Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/gkCK3sgvhvg   Epson has recalled the Power Adapters Included with its V-series scanners.  The power adapter has the part number EADP-16CB B printed pin its label. These units may overheat causing burns and fires.  A total of 314,000 were sold in the US and 25,000 in Canada at Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, Walmart, and miscellaneous department stores.  If you have a V-series Epson scanner, stop using it.  Contact Epson at 1-888-367-2656 for more information about a replacement.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/epson-recalls-power-adapters-sold-with-epson-scanners-due-to-burn-and-fire-hazards   #recall #epson #scanner #poweradapter #burns  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/_CL6sRegwqM   Dexter Industries is recalling its Modular Robotics Rechargeable Battery Packs.  These batteries may short circuit and overheat causing a burn or fire hazard.  Those affected at 9.6V 2000Ah NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries with max charge current of 2 amps.  The packs have been sold individually as well as part of Classroom Kits and GoPiGo and BrickPi robotic bundles.  Return these items to the point of purchase for a refund or replacement.  Contact Dexter at 1-877-233-6859.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/modular-robotics-recalls-rechargeable-battery-packs-due-to-burn-hazard   #recall #robotics #battery #nimhbattery #nimhbattery  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/HvLfgC5CgYc   Ximi Vogue is recalling its Children’s Neck Pillows.  The paint on the zippers and zipper pulls contains a high lead level.  The pillows affected are the Pink Elephant, the Gray Elephant, the Blue Chick, and the Green Dinosaur.  If you have one of these, return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  For additional information, call Ximi Vogue at 1-855-946-4002.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/ximi-vogue-recalls-childrens-neck-pillows-due-to-violation-of-the-federal-lead-paint#   #recall #neckpillow #children #lead  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/lfiw8UfL700   Low vitamin D levels may link to a woman’s inability to conceive.  A recently published Chinese study analyzed 154 women treated at a fertility center looking at vitamin D levels and the presence of toxic immune cells in their uterine linings.   Low vitamin D levels correlated with numbers of killer lymphocytes and scavenging macrophages in the endometrial linings of women unable to become and remain pregnant.  Vitamin D supplementation appears to reduce the populations of these immune cells present.   Women experiencing infertility should have their vitamin D levels checked.  If levels are low, normalization via food supplements or sunlight exposure may well improve the chances of a blessed event.   https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/aji.13243?af=R   #infertility #vitamind #macrophages #killerlymphocytes  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/qW99pqHh6_s   Condies Foods of Kearns, UT is voluntarily recalling two sandwiches:  roll chicken salad on croissant and sandwich chicken salad on white bread.  These products may contain undeclared soy risking a serious allergic reaction in sensitized individuals.  Consumers should return this product to the point of purchase for a refund.  Call the company at 1-801-969-1448 for more information.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/condies-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-allergen-chicken-salad-croissant-single-item-43237   #recall #chickensandwich #chickenroll  #condies #soy    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/x5O9J4N07Gw   A new MRI technique permitting simultaneous brain scanning of two persons face-to-face touching one another shows that their sensory and motor regions light up in response to a partner’s actions but also in anticipation of them.     Finnish neuroscientists, psychologists, and biomedical engineers modified a standard MRI coil to permit two person scanning.  Ten GenZ subject-pairs, all friends or romantic partners, were examined.   Though the image resolutions of this split coil technique were lower, the researchers could determine that motor activities in the brains of those touching triggered sensory activity in the brains of those being touched in a coordinated fashion.   This is only the beginning of many more studies to come.   https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00279/full   #mri #romance #touching #love  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/X8JrdcYjpUY   An early warning to halt society reopening may well come from levels of CoVid19 viral proteins in our wastewater.   A Dutch study monitored wastewater treatment plants serving 6 cities 3 weeks before the first CoVid case surfaced and again one and two weeks after that case appeared.    Based on the analysis of wastewater viral material, the investigators found there were no persons infected 3 weeks prior to the first case.  At one week after that case surfaced, there were 2.5 infected persons per half-million and 2 weeks after there were nearly 11 persons per half million.   This technique may help our scarce CoVid tests go further.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.29.20045880v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #wastewater #reopening #earlydetection  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/DIeQuhE9pGI   GSK Consumer Healthcare is voluntarily recalling 5 lots of Benefiber Healthy Shape Prebiotic Fiber Supplement powder and Benefiber Prebiotic Fiber Supplement powder.  The products have foreign body contamination: green plastic pieces or shavings from bottle caps.  There is a potential choking or gastrointestinal lining laceration risk.  If you have this product, call the GSK  Contact Center at 1-800-452-0051 to see if the lot that you have has been recalled.  They will inform you bout how to obtain a replacement.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gsk-consumer-healthcare-recalls-benefiber-healthy-shape-prebiotic-fiber-supplement-and-benefiber   #recall #fibersupplement #prebiotic #foreignbody  

