Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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HealthNews RoundUp - 1st Week of February 2021
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Any CoVid Vaccine Beats None
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/IgvfoYPT36w
You’ve heard the news that the new CoVid variants first arising in the UK, South Africa, and South America are more contagious and possible more deadly than the original CoVid strain, Our current vaccines may not protect as well.
Against the British strain, Moderna and Pfizer induced strong antibody neutralization. Against the South African strain, the Moderna vaccine produced 6-fold lower antibody levels but still protective ones and the Pfizer vaccine triggered antibody levels 20% lower to 40% higher. No data yet for the Brazilian strain.
Even if a vaccine does not completely prevent CoVid, it will make any infection less severe and less deadly. Get vaccinated!
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.27.427998v1.full.pdf
#covid #pfizer #moderna #vaccine
covid, pfizer, moderna, vaccine
Low Dose Aspirin Reduces Miscarriages
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/lVuiANbnAXM
Low dose aspirin increases the chances of a live birth by up to 15% for women who had up to 2 previous miscarriages. This the conclusion of a study from Emory and the NIH.
A group of 1228 women 18-40 years were randomized to receive 81 mg of aspirin and folic acid or folic acid alone daily for up to 6 cycles while attempting conception and continuing the regimen through 36 weeks of a successful gestation. Those who adhered to the regimen a minimum of 4 days per week enjoyed 15 more live births per 100 women and suffered 6 fewer pregnancy losses per 100 women.
Recurrent pregnancy losses are heartbreaking but preventable.
https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/M20-0469
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/diphr/officebranch/eb/effects-aspirin
#pregnancy #miscarriage #aspirin
pregnancy, miscarriage, aspirin
Aspirin Reduces Bowel Cancer But Start Early
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/mDrGP7rEBP4
Daily low-dose aspirin can reduce your chance of developing colorectal cancer by a significant 20% but only if you begin taking it before the age of 70. Harvard researchers pooled data from two large groups for a total of 94,540 participants followed for up to 35 years.
When the numbers were crunched and cases of lower bowel cancer tabulated over some 996,463 person-years of followup, the risk of developing such cancer after age 75 was reduced 10 to 28%. The maximum benefits only occurred for those beginning their aspirin regimen before age 70.
If your personal doc agrees, begin your daily low dose aspirin regimen early and use it consistently.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2775175
#bowelcancer #colorectalcancer #aspirin
bowelcancer, colorectalcancer, aspirin
Covid Triggers PTSD
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/6GI3GnmXZFg
More than 1 in every 8 of us develops post-traumatic stress syndrome as the result of the CoVid pandemic. Australian researchers at Finders University studied 1040 participants in 5 Western countries by tabulating the results of their online survey responses.
The questions covered personal exposure to CoVid, exposure to media stories, a list of 20 stress symptoms, and a 5 item well-being index. Besides PTSD, 53% of respondents had depression, 37% had significant stress, and 32% had anxiety.
Traumatic stress symptoms arise from anticipated as well as experienced events. PTSD symptoms were as significant in those who anticipated CoVid infection and job loss as in those who actually had them.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0240146
#ptsd #CoVid #depression #stress #anxiety
ptsd, CoVid, depression, stress, anxiety
Impact Of New CoVid Strains In New York City
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/OQPq8QFXW9o
New CoVid variants with an estimated 56% greater transmissibility would trigger a 3 fold rise in daily CoVid infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in the absence of an effective vaccination program. Researchers at NYU predict this public health disaster with a mathematical model that determines how strategic vaccination can avoid this bloodbath.
Their numbers predict that we must be vaccinating 150,000 New York City residents per day by January 21st in order to offset the effects of the more powerful CoVid strains. The sad fact is that only 24,000 vaccinations per day have taken place.
We must ramp vaccinations to avoid 8,000 more dead New Yorkers by the end of June.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.29.21250710v1.full.pdf
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data-vaccines.page
#CoVid #vaccination #mutations #transmissibility
CoVid, vaccination, mutations, transmissibility
Previous CoVid Patients Only Need One Vaccine Dose
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/2olR_GBnm0I
This observation suggests we can save precious CoVid vaccine supplies say virologists and epidemiologists at the University of Maryland. They suggest this strategy after testing 33 health care workers with proven, previous CoVid infections and 26 uninfected workers.
The data reveals that those with pre-existing anti-CoVid antibodies respond to a first dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine with an anti-spike antibody peak similar to those receiving a second dose of the vaccine. Given that those previously infected have some CoVid immunity and pre-existing anti-CoVid antibodies after either a symptomatic or asymptomatic infection, they need only receive a single dose of a 2-dose vaccine.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.30.21250843v1.full.pdf
#CoVid #vaccine #infected
CoVid, vaccine, infected
Moderna Vaccine Details
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/gyHNlHNrOLc
From the actual documents the company submitted to the FDA and CDC. The Moderna Vaccine consists of messenger RNA wrapped up in a lipid nanoparticle package. The RNA is formulated to avoid immune destruction once injected and to code for a CoVid spike glycoprotein that will provoke production of a human antibody. It is stored as a frozen suspension at -13 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. It is supplied in a 10 dose vial and is given as two 100 ug IM injections 28 days apart. The vaccine does not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex.
It was first tested for safety and immunogenicity in a phase 1 trial of 120 persons and a fu phase 2 trial of 600 persons. It’s effectiveness was confirmed and safety checked in a randomized blinded phase 3 trial involving 30,000 participants.
