Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/O3ptZogfbiU   A simple lab test, the serum ferritin level, can help diagnose a deadly hyper-stimulation of the immune system triggered by coronavirus.  Each hospitalized CoVid19 patient should have the test, but some docs aren’t aware of it.   Chinese investigators, treating CoVid19 patients in Wuhan, found that the 13 most severely affected compared with 27 having milder disease had an overpowering  burst of immune system mediators associated with elevated ferritin levels.   Immunologists report that ferritin is elevated in auto-immune disease. A cytokine storm is the most extreme form of it.  Since a coronavirus-corrupted, raging immune system attacks all vital organs, recognizing and treating a cytokine storm is vital and lifesaving.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.02.16.20023671v2   #ferritin #cytokinestorm #coronavirus  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/aONWORsgY5Y     When the language your employ in your social posts becomes more formal and, well irritated,  you likely have medical treatment or, worse, a hospital visit, just ahead.  This observation comes from a Stony Brook University and University of Pennsylvania study that analyzed, using artificial intelligence techniques, the Facebook posts and medical records of nearly 3,000 patients using an urban hospital.   Beginning 10 weeks before a emergency visit, social posts used less informal and jaunty language including lol and omg.  Instead, the verbiage projected anxiety, worry, and depression.   When you read your family’s and friend’s posts, watch for such changes, When you detect them, do ask and ask repeatedly “are you OK?”     Sharath Chandra Guntuku, H. Andrew Schwartz, Adarsh Kashyap, Jessica S. Gaulton, Daniel C. Stokes, David A. Asch, Lyle H. Ungar, Raina M. Merchant. Variability in Language used on Social Media prior to Hospital Visits. Scientific Reports, 2020; 10

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/eTOJda0q0qc   The coronavirus creates  lethal multi-organ damage in part by inducing an of the immune system hyperstimulation known as a cytokine storm.  Ironically, social isolation to halt the spread of the CoVid19 epidemic may make a cytokine storm worse.   A new British meta-analysis of 30 studies found a solid connection between social distancing and a rise in circulating inflammatory mediators including c-reactive protein and fibrinogen.  Loneliness is associated with increased IL-6, another inflammatory protein.   To avoid infection, you must physically distance yourself from others.  To maintain an emotional connection, though, our current batch of video-chat apps including Facetime and Skype facilitates face-to face interactions without risk of contamination.    Kimberley J. Smith, Shannon Gavey, Natalie E. RIddell, Panagiota Kontari, Christina Victor. The association between loneliness, social isolation and inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscienc

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PrZ_RedteMA   Kichler Lighting LLC of Cleveland OH is recalling its Kichler 52 inch LEDfly Ceiling Fans.  There are defective arms holding the blades, and they may spin off during use and cause injury or worse.  There have been 62 reports of the blade irons breaking and/or blues detaching.   These units have been sold at Lowe’s stores and online through lowes.com.   If you have this fan installed, stop using it immediately.  Contact Kichler at 1-866-558-5706 to arrange for a free replacement fan.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Kichler-Lighting-Recalls-Ceiling-Fans-Due-to-Injury-Hazard   #recall #kichler #fan  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/52yv1vdd9K8   Homestar North America of Dallas, TX is recalling its Finch 3 drawer dresser.  These units are unstable unless anchored to the wall.  They can fall over on children or pets causing severe injuries or death.   These units have been sold through amazon.com, hayneedle.com, overstock.com, walmart.com, and other online retailers.   If you have one of these in your home, be certain to anchor it to the wall using a free Homestar tip-over restaint kit.  Homestar will provide the kit and free home installation of it if you call them at 1-877-353-5999.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/homestar-recalls-dressers-due-to-tip-over-and-entrapment-hazards-recall-alert   #recall #homestar #finchdresser  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/EGAwo-NBOzo   All tests for coronavirus look for CoVid19 genetic fingerprints in the cells captured relatively painlessly on a Q-tip from the nose or throat.  To fingerprint the genetic material from those cells, it is first multiplied and then probed using a test called reverse-transcriptase n polymerase chain reaction or PCR.  The genes in the patient material are compared against standard probe genes characteristic of the CoVid19 virus.   The first probe genes were identified by the Germans, and they code for the viral envelope E gene.  Their test was adopted by the World Health Organization and most countries. The US government was offered the ready test but said “no thank you.”  The CDC wasted time developing its own probes for the virus nucleocapsid N gene.  Then the initial batch of reagents was flawed.     All PCR tests takes several days due to the need for genetic multiplication, probe screen, and confirmation testing.  Other, faster tests are in development using CRISPR

