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PubMed2004

[The effects of fluorescent lamp coated with a photocatalyst film on the number of floating microorganisms or smell molecules in a room installed with the lamp].

Fluorescent lamp that is coated with a photocatalyst film, titanium dioxide (TiO2), can catalyze the microorganisms and smell producing molecules that touch the membrane. In this report, we examined the effect of this coated lamp by the number of floating microorganisms or smell molecules in a room installed with this lamp. The number of floating microorganisms was examined independently in different laboratories before and after installing the lamps in an animal facility and a vegetable processing room of a food company. We found that the number of floating microorganisms was significantly reduced after the installation of this coated lamp. To test for smell molecules, acetaldehyde was injected into a closed chamber installed with the coated lamp and the result was compared to a control where a regular fluorescent lamp was used. The acetaldehyde concentration did not change with the regular lamp but was halved after 1h with the photocatalyst coated lamp. To test the effect in real settings, questionnaires were filled out by restroom users in several different places. About 90% of those surveyed answered that there was a reduction of smell after the installation of the photocatalyst coated lamp. We concluded that the installation of this coated fluorescent lamp reduced not only the floating microorganisms but the smell in various practical situations.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1997

Lancefield grouping and smell of caramel for presumptive identification and assessment of pathogenicity in the Streptococcus milleri group.

AIM: To evaluate Lancefield grouping and caramel smell for presumptive identification of the Streptococcus milleri group, and to find whether Lancefield group, species, or protein profile correlated with virulence or infection site. METHODS: Prospective studies were made of 100 consecutive streptococcal isolates in blood cultures or pus from 100 patients in whom the severity of infection was categorised as serious, moderate, or not significant. The usefulness of Lancefield group and the caramel smell for presumptive identification was examined, and the relation of the S milleri species, Lancefield group, and SDS-PAGE protein analysis to severity of infection and infection site was investigated. Lower respiratory tract and genital tract specimens, strict anaerobes, group D streptococci, and strains identified as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Streptococcus agalactiae were excluded. RESULTS: Most streptococci occurring in pure or significant growth density were S milleri group (87/100; 87%, 95% confidence interval 0.81-0.93). Of these, 89.7% (78/87; 0.84-0.96) were associated with infection. Lancefield group F antigen predominated (41/87; 47.1%, 0.38-0.56). Lancefield group F alone or accompanied by the caramel smell had a specificity of 100%, but a sensitivity of only 47.3% for group F alone, and 19.5% for group F accompanied by the caramel smell. There was no significant association between species, Lancefield group, and severity of infection, site of infection, or pathogenicity. SDS-PAGE analysis failed to discriminate between strains. CONCLUSIONS: Neither species nor Lancefield antigen was related to the site of infection. The presence of Lancefield group F antigen alone or accompanied by a caramel smell was a useful indicator for the S milleri group when present, but was too insensitive to use as a screening test. Most streptococci occurring in pure culture or in significant growth density were of clinical importance. Such organisms should be identified to species level to detect the S milleri group.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1995

Smell impairment. Can it be reversed?

Patients who have lost the sense of smell usually come to a doctor on their own, reporting loss of the sense of taste. Inflammation (often due to allergy), viral infection, and head trauma are common causes of olfactory disturbance. History taking may provide clues to these and other problems (eg, toxin exposure, congenital dysosmia). Workup should not begin until a standardized test has been given that established impairment of the sense of smell. The only truly reversible cause is inflammation, which is confirmed when smell returns after a course of corticosteroid. Sinus computed tomography is necessary to view the olfactory cleft; lack of obstruction indicates that smell impairment is nonreversible. Patients deserve an explanation for their disorder and a prognosis. If restoration of their sense of smell is unlikely, patients should be cautioned to take steps to ensure safety in regard to such dangers as gas leaks, smoke, and spoiled foods.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2003

A brief smell identification test discriminates between deficit and non-deficit schizophrenia.

Evidence is accumulating that smell identification deficits (SID) and social dysfunction in schizophrenia may share a common pathophysiology. While most schizophrenia studies utilize the lengthy 40-item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) to assess smell identification ability, a brief 12-item smell identification test (B-SIT) has recently been constructed as a culturally neutral substitute for the UPSIT. By selecting the 12 items of the UPSIT from which the B-SIT was originally derived, we constructed a proxy for the B-SIT and compared the performance of 83 patients with schizophrenia to 69 normal subjects. We examined select properties of the B-SIT proxy in relation to the UPSIT to determine its efficacy for use in psychiatric populations. We considered the sensitivity of the B-SIT proxy and evaluated a cutoff score for identifying deficit syndrome schizophrenia (DS). The UPSIT and B-SIT proxy were significantly related in the patients (n=83, r=0.85, P=0.01) and in comparison subjects (n=69, r=0.83, P=0.01), and both measures similarly distinguished DS from non-deficit syndrome (non-DS) patients. The results of this study support the utility of the B-SIT for schizophrenia research and highlight the robustness of the relationship between SID and social dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Taste and smell perception affect appetite and immunity in the elderly.