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/YaE4PmkG1PA The Royal Trading Co. is recalling its TAINY BOCTOKA DRY FRUITS MIX COMPOT APPLE.  This product has undeclared sulfites.  Those allergic to sulfite may suffer a live-threatening allergic reaction after ingesting this product.  If you purchased this product, do not consume it but return it to the point of purchase for a full refund.   Information from the company by calling 1-347-223-1095.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/royal-international-trading-inc-issues-alert-undeclared-sulfites-tayni-boctoka-dry-fruits-mix-compot#recall-announcement   #recall #fruitcompote #tainy #sulfites  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/DIeXNAtK_Xg   Food families associated with dementia include processed meats, starches, and sugary, fatty snacks.  Epidemiologists at France's University of Bordeaux and Harvard Medical School studied 627 participants analyzing their dietary habits and the incidence of dementia over a 12 year follow up period.   Those developing dementia consumed diets centered around animal-based foods including many nitrite-containing processed meats.  They frequently co-consumed starchy breads, pasta, and rice, snack foods including pastries, and high fat dairy items such as yogurts and cheese.  Those free of dementia consumed diets centered on plant-based products emphasizing healthier fruits and vegetables and a high degree of food variety.   Relatively meat-less moderation is the key.   https://n.neurology.org/content/neurology/early/2020/04/21/WNL.0000000000009399.full.pdf   #dementia #meat #plants #moderation  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/X2Snjx3q43g   Contrary to urban legend, the best-liked kids are not always the best-looking, athletic, or smartest.  They are the most fun!  Psychologists at the Florida Atlantic University and Montreal’s Concordia University performed a longitudinal study on 1273 pre-teens 9-12 years of age. The data reveal that being fun, stimulating other kids with upbeat creativity and sometimes mischievous behaviors, is a peer magnet.  The poster child for fun is Ferris Bueller.  The school principal hates him but ..... (clip: He’s a righteous dude!   Fun leads to status. Then elevated social status often translates into lifetime success.    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jopy.12546   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200423093725.htm   #fun #popularity #success #ferrisbueller  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/No2ULvUr33k   Trividia Health, Inc. has a US nationwide recall on its TRUE METRIX® AIR Blood Glucose Meter.  One of the meters included in the True METRIX Blood Glucose Meter kit has an incorrect unit of measure as a factory default.  The unit measures glucose as mmol/L rather than the standard mg/dl.  If incorrectly read, a consumer will assume  a falsely low glucose level.  This could lead to incorrect glucose dosing.  If you have this device, check the serial number on the back of the unit.  The affected serial number is TA1548753.  If you have this meter, stop using it and call the company at 1-800-518-5726 to verify the serial number and to arrange a replacement.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/trividia-health-inc-issues-nationwide-voluntary-recall-isolated-true-metrix-air-blood-glucose-meter#recall-announcement   #recall #glucosemeter #truemetrix #diabetes #insulin  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/eA0Panb67Hc   The World Health Organization warns that a positive CoVid antibody test is not a “valid immunity passport” releasing you from distancing and use of PPE. Current antibody testing is not yet completely accurate, and many tests cannot quantitate antibody levels or types.   First, antibody-positive patients may have only low levels of viral neutralizing antibodies.  Then too, viral immunity requires activated T-lymphocyte killer cells to destroy virus and virus-infected cells.  Currently there are no tests that show if you have CoVid immune T lymphocytes.   So if you are tested and find that you do have antibodies, don’t get a false sense of security.  It could be deadly!   https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/immunity-passports-in-the-context-of-covid-19   #covid19 #coronavirus #who #immunity #antibodies #cellmediatedimmunity #who    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/w-QvMHxVS-g   Men clear CoVid one-third more slowly than women.  An Indian study of 68 infected subjects now appears on the pre-print website medrixiv.org.   Serial viral testing reveals that men clear virus on average two days later than women.  In persisting infections, men shed virus up to 5 days longer.   The investigators link mens’ viral retention to the fact that testicular tissues have higher concentrations of the ACE2 receptor to which the virus binds.  The testes may be a viral reservoir and other studies do show CoVid mediated testicular damage.   Men should take particular care to avoid the virus.  Statistics show, though, that they tend to be more careless.