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/DNdn86GzpRk   WinCo Foods, LLC. of Boise, ID is recalling its Frozen Blackberries and Frozen Berry Medley.  Both products may be contaminated with Norovirus.  This highly contagious virus frequently causes cruise ship epidemics and triggers a severe gastroenteritis. The young, elders, or immunocompromised may have a critical infection.   The product was sold in WinCo stores in AZ, CA, ID, MT, NAUSEA AND VOMITING, OK, OR, WA, TX, and UT.   If you have this product, destroy it or return it to the store for a full refund.  For more info, call the company at 1-800-824-1706.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/winco-foods-llc-recalls-frozen-blackberries-and-frozen-berry-medley-because-possible-health-risk   #recall #winco #berries #blackberries  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/2cAU8c-K0Cw   Even in a non-smoking theater, you breathe dangerous levels of tobacco-generated toxins carried in on clothing.  Environmental scientists at Yale measured levels of dangerous chemicals floating in the air during movies frequented by non-smokers versus flicks viewed by smokers.   Analyzing theater air by gas chromatography showed that more hazardous volatile organic gases waft off the clothing of attendees during action movies than during family movies.  Why?  Those loving action films are more often regular smokers.  The toxic emissions during a 2 hour movie were equal to smoking 2-20 cigarettes.   Keep this in mind when decide to view a particular movie in a public theater or streaming at home.    Roger Sheu, Christof Stönner, Jenna C. Ditto, Thomas Klüpfel, Jonathan Williams, Drew R. Gentner. Human transport of thirdhand tobacco smoke: A prominent source of hazardous air pollutants into indoor nonsmoking environments. Science Advances, 2020; 6 (10): eaay4109 DOI: 1

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/yerTUeUS_8E   Yamaha has voluntarily recalled its Line 6 Relay G10 Digital Wireless Guitar System. And its charging cable.  The lithium battery may overheat forcing off the battery cover risking both fire and injuries.  If your have the unit, stop using it and call Yamaha at 1-877-865-4636 to obtain more information about a firmware fix for the unit and a replacement charging cable.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Yamaha-Recalls-Digital-Wireless-Equipment-for-Electric-Guitars-Due-to-Fire-and-Injury-Hazards   #yamaha #guitar #g10system #lithiumbattery  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/29wDas_xOXw   Pero Family Farms Food Company is voluntarily recalling its Zucchini Spiral Pesto Side Dish Kit.  This product contains undeclared egg and milk allergens.  Those allergic to these could suffer life-threatening reactions.   This product has been sold in: Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia.   Return the product to the point of purchase.  For more information, call the company at 1-561-498-5771.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pero-family-farms-food-co-issues-alert-undeclared-egg-and-milk-allergens-zucchini-trays   #recall #pesto #egg #milk  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/q_ZpN3hEIr4   The Meijer Company is recalling its Mixed Nuts with Peanuts and Sea Salt product.  There are undeclared tree-nut allergens, Brazil nuts, contaminating the product.     Those with tree-nut or Brazil nut allergies should not consume this product.  A severe allergic reaction could be life-threatening.   The product as been sold by Meijer superstores in: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.   Throw the product away or return it to the point of purchase.  For more information, call the company at 1-800-543-3704.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/meijer-recalls-select-mixed-nuts-due-undeclared-brazil-nuts-product    #recall #mixednuts #treenuts #brazilnuts  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/x3Xy--faEb4   Sun Hong Foods of Montebello, CA is recalling its Enoki Mushrooms.  This product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  Listeria causes serious, sometimes life-threatening illness in the young, old, ill, or immune-compromised.  The product was sold in CA, TX, OR, WA, TX, IL FL.     Return the product to the point of purchase or call the company at 1-323-597-1112.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sun-hong-foods-inc-recalls-enoki-mushroom-because-possible-health-risk   #recall #mushrooms #listeria