The losses in taste and smell that occur with advancing age can lead to poor appetite, inappropriate food choices, as well as decreased energy consumption. Decreased energy consumption can be associated with impaired protein and micronutrient status and may induce subclinical deficiencies that directly impact function. Most nutritional interventions in the elderly do not compensate for taste and smell losses and complaints. For example, cancer is a medical condition in which conventional nutritional interventions (that do not compensate for taste and smell losses) are ineffective. Evidence is now emerging that suggests compensation for taste and smell losses with flavor-enhanced food can improve palatability and/or intake, increase salivary flow and immunity, reduce chemosensory complaints in both healthy and sick elderly, and lessen the need for table salt.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Objective test of smell with cognitive potentials].

BACKGROUND: An objective smelling test is indicated for a reliable assessment of olfactory disorders. Usually olfactory evoked potentials (OEP) are registered. But the technique of this measurement is complicated and the generation of the OEP depends on the respiration of the subject. Alternatively, the contingent negative variation (CNV) can be used in the diagnosis of anosmia and parosmia, requiring only a simple olfactory stimulator. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: OEP and CNV were derived from 25 adults with normal smelling and from 16 patients with anosmia after head injury. First, the "direct" CNV was registered when the subjects expected a tone following a smell stimulus after 1.5 s. Using two different odors in a random order, the tone only followed one of them, so the "selective" CNV was scored. RESULTS: In both tests a distinct CNV was found in 21 and 23 normal smelling subjects, respectively. OEPs were absent in 4.3 % of this control group. No patient with anosmia showed an OEP or a CNV. The amplitudes of the "selective" CNV are significantly higher than those of the "direct" CNV. No gender dependency was found. CONCLUSION: The results show that an objective olfactometry can be realized by registration of CNV. Contrary to the measurement of OEP which depend on the physical parameters of olfactory stimuli, CNV correlates well with the cognitive identification of odor.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Olfactory evoked potentials and contingent negative variation in expert assessment of disordered sense of smell].

Normally, the sense of smell is assessed by means of traditional subjective tests (sniff test, gustatory smell test, and trigeminus test). When results are inconclusive, an objective smell test is indicated. Simultaneously registering olfactory evoked potentials (OEP) and contingent negative variation (CNV) permits evaluation of both odor perception and odor discrimination. We can even objectively assess the false olfactory sensations in parosmia patients who are unable to discriminate between different odors. In this study, the results of 59 patients with olfactory disorders are presented. Head trauma and upper respiratory infections were the most common causes of the patients' complaints. In twelve cases, lack of cooperation and patient unrest prevented us from evaluating the data. In anosmia, the objective results agreed completely with the patient's subjective assessment. In hyposmia and parosmia, the results agreed with the patient's subjective assessment in most cases; here we were able to arrive at a more specific diagnosis in several cases. The objective smell test can be used to supplement subjective methods and thus provide more reliable assessment of olfactory disorders.

Attention↗
PubMed1995

[Sense of smell].

About two million Americans suffer from anosmia. Most result from nasal obstruction, head injuries, and viral infections. Brain disorders like epileptic seizures, tumours, and dementia can distort can distort the sense of smell. Anosmia adversely affects patient well-being. Patients cannot detect spoiled food, gas leakage, or dangerous smoke. They are unable to distinguish flavour and smell the springtime or the ocean. Many products as soaps, cat litter, toilet paper, etc. are perfumed because consumers will more readily buy a product that smells nice than one that has no smell at all. Historically, the importance of odors was very different. The ancient Romans loved exotic aromas during their banquets and orgies. In the Middle Ages the church did not like fragrances. The French revolution of 1789 brought a revolution of deodorization to Europe. Today, fragrance companies' increasing sales are an indication of the power of odor.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Chemosensory dysfunction. Clinical evaluation results from a taste and smell clinic.

