Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/AlG6nsoVV5Y   If you completed your childhood tetanus shot series, the old DPT and the more recent DTap, you are protected for life against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis or whooping cough.  Infectious disease researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University just published their analysis of World Health Organization data comparing illness in countries that do or do not recommend adult booster vaccinations.   The crunched numbers covering more than 11 billion person-years failed to show any reduction in tetanus or diphtheria in those populations that received vaccine boosters every 5 to 20 years.  It appears that childhood vaccinations, if completed, stimulate sufficient immune memory for a lifetime of protection.    Ariel M Slifka, Byung Park, Lina Gao, Mark K Slifka, Incidence of Tetanus and Diphtheria in Relation to Adult Vaccination Schedules, Clinical Infectious Diseases, , ciaa017, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa017   #tetanus #diphtheria #dpt #dtap #boosters  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/MpvcfzFj7j8   Metformin, an oral drug for type 2 diabetes, enhances the therapeutic benefits of steroids while reducing their side effects.  A randomized, double blind British study just published in The Lancet looked at 53 participants taking 10-20 mg of prednisone over a 4 month period.   Those also receiving an escalating dose of metformin up to 850 mg 3 times a day, enjoyed improved anti-inflammatory steroid effects and reduced  metabolic side effects as well as fewer bouts of infection and a lower rate of hospitalization for complications.   Chronic steroid therapy is a godsend for those with arthritis, asthma, and cancer.  Adding metformin may just make it more effective and tolerable.    The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (2020). DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30021-8 , http://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(20)30021-8/fulltext   #steroids #metformin #arthritis #copd #asthma  

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/jMcs8Yu3fs8   Regular aspirin use lowers your risk of fractures and osteoporosis.  A just published Australian meta-analysis of 12 studies reviewed data from more than half million persons.   The analysis revealed a 17% lower risk of fracture at any site, long bones and spine, for those taking aspirin.  Aspirin users enjoyed higher bone mineral densities in their hips as well as in their lumbar spines.  The effect seemed independent of aspirin dosage though most were likely on low dose regimens.   Aspirin works this magic through its anti-inflammatory powers.  The investigators stop short of recommending a low dose regimen for osteoporosis prophylaxis, but, if your doctor agrees you can take it, it can’t hurt.    Barker AL, Soh S, Sanders KM, et al Aspirin and fracture risk: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies BMJ Open 2020;10:e026876. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026876   #aspirin #osteoporosis #fracture

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/lasjqmeLz0s   Drivers of luxury vehicles are significantly less likely to yield for pedestrians.  This is the conclusion of a new study from the University of Nevada..  The researchers studied the behavior of 461 autos as they negotiated several Las Vegas crosswalks.   Overall, only an abysmal 28% of cars yielded to crossing pedestrians.  The odds of a car yielding diminished some 3% for every $1000 escalation in its dollar value.   It gets worse. All cars yielded less often for men than women, only 24 versus 31%, and less often for non-whites than whites 25%, versus 31%.   Bottom line: get your head out of your phone when crossing.    CourtneyCoughenourPhDaJamesAbelarBSaJenniferPharrPhDaLung-ChangChienPhDaAshokSinghPhDb.  Estimated car cost as a predictor of driver yielding behaviors for pedestrians.  J. Transport & Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2020.100831   #automobiles #crosswalks #luxury

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/JK_O-SRM5sg   Downing more food earlier in the day can help your weight control efforts.  Researchers at Vanderbilt University draw this conclusion from their small but detailed metabolic study of middle aged subjects eating 3 meals a day.   When the participants eat their third meal of the day later in the evening, they burned less fat and stored rather than expended calories.  Over time, this eating pattern and its metabolic consequences will trigger weight gain.   This study is bad news for those who love dining late into the evening.  One way to counterbalance this effect of your body’s biologic clock is to consume fewer total calories: particularly those in fried foods and desserts.    Kevin Parsons Kelly, Owen P. McGuinness, Maciej Buchowski, Jacob J. Hughey, Heidi Chen, James Powers, Terry Page, Carl Hirschie Johnson. Eating breakfast and avoiding late-evening snacking sustains lipid oxidation. PLOS Biology, 2020; 18 (2): e3000622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000622   #circad

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/--0-xO5Nnho   Those who work from home are just as likely to win promotions as those who toil daily at the office.  A new study from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute focused on survey responses from 405 full-time employees analyzing percentage of work time telecommuting, promotions, salary growth, and company telecommuting attitude.   The most important variable is a company’s acceptance of telecommuting.   Given that,  telecommuters enjoyed promotions as often as onsite workers.   To earn equal pay bumps, however, telecommuters must enthusiastically demonstrate their commitment to organizational success.  In this regard, face time with managers is a must.   Telecommuting offers better work-life balance and less time inhaling inhaling traffic and mass transit pollutants.    Timothy D. Golden, Kimberly A. Eddleston. Is there a price telecommuters pay? Examining the relationship between telecommuting and objective career success. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2020; 116: 103348

