Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8z9UeXP0gY/ The Food and Drug Administration and Solata Foods LLC are recalling its fresh spinach sold alone and in salad mixes sold under Solata, Gaia, Full Circle, Uncle Vinny’s,, and Bogopa.  These products all have listeria monocytogenes contamination.  This bacterium causes a severe and sometimes fatal systemic infection in the very young, older frail individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.  Listeria can also trigger miscarriages and stillbirths.  All products have lot #s 40606 and 11006 with expiration dates of 6/20-24/24. Do not consume these products but return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For more information, contact Solana at 845-393-0089. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/solata-foods-recalls-fresh-spinach-and-spinach-products-due-possible-health-risk #solata #spinach #salads #listeria #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8z8jR4s8ey/ The Food and Drug Administration and Prophet Premium Blends have recalled Diamond Shruumz Infused Cones, Chocolate Bars, and Gummies.  These products contain Muscimol, a toxic chemical from Amanita mushrooms that seems to trigger seizures, agitation, muscle spasms, confusion, sleepiness, frank loss of consciousness, heart issues, and blood pressure collapse. Complications from these products have been reported from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Stop using these products and contact Prophet Premium Blends via phone at (209) 314-0881 or email at info@diamondshruumz.com with your order number in order to receive a refund. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk #diamo

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8z7Tw5O05J/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Rooms-To-Go are recalling Cedona Natural View six-drawer dressers, model 33117082.  These tall, inherently unstable dressers tip over and fall if not anchored to the wall leading to entrapment with injuries and possible death for children.  These dressers fail to comply with federal safety standards. About 400 of these dressers were sold at Rooms To Go stores nationwide and online at roomstogo.com. Stop loading these dressers and contact Rooms To Go at 855-688-0919 or via email at productcare@roomstogo.com for a free replacement to be delivered to your home. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Six-Drawer-Dressers-Sold-Exclusively-at-Rooms-To-Go-Recalled-Due-to-Tip-Over-and-Entrapment-Hazards-Violation-of-Federal-Regulation-for-Clothing-Storage-Units-Imported-by-Global-Home-USA #roomstogo #cedoma #6drawerdresser #tipov er #entrapment #injury #death #children #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8z6j0httZm/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Orly Corporation now recall Lavender Scented Candles sold exclusively at Cracker Barrel stores.  These 3 wick candles can burn so intensely that they set the candle’s wooden bowl on fire leading to burns or worse. About 3600 candles were sold at Cracker Barrel stores. Stop lighting these dangerous candles and return yours to any Cracker Barrel store for a refund.  More information is available from Orly at 800-917-2573 or via email at candlerecall@orly-corp.com. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Orly-Recalls-Lavender-Scented-Candles-in-a-Round-Wooden-Bread-Bowl-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Sold-Exclusively-at-Cracker-Barrel-Old-Country-Store #crackerbarrel #orly #lavender #candles #3wick #fires #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8z55mjRf3k/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Head Rush Technologies are recalling Trueblue iQ Auto Belay Devices.  This device fails to retract and hold a climber safely leading to falls, serious injuries, and possible death.  About 2,200 devices were sold in the US and about 254 were sold in Canada online at headrushtech.com. Climbers should stop using these belay devices.  Contact Head Rush Technologies at 720-565-6885 or via email at info@headrushtech.com to arrange a free inspection and repair. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Head-Rush-Technologies-Recalls-TRUBLUE-iQ-Auto-Belay-Devices-Due-to-Fall-Hazard #trueblue #belay #malfunction #fall #injuries #death #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8z5QPDsprO/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Stylecraft are recalling Instinct Professional Vector Motor Cordless Hair Clippers.  This appliance overheats creating fire and burn hazards. About 50,000 of these clippers were sold in the US and about 1,320 were sold in Canada at professional beauty supply stores nationwide and online at stylecraftus.com and amazon.com. Stop using these clippers and visit /stylecraftus.com/recall_1 to receive instructions regarding obtaining a replacement battery and how to install it.  The batteries can also be replaced at a Stylecraft authorized service center.  For more information, call 888-864-6409 or email at CSteam@stylecraftus.com. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/StyleCraft-Recalls-Instinct-Cordless-Hair-Clippers-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards #instinct #stylemaster #hairclipper #overheating #fire #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8zzaFctp8c/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Goal Zero are recalling Yeti Link Expansion Modules and EC8 Cables.  They overheat and melt leading to fire and burn hazards. About 34,460 units were sold in the US and about 815 were sold in Canada at REI, Bass Pro, Batteries Plus, Scheels, and Sportsman's Warehouse stores nationwide, and online at Goal Zero.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Backcountry.com. Stop using these units and contact Goal Zero at 888-794-6250 or via email at support@goalzero.com to receiver a free replacement kit. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Goal-Zero-Recalls-Yeti-Link-Modules-with-EC8-Cables-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards #yeti #linkmodules #cables #overheating #fires #nurns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8zx3BQRSbs/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Vitamix announce a repeat recall of Vitamix Ascent® Series and Venturist® Series 8-ounce and 20-ounce Blending Containers and Blade Bases.  These containers separate from the blade bases, exposing the blades, and creating laceration hazards. About 569,000 of these units were sold in the US and about 121,950 were sold in Canada at Costco, Best Buy, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, Target, Williams Sonoma, Walmart and specialty and independent stores nationwide, and online at Vitamix.com, Amazon.com and QVC.com.  The previous recall occurred in August of 2018. Stop using these containers and blade bases, even if you had yours previously recalled.  Contact Vitamix at 855-215-5178 or via email at service@vitamix.com for a free repair kit. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Vitamix-Reannounces-and-Expands-Recall-of-Ascent-Series-and-Venturist-Series-8-ounce-and-20-ounce-Blending-Containers-and-Blade-Bases-Due-to-Laceration

