Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
If the top menu is not working correctly on your phone's or tablet's mobile browser, touch the tab at the middle of the bottom to reveal an alternative menu, a one-touch phone button, and a one-touch email button.
RoundUp - 1st Week of November 2024
==========================
HEALTH REPORTS
==========================
Long CoVid Triggers Heart Damage
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFIV9RteNr/
The latest study indicates that those suffering from Long CoVid have virus-triggered circulating inflammatory agents that inflict the cardiac damage characteristic of this CoVid complication. Australian researchers at the University of Queensland studied the blood of 50 subjects including those with Long CoVid, those recovered from CoVid, and those never infected. Their results were just published in Nature Microbiology.
Using nanotechnology to study blood, more than 1 in every 4 persons with Long CoVid were found to have circulating inflammation mediators that likely drive the cardiac symptoms of chest pain and heart palpitations. These inflammatory substances act on cardiac muscle producing characteristic myocarditis and a reduction in cardiac function.
This long CoVid-associated toxicity is yet another reason to avoid contracting CoVid. You do that with CoVid vaccination and boosting which the CDC is now recommending every 4-6 months for the most vulnerable persons. Also employ protective hygiene, including masking and crowd avoidance whenever levels of the CoVid virus are high.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-024-01838-z
#longcovid #CoVid #inflammation #myocarditis #vaccination
longcovid, CoVid, inflammation, myocarditis, vaccination
How Long To Wait To Have Surgery Following A Heart Attack?
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFJ4M5Mthu/
The latest recommendation is that those heart attack victims who had a post-coronary revascularization procedures wait at least 3 months before undergoing any elective procedures. University of Rochester anesthesiologists headed a multi center collaborative study reviewing data from more than 5 million operative procedures for those 67 years and older from 2015 to early 2024.
The study data showed that the odds of a post-operative cardiac event or a stroke doubled for those having elective surgery within 30 days following a heart attack. The odds of a fatal complication following such surgery was 2 to 3 fold higher compared with those who waited 3 months.
The study also showed that those who did not undergo a revascularization procedure following their heart attack had a higher rate of complications even after 3 months.
The bottom line: consider a coronary revascularization procedure following a heart attack and be prepared to wait 3 months for any elective surgery.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2825366
#heartattack #stroke #surgery #elective #revascularization
heartattack, stroke, surgery, elective, revascularization
Your Smartwatch Could Conduct Your Pre-Operative Assessment
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFKzDrMAFU/
It is ultra-important that your anesthesia team know as much as possible about your health status before they ask you to count down from 100. Swiss anesthesiologists at the Lausanne (lows anne) University Hospital are testing the utility of a smartwatch to deliver this detailed information ahead of the surgery.
Using a Masimo W1 smartwatch model to capture streams of data including heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels, and levels of hydration for several weeks prior to surgery. This information provides an excellent measure of a patient’s cardiopulmonary well-being and flags those who require additional testing and perhaps local or regional rather than a general anesthetic.
Best of all, the data captured is real world information gathered as soon-to-be patients go about their daily lives.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241025-the-smartwatches-that-can-predict-parkinsons-disease
#smartwatch #anesthesia #preoperative #evaluation
smartwatch, anesthesia, preoperative, evaluation
Edible Fiber Can Drive Weight Loss Like The Diet Drugs
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFLhVnttuZ/
Given the epidemic of obesity in the US with 30 to 40% of each state’s population dangerously tipping the scales, the diabetes drug semaglutide has become wildly popular. For those who can’t afford the diet pill or who want a more natural solution, look no further than edible grains like oats, barley, and other foods that contain the soluble fiber beta-glucan.
Food scientists at the University of Arizona have studied the effect of various fiber types including beta-glucan in a mouse model. Only those mice consuming a beta-glucan supplemented diet had an accelerated energy expenditure, reduction in fatty tissues, and weight loss.
So if you want some help knocking off those pounds but don’t want or can’t afford the expensive shots, consider regular consumption of foods rich in beta-glucan.
