2021-10-25

Cares Act 2020 required removing guaifenesin from asthma meds

 21.7.12: web.health/diet/

Cares Act 2020 required removing guaifenesin from asthma meds:

. why was primatene recalled?

a competitor claimed that the Cares Act 2020

required removing guaifenesin;

possibly due to it being known that

guaifenesin may cause birth defects.

but that was known at least as far back as 2003.

[ Am Fam Physician. 2003:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12825840/

Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy

Ronald A Black, D Ashley Hill.

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0615/p2517.html

]

2021-10-05

Berberine prevents heart failure through endothelial and calcium function

 2021.8.9: 9.4: health/diet/heart/Berberine/
prevents heart failure through endothelial and calcium function:

GreenMedInfo Research Group July 30th 2021

https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/seven-herbs-and-supplements-heart-failure


. something extracted from berberine

is blocking calcium influx, thereby reducing

the risk of heart failure.


Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2010

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4002834/

Min-you Qi, Yu Feng, De-zai Dai, Na Li, Yu-si Cheng, Yin Dai. 

CPU86017, a berberine derivative, attenuates cardiac failure

through normalizing calcium leakage 

and downregulated phospholamban 

and exerting antioxidant activity. 


Front Physiol. 2020

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7546405/

Miyesaier Abudureyimu, Wenjun Yu, et al.

Berberine Promotes Cardiac Function by 

Upregulating PINK1/Parkin-Mediated Mitophagy in Heart Failure. 


. enhancing endothelial function helps heart:

Cardiovasc Drug Rev. 2001 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2999047/

C W Lau, X Q Yao, Z Y Chen, W H Ko, Y Huang. 

Cardiovascular actions of berberine. 

. "Endothelial dysfunction is an important early event in the

pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. 

The mechanisms underlying endothelial injury are numerous

and linked to metabolic alteration. 

In obesity and insulin resistance, 

the increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines 

and decreased secretion of adiponectine, 

the increased circulating levels of free fatty acids, 

and hyperglycaemia may alter gene expression and cell signalling in the vascular endothelium, 

contributing to changes in the release of endothelium derived factors. 

Dysfunctional endothelium is characterized by activation of NADPH oxidase, 

uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), 

increased expression of endothelin-1, 

an imbalance between the production of vasodilators and vasoconstrictor mediators, 

and induction of adhesion molecules

[31]. 

The altered endothelial homeostasis, in turn, 

contributes to plaque initiation and progression. 

It is associated with most cardiovascular disease, such as 

hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, 

peripheral artery disease, diabetes and chronic renal failure

[32]. 

Endothelial cells exposed to hypercholesterolemia show a 

reduced capacity to release endothelium-derived relaxing factors, 

because of LDLc promotion of endothelial eNOS downregulation

[33]. 

Lowering cholesterol levels appears to improve endothelial function

[34]. 

In diabetes and insulin resistance, other mechanisms may trigger endothelial dysfunction. 

Insulin signalling is altered in these two conditions, 

and affects the pathway leading to phosphorylation and activation of eNOS, 

which is also, in this case, dramatically downregulated

[35]. 

eNOS represents a major weapon of endothelial cells to fight vascular disease. 

It generates nitric oxide (NO), whose role is to dilate blood vessels

and maintain vascular homeostasis by stimulating cGMP

[36]. 

Several studies have suggested a central role of endothelial AMPK

in maintaining physiological functions, such as

mediation of eNOS activation in response to shear stress

[37], 

modulation of endothelial cell energy supply

[38], 

protection from apoptosis

[39] 

and regulation of inflammation, angiogenesis, and maintenance of perfusion

[40,41]. 

Impairment of endothelium dependent relaxation (EDR) 

represents reduced eNOS derived NO bioavailability, 

and is the first step in endothelial injury. 

It is present also in the absence of vessel damage. 

In 2000, Ko et al[42], by in vitro investigation, 

demonstrated that BBR has not only vasorelaxant 

but also antiproliferative effects. 

According to their results, BBR could act both on the endothelium 

and on the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells to induce relaxation 

(Figure (Figure1).1). 

NO, is likely involved in the EDR. 

More recently, this mechanism has been clarified in endothelial cells isolated from rat. 

It was confirmed that the vasodilatant effect of BBR

was mediated by eNOS leading to NO production 

through activation of the AMPK cascade. 

