Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/kxtrGTKuUn8   A University of Houston spinoff company has developed a nasal spray that triggers robust CoVid antibodies and cellular immunity while being storable without freezing for up to 11 months.  The vaccine has two components: spike protein and a nanoparticle adjuvant called nanoSTING.   The components are stored separately with the nanoSTING refrigerated and the spike protein in freeze-dried, powdered form.  Just before use, the spike protein is reconstituted, mixed with the nanoSTING, and sprayed in the nose as a single dose vaccine.  This vaccine formulation  makes storage and distribution around the world much simpler than with the mRNA vaccines.   This nasal vaccine induces strong lining immunity within the nose where CoVid usually enters the body.  The levels of IgA secretory antibody and killer T cells protect against viral penetration and proliferation but only so far in a mouse model.  Work is underway to initiate human trials.   https://www.cell.com/iscience/full

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/GnDzgK4N5jM It’s not just the football team that gets overheated.  The marching band, wearing heavy wool uniforms, is particularly susceptible to heat-related disease.  This according to an analysis by investigators at the Universities of Georgia, South Carolina, and Kansas that looked at this problem over a 31 year period using a newspaper report database.   Of the 393 exertion heat illnesses cataloged, 88% occurred in high schoolers, 32% during rehearsals, 29% during parades, 21% during games, and 15% during performances.  About 50% were treated on-site, but 44% went to the ER, and about 6% had severe heat stroke requiring in-patient hospitalization.     All heat-related illness occurs during hotter weather, and we’ll certainly be having more and more of that. Band leaders, school administrators, and parents should all watch the mercury and and help school band members cool it when they are in uniform.  Helpful measures include: abundant water, lighter uniforms, shorter heat expo

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/R0QnOSnV81s   From the CDC comes the latest comparison of our current CoVid vaccines in terms of ability to keep the average Jane or Joe without any medical issues out of the hospital.  Once again, Moderna come out on top.   A multi-center study of 1682 vaccinated persons 16 yrs or older and 2007 controls shows that, between March and August of this year, the Moderna vaccine was 93% and significantly more protective against hospitalization than the Pfizer at 88% and the Johnson & Johnson at 71%.  The Pfizer shortfall was due to a decline of effectiveness from 91% at 3 months or less to 77% after 3 months.   A subset of vaccinated patients had their anti-CoVid antibodies assayed.  Here, the Moderna vaccine again performed better than the Pfizer, particularly for levels of anti-RBD antibodies (4,333 vs 2,950).  Both of the mRNA vaccines bested the J&J vaccine with levels that had levels of only 59.   Those vaccinated with Pfizer but particularly with J&J should not only

M  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/i00NgHL9wzo   Today’s newly announced medical discoveries that point to future therapy: Microspheres improve female fertility Promising new therapy for MRSA infections Nanoparticles as long-term disinfectants Your nose could fix your knee Shirts that monitor your heart   Some women cannot conceive because the walls of their uteruses are too thin to permit embryo attachment.  Chinese investigators report a new technique for wall thickening using microsphere sprays of hyaluronic acid and vascular endothelial growth factor.  They show in a mouse model that these droplets trigger uterine wall thickening.  Not ready yet for prime time use in humans but very promising.   MRSA, methicillin-resistant staph aureus, is a formidable organism that triggers severe and life-threatening infections that often cannot be treated with conventional antibiotics.  Cornell University veterinarians show in a horse model that mesenchymal stem cells produce secretions that throttle MRSA bacterial growth. 

Check out this excellent and critical review of Apple’s new stuff as announced in September, 2021. Subscribe to "The Download" for more reviews and commentary to come. Vidcast: https://youtu.be/ZpW9sHhs6b8  #apple #iphone #ipad #applewatch