Beta-glucan consumption is also associated with a reduction in total and LDL cholesterol and a lower risk of heart disease. Excellent sources of beta-glucan, besides oats and barley, include reishi and shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, whole wheat bread, and rye bread.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316624002803?via=ihub
https://www.livestrong.com/article/174157-foods-eat-fight-dizziness/
#obesity #dieting #semaglutide #betaglucan #oats #barley #mushrooms
obesity, dieting, semaglutide, betaglucan, oats, barley, mushrooms
==========================
FUTURE MED
==========================
Implanted Microparticles Deliver Dual Cancer Therapy
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFMTHUvUYt/
MIT bioengineers have developed a polymer capable of delivering lethal heat therapy and chemotherapy to cancer cells. The injectable microparticles are fabricated by mixing light-sensitive molybdenum disulfide, a chemotherapeutic drug such as doxorubicin, and the polymer polycaprolactone and creating films that are pressed into various micro-sizes and shapes.
Using a mouse cancer model, the implanted combo particles were exposed to near infrared laser light that passes through surface tissues and excites the molybdenum to 122 degrees F while at the same time releasing chemotherapy into the tumor. This therapy eradicated all tumor and led to longer life for treated animals compared with those who received phototherapy or chemotherapy alone.
This clever delivery system is in the early stages of development. With refinement, it should help prolong the lives of select cancer patients…..someday soon.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.4c07843
#mit #cancer #phototherapy #chemotherapy #nanoparticles
mit, cancer, phototherapy, chemotherapy, nanoparticles
============================
WARNINGS
============================
Black Kitchen Utensils Are Toxic
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFNOewtyA3/
Toxic flame retardant chemicals are present in black kitchen utensils and in black plastic take out containers. A study from the organization Toxic Free Future, published in the journal Chemosphere, surveyed levels of flame retardants in 203 items found around the home and particularly in the kitchen.
Data from black plastic products showed that 65% of these products contained toxic flame retardants. The source of these toxic chemicals is plastic recycled from the housings of discarded electronic products including televisions and video monitors.
Avoid buying and using black plastic kitchen utensils. Regarding the black plastic take-out cartons, transfer food from them ASAP and never microwave food in these containers.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653524022173?via=ihub
#flameretardants #plastic #black #utensils #takeout #recycled
flameretardants, plastic, black, utensils, takeout, recycled
==========================
BUSINESS OF HEALTH
==========================
MIT Spinoff Elemind Helps You To Sleep Faster
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFOK_BOU4r/
A headband named ENMod uses brainwave-synchronized audio to lull you to sleep faster. Created by Cambridge MA’s Elemind Technologies, the device continually captures EEG brainwaves. It uses this data to deliver sounds that are phase locked to slow-wave sleep brainwaves and in so doing trigger deep sleep.
A preliminary study of 21 subjects demonstrated that the headband audio system delivering properly synchronized sounds did accelerate sleep onset. It did so by only 10 minutes on average. With refinement, this electronic sleeping pills may become a safer alternative to pharmaceuticals.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-63385-1
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-headband-people-fall-asleep-aligning.html
#insomnia #EEG #phaselocked #audio #elemind #enmod
insomnia, EEG, phaselocked, audio, elemind, enmod
Apple iPhone-AirPod Combos Double As Hearing Aids
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFO9xqOyNK/
The latest iteration of Apple AirPod Pros can work in tandem with your iPhone to help overcome your mild to moderate hearing loss. The FDA has authorized this first over-the-counter hearing aid feature for a smartphone.
Once available, owners of an Apple iPhone and the Air Pod Pro 2 will use the iPhone Health app to help quantitate their hearing losses and customize the frequency gain characteristics of the iPods to amplify speech and other sounds and optimize the listening experience.
This iPhone feature will bring needed hearing amplification to the masses. Using the fashionable and somewhat chic AirPods to transmit the amplified sounds to the ears may also destigmatize the use of a hearing aid.
Disclosure: I am an Apple stockholder.
