Ethylmaltol Odor Enhances Salivary Hemodynamic Responses to Sucrose Taste as Detected by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The perceived intensity of the taste of a food is enhanced only if the odor of the food is perceptually similar to the taste. For example, a caramel-like odor enhances the perceived intensity of sweetness. The way gustatory and olfactory signals are integrated in the brain depends largely on one’s previous experiences with taste and odor pairings. To elucidate the effects of a sweet, sugary odor, ethylmaltol, on sucrose taste, as perceived by the central integration of flavor, we recorded salivary hemodynamic responses to the odor and taste pairings using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of seven panelists. First, we observed concentration-dependent increases in the amplitude of the responses to 0 to 6 % sucrose solutions. Second, when ethylmaltol odor was added to a 4 % sucrose solution, we observed a significant increase in the amplitude of the responses from all panelists. The addition of ethylmaltol to a tasteless solution caused no significant change in the amplitude of the salivary hemodynamic response. These results indicate that the sweet odor of ethylmaltol enhances the salivary hemodynamic response when combined with a sweet taste. Therefore, a congruent combination of sweet odor and taste greatly enhances salivary responses, which are dependent on the central integration of odor and taste.     

Efficacy of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells for fulminant hepatitis in mice induced by concanavalin A

Background and Aim: Fulminant hepatitis is mainly caused by excessive immune response‐mediated liver injury and its definitive therapy is liver transplantation. Mesenchymal stem cells, one of the adult stem cells, have an immunomodulatory effect on immune cells and reside in various tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate a therapeutic effect of adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) on fulminant hepatitis induced by concanavalin A (ConA). Methods: The ASCs were isolated from adipose tissues of BALB/c mice and confirmed by detection of cell surface markers and induction of multi‐lineage differentiation. BALB/c mice were injected with ConA and treated with ASCs, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or splenocytes (SPLCs). Survival rates, levels of serum liver enzymes, titers of serum cytokines, histopathology and localization of ASCs were investigated. Result: The survival rate of ASC‐injected mice significantly increased compared to PBS or SPLC‐injected mice. This effect was dependent on doses and timing of ASCs injected. Improvement of liver enzyme levels, histopathological changes and suppression of inflammatory cytokine production were observed in ASC‐injected mice. Fluorescent stained ASCs were detected in inflammatory liver, but not in normal liver. Conclusion: These results suggest that ASC treatment has a high potential to be an innovative therapy for fulminant hepatitis.     

Falsely elevated thyroid hormone levels caused by anti-ruthenium interference in the Elecsys assay resembling the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of thyrotropin

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of thyrotropin (SITSH) is defined as the inappropriate non-suppression of serum TSH in the presence of elevated free thyroid hormone; TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas and the syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone are the main etiologies of SITSH. In addition, erroneous thyroid function testing may result in the diagnosis of this syndrome. A 63-year-old woman was referred because of suspected SITSH. Laboratory tests showed a normal TSH (0.52 μIU/L; normal range: 0.5-5.0) measured by sandwich Elecsys, and elevated FT4 (3.8 ng/dL; normal range: 0.9-1.6) and FT3 (7.6 pg/mL; normal range: 2.3-4.0), determined by competitive Elecsys. To exclude possible assay interference, aliquots of the original samples were retested using a different method (ADVIA Centaur), which showed normal FT4 and FT3 levels. Eight hormone levels, other than thyroid function tests measured by competitive or sandwich Elecsys, were higher or lower than levels determined by an alternative analysis. Subsequent examinations, including gel filtration chromatography, suggested interference by substances against ruthenium, which reduced the excitation of ruthenium, and resulted in erroneous results. The frequency of similar cases, where the FT4 was higher than 3.2 ng/dL, in spite of a non-suppressed TSH, was examined; none of 10 such subjects appeared to have method-specific interference. Here, a patient with anti-ruthenium interference, whose initial thyroid function tests were consistent with SITSH, is presented. This type of interference should be considered when thyroid function is measured using the Elecsys technique, although the frequency of such findings is likely very low.     

Visual acuity outcomes of anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in clinical trials

Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology - Anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) has been evaluated in clinical trials. To select the best anti-VEGF drug and the best...     

The influence of denture supporting tissue properties on pressure-pain threshold: –Measurement in dentate subjects–

PurposeThe present study was designed to clarify the relationship between the properties of the palatal mucosa and the pressure-pain threshold.MethodsThree parts of the palatal mucosa of 17 dentate subjects were measured: the median part of the palate, the lateral part of the first molar, and the midpoint between these two parts. The subjects were instructed to press a pushbutton when he or she felt pressure-pain. The probe pressure was gradually increased (1 N/s). The thickness (T) (mm) and elasticity (E) (MPa) were used as the parameters of the properties of the palatal mucosa, whereas pressure (P) (MPa), compressibility (C) (%), and subsidence (S) (mm) were used as the parameters of the pressure-pain threshold. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to consider the data of distribution of normality for each measurement point, as obtained from the 17 subjects. A Kruskal–Wallis test and a Wilcoxon signed rank test were performed for multiple comparisons, the Bonferroni method was used to compensate for the P-value. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated.ResultsT correlated with the values of S at the median points (P = 0.001) and midpoints (P = 0.011).ConclusionThickness can be an index of the amount of relief where pain is caused easily. In addition, modulus of elasticity is important as an indicator of the bearing ability of denture support tissues, it is necessary to consider how to evaluate the modulus of elasticity and to evaluate the relationship between the parameters of the pain threshold.