Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
+1-617-488-9699
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RoundUp - 2nd Week of Aug 2025
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HEALTH REPORTS
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Magnetic NanoBots Relieve Nagging Tooth Sensitivity
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNd5NZfu7xU/
Indian nano-bioengineers have developed 400 nanometer calcium-silicate plugs that can be magnetically guided into the microscopic channels within teeth. These tiny channels, named dentinal tubules, lead to sensitive nerve endings and are exposed due to enamel erosion and.or guys recession. Once that happens, cool or warm liquids or food can reach these nerves and trigger intense dental pain.
The nanobot plugs delicately seal these tubules stop these painful episodes. Tests on extracted teeth show that the nanobots create tubule plugs in about 20 minutes. Preclinical tests using mice reveal that this dentinal tubule plugging strategy effectively and completely insulates teeth from pain-inducing temperature changes. The proprietary calcium-silicate bioceramic is well tolerated by living mammalian tissues.
The researchers are planning to begin clinical trials in the not-to-distant future.
https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202507664
#nanobots #dental #pain #dentinaltubules #bioceramic
nanobots, dental, pain, dentinaltubules, bioceramic
Gene Editing Allows Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation Without Immunosuppression
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNd6KltPeD_/
Transplantation immuno-geneticists at Sweden’s Uppsala University Hospital have successfully used gene editing to modify human pancreatic islet cells such that these transplants are more histocompatible, survive longer, and function better. Their single patient case report appeared in a recent issues of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The recipient is a 42-year-old male juvenile-onset insulin-dependent diabetic. The researchers utilized CRISPR-Cas12b gene editing technology to delete genes that code for incompatible cell surface antigens while adding genes coding for protective antigens thereby making the donor pancreatic cells invisible to the recipient’s immune system.
Over a 12-week period, the limited number of gene-edited islet cells available for transplantation were able to reduce but not totally eliminate the recipients insulin requirement. This proved the viability and functional integrity of the transplanted islet cells suggesting that transplantation of a larger complement of islet cells could provide a recipient’s total insulin requirement therapy curing diabetes without the need for ongoing immunosuppression with its often toxic side effects.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-gene-islet-transplant-human-functional.html
https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2503822
#diabetes #insulin #isletcells #transplantation #geneediting #immunosuppression
diabetes, insulin, isletcells, transplantation, geneediting, immunosuppression
Increasing Brain Lithium Halts and Reverses Alzheimer’s
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNd6_L_NINg/
Harvard Medical School research geneticists have discovered that a new lithium compound can effectively treat Alzheimer’s dementia. Lithium within the brain normally protects and stabilizes brain cells. When this vital element is trapped by amyloid plaques, neurons degenerate leading to devastating cognitive decline.
Using a preclinical mouse model, the researchers found that a lithium deficiency accelerates Alzheimer’s-type neuronal degeneration. Providing these mice with lithium orotate, a form of lithium that amyloid plaques cannot sequester, reversed the brain cell damage and effectively restored the animals’ memories even for older mice. This lithium compound is effective at a fraction of the dose required for management of psychiatric disease diminishing the chances of toxic side effects.
These exciting findings may well offer a more effective and safer therapeutic approach to Alzheimer’s. Clinical trials will br needed, but the Harvard researchers feel optimistic that lithium monitoring and therapy could detect, prevent, and reverse Alzheimer’s disease.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-lithium-loss-ignites-alzheimer-compound.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09335-x
#alzheimers #lithium #lithiumorotate #dementia
alzheimers, lithium, lithiumorotate, dementia
Radiation Turbocharges Lung Cancer Immunotherapy
Non-small cell lung cancers that have already spread throughout the body and that bear biomarkers labeling them as unlikely to respond to immunotherapy do just that after radiation therapy has “zapped” the primary tumor mass. This from collaborating teams at the Johns Hopkins Cancer Center and the Netherlands Cancer Institute.
Studying biopsied tumor specimens from 72 patients, the researchers were surprised to find that the combination of radiation to the cancerous lung plus checkpoint immunotherapy sparked heightened inflammatory and immunological responses around tumor deposits even far from the lung and site of radiation. This in comparison to the use of immunotherapy alone. The data also demonstrated that those patients receiving both immunotherapy and radiation therapy, in contrast to the controls receiving immunotherapy along, enjoyed better clinical outcomes.
