Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
+1-617-488-9699
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RoundUp - 1st Week of April 2025
==========================
HEALTH REPORTS
==========================
A Longer-Lasting RSV Vaccine
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9MacqsZKC/
A novel, bivalent RSV vaccine provides lasting protection against respiratory syncytial viral disease over two rather than only one season. This the result of a phase 3 so-called RENOIR trial that tested 36,862 participants 60 to over 80 years of age at 241 sites in 7 countries. Helmed by University of Rochester infectious disease researchers, it was just reported in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal.
The vaccine, developed by Pfizer, contains both RSV-A and RSV-B antigens. Tested against a placebo, the vaccine provided 88.9% protection from one month after immunization through the first season and 77.8% protection through the second season. The already available monovalent RSV vaccines from both Pfizer and GSK are verified protective for only one season.
This bivalent vaccine, named RSVPreF, can be safely and effectively co-administered with both the influenza vaccines and the CoVid vaccines. That provides a comprehensive shield against that trio of potentially deadly viral respiratory diseases in only one visit to your medical team or neighborhood pharmacy.
https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaf061/8006665?login=false
#RSV #bivalent #vaccine #renoir #pfizer #universityrochester
RSV. bivalent. vaccine. renoir. pfizeruniversityrochester
Obesity Cripples Anti-Bacterial Immunity
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9NiUTtOcR/
Obesity due to consistent ingestion of a high-fat diet limits that ability of your white blood cells to effectively fight bacterial infections. Pediatric researchers at the University of Michigan studied this phenomenon in a mouse model and now report their findings in The Journal of Immunology.
Obesity was induced with a sustained, 16 week, high fat diet. The bacteria-fighting lymphocytes, so-called neutrophils, generated by these obese mice produce diminished bactericidal secretions, are less capable of ingesting or phagocytosing these pathogens, and lack normal regenerative capabilities in comparison to those neutrophils found in control mice with normal weights.
This study adds yet another reason for obese persons to cut out fats in their diets and normalize their body weights. Besides reducing the risk of heart attacks and alleviating the burdens their joints and backs must bear, they will repower their immune systems to protect them against serious and often life-threatening bacterial disease.
https://academic.oup.com/jimmunol/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jimmun/vkaf024/8081674
#obesity #fattydiet #bacteria #immunity #neutrophils #phagocytosis
obesity, fattydiet, bacteria, immunity, neutrophils, phagocytosis
Why Women Experience More Pain Than Men
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9OeHitn2J/
When a woman and a man both sustain injuries to their pain-generating nerves, only the woman produces a unique hormone that intensifies that pain. University of Calgary researchers report this discovery in the journal Neuron. Their study was in part triggered by a 2019 Canadian Pain Task Force report that verified the higher incidence of chronic pain in females versus males of every age including children.
Utilizing rodent animal models, their data showed that neuropathic pain, pain out of proportion to a harmful stimulus, is mediated by pannexin1 microglial and T cells channels in both men and women. In females, nerve injury leads to activation of T cells and the hormone leptin which potentiates pain. In males, the injury leads to release of a vascular endothelial growth factor from microglial cells and this VEGF blocks pain transmission.
Discovery of this gender-dependent generation of chronic pain could well lead to strategies for blocking pannexin1 channels for both males and females as well as neutralizing the effects of leptin-magnified pain in females.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317160418.htm
#pain #men #women #neuropathic #pannexin1 #leptin #vegf
pain, men, women, neuropathic, pannexin1, leptin, vegf
Blood Pressure Fluctuations During Pregnancy Predict Later Hypertension
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9RTkqxwwO/
Pregnant women with very slightly elevated but consistently near normal blood pressures but no second trimester blood pressure drop are nearly 5 times more likely to develop serious blood pressure problems within 5 years after delivery. Epidemiologists at the USC School of Medicine report this phenomenon in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology following their study of 854 women during their pregnancies and for 5 years afterwards.
The tabulated data separated these women into 3 groups. The majority, 80.2%, had consistently normal to low pressure readings, and these women risked no later pressure issues.. Then 7.4% of the group had abnormally high pressures but a mid-pregnancy drop, and they were likely to suffer serious consequences including pre-eclampsia during their pregnancies and were more than 5 times more likely to also have pressure issues later.