#hearingaid #apple #iPhone #iPod #amplification
hearingaid, apple, iPhone, iPod, amplification
==========================
CPSC Recalls
==========================
Vevor Baby Gates can entrap
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFPuTaNuDf/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Sanven Technology now recall Vevor Baby Gates. These gates violate federal safety standards for expansion gates and expandable baby enclosures. A child’s body can squeeze through the opening between the gate slat and side wall leading to dangerous entrapment.
About 420 of these gates were sold on eBay.com, AliExpress.com, and Overstock.com.
Stop using these dangerous baby gates. Contact Sanven Technology at 1-888-559-1726, or email at csr@vevor.com to receive information regarding refunds and the proper disposal of these gates.
#sanven #vevor #baby #gates #entrapment #injury #recall
sanven, vevor, baby, gates, entrapment, injury, recall
Manhattan Comfort Theater Centers and Panels fall and injure
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFQmH9PDM8/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Manhattan Comfort company are recalling Manhattan Comfort Floating Wall Theater Entertainment Centers and Panels. These panels, if attached to drywall without toggle bolts, can fall off the wall and injure. Affected are Cabrini, City, and Utopia models.
About 46,750 of these units were sold online at Wayfair, Home Depot, Target, ShopHQ, Walmart, Overstock, Macys, Lowes, ATG Stores, Unbeatable Sales, JET, Bed Bath & Beyond, Dropship Central,123 Stores, OJ Commerce, Hayneedle, Cymax and Houz.
If you installed these theater centers and panels without toggle bolts, clear the space beneath and do not allow anyone, particularly children, near the area. Contact Manhattan Comfort at 1-888-230-2225 or via the email manhattanrecalls@gmail.com to receive instructions about reinstalling these units and the toggle bolts necessary to complete these installations.
#manhattancomfort #theatercenters #panels #fall #injury
manhattancomfort, theatercenters, panels, fall, injury
Bauer Backpack Sprayers leak into batteries
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFRVrxt3j8/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Harbor Freight Tools are recalling Bauer 20V Battery-Powered 4-Gallon Backpack Sprayers. These sprayers have pumps that leak chemicals to be sprayed into the battery compartment leading to shortcircuiting, overheating, fires, and burns.
About 53,000 of these sprayers were sold by Harborfreight Tools at their stores and online.
Stop using these sprayers and contact Harbor Freight Tools at 1-800-444-3353 or via email at recall@harborfreight.com for instructions regarding return to the sprayer and receipt of a Harbor Freight Tools gift card.
#harborfreighttools #sprayer #leakage #battery #overheating #fire #burns #recall
harborfreighttools, sprayer, leakage, battery, overheating, fire, burns, recall
The Humane Charge Case overheats
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFSHvQJvKc/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Humane company are recalling the Humane Charge Cases used to power the wearable Ai Pin. These charge cases contain lithium-ion batteries that overheat leading to fires and burns.
About 10,500 of these charge cases were sold online.
Stop using these charging cases and contact Humane at 1-844-481-1900 or via email at recall@humane.com to either receive a refund or a new charging case. FYI: a replacement, safe charing case will not be available for 3 to 6 months.
#humane #chargingcase #aipin #lithiumion #battery #fires #burns #recall
humane, chargingcase, aipin, lithiumion, battrty, fires, burns, recall
HALO Tumblers have metal straws that can cut your mouth
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFTlQXNUcx/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the HALO company are recalling HALO Tumblers with a Metal Straw. The included metal straw has a sharp edge that can cut your mouth or fingers.
About 60,000 of these tumblers with straws were sold at WaWa stores in Alabama, Washington D.C., Delaware, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland.
Stop using the metal straws that come with these recalled tumblers. Contact HALO at 1-855-425-6266 or via email at halo.safety@halo.com to receive a replacement silicone straw. It is possible to obtain a full refund if you return both the tumbler and the straw.
#halo #tumbler ##metalstraw #lacerations #recall
halo, tumbler, #metalstraw, lacerations, recall
Polaris Ranger XP Recreational Off-Road Vehicles have dangerous electrical system
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFUiYFN8oV/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Polaris are recalling Model Year 2023-2024 Ranger XP Kinetic Recreational Off-Road Vehicles. The motor controller’s high voltage cables become loose causing arching and fires with injuries and burns.
