Effects of genetics on odor perception: Can a quick smell test effectively screen everyone?

SCENTinel, a rapid smell test designed to screen for olfactory disorders, including anosmia (no ability to smell an odor) and parosmia (distorted sense of smell), measures 4 components of olfactory function: detection, intensity, identification, and pleasantness. Each test card contains one of 9 odorant mixtures. Some people born with genetic insensitivities to specific odorants (i.

Integrating the patient's voice into the research agenda for treatment of chemosensory disorders.

World-wide some 658 million people were infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and millions suffer from chemosensory impairment associated with long COVID. Current treatments for taste and smell disorders are limited. Involving patients has the potential to catalyze the dynamic exchange and development of new ideas and approaches to facilitate biomedical research and therapeutics.

Topical platelet-rich plasma as a possible treatment for olfactory dysfunction-A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) affects many survivors of COVID-19. Prior studies have investigated the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for OD. We describe the first randomized controlled trial investigating topical PRP for OD treatment and contribute to existing literature illustrating PRP as an emerging therapeutic.

Using SCENTinel® to predict SARS-CoV-2 infection: insights from a community sample during dominance of Delta and Omicron variants.

Introduction: Based on a large body of previous research suggesting that smell loss was a predictor of COVID-19, we investigated the ability of SCENTinel®, a newly validated rapid olfactory test that assesses odor detection, intensity, and identification, to predict SARS-CoV-2 infection in a community sample.

Methods: Between April 5, 2021, and July 5, 2022, 1,979 individuals took one SCENTinel® test, completed at least one physician-ordered SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, and endorsed a list of self-reported symptoms.

Results: Among the of SCENTinel® subtests, the self-rated odor intensity score, especially when dichotomized using a previously established threshold, was the strongest predictor of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Remote olfactory assessment using the NIH Toolbox Odor Identification test and the brain health registry.

Background: Early identification of deficits in our ability to perceive odors is important as many normal (i.e., aging) and pathological (i.

Patient Insights into the Diagnosis of Smell and Taste Disorders in the United States.

Objectives: Diagnosis of smell/taste dysfunction is necessary for appropriate medical care. This study examines factors affecting testing and diagnosis of smell/taste disorders .

Methods: The online was made available to US patients with smell/taste disorders between April 6-20, 2022.

More spice, less salt: How capsaicin affects liking for and perceived saltiness of foods in people with smell loss.

People who lose their sense of smell self-report consuming more salt to compensate for a lack of flavor and enhance eating enjoyment. However, this may contribute to excess sodium intake. Capsaicin may help increase salt taste intensity and eating enjoyment in people with smell loss, but this has not been studied in this population.

Exploring Olfactory Dysfunction as a Marker of Frailty and Postoperative Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is increasingly recognized as a robust marker of frailty and mortality. Despite broad recognition of frailty as a critical component of head and neck cancer (HNC) care, there is no standardized frailty assessment.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of OD and its association with frailty and postoperative outcomes in HNC.

More spice, less salt: how capsaicin affects liking for and perceived saltiness of foods in people with smell loss.

People who lose their sense of smell self-report consuming more salt to compensate for a lack of flavor and enhance eating enjoyment. However, this can contribute to excess sodium intake and a poor diet. Capsaicin may help increase salt taste intensity and eating enjoyment in this population, but this has not been studied.

Low to moderate genetic influences on the rapid smell test SCENTinel.

SCENTinel - a rapid, inexpensive smell test that measures odor detection, intensity, identification, and pleasantness - was developed for population-wide screening of smell function. SCENTinel was previously found to screen for multiple types of smell disorders. However, the effect of genetic variability on SCENTinel test performance is unknown, which could affect the test's validity.

Environmental chamber studies of eye and respiratory irritation from use of a peracetic acid-based hospital surface disinfectant.

Objective: To characterize personal exposures and measures of eye and respiratory tract irritation in controlled environmental chamber studies of 44 healthy adult volunteers simulating upper-bound use of peracetic acid (PAA)-based surface disinfectant for terminal cleaning of hospital patient rooms.

