Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

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

•The butterflies in your stomach can dissolve food Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8p6v9qRXVP/ Study after study now show that there is a strong connection between your gut and your brain.  The latest evidence support that link come from psychologists  at Rome’s Sapienza University.  The researchers trigger strong emotions in their 30 subjects by showing them videos that triggered disgust, fear, and sadness and control clips that created happiness.  After viewing the negative short flicks, the subjects experienced surges in their stomach acids.  The more disturbing the videos, the greater the acid production and the lower the pH.   The bottom line:  when you feel those stomach butterflies or even frank acid indigestion, its probably time to watch less disturbing scenes snd pop some Tums in your mouth. https://elifesciences.org/articles/85567 #anxiety #acid #indigestion #horror

Nuts may help you lose weight  Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8p58YXJZAk/ When you diet to take off those pounds, you want you food plan to work as effectively as possible.  When you deprive yourself of those foods you love, you want to do so for as short a period of time as necessary.  Enter Australian nutritionists who find that nuts do both.  Their meta-analysis of 7 on-point studies reveals adding nuts to diets with calorie restrictions led to increased weight loss in 4 of the 7 studies.  What’s the nut magic? Nuts contain fatty acids that burn other fats faster, slow stomach emptying so you feel full, and lower blood sugar levels.  The nuts that worked were peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and pistachios.  https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nutrition-research-reviews/article/effects-of-energyrestricted-diets-with-or-without-nuts-on-weight-body-composition-and-glycaemic-control-in-adults-a-scoping-review/AC91A4A51BCB1EC6A710471F68469489 #nuts #dieting

Wolfing down that fast food might make you more anxious Vidcast:   https://www.instagram.com/p/C8p4cnQubTL/ Bad news for the Big Mac and fries fans.  University of Colorado-Boulder physiologists report that a high fat diet, 45% of calories in fat, triggers anxiety, at least in their rodent subjects but very likely also in humans.  The extra fats appear to turn on genes that produce the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brainstem zone associated with stress and anxiety.  They also found that the fatty foods triggered that growth of gut bacterial populations associated with unhealthy feelings. Sooo….. want that positive mental attitude?  Lay off that fast food! https://biolres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40659-024-00505-1 #fats #anxiety #fastfood

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8L7RsdsOGL/ The Food and Drug Administration and Suntegrity Skincare are recalling multiple shades of Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Sunscreen Foundation due to fungal contamination with an aspergillus species.  Recalled are lots 115BU, 107IV, 107NU, 109NU, 117BU, 113SA, 114SA, 106BR, and 101MO. Do not use this sunscreen skin product.  Return the product to your retailer for a refund or store credit.  If you purchased via the suntegrityskincare.com or amazon.com, email the company at ImpeccableSkinRecall@SuntegritySkincare.com with your order number, product lot number, name, and a photo of the tube lot number so your purchase can be verified and your refund provided. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/suntegrity-skincare-issues-voluntary-recall-suntegrity-impeccable-skin-sunscreen-foundation-multiple #suntegrity #sunscreen #mold #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8L6YrcsKBM/ The Food and Drug Administration and Classic Delight LLC are recalling a raft of ready to eat sandwiches, subs, muffins, burgers, waffles, bagels and biscuits under the Classic Delight, Nutrisystemm and Wakefiel brands.  Reason is that these items are contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. 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.  These items were sold in Arkansas, California, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.  Discard and all of these products or, better, return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For more information: Classic Delight Consumer Hotline at (419)-300-3202 or the email at info@classicdelight.com. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/classic-delight-llc-issues-public-health-alert-due-possible-health-risk #clas

