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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.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the COVID variant JN.1 as a "variant of interest." Previously classified under its parent strain BA.2.86, JN.1 joins other Omicron subvariants on the list. Current evidence suggests existing tests, vaccines, and treatments remain effective against JN.1, and the public health risk is considered low, though caution is urged during holiday gatherings.

Respiratory virus activity is surging in the United States, with increasing COVID-19 hospitalizations, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) cases, and growing influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC emphasizes the urgency of boosting vaccination coverage to mitigate the impact of respiratory diseases, especially as hospitalizations for flu and RSV are rising faster than COVID-19, and some regions already experience nearly full hospital beds for children compared to the same time last year.

Dengue is spreading at unprecedented levels in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 4 million reported cases so far this year, surpassing records set in 2019. Rising temperatures and urbanization are identified as key factors accelerating the spread of the virus, with experts warning of the consequences for public health, healthcare systems, and the potential for more severe dengue cases due to repeated infections.

A patient from New York was billed $660 for a telehealth visit for sinus congestion through Mount Sinai's personal record app. Despite having insurance coverage through Empire BlueCross BlueShield, the visit was deemed an out-of-network service, resulting in the insurer paying nothing. The billing puzzle highlights the complexities and potential surprises associated with telehealth billing, urging patients to be vigilant and ask about network status before virtual visits.

An estimated 50,000 students are still missing from any kind of U.S. school, according to an Associated Press analysis of fall 2022 enrollment data and U.S. Census data in 22 states, plus Washington, D.C. The reasons for students leaving during the pandemic are diverse, including homelessness, loss of interest, mental health struggles, work responsibilities, and challenges with online learning.

Mississippi, historically known for its stringent vaccination requirements and high immunization rates, has experienced a significant shift in policy due to a legal challenge.

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The holiday season is often associated with joy, celebrations, and spending quality time with loved ones. However, beneath the festive cheer lies a concerning trend — a spike in heart attacks during this time, with Christmas Day standing out as a particularly critical day. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind this phenomenon, the factors contributing to heart attacks during the holidays, and how you can safeguard your health during this festive season.

A research team led by bioengineering pioneer César de la Fuente is using artificial intelligence-based computational methods to mine genetic information from extinct human relatives and long-gone ice age creatures to identify small protein molecules with bacteria-fighting powers that may inspire new drugs to fight infections in humans.

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 70-year-old man is admitted to the hospital through the emergency department because of a 12-hour history of severe nausea and four episodes of vomiting of undigested food. During the past week, he has had worsening nausea, heartburn following meals, and early satiety. Medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed 20 years ago, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Medications are intermediate-acting insulin twice daily and insulin lispro before meals. He also takes enalapril and atorvastatin. On admission, the patient appears uncomfortable. Vital signs are temperature 36.2°C (97.1°F), pulse 102/min, respirations 16/min, and blood pressure 105/78 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 98%. Physical examination discloses mild epigastric tenderness to palpation. The remainder of the examination discloses no abnormalities. Results of laboratory studies ordered in the emergency department are shown:



X-rays of the chest and abdomen disclose no abnormalities. Which of the following mechanisms is most likely responsible for this patient's current condition?

A study by UCL, the Royal Free Hospital, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge found that the pattern of alcohol intake is a more accurate indicator of liver disease risk than overall consumption. The research suggests that those who binge drink and have a specific genetic makeup are six times more likely to develop alcohol-related cirrhosis, providing more accurate information to identify individuals most vulnerable to liver disease.

Northwestern University researchers have developed the first physics-based metric, called the "flutter instability parameter" (FIP), to predict whether a person might suffer an aortic aneurysm. The FIP measures subtle "fluttering" in a patient's blood vessel, and the study found that unstable flutter is highly predictive of future abnormal growth and potential rupture, with a 98% accuracy in predicting aneurysms on average three years after the FIP was first measured.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego found that RNA polymerase, a key enzyme in protein synthesis, can recognize and transcribe artificial base pairs in the same manner as natural ones, a breakthrough that could lead to expanding the genetic code for creating custom proteins and new medicines. The study used a version of the genetic alphabet called the Artificially Expanded Genetic Information System (AEGIS) to demonstrate the compatibility of synthetic base pairs with the transcription process.

An international team of researchers has developed a complete cell atlas of a whole mammalian brain, focusing on the mouse brain, which is a common model in neuroscience research. The atlas provides detailed information on over 32 million cells, including type, location, molecular information, and connectivity, laying the foundation for a greater understanding of the human brain and potential advancements in precision therapeutics for mental and neurological disorders.

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 B) "Decreased gastric myoelectrical activity"

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