Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/dkHn_fpPuPQ   The non-drowsy allergy drugs Clarinex and Claritin improve survival after treatments for melanoma and may reduce the risk of developing new melanomas.  Sweden’s Lund University analyzed 1253 melanoma patients who were anti-histamine users.   Survival was 46-50% better for those patients using Clarinex, Claritin, or generics particularly in those 65 years and older.  Use of these drugs was also associated with a 20% lower risk of a secondary melanoma though the limited numbers of cases prevented statistical significance.   If you’re in an older age group and have melanoma, regular use of prescription Clarinex or over-the-counter Claritin and their generics should be discussed with your own doctor.   https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/all.14273   #melanoma #claritin #desloratidine #loratidine    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/MC3KKDhciQ0   The FDA announces that Zilk’s Plus Resources LLC is voluntarily recalling its Pluckers World Famous Wing Sauces.  This product, available in a variety of flavors, contains the undeclared allergens soy, milk, and wheat.  If you purchased these sauces, either dispose of the product or return it to any Pluckers location for a full refund or exchange.  For more information, contact Zilks at 1-817-618-6298.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/zilks-plus-resources-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-soy-and-wheat-select-12-oz-bottled-sauces   #recall #wingsauce #milk #soy #wheat  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/kHLOAkBgnTk   The Consumer Product Safety Commission announces that Sobeauty, Inc. is voluntarily recalling it Mag Cube magnetic ball sets.  This toy contains extremely strong magnets that violate the federal child toy safety standards.  If two or more of these tiny balls are swallowed, they can link together and clamp tissues causing intestinal perforations, obstructions, sepsis, and death.  The tiny 3 mm balls are also a choking hazard.  These toys have been sold at Walmart.   If you have this toy in your home, do not permit your child to play with it.  Contact Sobeauty at 1-844-946-7437 to obtain instructions for return and refund.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/sobeauty-recalls-mag-cube-magnetic-ball-sets-due-to-risk-of-ingestion-by-children-that   #recall #magnet #choking #gastrointestinal  

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/VTzUP8sHGJs   An NSAID that selectively and safely blocks inflammation may be another weapon in the fight against the novel coronavirus.   A preliminary Chinese study of 44 CoVid patients included 37 receiving Celebrex and a very small 7 patient control group receiving conventional therapy only.   Data showed that treatment with Celebrex was associated with recovery of all 29 CoVid patients with moderate disease and 82% of those with severe disease.  In contrast, only 57% of the control group recovered.   Celebrex is a powerful drugs with significant side effects including skin reactions, liver issues, potential kidney toxicity, gi upset, and elevated blood pressure.  We’ll see if more studies confirm its usefulness for CoVid.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.05.20077610v1.full.pdf   #covid #pandemic #celebrex #cox2inhibitors #nsaids  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/RxyARQYsrkA   Personal physical distancing strongly correlates with decreased CoVid19 case growth rates in the 25 most affected counties in the United States.  This the conclusion of a Johns Hopkins study that quantitates the degree of distancing using cell phone data on a county-wide basis.   The investigators were able to calculate a social distancing ratio for each US county by dividing the number representing average cell phone travel over a 3 month period during the CoVid pandemic with historic data. This ratio was then compared with CoVid infection prevalence.   With initiation of local and state lock-downs over time, the social distancing ratio as well as the incidence of new CoVid cases has dropped significantly.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.07.20092353v1.full.pdf   #covid #pandemic #distancing  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/dWYCdfb3wrk   If you live in a CoVid hot spot like New York City or LA, assume nearly every public surface has live virus.  Brazilian microbiologists tested for live virus at 30 locations in Belo Horizonte, a metro area some 6 million people.    CoVid in ample quantities was found in 6/15 bus stations particularly those near hospitals.  Virus was also found in 3 public squares.  Nearly 20% of the sampled sites were virus-positive.     As you begin to venture out, protect yourself.  Assume your hands and clothes are contaminated once you leave home.  Accordingly, don’t touch your face before you scrub your hands having disrobed after your return home.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.07.20094631v1.full.pdf   #pandemic #covid #reopening  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/GFs0TET3ANw   That traditional weekend visit to the grandfolks could infect them with CoVid.  A just pre-published study from Tel Aviv University reveals a significant 5 day post weekend peak in new CoVid cases after analysis of data from 7 of 12 countries around the world.   