The most interesting group were the 12.4% with pressures on the high normal side throughout their pregnancies. These were the women who most thought would remain healthy but instead developed serious blood presssure-related problems by 5 years.
The take hone: pregnant women with consistently high blood pressures but also those with near normal pressures but no mid-pregnancy drop should be monitored very carefully for pressure issues years after delivery.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318175024.htm
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772963X25000778?via=ihub
#women #bloodpressure #hypertension #pregnancy #preeclampsia
women , bloodpressure , hypertension , pregnancy , preeclampsia
AI-Analyzed Mammograms Assess Your Heart
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9SFeIs78Z/
Women under 60 years of age with the most significant calcium buildup in their breast arteries, compared with those who had the least, were 2.8 times more likely to die from cardiac disease within a 5 year period. This from an Emory University and Mayo Clinic collaborative study of 56,000 mammograms presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session.
Visualizing calcium plaques in breast arteries seen on cancer-screening mammograms can incidentally predict cardiovascular disease. Other studies have shown that such calcium deposition in the breast arteries breast arteries is associated with a 51% higher risk of not only heart disease but also stroke.
The AI model looked at the severity of breast artery calcification and divided women into 3 groups. Then it analyzed the incidence of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke for each group. Greater levels of calcification was associated with risk of these diseases for all women 80 years and younger.
Once additional confirmation and verification studies are complete, they will be presented to the FDA for approval. With that, multi-purposing of mammography will find its way into the clinic…….someday soon.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-ai-powered-mammograms-window-heart.html
#mammogram #calcification #breast #arteries #cardiovascular #stroke
mammogram, calcification, breast, arteries, cardiovascular, stroke
With Measles On The Rise, Vaccinate Children Early
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9TAN0uCfa/
If you live in an area with measles outbreaks, your baby should receive the measles vaccine vaccine, the MMR or measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, as early as 6 months of age. The CDC is recommending this earlier vaccination strategy in contrast to the usual pediatric schedule that recommends the first MMR at 12 to 15 months of age with a booster at age 4 to 6 years. If you plan an international trip, you should also vaccinate earlier.
If your child receives this “early” dose of the MMR, two additional doses at the usual ages is still recommended. Since a baby’s immune system is immature at 6 months, the latter shots are necessary to guarantee proper protection.
Measles is a highly contagious virus, and one infected person can readily spread the disease to as many as 18 others. Infectious virus can remain airborne for as long as 2 hours.
Measles is more than a rash. The virus can damage your child’s eyes, ears, brain, and lungs.
In addition to early vaccination, you should protect your baby with handwashing, sterilization of household objects, reduced exposure to crowds, and avoidance of travel to areas with spreading infection.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-children-measles-vaccine.html
#measles #vaccination #mmr
measles, vaccination, mmr
Common Pain Pills Speed Concussion Recovery
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9T5j3NU5v/
Regular use of the over-the-counter headache medications acetaminophen, Tylenol, or the NSAIDS including ibuprofen, Motrin and Advil, led to as much as 21% faster functional concussion recovery. Neurology researchers at Seattle’s University of Washington studied the records of 1661 NAAA athletes and military cadets with a mean age of 18 years and will present their data during this April’s American Academy of Neurology 2025 Annual Meeting.
Using activity records pinpointing days until the athletes’s unrestricted return to play (URTP) and time until completely free of symptoms (daysASYMP), the data indicated that over-the-counter pain medication use leads to the 21% faster URTP as well as 15% shorter daysASYMP.
These over-the-counter pain medications, analgesics in medical jargon, reduce brain tissue inflammation. Since much of this inflammation occurs within the first 24 hours after injury, that’s the best time to consistently use these analgesics.
Even though the NSAID medications are better anti-inflammatories, there was little evidence that they performed better than the acetaminophen. That is likely because both types of painkillers effectively treat headache, and relief of this symptom correlates well with overall recovery.