Moreover, BBR counteracts several adverse effects of hyperglycemia on the endothelium, 

including the inhibition of high glucose-induced reactive species 

intracellular accumulation and cellular apoptosis and inflammation, 

which characterize vascular injury

[31,43]. 

Another recognized effect of BBR is the significant decrease in

the number of adherent monocytes on endothelial cells, 

which is a key event in the early stages of atherosclerosis. 

Furthermore, BBR suppresses the activation of the 

nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), 

the expression of adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1) 

induced by hyperglycemia

and the high glucose-induced elevation of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, 

including tumor necrosis factor-α, IL1-β, IL8 and MCP1, 

which are other targets of NF-κB 

involved in the development of atherosclerotic plaques

[43]"

fig 1:

. Berberine enhances endothelial function 3 ways:

it affects AMPK (Adenosine mono-phosphate kinase)

that affects eNOS (Endothelial nitric oxide synthase);

it lowers LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides;

and, it improves insulin sensitivity.


enzymedica Berberine 60 /$20.62

https://www.lifeextension.com/vitamins-supplements/item53349/berberine

Enteric-coated to prevent self-aggregation and formation of berberine crystals that reduce absorption.

Enzymedica's Berberine is provided in a

targeted delivery capsule 

to prevent release of berberine in the stomach. 

since in an acidic environment, berberine will bind with other berberine molecules

to form insoluble complexes that do not get absorbed. 

Prevention of the formation of these complexes

may improve the absorption of berberine.

Amount Per Serving

Berberine HCI (97%) (from berberis vulgaris extract) (seed) 500 mg

Leucine 50 mg

Other Ingredients: 100% vegetarian capsule (cellulose, gellan gum, water), 

rice concentrate, calcium laurate

[Calcium laurate helps powders flow into capsules 

and holds those powders together.]


Dr. Michael Murray:

https://www.iherb.com/pr/enzymedica-berberine-60-capsules/81507

"Berberine is commonly harvested from the flesh, roots or bark of plants 

like barberry, goldenseal and Oregon grape. 

Unlike many other formulas, this product is sustainably sourced from 

barberry seeds and does not require the plant to be sacrificed in its production.


sublingual instead of enteric coated?


Nutricology, Berberine 500, 90

https://www.iherb.com/pr/nutricology-berberine-500-90-vegetarian-capsules/82073

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 

Nu-MAG® (rice extract, rice hulls, gum arabic, sunflower oil), 

silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose.

https://ribus.com/nu-mag/

Nu-MAG offers formulators a Certified Organic alternative to Magnesium Stearate, 

so organic tablets requiring a lubricant can now be produced. 


Thorne Research, Berbercap, 60 

https://www.iherb.com/pr/thorne-research-berbercap-60-capsules/18577

Microcrystalline cellulose, leucine, silicon dioxide.

Berberis concentrate berberine HCl 85%.

Berberine HCl (from Indian Barberry extract) (root) (Berberis aristata) 200 mg


Whitaker Nutrition, Clinical Grade, Berberine, 90 Capsule

https://www.iherb.com/pr/whitaker-nutrition-clinical-grade-berberine-1-500-mg-90-capsules/101131

Berberine Hydrochloride (BerberPure™) 500 mg (take 3)

Microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, magnesium stearate, gum acacia, silica. 

2021-09-19

5 large moths replaced 5 preying mantises

2021.9.8: news.apt`wildlife/
5 large moths replaced 5 preying mantises:

. with the heavy amount of rain this year,

the night light is attracting a lot of small moths.

. 5 preying mantises were seen yesterday

apparently attracted by the moths;

and tonight (Sept 8) they were replaced by

5 huge moths, and only one mantis remains.

2021-09-15

T cells can reveal a covid infection even if antibodies waned

2021.8.4, 9.15: health/immunity/covid-19/

T cells can reveal a covid infection even if antibodies waned

9.15: summary:

. if you had a mild case of covid,

or it has been a while since you've been infected,

your antibody levels may be too low to measure,

but your T cells can still be measured

to determine if you've been exposed to covid virus.

. the CDC says you should get the vaccine

even if you have been infected,

so what's the use in knowing your status?

. you may be less likely to get sick again

if the vaccine doesn't cover some variants,

but the infection does cover the variants.

. you may want reassurance after vaccination

that even if the vaccine doesn't work on your variant,

you might still be protected by your infection.

