Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSEr1jmjkAt/These small packages labeled as cheese crackers but containing peanut butter creates a risk of a severe allergic reaction to peanut-allergic persons. Affected are 27.6-ounce cartons with Best When Used By dates 8 JAN 26 and 15 JAN 26 with the AE plant code.These mislabeled Ritz Crackers were sold in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alabama.If you, a family member, or household guests have a peanut allergy, do not consume any of these crackers but return them to the place of purchase. For more information, call 1-844-366-1171.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mondelez-global-llc-conducts-limited-voluntary-recall-1-sku-ritz-peanut-butter-cracker-sandwiches#ritz #crackers #peanutbutter #cheese #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSEq7SRD1xr/This gently cooked and frozen dog food contains plastic foreign bodies that lead to mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract injuries. Affected are 16-ounce packets with Best By 12/25/2026 B01.This tainted dog food was sold at neighborhood pet stores in Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, as well as in Canada in the Province of Ontario.Stop feeding this product to your dogs and return it to the place of purchase. For more information, contact Fromm Family Foods at 1-800-325-6331 or email the company at info@frommfamily.com.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fromm-family-foods-voluntarily-recalls-bonnihill-beefibowls-food-dogs-due-potential-foreign-material#Bonnihill #BeefiBowls #salmonella #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSD5uoWiTG_/Affected are 34-ounce tubs with lot code 58041, best by July 28, 2026, and 11.5-ounce bags with lot code 58171, best by August 10, 2026.These contaminated nuts were sold at Wegmans stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. between November 3 and December 1, 2025.Check your nut supply and look for these lot codes. If you have these contaminated nuts, return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional information, consumers can contact Wegmans Food Markets at 1-855-934-3663.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mellace-family-brands-california-inc-recalls-wegmans-deluxe-mixed-nuts-unsalted-34-oz-and-115-oz#wegmans #nuts #salmonella #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSD5CmkDx9k/Affected is the 17-ounce glass-jar product sold between September 23, 2022, and December 3, 2025.This soup was sold in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky, Minnesota, Utah, Oklahoma, Kansas, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Iowa.If you, family members, or household visitor have a milk allergy or sensitivity, do not consume this product. Return it to the place of purchase and contact Lil’ Turtles at 1-330-897-6400 to receive a replacement pack or for more information.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lil-turtles-issues-voluntary-recall-due-undeclared-milk-allergen#grandmabelles #tomato #soup #milk #allergy #recall

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSD4R-il-5z/Because this pump builds up excessive pressure during use, it ruptures creating a risk of physical injury to the user or bystanders. The recalled units have the product code 5252801 on the price tag.About 3,170 of these pumps were sold at Primark stores in the Northeast, and in Florida, Maryland, and Illinois.Discontinue using this water balloon pump and return it to a Primark store to receive a full refund in the form of their original payment. For more information, contact Primark at 1-617-946-3236 or visit primark.com/recall.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Primark-US-Recalls-Primark-Water-Balloon-Pumps-Due-to-Injury-Hazard#primack #balloon #pump #explosion #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSD3dnNj_4q/If the item’s seams separate, magnets inside the cubes become loose creating a serious ingestion hazard. When swallowed, the magnets attract each other inside the body and cause intestinal perforations, twisting or blockage, blood poisoning, and even death. About 9,400 sets were sold at Michael’s Stores nationwide and online at Michaels.com, and the 27-piece sets were sold online at Amazon.com.Stop allowing your kids to play with these magnetic building cubes. Contact CreateOn at 1-800-333-0549 or by email at pipcuberecall@CreateOn.com for a replacement. A pre-paid return label will be provided, and a replacement set of pip-cubes will be sent after the recalled cubes are returned.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/CreateOn-Recalls-Pip-Cubes-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Magnet-Ingestion-Hazard#crayola #pipcubes #magnets #ingestions #gastrointestinal #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSD2rvbjvtI/The chip breaker contacts the cutter head blades during use and ejects debris leading to impact and laceration hazards.About 2,300 of these planers were sold in the US, along with 12 sold in Canada at Bibb Tool & Cutter, Hamilton Tool and Supply, PMC Tool Company, Stoll Brothers Lumber and other hardware stores, and online at Grizzly.com, HomeDepot.com, TractorSupply.com, MaxTool.com and other websites.Immediately stop using these recalled planers and contact Grizzly Industrial at 1-888-615-7944 or by email at recalls@grizzly.comfor a free repair kit and installation instructions. The kit includes an upgraded chip breaker adjustment rod, spacer, set screws, lock washers and lock nuts. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Grizzly-Industrial-Recalls-Heavy-Duty-Planers-Due-to-Impact-and-Laceration-Hazards#grizzly #planer #projectiles #injuries #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSD2E7FjrLf/The tumbler handle detaches and becomes a choking hazard for children. Affected are tumblers with serial number 235010 or with no serial number on the bottom under the rubber boot.About 17,000 were sold at Academy Sports, Scheels, Combined Sales Company, Gordons Ace Hardware, Bucks Ace, Kents Grocery, and Basin Sports, as well as online through Hydrojug.com, Amazon.com, Well.ca, and iHerb.com between May 2025 and June 2025.Stop using these tumblers. To receive a free replacement lid, email HydroJug at service@thehydrojug.com with your order details if available, your shipping address, and photos showing the serial number or the absence of one on the bottom. Also send photos of the tumbler lid permanently marked with the word “Recalled” and then dispose of the lid once photographed. For more information, contact the company by email.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/HydroJug-Recalls-14-Ounce-Childrens-Sport-Tumblers-Due-to-Choking-Hazard#hydrojug #tumbler #hand

