Postinfectious Olfactory Complaints: A Follow-up Study

Abstract Introduction Acute upper respiratory infection (AURI) is the most common cause of postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). Objective We investigated the prevalence of PIOD in a large group of patients reporting persistent smell impairment perception after the AURI resolution. Methods Olfactometry was performed within 1 month after the common cold resolution and after 1 year in 467 (299 males, mean age 41.7 years) outpatients. The Sniffin' Sticks olfactory test (Burghart instruments, Wedel, Germany) was used. Results Anosmia was documented in 28 (6%) patients, hyposmia in 33 (7%), and cacosmia in 55 (11.7%). After 1 year, PIOD improved in 82 (79.6%) patients re-tested. Conclusion The current study demonstrated that persistent olfactory dysfunction is a relevant symptom in patients with AURI, even though many patients had normal olfactometry. Thus, smell impairment deserves careful attention and requires objective documentation.

The Current Status of Evaluation Technologies for the Function of Human Olfaction / 한양의대학술지

The sense of smell is one of the essential tools for all living things to survive. With recent increase in diseases associated with olfactory dysfunction, the evaluation of olfactory function aims to shed light on the understanding and assessment of the human olfactory system. The methods for assessing the olfactory function are largely divided into electrophysiological and psychophysical methods. The psychophysical inspections such as University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), The Sniffin' Stick, and T & T Olfactometer are methods mostly based on questionnaires or simple apparatus. Those have been generally used in clinical and research field due to their relatively short examination time and low cost. The electrophysiological tests evaluate olfactory function based on objective measurements like biosignals and medical imaging. Compared to the psychophysical methods, they comparably have higher reliability and are possible to assess more specific diagnosis. However, the system configuration seems to be more complicated. In this paper, we review the overall evaluation methods of olfactory functions and suggest complementary points to improve conventional technologies.

CARACTERIZACIÓN DE LOS COMPUESTOS VOLÁTILES ACTIVOS OLFATIVAMENTE EN UCHUVA (Physalisperuviana L.) / CHARACTERIZATION OF ODOR-ACTIVE VOLATILES IN UCHUVA (Physalis peruviana L.) / CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE COMPOSTOS VOLÁTEIS ATIVOS OLFATIVAMENTE EM UCHUVA (Physalis peruviana L.)

Durante el estudio de los compuestos activos olfativamente en el aroma de la uchuva (Physalis peruviana L.) se identificaron los compuestos volátiles, obtenidos por 3 técnicas, extracción líquido-líquido con pentano-diclorometano (1:1) (LL), Solvent-Assisted Flavor Evaporation (SAFE) y í/eadspace-Microextracción en fase sólida (HS-MEFS), y se encontraron diferencias en la calidad del aroma de los extractos mediante el análisis olfato-métrico. La técnica SAFE permitió obtener un extracto con un aroma muy semejante al de la fruta fresca. Los compuestos que presentaron los valores más altos de factor de dilución de aroma (FD) fueron: hexanal, 3-hidroxi-2-butanona, 2-metil-propanol, 2-hidroxibutanoato de etilo, octanoato de etilo y 3-hidroxibutanoato de butilo. En el extracto LL se detectaron algunos compuestos sin actividad olfativa en la fruta; en contraste, mediante la técnica de HS-MEFS no fue posible detectar todos los compuestos activos olfativamente, principalmente los de mayor polaridad. Estos resultados muestran la utilidad del nuevo enfoque de análisis en química de aromas, el cual le da más relevancia al análisis olfativo en estos estudios.

During the study of odor-active active compounds in the aroma of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.), volatile compounds obtained by three techniques-liquid liquid extraction with penta-ne-dichloromethane (1:1) (LL), Solvent-Assisted Flavor Evaporation (SAFE) and Headspace-Solid Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME) were identified. Differences in the aroma quality of the extracts were found by olfactometric analyses. The SAFE technique allowed obtain in ganextract with similar aroma to the freshfruit. Thecompounds with highest Flavor Dilution factor (FD) value were hexanal, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 2-methylpropanol, ethyl 2-hydroxybutanoate, ethyl octanoate, and butyl 3-hydroxybutanoate. Some compounds without olfactive activity in the fruit aroma were detected in the LL extract; in contrast, it was not possible todetectalloftheodor-activevolatilesby using HS-SPME technique, especially those of the most polarity. These results showtheutilityinusingthenewapproach of flavor chemistry analysis, which gives more relevance to the odor analysis during these studies.

