Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3THC3ALNyY/ The CPSC and the Flat River Group are recalling NextGen Children’s Bicycles due to multiple violations of US bicycle safety standards including missing footbrakes on the 10, 12, and 16 inch models, and  missing chain guards and reflectors on the 20 inch models. About 22,700 of these children’s bikes were sold at Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Amazon, Fingerhut, Groupon, HSN, Kohls, Lowe's, Macys, Overstock, QVC, Target, Tractor Supply and Walmart. Do not allow your children to ride these bikes.  Contact the Flat River Group e at 1-833-857-1010 for instructions regarding returning the bikes for a full refund. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Flat-River-Group-Recalls-Childrens-Bicycles-Due-to-Crash-and-Injury-Hazards-Violation-of-Federal-Safety-Regulations-for-Bicycles #nextgen #childrens #bicycles #safety #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3TGOghLZdq/ The CPSC and the MoMA Design Store are recalling Little Wanderer Snow Globes as they tend to crack leading to laceration hazards. About 1915 snow globes were sold st MoMA Design Stores and online at store.moma.com. Stop using these snow gloves and contact the MoMA Design Store at 1-800-793-3167 or via email at order_services@moma.org to arrange a free refund. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/The-Museum-of-Modern-Art-Recalls-Glass-Little-Wanderer-Snow-Globes-Due-to-Laceration-Hazard-Sold-Exclusively-at-MoMA-Design-Stores #MoMA #design #snowglobe #fracture #lacerations #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3TFTm-LdcG/ The CPSC and the BISSELL company are recalling BISSELL Multi Reach Hand and Floor Vacuum Cleaners as their battery packs overheat creating fire and burn hazards. About 142,000 of these vacuums were sold in the US, and about 14,600 were sold in Canada at Lowe’s, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, Best Buy and other stores nationwide and online at bissell.com, amazon.com, hsn.com and by other online sellers. Stop using these recalled vacuums and contact BISSELL at 1-855-417-7001 or via email at RecallNA@bissell.com for instructions regarding safe battery discharging and receipt of a replacement vacuum.  The lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of at governmental disposal/recycling centers. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/BISSELL-Recalls-Multi-Reach-Hand-and-Floor-Vacuum-Cleaners-Due-to-Fire-Hazard #bissell #battery #vacuums #overheating #fires #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3TEnouL2iS/ The CPSC and Husqvarna are recalling gas-powered Husqvarna Grass Trimmers with model numbers 330LK, 130C and 130 as defective ignition wiring tends to cause fires. About 403,000 of these gas-powered grass trimmers were sold in the US, and  about 17,230 were sold in Canada at Husqvarna dealers, Lowes, Tractor Supply, and other home and gardens stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com. Stop using these grass trimmer and contact a Husqvarna dealer to arrange free repair.  For more information, reach the company at 1-877-257-6921 for via email at recalls@husqvarnagroup.com. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Husqvarna-Recalls-Grass-Trimmers-Due-to-Fire-Hazard #husqvarna #gaspowered #grasstrimmer #ignitioon #fire #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3TD3pkLlz_/ The CPSC and Nanchang Zhongcangjishi E-commerce are recalling Lolanta children's hooded flannel bathrobes as they violate federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear and risk fires and burns. About 16,900 kid’s bathrobes were sold in the US and about 5,600 were sold in Canada all online at lolanta.com and Amazon.com. Do not permit your children to wear these bathrobes and contact the company via the email business@lolanta.com in order to receive a full refund.  To get the refund, you will need to cut the garment in half and submit a photo to the email. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Childrens-Bathrobes-Recalled-Due-to-Burn-Hazard-and-Violation-of-Flammability-Regulations-Sold-by-Nanchang-Zhongcangjishi-E-commerce #children #flannel #bathrobes #flammability #fires #burns #recall 

