Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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HealthNews RoundUp - 3rd Week of February 2021
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Lung Radiation Therapy Helps Hospitalized CoVid Patients
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/lhtdJt10hY8
A single treatment of low dose lung radiation therapy makes it 17% less likely for hospitalized CoVid patients to require intubation. Researchers at Atlanta’s Emory University now report their use of this technique in 20 oxygen-dependent CoVid patients also receiving steroids and/or the anti-viral drug remdesivir.
Using a case-control technique, the radiation-treated CoVid patients suffered progression requiring intubation and ventilation in only 14% of cases. Those not receiving the radiation, deteriorated in 32% of cases. Most of these radiated patients, some 80%, enjoyed a faster decline of inflammation.
Hopefully, larger studies will confirm that lung radiation is a safe, effective way to keep patients off ventilators.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.10.21251242v1.full.pdf+html
#CoVid, #radiationtherapy #ventilator #intubation #inflammation
CoVid, radiationtherapy, ventilator, intubation, inflammation
Recovered CoVid Patients Show Cell Immunity Against Variants
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/4Lm_3oFj-us
There is some good news from an early study looking at immunity of CoVid survivors against the virus variants that emerged in the UK, S. Africa, and Brazil. Investigators at the NIH and Johns Hopkins estimate that CoVid survivors would mount an effective cell-mediated response to the mutated strains in 98% of cases.
Studying the blood from 30 recovered patients, testing revealed that their CD8+ T killer cells would react to 44 of the 45 antigens found in the new strains thereby effectively killing these mutant CoVid viruses. Will the cellular immune responses elicited by our CoVid vaccines kill the mutants also? Fingers crossed!
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.11.21251585v1.full.pdf+html
#cellularimmunity #CoVid #cd8+ #variants #vaccine
cellularimmunity, CoVid, cd8, variants, vaccine
Mandatory Public Health Measures Save Lives
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/dW8MMcuLm-Y
States and countries that strictly limit public activity in the face of CoVid spread enjoy dramatically lower mortality rates. Johns Hopkins researchers now report 4 fold lower rates in the States and an 11 fold lower rate in Scandinavia.
Comparing strictly-controlled Washington State to laissez-faire Massachusetts showed an 80% mortality rate drop and a 67% case fatality rate reduction. Comparing locked down Norway with wide open Sweden revealed a 91% mortality reduction and a 70% case fatality rate drop.
Population density differences explain much of the difference (WA/MA=87% lower; N/S=77% lower), still the relative crowding in Massachusetts and Sweden argues even more strongly for strict measures.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.11.21251580v1.full.pdf+html
#publichealth #mandatory #voluntary #CoVid
publichealth, mandatory, voluntary, CoVid
Don’t Overeat Eggs
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/pYqQJE28Lpg
The debate about egg safety continues. Some say that ingesting cholesterol-rich eggs plugs your blood vessels while others insist that the dangerous cholesterol is manufactured in your own body due to saturated fat intake.
A huge Chinese study using the American NIH-AARP database looked at more than 521,000 persons reporting their dietary choices over 16 years. Those wolfing down the most egg had 16% higher risk of a cardiovascular death and a 23% higher risk of cancer death.
The study does have shortcomings as the egg eaters also smoked more, exercised less, and didn’t take daily aspirin.
The winning formula is healthy eating, avoiding smoke, and regular aerobic exercise.
https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003508
#egg #heart #cancer #exercise
egg, heart, cancer, exercise
Masks Protect By Humidification
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/3qjJcoyqcbI
Facemasks of any construction can increase the humidity of the air you’re breathing by a factor of 2 to 3. Other studies show that increased humidity reduces spread of respiratory viruses like CoVid, and NIH investigators now report which masks humidify the best.
Comparing N95 masks, surgical masks, light cloth, and heavy cotton mass, the studies showed that N95 masks did the best job of both filtration and humidification more than doubling the humidity. Heavy cotton masks increased the humidity better but did not filter as well.
