Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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HealthNews RoundUp - 4th Week of July 2022
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REPORTS
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Adjusting To The Night Shift May Be Impossible For Some
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/AITy9El2_wY
Even after years working the night shift, these workers showed a 45% lower median rest-activity rhythm index and were 22% less likely to demonstrate a normal circadian temperature pattern compared with those on the day shift. This the result of a British study comparing the sleep patterns of 63 night-shift workers with 77 day shift workers using wearable sensors. Almost all in both groups were women.
Altered circadian and sleep cycles are associated with a suboptimal health status and a higher risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(22)00302-4/fulltext#%20
#nightshift #sleep #circadianrhythms #health #cardiovascular #cancer
nightshift, sleep, circadianrhythms, health, cardiovascular, cancer
Your Wearable WILL Make You Healthier
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/WNMbtGNvvLI
Activity trackers such as the Apple Watch and the FitBit goad you into exercising at least 40 additional minutes each day. So say University of South Australia investigators who reviewed about 400 studies covering 164,000 participants.
And those 40 extra minutes of daily exertion, equivalent to about 1800 more steps, trim away 1 kg or 2.2 pounds over a 5 month period. Since the average person gains a pound a year, the extra activity is responsible for a nearly 8 pound change in the right direction.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(22)00111-X/fulltext
#wearables #applewatch #fitbit #weightloss
wearables, applewatch, fitbit, weightloss
FDA Nixes Certain UVC Disinfecting Wands
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/f6P4ifhHrO4
The FDA is now out with a warning to all of us about the hazards of disinfecting wands that generate ultraviolet-C radiation. These wands are marketed for disinfection of surfaces on devices like phones or on home furniture.
UV-C radiation has the highest energy and shortest wave lengths of all UV radiation and falls into the 100 to 280 nm range. It can cause irreversible damage to your eyes and skin. The FDA has determined that the following units are unsafe and should not be used: Safe-T-Lite; OttLite Rechargeable UVC Disinfecting Wand, model UV10002M; IMB UVILIZER Flip, model SG-153; IMB Portable UV Light Wand Sterilizer; Ultraviolet Sterilamp, model PURPLEGLOW; Sharper Image® UV Sanitizing Portable Wand, model 101362; SurfaceSoap UV; and Magic UV Light SanitizerTM. The manufacturers of these devices have been notified that their devices must have a safety feature that only permits device activation when the UV source is pointing downward. These devices have no such safeguard.
The FDA discourages use of these UVC devices and urges you to find alternative disinfection means such as chemical cleaners. If you choose to use the devices, never look directly into the lights or allow the light to reach your skin.
https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/tanning/ultraviolet-uv-radiation#UVC
#uvc #disinfection #eyeinjuries #skinburns
uvc, disinfection, eyeinjuries, skinburns
Bivalent CoVid Booster Promises BA.5 Protection
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/64x003CN92c
A bivalent CoVid mRNA booster that generates antigens from the Delta variant and the BA.2 Omicron subvariant offers the best protection against Omicron BA.5. Yale researchers report this finding after testing this and 3 other boosters in CoVid-infected mice initially vaccinated with 2 doses of mRNA vaccine generating wild-type antigens.
The groups of boosted mice were then infected with one of the 3 currently circulating Omicron sub-variants: BA.5, BA.2.12.1, or BA.2. When the numbers were crunched, the booster offering the best protection against all of the Omicron sub-variants was the bivalent Delta-BA.2 booster.
This study confirms that better protection comes from mRNA boosters triggering antigens most closely related to those on currently-circulating Omicron subvariants. Combining two such boosters in a bivalent product offers optimal protection.
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.07.19.500616v1.full.pdf
#CoVid #omicron #delta #vaccine #bivalent
CoVid, omicron, delta, vaccine, bivalent
CoVid Infections Elevate Diabetes and Heart Disease Risks
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/XF2dIq3bXv0
A CoVid infection significantly increases your risk of developing diabetes for nearly 6 months and your cardiovascular disease risk for nearly 2 months. London-based investigators draw these conclusions after analyzing some 428,000 CoVid patients in comparison to matched controls.
The CoVid patients had 81% more diabetes cases diagnosed during the first month after infection with their risk of developing diabetes remaining elevated by 27% for up to 3 months. CoVid triggers a 6 fold higher risk of cardiovascular problems by increasing lung clots and cardiac arrhythmias.
