Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
+1-617-488-9699
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RoundUp - 3rd Week of March 2025
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HEALTH REPORTS
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Skin Patch Treats Children’s Peanut Allergies
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHWmcgnMxf3/
Two-thirds of children wearing peanut skin patches were safely desensitized to this common kid allergen. Pediatric allergists at the University of Colorado followed 298 children 4 to 11 years of age in their phase 3 study of so-called epicutaneous immunotherapy.
The Viaskin Peanut Patch delivers 250 ug of peanut protein, and over 90% of the children were able to wear the patch for the entire 5 year study period. The children’s level of tolerance to a stiff peanut protein challenge of 1000 ug rose gradually as they wore the patch. After one year, one-third of the children tolerated this challenge but that figure tripled by the study’s completion.
The Viaskin Patch still awaits FDA approval, but it represents a non-invasive, readily tolerated option to the oral route for peanut desensitization.
#peanut #allergy #patch #desensitization #immunotherapy #viaskin
peanut, allergy, patch, desensitization, immunotherapy, viaskin
Microplastics Embolden Bacteria
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHWnH5EMJ4m/
Microplastics, the microscopic and nano-sized plastic particles that are invading our bodies, lend a hand to bacteria attempting to evade our most powerful antibiotics. Boston University bioengineers studied this phenomenon using E. coli, the bacteria that often cause serious and sometimes deadly food poisoning,
The investigators show that, when these bacteria attach to microplastics, they are able to more readily form so-called biofilms. These multi-layered film coatings serve as refuge for the bacteria and prevent even powerful antibiotics from killing them.
The BU group is expanding its work from the laboratory to the clinic. By understanding how these ubiquitous microplastics are empowering bacteria in their resistance tour antibiotics, they hope to reverse the trend toward a greater number of antibiotic-resistant bugs. Meanwhile, your best defense is keeping microplastics out of your body by drinking water, cooking, and storing food in glass and metal rather than plastic containers.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250311121511.htm
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.02282-24
#microplastics #bacteria #resistance #antibiotics #biofilms
microplastics, bacteria, resistance, antibiotics, biofilms
The WHO Saves Americans From Next Year’s Flu
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHWnueHvHxv/
The World Health Organization and the UK’s Francis Crick Institute sponsored an international meeting of influenza virologists to select those strains of the flu virus to be included in the 2025-2026 Influenza vaccines. This vital conclave, usually held in the US on an annual basis, was just canceled by the our current government.
The 3 strains selected for next season’s vaccines include two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain. As in the past, the WHO continues to recommend a trivalent vaccine. They are for egg-based vaccines: A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1); A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2; and B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage). For cell culture-, recombinant protein- or nucleic acid-based vaccines they are: A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1); A/District of Columbia/27/2023 (H3N2); and B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage). For those vaccine with 4 strains, so-called quadrivalent, the B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage) is added.
Because of this timely European meeting, vaccine production for next year can begin immediately in order to permit availability in 6 months time even here in the United States. In the fall of 2025, we should all be revaccinated with these latest flu strains but also with the latest CoVid boosters for optimal protection next winter. If you haven’t had an RSV vax yet, get that too. We should also be thankful that we have a WHO virology group to complete the job abandoned by our own government.
https://www.crick.ac.uk/news/2025-03-03_scientists-decide-makeup-of-this-years-flu-vaccine
https://www.crick.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2025-03/WHOCC_London_Seasonal_VCM_NH2024-25.pdf
#influenza #vaccine #trivalent #quadrivalent #who
influenza, vaccine, trivalent, quadrivalent, who
Cruise aficionados and Senior Community Residents now hear this: An Oral Norovirus Vaccine Is On the Way
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHWouikv4B-/
University of Maryland virologists, in conjunction with staff at the Vaxart company, now report that a newly developed oral norovirus vaccine candidate is safe and effective. This vaccine in tablet form, VXA-G1.1-NN, delivers a nonreplicating adenoviral vector that carriers the norovirus G1.1 major capsid protein VP1. The vaccine underwent phase 1 testing in a group of 65 adults ages 55 to 80 years of age. The vaccine is well-tolerated, and capable of producing a robust immune response with both IgG and IgA antibodies appearing at one month and remaining protective for up to 210 days,
Norovirus is the number one cause of gastroenteritis in the U.S. triggering 20 million cases per year. It preys upon older adults, particularly those in nursing homes. After this oral, easily administered vaccine undergoes further testing including that in a randomized, blinded Phase 3 trial, it will be ready for routine clinical use.
