Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/YiQl5cMZ-Bk

Patients receiving immunotherapy or genetic-targeted therapy recover just fine from CoVid infections.  A Spanish study of 50 CoVid patients with advanced melanoma was just uploaded to the pre-print server medrixiv.org.

In this small non-randomized study, the group of 22 melanoma patients on checkpoint immunotherapy had a 44% better survival rate than those on no therapy.  The 16 patients on targeted BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy had a 41% better survival rate.

If you have a serious medical problem like advanced melanoma, work closely with your doctors to plan ongoing therapy.  Additional studies like this one will help decision making.  Don’t run scared of CoVid and compromise treatment of more serious problems.

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.19.20106971v1

#covid #pandemic #cancer #immunotherapy #melanoma

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/YiQl5cMZ-Bk

Patients receiving immunotherapy or genetic-targeted therapy recover just fine from CoVid infections.  A Spanish study of 50 CoVid patients with advanced melanoma was just uploaded to the pre-print server medrixiv.org.

In this small non-randomized study, the group of 22 melanoma patients on checkpoint immunotherapy had a 44% better survival rate than those on no therapy.  The 16 patients on targeted BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy had a 41% better survival rate.

If you have a serious medical problem like advanced melanoma, work closely with your doctors to plan ongoing therapy.  Additional studies like this one will help decision making.  Don’t run scared of CoVid and compromise treatment of more serious problems.

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.19.20106971v1

#covid #pandemic #cancer #immunotherapy #melanoma

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/7Weu0XfSb3c

The monoclonal antibody tocilizumab that is designed to reduce IL-6 and cytokine storms apparently doesn’t for critically ill CoVid19 patients. This the conclusion of a preliminary case series from the University of North Carolina.

Eleven patients with confirmed CoVid19 infections were treated with Actemra.  These patients were either severe or critical and had multiple medical issues including obesity and high blood pressure.  

Despite Actemra treatment, all patients experienced significant IL-6 level increases without improvements in their fevers or a reduction in their oxygen requirements.  Two other inflammatory indicators did diminish.

The conclusion: randomized, controlled trials of Actemra must occur before this drug can be widely used.

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.13.20100404v1.full.pdf

#covid #actemra #tocilizumab #il6 #cytokinestorm

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/7Weu0XfSb3c

The monoclonal antibody tocilizumab that is designed to reduce IL-6 and cytokine storms apparently doesn’t for critically ill CoVid19 patients. This the conclusion of a preliminary case series from the University of North Carolina.

Eleven patients with confirmed CoVid19 infections were treated with Actemra.  These patients were either severe or critical and had multiple medical issues including obesity and high blood pressure.  

Despite Actemra treatment, all patients experienced significant IL-6 level increases without improvements in their fevers or a reduction in their oxygen requirements.  Two other inflammatory indicators did diminish.

The conclusion: randomized, controlled trials of Actemra must occur before this drug can be widely used.

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.13.20100404v1.full.pdf

#covid #actemra #tocilizumab #il6 #cytokinestorm

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/DmEgNH6fssU

As our house arrest continues, we all yearn for anything to improve our outlooks on life.  Researchers at Iowa State University studied 423 young adults 20 to 35 years of age surveying their moods and quantitating their physical activities over 10 days using wearable sensors.

Almost anything is better than sitting around.  Replacing prolonged sedentary time with light physical activity, moderate physical activity, or even sleep leads to mood elevation.  Stimulating your mind and body, even with subconscious activity and dreams, will reset and refresh your brain. 

If you find yourself sitting around for more than 30 minutes, get up and get physical.  Light physical activities include walking around your home cleaning, washing dishes, or cooking.

https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(20)30136-7/pdf

#pandemic #quarantine #sedentary #sleep #cleaning

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Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/DmEgNH6fssU

As our house arrest continues, we all yearn for anything to improve our outlooks on life.  Researchers at Iowa State University studied 423 young adults 20 to 35 years of age surveying their moods and quantitating their physical activities over 10 days using wearable sensors.

Almost anything is better than sitting around.  Replacing prolonged sedentary time with light physical activity, moderate physical activity, or even sleep leads to mood elevation.  Stimulating your mind and body, even with subconscious activity and dreams, will reset and refresh your brain. 

If you find yourself sitting around for more than 30 minutes, get up and get physical.  Light physical activities include walking around your home cleaning, washing dishes, or cooking.

https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(20)30136-7/pdf

#pandemic #quarantine #sedentary #sleep #cleaning

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Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/7adflrzSE5w

Eighty-seven percent of mask wearers apply them incorrectly with air leakage that could be deadly.  A collaborative analysis by investigators at Singapore Hospitals and MIT looked at 714 subjects given N95 masks.

The common mask fit mistakes were incorrect strap placement and improper tightening of the mask’s nose clip.  Both mistakes result in air gaps around the mask.  Younger subjects and those with previous mask fit training did better.  In typical American fashion, reading the instruction book or previous mask use didn’t help.

When you use a mask, any mask, tighten the straps, position the mask under your chin, and fit the mask to your nose.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2766070

#mask #covid #pandemic

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/7adflrzSE5w

Eighty-seven percent of mask wearers apply them incorrectly with air leakage that could be deadly.  A collaborative analysis by investigators at Singapore Hospitals and MIT looked at 714 subjects given N95 masks.

The common mask fit mistakes were incorrect strap placement and improper tightening of the mask’s nose clip.  Both mistakes result in air gaps around the mask.  Younger subjects and those with previous mask fit training did better.  In typical American fashion, reading the instruction book or previous mask use didn’t help.

When you use a mask, any mask, tighten the straps, position the mask under your chin, and fit the mask to your nose.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2766070

#mask #covid #pandemic

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/bStHJRrN2K8

Stargate Apparel and the CPSC are recalling  the Bunz Kidz Children’s Sleepwear Sets sizes 2 through 12.  These are 100% micro polyester and the sets consist of a robe, top, and pants.  The children’s sleepwear sets fail to meet the federal flammability standards posing a risk of burn injuries to children.  The guidelines state that children’s sleepwear must be either snug-fitting or flame resistant.  If you have these garments, do not permit your children to wear them.  Return them to the point of purchase for a refund.  For more information, call Stargate Apparel at 1-866-351-0193.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Bunz-Kidz-Childrens-Sleepwear-Sets-Recalled-by-Stargate-Apparel-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standard-Burn-Hazard

#recall #bunzkidz #sleepwear #flammability

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/bStHJRrN2K8

Stargate Apparel and the CPSC are recalling  the Bunz Kidz Children’s Sleepwear Sets sizes 2 through 12.  These are 100% micro polyester and the sets consist of a robe, top, and pants.  The children’s sleepwear sets fail to meet the federal flammability standards posing a risk of burn injuries to children.  The guidelines state that children’s sleepwear must be either snug-fitting or flame resistant.  If you have these garments, do not permit your children to wear them.  Return them to the point of purchase for a refund.  For more information, call Stargate Apparel at 1-866-351-0193.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Bunz-Kidz-Childrens-Sleepwear-Sets-Recalled-by-Stargate-Apparel-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standard-Burn-Hazard

#recall #bunzkidz #sleepwear #flammability