As manufacturing has increased, authentic N95 masks are more available online. Many are labeled as non-medical, but they do filter out a high proportion of viruses including CoVid.
https://www.cell.com/biophysj/pdf/S0006-3495(21)00116-8.pdf
#humidity #filter #n95 #surgical
humidity, filter, n95, surgical
Drug Therapy Slims The Obese
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/I75VfxvHtWc
Taking a weekly dose of semaglutide, branded as Ozempic and Rybelsus, helped drive a 15% drop in body weight over close to a year and a half, and may be the dawn of a new era in therapeutic weight loss. An international collaborative study of 1961 obese subjects was just reported in the New England Journal.
The average weight loss per person was nearly 34 pounds while 35% of the treated group lost more than 20% of body weight. Those taking the semaglutide along with lifestyle changes also enjoyed an improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors and physical functioning.
Semaglutide offers an alternative to bariatric surgery for initiating a serious reduction in body mass.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
#obesity #semaglutide #ozempic #rybelsus
obesity, semaglutide, ozempic, rybelsus
Recall on Yamaha Wolverine Off-Road Vehicle
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/RHGpdmdoiXI
The CPSC and Yamaha announce the recall of the Yamaha Wolverine RMAX4 1000 Model XF10WPAM. This vehicle’s rear shock absorber assemblies are defective and could fracture causing crash and injury hazards. If you own one of these off road vehicles, stop using it and contact an authorized Yamaha dealer to schedule a free repair. For additional information, reach Yamaha at 1-800-962-7926.
#yamaha #wolverine #shockabsorber #recall
yamaha, wolverine, shockabsorber, recall
Rep Fitness Strap Safety Brackets on Recall
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/POa_-bvwncg
The CPSC and the Rep Fitness Co. recall the Rep Fitness Strap Safety Brackets. These brackets have a defective weld, and the sudden drop of a weight onto the strap safeties could cause the brackets to separate from the weightlifting equipment creating an injury. Discontinue use of these brackets and contact Rep Fitness at 1-888-201-8019 to obtain replacement brackets.
#weghtlifting #safetybrackets #rep #weld #recall
weghtlifting, safetybrackets, rep, weld, recall
H1 Computer Cases Are Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/hMBMxy80DTM
The CPSC and NZXT announce the recall of NZXT H1 Computer Cases Model CA-H16WR-B1. The metal screws that attach the riser assembly to the chassis may cause a short in the printed circuit board leading to overheating and a fire hazard. More than 32,000 of these were sold online to US customers and more than 1,000 were sold to Canadian customers. If you bought one of these call NZXT at 1-888-965-5520 to request a free repair kit.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/NZXT-Recalls-H1-Computer-Cases-Due-to-Fire-Hazard
#computercase #nzxt #short #fire
computercase, nzxt, short, fire
Recall on ManukaGuard Allercleanse Nasal Spray
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/vJKUovXMJdI
The FDA and NDAL Mfg. Inc. are recalling one lot of ManukaGuard Allercleanse Nasal Spray. This product has been contaminated with yeast. The affected lot is #2010045 with a best buy of 10/2023. This product was sold through amazon.com as well as other online and brick and mortar retailers. If you purchased this nasal spray, do not use it. Return it to the place of purchase for a refund. If you require additional information, call NDAL Mfg. at 1-800-916-1220.
#allercleanse #nasalspray #yeast #recall
allercleanse, nasalspray, yeast, recall
Brite Harbor Caesar Dressing & Dip Is Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/ft9xVDma_dE
The FDA and Litehouse Inc. have recalled Brite Harbor Caesar Dressing & Dip. This product contains undeclared anchovies. The affected lots were sold in WA, OR, ID, and UT. If you have this item, return it to the place of purchase. For additional information call Litehouse Customer Service at 1-800-578-1652.
#caesardressing #briteharbor #anchovies
caesardressing, briteharbor, anchovies
Recall On Kowalski’s Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/2aSv0V9R5OI
The FDA and Russ Davis Wholesale are recalling Kowalski’s brand Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Kowalski’s Steakhouse Blue Dressing. The blue cheese dressing contains undeclared anchovies. If you have this product, return it to the point of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact the company at 1-877-433-2173.
#cauliflowerbites #bluecheesedressing #kowalskis #anchovies
cauliflowerbites, bluecheesedressing, kowalskis, anchovies