#concussion #headache #analgesics #acetaminoophen #NSAIDS #urtp #daysasymp
concussion, headache, analgesics, acetaminoophen, urtp, daysasymp, NSAIDS
Cells From One Eye Can Heal The Other
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9UqL2spnA/
Cells taken from the edge of a healthy cornea can become a magic bullet to repair a previously considered irreparable cornea in the opposite eye. Ophthalmologists at Harvard’s Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary developed what they term the CALEC procedure, an acronym for Cultivated Autologous Limbal Epithelial Cells.
The limbal region of the cornea contains stem cells that constantly renew the corneal surface. These cells are harvested and grown out into a tissue graft in a laboratory at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The graft is then implanted in the diseased eye.
The researchers report their preliminary trial of 14 patients in the journal Nature Communications. The procedure boasts a 93% success rate for significant corneal repair with 79% of the subjects enjoying complete restoration of their injured corneas by 1 year postoperatively.
After additional trials are complete, this procedure will be ready to restore sight in eyes once considered hopelessly blinded…. Someday soon.
#cornea #stemcells #limbus #calec
cornea, stemcells, limbus, calec
LED Lights Can Help Resolve Acne
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9Vp3hM_8f/
LED units emitting both red and blue light effectively help resolve acne. This the conclusion of a Harvard Brigham snd Women’s Hospital meta-analysis that reviewed 6 randomized trials with a total of 216 subjects aged 12 to 50 years. The results are now published in JAMA Dermatology.
The LED lamps tested emitted red light with wavelengths of 630-670 nm and blue light with wavelengths of 630-670 nm. Such lamps my be purchased online.
When used for 1-3 months, this phototherapy improved the overall acne appearance as well as the inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions by 46%. The most effective devices radiated both red and blue light. The treatment had only mild side effects with skin drying, redness, and mild discomfort.
Future studies will compare this light therapy with topical medicinal therapy.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2830694
#acne #phototherapy #led #red #blue
acne, phototherapy, led, red, blue
Magnetic Robotic Micro-Neurosurgery
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9WaEXu54z/
University of Toronto bioengineers have developed miniaturized surgical robotic tools so tiny that they can only be motorized by strong external magnetic fields. Three types of tools, all no larger than 3 millimeters have been developed: a gripper, a scalpel, and a forceps. The team has also developed a prototype surgical table with the embedded electromagnetic coils that control the microinstruments.
Each of these microtools has attached magnets that permit the tool to be opened, closed, and moved in various directions. The tools are placed at the end of positioning wires and can be passed into the brain through flexible endoscopes.
These tools are now rev2 and streamlined. In addition to neurosurgical applications, they can be used in the gastrointestinal tract and likely elsewhere. Hopefully, this next generation of medical robotics will be available…;.Someday soon,
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adk4249
#robotics #neurosurgery #magnets #endoscope
robotics, neurosurgery, magnets, endoscope
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CPSC Recalls
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Interior Resources Children’s Steel Utility Bunk Beds Entrap and Strangle
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICDkefpoy3/
The beds violate federal safety regulations because the spacing between the guardrail and end support, as well as the spacing around the mattress supports, is too wide, posing a risk of injury or death to children.
About 1,772 units were sold by Interior Resources to institutions in New York between January 2017 and May 2024.
Immediately stop using the recalled bunk beds until they are repaired. Interior Resources is offering a free repair kit with shipping included, along with professional installation when available. Contact Interior Resources at 800-397-7776 or email the company at info@interiorresourcesusa.com.
#interiorresources #children #beds #entrapment #strangulation #recall
interiorresources, children, beds, entrapment, strangulation, recall
NFH Iron SAP, Heme Iron SAP, and Prenatal SAP bottles Are Dangers To Your Kids
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICEXbogDP1/
These recalled dietary supplements contain iron are not in child-resistant packaging creating a risk of poisoning if swallowed by young children.
About 17,660 bottles were sold at naturopathic and homeopathic clinics nationwide including A Woman’s Time, Doctor Supplement stores, and online at WholescriptsInc.com and Fullscript.com. Sales occurred between March 2022 and December 2024.
Immediately store the recalled supplement bottles out of reach of children. Contact NFH at 1-866-510-3123 or via the email info@nfh.ca to receive free replacement bottles with child-resistant packaging.
.
