The Effect of Body Position on Flavor Release and Perception: Implications for fMRI Studies

Increasingly functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain is being used to assess the cortical response to flavor perception. fMRI requires the subject to adopt a supine position; hence, if the results from such experiments are to be meaningfully extrapolated to flavor perception, it is pertinent to establish whether body position has a significant impact on consumers’ sensitivity to flavor. Body position is known to impact on some aspects of sensory perception, but no studies have reported the effect of body position on retronasal flavor perception. In this study, A/Not-A tests (ISO 1987), together with sureness ratings, were performed to evaluate subjects’ (n?=?10) ability to differentiate between two subtly different emulsion samples under two conditions: seated in a quiet sensory booth environment and supine in a 3 T fMRI scanner mimicking real scanning conditions. In vivo volatile release was also measured in both seated and supine positions using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Results indicated that body position had some impact on volatile release, but no overall effect on subject’s ability to discriminate between the two samples was observed. Consequently, brain imaging data collected in this context at least would have direct relevance to sensory perception data. However, more extensive research is required to fully understand the impact of body position on flavor perception and release.     

The east–west advancement flap (horizontal advancement flap) to repair a defect on the nose ala

Background The repair of an alar nasal defect is a frequent challenge for dermatologic surgeons for reasons of the high rate of non‐melanoma cancers in the area. Objective Our aim was to describe the use of an east–west cheek‐based flap (horizontal advancement flap) to repair a surgical defect on the nose ala. Methods Benefits and limits of this surgical procedure are evaluated. Result The resulting S‐shaped scar was well‐camouflaged among the natural skin lines (melolabial fold and melonasal junction). No architectural distortion of the nose resulted from the procedure. Conclusion In selected patients with small‐to‐medium‐size defects of the nasal ala, the horizontal advancement flap is a simple, reliable and aesthetic reconstruction option.     

Percutaneous fluoroscopic removal of a knotted Swan–Ganz catheter in a patient with a persistent left‐sided superior vena cava

Knotting of intravascular catheters is an uncommon but a well‐recognized occurrence. The Swan–Ganz catheter (SGC) is the one that knots most commonly. A case of a knotted SGC is described in a patient with a persistent left‐sided superior vena cava, and we propose that the presence of a left‐sided superior vena cava is a risk factor for knot formation not previously reported. We review the published work on the risk factors for knot formation and on the techniques used to remove knotted SGC. We describe a technique using a gooseneck snare and Omni Flush catheter (Angiodynamics, Queensbury, NY, USA) to loosen and untie a knotted SGC.     

Inter-hemispheric asymmetry of cerebral flow velocities during generalized spike-wave discharges

The aim of this study was to verify the symmetry of cerebral blood flow changes during the generalized spike-wave discharges of typical absence seizures. A recording of mean flow velocity in the left and right middle cerebral arteries and of electroencephalographic activity was performed simultaneously in two subjects with multiple daily absence seizures. A total of 12 generalized spike-wave discharges were recorded. Mean flow velocities showed a significant increase during the discharges with respect to baseline. The increase of flow velocity started simultaneously or a few seconds before the discharges. In 91.6 % of all recordings, the percentage increase of mean flow velocity was significantly higher in the left than in the right side (7.03 % ± 3.3 vs 5.14 % ± 3.3; p < 0.1). The extent of the following decrease of flow velocity was also significantly greater in the left than in the right side (-16.91 % ± 8.1 vs -14.07 % ± 8.3; p < 0.01). These findings show an inter-hemispheric asymmetry in cerebral blood flow during generalized spike-wave discharges in two patients with absence seizures. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography promises to be an interesting approach to detect rapid changes in cerebral hemispheric activity not otherwise recognizable. Received: 14 November 2001, Received in revised form: 18 February 2002, Accepted: 5 March 2002     

Ketotic hyperglycemia and epilepsia partialis continua

Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) may occur during nonketotic hyperglycemia but has not been described with diabetic ketoacidosis. The authors report a patient with EPC associated with ketotic hyperglycemia. Brain MRI showed two areas of abnormal signal intensity in the left precentral gyrus and in the right cerebellar hemisphere. Hyperglycemia may reduce seizure threshold because of the increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid metabolism and may trigger epileptic discharges.