Sunday, November 15, 2020

Horowitz: Dapsone + doxy + rifampin very effective for chronic Lyme





Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Vitamin D levels appear to play role in COVID-19 mortality

Vitamin D levels appear to play role in COVID-19 mortality rates: Patients with severe deficiency are twice as likely to experience major complications


https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200507121353.htm

Researchers analyzed patient data from 10 countries. The team found a correlation between low vitamin D levels and hyperactive immune systems. Vitamin D strengths innate immunity and prevents overactive immune responses. The finding could explain several mysteries, including why children are unlikely to die from COVID-19.

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Stool transplants: A way to bring gut bacteria back to health

Interesting article about possible linkage between PD and gut biome…. 

Stool transplants: A way to bring gut bacteria back to health

We often don't like talking about our bowels, but they are of great importance for our overall health. And if they don't work properly, serious problems can occur. Sometimes stool transplants can help. 

What is the correct medical language when talking about human solid body waste? S…? Excrement? Or feces?

The common name among doctors is stool, says Maria Vehreschild,  the head of Infectiology at the University Hospital in Frankfurt,  Germany.

She knows that hardly anyone likes to talk about stool in general and their own in particular. And to even imagine what it would be like to have someone else's stool transplanted into one's own body is probably a rather repulsive idea for most people.

But patients who are about to undergo a stool transplant  are hardly bothered by this, says Vehreschild. After all, it could mean an improvement in their state of health. "The psychological problems of the recipients are mainly caused by the fact that intestinal diseases are usually recurrent. In other words, they come back again and again. This troubles the patients more than anything else," says Vehreschild.

In addition to her work at the University of Frankfurt...

See the rest of the article….. 






Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Microdose lithium formulation is capable of halting signs of advanced Alzheimer’s and improving cognition

THE idea of putting a mind-altering drug in the drinking water is the stuff of sci-fi, terrorist plots and totalitarian governments. Considering the outcry that occurred when putting fluoride in the water was first proposed, one can only imagine the furor that would ensue if such a thing were ever suggested. 

The debate, however, is moot. It's a done deal. Mother Nature has already put a psychotropic drug in the drinking water, and that drug is lithium. Although this fact has been largely ignored for over half a century, it appears to have important medical implications. 

Lithium is a naturally occurring element, not a molecule like most medications, and it is present in the United States, depending on the geographic area, at concentrations that can range widely, from undetectable to around .170 milligrams per liter. This amount is less than a thousandth of the minimum daily dose given for bipolar disorders and for depression that doesn't respond to antidepressants. Although it seems strange that the microscopic amounts of lithium found in groundwater could have any substantial medical impact, the more scientists look for such effects, the more they seem to discover. Evidence is slowly accumulating that relatively tiny doses of lithium can have beneficial effects. They appear to decrease suicide rates significantly and may even promote brain health and improve mood. 

Yet despite the studies demonstrating the benefits of relatively high natural lithium levels present in the drinking water of certain communities, few seem to be aware of its potential. Intermittently, stories appear in the scientific journals and media, but they seem to have little traction in the medical community or with the general public...


See full article.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

'Master regulator' may shield the brain from Parkinson's-related damage

Switching off 'master regulator' may shield the brain from Parkinson's-related damage
Dr. Viviane Labrie | Van Andel Institute

Read in SCIENMAG: https://apple.news/AUlggauMiR4iOCzHypzUygw


Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Lyme can cause vocal cord paralysis



https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-disease-added-causes-vocal-cord-paralysis/

 

(Updated: 6/24/19)

In the Prevention article, doctors describe how Lyme disease can impact a person's vocal cords. "Lyme can affect the nerves that are responsible for controlling the muscles in the vocal cords," says Amesh A. Adalja, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. "As a result, someone could technically lose their voice if they had Lyme disease."

In fact, a case series published in the Journal of Voice identified Lyme disease as one of several causes of vocal cord paralysis, a condition that can dramatically impact patients' lives, affecting voice, swallowing and airway function. [1] Identifying the cause is important, the authors state, in order to treat the condition successfully.

