Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Killed to Order: Inside China’s Organ Harvesting

Killed to Order: Inside China’s Organ Harvesting


They key to organ tourism in China is their methodology to obtain organ tissues. Americans and patients from many countreis who can afford 100,000 to 400,000 dollars can buy an organ in China.

Listen to Jan Jekielek discuss what he learned in China.  

China has history of 'black communities' who are ostracized for various reasons. It began with communism which seized land from landowners, who were considered 'black citizens'. Many were imprisoned and forced to 'donate body parts'.  This has been passed down to present prisoners who are forced to have blood drawn for compatibility typing.  In many cases people were killed to donate rare organs such as a heart.  In some cases a single kidney could be obtained from a living donor.



How does the heart transplant waiting list work? (In the United States)

A heart transplant requires a heart donation from an individual who is declared brain dead and on a ventilator. Most transplant candidates wait for some length of time because there are more people in need of a transplant than there are deceased donors. Transplant candidates are placed on the national transplant waiting list. Unlike many waiting lists, the national transplant waiting list does not work on a first-come, first-served basis. When a donor heart becomes available, transplant candidates are matched based on three factors: medical urgency, distance from the donor hospital and pediatric status. Blood type, body size and other medical information are key factors in the matching process for all organs. United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) manages the national transplant waiting list, matching donors to recipients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Patients are often ready at a moment’s notice to receive their donor heart. Transplant must occur within 4 to 6 hours after the donor heart is recovered. Following surgery, many recipients are on their feet within a couple of days and released from the hospital in 10 to 14 days. Learn more about the heart transplant process here.

In China there was a group called Falun Gong who practiced a Zen-like spiritual practice.They emphsized health and wellness, and in some cases volunteered organ donation.  The Falun Gong were outlawed in 1999.The minority group the Uyghurs were also subject to these procedures

The present status

China has banned harvesting organs from executed prisoners since January 1st, 2015[1], making voluntary donation the only legitimate venue for organ transplant. It is a critical move to settle all the controversies about China's organ transplant process by making a loud and strong statement worldwide that the Chinese government respects human rights and is streamlining its organ transplant process to conform with internationally accepted standards on organ transplantation. This regulation removes one major obstacle of organ transplant in China; however, China still faces the other major obstacle of critical organ shortage.


VSRF Live #226 - Killed to Order: Inside China’s Organ Harvesting








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CMS’ Medicare provider directory released Social Security numbers: Washington Post


By: Elizabeth Casolo
 

A publicly accessible database powering CMS’ Medicare Advantage provider directory exposed Social Security numbers of healthcare providers, The Washington Post reported April 30.

The Post downloaded the database and found dozens of provider Social Security numbers. The database had been accessible for multiple weeks, at least.

A CMS spokesperson told Becker’s “the issue stems from incorrect entries of provider or provider-representative-supplied information in the wrong places.” CMS did not reply to Becker’s questions regarding how many providers had exposed Social Security numbers and how long the information had been available.

The Post flagged the issue to health officials on April 28. CMS said it promptly addressed the issue and is reinforcing safeguards.

Last year, the publication identified errors in the directory, such as duplicative addresses and contradictory information regarding providers’ network status. In November, two Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, questioning the directory’s “rushed launch.”

The initial Medicare directory was the first phase of a broader push for a national provider directory, which is scheduled to beta-launch in full later this year. 





CMS’ Medicare provider directory released Social Security numbers: Washington Post
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JMIR Aging - Effects of Digital-Based Exercise Interventions on Concerns About Falling, Falls Efficacy, and Physical Performance Among Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis


Background:Falls are prevalent and serious health problems among older adults. Concerns about falling and reduced falls efficacy are common fall-related psychological impairments, representing 2 distinct emotional and cognitive constructs, respectively. The impact of digital-based exercise interventions on these specific constructs remains unclear.

Objective:This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize current evidence on digital-based exercise interventions for concerns about falling and falls efficacy among older adults, with a specific focus on determining their differential effects on emotional and cognitive constructs and evaluating their impact on physical performance.

Methods:The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, and Wanfang databases were systematically searched from their inception dates to May 2025. We searched for published randomized controlled trials on the effects of digital-based interventions on the fear of falling, concerns about falling, and falls efficacy among older adults. The study followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and was performed using Stata 17.0 software (StataCorp LLC).

Results:Eighteen studies involving 2435 participants were included. Meta-analyses revealed significant effects of digital-based exercise interventions on falls efficacy (standardized mean difference 0.70, 95% CI 0.51-0.90; P<.001), balance function (mean difference [MD] 4.03, 95% CI 2.57-5.49; P<.001), functional mobility (MD −1.65, 95% CI −2.52 to −0.77; P<.001), and physical function (MD 0.57, 95% CI 0.12-1.02; P=.006) among older adults. However, digital-based exercise interventions had no significant effect on concerns about falling, which is the emotional construct related to falls (standardized MD −0.12, 95% CI −0.28 to 0.05; P>.05).