. if you believe that, the CDC reminds you,

there are significant risks to getting infected;

not just death but also strange chronic illness;

so it's safer to get vaccinated than infected.

. even for children who are prone to having

bad reactions to the vaccine,

there are even more reactions to the virus.

. without any early treatment options available

(whether by politics or science)

there will be many more deaths from virus

than there will be deaths from vaccine.

slow-carb fish eaters less prone to severe covid

 2021.9.15: health/immunity/covid-19/diet/
slow-carb fish eaters less prone to severe covid:

Jordi Merino, PhD:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210908180530.htm

"Our models estimate that nearly a 

third of COVID-19 cases would have

been prevented if one of two exposures

-- [uhealthy] diet or deprivation -- 

were not present." 

2021-09-10

filling tires with air is easier with a Topeak adapter

2021.9.10: summary:

https://amzn.to/3C4tMu6

. this adapter makes it easier to 

get a pump on the tire's valve,

if you have big tires 

and pressing the pump onto the valve

tends to push the valve into the tire.

. if locking the pump onto the valve

takes a lot of power, this adapter 

gives you more room away from the spokes.

2021-08-31

natural immunity after infection persists even with low antibodies #covid19

2021.7.26, 8.31: news.health/immunity/covid-19/

natural immunity after infection persists even with low antibodies:

summary:

. it is shown that after a covid-19 infection

there is long-lasting immunity

even when the antibody count is low

because covid-19 is slowly developing

thereby giving the memory cells time to react

by growing more antibodies when needed.

. the CDC recommends even those who have been infected

should get the vaccine; apparently because,

the recently vaccinated with their higher antibodies,

will be quicker at stopping the spread of the virus

than people who have survived an infection and then

slowly make more antibodies when reinfected.

. the politics of this question are based on

a dispute over the likelihood of vaccine injury.

2021-05-18

high fat vs high carb diet improves omega-3 vs 6 ratio?

 21.2.19: co.reddit/news.health/diet/omega-3/
high fat vs high carb diet improves omega-3 vs 6 ratio?:

. even when the diet's omega-6/omega-3 ratios are nearly the same,

the High fat diet group had a lower omega-6/omega-3 ratio

than the High carb diet group. 

2021-05-12

krill oil brands with 3rd party testing

 21.1.28: web.cook/krill/brands with 3rd party testing:

[5.12: summary:

. some say the best thing about krill oil

is that it provides phospholipids,

but you could get that from lecithin;

what is great about krill oil,

is having a phospholipid combined with fish oil,

instead of some lesser-needed oil.

. when buying oils from seafood,

quality may benefit from 3rd party testing.

I tried chewing the IKOS-tested Sports Research

and was amazed at how fishy and weird it tastes;

meanwhile, MegaRed has no 3rd-party testing

but it has a pleasant taste; nevertheless, 

I would still prefer IKOS-tested products.]


IKOS® Sports Research, 400mg phospholipids* 60/subscribe $25.46

https://smile.amazon.com/Antarctic-Strength-Omega-3s-Astaxanthin-Softgels/dp/B00IP1E3O0

--warned about deliveries keep happening after unsubscribe.

same from iherb/$31.15

https://www.iherb.com/pr/Sports-Research-SUPERBA-2-Antarctic-Krill-Oil-with-Astaxanthin-1-000-mg-60-Softgels/71100


IKOS® vivanaturals Antarctic Krill Oil 575mg phospholipids * 30/$25.15

https://smile.amazon.com/Viva-Naturals-Premium-Antarctic-Krill/dp/B004TBCT4G/

find new supplier of progesterone with minimal additives

21.1.25: web.cook/ph/
find new supplier of progesterone with minimal additives:

summary:

. progesterone is both a male and female hormone,

but many versions of it are targeted at women,

and may contain estrogenic herbs that men don't want.

. my preferred retailers are amazon and iherb;

I chose Emerita Pro-Gest from iherb.


item I used got discontinued:

Bonvida 1g Progesterone in 60g Cream 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XBBASS4/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=AARS6R64IWAEZ&psc=1

purchased 2020.9.11 -- was using about 8mg per day.


other prostate health offerings:

https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/prostate-health-clinical-strength-softgels

https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/prostate-support-softgels


fake news about progesterone:

woman claims Dr.Lee said you can't overdose on cream:

https://www.bmj.com/rapid-response/2011/10/30/warning-about-natural-progesterone

[5.12:. in at least one book by Dr.Lee, he warned about
how easy it was to over-dose on progesterone cream;
and that you had to consider that too much
could have the opposite effect.
Dr. Mercola has commented on Dr.Lee, 
warning us that applying this to skin is not the best;
you should be applying it to a mucous membrane
(I've been using it nasally with good results).]


