Fast Screening of Olfactory Function Using the Q-Sticks Test.

Objectives: Classical, longer olfactory tests are associated with difficulties in everyday practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical utility of the Q-Sticks test within the context of a multicenter study.

Methods: A total of 333 subjects, aged between 12 and 88 years, completed a 3-item Q-Sticks test and a longer Sniffin' Sticks identification test.

Isolation, culture optimization and functional characterization of stem cell neurospheres from mouse neonatal olfactory bulb and epithelium.

The olfactory epithelium contains basal cells with stem cell characteristics, which have the capacity to differentiate throughout life into olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). Here we investigate the in vitro characteristics of stem cells taken from the olfactory bulb (OB) and the olfactory epithelium (OE) of neonatal TIS21 knock-in mice. The major aim of the study was the generation of olfactory neurospheres (ONS) derived from OB and OE of neonatal mice as a tool to further analyze the elementary processes of ORN development.