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8zxHr-PR9r/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the my charge company are recalling myCharge POWER HUB All-In-One 10,000mAh portable chargers. They overheat while charging leading to fire and burn hazards. About 567,000 chargers were sold at Costco stores and online at Costco.com. Stop charging and using these chargers and contact myCharge at 888-251-2026 or via email at compliance@mycharge.com in order to obtain a free replacement charger. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/myCharge-Recalls-POWER-HUB-All-In-One-Portable-Chargers-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Sold-Exclusively-at-Costco #mycharge #chargers #overheating #burns #fires #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8zwcLSMdMq/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and MM Products now recall JoyJolt Drinkware Declan Single-Wall Glass Coffee Mugs.  Filling them with hot drinks leads to cracking with burns and lacerations. About 580,000 of these mugs were sold online at amazon.com and on.joyjolt.com. Stop using these coffee mugs and and contact MM Products at 888-569-5680 or via, email at recall@joyjolt.com to obtain at full refund. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/MM-Products-Recalls-JoyJolt-Declan-Glass-Coffee-Mugs-Due-to-Burn-and-Laceration-Hazards #joyjolt #coffeemugs #cracking #burns #lacerations #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8zvt_-gQKh/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Cinmar are recalling all Cinmar Frontgate Resort Collection Newport Aluminum Chaises.  Adjusting the backrest while seated can lead to it suddenly falling and amputate your fingers. About 70,000 of these chaises were sold at Frontgate stores in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, and online at Frontgate.com. Stop sitting on these chaises and contact Cinmar at 888-298-4651to receive a free repair kit after submitting a photo of your chaise lounge. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Cinmar-Recalls-Frontgate-Chaise-Lounge-Chairs-Due-to-Finger-Crushing-and-Amputation-Hazards #cinmar #frontgate #chaise #bac Brest #injury #amputation #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8zu60SslG0/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission snd MGA Entertainment have recalled Miniverse Make It Mini Sets that fabricate mini appliances, food, and lifestyle items due to resins in the sets that contain dangerous  acrylate chemicals in violation of federal regulations governing children’s’ toys. About 21 million of these sets were sold at Target, Walmart, Family Dollar, Dollar General, ALDI, Hobby Lobby and other stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, shop.mgae.com, Target.com, Walmart.com and other sites. Stop your children from using these toy sets and contact MGA Entertainment at 800-222-4685 or via email at mvcustomer_care@mgae.com to arrange for product return and refunds. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/MGA-Entertainment-Recalls-Miniverse-Make-It-Mini-Sets-with-Unused-Liquid-Resins-Due-to-Risk-of-Skin-Eye-and-Respiratory-Irritation-and-Sensitization-Violation-of-the-Federal-Hazardous-Substances-Act #makeitmini #toysets #resins #acrylates #poi

A nose spray could reverse early Alzheimer’s  Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8qtL3vNsA-/ Alzheimer’s dementia develops as brain cells, neurons, progressively lose the ability to communicate.  That occurs when a complex reaction involving the tau protein depletes the micro-bubbles, technically synaptic vesicles, that carry the neurotransmitters necessary for cell to cell communication.  Now Japanese neurobiologists have discovered a peptide molecule PHDP5 that prevents tau from draining the synaptic vesicle supply.  To deliver this Alzheimer’s neutralizing peptide to the brain, the researchers modified it and packaged it into a nasal spray so it penetrates the thin blood-brain barrier at the roof of the nose.  Using this PHDP5-nasal spray, Alzheimer’s like dementia has been reversed in mice.  The treatment works best for early Alzheimer’s.  It can’t cure the disease, but it delays or halts the cognitive decline.  That is significant and hopefully will hit the clinic…..someday soon. https://www.scienc