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3S5u7IrdCP/ The CPSC and Vornado are recalling Steamfast, Vornado and Sharper Image-branded handheld garment steamers as they expel droplets of hot water from the steam nozzle leading to burns. About 2 million of these garment steamers were sold in the US and about 13,000 were sold in Canada at Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Vornado.com, sihomecomfort.com, Steamfast.com and other websites. Stop using these steamers and contact Vornado at 1-888-240-2768 for a full refund or a free replacement garment steamer. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Vornado-Recalls-Two-Million-Handheld-Garment-Steamers-Due-to-Serious-Burn-Hazard #vornado #garmentsteamer #steamfast #sharperimage #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3S4wExrXlh/ The CPSC and the Electroluxs Group are recalling Frigidaire Branded Side by Side Refrigerators with Slim Ice Buckets since the ice bucket assembly tends to fragment and eject plastic pieces leading to choking and laceration hazards.  Affected units were manufactured between 2015 and 2019. About 383,240 refrigerators were sold at Lowe’s, Home Depot and other stores nationwide and online at Frigidaire.com. Stop using the ice makers on these units and contact the Electrolux Group at 1-888-377-7563 or via email at IceBucketRecall@electrolux.com to check if your refrigerator has an ice bucket included in the recall.  If so, the company will arrange a free replacement of your ice bucket assembly component. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Electrolux-Group-Recalls-Frigidaire-Side-by-Side-Refrigerators-with-Slim-Ice-Buckets-Due-to-Choking-and-Laceration-Hazards #frigidaire #refrigerator #icemaker #foreignbodies #lacerations #choking #recall

VPR Disposable Lighters Are Dangers To Children Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3S3wvuLun4/ The CPSC and VPR Brands have recalled VPR Disposable Lighters due to omission of child-resistant mechanisms and failure to comply with federal regulatory requirements for child-resistance.  Young children can easily ignite these lighters leading to fires and burns. About 62,200 of these lighters were sold at small independent stores nationwide and online at vprbrands.com. Stop using these dangerous lighters and contact VPR at 1-888-420-8858 or via email at info@vprbrands.com in order to receive instructions regarding the safe destruction of the lighters, submission of proof of destruction, and receipt of refunds. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/VPR-Brands-Recalls-Lighters-Due-to-Missing-Child-Safety-Feature-Posing-Burn-and-Fire-Hazards-Violation-of-the-Federal-Regulation-for-Cigarette-Lighters #vpr #lighters #childresistance #fires #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3S2wMoL0JN/ The CPSC and the CableMod company now recall CableMod Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) V1.0 and V.1.1 Angled Adapters since the adapter’s male connector becomes loose, overheats, and melts into the GPU creating fire and burn hazards. About 25,300 of these adapters were sold online at CableMod.com, Amazon.com and other websites. Stop using these recalled angle adapters and contact CableMod at 1-888-203-3605 or via email at support@cablemod.com for instructions regarding safe removal of the adapter and receipt of a full refund including shipping cost or a $60 store credit.  To get the refund, you must upload a photo of the destroyed product to cabled.com/adapterrecall. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/GPU-Angled-Adapters-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Manufactured-by-CableMod #cablemod #angleadapter #overheating #fire #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GiruILi3M/ Women can now screen at home for cervical cancer risk by testing for the presence of a dangerous Human Papilloma Virus or HPV.  HPV is actually a family of more than 100 viruses of various types some of which can cause cancers including cervical cancer.  The two types most often associated with cancer include HPV 16 and HPV 18, but 12 types in all are known to be cancer-related. HPV can be spread via sexual activity, and the CDC reports that nearly ALL sexually-active persons are infected with HPV.  Half of these HPV infections involve high-cancer-risk HPV types.  Most HPV infections are eliminated by the immune system but some persist.  If an HPV infection by a high-risk HPV type persists, it can trigger cancer. HPV vaccination is recommended for all boys and girls at age 11 but can be given to anyone under the age of 45.  Most persons have been infected by HPV by age 27 making the vaccine less useful.  The Gardasil 9 vaccine protects against the 7 HPV t