#nfh #iron #prenatal #containers #children #poisoning #recall
nfh, iron, prenatal, containers, children, poisoning, recall
LINKCOO Blackout Roller Window Shades Can Strangle Your Child
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICFHUXOIND/
These shades have long operating cords that entrap and pose a risk of injury or death to children. They violate federal safety regulations for window coverings, including improper labeling requirements.
About 16,300 shades were sold exclusively online through Amazon.com from December 2022 through September 2024.
Stop using these recalled window shades, cut the operating cords, and contact LINKCOO via email at recalllinkcoo@163.com for a free repair kit. To receive this replacement short operating cord, you must email a photo of the recalled product with the cord cut to the company.
#linkcoo #rollershades #blackout #strangulation #entrapment #recall
linkcoo, rollershades, blackout, strangulation, entrapment, recall
LaRose Cra-Z-Art Gemex and Gel2Gem Jewelry Kits Contain Poisonous Bonding Material
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICFyalvdAC/
The liquid resin in these kits contains hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation or sensitization when inhaled, touched, or ingested.
About 224,100 kits were sold nationwide at Target, Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, Joann stores, and other retailers, as well as online at Amazon.com, Target.com, Walmart.com, and Joann.com. Sales occurred between January 2023 and September 2024.
Stop using these recalled jewelry kits and inspect any completed jewelry. If any liquid or liquid residue is present, the jewelry should not be worn and must be kept away from children.
For more information and a refund, contact LaRose Industries toll-free at 1-888-770-7029 or via the email gemgel@realtimeresults.net.
#LaRose #jewelrykit #hydroxyethylmethacrylate #poison #recall
LaRose, jewelrykit, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, poison, recall
Specialized Vado and Como IGH E-Bikes Have Defective Chain Guards
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICGjntO66H/
These bikes’ protective chains or belt guards fail to fully cover the belt drive permitting loose clothing to become trapped and cause a fall. The affected models include the Como 3.0 IGH, Como 5.0 IGH UL, Vado 3.0 IGH Step Through UL, Como SL 4.0, Vado 3.0 IGH UL, and several others.
About 32,400 of these e-bikes were sold in the United States, with additional units sold in Canada and Mexico. They were sold at authorized Specialized Bicycle retailers nationwide and online from March 2021 through November 2024.
Stop riding these e-bikes and contact your nearest authorized Specialized retailer for free installation of an updated protective chain/belt guard. For more information, contact Specialized Bicycle Components at 1-877-808-8154 or email the company at ridercare@specialized.com.
#vado #como #bicycles #chainguard #falls #recall
vado, como, bicycles, chainguard, falls, recall
==========================
FDA Recalls
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Tony’s Chocolonely Bars Contain Small Rocks
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICHJiCvMUQ/
The affected products are the Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Bar and the Everything Bar. The recall includes lot numbers 4327, 4330, 4331, M4331, 163094, 162634, and M162634.
These recall candy bars were sold nationwide in the United States at retail stores and online at tonyschocolonely.com between February 7, 2025, and March 24, 2025.
Return these recalled chocolate bars to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement. For more information, contact Tony’s Chocolonely USA at 1-503-388-5990.
#tonys #chocolonely #foreignbodies #stones #choking #recall
tonys, chocolonely, foreignbodies, stones, choking, recall
Panaderia Salvadorena Inc. Quesadilla de Queso Bread has an Undeclared Allergen
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICHtEGs-Rm/
This bread has undeclared milk than can cause a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction for individuals with a milk allergy. The affected products have an expiration date of June 27, 2025 or earlier and were mislabeled, listing only sour cream and butter instead of milk.
This recalled product was sold in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Return this recalled bread to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact Panaderia Salvadorena Inc. at 1-401-421-8410.
#Panaderia #Salvadorena #bread #milk #allergy #recall
Panaderia, Salvadorena, bread, milk, allergy, recall
Walker’s Wine Juice Pumpkin Juice Has Clostridium Botulinum Contamination
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICIRBcOx5I/
Ingesting this juice can lead to botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness. Symptoms include weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and breathing issues.
This recalled juice was sold at Walker’s Wine Juice retail store in New York and distributed to commercial wineries in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Immediately stop drinking this product and contact Walker’s Wine Juice at 1-716-679-1292 ext. 1016 to determine proper disposal and reimbursement options.