Additional studies looking at this combination of cancer therapies are ongoing, and this technique may be applicable for other cancers that traditionally respond poorly to either immunotherapy or radiation alone. The investigators suggest that the radiation-killed cancer cells release tumor-specific antigens that boost the specific anti-tumor immunologic response throughout the body.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045702.htm
the
#immunotherapy #radiationtherapy #lungcancer
immunotherapy, radiationtherapy,
lungcancer
Wiping Out Ovarian Cancer Protective Cells
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNd8M5osKnr/
Ovarian cancer cells tend to be resistant to the best cancer therapies including chemo-, radiation-, and immuno. University of Chicago OB-GYN oncologists, collaborating with the National Cancer Institute’s Experimental Therapeutics researchers, now look to a novel approach that seeks to disarm the so-called Cancer Associated Fibroblasts, CAFs, that provide protective cover for the cancer cells themselves.
A tumor-induced enzyme NNMT is necessary for normal fibroblasts to convert into the CAFs that shield the ovarian cancer cells by suppressing the body’s immune no reaction to them and permit the cancer to flourish and metastasize to other parts of the body.
The UChicago team developed a powerful NNMT inhibitor compound that successfully halts this transformation at least in a preclinical mouse ovarian cancer model. Administering this drug along with immune checkpoint inhibitors effectively halted tumor growth.
This approach may finally yield effective therapy for rapidly growing and metastasizing ovarian cancers……someday soon.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09303-5
#ovarian #cancer #immunotherapy #supportcells #nnmt
ovarian, cancer, immunotherapy, supportcells, nnmt
Dental Floss Vaccinations
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNd8-nmPeM1/
More hope for the needle-phobic comes researchers at North Carolina State University. Lacing ordinary dental floss with vaccine permits vaccine delivery to the thin, permeable gum tissue between teeth and gums known as the junctional epithelium.
Testing this dental floss vaccination technique in mice, it produced stronger respiratory lining immunity than traditional oral vaccines and comparable immunity to nasal vaccines. The floss vaxing worked with mRNA, protein-based, and inactivated virus vaccines, and floss picks or swords also worked well.
Just as the sugar cube revolutionized polio immunizations, dental floss vaccinations may become the next big thing, particularly for children with teeth, for those who abhor needles, and for even those who want to vaccinate themselves.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803011820.htm
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-025-01451-3
#vaccine #floss #needlephobia #children
vaccine, floss, needlephobia, children
Scents of Fertile Women Attract and Relax Men
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNd97UEOGKy/
Ovulating women produce three organic chemicals that, when vaporized, are pleasing to men and trigger their more favorable opinion of the women emanating them. This intriguing study from the University of Tokyo’s Department of Applied Biological Chemistry and its International Research Center for Neurointelligence.
During the study, 84 scent samples, collected from women during various phases of their menstrual cycles, were presented to 21 men. Each odor was rated for its level of pleasantness, its effect on the rater’s mood, and its impact on the rater’s impression of women in pictures.
The 3 compounds prevalent during ovulation, geranylacetone, tetradecanoic acid, and hexadecenoic acid, were rated as pleasing, tended to relax and de-stress the male raters, and were associated with more positive impressions of the pictured women.Though the researchers stopped short of calling these organic chemicals pheromones, they did label them as pheromone-like.
The bottom line: men and women should be aware that natural body scents could be working behind the scenes in a positive or negative way.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225013483
#ovulation #scents #cycle #appearance
ovulation, scents, cycle, appearance
Nicotine Pouches Are Poisoning Children
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNd-p9zO5Hl/
Nicotine pouches ingestions have surged some 700% between the years 2020 and 2023. This from a study by Nationwide Children’s Hospital that analyzed national poison control data from 2010 to 2023 on over 134,000 cases of nicotine ingestion in children under 6.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that the majority of the ingestions occurred in children under 2 years old. This is likely because kids can easily mistake the small, brightly colored, and flavored nicotine pouches for candy. Even small amounts of nicotine can be poisonous for young children.
If you as a parent feel the need to use nicotine in any form but particularly in pouches, store the nicotine in a secure place not accessible by curious children. If your kids do manage to get their hands on this or any potential poison, be aware that the National Capitol Poison Help Line is available to help you 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222.
#nicotine #pouch #poison #children
nicotine, pouch, poison, children
Dieting Makes Men Sad and Depressed
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNd_g0dN0lg/
The low calorie and restricted nutrient diets that many overweight and obese men are following have a significant chance of making them depressed. The University of Toronto’s Departments of Psychiatry and Biostatistics reviewed data from more than 28,000 US men gathered from 2007 to 2018.
