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Parkinson's Disease 2024The aim of this study was to compare the Sniffin' Sticks 12-identification test (SIT-12), China-modified version of the SIT-12 test (Ch-SIT-12) and brief smell...
China's Modified Version of Sniffin' Sticks 12-Identification Test Used in Chinese Parkinson's Disease and Multiple System Patients: Comparison of Three Olfactory Testing Methods.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to compare the Sniffin' Sticks 12-identification test (SIT-12), China-modified version of the SIT-12 test (Ch-SIT-12) and brief smell identification test for Chinese (B-SITC) in Chinese population of Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).
METHODS
36 patients with PD and 7 patients with MSA were enrolled in this study. Three olfactory testing methods (SIT-12, Ch-SIT-12, and B-SITC) were used to test the olfactory function in all participants. Furthermore, demographic and clinical data were collected.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference between three olfactory tests in patients with PD (B-SITC vs. SIT-12: =0.508; Ch-SIT-12 vs. B-SITC: =0.146; and SIT-12 vs. Ch-SIT-12: =0.375). Tremor-dominant (TD) subtypes have better olfactory function than akinetic-rigid dominant (ARD) subtypes when using Ch-SIT-12 (77.8% vs. 29.6%, =0.019) or B-SITC (55.6% vs. 14.8%, =0.026). There was a statistical difference between the PD and MSA using Ch-SIT-12 to test the olfactory function (=0.046).
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated that SIT-12, Ch-SIT-12 and B-SITC can be used for the detection of olfactory dysfunction in Chinese population of PD. TD subtypes may have better olfactory function than ARD subtypes. In addition, Ch-SIT-12 may be used to differentiate PD from MSA, but that should be confirmed in a larger population.
PubMed: 38957659
DOI: 10.1155/2024/3561881 -
Journal of Morphology Jul 2024Using histological cross-sections, the chondrocranium anatomy was reconstructed for two developmental stages of Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni). The morphology... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Using histological cross-sections, the chondrocranium anatomy was reconstructed for two developmental stages of Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni). The morphology differs from the chondrocrania of most other turtles by a process above the ectochoanal cartilage with Pelodiscus sinensis being the only other known species with such a structure. The anterior and posterior processes of the tectum synoticum are better developed than in most other turtles and an ascending process of the palatoquadrate is missing, which is otherwise only the case in pleurodiran turtles. The nasal region gets proportionally larger during development. We interpret the enlargement of the nasal capsules as an adaption to increase the surface area of the olfactory epithelium for better perception of volant odors. Elongation of the nasal capsules in trionychids, in contrast, is unlikely to be related to olfaction, while it is ambiguous in the case of Sternotherus odoratus. However, we have to conclude that research on chondrocranium anatomy is still at its beginning and more comprehensive detailed descriptions in relation to other parts of the anatomy are needed before providing broad-scale ecological and phylogenetic interpretations.
Topics: Animals; Turtles; Skull; Cartilage
PubMed: 38956884
DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21747 -
Brain and Behavior Jul 2024Chemosensory function in pregnant women is far from being fully understood due to the lack of data and inconsistencies between the results of self-reports and objective...
INTRODUCTION
Chemosensory function in pregnant women is far from being fully understood due to the lack of data and inconsistencies between the results of self-reports and objective studies.
METHODS
In the present study in pregnant and non-pregnant women (n = 14, n = 13), we measured EEG-derived electrophysiological response measures supported by psychophysical olfactory and trigeminal tests.
RESULTS
Results indicate that the olfactory event-related potential amplitudes or latencies of the P1, N1, and P2 components remain unchanged in pregnant women. In accordance with these findings, no difference was observed between pregnant and non-pregnant women in psychophysical olfactory tests. However, pregnant women displayed a lower degree of sensitivity to trigeminal stimuli compared to non-pregnant controls, which was also reflected in the electrophysiological responses to trigeminal stimuli.
CONCLUSION
Counterintuitive as they may seem, our findings demonstrate a "flattening" of chemosomatosensory responses. Psychological processes occurring during pregnancy, such as changes in socioemotional perception of odors resulting from the diminished stress response, may provide a background to these results. Overall, the present results indicate the absence of major differences between non-pregnant and pregnant women in terms of measured olfactory function though chemosomatosensory function of the pregnant women appears to be decreased.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Adult; Trigeminal Nerve; Electroencephalography; Evoked Potentials; Young Adult; Olfactory Perception; Smell; Odorants
PubMed: 38956811
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3597 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2024Although validated and reliable psychophysical tests of olfactory function are available, an easy-to-use and feasible test has yet to be developed. This study aimed to...