Vocal cord paralysis can be caused by neurologic and inflammatory conditions, as well as by various infections. "Infectious causes include Lyme disease, West Nile virus, varicella, herpes, Epstein-Barr, syphilis, and others." [1]

The 2016 case series examined the records of 231 Pennsylvania patients with vocal cord paralysis (or paresis). The authors found that the prevalence of syphilis, myasthenia gravis, and Lyme disease was higher in these patients when compared with the national rate.

Join the conversation on Facebook: Shania Twain lost her ability to sing for several years due to Lyme disease. 

Several of the patients with vocal cord paralysis had Lyme disease. "A positive Lyme titer with confirmatory Western blot was found in five patients (2.2%). When compared with the 2013 incidence of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania (0.039%), these results were statistically significant (P < 0.0001)." [1] 

This is not the first time Lyme disease has been associated with vocal cord paralysis. In fact, it is possible that this is an underreported symptom, Adalja tells Prevention magazine.

Martínez-Balzano and colleague describe the case of a 90-year-old man who presented with dysphonia and upper and lower extremity weakness on his right side. [2] He also had bilateral vocal cord paralysis and respiratory failure which required a tracheostomy.

The man tested positive for Lyme disease. "The patient received IV ceftriaxone for 2 weeks, followed by complete recovery of motor and vocal function over 2 months."

In 2010, Martzolff reported two cases of vocal fold paresis secondary to neuroborreliosis. "Both cases resulted in favorable outcomes after antibiotic treatment." [3]

The authors point out the importance of testing vocal cord paralysis patients for Lyme disease, particularly in those living in endemic regions.

In 1988, a 45-year-old singer developed a sore throat and general malaise which progressed to hoarseness and left-sided neuralgia. The patient tested positive for Lyme disease and was treated with 3 weeks of doxycycline. "After 14 days of therapy she began to improve and after a few weeks she could speak and sing again," writes Schroeter. [4]

"We have seen a case where serologically confirmed B. burgdorferi infection was associated with paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve," explains Schroeter.

"Because vocal fold paresis secondary to Lyme disease can be treated easily with antibiotics," explains White, "testing patients with idiopathic vocal fold paresis should be routine, especially in endemic areas or in patients who have traveled to areas in which Lyme disease is endemic." [1]

White and colleagues did not design their case series to test causality. "Although their causal relationship to vocal fold paralysis or paresis has not been investigated or established by this study, the medical importance of having established these diagnoses and instituted treatment is self-evident, and their possible causal association awaits further study."

Nevertheless, the authors recommended implementing a comprehensive evaluation to identify serious and treatable causal or associated disorders underlying vocal fold paralysis and paresis.

The most common causes of this disorder include non-laryngeal malignancies, iatrogenic injuries, and idiopathic causes. Post-operative dysfunction after retraction, dissection along the recurrent laryngeal nerve and thoracic malignancy have also been identified as contributing triggers, explains White.

Additional causes of vocal cord paralysis include neurologic complications such as myasthenia gravis, severe degenerative spine disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson disease, as well as other disorders, White states.

Furthermore, inflammatory causes may include sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis, and polyarteritis nodosa.

"Additionally, diabetes, thyroid disease, malnutrition, and vinca alkaloids have been found to cause vocal fold (cord) paralysis or paresis," White explains.

"It is important for clinicians, especially tertiary and quaternary providers, to be familiar with the numerous diseases that may present in association with vocal fold paralysis or paresis," states White, "and to consider comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to identify serious and treatable causal or associated disorders."


EPA approves Nootkatone to repel ticks

Aug 12, 2020

The EPA on Monday approved the use of a chemical that repels and kills mosquitoes and ticks. Nootkatone, an oily compound found in cedar trees and grapefruits, is safe because it is not toxic to humans and many other mammals, as well as fish, birds, and bees. Products containing nootkatone could be used to fight ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas – insects that can pass on many diseases to humans, including malaria and Zika. It may be effective against other pests, including lice, sandflies, and midges.