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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-oral-norovirus-vaccine-safety-strong.html
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.ads0556
#norovirus #vaccine #oral #univmaryland #vaxart #adenovirus
norovirus, vaccine, oral, univmaryland, vaxart, adenovirus
Same Arm Boosts CoVid Vax Responses
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHWphOavLTB/
Receiving sequential CoVid vaccinations in the same arm boosts your initial protective antibody responses 4.5 fold. Research immunologists at Australia’s University of Melbourne report this result after analyzing the immune responses to CoVid vaccination in a mouse model. This more rapid, stronger antibody responses could better protect you during sudden outbreaks of CoVid. Following the antibody response over time showed that, by one month post-vaccination, the antibody levels were statistically similar whether the animal was vaccinated in the same or the opposite extremity.
The heightened initial antibody production occurs because already sensitized lymphocytes in the lymph nodes draining the vaccinated arm are ready and able to manufacture a new batch of antibodies. Eventually, the vaccine’s antigens make their way through the body and trigger a more diffuse immunologic response.
What’s the bottom line: choose to receive your repetitive CoVid and influenza vaccinations in the same arm. Also best to receive doses of a multi-shot vaccine such as the shingles vax Shingrinx and the pneumonia vax Prevnar in the same arm as well.
https://academic.oup.com/jimmunol/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jimmun/vkae067/8064669?login=false
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-multi-dose-vaccines-site-boost.html
#vaccinate #samearm #immunememory #CoVid #shingles #pneumonia
vaccinate, samearm, immunememory, CoVid, shingles, pneumonia
Diabetes Under Better Control
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHWqGMHsxHy/
Diabetes-related deaths dropped by 32% from 2000 to 2019. That is a decline from 28.1 deaths per 100,000 people to 19.1 This progress in diabetic management occurred in all racial and ethnic groups.
Epidemiologists from Seattle’s University of Washington report these heartening statistics after their review of data from US government databases. The declines were most significant for non-white and non-Asian Americans. Latino Americans had a 50% mortality decline, Native American and Alaskan Native peoples had a drop of 43.9%, and Black Americans had a drop of 43%. Asian Americans had 30% decline. White Americans had a 28% drop.
These improvements occurred due to better therapy with improved insulins, GLP-1 medications, and statins all leading to better blood sugar management. The most significant improvements occurred between 2005 and 2013, but the progress rates have slowed more recently.
Though every group saw improvements, we have much further to go. Native American and Black communities still have the highest diabetes mortality rates, especially in the Mississippi Delta, Texas, and parts of the Midwest. The data suggests that the key to equalizing this progress is expanding access to affordable care and improving dietary choices.
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#diabetes #mortality #insulins #glp1 #latino #black #nativeamericans #alaskannative #asian #white
diabetes, mortality, insulins, glp1, latino, black, nativeamericans, alaskannative, asian, white
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New Treatment For Alopecia
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHWqt9XOIpA/
Chemists from the Czech Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry and the John’s Hopkins Drug Discovery unit have synthesized several compounds that, when swallowed and metabolized, create natural anti-inflammatory compounds that can help trigger the regrowth of hair. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that produces hair loss and bald patches.
These newly-synthesized prodrug compounds, once within the body, lead to the production and release of itaconic acid and 1-methyl itaconate. Using a mouse model, the researchers show that oral administration of the prodrugs leads to release of these natural anti-inflammatory compounds with the skin. The prodrug to drug trick is necessary since the itaconate compounds themselves are not readily absorbed into the body.