About 1400 of these vehicles were sold in the US and about 70 were sold in Canada.
Stop riding these recalled recreational off-road vehicles and contact your Polaris dealer to schedule a free inspection and repair of the motor controller unit. For more information, call Polaris at 1-800-765-2747.
#polaris #ranger #kinetic #ROV #motorcontroller #electrical #fires #burns #recall
polaris, ranger, kinetic, ROV, motorcontroller, electrical, fires, burns, recall
==========================
FDA Recalls
==========================
HH Fresh Trading Enoki Mushrooms have listeria
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFVietPIrn/
The Food and Drug Administration and HH Fresh Trading now recall HH Fresh Trading Taiwan Enoki Mushrooms. These mushrooms are contaminated with listeria monocyogenes. 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.
These mushrooms were sold in West Virginia.
Do not consume these mushrooms. Return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact HH Fresh Trading Corp of California at 1-262-365-9116.
#Hhfreshtrading #enoki #mushrooms #listeria #infection #recall
Hhfreshtrading, enoki, mushrooms, listeria, infection, recall
Hannaford Seafood Salad has undeclared soy
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFWM6yPghb/
The Food and Drug Administration and Elevation Foods are recalling Hannaford Seafood Salad with a Use By date of 11/13-14/2024. This seafood salad contains undeclared soy. Those with an allergy to soy could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.
The seafood salad has been sold by Hannaford stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York State. The products were sold between 10/25/24 to 10/29/24.
If you, a family member, or household visitors have a soy allergy, return this seafood salad to the place of purchase for a refund. For additional information call Elevation Foods at 1-978-646-8950 x 104.
#hannaford #seafood #salad #soy #allergy #recall
hannaford, seafood, salad, soy, allergy, recall
Atwater Spider Web Tarts contain a hidden allergen
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFW2l4p-QL/
The Food and Drug Administration and One Roof, LLC are recalling Atwater Spider Web Tarts. This food contains undeclared almond flour. Those with an allergy to almonds could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.
These spider web tarts were sold in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area.
If you, household members, or visitors have an almond allergy, call Atwater’s at 1-410-644- 3435 or email them at info@atwatersfood.com for a full refund.
#atwaters #spidertart #almond #allergy #recall
atwaters, spidertart, almond, allergy, recall
ZoomMax and ZapMax Capsules contain dangerous drugs
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFXfQ1t5ET/
The Food and Drug Administration and Boulla LLC now recall ZoomMax and ZapMax Capsules. These dietary supplements are contaminated with sildenafil and diclofenac. Sildenafil, branded as Viagra, is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and is a danger to anyone taking nitrate-containing medications such as nitroglycerin. Diclofenac is an NSAID that is a gastric irritant and blood thinner.
If you bought either of these products, do not ingest them. Return them to the internet source. Those sold on Amazon should be easily returned. For more information, contact Boulla LLC via e-mail at boullallc@proton.me.
#zoommax #zapmax #supplements #sildenafil #diclofenac #recall
zoommax, zapmax, supplements, sildenafil, diclofenac, recall
Aldi, Supreme, La Bonne, Market Basket, Emporium Selection, and Glenview Farms Brie Cheeses have listeria
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFYQa9N4zI/
The Food and Drug Administration and Savencia CheeseUSA are now recalling a group of soft ripened cheeses. The affected brie cheeses, branded as Aldi, Supreme, La Bonne, Market Basket, Emporium Selection, and Glenview Farms, contain listeria monocytogenes. 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. Affected are cheeses with manufacturing dates of 9/30/24 and 10/15/24.
If you purchased these cheeses, do not consume them. Return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact the Savencia Consumer Relations at (800)-322-2743 or via the email sc.customer.service@savencia.com.
#savencia #brie #cheese #listeria #aldi #marketbasket #labonne #supreme #glenviewfarms #infection #recall
savencia, brie, cheese, listeria, aldi, marketbasket, labonne, supreme, glenviewfarms, infection, recall