•Instead of a blood stick use your sweat Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8qsViRRAge/ If you sweat having to go to the lab for a blood draw, that sweat may come in handy.  Bioengineers at the Washington State University have successfully 3D printed a flexible patch with multiple micro channels that facilitate unique single-atom catalyst-based colorimetric bioassays for up to 3 biomarkers found in both blood and sweat such as glucose, lactate, and uric acid.  The color changes that occur as levels of these molecules vary are amplified to deliver accurate blood levels of them.  Glucose measurements are critical for diabetics, uric acid levels help monitor gout as well as kidney and heart issues, while lactate levels quantitate intensity of aerobic exercise. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssensors.4c00528# #sweat #glucose #uricacid #lactate #diabetes #gout #exercise

•Sensitive blood biopsy detects cancer and its recurrences earlier Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8qrkwgAyZS/ Using spinal fluid and blood, liquid biopsies are under rapid development to improve cancer therapy.  Geneticists at New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have perfected an ultra-sensitive, machine-learning liquid biopsy technique for detecting and analyzing cancer DNA circulating in blood.  The system enhances and amplifies the information obtainable from tiny concentrations of circulating genetic material. This permits advanced warning and quantitation of a cancer’s metastatic spread, measurement of its eradication with therapy, and a timely signal of its unfortunate recurrence. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03040-4 #fluidbiopsy #genetics #cancer

•Testing cerebral spinal fluid, CSF, for brain cancer genes avoids brain biopsies Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8qqy5zN10a/ Modern cancer chemo- and immunotherapy requires genetic analysis of a patient’s cancer cells and is called precision or personalized therapy.  In the case of brain cancer, open biopsies to obtain tissue for gene testing is invasive and time-consuming.  Harvard neurosurgeons at the Mass General Hospital have perfected a technique for rapid genetic analysis of brain tumors using cerebral spinal fluid material harvested using non-invasive lumbar punctures.  The technique worked effectively in a pilot study that  sampled material from gliomas and brain lymphomas.  Genetic mapping was successful in 42% of cases cutting the time necessary to formulate precision, individualized cancer treatment from 12 to 3 days.  That’s impressive and hopefully will save many patients from having their skulls tapped. https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/doi/10.1182/blood.2024023832/516189/Rapid

•3D biopsies could detect cancer earlier Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8qqE3Bp96U/ Johns Hopkins pathologists have developed a novel three dimensional tissue biopsy method.  Conventional biopsies are two dimensional, but the Hopkins researchers computer-aggregated the images from hundreds of sequential tissue layers to produce a 3D picture of tissues.  This technique is similar to that utilized in CT and MR scans.  Using this technique, they studied pancreatic biopsies and discovered interconnected networks of almost imperceptible precancerous lesion networks called pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias that can grow into lethal pancreatic cancer.  This technique must be refined before its ready for the clinic, but it promises more precise diagnoses and earlier, more effective cancer treatment. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07359-3 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666634022004901 #3D #pathology #cancer 

•High tech stool test could save you a colonoscopy Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8qpILUM7wd/ I’ve mentioned the FIT test in past reports.  The letters stand for fecal immunological test, a screening test that detects the presence of blood hemoglobin in stool.  The FIT is a Yes/No test, and if it’s YES, it’s time for a colonoscopy.  Now Taiwanese investigators report in JAMA that a sensitive fecal test that can sensitively and precisely report the actual concentration of hemoglobin in the stool and predict the likelihood of bowel cancer and mortality.  In their study of 3.5 million subjects, this personalized, precision stool blood test reduced the need for colonoscopy by 28% freeing more than one in four persons from that awful prep. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2818569 #fit #hemoglobin #blood #fecal #colonoscopy #colon #cancer #blood #test #colonoscopy

•Future insulin may be sensitive to blood sugar levels Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8p83oENKLZ/ The insulin of today must be injected in accordance with a diabetic person’s current and expected blood sugar levels.  The insulin molecules of the future may regulate themselves according to the amounts of sugar in the blood surrounding them permitting the injection of a constant amount of drug or supplying it using an implantable depot.  Chinese research pharmacologists have developed a “smart” glucose-responsive insulin or GRI that does just that.  Insulin is complexed with an inactivating polymer that releases it in the presence of glucose.  This insulin-of-the-future tested successfully in mice and small pigs.  Much work must still be done, but the this self-regulating insulin will make life easier for diabetics…..someday soon. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-023-01138-7 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcibr2400047 #insulin #glucoseresponsive #selfregulating

•Low back pain?  Better get on the hoof Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8p7kl3Oupw/ So your lower back is killing you.  Eighty percent of Americans not only feel your pain but also have it.  Australian physical medicine researchers suggest that a regular walking program could help you.  In a randomized trial, they tested about 700 subjects with documented, significant back pain.  The treatment group received a supervised walking and education program over 6 months while the controls did not.  The data showed that the walkers remained free of recurrent back pain for twice as long as the controls and were 28% less likely to experience any further back pain.  So… don’t just whine and moan, “MY ACHING BACK!”  Get up and walk regularly. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00755-4/fulltext #backpain #walking