nearly 3,000 cases reported from January to November 2023. The surge is linked to dosing errors, especially with compounded versions, prompting concerns about patient safety and the need for tighter regulations.

A mother in Florida testified tearfully in federal court, expressing fear that her family could be torn apart if the state's ban on transgender health care for children takes effect. The trial challenges Florida's law prohibiting medical treatment for transgender children, including hormone therapy or puberty blockers, with the state arguing the law is about protecting people and preventing overregulation.

The Ohio Supreme Court has dismissed the state’s challenge to a judge’s order that has blocked enforcement of Ohio's near-ban on abortions for the past 14 months. The ruling moves action in the case back to Hamilton County Common Pleas, where abortion clinics asked Judge Christian Jenkins this week to throw out the law following voters' decision to approve enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution.

Kentucky is considering funding research on ibogaine, a psychedelic derived from the iboga plant, as a potential treatment for opioid use disorder.

Read More

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the American Medical Association (AMA) is at the forefront of embracing transformative technologies. This article explores the AMA’s focus on healthcare AI and policy developments, shedding light on physician payment reforms, emerging healthcare delivery systems, and the pivotal role of AI in enhancing the patient-physician relationship.

Colorectal cancer rates among young adults in the U.S. have significantly increased in recent decades, with the proportion of people diagnosed under the age of 55 rising from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019, according to the American Cancer Society.

Read More

Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 31-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, who is at 32 weeks' gestation, is admitted to the hospital because of a 1-week history of progressive dyspnea and wheezing. She says her heart is "racing" and she is coughing up a small amount of blood-streaked sputum. Medical history is significant for hypothyroidism, for which she takes levothyroxine. An intravenous catheter is placed. Vital signs are temperature 36.9°C (98.4°F), pulse 132/min, respirations 32/min, and blood pressure 135/78 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on 100% oxygen via nasal cannula shows an oxygen saturation of 92%. Auscultation of the lungs discloses decreased breath sounds at the bases with expiratory crackles bilaterally. Cardiac examination discloses an irregularly irregular rhythm, an indistinct point of maximal impulse, and a loud S1. A grade 3/6, low-pitched, diastolic, rumbling murmur is audible at the apex; a distinct snapping sound precedes the murmur. Fetal heart rate is 144/min.

Which of the following is the most likely cause of the findings in this patient?

The link between cellphones and male fertility remains inconclusive, with theories suggesting potential harm due to high-frequency electromagnetic waves emitted by cellphones. A large observational study in Switzerland, involving 2886 young men, found a significant association between frequent cellphone use and lower sperm concentration, as well as an increased risk for subnormal male fertility levels.

Researchers at The Park Center for Mental Health in Australia conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, finding that cat ownership during youth is associated with a more than double risk of developing schizophrenia-related disorders later in life. The study suggests that the potential causal agent is Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite found in cats, particularly in their feces, and highlights the need for more research to precisely identify the specific period of exposure that poses the highest risk.

A combination of an experimental mRNA vaccine (mRNA-4157/V940) from Moderna and Merck, along with Merck's Keytruda immunotherapy, has shown promising results in a three-year follow-up trial for people with high-risk forms of melanoma. The participants who received the combination therapy had a 49% lower risk of recurrence or death and a 62% lower risk of distant tumor cell spread or death compared to those who received Keytruda alone. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel mentioned that the company is preparing for potential accelerated approval of the therapy by 2025.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry has found that people receiving intravenous ketamine at three private ketamine infusion clinics showed "significant improvement" in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The study adds to the growing body of research showing ketamine's potential in treating these conditions. Within six weeks of starting infusions, half of the participants responded to the treatment, and 20% had depressive symptoms in remission.

Thank you for reading! More next week,

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) "Mitral stenosis complicated by atrial fibrillation"

New Jersey, 66023, US