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Gh4-DLzaP/ A belt that delivers calibrated vibrations to a woman’s lower spine and hips can reduce loss of bone strength by 83%.  This the conclusion of Stanford University endocrinologists who tested the device in a double blinded, sham-controlled trial of 126 post-menopausal women.  The women randomized to use the vibrating belt at least 3 times a week compared with the group wearing a similar but non-vibrating belt also enjoyed a significant 1.68% preservation of vertebral bone density.  The device, called the Osteoboost Vibration Belt, has received an FDA breakthrough device designation and clearance for marketing by the Bone Health Technologies company. https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20240118/fda-clears-wearable-vibration-belt-for-postmenopausal-women-with-osteopenia #osteoporosis #vibrations #osteoboost #belt #stanford #bonestrength #bonedensity ]

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Gg8BXLguZ/ All of us age as the cells that make up our bodies age.  Now, biologists at New York’s Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have discovered a method to retrain T killer lymphocytes, those that attack cancers and viruses, to destroy aging cells in our bodies.  When that happens, the body’s aging process stops and, in some cases, reverses. The researchers created so called CAR-T cells, T cells trained to hone in on cells with the aging protein urokinase plasminogen activator receptor or uPAR and destroy these cells.  Employing this therapy in aging mice improved that animals’ exercise capacities, metabolism, and overall vitality. This method for eliminating aging cells and stopping or even reversing aging is an exciting development in the search for the the ever-elusive fountain of youth.   We can only hope that  CAR-T therapy or other ways to eliminate uPAR will be available to make all of us feel and perhaps actually be

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GfzYVrVQU/ Neuroscientists at The University of Wisconsin-Madison announce the successful 3D printing of functional brain tissue.  Brain cells, neurons, are generated from stem cells and “printed” with a bio-ink gel into a thin layer.  Once nourished with nutrients and oxygen, these neurons are able to connect with one another in order to send and receive the electrical signals that characterize brain activity.  Others have tried this feat, but the British researchers ascribe their success to a printing technique modification.  Rather than printing horizontal layers, they printed the cell-laden gel in vertical layers.  It’s a heavy lift, but hopefully it will be possible to replace damaged sections of our brains…..someday soon. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240201212823.htm #3dprinting #brain #bioink #uwisconsin 

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Gd8J9LAmk/ A novel approach to preventing diabetic eye and kidney disease employs an enzyme inhibitor that prevents damage to the linings of the tiniest blood vessels.   Research nephrologists at the UK’s University of Bristol have developed a heparanase inhibitor drug, OVZ/HS-1638, that prevents enzymatic damage to blood vessel linings, the so-called endothelial glycocalyx.  Using a mouse model, the investigators show that this agent can effectively prevent heparan sulfate damage in the glycocalyx and the development of retinal and renal vessel damage. Over 8% of the world’s population suffers from diabetes and the most devastating aspect of this disease is damage to small vessels in not only the eyes and kidneys but also in the cardiovascular system. Such damage causes blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.  This enzyme inhibitor and others like it that protect the delicate blood vessel linings could be a powerful weapon

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Gc6AXrwP1/ Pancreatic and bowel cancers are two of the most difficult to treat, but they often sport a unique marker that can serve as a target for killer T cells.  Oncologists at New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Texas’ MD Andersons Cancer Center have led a collaborative study showing that the KRAS gene marker which appears in 93% of pancreatic cancers and 50% of colorectal cancers can serve as the basis for new vaccine against these cancers. In a human phase 1 study, 20 patients with pancreatic cancer and 5 patients with bowel cancer unresponsive to other therapies received an anti-KRAS protein vaccine without undesirable side effects.  84% of the treated group developed detectable T cell immunity against the KRAS gene and that same percentage had measurable reduction in circulating KRAS tumor antigen.  24% of patients had complete elimination of these KRAS biomarkers. Those patients with the best anti-KRAS immune responses were still living lon