This study warns medical teams treating CoVid patients to be on a particular lookout for diabetes and cardiovascular problems over the first 6 months to one year following infection.
https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004052
#CoVid #diabetes #cardiovascular #thrombosis #arrhythmias
CoVid, diabetes, cardiovascular, thrombosis #arrhythmias
Several Viruses On the Horizon
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/KZLNkuPWq_Y
As if CoVid and Monkeypox weren’t enough, the CDC is now warning us that several other viral diseases are upon us. Parechovirus chiefly threatens neonates 3 months or younger but the fierce Marburg hemorrhagic virus, a cousin of Ebola, could kill large populations of any age.
Parechovirus, a non-polio enterovirus that frequently circulates in the US during the summer and fall, causes a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract infection with a fever and a rash. In babies less than 3 months of age, the virus can trigger a severe sepsis-like illness with seizures and meningoencephalitis. Pediatric health teams should be on the lookout for this disease and use appropriate testing and precautions to avoid spread.
Marburg virus, first discovered in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, is carried by bats, infects monkeys, and has infected more than 600 persons to date. It is spread person-to-person via bodily fluids. Once infected, a victim becomes febrile and develops bleeding from the nose, gums, and eyes. There are no proven treatments or vaccines.
The first recent cases of the deadly Marburg virus disease were reported in Ghana in late June. Two unrelated men checked into the same hospital and promptly died of this hemorrhagic disease.
There is no proven treatment, though the antiviral favipiravir worked in a mouse model. A vaccine is being developed. Currently, this Ebola-like disease is about 50% fatal. It can only be managed by prevention through avoidance including avoiding regions of Africa where individuals may be infected.
https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2022/han00469.asp
#parechovirus #marburgvirus #cdc #infants #africa
parechovirus, marburgvirus, cdc, infants, africa
Proactive Screening Saves Pancreatic Cancer Victims
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/VcIrOY-BJtM
Regular screening of those at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer can diagnose this dread disease at early, more treatable stages in nearly three-quarters of patients. This encouraging result stems from an ongoing multi center trial that began in 1988 and is led by Johns Hopkins gastroenterologists. The CAPS study, short for Cancer of Pancreas Screening, has followed 1731 patients with careful, annual pancreatic imaging.
During the trial, 26 cancers developed. In the 19 patients who consistently participated in surveillance, 58% were diagnosed with stage 1 and 16% with Stage 2 disease. The 5 year survival rate for those with surveillance-detected cancers was 73% with a median survival of 9.8 years. Those not under surveillance developing pancreatic cancer only lived a median of 18 months.
Those selected for surveillance had more than one close relative with a history of pancreatic cancer or were known to have a genetic variant predisposing them to the disease. If you or a family member fall into either of these categories, ask your medical team about initiating pancreatic surveillance.
https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.22.00298
#pancreaticcancer #surveillance #caps #imaging
pancreaticcancer, surveillance, caps, imaging
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SHORT SHORTS
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Short Shorts for 4th Week of July, 2022
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/kEI7w35iCKM
Here are the quickie reports about cutting edge medical and healthcare discoveries this 3rd week of July, 2022.
With more and more challenging CoVid subvariants arriving on the scene, infectious disease research collaborators led by those at the University of Virginia are looking to boosters in nasal sprays to offer greater protection. The sprays will deliver inactivated forms of the virus itself to nasal and upper respiratory linings where the greater numbers of CoVid antigens in whole viruses compared with the number encoded by mRNA vaccines will trigger a vigorous immune response that both prevents infections and limits viral spread to others.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.add4853
Crying at your doctor’s office may help diagnose eye ailments. Chinese researchers report the use of what they have dubbed the iTEARS nanomembrane system to extract tiny cellular capsules called exosomes that contain molecular clues about the state of cellular wellness or disease in eye tissues. This technique may also permit the use of tears for diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and cancers.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.2c02531
A tablespoon of blood from a patient with metastatic cancer may soon help that patient’s oncology team tailor the best therapy to control and possibly eradicate that cancer. Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed techniques for evaluating circulating tumor DNA in order to characterize the various populations of residual cancers cells requiring further treatment with a custom combination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04975-9
Your spit may help protect you from CoVid. Japanese investigators have demonstrated that saliva from healthy individuals inhibits the binding of CoVid spike proteins to the ACE2 binding sites on human cells. Their analysis shows that 2 salivary proteins, the positively charged neutrophil elastase and histone H2A, prevent binding to the negatively chanred ACE2 site. This finding may be a good reason to emphasize mouthbreathing when you are out and about.
https://academic.oup.com/jb/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jb/mvac054/6632457
There you have the latest health reveals for the 4th week of July, 2022. When additional information about these developments becomes available, I’ll pass it on to you.