Vids https://www.instagram.com/p/C8L5uDmpccy/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Daikin Comfort Technologies now recall Amana, Daikin, and Goodman branded air conditioning and heat pump units.  The information plates on these units misstate the electrical ratings leading to dangerously incorrect wiring and fires. About 12,100 units have been sold. Immediately contact Daikin at 833-324-5460 to arrange for for a free inspection and repair. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Daikin-Comfort-Technologies-Manufacturing-Recalls-Amana-Daikin-Goodman-Branded-Air-Conditioning-and-Heat-Pump-Packaged-Units-Due-to-Fire-Hazard #daikin #amana #goodman #airconditioners #heatpumps #electrical #fires #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8L5BOkNZGf/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Southern Telecom now recall Lomi Roll-On Waxing Kits.  The roll-on warmers in these kits can overheat creating fire, burn, and shock hazards. About 19,500 of these kits were sold at Ross, DD's, Bealls, and Burlington stores nationwide. Stop using these kits and contact Southern Telecom at 888-959-0944 and via email at support@customersupport123.com to obtain a full refund. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Southern-Telecom-Recalls-Lomi-Roll-On-Waxing-Kits-Due-to-Fire-Burn-and-Shock-Hazards #lomi #waxingkit #overheating #burn #fire #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8L4W7wOogG/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Nap Queen Sleep have recalled. Nap Queen Sleep Victoria Hybrid Mattresses.  They fail to meet federal flammability standards for mattresses leading to fire and burn risks. About 117,200 of these mattresses have been sold at stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Walmart, Home Depot, Wayfair, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and napqueensleep.com. Don’t sleep on these mattresses until you have contacted Nap Queen Sleep at 866-387-6239 or via email at recall@napqueens.com to obtain a flame-proof mattress cover that makes these mattresses safe and brings them into federal compliance. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Adven-Group-Recalls-Nap-Queen-Sleep-Victoria-Hybrid-Mattresses-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Violation-of-Federal-Mattress-Flammability-Regulations #napqueen #mattress #flammable #burns #fire #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8L3kzGplyI/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Bambu Lab are recalling Bambu Lab A1 3D printers.  If this printer’s heatbed cable is bent or damaged, a short-circuit occurs with sparks and a burn the insulation layer with shock and fire hazards. About 12,800 printers were sold at Micro Center stores nationwide and online at us.store.bambulab.com. Stop using these 3D printers and contact Bambu Lab by email at a1recall@bambulab.com to arrange return of the printer for a full refund or to arrange a free replacement of the heatedbed and cable at a local certified repair shop. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Bambu-Lab-Recalls-A1-3D-Printers-Due-to-Electric-Shock-and-Fire-Hazards #bambu #3dprinter #heatbed #shortcircuit #shock #fire #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8L2QXrO9oW/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Black & Decker are recalling Black and Decker CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Tillers/Cultivators.  Unclear assembly instructions can lead the user to attach the cutting portion of the units upside down leading to possible lacerations. Unclear assembly instructions can lead the user to attach the cutting portion of the units upside down leading to possible lacerations. Stop using these tiller-cultivators and contact Craftsman at 855-237-6848 or email the company at recall@sbdinc.com to receive new assembly instructions showing how to properly complete assembly of the unit. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Black-Decker-Recalls-CRAFTSMAN-V20-Cordless-Tillers-Cultivators-Due-to-Laceration-Hazard #blacdecker #craftsman #tiller #cultivator #assembly #laceration #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8L1joDPxVr/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Spectrum Brands Pet Care are recalling FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Conditioner as these 1 gallon containers are contaminated with bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  This bacterium is a serious risk for those with weak immune systems or medical device implants. About 102,000 bottles were sold in the US and about 250 were sold in Canada all online at amazon.com and chewy.com Stop using this pet fur conditioner and contact Spectrum Brands Pet Care at 888-837-6688 for a free refund and information about safe disposal. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Spectrum-Brands-Pet-Care-Recalls-Pet-Fur-deShedding-Conditioner-Due-to-Risk-of-Exposure-to-Bacteria #furminator #deshedding #dogs #bacteria #pseudomonas #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8L00rOt3KM/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Good Earth Lighting are now recalling Good Earth Rechargeable Integrated Lights.  The batteries within the lights overheat and ignite the units elastic housing leading to fires and burns. More than 1.2 million of these lights were sold in the US and 37,800 were sold in Canada at at hardware and home improvement stores nationwide such as Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Meijer, and Menards, and online at Goodearthlighting.com, Amazon.com, Lowes.com and QVC.com. Stop using these lights and contact Good Earth Lighting at 800-291-8838  or via email at productrecall@goodearthlighting.com to receive a free replacement light. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Good-Earth-Lighting-Recalls-More-than-1-2-Million-Rechargeable-Integrated-Lights-to-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-One-Death-Reported #goodearthlighting #ledlights #batteries #overheating #fires #burns #recall