Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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HealthNews RoundUp - 1st Week of October 2021
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Medicine of The Future 1st Week October 2021
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/3aNsAmXBDFc
Today’s newly announced medical discoveries that point to future therapy:
Lab on a chip offers speedy heart attack diagnosis
Better vaccine immunity from a skin patch than a jab
Steerable catheters to deliver brain therapy
And finally, a tissue glue based on barnacles
It currently takes hours to confirm the heart muscle damage diagnostic of a heart attack. Bioengineers at Notre Dame working with cardiologists at the University of Florida now report a 30 minute, ultra-sensitive membrane-based test to detect the microRNAs that confirm a heart attack diagnosis. Their system uses tiny amounts of blood, can distinguish the cardiac muscle changes due to lack of oxygen from so-call re-perfusion changes, and is portable. It may provide a life-saving resource to areas far from cardiac cath facilities.
A 3D printed vaccine patch invokes a 10-fold stronger immune response compared with delivery of the same vaccine into the arm muscle. This from a University of North Carolina study that used a patch of microneedles fabricated by a 3D printing process called continuous liquid interface production or CLIP. The investigators showed that this carpet of microneedles triggers enhanced antibody production and cell-mediated immunity in a relatively non-invasive manner.
UC-San Diego investigators have developed steerable catheters tiny enough to navigate the smaller blood vessels of the deep brain. They achieved the result by mimicking the micro-hydraulics of insect legs by casting layers of silicone with different levels of stiffness. The catheters are bent by pressurized saline, and they have been successfully deployed during neurosurgery on pigs.
And finally, from MIT comes a novel tissue glue inspired by the sticky substances used by barnacles to attach to rocks. This adhesive is unique since it works on surfaces covered with blood making it useful for sealing tissues with open blood vessels. It consists of the polymer polyacrylic acid, an NHS ester, and the sugar chitosan. The trio are mixed, frozen into sheets, ground into microparticles, and then suspended in medical grade silicon oil. The adhesive will set and stop any bleeding within 15-30 seconds after application.
These and other cutting edge solutions are coming to your doctor’s office and our hospitals…….some day soon!
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/LC/D1LC00685A
https://www.pnas.org/content/118/39/e2102595118
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210819113048.htm
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-021-00769-y
#heartattack #microRNA #labonachip #microneedles #vaccination #catheter #brain #steerable #glue #bleeding #barnacles
heartattack, microRNA, labonachip, microneedles, vaccination , catheter, brain, steerable, glue, bleeding, barnacles
#heartattack #microRNA #microneedles #vaccination #brain #steerable #glue #bleeding #barnacles
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REPORTS
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Aerobic Exercise Speeds Recovery From Concussion
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/BVh3JJkfrQU
Initiating moderate aerobic exercise within 10 days following a concussion reduces an adolescent’s risk of post-concussion symptoms by 48%. University of Buffalo researchers studied 118 adolescents who sustained concussions while playing sports. Of them, 61 followed an aerobic exercise program and 57 received the placebo therapy of stretching exercises.
The exercisers took a median of 14 days to recover while the control stretching group recovered 35% more slowly at 19 days. This recovery lag harms these student athletes as it interferes with their academic programs. The individualized, sub-symptomatic aerobic program elevates pulse rates without triggering negative symptoms.
Bottom line: athletes should aerobically exercise post-concussion rather than sitting on their butts.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(21)00267-4/fulltext#relAudio
#concussion #adolescents #athletics #aerobics
concussion, adolescents, athletics, aerobics
The Inside Scoop on Merck’s New CoVid Drug
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/wrNvC96y3a4
The media has been heralding the development of molnupiravir, an oral anti-viral agent developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, that reduced the incidence of hospitalization and death for CoVid patients by about 50%. Let’s look at the fine print about this drug.
The 50% number comes from a Merck phase 3 randomized, controlled, double-blind multi-site global trial of molnupiravir which was stopped at the 90% recruitment level due to “compelling results.” Those participating had positive CoVid PCR tests, mild-to-moderate infections, at least one complicating risk factor such as obesity, diabetes, or older age and began the drug within 5 days of symptom onset.
This orally administered drug inhibits viral replication by causing local mutations in the viral RNA. While those in the study did not have any worrisome short-term adverse effects, details of side effects of the drug have not been released and there is the possibility that molnupiravir could mutate a patient’s DNA with catastrophic results. For this reason, those in the trial were warned to abstain from sex and to use contraception.
This drug was previously tried in hospitalized CoVid patients without a significant clinical benefit. It does seem to work earlier in the infection cycle, but there may well be a limited number of days after infection during which it will benefit a patient. And when it is of use, there is only a 50-50 chance you will be helped.