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSD09_pDBtL/These units tip over if not anchored to a wall creating entrapment hazards that can lead to serious injury or even death for children. The affected dressers are marked with identifiers B0D62S9H39, B0D62TCKD7, B0D62SQC6Q, and B0D62VBGZG.About 4,120 dressers were sold through Amazon.com between September 2024 and October 2025.Stop filling and using this dresser unless it is wall-anchored.  Move it to a child-nonaccessible location. To receive a full refund, contact Casaottima at support@casaottima.store to obtain disposal instructions, take a photo showing that the dresser has been discarded, and email that proof to the company. For more information, you can email.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Casaottima-13-Drawer-Dressers-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Tip-Over-and-Entrapment-Hazards-Violates-Mandatory-Standard-for-Clothing-Storage-Units-Sold-on-Amazon-by-Casaottima#Casaottima #dresser #tipover #entrapment #injury #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSD0Hg0F3cu/The button-cell battery compartment readily opens violating the mandatory toy safety standard and creates a risk of serious injury or death should your child swallow the battery. The recall covers all color sets and sizes that use this defective compartment.About 10,380 of these writing tablet sets were sold through Amazon.com between September 2025 and October 2025.Stop permitting your child to use these writing tablet toys. To receive a free replacement set, write “RECALLED” on the back of both tablets in the pair, take a photo of the marked toys, and email the pictures to KTEBO at writing-tablet-recall@ktebo.com with “Recall Proof” and their name in the subject line. Because button-cell batteries are hazardous, follow your local hazardous-waste procedures for disposal or recycling. For more information, consumers can contact the company by email at the same email,https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/KTEBO-Writing-Tablet-Toys-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Inj

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSDzPi3kUp3/The lithium-ion battery in these power banks overheat and ignite creating fire and burn hazards. Affected are units with serial numbers 000G21, 000H21, 000I21, and 000L21.About 210,000 of these powerbanks were sold through Amazon.com between August 2021 and April 2022.Stop recharging and using these recalled power banks. They should go to INIU’s recall page at iniushop.com/pages/recall-b41 to verify the serial number and register for a full refund. Do not throw the product in the trash or in regular recycling. Lithium-ion batteries involved in a recall must be disposed of through a local household hazardous-waste collection center. For more information, contact INIU at 1-888-886-3606 or via the email recall@iniushop.com. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/INIU-Recalls-Power-Banks-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Sold-on-Amazon#iniu #powerbank #overheating #lithiumion #fire #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBTBdjADuG/Infants developing RSV during the first 6 months of life are more than three times more likely to develop bronchial asthma later on.  This the result of a retrospective Belgian study of nearly 1.5 million children published in the journal Science Immunology.The data showed that infants born to parents without a history of asthma and admitted to hospitals for an RSV infection had a 3.3 fold higher risk of later asthma. Those with less severe RSV case not requiring admission had nearly a 2-fold risk of later asthma.  Those babies whose parent or parents had a history of asthma and developed a severe RSV case had a 5-fold risk of later asthma.This study presents yet another compelling reason for every pregnant woman to receive an RSV vaccination in late pregnancy between 32 and 36 weeks.  Failing that, a long-acting antibody can be administered to the newborn for protection until the child can receive proper RSV vaccination,https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBSUohFMwh/A weight loss pill called “Molecule,”going viral on social media overseas, contains the banned substance sibutramine that boosts your risk of heart attack and stroke.  The Molecule pills are touted as “natural” containing dandelion root, fennel seeds, and black tea.  Lab analyses of the pills proves that they contain the sibutramine which was banned as dangerous in the US, the UK, and the EU a decade ago.Besides boosting your risk of cardiovascular disease, this agent also interacts dangerously with common antidepressants, migraine medications, and opioid painkillers.  It also increases the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition marked by confusion, fever, sweating, tremors, and unstable vital signs.This is yet another example of a dangerous, unregulated weight loss drug.  Add this to the homemade or compounded versions of semaglutide.  Buyer beware and stick to the known and tested.https://www.mdlinx.com/news/a-dangerous-banned-s

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBRdaZDbf6/Acute myeloid leukemia kills at least 11,000 Americans each year, and Caroline Kennedy’s daughter, Tatiana Schlossberg is currently fighting this challenging disease.  AML as well as other leukemias and lymphomas is frequently resistant to chemotherapy regimens that include the otherwise effective drug venetoclax.Rutgers University oncologists now report their discovery that explains how leukemia cells develop resistence to venatoclax. The leukemia cells trigger production of the OPA1 protein that initiates mitochondrial shape-shifting and prevents venatoclax-induced programmed metabolic cell death.  Using a mouse model, they showed that blocking OPA1 restores venatoclax’s leukemia killing power while sparring normal white blood cell development and function.The OPA1-blocking compounds are in the early stages of development and refinement. Once they are proven safe and effective enough for use in clinical trials, we may have better therapy for AML and other bl