. the following list is sorted with 
the first being the most preferred for men.

2021-05-09

Merry Mother's day!

2021.5.9: relig/christian/Merry Mother's day!:

. my mother's name is Mary,

and she often writes a smiley face

in the M of her name.

. she gave out this picture of sunflowers,

so I turned it into a mother's day card for her.

2021-03-23

is the risk from having African ancestry or being carb-intolerant? #health #covid19

health/immunity/covid-19/

is the risk from having African ancestry or being carb-intolerant?:

2021.2.4: 

. africs (those with some African ancestry)

are said to be more prone to severe covid-19: 

is it happening even to africs on a slow carb diet?

(a diet low in sugars and baked goods).

. we know that obese euros (whites)

are also prone to covid;

obesity comes from being carb intolerant,

ie, not adapting well to the 

chosen level of glycemic load.

. the problem with the Western diet

is that it has both a high glycemic load

and is high in fats and stress 

that cause insulin resistance.

. if africs are more prone to insulin resistance,

they need to compensate by using less carb's.

2021-03-17

ipad.art set 4/erasing a layer

 21.2.1: proj.cyb/ipad.art set 4/erasing a layer:

. after a base layer, I filled a 2nd layer

and then activated both erase and linedraw.

. the color fill didn't include the paper's texture

but painting on it brought the texture back.

(brush/wash/damp) made it look like a water color.

. used (blend/sponge blender) 

to make the erasure lines less crisp.

. added some more erasure shaped with (marker pen round)



2021-03-02

existence of new crystals suggests intelligent life is new or the morphic field is lossy or not universal

2021.3.2: phi/

existence of new crystals suggests intelligent life is new

or the morphic field is lossy or not universal:

. Dr.Sheldrake found that 

https://amzn.to/3sKrdZw

new chemicals don't crystallize at first;

but after having time to practice crystallization,

the crystals eventually become quicker at it;

and this may be explained by the theory that

the universe has a mind of its own,

a mind that communicates with its chemicals

via morphic resonance or morphic fields

https://www.sheldrake.org/research/morphic-resonance/introduction

similar to morphogenetic fields.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphogenetic_field

. if the universe is eternal, as predicted by Dream Theory

http://amerdreamdocs.blogspot.com/2012/12/aquarian-steady-state-theorem.html

then life should have been here in the infinite past,

but Sheldrake shows evidence that 

intelligent life may be a rather recent invention

because there is evidence that

some of our recently invented crystals

have never been invented before;

and what is the possibility that there have been

millions of years of intelligence

but only recently has anyone done studies with

these particular crystals?

. perhaps the universe's memory can forget?

or rather than there being a mind for an entire universe,

there is a galactic or supercluster mind,

so that crystals made by intelligent life in a

different galaxy would not help crystals in

this galaxy to grow?


aapsonline.org worries more "democracy" is a path to socialized medicine

2021.3.2: news.pol/healthcare/

aapsonline.org worries more "democracy" is a path to socialized medicine:

summary:

H.R. 1: For the People Act 3 of 2021:

https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr1/BILLS-117hr1ih.pdf

"To expand Americans’ access to the ballot box, 

reduce the influence of big money in politics, 

strengthen ethics rules for public servants, 

and implement other anti-corruption measures

for the purpose of fortifying our democracy, ... ."

. we actually need this bill to protect democracy

by making it easier to vote;

but it is bound to help the Democrat.party

which is known for increasing socialized medicine

which is bad if it limits the ability of doctors

to decide what they consider good patient care

instead of letting politicians decide your care.

. this is why Republicans voted for abortion rights:

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/roe-versus-wade-decided-by-a-majority-republican-nominated-court.html

they actually voted to keep politicians from

taking choice from our doctors.

. I hope when this bill allows more Democrat politicians

that they help expand our access to healthcare

without tying the hands of doctors.