While calorie-restrictive diets were associated with a bump in depressive feelings as well as a decline in cognitive performance, nutrient-restrictive diets intensified this effect. Both calorie and nutrient restrictions led to more significant and negative emotional effects in men compared with women. Such effects did not occur in balanced diets that included omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12.
So guys….. if you plan to embark on a weight loss program, be certain your diet includes essential nutrients. One good way to do this is to seek the advice of a certified clinical nutritionist.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250607103056.htm
https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/8/1/10
#dieting #depression #cognition #men
dieting, depression, cognition, men
There’s An Optimal Time of Day For A Test
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNeAc9Iv79P/
The best time to take a test is between 11 AM and 1 PM. Psychologists at Italy’s University of Messina analyzed the results of 104,552 oral exams conducted at universities and found that those yielding passing grades occurred midday. Pass rates tend to dip early in the morning and again late in the afternoon. In addition, test scores among those with passing grades were higher during this day period.
The researchers attribute this pattern to three factors: biological rhythms, decision fatigue, and chronotype mismatches between students and professors. Students tend to be night owls while university professors have peak performances earlier in the day.
The study also suggests that this pattern could impact other situations where sharp intellectual performances are critical. These include job interviews, courtroom proceedings, and media appearances.
So if given a choice, grab that midday slot.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040928.htm
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1605041/full
#test #performance #interview #testimony #midday
test, performance, interview, testimony, midday
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CPSC Recalls
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Séfralls Minoxidil Hair Generation Serum Has Packaging That Is Not Child-Safe
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbjffYPrgI/
This hair serum contains the drug minoxidil that, if ingested by a child, would lead to severe poisoning or even death.
About 21,300 bottles of this product were sold in the US through Amazon between June 2024 and June 2025.
Immediately secure any of these recalled bottles and keep them out of sight and reach of children. To receive a replacement, pour the bottle’s contents into the trash, take a photo of the empty bottle in the trash, and email it to sefralls@outlook.com for further instructions. For more information, contact Guangzhou Ariel Biotech at the same email.
#sefralls #minoxidil #packaging #children #poisoning #recall
sefralls, minoxidil, packaging, children, poisoning, recall
Fieldsheer Apparel Technologies Heated Socks Will Injure Your Feet
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbkKFuNp3i/
These socks are abrasive and cause pain, burns, and blisters during high-intensity activities that involve heat, friction, moisture, and pressure. Affected are models MWMS07, MWWS07, and MWMS05.
About 45,000 pairs of these socks were sold in the US and Canada by Scheels All Sports, Fred Meyer, Home Depot, Meijer, Bomgaars Supply, Buchheits, Running Supply, Fleet Farm Wholesale Supply, and online at Amazon.com from August 2021 through June 2025.
Stop wearing these recalled socks and contact Fieldsheer Apparel Technologies at 1-888-908-6024 or by email at cs@fieldsheer.com for a full refund or a replacement of equal value. The lithium-ion battery packs included with the socks must be disposed of at local hazardous waste centers. They cannot be simply dumped in trash or standard recycling bins.
#fieldsheer #heated #socks #battery #abrasions #recall
fieldsheer, heated, socks, battery, abrasions, recall
Pet Zone Laser Pointer & LED Ball Pet Toys Have Ingestible Button Batteries
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbk9L_pd-P/
The LED-illuminated plastic sphere can break on impact providing children access to these button cell batteries. If ingested, these batteries pose a risk of serious injury or death as they create gastrointestinal burns, erosions, and perforations. Affected is item number 15712EAM.
About 15,400 of these pet toy sets were sold exclusively at Menards stores nationwide and online between September 2024 and March 2025.
Immediately stop using these recalled pet toys and contact Petmate 1-888-847-8716 to receive a full refund or for more information. Then dispose of these button cell batteries at your local hazardous waste center rather than simply tossing them into the trash or household recycling.
#petzone #toys #led #buttonbatteries #gastrointestinal #erosions #burns #recall
petzone, toys, led, buttonbatteries, gastrointestinal, erosions, burns, recall
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FDA Recalls
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Neuhaus Belgian Chocolate Moments Smurfs Popping Milk Chocolates with Cookies Contain Undeclared Wheat
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNblkoGPCUB/
Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat or who have a gluten allergy or celiac disease risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product. Affected are batch numbers 80108690 and 80108763, best before January 13, 2026.
Only 150 of these mislabeled packages were sold at Neuhaus stores in New York, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. and through the Neuhaus online store between July 21, 2025, and August 4, 2025.
