Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C17DMTRL_Y0/

Biochemists at Harvard’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a so-called stapled lipopeptide that can be sprayed in the nose and prevent the Covid virus from infecting human tissues.  A stapled lipopeptide is a bioactive protein stabilized by addition of a “staple” sequence and linked to a lipid or fatty molecule which helps localize this blocking compound on the surface of vulnerable human cells.   This blocking molecule mimics the CoVid virus’ "landing gear” effectively preventing infection, a process called fusion inhibition.

This same staple lipoprotein technology has previously been used experimentally to inhibit infection by both the HIV and the RSV viruses.

The researchers have been modifying the locations of both the staple and the lipid linkage in an effort to optimize effectiveness.  Once perfected, this fusion inhibition approach to CoVid prevention could best the vaccine approach as it seems not to be weakened by viral mutations and the emergence of new variants.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44361-1

#CoVid #staplelipopeptide #fusionoinhibition #vaccine

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C17CYkqr09t/

From Harvard’s engineering School and Boston University’s rehabilitation sciences college comes a soft, wearable, motorized garment that completely neutralizes the freezing gait of those with Parkinson’s Disease.  The gentle push from the garment stops the halting walk and permits wearer to walk faster and further.  Buoyed by their sucess, the Harvard-BU collaborative group has already developed a new,, improved second generation device.

This freezing elimination provided by the device is far more effective than currently available medications or surgical approaches.  The sudden halting while walking often leads to devastating falls.

The Harvard biodesign team has previously engineered other robotic units to assist stroke patients and those with neurodegenerative diseases.  These devices have already been commercialized by the ReWalk Robotics company.

This walking aid will help countless Parkinson’s victims walk more smoothly and much more safely.  

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02731-8

https://rewalk.com/

#parkinsons #robotic #wearable #walking #freezing #stroke #neurodegenerative

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C17BmuLrIHM/

You’ve heard of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but a significant number of toddlers are also victims of sudden death.  The older babies and children are said to be victims of SUDS or Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome.  NYU neurologists now report a preliminary case study of 7 children for whom home video recordings were available to document their last sleep periods.  The group included 4 boys and three girls varying in age from 13 to 27 months.  

Each of the videos revealed a period of seizures preceding the time when the child stopped breathing.  Four of the seven children appeared to survive for 2.5 minutes or more following their convulsion.  Six of the 7 children ended up face down.

The authors also reviewed the cases of 248 children 5 years or younger with unexplained deaths but no video. Of the group 29.4% had a history of febrile seizures.  Other studies have shown that these young children with unexplained sudden death frequently had a family history of such seizures or an upper respiratory infection within 2 days of death.

The advent of commonplace child video monitoring may now help pediatric investigators begin to unravel the causes of sudden unexplained infant and toddler death.  In the case of older babies and children, there is little existing information as 99% of reported research involves SIDS or sudden death in those under one year.  The NYU pediatricians are helping to change that.

https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000208038

#seizures #SIDS #SUDS #unexplained #pediatric #deaths #video #monitoring

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C17A0UXrw5n/

Even minimal alcohol and tobacco use by pregnant women affects their child’s brain performance later.  This the conclusion of a multisite, collaborative study helmed by Columbia University psychiatrists.  The researchers reviewed the brain wave studies of 649 children at various ages from 5 to 11 years looking at abnormalities as a function of maternal exposures to alcohol and/or tobacco.

The good news is that 52% of the children’s mothers used NO alcohol and 87% did NOT smoke tobacco.  The remainder of children demonstrated significant brain wave aberrations in association with their mothers’ exposures.  Looking at alcohol exposures, children who mothers continued drinking through pregnancy evidenced double the EEG abnormalities compared with those who mothers discontinued drinking after the first trimester.  Tobacco smoking during pregnancy led to significant EEG changes in the young offspring, but, interestingly enough, more so in young boys.

Other studies have shown that maternal alcohol and tobacco abuse are associated with childhood hyperactivity, cognitive malfunctions, memory issues, and impaired learning.  This study, the first to look at mild to moderate drinking and smoking during pregnancy, confirms that ANY alcohol and/or tobacco consumption has long-term consequences for a growing child.  There is no safe amount of smoking or drinking that won’t affect your child’s developing brain just as there is no such thing as a “touch of pregnancy!”

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2813608

#alcohol #tobacco #EEG #hyperactivity #cognitive #memory

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C16_cbcLOaX/

While CoVid has already killed 1.1 million Americans, the CDC reports that more than 5000 of our friends and neighbors have succumbed to Long CoVid.  The fatalities include 1491 persons during 2023 and 3544 from 2020 through 2022. 