Findings from 441 patient evaluations performed at the Taste and Smell Clinic of the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center are presented. Taste and smell dysfunction was the chief complaint in all patients. The diagnostic approach included tests of taste and smell function; history taking; physical, neurologic, otorhinolaryngologic, and nutritional examinations; and clinical laboratory screening tests. Results indicate that the most common chemosensory dysfunction is probably olfactory: 86% of patients in this series had measurable loss of smell function. The most common cause of olfactory deficit was nasal and/or sinus disease (30% of patients), followed by idiopathic conditions (26%) and prior upper respiratory infection (19%). Assessment of individual components of the evaluation suggests that a total circulating eosinophil count may be useful as a screening test for nasal and/or sinus disease among patients whose chief complaint is chemosensory dysfunction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Longitudinal changes in smell identification.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that olfactory function diminishes with increasing age, which may impact on the safety and quality of life of older persons. To date, however, there have been no published longitudinal studies on olfaction. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of age and gender on smell identification over a 3-year period in a group of generally healthy men and women. METHODS: Males (n = 85) and females (n = 76) between the ages of 19 and 95 years were administered the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (SIT) over a 3-year span as part of the oral physiology component of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. A linear mixed-effects regression model was used to determine how longitudinal changes in SIT scores differ with respect to gender, history of medical problems, and use of prescription medications. RESULTS: Over the 3-year period, SIT scores diminished progressively with increased age. Women and men in the eighth decade of life experienced a decline of greater than one SIT point per year. Females consistently performed better than males in smell identification. Similar results were obtained regardless of medical problems or medication usage. CONCLUSIONS: These results extend the conclusions of previous cross-sectional olfactory studies and indicate that smell identification deteriorates progressively with greater age. Furthermore, age-related declines in olfaction occur even in the absence of overt medical problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Age, gender, medical treatment, and medication effects on smell identification.

Olfactory function diminishes with increasing age, which may impact on the safety and quality of life of older persons. This study examined the influence of age, gender, medical treatment, and medications on smell identification in a group of generally healthy individuals. Males (n = 221) and females (n = 166) between the ages of 19 and 95 years, from the oral physiology component of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, were administered the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test [UPSIT; (1)]. Older subjects had lower UPSIT scores, were more likely to be anosmic, and more often complained about their sense of smell and taste compared to younger subjects. Females had higher UPSIT scores compared to males. Although these age and gender effects are comparable to previous findings, performance among all subjects was superior to other studies; this is attributable, in part, to the overall healthy status of the population. Subjects being treated for medical problems and taking prescription medications had slightly lower UPSIT scores and more smell and taste complaints compared to other subjects, but these findings did not achieve statistical significance. Results suggest that age-related declines in olfaction occur as a part of the normal physiological aging process.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A double blind study of the effects of zinc sulfate on taste and smell dysfunction.

A randomized, double blind crossover study of the effects of zinc sulfate and placebo was carried out in 106 patients with taste and smell dysfunction secondary to a variety of etiological factors. In the patient group prior to treatment, mean serum zinc concentration and leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly lower than normal. Results indicate that zinc sulfate was effectively equivalent to placebo in the treatment of these disorders. Although these results demonstrate abnormalities of zinc metabolism in some patients with taste and smell dysfunction they fail to provide evidence for a single, therapeutic approach to the many disorders which are associated with abnormalities of taste and smell. However, the methods and procedures developed in this study demonstrate that taste and smell dysfunction can be studied in a quantitative, systematic manner.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Depressed taste and smell in geriatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric patients have a number of dental care problems that younger patients do not encounter. The oral changes associated with aging can have a significant effect on the efficacy of dental treatment. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors reviewed studies dealing with the causes of depressed sense of taste and smell; the causes included aging, disease, medications and dental problems. Based on their findings, the authors described the location and anatomy of taste buds and receptor cells for smell and explored appetite, saliva, food seasonings, nutrition and dietary recommendations. They also discussed the relationship of smoking and tongue cleaning to taste sensations. RESULTS: The authors found that considerable differences exist between elderly people and young people in regards to sensory perception and pleasantness of food flavors. Salt and bitter taste acuity declines with age, but sweet and sour perceptivity does not. Olfactory acuity also declines with age. The authors found that most of the studies reviewed suggested that the sense of smell is more impaired by aging compared with the sense of taste. Smoking diminishes the taste of food and makes flavorful foods taste flat, while tongue brushing can increase taste sensation for geriatric patients. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Food can become tasteless and unappetizing for geriatric patients as the result of declining taste and smell perception. Geriatric patients should be encouraged to add seasonings to their food instead of relying on excessive consumption of salt and sugar to give their food flavor. Adequate nutrition, tongue cleaning and smoking cessation are recommended for geriatric dental patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

The ability to smell remains intact, but does not recover, after olfactory bulb lesions.