New CoVid  cases tick up on Thursday to Friday as one would expect from a 5 day lag between an elder’s contact with an infected weekend visitor and manifestation of symptoms,  Furthermore, deaths also bumped up but 12-14 days after inter-generational weekend visits.   The safest way to visit Grams and Gramps is via FaceTime, Zoom, or an open first floor window.    https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.03.20089508v1.full.pdf   #pandemic #covid #grandparents #weekendvisits  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/mHatAUw52vo   A Remdesivir, ritonivir, and lopinavir drug cocktail may be the most potent CoVid killer.  This conclusion from a Singapore artificial intelligence study just pre-published on the medrixiv.org.   Researchers used their IDentif.ai platform and known CoVid killing abilities of 12 anti-viral drugs to predict and test a half million possible drug combinations.  The result: adding to remdesivir the antiviral ritonivir/lopinavir combo drug, marketed as Kaletra for HIV PreP use, would drive a 6.5 fold greater therapeutic effect compared with remdesivir alone.   This model correlates with clinical findings in that remdesivir  alone is only 16% effective and hydroxychloroquine, even with Zithromax, is only 3-4% effective.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.04.20088104v1.full.pdf   #pandemic #covid #remdesivir #kaletra #ritonivir #lopinavir #hydroxychloroquine  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/kvkFU8vkyyw   The stomach acid suppressing drug famotidine reduces the risk of death from CoVid in hospitalized patients by 70%.  Clinicians at Columbia, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Northwell Health studied 340 patients with severe CoVid19 infections.   Famotidine was used at home prior to admission by 15% who were also given it in-hospital.  Only 1% of controls had used the drug before admission.  The drug was administered orally in 72% of patients and IV in 28% for a median period of nearly 6 days.  Those receiving the drug showed a 16% reduction in their blood ferritin levels suggesting famotidine reduces the cytokine storm.   The researchers are planning studies giving the drug prophylactically.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.01.20086694v1.full.pdf   #covid #pandemic #famotidine  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/8Pkww_NybWU   Wearing a weighted vest for just 3 weeks could help you lose 5 times more weight.  A new study from Sweden’s University of Gothenberg studied weight loss in 69 mildly obese subjects.   The experimental group wore 24 pound vests while the control group wore 2 lb vests over the study period.  The weigh-in at the end clocked a 3.5 pound average weight loss for the heavy vest group versus a .7 pound loss for controls.  The weight lost was in fat and not muscle.   The investigators attribute the effect to a natural “gravitostat.”  Animal experiments suggest it controls appetite.  Of course, moving about with a weighted vest does expend more energy.   https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/eclinm/PIIS2589-5370(20)30082-1.pdf   #obesity #dieting #weightedvest #fat  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/1wYX4J_9dpo   To prevent resurgence of CoVid as business and school resume, take a page from our healthcare worker’s self-protection playbook.  Physicians at the University of Iowa encourage us to create PPE for ourselves without denying it to heroic professionals.   Equipped healthcare staff have CoVid infection rates a fraction of those in the general population despite constant exposure.  The Iowa investigators suggest that you can achieve similar protection by adding clear plastic face shields to your cloth masks.  The shields, made from acetate sheets you can buy at Staples and a hole punch, block 92-96% of virus.   Best news: face shields can be repeatedly cleaned and reused.   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2765525   #covid #coronavirus #faceshield #mask #ppe  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/h4N4_Do56qo   Heating N95 or KN95 masks to 170 ˚F for 30 minutes effectively disinfects, and you can do it up to 50 times without losing the mask’s CoVid filtration powers.  This conclusion comes from a study by 4C Air, a nanotechnology spinoff from Stanford University.   Investigators there compared various methods of cleaning medical grade masks including dry heating, steam, UV light, 75% alcohol, and chlorine bleach.  The alcohol and bleach both immediately destroyed the mask’s filtration capabilities.  Steam treatment degraded filtration function after 5 cycles of treatment.  The UVC treatment worked well for 10 cycles.   Healthcare workers and eventually all of us can recycle our N95 masks by oven heating.   https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.0c03597?goto=articleMetrics&ref=pdf   #covid #coronavirus #n95 #mask #disinfection #heating #uv  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/oIu612tz3DI   Asthma under active treatment may help recovery from CoVid19.  Case series from central China regions and New York City, two epicenters of the pandemic, raise questions about the CDC’s designation of asthma as a complicating factor for CoVid.   Asthma patients with CoVid have no higher hospitalization rates than than non-asthmatics.  In Wuhan, 5% of people have asthma but only 1% of those hospitalized with CoVid have it.  