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/gcWlSP8UEIY   The FDA and Dole Fresh Vegetables are recalling Dole Curly Leaf Parsley.  This product contains Shiga-toxin producing E. coli.  Involved is product with harvest dates of August 18 and 19 2021 and distributed in FL, IA, MI, MN, and MO.  Affected bunches of parsley have a PLU number of 4899 and a UPC code of 0 3383 80330 0.  If you have this Dole Parsley, do not consume it but rather return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, contact Dole at 1-800-356-3111.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-precautionary-limited-recall-curly-leaf-parsley-due-possible   #dole #parsley #ecoli #gastroenteritis #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/bruRpGamo-A   The FDA and McKee Foods now recall Little Debbie Mini Nutty Buddy Cookie Bites sandwich cookies.  These cookies contain undeclared pecans.  Those with a pecan allergy may develop serious and life-threatening allergic reactions should they ingest these cookies.  The affected cookies have best-by dates of Dec. 24 and 25, 2021 and were sold in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee.  Unaffected are Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars.  If you purchased these cookies in these state I mentioned, contact McKee Foods at 1-800-422-4499 to arrange refunds.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mckee-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-pecans-little-debbier-mini-nutty-buddy-cookie-bites   #littledebbie #nuttybuddycookies #pecans #allergy #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/OM-RycbePTk   The FDA and Seviroli Foods Inc. are recalling H-E-B Jumbo Stuffed Shells.  This product contains contaminating fragments of metal that could cause physical damage to the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract tissues.  This product was sold by H-E-B stores in Texas.  Do not consume this product but return it to the place of purchase for a refund or destroy it.  For additional information, contact Seviroli Foods by phone at 1-855-432-4438.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/seviroli-foods-voluntarily-issues-recall-h-e-b-jumbo-stuffed-shells-22-oz-due-potential-presence   #seviroli #HEB #stuffedshells #metal #foreignbodies #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Ae4be2dB9ck   The FDA and Velvet Ice Cream have recalled Velvet Raspberry Fudge Cordial Ice Cream.  This produce contains undeclared peanut.  Those with a peanut allergy may develop serious and life-threatening allergic reactions should they ingest this ice cream.  If you bought this ice cream, dispose of it immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, contact Velvet by phone at 1-800-589-5000.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/velvet-ice-cream-voluntarily-recalls-raspberry-fudge-cordial-ice-cream-due-undeclared-peanuts   #velvet #icecream #peanuts #allergy #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/pO7MklirgMU   The FDA and Buurma Farms are recalling Buurma Plain Flat Leaf Parsley.  This product may contain E. Coli that produces Shiga toxin.  This bacterium causes a foodborne gastroenteritis heralded by stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and it particularly dangerous in the very young, elders, and those with immunosuppression.  This parsley has been distributed in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and South Carolina.  If you have parsley with a Buurma Farms twist tie, return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  If you have questions, call the consumer hotline for Buurma at 1-866-827-3362.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/buurma-farms-inc-recalls-plain-flat-parsley-due-possible-health-risks   #buurmafarms #parsley #ecoli #gastroenteritis #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/M4P2CjRRimQ   The CPSC and Juratoys US now recall Janod Children’s Shaving Kits.  The brown trim on these shaving kit bags contains unacceptably dangerous levels of phthalate.  This chemical in plastic is toxic if ingested by young children.  These shaving kits have been sold by Nordstrom, Crate and Barrel, and Barnes and Noble stores nationwide as well as other toy, gift, and book stores.  They were also sold online at amazon.com, maisonnette.com, Nordstrom.com, crateandbarrel.com, and bn.com.  If your child has one of these shaving kits, stop its use and contact Juratoys US at 1-855-665-9287 or via email at recall@juratoysus.com.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Juratoys-Recalls-Childrens-Shaving-Toys-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Phthalate-Ban   #juratoys #shavingkit #phthalate #toxicity #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/n3ohwpRjhqU   The CPSC and Burley have recalled Ballz QR Skewers.  This rod connects the Coho XC Cargo trailer to a bicycle, and it may bend or shear.  Should this occur, the trailer and the bicycle towing it will become unstable, the rider may fall and sustain an injury, and the bicycle-trailer ensemble may injure a bystander.  About 2,935 of these skewers were sold at REI stores and bicycle retailers nationwide as well as online at rei.com, burley.com, and amazon.com.  If you have one of these skewers, stop using it, contact Burley at 1-800-311-5294  or via email at burley@burley.com to receive a replacement connecting rod.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Burley-Recalls-Ballz-QR-Skewers-Due-to-Fall-Hazard-Recall-Alert   #burley #skewer #connectingrod #cobotrailer #fracture #fall #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/FWznwbvaWrw   The CPSC and Wiggle Ltd have recalled VITUS 14 and VITUS 16 Kids Bikes.  These bicycles have only front and rear handbrakes.  Federal regulations require children’s bicycles to be equipped with both handbrakes and footbrakes since younger children may be unable to stop the bike with handbrakes alone.  About 280 of these bicycles were sold online at wiggle.com and at chainreactioncycles.com.  If your child rides one of these bikes do not permit them to continue using it.  Contact Wiggle Ltd. at support @wiggle.com or chain reaction cycles at customerservi ce@chainreactioncycle.com to obtain a free replacement wheel with a footbrake.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Vitus-14-and-Vitus-16-Kids-Bikes-Recalled-Due-to-Crash-Hazard-Imported-by-Wiggle-Recall-Alert   #wiggle #chainreactioncycles #brakes #footbrake #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/xvLHkLWjvnw   The CPSC and Costco along with Ivena are recalling their teak shower benches.  This shower bench may collapse during use triggering falls and injuries.  About 70,000 of these benches were sold in the US and 11,317 were sold in Canada all by Costco stores and online at Costco.com.  Immediately discontinue use of this bench and return it to any Costco store for a refund.  For more information, contact the manufacturer Ivena by phone at 1-844-818-9388 or online at ivenainternational.com.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Shower-Benches-Recalled-Due-to-Fall-Hazard-Made-by-Ivena-and-Sold-Exclusively-at-Costco-Recall-Alert   #costco #ivene #showerbench #collapse #fall #injury #recall  