#nasalvaccine #CoVid #tears #exosomes #circulatingtumorDNA #metastases #saliva #ACE2
nasalvaccine, CoVid, tears, exosomes, circulatingtumorDNA, metastases, saliva ACE
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CPSC Recalls
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Tony Hawk Silver Multipurpose Helmets May Not Protect
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/xC1TNHPi2jI
The CPSC and Sakar are recalling Tony Hawk Silver Multipurpose Helmets. These helmets fail to meet the federal positional stability and retention system requirements for bicycle helmets. About 12,655 of these helmets were sold at Walmart stores nationwide and online at www.walmart.com. If you bought these Tony Hawk helmets, stop using them and contact the Sakar company at 1-800-592-9541 or via the email support@sakar.com for instructions regarding prepaid return of the helmets and a refund in the form of a $40 Walmart gift card.
#tonyhawk #helmet #headinjury #recall
tonyhawk, helmet, headinjury, recall
Outfitter and Big Horn Tents Could Smoke You Out
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/F6Obm6wWcYQ
The CPSC and Westfield Outdoor are recalling Outfitter and Big Horn Tents. The stove jack ring on these tents may deteriorate after high temperature exposures creating toxic smoke within the tent and smoke inhalation risks. About 5,050 of these tents were sold in company stores and online by Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops. Stop using wood stoves inside these tents and contact Westfield Outdoor at 1-877-579-1550 or via email at bassprostovejack@westfieldoutdoors.com to receive a free replacement stove jack ring as well as instructions for its installation.
#cabela #basspro #tents #woodstove #jackring #smoke #smokeinhalation #recall
cabela, basspro, tents, woodstove, jackring, smoke, smokeinhalation, recall
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FDA Recalls
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More Magnesium Laxatives Have Bacterial Contamination
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/L93crkrdM_E
The FDA and Vi-Jon, LLC are expanding their recall of Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution, Lemon Flavor beyond only CVS. These are: Best Choice, Care One, Cariba, Cruz Blanc, Discount Drug Mart, Equaline, Equate Exchange Select, Family Wellness, Good Sense, Harris Teeter, HEB, Health Mart, Kroger, Leader, Major, Meijer, Premier Value, Publix, Quality Choice, Recall Rite Aid Signature Care, Sound Body, Sunmark, Swan, Tricare, Up & Up and Walgreens. These laxative products are contaminated with the bacterium Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens. Immunocompromised persons infected with the bacterium can develop serious and life-threatening invasive infections. Stop using these products and return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For additional information, contact Vi-Jon, LLC via e-mail Recalls@Vijon.com.
#magnesiumcitrate #laxative #contamination #infection #recall
magnesiumcitrate, laxative, contamination, infection, recall
Sweet Loren’s Gluten-free Sugar Cookie Dough Isn’t
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/tBfk8KVVbK4
The FDA and Sweet Loren’s are recalling Sweet Loren’s Gluten-free Sugar Cookie Dough. This product contains traces of gluten. Those with an allergy to wheat and gluten and especially those with celiac disease can develop a serious gastrointestinal reaction if they ingest this cookie dough. The product with a Lot Code AF22 115, Best By Date 12/1/2022 was sold at retail grocery stores in: FL, LA, MA, NY, NJ, SC, NC, OR, UT, IL, TX, GA, CA, CO, WA, IN, PA, MD, DC, TN, AL, MI, OH, DC, KY, AR, and AK. If you bought this sugar cookie dough, return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Direct questions to Sweet Loren’s at 1-855-496-0532 or use the email QA@sweetlorens.com.
#sweetlorens #sugarcookie #dough #glutenfree #celiac #allergy #recall
sweetlorens, sugarcookie, dough, glutenfree, celiac, allergy, recall
Crown Prince Smoked Baby Clams Contain Forever Plastics
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/YXCTo1W_LAc
The FDA and Crown Prince have recalled Crown Prince Smoked Baby Clams. FDA testing of this product detected unsafe levels of PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These synthetic organic chemicals, so-called forever chemicals since they accumulate in the human body as well as in the environment, have been associated with elevated cholesterol, high-blood pressure and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, childhood developmental problems, impaired immunity, liver malfunction, and cancer. If you bought these clams, discard them or return them to the point of purchase. For questions about the recall or refunds, contact Crown Prince at 1-800-447-2524 or via email at cservice@crownprince.com..