This drug may turn out to be safe and useful, but for now buyer beware. If it is proven useful, it will be added to drugs such as monoclonal antibody cocktails and Remdesivir for early disease and dexamethasone and tocilizumab for later disease. The best defense, though, is prevention with a CoVid vaccine…. so get vaccinated.
#molnupiravir #CoVid #mutagenesis
molnupiravir, CoVid, mutagenesis
Covid Attacks Pancreatic Cells, Could Trigger Diabetes
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/1v6QAtZXecw
Weill-Cornell researchers now tell us to add pancreatic cells, including those that synthesize all-important insulin, to the list of cells in tissues that are vulnerable to damage from CoVid infection. The Cornell group just presented this warning during the virtual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes this past October.
Using an organoid model, the investigators showed that the Covid19 virus attacks multiple types of pancreatic islet cells and that CoVid-infected beta cells produce significantly less insulin and may begin production of digestive enzymes.
Other studies reported at the same meetings showed that pancreatic cells express ACE2 receptors, the attachment point for CoVid. Meanwhile, ongoing epidemiological investigations are looking at the incidence and severity of CoVid-associated diabetes.
#diabetes #CoVid #pancreas
diabetes, CoVid, pancreas
Non-Smokers’ Lung Cancers Treatable With Precision Therapy
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/h_6iJu3pBEk
Between 78 to 92% of lung cancers in non-smokers may be effectively treated with drugs already approved by the FDA. Oncologists and geneticists at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis compared genetic tumor data from 164 never-smoking lung cancer patients with that from 299 smokers.
The analyses showed that lung cancers occurring in non-smokers were 1.5 to nearly 2 times more likely to be controlled with currently existing and approved medicinals compared with tumors found in the smoking population. Passive smoke also plays role in non-smoker cancer, since 5.9% of the never-smoked tumor samples had mutation signatures suggesting smoke exposure.
This study shows the importance of obtaining sufficient tumor cell material in biopsies in order to perform complete genomic analyses.
https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.21.01691
#lungcancer #smoking #neversmoking #genome
lungcancer, smoking, neversmoking, genome
The Optimal Setting For Blood Pressure Monitoring
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/b9KtTg2Ktvg
The best place to monitor your blood pressure is at home with your own blood pressure measuring device. Investigators at Seattle’s Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute studied 510 adults who were under suspicion for hypertension but were as yet undiagnosed.
The results, presented last month at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2021, showed that overall acceptance of and adherence to the monitoring routine was over 90% for those taking their pressures at home. Compare that with 87% for those returning to the outpatient clinic but only 68% for those taking their own pressures at a self-service kiosk.
Some 50% of Americans suffer from high blood pressure and 33% are unaware of this time bomb within their bodies. High blood pressure is particularly in younger men and older women. We should all be taking our blood pressures regularly at home using the readily available home monitoring machines which cost as little as $20 online. Your insurance plan might actually pay for it.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928102219.htm
#highbloodpressure #hypertension #home #homemonitor
highbloodpressure, hypertension, home, homemonitor
Who Is Likely To Get Long CoVid?
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/SzAM8kZeT2Y
Women, younger people, and thinner individuals are the most likely to develop long CoVid. Researchers at Japan’s National Center for Global Health and Medicine surveyed 457 individuals following their CoVid infections.
Those with CoVid symptoms at 6 months represented 26.3% of the total and at 12 months 8.8%. The most common persisting symptoms at 6 months were smell loss, fatigue, cough and shortness of breath, and taste loss. At 12 months, the common persisting symptoms were fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, smell loss, and taste loss. The common late onset symptoms were memory disturbances, concentration loss, depression, and hair loss.
Compared with men, women were 3 times more likely to have hair loss, twice as likely to suffer chronic fatigue, 1.9 times more likely to have loss of smell, and 1.6 times more likely to lose their sense of taste. Those younger and lighter patients were at increased risk for smell and taste disorders.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.22.21263998v1
#CoVid #longcovid #fatigue #smell #taste #alopecia
CoVid, longcovid, fatigue, smell, taste, alopecia
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CPSC Recalls
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Recall on Luyuan Youth All-Terrain Vehicles
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/8bcg1uH42fM
The CPSC and Luyuan are recalling Luyuan Youth All-Terrain Vehicles. These ATVs fail to comply with federal safety standards including speed governors and other mechanical features mandatory for vehicles intended to be used by children under 10 years of age. In fact, these vehicles were intended to be used by kids 6 years and older but marketed on amazon.com to children as young s 12 months of age and on walmart.com to children 5 years and older. About 6800 of these vehicles were sold nationwide at Luyuan dealers nationwide including Tool Store Go-Kart Shop, ATV Distributors, Four Seasons Power Sports, Mefast Wholesale, Toomey Tools, Steward Auto, A&S Auto, Bounce it Off Motorsports, Go-bowen, Powersportsmax, and Smokers Alley 2. The ATVs were also sold online at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, FamilyGoKarts.com, BigToysGreenCountry.com, Bigtoysusa.com and SaferWholesale.com. If you bought one of these ATVs for your children, immediately stop using it. Contact Luyuan at 1-855-663-2121 or via email at luyuanusa@gmail.com to arrange a free vehicle safety modification.