More:

In smaller doses, nootkatone repels a variety of insects and in higher doses, it can kill those same insects. 

Nootkatone can kill bugs that are resistant to some commonly used pesticides, such as DDT and pyrethroids. 

Unlike other organic insect repellants, such as citronella, peppermint oil, and lemongrass oil, nootkatone has a long-lasting effect.
Yesterday, 11:10 PM

Saturday, August 1, 2020

Dr Horowitz protocol for treating COVID-19 (overheard)

Accuracy not guaranteed on this edited repost by me, but I thought I should post this in case anyone is in need of some tips, clues, links for treating COVID-19 cases.
-Bob Cowart

Dr. Horowitz is now working with state leaders in hopes of securing state funding to conduct randomized trials.

The treatment includes three over the counter natural oral supplements called acetyl-cysteine, glutathione and alpha lipoic acid.

"They block a switch inside the nucleus called NF Capa B, and when this switch gets turned on it turns on all the inflammation and all these inflammatory molecules that you see with COVID-19," says Dr. Horowitz.

Since a vaccine could be months away, Dr. Horowitz says it's time to think outside of the box and try to use natural supplements.

Dr. Horowitz is now working with state leaders in hopes of securing state funding to conduct randomized trials.

Does anyone know the doses of the Horowitz protocol? I have recommended 600mg NAC plus selenium 400mcg to increase production of glutathione as well as Liposomal Glutathione orally or injectable Glutathione from a compounding pharmacy if possible. Reports of rapid relief of Covid-19 symptoms with Glutathione are unfortunately only uncontrolled case reports, but that type of response is lifesaving and low risk for adverse effects. Glutathione levels decrease with viral infections and NAC and selenium have been reported to restore levels. Glutathione is an important controller of innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation and reduction of ROS plus it has antiviral effects. Too bad the "standard" treatment approaches are always search for "silver bullets" instead of understanding the pathophysiology of the illness and using methods to correct it.

Horowitz spoke about Ivermectin as being current best Rx hope for prevention and early intervention pending double blind placebo controlled trials.
0.2-0.4 mg/kg once a week for two weeks, repeat in 12 weeks (someone said they heard that in one of his latest YouTube interviews).

Binds to CD157 receptors on RBC and block micro vascular clotting, and prevents Covid19 from entering cell membrane where they shut down immune function.

http://westchester.news12.com/story/42383284/hudson-valley-doctor-touts-lyme-disease-treatment-as-option-for-covid19-patients 

Dr. Horowitz has now used the treatment on nearly two dozen coronavirus patients.


Thursday, July 23, 2020

Financial support for Lyme treatment

Thanks to Emily in our East Bay (LEAPS) Lyme support group, here is a link about financial assistance for people with Lyme disease. 

-Bob

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Another article about PTB and astrocytes cure for Parkinson’s

yahoo.com/lifestyle/parkins...

Mice were "cured" of Parkinson's disease after a scientific study took an unexpected turn.

Scientists from the University of California (UC) in San Diego set out to better understand the role of proteins in connective cells, only to discover a way to transform many different types of cells into neurons.

Parkinson's comes about when neurons – nerve cells – that produce the chemical messenger dopamine, which regulates movement, die off. Patients typically suffer tremors, slow movement and loss of balance when 80% of dopamine is lost.

The scientists used this discovery to develop a one-off treatment that eliminated Parkinson's symptoms in mice, raising hopes of a cure down the line.

Existing treatments aim to ease signs of the disease and improve a patient's quality of life, like via physiotherapy.

'I was stunned at what I saw'

More than 145,000 people over 20 in the UK are thought to have been living with Parkinson's in 2018. In the US, nearly 1 million people have the disease.

The UC scientists were studying a protein called PTB that turns genes "on or off" within cells.

In an attempt to better understand how PTB influences cell function, they silenced the protein in the connective tissue cell fibroblasts.

The fibroblasts were then grown in petri dishes to check for any changes.

A couple of weeks later, the scientists were surprised to find very few fibroblasts remained, having largely been replaced by neurons.

