Happy Saturday and happy birthday to the Oshawa baby who was born on the day of the total solar eclipse! His mother says it was a surprise, as the newborn was expected a full week later. The family says they plan to tell their son Jenisen-Scott all about the day he was born — the next total eclipse isn’t til 2144!

Here’s the chill weekend roundup hot off our laptops! (6 minute read)

Frontline Tales ⛺️ 

These stories are sourced from Postcall readers as well as across the internet. Next week we’ll be back with “Guess What I Saw Today.” Have a riveting tale of your own? Send us your best story from the OR, ED, or clinic (anonymized, obviously).

Speed Reads 🚤 

1:🤰🏻Canadian researchers have developed a natural supplement that helps prevent postpartum blues and reduce symptoms of postpartum depression. The blueberry extract in the supplement replenishes essential neuro-chemicals in the brain to support a healthy mood. 66% of patients who received 4 doses experienced either no symptoms or minor symptoms of postpartum blues. The product hasn’t been approved in Canada yet but is said to hit the shelves in the US next week.

2: ♀️ ♂️ The NHS in England has started restricted gender-affirming treatments for minors, following a review by Dr. Hilary Cass which cites that evidence for treatments has been “built on shaky foundations.”. This policy aligns with northern European countries like Finland and Sweden, which have also imposed stricter regulations due to rising demand and complex mental health considerations. Many advocacy groups have criticized the changes as harmful to transgender rights.

3:💰 The advocacy group “Ontario Place for All” say more than $650 million in taxpayer dollars will be going towards the Therme Canada mega spa. The group is calling for the revamp to be cancelled, as they believe Doug Ford’s government didn’t consult with the community before making their decision. But don’t just take our word for it: people on X have shared their own thoughts, including this user who pointed out the lack of funding going towards medical schools:

4: 💸 Are you a med student, resident, or newly practising physician? The tax accountants at MMT CPA are offering a special rate for all Postcall readers — get in touch to find out more at http://www.mmtcpa.ca or email [email protected]. **

5:🐦 Canada is adopting similar measures as the US to test and treat humans for the bird flu. Although humans contacting the bird flu in Canada is low, health officials say Canadians should still avoid contact with any live or dead wildlife. Farm workers, veterinarians, hunters, and wildfire workers are most at risk for infection.

6: 🗞️ Two new studies on the effects of British Columbia's safer supply program have contrasting findings. One study suggests the program “significantly reduced all-cause mortality,” while another links it to increased opioid overdose hospitalizations. Authors of both studies clarify that their findings don’t contradict; instead, they reflect different aspects of the policy's impact. Nonetheless, federal Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to shut it down if he becomes prime minister.

** this is sponsored content

2024’s Bloody Revolution 🩸 

We all love our basic metabolic panels, but changes are happening that are growing the market. Today, we’ve got the update on two major trends that are revamping the blood testing scene, and you don’t need to complete your hematology residency to get a look at what’s happening.

1. DIY tests are coming

Thanks to the pandemic, at-home test kits are booming. In the UK, some pharmacies are offering on-site cholesterol testing via the PocDoc app, prescribing as needed. And some health practitioners are monitoring a patient’s real-time blood pressure with pharmacy or Amazon-bought gadgets. 

Though kits are especially useful when it comes to long waitlists and those with limited healthcare access, doctors caution against DIY-ing your health without expert approval. Last year, UK’s Royal College of GPs warned against unaccredited blood tests claiming to detect genetic abnormalities and predict remaining "healthy years."

2. AI/Software

While current tests measure only a few proteins at a time, companies like Nautilus and SomaLogic aim to decode the entire proteome for faster, more precise diagnoses.

AI and blood testing’s 2024 achievements include:

• An AI model trained to predict septic shock likelihood based on molecular signatures.

• UCLH’s new lung cancer diagnostic method: achieving 96% accuracy in detecting various cancers and pinpointing tissue of origin through blood sample analysis.

Accuracy isn’t guaranteed, as users can mishandle DIY kits, and AI’s “black box nature” complicates understanding their decisions. And we all remember the last time a tech person tried to run blood tests without the proper scientific background (Theranos lost $600M of investors’ funds). But in the next few years, if science is done properly, we could be in for some bloody brilliant discoveries.

Laugh of the Day

🕹️ Game ⛳️

Welcome to this week’s crossword!

First question: What happens when a patient presents you with acute confusion and known decompensated liver disease?

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