Influence of gustatory and olfactory functions on appetite and nutritional status in older persons.

This study investigated olfactory/taste functions in older persons requiring nursing care to clarify whether these functions are associated with appetite or nutritional status. Seventy-two older persons requiring nursing care and 37 unassisted persons were surveyed for olfactory function, taste function, appetite, and nutritional status. Age-adjusted covariance analysis was conducted between the two groups. Both groups showed reduced olfactory and taste functions; these functions were more markedly reduced in participants requiring nursing care compared to those who did not. Both groups had similar appetite and nutritional status findings, suggesting that these factors are not associated with olfactory and taste functions.

Comparison of Saccharin Time in Nursing Home Residents With and Without Pneumonia: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although mucociliary clearance is important for preventing pneumonia, its association with the onset of pneumonia is unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the association between saccharin test results as a potential measure of mucociliary clearance and history of pneumonia in nursing home residents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety elderly nursing home residents (elderly group) were selected, 35 of whom had a history of pneumonia. Twenty-five healthy adults (adult group) were also investigated to provide baseline values for this study. We conducted the saccharin test to evaluate mucociliary clearance and compared the saccharin time (ST) between those with and without history of pneumonia. RESULTS: Mean ST in the adult group was 12±6 min. The ST in the pneumonia group was significantly longer than that in the non-pneumonia group (32±23 min vs. 17±13 min) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Impaired mucociliary clearance is a factor in the development of pneumonia among nursing home residents.

Microvascular response in the periosteum following mucoperiosteal flap surgery in dogs: 3-dimensional observation of an angiogenic process.

BACKGROUND: An increase in blood flow from the periosteum after mucoperiosteal flap surgery is essential for healing and angiogenesis and repair may work in close cooperation to facilitate this process. To investigate the role of the periosteal vascular plexus in the healing process, we used 3-dimensional (3-D) and ultrastructural monitoring of the angiogenic process after elevation of the mucoperiosteal flap. METHODS: Mucoperiosteal flap surgery was performed on nine adult beagle dogs. The periosteal vascular plexus was observed 3, 5, and 7 days after surgery in histological specimens in which blood vessels were injected with India ink under a light microscope, in ultrathin sections under a transmission electron microscope, and in acryl plastic vascular cast specimens under a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: On day 3 after surgery, new blood vessels, formed through sprouting, bridging, and intussusception, were observed in ultrathin sections and vascular casts. In addition, blood island-like structures consisting of clustered immature endothelial cells were noted in the repaired tissue. On days 5 to 7 after surgery, 3-D observation of vascular casts clarified that these new blood vessels had a sinus-like morphology in the interstitium of the periosteal vascular plexus. These new sinusoidal vessels exhibited a stereoscopic structure with increased continuity as the blood vessels matured and ultrastructurally the vascular endothelium was thinned. CONCLUSIONS: After mucoperiosteal flap elevation, the periosteal vasculature exhibited potent blood vessel-forming activity through various angiogenic mechanisms and through repair activity. Our results provide a 3-dimensional clarification that the periosteal vascular plexus has an important role in the healing process after flap surgery.