In a later experiment, published in the journal Nature, the team discovered brain cells called astrocytes also "turned" into neurons when PTB was silenced.

"Researchers around the world have tried many ways to generate neurones in the lab, using stem cells and other means, so we can study them better, as well as to use them to replace lost neurones in neurodegenerative diseases," said lead author Dr Xiang-Dong Fu.

"The fact we could produce so many neurones in such a relatively easy way came as a big surprise".

The scientists then turned their attention to Parkinson's.

Rodents were exposed to a chemical that poisons dopamine-producing neurons, creating symptoms of the disease.

After silencing PTB, 30% of the mice's astrocytes turned into nerve cells, reaching levels comparable to those in normal rodents.

These new neurons seemed to grow as normal and even sent connections to other parts of the brain.

When it came to symptoms, turning off PTB completely restored normal movement in the mice, with just one treatment lasting throughout their life.

"I was stunned at what I saw," said co-author Dr William Mobley.

"This whole new strategy for treating neurodegeneration gives hope it may be possible to help even those with advanced disease".

Professor David Dexter from Parkinson's UK added: "Cell transplants have, for a long time, aimed to replace lost cells in Parkinson's, but their effectiveness has been limited since they struggle to integrate and function effectively within the brain.

"This new technique has overcome this major hurdle in mice and opens the door to an exciting new treatment approach, which may be able to reverse Parkinson's in people, in future."

The scientists were 'stunned' by the cell changes in the petri dish. 

'Critical progress is at stake' due to coronavirus

Although promising, much more rigorous testing is required before the approach can be tested in humans.

The scientists plan to silence PTB in mice with genetic changes that cause Parkinson's-like symptoms, rather than the disease coming about via dopamine poisoning.

"Advances in technologies like this are vital and this is promising and well-conducted early-stage research, but it is in mice and it's not yet clear whether this approach could be used in people," said Dr Sara Imarisio from Alzheimer's Research UK. 

Neurons are also destroyed in Alzheimer's disease.

"Further research will need to develop a better understanding of the potential adverse effects of converting these cells in this way before we can know whether this technique is even possible in a human brain," said Dr Imarisio.

Professor Tara Spires-Jones from the University of Edinburgh added: "While the principle of this study is remarkable and promising, it is important to note that it was conducted in mice with group sizes from three to eight and there is a long way to go to translate this into a treatment for people."

Nevertheless, the UC team has patented their treatment in the hope it could one day help patients.

"It's my dream to see this through to clinical trials, to test this approach as a treatment for Parkinson's disease, but also many other diseases where neurones are lost, such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases and stroke," said Dr Fu.

"Dreaming even bigger, what if we could target PTB to correct defects in other parts of the brain, to treat things like inherited brain defects?

"I intend to spend the rest of my career answering these questions."

While it all sounds promising, medical research charities in the UK have warned "patients will suffer the consequences" unless they receive government support amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"Findings like this do highlight the potential of medical research, but critical progress is at stake and it's essential that dementia research is backed by the government throughout the COVID-19 crisis," said Dr Imarisio.

COVID-19 is the respiratory disease that can be triggered by the coronavirus.

"Research is the only way we can end the fear, heartbreak and harm that diseases like Parkinson's cause," added Dr Imarisio.

Prior to the pandemic, Parkinson's UK "knew" a major breakthrough and cure for the disease was "close".

Instead, the charity has been forced to "fight for fair treatment and better services" for patients, who are more at risk of coronavirus complications.

To maintain this increased support, Parkinson's UK must reportedly raise £95,000 ($118,872) a week for the next three months.