This discovery is an exciting prospect for those suffering from alopecia. Results with conventional therapy using steroids, minoxidil, or, recently, the chemotherapeutic agent methotrexate have been unpredictable and fraught with undesirable side effects.. This itaconate prodrug treatment must still be refined for use in the clinic and undergo controlled trials, but, hopefully that will happen….someday soon.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02646
#alopecia #itaconate #prodrug #baldness #steroids #minoxidil
alopecia, itaconate, prodrug, baldness, steroids, minoxidil
Nano-eradication of Recurrent Bladder Infections
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHWrZMmM_b_/
A nanogel coupled with a cell-penetrating compound more effectively delivers antibiotics to kill bacteria that hide within bladder lining cells and perpetuate urinary tract infections. Pharmacologists and microbiologists from the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Campus report the successful development and deployment of just such a drug.
The researchers combined polymeric nanogels with a peptide compound that eases their cellular entry and the antibiotic gentamicin in order to effectively kill pseudomonas bacteria that hide within bladder lining cells. When injected into the bladder, this nanogel-peptide-antibiotic complex is able to convey 36% more of the antibiotic into the cell interior than conventional administration techniques. When tested in animal models, it successfully eliminates more than 90% of bladder bacteria.
This technique shows great promise for more effective management of not only persistent and recurrrent bladder infections but also tenacious infections elsewhere in the urinary tract and other organs.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1549963425000127?via=ihub
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312124140.htm#google_vignette
#cystitis #bladder #infection #itaconate #nanogel #gentamycin
cystitis, bladder, infection, itaconate, nanogel, gentamycin
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Junk Food While Pregnant Triggers Childhood Liver Disease
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHWsGm-M6lc/
Those burgers, fries, donuts, and milk shakes during pregnancy not only load pounds on your frame but also create liver disease in your baby. Collaborative research from the Universities of Oklahoma and Colorado using a macaque animal model reveals that steady ingestion of a high fat, high sugar typical Western diet during pregnancy creates undue stress of the baby’s developing liver.
That liver condition, known officially as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), involves an excess buildup of bile acids. That leads to long term liver damage in the form of scarring. Even a healthy, post-birth diet fails to prevent this insidious liver disease.
So ladies….Do yourself but, more importantly, your unborn babies a huge favor and consume a healthy diet of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats from sources like nuts, avocados, and olive oil.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/liv.16236
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-mother-high-fat-diet-liver.html
#pregnancy #fat #sugar #liver #hepatitis
pregnancy, fat, sugar, liver, hepatitis
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Red or White Wine: Which Is Healthier?
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHWsv0DpXHF/
It turns out that consistently filling your glass with white wine leads to a 26% higher risk of any cancer but only in women. A white wine habit is also associated with a 22% higher risk of skin cancer for men and women. Brown University dermatologists and epidemiologists now report these conclusions from their meta-analysis of 42 studies and nearly 96,000 participants.
Red wine has the reputation of being protective against many forms of cancer since it contains resveratrol, a natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory substance. This compound does inhibit the proliferation of breast, colon/rectum, skin, stomach, and kidney cancer cells in tissue culture. However, this clinical study fails to show any protective effect of either type of wine for these forms of cancer.
The bottom line: neither red or white wine protects against cancer. Those at risk for skin cancer, namely very light-skinned individuals, should avoid white wine. And women would be advised to drink red versus white wine.
Just remember that the latest studies show that any amount of alcohol, whether in wine, beer, or various types of liquor, does increase your cancer risk.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/3/534
#wine #red #white #skincancer #women
wine, red, white, skincancer, women
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CPSC Recalls
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Gerolsteiner 750ml Sparkling Water Bottles Crack Too Easily
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHeV00BtmNv/
These glass bottles tend to crack creating an injury risk. Affected are lot numbers 11/28/2024 L and 11/27/2024.
About 61,500 bottles were sold by Trader Joe’s in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas between December 2024 and January 2025.
Stop using the recalled bottles and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. No proof of purchase is required. Refunds will be given as cash or store credit. For more information, contact Gerolsteiner at 1-800-777-0633 or email the company at customerservice@consup.us.
#gerolsteiner #traderjoes #sparkling #water #bottles #laceration #recall
gerolsteiner, traderjoes, sparkling, water, bottles, laceration, recall
Onasti Toddler Tower Stools Collapse
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHeWm3vvxOD/
These stools collapse or tip over while in use creating a serious fall and injury risk to children.