Although validated and reliable psychophysical tests of olfactory function are available, an easy-to-use and feasible test has yet to be developed. This study aimed to design a digital odour identification test, evaluate its validity, assess its reliability, establish a normative curve, and explore the impact of demographic factors. The odour identification test was presented with the Multiscent-20, a hand-held, tablet-like digital scent device that features an integrated odour digital delivery system. The identification performance on the 20 odours was assessed using item response theory (IRT). The normative curve was established by administering the test to a large sample of participants (n = 1299). The mean identification score was 17.5 (SD = 2.1). The two-parameter logistic IRT model provided the best fit, revealing variation in item discrimination and difficulty parameters. Educational attainment influenced performance, with primary education associated with lower scores. Additionally, sex was not found to be associated with performance. This study provides initial evidence supporting the validity and reliability of use of the Multiscent-20 as a digital odour identification test. The test's automation and portability enable the standardized delivery of olfactory stimuli and efficient automatic recording and scoring of responses.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Odorants; Adult; Middle Aged; Smell; Young Adult; Adolescent; Reproducibility of Results; Aged
PubMed: 38956288
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65915-3 -
Nature Communications Jul 2024Olfaction is influenced by contextual factors, past experiences, and the animal's internal state. Whether this information is integrated at the initial stages of...
Olfaction is influenced by contextual factors, past experiences, and the animal's internal state. Whether this information is integrated at the initial stages of cortical odour processing is not known, nor how these signals may influence odour encoding. Here we revealed multiple and diverse non-olfactory responses in the primary olfactory (piriform) cortex (PCx), which dynamically enhance PCx odour discrimination according to behavioural demands. We performed recordings of PCx neurons from mice trained in a virtual reality task to associate odours with visual contexts to obtain a reward. We found that learning shifts PCx activity from encoding solely odours to a regime in which positional, contextual, and associative responses emerge on odour-responsive neurons that become mixed-selective. The modulation of PCx activity by these non-olfactory signals was dynamic, improving odour decoding during task engagement and in rewarded contexts. This improvement relied on the acquired mixed-selectivity, demonstrating how integrating extra-sensory inputs in sensory cortices can enhance sensory processing while encoding the behavioural relevance of stimuli.
Topics: Animals; Odorants; Mice; Smell; Reward; Male; Olfactory Cortex; Piriform Cortex; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Olfactory Perception; Neurons; Female; Discrimination, Psychological
PubMed: 38956072
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49897-4 -
Journal of Agricultural and Food... Jul 2024Geosmin, a ubiquitous volatile sesquiterpenoid of microbiological origin, is causative for deteriorating the quality of many foods, beverages, and drinking water, by...
Geosmin, a ubiquitous volatile sesquiterpenoid of microbiological origin, is causative for deteriorating the quality of many foods, beverages, and drinking water, by eliciting an undesirable "earthy/musty" off-flavor. Moreover, and across species from worm to human, geosmin is a volatile, chemosensory trigger of both avoidance and attraction behaviors, suggesting its role as semiochemical. Volatiles typically are detected by chemosensory receptors of the nose, which have evolved to best detect ecologically relevant food-related odorants and semiochemicals. An insect receptor for geosmin was recently identified in flies. A human geosmin-selective receptor, however, has been elusive. Here, we report on the identification and characterization of a human odorant receptor for geosmin, with its function being conserved in orthologs across six mammalian species. Notably, the receptor from the desert-dwelling kangaroo rat showed a more than 100-fold higher sensitivity compared to its human ortholog and detected geosmin at low nmol/L concentrations in extracts from geosmin-producing actinomycetes.
PubMed: 38955350
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01515 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2024Alternative splicing is an essential post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism that diversifies gene function by generating multiple protein isoforms from a single gene...
Alternative splicing is an essential post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism that diversifies gene function by generating multiple protein isoforms from a single gene and act as a crucial role in insect environmental adaptation. Olfaction, a key sense for insect adaptation, relies heavily on the antennae, which are the primary olfactory organs expressing most of the olfactory genes. Despite the extensive annotation of olfactory genes within insect antennal tissues facilitated by high-throughput sequencing technology advancements, systematic analyses of alternative splicing are still relatively less. In this study, we focused on the oriental fruit fly (), a significant pest of fruit crops. We performed a detailed analysis of alternative splicing in its antennae by utilizing the full-length transcriptome of its antennal tissue and the insect's genome. The results revealed 8600 non-redundant full-length transcripts identified in the oriental fruit fly antennal full-length transcriptome, spanning 4,145 gene loci. Over 40% of these loci exhibited multiple isoforms. Among these, 161 genes showed sex-biased isoform switching, involving seven different types of alternative splicing. Notably, events involving alternative transcription start sites (ATSS) and alternative transcription termination sites (ATTS) were the most common. Of all the genes undergoing ATSS and ATTS alternative splicing between male and female, 32 genes were alternatively spliced in protein coding regions, potentially affecting protein function. These genes were categorized based on the length of the sex-biased isoforms, with the highest difference in isoform fraction (dIF) associated with the ATSS type, including genes such as , , and Additionally, transcription factor binding sites for doublesex were identified upstream of both BdorABCA13 and BdorCAT2. Besides being expressed in the antennal tissues, and are also expressed in the mouthparts, legs, and genitalia of both female and male adults, suggesting their functional diversity. This study reveals alternative splicing events in the antennae of from two aspects: odorant receptor genes and other types of genes expressed in the antennae. This study not only provides a research foundation for understanding the regulation of gene function by alternative splicing in the oriental fruit fly but also offers new insights for utilizing olfaction-based behavioral manipulation techniques to manage this pest.