Monday, June 8, 2020

Genetic insights into the etiology of Parkinson’s disease

Genetic identification of cell types underlying brain complex traits yields insights into the etiology of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Genome-wide association studies have discovered hundreds of loci associated with complex brain disorders, but it remains unclear in which cell types these loci are active. Here we integrate genome-wide association study results with single-cell transcriptomic data from the entire mouse nervous system to systematically identify cell types underlying brain complex traits. We show that psychiatric disorders are predominantly associated with projecting excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Neurological diseases were associated with different cell types, which is consistent with other lines of evidence. Notably, Parkinson's disease was genetically associated not only with cholinergic and monoaminergic neurons (which include dopaminergic neurons) but also with enteric neurons and oligodendrocytes. Using post-mortem brain transcriptomic data, we confirmed alterations in these cells, even at the earliest stages of disease progression. Our study provides an important framework for understanding the cellular basis of complex brain maladies, and reveals an unexpected role of oligodendrocytes in Parkinson's disease.....

For the rest of the article:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-020-0610-9

Doctors treat Parkinson’s with a novel brain cell transplant - STAT


https://www.statnews.com/2020/05/12/medical-first-parkinsons-brain-cell-transplant-stem-cells/

-bob
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Bob Cowart
Email: bob@cowart.com
Phone: 510-540-6667
Books: http://www.amazon.com/Robert-Cowart/e/B001HOJ3ZQ
Blog: http://bobcowart.blogspot.com 
Twitter: @bobcowart

Thursday, April 30, 2020

A Clinical Diagnostic System for Late-Stage Neuro Lyme Borreliosis

A Clinical Diagnostic System for Late-Stage Neuropsychiatric Lyme Borreliosis Based upon an Analysis of 100 Patients

A study by the respected researcher Robert Bransfield and three others. 

Healthcare | Free Full-Text | 

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/8/1/13



Thursday, April 23, 2020

The Sounds of Science

Maybe you've seen this before but it applies more with each passing day...

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Mold, Air, Water, Sewage testing company

I've been looking for a company who can test air quality inside and outside of my house. I have wondered foe years whether my house's inside air was polluted, because in the AM when I awake, I often feel poisoned. I've looked into oxygen deprivation (which would cause CO2 poisoning) and mold, so far. I used Real Time labs for mold and micotoxin testing. I've treated my house and cars for micotoxins with chlorine dixoide gas. I still don't think I have found the culprit, but I suspect it has to do with gut dysbiosis more than with the external environment, though both may play a part. 

In any case, the testing that these folks do might be among my next areas of inquiry. 

-Bob


Why Test for Sewage Contamination?

Exposure to sewage contamination increases the risk of contracting diseases of the digestive system and other related illnesses. Potential disease causing organisms in sewage contamination include E. coli (some strains), Salmonella, and Shigella.

Sewage contamination can come from flooding events, failing septic systems, wastewater treatment plants, sewer overflows, vessel sewer discharge, runoff from surfaces, livestock, pets, wildlife, and humans. 

The following bacteria are used as indicators of sewage contamination.

  • E. coli
  • Total coliforms
  • Fecal coliforms
  • Enterococci
  • Fecal Streptococcus.

These bacteria are not a health threat themselves but their presence is used as an indication of other potentially harmful bacteria.

Learn More...

General Bacteria Testing

Bacteria Testing

We perform various bacterial analytical tests at Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL). We can test air samples (taken by an RCS sampler or an Anderson sampler), surface samples (taken by culture-swabs), and water samples, as well as many other types of samples. If you have a question regarding a particular test (including those not listed here), please ...

Continue Reading Online...

MBL Among The CDC ELITE Certified Labs in Legionella Testing

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL)  has certification in the analysis of Legionella bacteria by the prestigious Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) program of the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC). MBL is one of the only 3 Canadian independent laboratories having this industry-leading certification. MBL is also accredited by the Canadian Association For Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) ...

Continue Reading Online...

Online Mold Inspection, Identification and Control Course

Our online mold training course is designed for people with busy schedules. The course is available 24/7 and can be taken in office or at home at any time of the day. Click Online Mold Training Course for more details.

Happy to help.

If you have any questions regarding mold or bacteria laboratory testing, please contact us at 905-290-9101 or send an email to info@moldbacteria.com

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Website
Email
Copyright © 2020 Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories, All rights reserved. 
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or Facebook page 

Our mailing address is: 


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list