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBQslfDzAp/Effective pain-killing can be fraught with complications.  The non-narcotic NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin irritate gastrointestinal linings, trigger ulcers, and cause bleeding.  The narcotics carry the risk of addiction.Is there a better approach?  Neuroscientists at Tulane University and the University of Texas-Dallas think so.  Studying how nerves transmit pain, they find that nerves connected to the source of pain release a so-called extra cellular enzyme VLK, vertebrate lonesome kinase, that is necessary for transmission of pain signals.Then, using a mouse model, the researchers show that depleting the supply of VLK or inhibiting its function significantly reduced surgical pain sensations while leaving other sensory and motor functions unaffected.  Increasing the concentration of VLK intensified pain perception.This discovery opens the door for developing non-NSAID and non-narcotic medications that effectively mute pain without undesirable side effects

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBPxskDW56/Organ transplantation is a miracle for those with failing kidneys, hearts, or livers.  With those transplants comes the need for lifelong immunosuppression and the risk of infection as well as graft failure due to an immune attack.With the hope of eliminating the need for this immunosuppression, Stanford transplant immunologists and developmental biologists have developed a transplantation technique employing an induced hybrid or chimeric immune system in the recipient. They now publish their studies using this system to successfully transplant insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells in diabetic mice.The researchers performed the dual transplantation of the pancreatic islet cells but also white cell-forming stem cells from the genetically-mismatched donor. To permit the stem cells to escape rejection and develop the hybrid immune system, the recipient animals received a one-time pretreatment with low dose radiation and several immunosuppressive agents.All of

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBOuigCYAJ/We know that repeated head trauma damages the brain leading to dementia and ultimately death, the consequences of so-called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE. The mechanism of damage is known to be brain bouncing against the hard skull.  A new study from radiologists at the University of Alabama, the Cleveland Clinic, and the University of Arkansas to be presented this month at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting suggests yet another mechanism of damage.The researchers reviewed MR imaging from 280 cognitively impaired fighters and and 20 non-fighting controls.  They found that repeated head trauma damages the brain’s glymphatic system that plays a vital cleanup role by flushing out toxic materials.  Changes to this system due to brain injury appear before more serious cognitive deficits and can be used as an early warning sign of impending CTE.This study, if confirmed, suggests that MR brain imaging and glymphatic system analysis c

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBN4G3jV3O/Exercising is the best thing you can do to maintain health. Breathing polluted air while doing so cuts exercise’s benefits by more than half.  Chinese and British sports and behavioral science researchers performed a meta-analysis of data from nearly 2.4 million subjects followed for 10 years and published their results in SpringerNatureLink. While regular physical activity reduced the risk of death from any cause by 30%, performing that exercise breathing air with excess particulate matter, a PM2.5 of 25 micrograms/liter or higher, cut the death risk reduction down to between 12 and 15%.  At even higher pollution levels, 35 micrograms/liter, the exercise benefits diminished toward extinction.You might think that these pollution levels are excessive.  They are not since other studies reveal that 92% the world’s population breathes polluted air.The bottom line: exercise outdoors away from highways and busy roads. My other suggestion you will hate, and that is t

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBM6S-jkSM/Lazy eye or amblyopia typically begins in childhood when one eye develops decreased vision.  It can occur due to poor eye alignment, so-called cross-eyes or strabismus, or due to the affected eye being not capable of focusing due to excessive near- or far-sightedness.  The accepted fact is that, once an eye shuts down, there is no way to recover the vision.MIT brain and cognitive scientists disagree and now report their studies showing vision recovery in the journal Cell Reports.  In a mouse model, they demonstrate that temporarily anesthetizing the weak eye’s retina for several days leads to rejuvenation of the brain’s optical pathways and sight recovery for that eye when the anesthesia wears off.The investigators now plan confirmatory studies in primates to be followed by clinical trials. Their current success suggests that adult optical nervous pathways are capable of more regeneration than once thought.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-vision-rebooted

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBMDqqgF_0/The blood-brain barrier is a protective shield that keeps blood-borne toxins out of your brain.  It is also a barrier that keeps lifesaving cancer drugs from destroying brain cancers. Columbia University pediatric oncologists have found a non-invasive way open the gates for beneficial therapy.The researchers tested focused ultrasound on three children with a diffuse midline glioma, an aggressive and lethal brain cancer with survival limited to about a year.  Using the ultrasound to vibrate microscopic gas bubbles at the tumor site and temporarily increase blood-brain barrier permeability, chemotherapy medications could reach the cancer cells. Each of the children tolerated the procedure well, demonstrated temporary improvement, but sadly died of their disease or CoVid complications. The other focused ultrasound benefit is the fact that it can be performed in a child-friendly room using historical MRI data rather than in the MRI scanner itself. Given the succes