. if the usa has the most deaths from covid-19

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_death_rates_by_country#/media/File:COVID-19_Outbreak_World_Map_Total_Deaths_per_Capita.svg

it was because we didn't give doctors more power:

good doctors wanted to treat early with older

unpatented drugs such as Ivermectin 

and zinc with HCQ; and vitamin D;

[Am J Med. 2021 Jan]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32771461/

whereas, the socialized medicine in the usa

https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/antiviral-therapy/

told doctors not to treat until hospitalization was needed,

and to use only new patented drugs and ventilators.

2021-02-04

hrblock.com appearing to do free tax filing until I qualified for Saver's Credit

 2021.2.3: mis.cyb/net.hrblock.com/

hrblock.com pretending to do free tax filing until I qualified for Saver's Credit:

I tried HR free file from this link;

https://www.hrblock.com/online-tax-filing/free-online-tax-filing/

even after Fox news said H&R Block said

they were pulling out of the free e-file tax business.

[foxbusiness Jun 16, 2020]

https://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/hr-block-irs-relationship-free-file

"Tax preparation company H&R Block 

has decided it will no longer participate

in an IRS sponsored program to provide

free filing options to low-income Americans."

. I was confused because H&R Block does indeed

still claim to provide some free service,

but their free offer didn't apply to me

because you can't have savers credit for free.

2021-02-02

mounting a Sangean DT-180 pocket radio on a neckband

 2021.2.2: co.amazon/cyb`gear/radio#Sangean DT-180/
5-star/mounting a Sangean DT-180 pocket radio on a neckband:

. after my pocket radio died, I picked up the Sangean DT-180

https://amzn.to/36CmNeq

. this radio's only attachment is a hole that will anchor a tether;

I tied that to a neckband's clip loop;

and also hold it in place with rubber bands

that I got from bunches of broccoli.

a belt made from a paracord kit

2021.2.2: proj.gear/a belt made from a paracord kit:

I have a $16 WEREWOLVES Paracord Kit;

https://amzn.to/2NWUmBn

and, I used an entire 20-ft length of a paracord

to make a belt that fits slacks with small loops.

I used a knot near a buckle, 

and then for the loose end in the middle of belt,

I sewed it in place with carpet & button thread.

2021-02-01

safe harbor provisions of the Anti-Kickback Statute

2021.2.1: pol/healthcare/

safe harbor provisions of the Anti-Kickback Statute:

to the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG):

https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=HHSIG_FRDOC_0001-0440


Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on 

abuse of safe harbors to the anti-kickback statute (AKS).

. this letter is a revision of the aapsonline response.

https://aapsonline.org/alert-and-special-legislative-update-pharmacy-benefits-managers/


Physicians Against Drug Shortages estimates that 

http://www.physiciansagainstdrugshortages.com/ 

safe harbor facilitated kickbacks increase 

"annual supplies costs by at least 30%, 

or upwards of $100 billion 

... and the prices of drugs ... 

by at least $100 billion annually as well." 


I urge HHS to move forward with the Part D rebate rule 

instead of delaying it further. 

. that regulation would replace protections for

drug rebates in Medicare Part D

with protections for discounts 

provided directly to consumers. 

. the Biden administration agreed to delay this rule

in response to suit challenging it brought by

the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.

https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payer/a-win-for-pbms-biden-administration-delays-rebate-rule

It is past time that discounts on drugs

are passed along directly to patients 

instead of being kicked back to middlemen.


In addition, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) 

must not sidestep its responsibility to investigate and end 

abuse of current AKS safe harbors, 

for example 42 CFR § 1001.952(j) and related regulations. 

This safe harbor for Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) 

has unleashed an epidemic of kickbacks

in the medical supply chain 

which has spread into pharmaceuticals 

through similar exploitation by 

Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs).


HHS should further work to stop both

GPO and PBM misuse of safe harbors

by encouraging Congress to repeal 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b)(3)(C), 

a key statute that shelters harmful schemes. 

Shortages, unaffordability, and improper steering of patients 

to the most profitable product, instead

of the one that best meets patients' needs, 

are driven in part by this AKS safe harbor. 

For example,

sole-source contracts, facilitated by kickbacks, 

are an anti-competitive feature of

many GPO arrangements with hospitals and manufacturers, 

which increase the risk of shortages and push prices higher.  

For more details see 

http://jpands.org/vol23no2/singleton.pdf


-- This year the comment window is open until 

February 16 at 5pm Eastern.

my Comment Tracking Number: 1k5-9lk3-v0h4


Donald A. Norman` The Design of Everyday Things