A systematic review of the biological mediators of fat taste and smell.

Taste and smell play a key role in our ability to perceive foods. Overconsumption of highly palatable energy-dense foods can lead to increased caloric intake and obesity. Thus there is growing interest in the study of the biological mediators of fat taste and associated olfaction as potential targets for pharmacologic and nutritional interventions in the context of obesity and health. The number of studies examining mechanisms underlying fat taste and smell has grown rapidly in the last 5 years. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to summarize emerging evidence examining the biological mechanisms of fat taste and smell. A literature search was conducted of studies published in English between 2014 and 2021 in adult humans and animal models. Database searches were conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for key terms including fat/lipid, taste, and olfaction. Initially, 4,062 articles were identified through database searches, and a total of 84 relevant articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria and are included in this review. Existing literature suggests that there are several proteins integral to fat chemosensation, including cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). This systematic review will discuss these proteins and the signal transduction pathways involved in fat detection. We also review neural circuits, key brain regions, ingestive cues, postingestive signals, and genetic polymorphism that play a role in fat perception and consumption. Finally, we discuss the role of fat taste and smell in the context of eating behavior and obesity.

Chemosensory Alterations and Impact on Quality of Life in Persistent Alcohol Drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Heavy alcohol consumption-associated chemosensory dysfunction is understudied, and early detection can help predict disease-associated comorbidities, especially those related to four quality of life (QOL) domains (physical, psychological, social and environment). We examined self-reports of chemosensory ability of individuals with different alcohol drinking behaviors and their association with changes in QOL domains. METHODS: Participants (n = 466) were recruited between June 2020 and September 2021 into the NIAAA COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol study. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to categorize participants without any known COVID-19 infection into three groups (non-drinkers, moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers) based on their Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test consumption scores at four different time points (at enrollment, week 4, week 8 and week 12). Linear mixed models were used to examine chemosensory differences between these groups. The associations between chemosensory abilities and QOL were determined in each group. RESULTS: We observed significant impairment in self-reported smell ability of heavy drinking individuals compared to non-drinkers. In contrast, taste ability showed marginal impairment between these groups. There were no significant differences in smell and taste abilities between the moderate and non-drinking groups. Heavy drinkers' impairment in smell and taste abilities was significantly associated with deterioration in their physical, psychological, social and environmental QOL. CONCLUSION: Persistent heavy drinking was associated with lower chemosensory ability. Heavy drinkers' reduced smell and taste function and association with poorer QOL indicate that early assessment of chemosensory changes may be crucial in identifying poorer well-being outcomes in heavy drinkers at risk for alcohol use disorder.

Strategies implemented in the hotel sector to face COVID-19, Trujillo-Peru

Since the beginning of the pandemic generated by COVID-19, the hotel industry has been hit hard worldwide, so it has been necessary to implement measures to guarantee the health of its staff and customers. The study was the product of a thesis study, which sought to identify the measures that have been implemented by 3-star hotels in the city of Trujillo-Peru, to face the health crisis generated by COVID-19 in Trujillo. The research was quantitative, non-experimental and descriptive. The exhibition was made up of two 3-star hotels in the district of Trujillo. A checklist and an interview guide were used, both evaluated the dimensions: public areas, and administrative and operational areas;the instruments had a V Aiken validity of 0.98 and 0.99 respectively. The sanitary measures implemented in the hotels were related to the use of personal protective equipment, area signage, use of disinfectant solutions and social distancing. © 2022 Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions. All rights reserved.

PMH24 Demographic and Clinical Factors Associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition initiated by psychological trauma. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been a source of great fear and stress. Few studies have reported on psychiatric disorders among patients with COVID-19. The goal of this study was to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with PTSD among patients with confirmed COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective observational study utilized the IBM® Explorys® electronic health record database. Participants included patients with a first COVID-19 diagnosis between December 1, 2019 and July 31, 2020. The outcome of interest was a diagnosis for PTSD after COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 diagnoses were determined via the Standard Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms (SNOMED-CT) codes or positive test results;PTSD diagnoses were identified by SNOMED-CT codes. Factors examined included age, sex, race and ethnicity, Deyo-Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), mental health history, COVID-19 severity (e.g. intensive care unit (ICU) admission), and lifestyle. Logistic regression models were employed to investigate the strength of the association (odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI)) between each factor and PTSD. Factors with a p-value<0.20 were selected for a subsequent multivariable model. Results: Of 89,457 (mean age 47 years;57% female) patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis, 373 developed PTSD. Age, female, race and ethnicity, CCI, mental health history, COVID-19 severity, smoking status and obesity were significantly associated with PTSD. Age (OR=0.98 [95% CI 0.97-0.99]), mental health history (4.39 [3.05-6.18]), COVID-19 severity (hospitalization (2.50 [1.81-3.42]);ICU admission (8.22 [5.33-12.32])), smoking status (1.39 [1.05-1.82]), and obesity (1.84 [1.43-2.38]) were independently associated with PTSD in a multivariable model. Conclusions: This study identified a wide variety of factors associated with PTSD after COVID-19 infection. These findings can guide healthcare professionals to develop programs targeted at COVID-19 patients at risk for PTSD.