A threshold-like measure for the assessment of olfactory sensitivity: the "random" procedure.

Many tests of olfactory dysfunction are either too complex, too expensive, or too time-consuming to be of use in routine clinical testing. Thus, the present multicenter study was undertaken to investigate a new approach, the so-called "random" test. In this test different concentrations of citronellal and phenyl ethyl alcohol are applied according to a pre-established order; patients are asked to identify the odor if possible. The test score is the sum of correctly identified odors. Test administration takes about 10 min. Two studies were performed. Basic characteristics of the test were explored in experiment 1 in 176 healthy subjects (76 male, 100 female; age 12-85 years, mean age 30 years), namely test-retest reliability, correlation with other measures of olfactory sensitivity, and sensitivity of the test to differences in age and gender. In the second experiment the test was tried in 97 patients (45 male, 52 female; age 19-78 years, mean age 47 years) in a clinical environment to investigate its usefulness in diagnosing olfactory loss. The "random"-test was found (1) to exhibit a test-retest reliability similar to that reported for established measures of olfactory function (r = 0.71; P < 0.001), (2) to correlate with other measures of olfactory sensitivity (0.82 > r > 0.60; P < 0.001), (3) to differentiate between expected differences in olfactory sensitivity in relation to gender (t > 2.602, P < 0.011), and (4) to discriminate between different degrees of olfactory loss (F > 36.6, P < 0.001). Based on these data, and the fact that the new test requires little time and is easy to use, this approach can be expected to suit clinical needs.

[Menière's disease. An analysis of clinical findings]. / Verlauf der Ménièreschen Erkrankung. Eine Analyse klinischer Befunde.

During a period of about 25 years 500 patients with Ménière's disease underwent treatment for their disease in the ENT clinic of the Charité Hospital in Berlin. In a long-term follow-up study of the course of the disease, 170 patients (80 female, 90 male) with a minimum duration of illness of 5 years could be registered. The detailed analysis based on differentiation of vertigo attacks, audiological and vestibular findings offered 3 different phases of the natural course of Méniére's disease: 1. Early phase: Vertigo attacks and fluctuating hearing loss mainly in the low-tone frequencies; 2. Chronic phase: Decrease of frequency and duration of attacks; 3. Late chronic phase: Hearing loss of nearly 50-60 dB and loss of vestibular excitability (caloric response, side difference ca. 50%). In consideration of neurological symptoms in the late chronic phase symptoms of Ménière's disease are changing into symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency. The natural course of Ménière's disease and resulting therapeutical and diagnostical aspects require long-term therapeutic planning. An appropriate schedule is suggested.

[Treatment of Meniere disease with betahistine dimesilate (Aequamen)--double-blind study versus placebo (crossover)]. / Zur Behandlung des Morbus Menière mit Betahistindimesilat (Aequamen)--Doppelblindstudie gegen Plazebo (crossover).

The efficacy of treatment of Menière's disease was investigated in 2 double blind study versus placebo. Forty patients were given 36 mg betahistine dimesilate daily for at least six weeks. The course of disease and findings one year before and one year after the treatment were noted and compared for assessing the therapeutic success. The findings on threshold audiograms, spontaneous and provoked nystagmus and caloric tests did not show any significant changes. A slight improvement was noted in the low frequency range of threshold audiograms. Dizziness, tinnitus and disturbances of walking were significantly improved. The incidence of vertigo attacks was reduced to 64%. In 89% of the patients no further vertigo attacks were seen after the treatment. The best results of betahistine dimesilate treatment were observed in the early stages of Menière's disease.

Comparison of the survival and metabolic activity of psychrophilic and mesophilic yeasts subjected to freeze-thaw stress.

A mesophilic yeast, Candida utilis, and a psychrophilic yeast, Leucosporidium stokesii, were subjected to freeze-thaw cycling over the range 25 to -60 C. Viability after freeze-thaw stress was directly correlated with the rate of cooling and the physiological age of the cultures. Rates of glucose fermentation and oxidation could be directly correlated with viability. The optimal cooling rate for both yeast strains was 4.5 to 6.5 C/min; however, their levels of survival obtained at this optimal cooling rate varied considerably. In addition, the psychrophile was less resistant to freeze-thaw stress than was the mesophile.

Stereoisomeric specificity and soil gas disequilibria: implications for martian life detection.

Variations in the atmospheric composition of soil samples were monitored by mass spectrometry after the addition of mixtures of D- and L-carbohydrates and/or amino acids. The changes in concentrations of CO2 in these experiments were found to be related to the steroisomeric configurations of the compounds with which the soil samples were enriched. The potential of this relationship provides a comparatively simple approach for detecting life in extraterrestrial soils.