We examined two unresolved issues regarding the influence of olfactory bulb lesions on the ability to smell. First, we asked whether the sense of smell remains intact or recovers after incomplete and complete removal of both olfactory bulbs and second, whether the qualitative perception of smell changes after lesion. Rats were trained to perform a four-choice olfactory discrimination task and were subsequently prepared with either medium, large, or complete bilateral olfactory bulb lesions. They were retested after a recovery period of either 6 or 22 weeks. The lesion effect depended on lesion size, and not on recovery interval. Animals with complete lesions showed no retention, and a failure to relearn, regardless of the recovery interval. Animals with incomplete lesions showed virtually perfect retention. These results, therefore, indicate first that the sense of smell remains intact following extensive olfactory bulb lesions, and that a previously acquired discrimination is permanently lost after complete olfactory bulb lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Smell and nasal findings in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

As part of a clinical trial of the effect of Efamol on primary Sjögren's Syndrome (SS), 36 patients were interviewed about nasal symptoms and examined for sense of smell and nasal mucociliary clearance. The sense of smell was examined by quantitative olfactometry using coffee as a stimulant while mucociliary clearance was evaluated by the saccharin test. The findings were compared with those of an age and sex matched control group. 39% of the patients complained of dryness of the nose and 44% of nasal crust formation whereas none of the healthy controls had such complaints. In contrast no differences in sense of smell (subjectively as well as objectively) and mucociliary clearance could be demonstrated. Neither was there any correlation between mucociliary clearance and crust formation or dryness of the nose. Also the mucociliary clearance was not correlated to the "break up time" of the tear-film determined by the ophthalmologist. The present findings indicate that examination of the sense of smell and nasal mucociliary clearance is of little diagnostic value in primary SS and cannot be used for monitoration of disease activity.

Cilia↗
PubMed1997

Taste and smell in familial dysautonomia.

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is one of the classic diseases characterised by taste and smell abnormalities. However, these typical features are based on data obtained from two separate crude studies published in 1964. In the present study psychophysical-cognitive and reflex-like facial-behavioral responses to taste and smell, in nine patients with FD and 15 healthy controls, were recorded. Five taste stimulants were presented to both study groups, while a selection of common household odors was used for FD patients only. The patients with FD showed a markedly higher incidence of recognition failures for salty, bitter, sweet, and water stimuli than the controls, but rate of recognition of sour stimuli was almost identical in the two groups. Estimates by the subjects on a hedonic scale of 0 to 10 and facial display in FD indicated a relatively normal sensitivity to sour stimuli and to a lesser extent to bitter stimuli. Water, sweet, and salty stimuli evoked non-discriminatory responses. These findings indicate specific dyageusia rather than general ageusia. Smell was found to be normal. In children with taste and smell impairment, a systematic evaluative approach may help in planning palatable diets for adequate and comfortable nutrition.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Taste and smell losses in normal aging and disease.

OBJECTIVE: To review the scientific literature on the alterations in the senses of taste and smell in the elderly, including causes, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. DATA SOURCES: Original reports and reviews obtained through MEDLINE searches from 1966 through June 1997 using the MeSH headings of "taste," "taste buds," "taste disorders," "taste thresholds," "smell," "odors," "aged," and "aging." Articles frequently cited in reference lists were also included. STUDY SELECTION: All articles were reviewed, tabulated, and summarized. DATA EXTRACTION: Criteria for extraction included data quality and validity, statistical treatment of the data, venue of publication, and relevance to clinical care. CONCLUSION: Losses of taste and smell are common in the elderly and result from normal aging, certain disease states (especially Alzheimer disease), medications, surgical interventions, and environmental exposure. Deficits in these chemical senses cannot only reduce the pleasure and comfort from food, but represent risk factors for nutritional and immune deficiencies as well as adherence to specific dietary regimens. Chemosensory decrements can lead to food poisoning or overexposure to environmentally hazardous chemicals that are otherwise detectable by taste and smell. Use of flavor-enhanced food can increase enjoyment of food and have a positive effect on food intake and immune status.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

"Mints", smells and traditional uses in Thessaloniki (Greece) and other Mediterranean countries.

The herbs of the "mint" group traded in the herbal market of Thessaloniki include eight taxa, members of two genera, Acinos (two species) and Mentha (four species and two hybrids). The essential oil content of 72 samples examined ranged from traces up to 1.69ml/100g of dry weight. Besides three almost scentless samples, the different "mints" are distinguished according to their prominent smell differences, i.e. samples with a pungent, musty and sweet type of smell. As a result, the commercial names attributed to them correspond to a particular type of smell and not to a particular taxon. A number of 29 medicinal uses were recorded in total. In most cases uses were not associated with particular taxa but were rather determined by plant smells. A literature survey has shown that the "mints" traded in Thessaloniki are also used as herbal medicines all over the Mediterranean area, with 67 different therapeutic uses. Among them the 22 uses, already mentioned by Dioscurides, show that the utilization of "mints" as herbal medicines in the Mediterranean countries has a long tradition.

Commerce↗