#luyuan #atvs #safety #crash #death #recall
luyuan, atvs, safety, crash, death, recall
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FDA Recalls
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Tone’s Taco Seasoning Blend Is Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/lCehkqGij6I
The FDA and B&G Foods, Inc. have recalled Tone’s Taco Seasoning Blend. This product contains undeclared wheat. If ingested by anyone with a wheat allergy, it could induce a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction. This product has been sold by Sam’s Club stores and online via Samsclub.com. If you have this product and have a wheat allergy, do not consume it. Return it to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact B&G Foods by phone at 1-800.247.5251 or online at tones.com/contact.
#tones #bgfoods #seasoning #wheat #allergy #recall
tones, bgfoods, seasoning, wheat, allergy, recall
Recall On Coppertone Aerosol Sunscreen Spray Products
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/99rQCJRUozY
The FDA and Coppertone are recalling 5 Coppertone aerosol sunscreen spray products. The products involved are Coppertone Pure and Simple SPF 50 Spray, Coppertone Pure and Simple Baby SPF 50 Spray, Coppertone Pure and Simple Kids SPF 50 Spray, Coppertone Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray, and Travel-Size Coppertone Sport Spray SPF 50. Each of these is contaminated with unsafe levels of the organic solvent benzene. Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, and exposure to it can increase your risk of leukemia, bone marrow cancers, and other blood disorders all of which may be life-threatening. If you or family members have these products, discontinue using them. Contact Coppertone at 1-888-921-1537 or online at sunscreenrecall2021.com to obtain more information and to arrange for a refund.
#coppertone #sunscreens #benzene #cancer #recall
coppertone, sunscreens, benzene, cancer, recall
Topical Antifungal Over-The-Counter Products Are Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/0JzB-LNFuZQ
The FDA and Bayer US LLC are recalling Lotrimin® AF and Tinactin® over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal spray products. These include products labeled as liquid and powder sprays for athlete’s foot and jock itch. Involved are products with lot numbers that begin with TN, CV, or NAA. Each of these is contaminated with unsafe levels of the organic solvent benzene. Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, and exposure to it can increase your risk of leukemia, bone marrow cancers, and other blood disorders all of which may be life-threatening. If you or family members have these products, discontinue using them and discard them. Contact Bayer by phone at 1-866-360-3266 for additional information. To request a refund, take a photo of the product and visit lotrimin.com or tinactin.com.
#tinactin #lotrimin #antifungal #benzene #cancer #recall
tinactin, lotrimin, antifungal, benzene, cancer, recall
Recall On Greenhead Frozen Cooked Wild Caught Lobster Meat
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/CIrqztfP_3Q
The FDA and Greenhead Lobster Products now recall Greenhead Frozen Cooked Wild Caught Lobster Meat. This product is contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. This bacteria causes severe or sometimes fatal infections in the very young, elders, and those immunosuppressed. It may cause miscarriages and stillbirths. This lobster meat was sold in Maine and New Hampshire. If you bought this product, do not consume it. Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional information, reach Greenhead Lobster Products at 1-207-367-0950.
#greenhead #lobster #listeria #infection #recall
greenhead, lobster, listeria, infection, recall
Artnaturals Scent-Free Hand Sanitizer Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/q0sO_rcp3Z8
The FDA has recalled Artnaturals Scent-Free Hand Sanitizer. This product has unsafe levels of benzene. Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, and exposure to it can increase your risk of leukemia, bone marrow cancers, and other blood disorders all of which may be life-threatening. In an unusual move, Artnaturals has not responded to multiple FDA attempts to discuss the contaminated hand sanitizers, including identification of the manufacturer, possible recalls, and the scope of the contamination. Therefore, as of October 4, FDA is urging consumers not to use any artnaturals hand sanitizers. If you have this product, do not use it and dispose of it in a hazardous waste container. Do not pour it down the sink drain or flush in the toilet. Your can contact your local waste management authority for help with disposal.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFDA/bulletins/2f5f16a
#artnaturals #sanitizer #benzene #cancer #recall
artnaturals, sanitizer, benzene, cancer, recall