#crownprince #babyclams #pfas #poisoning #recall
crownprince, babyclams, pfas, poisoning, recall
Natierra Freeze-Dried Blueberries Have Lead
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/daxG7WvLj4g
The FDA and BrandStorm Inc. have recalled several lots of Natierra Freeze-Dried Blueberries. This product contains levels of lead above the FDA’s recommended safe limits. High levels of lead in the system causes neurologic and other system damage and is particularly dangerous for children with developing neurologic systems. Lead poisoning in kids is associated with learning disabilities and other development issues. The affected product includes: Lot 2021363-1, Best By Date: 12/2024 and Lot 2022026-1, Best By Date: 01/2025. Do not consume these freeze-dried blueberries. Return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If purchased online at Natierra.com, request a refund by emailing salesadmin@BrandStormInc.com. Questions about this recall may be directed to Natierra at 1-310-559-0259.
#natierra #blueberries #freedried #lead #poisoning #children #recall
natierra, blueberries, freedried, lead, poisoning, children, recall
Belfonte Chocolate to Die For Premium Ice Cream Has Peanuts
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/BZ4TuPniVJo
The FDA and Belfonte Diary announce the recall of Belfonte Chocolate to Die For Premium Ice Cream. This product has undeclared peanuts. Those with peanut allergies may develop serious or life-threatening allergic reactions after ingesting this ice cream. The affected product bears a plant code of 29-050 and a use by date of 5/18/24. The ice cream has been sold at Hy-Vee, Cash Saver, Harps, Price Mart and Heartland Stores in Kansas City, Kansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Columbia, Missouri; and Springfield, Missouri. If you or household members have peanut allergies, return the ice cream to the place of purchase for a full refund. To obtain more information, call Belfonte Dairy at 1-816-231-2000.
#belfonte #chocolateicecream #peanuts #allergy #recall
belfonte, chocolateicecream, peanuts, allergy, recall
Kingdom Honey Royal Honey Has A Dangerous Contaminant
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/5DOOVk3ibx0
The FDA and shopaxx.com are recalling Kingdom Honey Royal Honey VIP. This food product contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in the erectile function drug Viagra. Sildenafil may interact with prescription drugs containing nitrates including nitroglycerin and trigger a significant blood pressure drop. This honey is being promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on the website shopaxx.com, but it constitutes an unapproved medication with unproven safety and efficiency. If you bought this honey, do not consume it. Instead mail it back to Shopaax.com, 2 Burleigh Court A5,Newark, DE 19702 for a refund. For more information, contact shopaxx.com at 1-302-276-4406.
#shopaxx #honey #sildenafil #nitrate #nitroglycerin #hypotension #recall
shopaxx, honey, sildenafil, nitrate, nitroglycerin, hypotension, recall
Big Olaf Ice Cream Has Listeria Contamination
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/M1Rp0LADzZQ
The FDA and the Big Olaf Creamery is recalling Big Olaf Ice Cream, all flavors, all sizes. These dairy products are all contaminated with listeria monocyogenes. This bacterium causes serious and life-threatening infections in the very young, older and frail adults, and in those with compromised immune systems. Listeria also triggers miscarriages and stillbirths. This ice cream was sold at Big Olaf retailers in Florida and at one location in Fredrickburg, OH. Dispose of these products immediately. For additional information about the recall and refunds, contact Big Olaf at 1-941-365-7483.
#bigolaf #icecream #listeria #infection #recall
bigolaf, icecream, listeria, infection, recall
Dose Vital Honey Contains A Drug
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/Lv7aSXaquKA
The FDA and MKS Enterprise LLC are recalling Dose Vital VIP Vital Honey. This food product contains tadalafil, the active ingredient in the erectile function drug Cialis. Tadalafil may interact with prescription drugs containing nitrates including nitroglycerin and trigger a significant blood pressure drop. This honey is being sold on the website wholesaleonline1.com and it constitutes an unapproved medication with unproven safety and efficiency. If you bought this honey, do not consume it. Instead mail it back to MKS Enterprise, LLC, 59 Paulison Ave. Passaic, NJ 07055 for a refund. For more information, contact wholesaleonline1.com at 1-201-206-050 .
#dosevital #honey #tadalafil #nitrates #nitroglycerin #hypotension #recall
dosevital, honey, tadalafil, nitrates, nitroglycerin, hypotension, recall