The results showed an ability to prevent any CoVid infection for all age patients of 94%, for those 18-64 yrs of 96%, and for those 65 and older of 86%. No severe or fatal CoVid cases occurred in those vaccinated. Vaccine efficiency for those receiving only one dose was 43%.
The most common adverse local reaction was injection site pain in 88 to 90%. Swelling of armpit lymph noses occurred in 12% to 16%.
The 3 most common systemic adverse response were fatigue 68%, headache in 63%, muscle aches in 60%, joint pain in 45%, chills in 43%, and fever in 15%.
Though its overall effectiveness appears to be reduced for some new CoVid strains, it almost certainly will prevent severe CoVid infections and death due to these as well as due to the original CoVid strain. Get vaccinated!
https://www.fda.gov/media/144434/download
https://www.fda.gov/media/144673/download
#moderna #vaccine #CoVid
moderna, vaccine, CoVid
Pfizer Vaccine Details
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/lzF-NFY8ok0
From the actual documents the company submitted to the FDA and CDC. The Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine consists of messenger RNA wrapped up in a lipid nanoparticle package. The RNA is formulated to avoid immune destruction once injected and to code for a CoVid spike glycoprotein that will provoke production of a human antibody. It is stored as a frozen suspension at -112 to -76 degrees Fahrenheit. It is supplied in a 5-7 dose vial and is given as two 30 ug IM injections 28 days apart. The vaccine is preservative-free and contains no eggs or latex
The Pfizer vaccine was first tested for safety and immunogenicity in a phase 1 trial of 90 persons and a followup phase 2 trial of 360 persons. It’s effectiveness was confirmed and safety checked in a randomized blinded phase 3 trial involving 38,000 participants.
The results showed an ability to prevent any CoVid infection for all age patients of 95%, for those 18-64 yrs of 95%, and for those 65-74 was 93%, and for those 75 and older of 100%. No severe or fatal CoVid cases occurred in those vaccinated. Vaccine efficiency for those receiving only one dose was 52%.
The most common adverse local reaction was injection site pain in about 80%, There was swelling of armpit lymph noses occurred in 6%.
The 3 most common systemic adverse response were fatigue lasting up to 2 days in 60%, headache in 52%, muscle aches in 37%, joint pain in 22%, chills in 35%, and fever in 15%.
Though its overall effectiveness appears to be reduced for some new CoVid strains, it almost certainly will prevent severe CoVid infections and death due to these as well as due to the original CoVid strain. Get vaccinated!
https://www.fda.gov/media/144416/download
https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download
#pfizer #vaccine #CoVid
pfizer, vaccine, CoVid
CB2 Chests & Dressers On Recall
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/OeLW7r3CpCc
The CPSC and CB2 have recalled CB2 Chests and Dressers. These pieces of furniture may tip over and injure children if not anchored to the wall. 11,000 were sold in the US and 355 sold in Canada. If you have one of these at home, unload it and/or move it to a location away from access by children until you have anchored it to the call. Alternatively, contact CB2 at 1-800-451-8217 to receive store credit or a refund.
#cb2 #dresser #chest #tipover
cb2, dresser, chest, tipover
Organic Yellow Peas Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/3xdNrOVHd9Y
The FDA and Maine Grains, Inc. are recalling Organic Yellow Peas sold between 10/17 and 11/1/2020. This product may contain undeclared soybeans. Those with a soybean allergy may develop a severe or life-threatening reaction if they ingest the yellow peas. This product was distributed throughout the northeastern US and via mainegrains.com. Much of the product was consumed in NYC. If you purchased this product, return it to the store for a full refund. If you have additional questions, call Maine Grains at 1-207-457-8001.
#peas #maine #soybeans
peas, maine, soybeans
Heat Therapy Massager On Recall
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/x2zq09Tx-PU
The FDA and the Wahl Clipper Corporation are recalling the Wahl Deluxe Heat Therapy Massager, Model 4212. The connection between the massager and the heat source may overheat leading to sparking, smoking, and a fire hazard. If you own this product, discontinue its use immediately. Call the Wahl Company at 1-800-767-9245 to arrange for a post-paid return of the unit, a complete refund, and a $10 inconvenience fee.
#massager #wahl #fire
massager, wahl, fire
Recall On Think! Protein fiber oatmeal farmer’s market berry crumble
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/PQNRGm0zFto
The FDA and the think! And Interpac Technologies, Inc. announce the recall of think! Protein fiber oatmeal farmer’s market berry crumble. This product may contain undeclared tree nuts including almonds and pecan. Those with allergies to these types of nuts may develop a severe allergic reaction after ingesting this product. The packages do bear the label “made in a factory that processes tree nuts.” If you purchased this product, don’t ingest it but return it to the place of purchase for a refund. If you need additional information, call the think! Company at 1-866-98-THINK or 1-866-987-4465.
#crumble #think #treenuts
crumble, think, treenuts
Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/SkmYOO_0CZw
The FDA and Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. are recalling the Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit. This product contains undeclared fish and egg. Those with allergies to fish, egg, or both should avoid consuming this product. This product was sold in AZ, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, KS, MN, MS, ND, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, WA, and WI. If you have this product, call Dole at 1-800-356-3111 to determine if your item is covered in this recall. If so, you can arrange a refund.
#salad #dole #fish #egg
salad, dole, fish, egg