About 10,300 toddler stools were sold exclusively on Amazon.com between March 2024 and December 2024.
Immediately stop permitting your children to sit on these recalled stools. Contact Blissful-Time at 1-833-999-9327 or via the email support@onasti.net to receive a free repair kit or additional information.
#onasti #children #stools #collapse #injuries #recall
onasti, children, stools, collapse, injuries, recall
BD Vision Climbing Harnesses Let You Fall
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHeXk0NNGcd/
These Black Diamond harnesses degrade over time, fail to support climbers, and create serious injuries or death.
About 1,580 harnesses were sold in the US and 130 were sold in Canada at Liberty Mountain, REI, and at other specialty outdoor stores nationwide as well as online at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, and evo.com from January 2018 through February 2025.
Stop using these recalled harnesses and contact Black Diamond at 1-866-306-0865 Or via the email VisionHarnessRecall@bdel.com for a full refund in the form of a credit card reimbursement or a one-time-use $200 store credit for purchases at Black Diamond stores or online. The company will provide a pre-paid shipping label for returns.
#blackdiamond #climbing #harness #fail #injuries #death #recall
blackdiamond, climbing, harness, fail, injuries, death, recall
Chews Life Silicone Rosary and Decade Teethers Choke Your Baby
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHeYGjVuyu5/
The safety snap clasp on these teethers can detach and create a choking risk to young children. The recall affects multiple models including Assisi, Little Flower, God’s Grace, Cecilia, John the Baptist, and Divine Mercy for the Rosary teethers, and Genesis, Maccabees, Esther, Wisdom, Divine Mercy, Psalm, and Proverbs for the Decade teethers.
About 5,700 teethers were sold online at chewslife.com between January 2024 and April 2024.
Take these recalled teethers away from your baby and contact Chews Life at 1-888-742-2276 or via the email sandy@chewslife.com to arrange a free repair. The company will provide a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled items, and repaired teethers will be mailed back at no charge.
#chewslife #teether #rosary #clasps #aspiration #choking #recall
chewslife, teether, rosary, clasps, aspiration, choking, recall
Konwin Desktop Heaters Overheat
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHeYuQIPaIM/
This heater’s fan fails to turn on leading to overheating and ignition. Affected is model number BHN2133.
About 6,050 fans were sold at Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kentucky from September 2024 through January 2025.
Stop using these recalled heaters and return them to any Meijer store for a full refund. For more information, call Meijer at 1-800-927-8699 or contact the company online via the contact form at help.meijer.com.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Meijer-Recalls-Konwin-Desktop-Heaters-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards
#konwin #heater #fan #overheating #fires #burns #recall
konwin, heater, fan, overheating, fires, burns, recall
Kaius 01 Bicycles and Framesets Have Defective Steering
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHeZQ90OMiG/
The fork steerer tube on these affected bikes and framesets can crack, break, or separate creating a risk of serious injury. Only bicycles and framesets with a V5 fork are affected.
About 1,300 units were sold nationwide through authorized BMC bicycle dealers and online from July 2022 through February 2025.
Stop riding the recalled bicycles or using the recalled framesets and contact an authorized BMC dealer for a free inspection and fork replacement. For more information, call BMC USA at 1-888-262-7755 or via the email kaius-fork-recall-USA@BMC-Switzerland.com.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/BMC-Recalls-Kaius-01-Bicycles-and-Framesets-Due-to-Fall-Hazard
#bmc #kaius #bicycles #steering #falls #injuries #recall
bmc, kaius, bicycles, steering, falls, injuries, recall
Mix Underwater Scooter Lithium-ion Batteries Can Fire Up
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHeZ68SgMUF/
The affected black batteries overheat and ignite creating fire and burn risks.
About 40,370 batteries were sold nationwide through Amazon, Costco, Sublue, West Marine, and other online retailers from June 2018 through February 2025.
Stop charging and using these recalled batteries and contact Sublue at 1-855-206-8698 or via the email support.us@sublue.comfor a free replacement battery. A battery collection kit will be provided for the return of the recalled battery, and the new battery will be sent upon return. Follow local guidelines for safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries.