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.16.20060566v1.full.pdf   https://altarum.org/news/men-lag-behind-women-following-social-distancing-measures-according-survey-michigan-residents   #covid19 #coronavirus #viralclearance #distancing #menshealth  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/fDCpVTw24Fs   In the context of recent misinformation about drinking or injecting Chlorox, the FDA is again warning the public that chlorine dioxide-containing products will not cure any disease including coronavirus.   The agency has again sent another cease and desist letter to the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing regarding its “Miracle Mineral Solution” which as been fraudulently marketed as a cure for autism, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, influenza, and now coronavirus.   The chemical can trigger arrhythmias, fatal blood pressure crashes, liver failure, blood loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.  Do not buy or use this products.   There is no current proven treatment for CoVid19 viral infection.  When one appears, I’ll make certain that you’re the first to know.   https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-warns-seller-marketing-dangerous-chlorine-dioxide-products-claim   #covid19 #coronavirus #chlorinedioxide #bleach  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/uqir_oHZaqg   Antibodies from recovered CoVid19 patients significantly reduce the chances of dying and improve organ function but only for those with the worst cases.  The treatment works best for those receiving high doses of immune serum within 7 days of hospital admission.   These results from a Chinese study of 325 patients treated in 3 cities.  Looking at all patients, antibody therapy had no effect on mortality.  When the sickest were analyzed separately, the data shows a 50% reduction in 28 day mortality.   Good news!  We now know that antibodies to the virus do improve disease, something still being debated.  Purifying and multiplying antibodies into a drug may give us effective treatment.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.11.20061739v2.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #antibody #immuneserum    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/O4ARBgps1dY   Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. is recalling a single production lot of its Pink Lite Cranberry Juice Drink, 5.5 oz. can.  The lot # MH0030LPK4.  The product has undeclared sulfites.  If you are sulfite-allergic, you could suffer serious allergic reaction if you drink this product.  If you have this product, take a picture of the “best before date” code on the bottom of the can and then destroy the product. The picture should be sent to casupport@oceanspray.com. The Ocean Spray Consumer Hotline can be reached at 1-800-662-3263 for more information.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ocean-spray-cranberries-inc-recalls-single-production-lot-55-oz-cans-pink-lite-cranberry-juice-drink   #recall #oceanspray #cranberryjuicedrink #sulfites  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/rB6JVEfSOLo   The LUS Distribution Company of Canada is recalling it LUS Hair Dryer and Diffuser model number HD-LUS01.  The product does not have an immersion protection device, posing an electrocution or  shock hazard if the dryer falls into water when plugged in.  If you have this device, immediately stop using it and unplug the hair dryer.  LUS is contacting all known purchasers of the hair dryers and providing a choice of either a full refund of the purchase price or a $175 store credit.  To contact the company, call 1-800-280-1675.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/lus-recalls-hair-dryers-due-to-electrocution-or-shock-hazard-recall-alert   #recall #hairdryer #shockhazard #lus  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/q9JpJ7y6oAM   Pre-schoolers overwhelmingly choose to hear and read stories about the workings of the world around them.  This from a Vanderbilt University analysis of story choices by 48 kids 3-4 years of age.   The investigators presented children two versions of 2 stories.  One version was causally-rich with details about why and the  minimally-causal version provided just the story line.  Though the kids comprehended both versions equally, they clocked a preference for the causally-rich stories in 70% of cases.   You now have endless hours at home with your children.  Please them by providing non-fiction or fictionalized science.  Particular winners are books about the how and why of animals.   https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00666/full   #children #parenting #reading #nonfiction #fictionalizedscience  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ZyU3FEhK_5o   Alpha lipoic acid, the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, may help fight late-stage CoVid19 disease.  A preliminary randomized Chinese drug trial showed ALA is associated with a 48% reduction in 30 day all-cause mortality.   The researchers studied 17 critical CoVid patients.  Half received IV ALA daily for one week in addition to standard ICU care.  Organ failure remained lower in the treated patients indicating a beneficial trend, not statistically significant due to the small numbers.   With each therapeutic modality tried and shown to be effective, our chances of saving lives increases.  The jury’s not in yet, but the more possible treatments that appear, the better the odds.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.15.20066266v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #ala #alphalipoicacid #cytokinestorm