Poor bedside manner

GPT-4 outperforms medical students on board exams in core medical disciplines such as internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics, and gynecology (OB/GYN). GPT-4 however, scored dead last in having “poor” bedside manner.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discovered that approximately 20% (1 in 5) of retail milk samples contain traces of highly contagious bird flu. However, these findings are not necessarily indicative of a risk to consumers.

William Schaffner, a professor specializing in infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, reassures us that pasteurization typically eliminates the virus, so consumers shouldn't worry excessively about purchasing milk from supermarkets.

Avian influenza, or bird flu, stems from infection with avian influenza Type A viruses, which primarily circulate among wild aquatic birds globally and can also affect domestic poultry and other animal species. Although bird flu viruses typically don't infect humans, sporadic cases of human infections have occurred.

In this week’s email:

• Vampire Facial Infected Women with HIV

• FTC Bans Non-Compete Agreements Nationwide

• US Birth Rate Falls

• Pig Kidney and Heart Pump Transplant

  Doctors in New York City successfully conducted the first-ever combined heart pump implant and pig kidney transplant on a terminally ill patient.

 Vampire Facial Infected Women with HIV

Three women likely contracted HIV from "vampire facials" at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico, marking the first known case of HIV transmission through cosmetic injections. The investigation underscores the dangers of unlicensed establishments combining medical procedures with beauty treatments.

A "vampire facial" involves drawing a client's blood, isolating platelets, and reinjecting the platelet-rich blood into the face using microneedles. Despite claims of skin improvement, the American Academy of Dermatology cautions against vampire facials due to limited evidence. 

The CDC's report, prompted by a 2018 diagnosis in a woman with no known HIV risks besides the facial, highlights the need for infection control in such spas.

The spa, lacking proper licenses and hygiene, was shut down. Its owner pleaded guilty to practicing medicine without a license. Five confirmed HIV cases were linked to the spa, with unclear transmission modes. Two patients had prior HIV diagnoses, one suffered an AIDS-related illness in 2021, and another was diagnosed post-hospitalization in 2023.

FTC Bans Non-Compete Agreements Nationwide

On April 23, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a new rule prohibiting noncompete agreements nationwide to bolster competition, enhance worker mobility, and stimulate innovation. 

Noncompete clauses, often used in private practices and healthcare, have been criticized for limiting career advancement and suppressing wages. The final rule, though opposed by groups like the AHA, aims to foster entrepreneurship and increase wages. 

While it exempts non-profits, the rule offers alternatives like trade secret laws and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to protect investments. The FTC predicts a yearly growth in new business formation and improved healthcare affordability upon the rule's implementation, expected 120 days after its Federal Register publication. 

The rule's impact extends beyond the healthcare sector, affecting workers across various industries. Critics argue that the sweeping ban may disrupt established business practices, while supporters contend that it will level the playing field and empower workers to seek better opportunities. 

Amidst the debate, legal experts provide insights into the rule's nuances, suggesting that its application to non-profits hinges on their operational structure and goals. Furthermore, the FTC emphasizes the importance of enforcing the new regulations to ensure widespread compliance and maximize their intended benefits. 

As stakeholders navigate the implications of this landmark ruling, the future of workforce mobility and competition in the labor market remains uncertain. However, proponents remain optimistic about the potential for increased economic dynamism and improved job prospects for workers across the nation.

US Birth Rate Falls

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Thursday reveals that the U.S. birth rate has hit a record low following a brief increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, there were 3,591,328 births, a 2 percent decrease from the previous year's 3,667,758 births.

Brady Hamilton, author of the CDC report, highlighted the significance of this decline, noting a substantial difference of approximately 74,000 births compared to the previous year.

The decline in birth rates was particularly pronounced among certain ethnic and racial groups. American Indian and Alaska Native women experienced a 5 percent decrease, while Black women saw a 4 percent drop. White women experienced a 3 percent decline, and Asian women saw a 2 percent decrease, while Hispanic women saw a slight 1 percent increase in births.

The data also revealed a 2 percent drop in the total fertility rate from 2022, with declines observed in the 15-19 and 35–39 age groups.

Furthermore, the report noted a slight uptick in the cesarean delivery rate to 32.4 percent in 2023, up from 32.1 percent in 2022. Cesarean delivery rates increased across Asian, Hispanic, and White women, with the highest rate among Black mothers at 37 percent, representing a 0.2 percent increase from the previous year.

First Ever Pig Kidney Transplant

Surgeons at NYU Langone Health conducted a pioneering operation on Lisa Pisano, 54, from New Jersey, who suffered from heart failure and end-stage kidney disease. In a two-stage procedure spanning nine days earlier this month, Pisano became the first patient to receive both a mechanical heart pump and a pig kidney transplant.

Chronic medical conditions had ruled her out as a candidate for a human transplant. The decision for the kidney transplant was crucial due to the high mortality rate for patients on dialysis with mechanical heart pumps.

This groundbreaking procedure marks Pisano as the first recipient of an organ transplant while using a mechanical heart pump and the second person to receive a gene-edited pig kidney transplant. Pisano expressed her desire for a better quality of life, acknowledging the limited time she had left before the possibility of a pig kidney transplant emerged.

The first stage, the heart pump implant, took place on April 4, followed by the pig kidney transplant on April 12. Dr. Nader Moazami, chief of the heart and lung transplantation division at NYU's School of Medicine, emphasized that success would mean a chance at an improved quality of life and more time with family.

The need for such innovative procedures is underscored by the large number of people awaiting transplants, especially kidney transplants, in the United States. While over 104,000 individuals are on the transplant waiting list, last year, only 27,000 received kidney transplants, highlighting the urgency for novel approaches like gene-edited pig organs.

Sponsor: