Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGWA3Q0NTV5/This groundbreaking valve is custom-printed for each adult and pediatric patient.  Created by Georgia Tech bioengineers using shape memory material, the folded valve is introduced in a catheter.  Once in place, it resorbs over time after providing a scaffold for the patient’s own body to regenerate and reconstruct it with tissue over time.  Currently available tissue valves of animal origin lack this ability.  This rebuilding feature is particularly valuable for pediatric patients with constantly growing hearts.   Currently, these 3D printed Bioresorbable valves have only been tested in a left heart simulator.  Once they are ready for human use, they could save kids from the need for multiple open heart surgical valve replacements…… someday soon.https://research.gatech.edu/feature/heart-valves#3dprinting #heart #valves #growing #children

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DGWAQ9WPyMT/A handheld device carried in ambulances can rapidly determine whether a stroke is caused by a blocked brain blood vessel or by one that is bleeding.  German neurologists have just reported this advance at this year’s International Stroke Conference.The device determines blood levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein or GFAP for short.  Using it to test 353 suspected stroke victims, the researchers found that those with high GFAP levels were most likely to have hemorrhagic or bleeding strokes while those with low GFAP levels below 30 pg/ml had ischemic strokes due to clotted or blocked blood vessels.Knowing this information earlier permits a prompt initiation of appropriate therapy: clot dissolvers or clot removal for ischemic strokes or stringent blood pressure control for hemorrhagic strokes.  This could drastically change pre-hospital care for strokes…….someday soon.https://newsroom.heart.org/news/blood-test-may-detect-stroke-type-be

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGV_wiRN_Uo/Feeding your infant a fiber-rich diet cuts the risk of later celiac disease by 40%.  Swedish gastroenterologists at Lund University followed 6,500 children with celiac disease family history tabulating their dietary intake and testing for the development of celiac-specific antibodies.The data shows that increasing fiber in a baby’s diet, particularly during the first 12 months but also before age 2, significantly reduces the risk of celiac disease development.  When it occurs, it does so usually by age 3 to 4 years.Interestingly, no one source of fiber in the diet, from fruits, vegetables, or grains, was more effective.  Rather, the total fiber content and the age of the child mattered the most.  Increasing fiber in the diet after age 2 did not produce this beneficial effect.The researchers speculate that early fiber consumption generates a beneficial cluster of gastrointestinal bacteria, a healthier lining, and better immunity.  More studies will better de

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DGV_NA1RulM/Pancreatic ductal carcinoma, a particularly deadly form of this dread cancer, emits a tell-tale enzymatic change that can help detect its presence earlier when it is more treatable.  Cancer biologists at the Oregon Health & Science University have developed a blood test, dubbed the PAC-MANN, that detects this form of  pancreatic cancer with an 85% accuracy for early-stage cases. The test quantitates changes in protease activity that accompany development and progression of this cancer and is also useful for monitoring treatment effectiveness and cancer recurrences.https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adq3110#pancreatic #cancer #protease #pacmann

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGV-ufCsp6u/Yo-yo dieting, repeated cycles of weight loss and gain over years, is associated with a 25% higher risk of demonstrable kidney disease for insulin-dependent diabetics.  French endocrinologists followed 1,432 subjects over 21 years tabulating body-weight variability and monitoring their kidney function.Repeated body-weight cycling is associated with a 34% risk of doubling the serum creatinine, a measure of impeding kidney failure that could result in the need for dialysis and/or renal transplantation.Yo-yo dieting isn’t uncommon.  It occurs in 35% of men and 55% of women.  Overweight diabetics should be particularly careful to avoid this potentially deadly trap instead looking for long-term weight stability at a healthy level.https://academic.oup.com/jcem/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1210/clinem/dgae852/7978691?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false#diabetes #insulindependent #yoyodieting #weightcycling #kidney #transplantation

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DGV5FSROObD/This condition of late pregnancy, heralded by dangerously high blood pressures and organ failure, kills 70,000 women worldwide each year.  Seattle obstetricians and precision medicine researchers at the University of Washington now announce in the journal Nature a test that can predict this devastating complication with 80% accuracy months before its actual occurrence.Using a machine learning analysis of cell-free DNA from the placenta shed into 1,854 blood samples from pregnant women, the researchers pinpointed signs of early tissue dysfunction associated with preeclampsia.  With further test refinement and inclusion with standard pregnancy test batteries, this cell-free DNA assessment could save many lives.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-blood-cell-free-dna-placenta.htmlhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03509-w#preeclampsia #cfDNA #pregnancy #women

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGV4gnitvGG/Over the past 2 years, the incidence of bird flu, H5N1, has surged in domestic cats.  This according to research veterinarians at the University of Maryland’s Schools of Public Health and Veterinary Medicine.   Cats can contract the virus by eating infected birds or ingesting dairy products from infected animals.   When they do, the case-fatality rate is 67%.Cases of transmission of previous bird flu strains from cats to humans has been documented.  The current strain could easily mutate to facilitate such transmission today.The UMaryland vets urge cat owners to keep their pets indoors and avoid feeding them raw meat or raw milk.  Signs that your cat may already be infected include breathing difficulties or unusual behavioral changes.https://sph.umd.edu/news/researcher-warns-pet-cats-risk-getting-bird-flu-and-possibly-infecting-people#H5N1 #birdflu #cats 

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DGV34OuOFyT/We are in a historically severe influenza season with cases driving an outpatient visit rate that is a 15 year high.  During this 2024-2025 season so far,  CDC has clocked more than 24 million cases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths.  A record breaking 57 children have already died.The reasons?  General flu immunity diminished due to fewer cases during the CoVid pandemic.  That is unpreventable.  But what is preventable is the abysmally low flu vaccination rate.  Only 45% of Americans of ALL ages have received this years influenza vaccine.While protection by the vaccine is not perfect and this years data is incomplete, vaccination will reduce your chance of developing severe disease by about 53%.  The vaccine is available and at no cost with most health insurance.  Seniors should get the double strength version.https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2025-week-05.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/index.htmlhttps:/

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGV3YEWscsY/Using a surgical robot to precisely manipulate a fiberoptic bronchoscope was first reported in 2018 by Washington University-St. Louis pulmonologist Alexander Chen MD.  The technique permitted examination and biopsy of smaller, more peripheral cancers leading to earlier initiation of therapy.Just published in the journal CHEST is the first large prospective multi-center study of the technique to access its diagnostic utility and safety.  Including 715 patients at 21 sites in the US and Hong Kong 88% of whom had lesions in difficult to access outer two-thirds of the lungs, the investigators found a successful lesion localization in up to 94%.  The procedure was complication-free in over 96% of cases.This technique is now being used by more clinicians in more centers.  A second generation robotic bronchoscope is now available.  Robotic bronchoscopy availability is however limited due to the high cost of the equipment.Murgu SD, et al. A prospective, multicente

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DGV2ueHgWuy/Regular use of this popular pain relief medication, branded as Tylenol, during a child’s gestational period could increase that child’s risk of later developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by as much as 6-fold.  This the conclusion of a University of Washington study of 307 mother-child pairs.The study revealed that, by age 8 to 10 years, children exposed to acetaminophen in utero were 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.  Tabulating the data by gender indicated that the risk for female children was the highest at 6-fold.The study bears repeating with a larger and more diverse population as this study only looked at African-American families.  Even so,  it once again underscores the warning for all pregnant women to avoid unnecessary medications if at all possible.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-maternal-acetaminophen-paracetamol-placental-gene.htmlhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-025-00387-6#acetamin

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGBdN8UvDFE/ Affected are lot codes include 26032, 26073, 26082, 26092, 26094, and 26123.About 26,400 packages of Unseasoned Bread Crumbs and 6,240 units of Seasoned Bread Crumbs were sold nationwide from April 10, 2024 to January 22, 2025.If you or those in your household have a sesame allergy, return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For more info, contact La Fiesta Food Products at 1-408-326-0487.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/recall-la-fiesta-brand-bread-crumbs-unseasoned-and-seasoned-undeclared-sesame#lafiesta #breadcrumbs #sesame #allergy #recall

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGBcvmZPigZ/Affected product is labeled with lot number 24353 and best by date of June 30, 2025, and UPC 811102026276.These recalled pretzels were sold by Fresh Direct in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. If you bought these pretzels and you, a family member, or household visitors have a milk allergy, discard the product.  To obtain a refund, retain your online receipts, packaging with lot numbers, or other proofs of purchase.  For more information and the refund, contact United Natural Trading LLC at 1-732-650-9905.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/united-natural-trading-llc-announces-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-fresh-direct-dark-chocolate#freshdirect #pretzels #milk #allergy #recall

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGBcMOvNnCS/Affected is lot number N25/12/31. Salmonella poses a serious risk of infection to pets who eat it and humans who handle it.About 5,700 pounds were sold between January 3 and 24, 2025 in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, and Rhode Island.Stop feeding this contaminated food to your pets and return it to the place of purchase. Remember too that food bowls, utensils, and storage containers should be thoroughly washed and sanitized after handling.  For more information, contact Blue Ridge Beef at 1-704-873-2072 or via email at blueridgebeefnc@yahoo.com.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-ridge-beef-issues-recall-blue-ridge-beef-natural-mix-due-salmonella-contamination#blueridgebeef #pets #petfood #salmonella #infection #recall

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGBbjxFxewq/ The sticks come in Strawberry Apple and Banana flavors.  Millions of these Gerber teething sticks were sold nationwide.Do not give these Gerber Teething Sticks to your children.  Return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For additional information, call Gerber at 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237).https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gerber-products-company-announces-recall-and-discontinuation-all-batches-gerberr-soothe-n-chewr#gerber #teethingsticks #infants #toddlers #choking #recall

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DF_LNKNtv_4/They suddenly lower creating fall and injury risks. The recall affects models CXP-03, CXC-02, CXM-03, CXV, and CXM-02 with serial prefixes FC32, ZFC32B, FC33, FC36, FC29D, and FC27.About 12,885 bikes were sold in the United States and 140 were sold in Canada to commercial fitness facilities between January 2021 and October 2024.Stop using these recalled cycles.  Contact Johnson Health Tech North America at 1-866-218-3674 or via the emailcxrecall@matrixfitness.com to schedule a free repair service.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Johnson-Health-Tech-North-America-Recalls-Matrix-Brand-Training-Cycles-Due-to-Fall-Hazard#johnsonhealth #cycles #seats #falls #injuries #recall

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DF_KnkYMJkE/This reduces its child-resistant effectiveness and creating a poisoning risk.  The recall includes both empty bottles and bottles containing over-the-counter medications including headache, pain, allergy, and sleep medications.About 65,000 bottles were sold online at CabinetHealth.com, Amazon.com, and Grove.co, as well as at CVS stores, from March 2023 through July 2024.Immediately store these recalled bottles out of children’s reach.   Contact Cabinet Health at 1-908-242-6108 or email recall@wearecabinet.com for a free replacement lid after emailing a photo showing the destroyed recalled lid.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Cabinet-Health-Recalls-4-oz-Refillable-Medicine-Bottles-Due-to-Failure-to-Retain-Child-Resistance-Risk-of-Child-Poisoning#cabinethealth #medicine #bottles #lids #children #poisoning #recall

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DF_KIEOMu03/Also, the included spare battery is not in child-resistant packaging. Affected are models 0480, 0455, 0456, 0458, 0473, 0479, 0481, 0747, 0748, 0749, 0751, 0752, and 0754.About 349,500 scales were sold online at Amazon, Walmart, and Greater Goods' website from May 2023 through September 2024.Immediately remove the battery from the scale and store it out of reach of children. Contact Greater Goods at 1-866-991-0397 or email the company at recall@greatergoods.com for a free recall kit.  That includes a new, secure battery door, required safety labels, and an updated instruction manual.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Greater-Goods-Recalls-Digital-Kitchen-Scales-Due-to-Ingestion-Hazard-Violations-of-Reeses-Law-Federal-Safety-Regulations-for-Consumer-Products-with-Coin-Batteries-and-Child-Resistant-Coin-Battery-Packaging#greatergoods #kitchen #scale #buttonbatteries #ingestion #recall

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DF_JmyZsTs-/This creates a risk for burn injuries. Affected are batch numbers 20240415TTL, 20240501TTL, and 20240509TTL, printed on the second sewn-in label.About 6,050 units were sold exclusively online at Amazon.com from May 2024 through September 2024.Stop allowing your kids to wear the recalled pajamas. For a full refund, destroy the garments by cutting both the top and bottom in half, email a photo to Tupop at bzzservice@hotmail.com.  Same email for more info.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Cozchique-Tebbis-and-Beeziac-Girls-Pajamas-Recalled-Due-to-Burn-Hazard-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Regulation-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-by-Tupop#tupop #children #pajamas #flammable #fires #burns #recall

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DF_I2LJPaO-/They are sold under the BJ’s Wholesale or the Berkley Jensen and Black Sierra Equipment brands, have security hooks that can crack and break leading to falls and injuries. Affected are seats with date codes 04/2022, 05/2022, and 11/2022.About 22,500 seats were sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club and Big 5 Corp stores nationwide as well as online at Amazon.com, from July 2022 through January 2024.Stop using these recalled seats. For a full refund, destroy the seat by cutting through the fabric of the seat and backrest, take a photo of the destroyed seat including your initials and the date, and email the photo to AMX Global at support@stadiumseatrecall.com.  For additional information, call 1-888-439-5139 or email.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/AMX-Global-Recalls-Portable-Folding-Stadium-Seats-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards#amxglobal  #bjs #stadiumseats #cracking #falls #injuries #recalls

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DF_HS17JeJg/About 2,700 of these sets were sold in the United States and 288 were sold in Canada. These products were sold at Kohl’s stores nationwide, as well as online at Kohls.com, Oyaco.com, Faire.com, Pearhead.com, and Amazon.com from August 2024 through October 2024.Stop allowing your baby to use the wooden egg shaker rattle and contact Pearhead at 1-888-308-4928 for instructions on returning the product to receive a free replacement and a refund.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Pearhead-Recalls-Infant-Learning-Toy-Sets-Due-to-Choking-Hazard-Violation-of-Federal-Regulations-for-Rattles#pearhead #toysets #rattles #choking #recall