  Vid: https://youtu.be/tqYjkt-KQ9w   The CPSC and Gas One have recalled Gas One propane adapter hoses.  The hose may swell while in use leading to propane gas leakage and possible fires. About 19,500 of these hoses were sold online at amazon.com, ebay.com, gasone.com, homedepot.com and walmart.com.  If you have one of these hoses, immediately stop using it and contact Gas One by phone at 1-800-698-5070 or via email at info@pricezoneusa.com.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Gas-One-Recalls-Propane-Adapter-Hoses-Due-to-Fire-Hazard   #gasone #hose #propane #leak #fire #recall  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/HofDg7gyG14   CoVid infection risk dropped more than 11 fold for those who received a third, boosting dose of CoVid vaccine.  Israeli researchers studied 1,144,690 persons over the age of 60 boosted with a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine and compared the incidence and severity of their CoVid infections with those occurring in a non-boosted population of 4 million.   Those boosted enjoyed an 11.4 fold lower incidence of any CoVid infection as proven by a positive PCR test.  The 3rd boosting dose reduces the incidence of severe disease 10 to 15 fold.  We know that the protective immunity against CoVid declines over time with increasing numbers of breakthrough infections.  A third dose of mRNA CoVid vaccine appears to provide a promising protection against the resurgence of this already devastating CoVid pandemic.   My advice: get your third shot of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as soon as it is offered to you.  If you haven’t received any vaccine so far, do catch up.   https://

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/tTmjDS-xJr4   Vaccination with the Moderna CoVid vaccine triggers more IgA anti-CoVid antibodies and anti-CoVid killer T cells compared with the Pfizer vaccine.  Researchers at Harvard and MIT studied the immune responses of 73 vaccine recipients including 28 who received the Moderna vaccine and 45 who received the Pfizer vaccine.   Analysis of the immune responses to each vaccine indicate that the Moderna vaccine produces more IgA secretory antibodies to CoVid spike, receptor binding domain, and N-terminal domain antigens.  On the cell-mediated immunity front, Moderna vaccine triggers enhanced antibody dependent neutrophil phagocytosis and antibody dependent killer cell activation.  Both vaccines produce similar IgG and IgM anti-CoVid antibody levels.    In terms of immunity against the variants, Moderna triggers more antibodies in secretions, IgA antibodies, while Pfizer trigger more blood-borne antibodies, IgG and IgM.  However, the additional IgA, RBD,  and NTD antibodies trig

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/8YtIcbsg2ls   Seventy-two percent of adults and parents of children with food allergies are unaware that oral immunotherapy is an effective, painless, and convenient alternative to allergy shots.  This the conclusion of a nationwide survey of some 781 respondents conducted by pediatric researchers at Northwestern University and Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital.   When the survey numbers were crunched, the data showed that more than 95% of food allergy sufferers had never been offered oral immunotherapy.  We’re not talking about small number of people either since 10% of American adults or 33,100,000 adults and 8% of children or 5,040,000 kids have food allergies.   So if you have food allergies or, for that matter, any allergies, ask your allergist about oral immunotherapy.  It can be DIY at home without needles or visits.   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213219821008229?via%3Dihub   #allergy #oralimmunotherapy #oit #foodallergy  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/vBtj9iV8pSA   At the end of August, the World Health Organization announced another variant of interest, classified at B.1.621 and commonly known as the Mu variant.  This variant encompasses a constellation of mutations that could render it more impervious to the anti-CoVid antibodies generated by our current vaccine.   Early data suggests that its vaccine resistance is likely similar to the South African B.1.35l variant, and our mRNA vaccines should offer good protection, particularly against severe and life-threatening disease.    It first arose in Colombia where its current prevalence is 39%.  Mu has spread to over 40 countries including the US.  Its global prevalence to date is low.  Over 2,000 Mu cases have been identified in the US.  It is most prevalent in Alaska representing almost 4% of cases there.  In the continental US, it is most prevalent in California followed by Florida, New York, New Jersey, Washington state, and Texas.   We don’t have solid data as yet to estimat

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/4r8Mzi1m-U0   The FDA and Rocky Top Farms have recalled Rocky Top Farms Cherry Butter.  This product, sold in clear 10 ounce jars, contains undeclared milk.  Those with milk allergies could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction after ingesting this cherry butter.  This product was sold nationwide via the website rockymountainfarms.com.  If you purchased this cherry butter, return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  If you have questions, reach Rocky Top Farms by phone at 1-231-350-0985.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rocky-top-farms-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-cherry-butter   #rocktyopfarms #cherrybutter #milk #allergy #recall