Durante o estudo de compostos olfativos ativos no aroma de uchuva (Physalis peruviana L.), foram identificados os compostos voláteis obtidos por três técnicas: extração líquido-líquido com pentano-diclorometano (1:1) (LL), Solvent-Assisted Flavor Evaporation (SAFE) e Heads-pace-Microextração em Fase Sólida (HS-MEFS). Também se acharam diferenças na qualidade do aroma dos extratos por meio de análise de olfatometria. A técnica SAFE permitiu a obtenção de um extrato com um aroma semelhante à fruta fresca. Os compostos que apresentaram os maiores valores de fator de diluição de aroma (FD) foram: hexanal, 3-hidroxi-2-butanona, 2 metilpropanol, octanoato de etilo e 3-hidroxibutanoato de butilo. No extracto LL foram detectados alguns compostos sem atividade olfativa no fruto; em contrapartida, pela técnica de HS-MEFS não foi possível detectar todos os compostos ativos olfativamente, principalmente os de maior polaridade. Estes resultados mostram a utilidade do uso de uma nova abordagem para a análise de química do aroma, que dá mais importância á análise olfativa em estes estudos.

Efeito de fatores endógenos na percepção química de Grapholita molesta(Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) ao feromônio sexual / Effect of endogenous factors on the chemical perception of Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to sex pheromone

The oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), stands out as one of the most important pest in Rosaceae orchards in Brazil. During feeding, caterpillars bore into shoots, branches and fruits, impairing the commercial production. This work aimed to study the effect of endogenous factors in the chemical perception and in the species chemotactic behavior, seeking to optimize monitoring and the behavioral control of this pest. We evaluated male electroantennographical (EAG) and chemotactical (olfactometry) responses to the synthetic sex pheromone in different ages, virgins or mated and fed or unfed. The EAG responses of males did not differ for all evaluated factors. Nevertheless, the chemotactical behavior of males seems to decrease with age, not varying as a function of mating or feeding conditions. The knowledge about the interference of these factors in G. molesta may help with the interpretation of field results, allowing the development of suitable and reliable control measures based on infochemicals for behavioral control.

Gestão de odores: fundamentos do Nariz Eletrônico / Odor management: fundamentals of Electronic Nose

Narizes Eletrônicos têm sido desenvolvidos para detecção automática e classificação de odores, vapores e gases. São instrumentos capazes de medir a concentração ou intensidade odorante de modo similar a um olfatômetro, mas sem as limitações inerentes ao uso de painéis humanos, o que é altamente desejável. Um Nariz Eletrônico é geralmente composto por um sistema de sensores químicos e um sistema eletrônico associado à inteligência artificial para reconhecimento. Têm sido aplicados em muitas áreas, tais como análise de alimentos, controles ambientais e diagnósticos médicos. Do ponto de vista ambiental, sistemas de Narizes Eletrônicos vêm sendo usados para monitorar a qualidade do ar, detectar fontes e quantificar emissões odorantes. Este artigo pretende apresentar os fundamentos dos Narizes Eletrônicos.

Electronic noses have been developed for automatic detection and classification of odors, vapors and gases. They are instruments capable to identify odors as the human nose does, and measure the odor concentration or intensity according to similar metrics as an olfactometer, but without the inherent limitations of human panels. An Electronic Nose is generally composed of a matrix of chemical sensors and computer based system for odor recognition and classification. It has been applied in many areas, such as food quality analysis, explosives detection, environmental monitoring and medical diagnosis. In the ambient environment, systems of Electronic Noses have been used to monitor the quality of air and to detect and quantify odor sources and emissions. This article intends to present the fundamentals and main characteristics of Electronic Noses.

Avaliação de impactos de odores em bacias hidrográficas com produções de suínos / Evaluation of odor impacts in hydrographic basins with swine production

A bacia hidrográfica de Rio Fragosos, no oeste catarinense e a bacia hidrográfica do Rio Cachoeirinhas, no sul de Santa Catarina foram unidades pilotos para a aplicação de duas metodologias para avaliações de odores provenientes da suinocultura. Na bacia do Rio Fragosos ficou destacado para a grande maioria das pessoas situações de ambiente desagradável, muito desagradável e extremamente desagradável. As concentrações dos odores obtidos na bacia do Rio Cachoeirinhas, determinadas a montante e a jusante de uma propriedade piloto, no interior de uma granja de criação de animais, sobre uma unidade de armazenamento de seus dejetos e na residência de um produtor variaram de 257 UO/m³à 963 UO/m³. Estas concentrações indicaram intensidades de odores com níveis forte a muito forte.

The River Fragosos hydrographic basin in the west of Santa Catarina and the River Cachoeirinhas hydrographic basin in the south of Santa Catarina were the pilot units for the application of two methodologies for the evaluation of odors originating from swine rearing. In From the results obtained for the River Fragosos basin, for the great majority of responses, unpleasant, very unpleasant and extremely unpleasant environmental situations were highlighted. The odor concentrations obtained for the River Cachoeirinhas basin, determined upstream and downstream of a pilot property, inside animal rearing smallholdings, above a waste storage unit and a producer's home, varied from 257 OU/m³to 963 OU/m³. These concentrations indicate odor intensities with strong and very strong levels.