These CDC statistics implicate CoVid as a continuing, significant public health problem.  The Long CoVid proportion of CoVid-related deaths peaked in June 2021 at 1.2% of the total and again in April 2022 at 3.8% of the total.  Roughly half of Long CoVid deaths occurred in those 65 years and older but also one in every 4 such deaths occurred in those 54 to 65 years.

The risk of death associated with Long CoVid remains elevated for 6 months following even a mild, acute infection and for 2 or more years following more severe CoVid requiring hospitalization.

How can you prevent this grim outcome? Other studies have shown that Long CoVid as well as acute CoVid is muted in those who have been vaccinated and boosted.  

The bad news: the CDC reports that only 8% of children and teens have received the latest CoVid vaccine, that only 19% of adults have gotten it, and that only 38% of those 65 years and older have received this life-saving shot.  For continuing protection, you must get the latest vaccine due to CoVid mutations and your own waning immunity that occurs 6 months following a vaccination or infection.

Sadly, all too few have taken advantage of this simple, effective, side-effect-free, but life-saving opportunity due to rampant politicization and social media misinformation.  Lack of CoVid vaccination is even now contributing to a decline in the United States life-expectancy, particularly in men and particularly in those states with low vaccination rates and high CoVid deaths.  Don’t let that happen to you.  Be patriotic and get vaccinated.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/long-covid-has-caused-thousands-us-deaths-new-cdc-data-2024a100006l

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/covid-helped-cause-the-biggest-drop-in-u-s-life-expectancy-since-wwii

#longcovid #death #vaccination #lifeexpectancy 

longcovid, death, vaccination, lifeexpectancy

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1tfMb2LD2U/

The FDA and Blue Ridge Beef have recalled Blue Ridge Beef Kitten Grind, Kitten Mix, and Puppy Mix due to contamination with salmonella and listeria monocytogenes.  Ingesting these pet foods can lead to gastrointestinal infections.  Humans may also contract infections from their infected pets or by handling these contaminated pet foods.  All lots  with use by dates of 11-12-2024 are affected.

These pet foods were sold in: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland,, North Carolina, NewYork, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Do not handle these products or feed them to your pets.  Contact Blue Ridge Beef  at [email protected] to obtain a full refund and instructions regarding safe disposal of these pet foods.  For additional information, call 1-704-880-4500.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-ridge-beef-issues-voluntary-recall-blue-ridge-beef-kitten-grind-blue-ridge-kitten-mix-and-blue

#blueridge #dogfood #catfood #salmonella #listeria #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1tej_ULcAK/

The FDA and Astor Chocolate Corporation have recalled Choceur Caramel Candy Bars since the presence of coconut in this candy bar is not listed on the label.  Those with an allergy to coconut could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.  Affected is lot number 0101614649.

These candy bars were sold at Aldi stores in Florida.  

Return these candy bars to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For additional , call Astor Candy at 1-732-901-1000.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/astor-chocolate-corporation-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-coconut-burnt-caramel-bars

#chocew #carmelcandybar #coconut #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1tdzwDLoH9/

The FDA and Tampa Bay Fisheries, Inc are recalling 365 WHOLE FOODS Market Beer Battered Pollock and Cod Fillets due to undeclared soy.  Affected are pollock lot number 32508201 and cod lot numbers 32348201 and 32628201.

Those with an allergy to pollock or cod could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume these products. 

If you, household members, or visitors have fish, pollock, or cod allergies, return these products to your Whole Foods store for a full refund.  For additional information, call Tampa Bay Fisheries at 1-800-seafood.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tampa-bay-fisheries-inc-dover-florida-voluntarily-recalling-1-lot-365-whole-foods-market-beer

#wholefoods #365 #beerbattered #pollock #cod #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1tc8VmLOhb/

The FDA and World Variety Produce, Inc.have recalled Melissa’s Hot Kimchi due to the omission of fish on the allergy information panel.  Those with an allergy to fish could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.  Affected lots are 48528201, 48858701, and 49003901.

This affected kimchi has been sold in Sun International stores in Florida, Brookshire Brothers stores in Texas, OK Produce - Grocery Outlet in California.

Do not consume this product.  Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For more information about this recall, phone World Variety Produce at 1-800-588-0151.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/world-variety-produce-inc-recalls-kimchi-hot-because-possible-health-risk

#melissas #kimchi #fish #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1tcTLortrH/

The FDA and Nam & Son have recalled Sam Sung Soybean Sprouts due to contamination 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. 

This product has been sold in Virginia.

Do not consume these sprouts.  Return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For more information, call Nam & Son at 1-443-896-6738.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nam-son-md-recalls-soybean-sprouts-because-possible-health-risk

#samsung #sprouts #listeria #infection #recall