#sublue #batteries #overheat #fire #burns #recall
sublue, batteries, overheat, fire, burns, recall
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FDA Recalls
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Savage Cat Food Chicken Is Contaminated
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHeabmDPrFD/
Large and small boxes with lot code 11152026 are contaminated with bird flu virus (H5N1).
These recalled boxes were distributed to retailers in California, Colorados, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington in November 2024.
If you bought this cat food, stop feeding it to your pets. Return this feed to the place of purchase for proper destruction and a full refund.
If you already fed your cat this recalled food, watch for symptoms of bird flu including fever, lethargy, eye discharge, breathing issues, and neurological signs. If you handled the product, watch for bird flu symptoms including eye redness, cough, sore throat, fever, and fatigue. For more information, contact Savage Pet at 1-619-270-0295 or via the email info@savagecatfood.com.
#savage #cat #chicken #h5n1 #birdflu #infection #recall
savage, cat, chicken, h5n1, birdflu, infection, recall
SeaBear Smoked Salmon and Alehouse Clam Chowders Have Deadly Bacteria
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHea-mppJsq/
These chowders have Clostridium botulinum contamination, and this bacterium can cause serious illness or death. Symptoms of botulism include weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, and breathing difficulties.
About 15,000 units were sold in Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington through retail stores and the SeaBear website between October 1, 2024, and March 14, 2025.
Immediately stop consuming these recalled chowders even if they appear unspoiled. Contact SeaBear’s customer service at 1-800-645-3474 or via email at smokehouse@seabear.com for a full refund.
#seabear #salmon #clam #chowder ##infection #recall
seabear, salmon, clam, chowder, #infection, recall
Whole Foods Mac & Cheese Has Hidden Allergens
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHebpVsRDFb/
Whole Foods Market 365 Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese contain undeclared eggs and meat ingredients. Those with an allergy to eggs or certain meats could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.
About 18,000 packages of this mac & cheese were sold at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide in the frozen food aisle from February 6, 2025, through March 11, 2025.
Do not consume this product and destroy any that remains. Bring a valid receipt to any Whole Foods Market store for a full refund. For additional information, contact C.H. Guenther & Son LLC at 1-210-227-1401.
#wholefoods #365 #maccheese #egg #meat #allergy #recall
wholefoods, 365, maccheese, egg, meat, allergy, recall
Jinga Glass Noodles with Vegetables Have Undeclared Eggs
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHecJ_yuz2N/
Those with an allergy to eggs could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product. The recall includes products with Best By dates of March 13, 2025, through March 18, 2025.
These recalled noodles were sold at H Mart stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and California.
Stop consuming these noodles and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.For additional information, contact Har Maspeth Corp at 1-718-706-9300.
#jinga #glass #noodles #eggs #allergy #recall
jinga, glass, noodles, eggs, allergy, recall
Daily Veggies Brand Enoki Mushrooms Have Listeria
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHec7PPuT7J/
This bacterium causes a severe and sometimes fatal systemic infection in the very young, older frail individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Listeria can also trigger miscarriages and stillbirths.
About 10,500 packages of these contaminated mushrooms were sold in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
If you purchased these enoki mushrooms, do not consume them, destroy the product immediately, or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact New Age International Inc. at 1-718-808-1018.
#newage #dailyveggies #enoki #mushrooms #listeria #infection #recall
newage, dailyveggies, enoki, mushrooms, listeria, infection, recall
Stouffer’s and Lean Cuisine Frozen Meals Have Wood Contamination
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHedpIIpiCz/
Affected products with wood foreign bodies include Lean Cuisine® Butternut Squash Ravioli, Lean Cuisine® Spinach Artichoke Ravioli, Lean Cuisine® , and STOUFFER’S® Party Size Chicken Lasagna all produced between August 2024 and March 2025.
These frozen foods were sold nationwide.
Do not consume these recalled products and return them to the place of purchase for a replacement or refund. For more information, contact Nestlé USA at 1-800-681-1676.
#stouffers #frozen #meals #foregnbodies #wood #laceration #recall
stouffers, frozen, meals, foregnbodies, wood, laceration, recall