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/iBYEZb0dOug Dr. James Robb, former molecular virologist at UC-San Diego and the first molecular virologist to characterize the coronavirus genum, is sharing the precautions he is personally taking to avoid the CoVid19 virus.   No handshaking: fist bump, elbow bump, bow ok. Use your knuckles to push buttons. Operate public devices like gasoline pumps with a disposable glove or paper towel. Open doors with your closed fist, hip, or a glove. Especially store and postoffice doors. Have disinfectant wipes and use them to wipe grocery store cart handles and seats for kids. Handwashing: 20 seconds with soap/water or, second best, >60% alcohol hand sanitizer that you keep at very door, in your auto, and in your coat. Sneeze into a disposable tissue rather than elbow.  The clothing will contain infectious virus for more than a week. A disposable surgical mask won’t protect you from a direct cough/sneeze.  It’s a reminder to keep your hands away from your nose and mouth that we all tend to

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/gjn9KMa3cHc   Third and fourth graders playing sports wolf down 25% more calories after their game than they burn during the game.  Utah’s Brigham Young University studied kids playing 189 games of soccer, flag football, baseball, and softball.   The children burned 170 calories during the game but gorged on 213 calories afterwards.  The calorie count surged due to sugary drinks like Capri Sun and Kool-Aid as well as cookies and cakes.   Sports participation is wonderful for growing children’s’ bodies, but it won’t stem the obesity crisis unless kids consume fewer calories than they burn.  Substitute iced water or real fruit juices for the sugar drinks and offer fruit in place of pastries.    Natalie Bennion, Lori Andersen Spruance, Jay E. Maddock. Do Youth Consume More Calories than they Expended in Youth Sports Leagues? An Observational Study of Physical Activity, Snacks, and Beverages. American Journal of Health Behavior, 2020; 44 (2): 180 DOI: 10.5993/AJHB.44.2.6   #youthsport

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/POdAfXsCW28   Remdesivir, Gilead Pharmaceutical’s experimental drug coded GS-5734, is an antiviral nucleotide analog that currently shows the most promise for treating our current novel coronavirus disease.  A just published study from from Canada’s University of Alberta explains how this pharmaceutical, originally developed to treat Ebola, actually works.   Remdesivir is metabolized to remdesivir-triphosphate that vigorously blocks the participation of adenosine triphosphate, better known as ATP, in the synthesis of new viral RNA.  No new viral RNA, no viral replication and the disease fades.   Remdesivir, affectionately called RDV, has shown significant clinical effects on CoVid19 victims in China.  More extensive testing is underway but so far, it’s all good news.    Calvin J Gordon, Egor P Tchesnokov, Joy Y. Feng, Danielle P Porter, Matthias Gotte. The antiviral compound remdesivir potently inhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/4Jgo_sw9i2M   The nanoparticle dust released from your laser printer’s ink cartridge can modify your genetic material and trigger cardiovascular, neurologic, and metabolic disorders.  This according to a collasborative Chinese and American study just published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.   The tissue and blood changes found in rats after their exposures to toner dust suggest a ticking time bomb.  Humans working in close proximity to a laser printer 5 days a week for as little as 4 years could suffer significant genetic damage.    This study is a wake up call for businesses to properly isolate and ventilate printer stations.  Pregnant women should be particularly careful to avoid exposures.   Nancy Lan Guo, Tuang Yeow Poh, Sandra Pirela, Mariana T. Farcas, Sanjay H. Chotirmall, Wai Kin Tham, Sunil S. Adav, Qing Ye, Yongyue Wei, Sipeng Shen, David C. Christiani, Kee Woei Ng, Treye Thomas, Yong Qian, Philip Demokritou. Integrated Transcriptomics, Metabolomics,

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/juFV0v8JcjI   CDC is pinpointing an E. coli outbreak arising from clover sprouts served at Jimmy Johns’s restaurants in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Utah.  If you have recently eaten clover sprouts on a sandwich from Jimmy John’s and are now suffering from stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea immediately contact your doctor for testing and proactive treatment.  If you have part of the sandwich, bring it to your doctor.  It may take up to 9 days for symptoms to begin.   If you have an uneaten sandwich with sprouts, dispose of the sandwich.  Children, elders, pregnant women, those with immune issues, or other chronic illnesses should not eat raw sprouts.  If you become ill, seek help and a diagnosis immediately, and E. coli gastrenteritis can be deadly.   https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o103-clover-sprouts-february-2020   #ecoli #sprouts #jimmyjohns  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/-qaiZeIbGsQ Choice Products of Eau Claire, WI has a voluntary recall on 3 lb Tubs - Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Recalled.  Contains undeclared milk from milk chocolate chips mistakenly added to the product..  Customers should dispose of the product and contact the company at 1-715-318-2848 for a full refund.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/choice-products-usa-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-premier-choice-3-lb-tub-peanut-butter   #recall #cookie #peanutbutter #milk #chocolate  