Ten percent of New Yorkers are asthmatics, but they are under-represented among those hospitalized with the virus.   Asthma or its treatment may be protective.  Asthmatics seem to less ACE2, the CoVid magnet, in their lungs.  The inhaled steroids they use may suppress the cytokine storm.   https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/86323 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/asthma.html   #covid #coronavirus #asthma #steroids #ace2  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Ks_V67XF_m0   Most women with the novel coronavirus can successfully deliver CoVid negative babies.  This according to a Indian meta-analysis of 50 case series that studied 387 women who delivered 391 babies pre-published on the medrixiv.org pre-print web site.  Ninety-five percent contracted the viral disease during their third trimester.   Ninety-six percent of the mothers had x-ray diagnosed pneumonia, and 11% of women required mechanical ventilation.  There was a 3% maternal death rate.  Eighty percent were c-section deliveries.     Neonatal CoVid positivity, that is vertical transmission, was 8%. There were 25% pre-term births.  Only 8% developed respiratory distress syndrome.  Stillbirths represented 1.5% and 1% of the neonates sadly died.    https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.11.20062356v2.full.pdf   #covid #coronavirus #pregnancy #verticaltransmission  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ciFbsQ2h9Ts   The Fully Popped Company is recalling Poppin’ Cobs 10 pack Microwave Popcorn.  Their brown paper bags can catch fire in the microwave leading to burns.   This product has been sold at Uncommon Goods Stores in Brooklyn, NY.  Do not use this product, and return it to the point of purchase.  For more information, contact Fully Popped at 1-866-767-2627.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/fully-popped-recalls-poppin-cobs-10-pack-microwave-popcorn-due-to-fire-and-burn-hazards   #recall #popcorn #poppincobs #fire #burns    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PXYiGNkmH1s   The Noah Clothing Company is recalling its Men’s Reverse Fleece Hoodies.  The fabric fails to meet federal flammability standards.  It poses a burn risk to wearers.  Stop wearing the garment and return it to the point of purchase.  If you have questions, contact the Noah Clothing Company at 1-833-662-4692.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/noah-clothing-recalls-mens-reverse-fleece-hoodies-due-to-violation-of-federal   #recall #hoodie #fleece #noah #flammability  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Ri2i7pgWNc0   The Essential Baking Company of Seattle is recalling is Slice Columbia Bread.  There is undeclared egg in the product.  This poses a significant danger for egg-allergic individuals.  Apparently, the actual product in the packaging is challah. This product was chiefly sold in the Puget Sound region of Washington State.   If you have this product, do not consume it and return it to the point of purchase for a full refund.  Questions to the company at 1-206-545-3804.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/essential-baking-company-issues-allergen-alert-undeclared-egg-84-loaves-32-oz-sliced-columbia-bread   #recall #essential #bread #egg  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/b4LkJCjl-v4   Becca Cosmetics is recalled its Light Shifter Brightening Concealer.  All shades are being recalled since mold was discovered on the applicators of some units.  If you have this product, return it to the point of purchase for a refund.  You may conduct an online chat with the company at beccacosmetics.com.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/becca-cosmetics-voluntarily-recalls-light-shifter-brightening-concealer   #recall #becca #concealer #mold  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/SS29i0B3sXo   Coronavirus patients fighting for their lives on ventilators were twice as likely to survive if they received blood thinning drugs as part of their therapy.  Researchers at New York City’s giant Mt. Sinai Hospital system now report their analysis of 2,773 CoVid-infected patients.   Twenty-eight percent received powerful therapeutic blood thinning regimens used for lung, heart, or brain clots.  The ventilated patients on blood thinning experienced a 29% mortality while those untreated had a 63% mortality.  Untoward bleeding occurred in 3% of thinned patients versus 2% of unthinned patients.   We know that CoVid triggers enhanced blood clotting.  Effectively treating it saves lives and sometimes limbs.   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109720352189?via%3Dihub   #covid #coronavirus #clotting #anticoagulants covid, coronavirus, clotting, anticoagulants

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/iHbZjH6qC2c   The Essential Trading Post is recalling its Wintergreen and Birch Essential Oils.  These products contain potentially poisonous methyl salicylate in non-child-resistant packaging.  If you have children in your home or children visiting, this is a risk for accidental poisoning.  Return the product to the point of purchase for a refund.  You may reach the company at 1-774-202-6121.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/essential-trading-post-recalls-wintergreen-and-birch-essential-oils-due-to-failure-to   #recall #wintergreenoil #birchoil #essentialtradingpost #poisoning