#walkerswine #pumpkinjuice #botulism ##neuropathy #recall
walkerswine, pumpkinjuice, botulism, #neuropathy, recall
Trader Joe’s Hot Honey Mustard Dressing Contains Multiple Allergens
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICI2houCUb/
This product contain peanuts, soy, sesame, and wheat, which could pose a serious health risk to individuals with allergies to these agents. Affected is product with a Use By Date of May 27, 2025.
This dressing was sold at Trader Joe’s locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C..
Return this product to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund. For more information, contact Fresh Creative Foods at 1-888-223-2127.
#traderjoes #honeymustard #peanuts #soy #sesqme #allergy #recall
traderjoes, honeymustard, #peanuts, soy, sesqme, allergy, recall
Keith and Rodeo Goat Branded Dense Brioche Pullman Loaves and Brioche HB Buns Contain Undeclared Allergens
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICJiuZt-_k/
These bakery products contain undeclared milk, soy, and Yellow FD&C #5 on the labels. These allergens could cause serious allergic reactions for individuals with sensitivities.
These recalled products were distributed through Ben E. Keith of Fort Worth, Texas and Rodeo Goat Casa Linda Store in Dallas, Texas between December 24, 2024, and March 12, 2025.
Return these products to the place of purchase. For additional information, contact The Bakery Group at 1-214-823-3943.
#keith #rodeogoat #bread #milk #soy #yellowfdc5 #recall
keith, rodeogoat, bread, milk, soy, yellowfdc5, recall
CFS Cromer Food Services Chicken Salad on White Sandwich Bread Has Undeclared Milk
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICKKhXO8M9/
This creates a serious health risk to individuals with milk allergies or sensitivities. Affected are sandwiches with use-by dates ranging from January 3, 2025, to April 1, 2025.
These recalled sandwiches were sold between December 26, 2024, and March 24, 2025 at micro markets and vending machines located in Georgia and South Carolina.
Return these sandwiches to the place of purchase for a full refund or safely discard them. For more information, call Cromer Food Services, Inc. at 1-800-922-3174.
#Cromer #chickensalad #milk #allergy #recall
Cromer, chickensalad, milk, allergy, recall
Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips Have Undeclared Milk
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICKvDDNruV/
These recalled bags may contain nacho cheese tortilla chips as well as or instead of yellow corn tortilla chips. They could trigger a serious allergic reaction for those with milk allergies or sensitivities. Affected bags have one of the following manufacturing codes: 471106504, 471106505, 471106506, or 471106507 with a “Guaranteed Fresh” date of May 20, 2025.
These recalled bags have been sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Return these recalled chips to the place of purchase if you, family members, or household visitors have a milk allergy or sensitivity. For a refund or further information, call Frito-Lay at 1-800-352-4477.
#fritolay #tostitos #milk #allergy #recall
fritolay, tostitos, milk, allergy, recall
Tec Italy Shampoo Totale Has Bacterial Contamination
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICLdbjM_JJ/
This shampoo is contaminated with the bacteria Klebsiella oxytoca that causes infections in the eyes, nose, and skin, and creates additional risks for those with compromised immune systems. Affected is Lot # 1G27542266.
About 1,068 containers of this recalled shampoo were sold in New York and California as well as in other states.
Stop using this shampoo and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact Henkel at sacli@henkel.com.
#tec #shampoo #klebsiella #infection #recall
tec, shampoo, klebsiella, infection, recall
Coca-Cola Classic 12-pack Cans Contain Plastic
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICMFnGNjZc/
Coca-Cola in cans has contamination with plastic. This contaminated product may cause temporary, possibly medically reversible health effects. Affected are cans with a date code of SEP2925MDA.
More than 10,000 cans in 864 cases of this recalled Coca-Cola were sold in Illinois and Wisconsin and distributed to retailers and stores in those states.Stop consuming this recalled the product.
For more information, consumers can reach out to the local Reyes Coca-Cola Bottler at 1-844-566-2653 or the national Coca-Cola company at 1-800-438-2653.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/?Event=96489
#cocacola #cans #foreignbodies #plastic #recall
cocacola, cans, foreignbodies, plastic, recall