  xvid https://youtu.be/FxtK0liakRg   Med Man Distribution has voluntarily recalled is Up2 dietary supplement and Bow & Arrow dietary supplement libido enhancer.  products.  A FDA lab analysis has shown that these products contain undeclared sildenafil, the generic for Viagra.  Sildenafil may interact with nitrates found in drugs such as nitroglycerin lowering blood pressure below safe levels.  Those with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol may be taking this drug.  If you have used these products, report any adverse effects to your doctors.  Call the company at 1-705-297-5321 for more information and questions about refunds.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/med-man-expands-voluntary-nationwide-recall-up2-and-bow-arrow-due-presence-undeclared-sildenafil    #recall #sildenafil #viagra #nitdroglycerin  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/t79WUYQmuVw   Sierra Soups of Fresno, CA is voluntarily recalling its Pasta e Fagioli Soup Mix.  The product contain a wrapped package of pasta that contains gluten.  The entire product is labeled gluten-free.  Ingesting. the gluten in this product may cause serious gastrointestinal distress and sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions.  Production of this product has been suspended.  Do not use this product but rather return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Questions to the company at 1-559-387-0552.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sierra-soups-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-gluten-pasta-e-fagioli-soup    #recall #gluten #pasta #sierrasoups  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/n1b3_qy0v-I   Moonstruck Chocolate Co. of Portland OR is voluntarily recalling its Moonstruck Praline Pecan & Ginger Element Bar In Dark Chocolate due to undeclared milk in the product.  Do not use this product.  Return it to the point of purchase for a refund.  For info call that company at 1-800-557-6666.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/moonstruck-chocolate-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-31-oz-praline-pecan-ginger-element-bar    #recall #milk #darkchocolate #praline #pecan

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/oyjD7YyY0ho   Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets Inc. of Lakewood, CO is voluntarily recalling its Natural Grocers brand Almond Clusters Dark Chocolate due to undeclared peanut allergen.  Those allergic to peanuts could experience a life-threatening reaction.  Do not use this product.  Return it to the store for a refund or credit.  For questions, contact the company at 1-303-986-4600 extension 80801.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/natural-grocers-issues-recall-dark-chocolate-peanut-clusters    #recall #peanut #almondclusters #darkchocolate  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/l_2AbbK0Fus   Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets Inc. of Lakewood, CO is voluntarily recalling its Natural Grocers brand Peanut Clusters Dark Chocolate due to undeclared almond allergen.  Those allergic to almonds could experience a life-threatening reaction.  Do not use this product.  Return it to the store for a refund or credit.  For questions, contact the company at 1-303-986-4600 extension 80801.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/natural-grocers-issues-recall-dark-chocolate-peanut-clusters    #recall #almond #peanutclusters #darkchocolate  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/2VeQNXkqdfc   Taro Pharmaceuticals is voluntarily recalling phenytoin which is the generic for the anti-seizure med Dilantin.  Two lots of this product have a flawed composition, and the medication may not properly suspend when shaken.  This could result in dangerous under- or over-dosing.  This drug is most often used in babies and young children.  The two lots affected are numbered 327874 and 327876.  The company has notified its distributors.  If you have this product at home, obtain a safe supply and call the company at 1-866-705-1553.    https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/taro-pharmaceuticals-usa-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-phenytoin-oral-suspension-usp-125-mg5ml    #recall #phenytoin #dilantin #seizures #pediatrics  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ii-xpbDI6Xo   7 precautions you can take to remain healthy. Wash hands with soap/water for 20 sec. frequently particular after toileting, before eating, after nose blowing coughing, sneezing.  No soap/water? Use alcohol hand sanitizer. Avoid close contact with sick persons. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Stay home if you’re sick. Cough a cough/sneeze into your elbow. Clean/disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with household cleaners. Those with respiratory illness should wear face masks. Those are the 7 steps you can take to remain free of CoVid19 and avoid passing it to those you love.   #covid19 #coronavirus #epidemic #pandemic  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/aIBFjDNFFjU   WARNING LEVEL 3: No non-essential travel.  China and South Korea. ALERT LEVEL 2: No non-essential travel for older adults and those with chronic medical conditions.  Italy, Iran, Japan.  Other destinations with community spread:  Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan. WATCH LEVEL 1: Travel OK but practice usual precautions.  Hong Kong.   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html     #covid19 #coronavirus #epidemic #pandemic #cdc #travel