PubMed: 38952867
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1384426 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Jun 2024More than 80% of the world's populations are at risk of vector-borne diseases, with mosquito-borne diseases as a significant global public health problem. Mosquito... (Review)
Review
More than 80% of the world's populations are at risk of vector-borne diseases, with mosquito-borne diseases as a significant global public health problem. Mosquito populations control is critical to interrupting the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. This review summarizes the physical attributes, smell, vision, touch, and hearing of mosquitoes to unravel the preferences of female mosquitoes, and describes the mechanisms underlying the best male mating by female mosquitoes, so as to provide new insights into management of mosquito-borne diseases.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Culicidae; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Mosquito Vectors
PubMed: 38952321
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2023220 -
Rhinology Jul 2024diabetic complications and olfactory dysfunction (OD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) seem related. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of OD in...
BACKGROUND
diabetic complications and olfactory dysfunction (OD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) seem related. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of OD in T2DM patients and to analyze its relationship with diabetic complications.
METHODS
130 T2DM patients and 100 comparable controls were enrolled. Olfaction was evaluated using the Extended Smell Test (TDI) and the Italian brief Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders - Brief-IT-QOD. T2DM patients were divided into: "Group 1", patients with no complications, and "Group 2", patients with at least one diabetic complication. Non-parametric tests were used. Machine learning algorithms were applied to explore which variables were most important in predicting the presence of OD in T2DM.
RESULTS
The prevalence of OD was significantly higher in Group 2 than in controls (71.4% vs 30%) and in Group 1 (71.4% vs 43.3%). However, when comparing the TDI scores between Group 1 and 2 the only significant difference was found for the discrimination scale and not for the identification and threshold scales. Brief-IT-QOD scores were significantly higher in Group 2 than in controls. The Random Forest and variable importance algorithms highlighted the relevance of LDL, glycated hemoglobin, type of complication (macrovascular) and age in determining OD in T2DM. The last three variables were included in a nomogram for the prediction of OD risk in T2DM.
CONCLUSIONS
T2DM patients with diabetic complications are more frequently affected by OD. Poor glycemic control, LDL values, age and presence of macrovascular complications are the more important factors in determining OD in T2DM patients.
PubMed: 38950422
DOI: 10.4193/Rhin23.451 -
Rhinology Jul 2024The objective of this study was to identify how - and to what extent - overall symptom severity (OSS) score reflects individual chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms and...
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to identify how - and to what extent - overall symptom severity (OSS) score reflects individual chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms and whether it can be measured using alternatives to the standard visual analog scale (VAS).
METHODS
CRS patients from four sites across three continents rated their OSS scores, severities of nasal obstruction, nasal drainage, decreased sense of smell, facial pain/pressure and sleep disturbance using a standard VAS, VAS with labeled tick marks at every 1 centimeter, and by writing down their OSS on a scale of 0 - 100 (which was divided by 10), all of which lead to severity scores ranging from 0 - 10 in 0.1 intervals. Quality of life was measured using the SNOT-22 and EQ-5D VAS.
RESULTS
In 311 CRS patients, OSS score was significantly correlated with SNOT-22 and EQ-5D VAS. OSS score was most greatly associated with the mean of all individual symptom severity scores. From individual CRS symptoms, OSS was most greatly associated with nasal obstruction followed by nasal drainage and facial pain/pressure severities. These results held true for participants with and without nasal polyps. Measurement of OSS and individual symptom severity scores using a standard VAS, tick-marked VAS, and write-in option had near-perfect consistency.
CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate for the first time that OSS largely reflects the mean of individual CRS symptom severities, although OSS is=== most weighted by nasal obstruction severity. OSS and individual symptom severity scores can be measured using a standard VAS, tick-marked VAS or write-in prompt with near-perfect consistency.
PubMed: 38950374
DOI: 10.4193/Rhin24.145