If you, family members, or household guests are allergic or intolerant to wheat or gluten or have celiac disease, return this product to the place of purchase for a full refund. For questions, email Neuhaus Customer Care at customercare@neuhaus.be.
#neuhaus #chocolate #belgian #smurf #wheat #allergy #gluten #celiac #recall
neuhaus, chocolate, belgian, smurf, wheat, allergy, gluten, celiac, recall
DermaKleen, DermaSarra, KleenFoam, and PeriGiene
Products Have Bacterial Contamination With Burkholderia cepacia
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbmdYeNGc3/
This bacterium can cause serious and potentially life-threatening infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The affected products include over-the-counter antiseptic lotion soaps, external analgesics, antimicrobial foam soaps, and antiseptic cleansers. The affected lots are listed in the FDA’s recall announcement at https://miniurl.com/DermariteAlert
The recalled products were sold nationwide in the United States and in Puerto Rico.
Stop using these contaminated products immediately. Check to see if your products are affected. If so, return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For questions, call 1-973-569-9000 extension 104 or email voluntary.action@dermarite.com.
#dermarite #dermakleen #dermsarra #kleenfoam #perigiene #burkholderia #infection #recall
dermarite, dermakleen, dermsarra, kleenfoam, perigiene, burkholderia, infection, recall
Friendly’s Vanilla Bean/Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Contains Undeclared Soy and Wheat Allergens
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbnKAkNR4X/
This recalled product was mistakenly packaged in Friendly’s Vanilla Bean
Ice Cream cartons with a Cookies & Cream lid. Those with soy or wheat allergies, gluten sensitivities or celiac disease could experience a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they eat this ice cream. Affected are those packages with a best by 11/26/25.
About 324 cartons of this mistakenly labeled ice cream were distributed through a single UNFI distribution center to retail stores in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
If you purchased any Friendly Vanilla Bean Ice Cream cartons that have a Cookies & Cream lid, return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact DFA Dairy Brands at 1-800-587-2259.
#friendlys #icecream #vanillabean #cookiesandcream #soy #wheat #allergy #recall
friendlys, icecream, vanillabean, cookiesandcream, soy, wheat, allergy, recall
Hans Kissle Red Potato Bliss Salad Contains Pasta and Undeclared Wheat
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbnzIZPgo0/
This is yet another mislabeling incident. Containers sold with a Red Bliss Potato Salad top label actually contain Tricolor Twist Pasta Salad which does contain wheat. This labeling error poses a risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions for individuals with a wheat allergy, a gluten sensitivity, or celiac disease. Affected packages have a Use By date of 8/20/25.
About 66 of these mislabeled packages were sold at Stop and Shop retail locations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
If you purchased this mislabeled product, return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact Hans Kissle at 1-978-556-4500.
#hanskissle #redpotatoebliss #salad #pasta #wheat #allergy #gluten #celiac #recall
hanskissle, redpotatoebliss, salad, pasta, wheat, allergy, gluten, celiac, recall
Dollar General Clover Valley Instant Coffee Contains Glass Fragments
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNboYt8M4rE/
Glass foreign bodies may cause dental injuries, mouth and throat lining lacerations, and/or intestinal perforations. The affected lots are L-5163 and L-5164 with a best by date of December 13, 2026, and L-5165 with a best by date of December 14, 2026.
The recalled coffee was sold in Dollar General retail stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming all between July 9 and July 21, 2025.
Stop using this product immediately, discard it, and contact Dollar General at 1-888-309-9030 or via the email customercare@dollargeneral.com for a full refund or more information.
#dollargeneral #coffee #glass #foreignbodies #lacerations #gastrointestinal #recall
dollargeneral, coffee, glass, foreignbodies, lacerations, gastrointestinal, recall
Wegman’s Camembert Soft Ripened Cheese Products Have Listeria Contamination
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbo_jXPFcF/
Listeria infection can cause serious or fatal illness, particularly in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, and can cause miscarriages or stillbirths in pregnant women. Affected is: product with best by dates of July 26, 2025, August 12, 2025, and August 19, 2025; Wegmans Assorted Cheese Flight; Wegmans Grilling Camembert with Tapenade & Roasted Tomatoes; and Wegmans Caramel Apple Pecan Topped Brie Cheese.
These recalled cheese products were sold at all Wegmans stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C between July 1 and August 12, 2025.
Do not consume these contaminated cheeses but return them to the service desk at any Wegmans location for a full refund. For questions, contact Wegmans Food Markets at 1-855-934-3663.
#wegmans #cheese #camembert #listeria #infection #recall
wegmans, cheese, camembert, listeria, infection #recall