Conclusions:The meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of digital-based exercise interventions on fall-related psychological impairments among older adults and revealed that the effects differed across the constructs. These findings suggest that digital-based exercise interventions have potential benefits for improving falls efficacy and physical performance among older adults compared with controls. However, the effect of digital-based exercise interventions on concerns about falling, which is the emotional construct related to falls, remains uncertain among older adults.

JMIR Aging 2026;9:e87070

doi:10.2196/87070

Keywords

digital-based (1); meta-analysis (466); older adults (831); concerns about falling (1); falls efficacy (1) 

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JMIR Aging - Effects of Digital-Based Exercise Interventions on Concerns About Falling, Falls Efficacy, and Physical Performance Among Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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Monday, May 4, 2026

FDA announces recall on insulin pump pods after leaks cause 29 serious injuries




A recall on insulin pump pods has been designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class I recall, the agency's most serious type after 29 serious injuries were reported.

To date, there have been no deaths associated with the defective devices, manufactured by Massachusetts-based Insulet. However, certain lots of the Omnipod 5—used in an automated insulin delivery system for those with Type 1 diabetes—will need to be removed from where they are used or sold in order to prevent any potential fatalities.

The insulin pump system, known for its invisible tubing unlike other wearable models on the market, uses a proprietary set of patches to administer insulin into the body as glucose levels change in diabetic patients throughout the day.
Omnipod 5, when functioning as intended, should correct insulin levels in the body every five minutes.

The issue with the recalled lot, according to Insulet which first announced the recall in a letter to known customers on March 12, stems from a manufacturing defect on the pods. Internal tubes within the devices that insulin flows through may contain small tears, leading to leaks that could cause an underdelivery of insulin.

As a result, patients may not receive the proper dose from the pump, leaving them with higher-than-expected blood sugar levels. This could lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition that could cause patients to become delirious or unresponsive, putting others at risk if the patient is driving a car or operating heavy machinery.

Diabetic ketoacidosis requires immediate medical attention to mitigate.

Worse yet, the tears in the pods could cause the insulin pumps to enter a state of Automated Delivery Restriction, due to it not registering an underdose of insulin being delivered. This could happen without warning or alert, leaving the patient unaware that they received a lower-than-necessary dose of treatment.

While there is an alarm that is supposed to trigger if insulin enters the pod, that is reportedly not always happening.

The only solution, according to Insulet and the FDA, is to find a replacement for the defective pods. That starts with identifying those deemed defective.


What is being recalled?

Insulet Omni Pod 5 packaging.

The above image shows the packing for the Omnipod 5. The following is how the units with the potential leaky tears can be spotted.


Next steps

Defective pods must not be used. If a patient does not have replacements, they should seek alternatives from their medical provider.

All products must be checked to see if they match the recall information above, including those currently being worn by patients.

In a letter sent to known Omnipod 5 customers in March, Insulet provided a form to return unused products and request replacements. Since that time, the list of defective units has been expanded to include those with expiration dates that have passed, so it’s important to check the above link for the full list of affected products.

Those with questions are advised to contact Insulet at 1-800-641-2049. The company said its service line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more details, read the full FDA recall notice by clicking here.

More FDA Recalls:

FDA issues emergency alert after reports of 5 serious injuries connected to exploding cryoprobes
FDA announces recall on infusion systems after software anomaly injures 2 patients
FDA investigating outbreak of ‘extensively’ antibiotic resistant salmonella linked to supplement
FDA announces recall on insulin pump pods after leaks cause 29 serious injuries
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Sunday, May 3, 2026

Elon Musk Honey in the Morning

  

According to the FDA a reeent report from the FDA 


Emerging research suggests consuming one tablespoon of honey daily may act as a natural, neuroprotective strategy to prevent or slow dementia and Alzheimer’s progression. Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, honey combats neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, with some studies showing significantly lower dementia incidence in users.
Key Findings on Honey and Cognitive Health
  • Preventive Potential: A 5-year study of 2,893 individuals aged 65+ in the Middle East found that 1 tablespoon of daily honey was associated with a roughly 80% lower incidence of developing dementia.
  • Mechanisms of Action: Honey enhances the brain's cholinergic system, improves circulation, reduces amyloid-beta plaque accumulation, and decreases oxidative stress.
  • Recommended Types: Studies indicate that specific regional honeys, particularly Tualang honey, Thyme honey, and Manuka honey, are high in polyphenols and neuroprotective properties.
  • Limitations: Most evidence stems from animal studies (rats) or limited human pilot studies, with limited large-scale human clinical trials.
Proposed Protocol (Based on Research Findings)
  • Dosage: One tablespoon (roughly 20-30 grams) of raw, high-quality honey daily.
  • Timing: Daily, consistently, for long-term preventive benefits.
  • Considerations: While honey is natural, it is high in sugar, so individuals with diabetes or metabolic issues should consult a doctor.
Disclaimer: Honey is a complementary approach for cognitive health, not a cure for dementia. It should be used alongside standard medical care.
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