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GbDDnrLys/ Implantation of a programmable neurostimulation system in her brain has brought remarkable relief to a 34 year old woman suffering from both epileptic seizures and obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD.  This first-of-its-kind- surgery, completed at the Oregon Health & Science University using techniques developed by University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University neuroscientists, involved the implantation of electrodes into the patient’s brain, measurement of her brain’s electrical discharges associated with both her seizures and obsessive behaviors, , destruction of her seizure trigger zone, and programming of a portable microprocessor to deliver deep brain stimulation to block her obsessive-compulsive behaviors. The patient’s long history of OCD impaired her daily life with fears of social interactions, environmental contamination, and possible physical harm from intruders.  Psychological and drug therapy yielded little relief. Even with deep brain

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GaGppLUoW/ Two-thirds of your susceptibility to the CoVid virus is controlled by your genetic makeup while one-third is determined by environmental factors.   This the conclusion of a study by Columbia University biostatisticians following their study of 12, 764 patients with positive or negative CoVid PCR tests. Their data demonstrated that, at the onset of the CoVid pandemic in 2020, environmental factors appeared to correlate with both the incidence and the severity of CoVid infections in about 57% of cases.  Heritability only explained about 43% of cases. Such environmental factors include sick household members, community levels of disease, and measures taken to avoid disease spread including masking, social distancing, and quarantine.  By the end of 2021, heritability-genetic factors had become 1.5-times more important as environmental issues became less important with the advent of vaccine and infection-driven immunity. Having reported these relationships, t

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GZRKUrh9F/ One in every 5 women will suffer a stroke between the ages of 55 and 75. In fact, American women have a 32% higher average risk of developing a stroke than men.  Knowing the multiple factors that increase or decrease that risk can help keep a woman in optimal health. A woman’s stroke risk increases during pregnancy, after menopause, and, in general, with advancing age.  Knowing this, it is critical that women do all they can to control other factors and thereby lessen risk. Blood pressure elevation is a key factor.  For every 10 mmHg systolic pressure elevation above 120, the risk of stroke escalates some 25%.  Blood sugar levels and the development of diabetes is also critical.  Compared with women enjoying fasting sugar levels of 100 mg/dL or less, those with sugar levels greater or equal to 150 have a 59% higher risk of stroke.  Those women with diabetes who need medication for its control have a 61% higher risk of stroke compared with non-diabetic wom

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GYRfxL0SO/ KIBRA, a unique protein so-named as it occurs in both the kidneys and brain, is an essential co-factor in the normal synaptic functions of neurons and the formation of memories.  KIBRA diminishes as Alzheimer’s progresses, and its replacement appears to capably restore cognitive function.   This the conclusion of pre-clinical studies carried out at California’s Buck Institute for Research on Aging, affiliated with the University of Southern California. The Buck research team, using a mouse Alzheimer’s model and a synthetic form of KIBRA, found that replacement of this protein reverses the animals’ memory impairment. While most Alzheimer’s therapy focuses on the reduction of toxic tau and amyloid protein accumulations and the cessation of dementia progression, replacement of KIBRA is a fresh approach that promises a restoration of higher brain functions. https://www.jci.org/articles/view/169064 #alzheimers #dementia #KIBRA #tau #amyloid #buck

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C20hERGrMM9/ The FDA and UTZ Quality Foods are recalling 88 cases of Utz Wavy Original Potato Chips as they have undeclared milk allergen. Those with an allergy to milk could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.   These chips were sold in New York City and throughout New York State. If you bought these potato chips, return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For more information, reach Utz Customer Care at 1-800-367-7629 or via email at customerservice@utzsnacks.com. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/utz-quality-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-utzr-wavy-original-potato-chips-metro-new #utz #potatochips #milk #allergy #recall