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/IGrRPbKKB2U   The veteran MAO inhibitor phenelzine, branded as Nardil, may help control recurrent prostatic cancer.  Oncologists at USC studied 20 prostatic cancer patients with persistently elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen, PSA, following definitive surgery or radiation therapy for prostatic cancer.   The men were treated with phenelzine 30 mg twice daily for 3 months.  Results showed that 24% had PSA drops of more than 30% and 6% had drops of more than 50%.  The downsides of treatment include dizziness and blood pressure elevation.    Mono-amine oxidase inhibitors block androgen receptor function and prostate cancer growth.  This drug may help fight this second most common cancer in men when other treatment fails.   Mitchell E. Gross, David B. Agus, Tanya B. Dorff, Jacek K. Pinski, David I. Quinn, Olga Castellanos, Patrick Gilmore, Jean C. Shih. Phase 2 trial of monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine in biochemical recurrent prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer and Prost

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/cFniiZPEYsE   Warmer, drier weather in late spring and summer will only slow the coronavirus epidemic by some 18%.  This conclusion stems from a detailed study of CoVid19 infection spread in mainland China provinces that differ from each other in terms of average temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation.   Only a rise in average temperature and a drop in average  humidity slow CoVid19 disease spread, and the effect is small.   Eighty-two percent of viral disease containment and mitigation must come from other measures.   Bottom line: don’t believe that balmy weather will protect you from coronavirus.  Only you can do that by obsessive hand washing, not touching your face, social isolation, and healthy lifestyles.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.05.20031872v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #temperature #humidity #spring #summer

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ubLCDxZ-sTI   The CoVid19 could be transmitted person-to-person via a fecal-oral route as well as by respiratory secretions.  A group of 73 Chinese patients testing positive for respiratory CoVid19 were checked for viral RNA in stool.   Just over half of the infected patients had CoVid19 in their fecal material.  Longitudinal testing revealed that 23% of those continued to show evidence of virus in the gastrointestinal tract even after their respiratory samples turned negative.   This study emphasizes the importance of obsessive cleanliness and repeated handwashing particularly after contacting surfaces in public places, especially public restrooms.  Soap and water for 20 seconds is best, and alcohol hand sanitizers a runner-up.   Xiao F, Tang M, Zheng X, Liu Y, Li X, Shan H, Evidence for gastrointestinal infection of SARS-CoV-2, Gastroenterology (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.02.055.   #covid19 #coronavirus #fecal #fecaloral  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/gCXknzkakOU   This novel coronavirus is not transmitted from mother to infant during late-term pregnancy.  British investigators studied 19 pregnant women infected with CoVid19 within 2 weeks of delivery.   Of the 19 women, 84% were symptomatic with disease.   One woman required critical care; there were no maternal deaths.  89% were delivered by c-section and 42% were pre-term deliveries with a mean gestational age of 36.5 weeks.    No CoVid19 was found in amniotic fluid, cord blood, breastmilk, or neonatal throat samples.  This lack of vertical transmission is similar to studies of SARS and MERS during pregnancy.   This tiny, preliminary study is heartening.  More studies of women infected earlier in gestation must now be completed.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.06.20032144v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #pregnancy #verticaltransmission  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/FXMiF8xZxmo   The novel Wuhan coronavirus is transmitted from an infected individual during the last 3 days of their incubation period in 2/3s of cases.  This from Wuhan public health scientists after studying 50 infection clusters that included 124 cases.   The calculated mean incubation period for CoVid-19 was just under 5 days and ranged from less than one day to 11 days.  Looking at those who contracted the virus secondarily, 73% of them were infected before those who infected them even developed symptoms themselves.   To halt the spread of virus, those in contact with an infected person up to a week before their diagnosis was made must be quarantined and tested.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.06.20031955v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #quarantine

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/eQubakkGqM4   The cart basket may break creating sharp ends that can lacerate.  Stop cart use and contact the company at 800-347-8372 for a replacement or refund.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Step2-Recalls-Childrens-Grocery-Shopping-Carts-Due-to-Laceration-Hazard   #recall #step2 #shoppingcart #sharps  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/CX5D425sVEI   Ishtex Textile Products is recalling these nightgowns.  They fail to meet the federal flammability standard and create a burn risk.  Stop using them and call the company at 800-935-0914 for a refund.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Just-Blanks-Childrens-Nightgowns-Recalled-by-Ishtex-Textile-Products-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standard-Burn-Hazard#   #recall #justblanks #nightgown #fire

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/X6C6XPGma6M   These units have faulty internal electric components that may fail, produce overheating, and create a fire.  Stop using the unit and contact Lennox at 800-527-3506.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Lennox-Industries-Recalls-Ductless-Heat-Pumps-Due-to-Fire-Hazard   #lennox #heatpump #fire