Design: Experimental, within-subject, double-blinded cross-over design.

Methods: Objective and subjective exposure effects were assessed for PAA and its components: acetic acid (AA) and hydrogen peroxide (HP).

Proof-of-concept: SCENTinel 1.1 rapidly discriminates COVID-19-related olfactory disorders.

It is estimated that 20%-67% of those with COVID-19 develop olfactory disorders, depending on the SARS-CoV-2 variant. However, there is an absence of quick, population-wide olfactory tests to screen for olfactory disorders. The purpose of this study was to provide a proof-of-concept that SCENTinel 1.

Characterization of Ethyl Butyrate-Induced Cough Before and After Breath Control Techniques in Healthy Adults.

Purpose: Methods for cough elicitation frequently involve aerosolized tussive agents. Here, we sought to determine whether healthy individuals demonstrate a quantifiable cough response after inhaling a volatile ester and if breath control techniques modify this chemically induced cough response.

Method: Sixty adult male and female participants inhaled prepared liquid dilutions of ethyl butyrate dissolved in paraffin oil at 20%, 40%, and 60% v/v concentrations in triplicate, with presentation order randomized.

Proof-of-concept: SCENTinel 1.1 rapidly discriminates COVID-19 related olfactory disorders.

It is estimated that 20-67% of those with COVID-19 develop olfactory disorders, depending on the SARS-CoV-2 variant. However, there is an absence of quick, population-wide olfactory tests to screen for olfactory disorders. The purpose of this study was to provide a proof-of-concept that SCENTinel 1.

NCS Assessments of the Motor, Sensory, and Physical Health Domains.

As part of the National Children's Study (NCS) comprehensive and longitudinal assessment of the health status of the whole child, scientific teams were convened to recommend assessment measures for the NCS. This manuscript documents the work of three scientific teams who focused on the motor, sensory, or the physical health aspects of this assessment. Each domain team offered a value proposition for the importance of their domain to the health outcomes of the developing infant and child.

SCENTinel 1.0: Development of a Rapid Test to Screen for Smell Loss.

Commercially available smell tests are primarily used in research or in-depth clinical evaluations and are too costly and time-consuming for population surveillance in health emergencies like COVID-19. To address this need, we developed the SCENTinel 1.0 test, which rapidly evaluates 3 olfactory functions: detection, intensity, and identification.

E-Cigarettes and Cardiopulmonary Health.

E-cigarettes have surged in popularity over the last few years, particularly among youth and young adults. These battery-powered devices aerosolize e-liquids, comprised of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, typically with nicotine, flavors, and stabilizers/humectants. Although the use of combustible cigarettes is associated with several adverse health effects including multiple pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, the effects of e-cigarettes on both short- and long-term health have only begun to be investigated.

Examining the Influence of Chemosensation on Laryngeal Health and Disorders.

Inhaled airborne stimuli are associated with laryngeal disorders affecting respiration. Clinically, several themes emerged from the literature that point to specific gaps in the understanding and management of these disorders. There is wide variation in the types of airborne stimuli that trigger symptoms, lack of standardization in provocation challenge testing using airborne stimuli, and vague reporting of laryngeal symptoms.

Exploring the science, safety, and benefits of air care products: perspectives from the inaugural air care summit.

Seventy-one percent of US households purchase air care products. Air care products span a diverse range of forms, including scented aerosol sprays, pump sprays, diffusers, gels, candles, and plug-ins. These products are used to eliminate indoor malodors and to provide pleasant scent experiences.

The human olfactory cleft mucus proteome and its age-related changes.

Age-related decreases in olfactory sensitivity are often accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are not well described. Inhaled substances including odorants are detected by sensory neurons in the olfactory cleft covered with a layer of mucus.

Odours and incontinence: What does the nose know?

The fear of producing malodours that can be detected by others is a daily cause of anxiety for millions of people with incontinence. For many, the risk-whether real or imagined-that leaked waste products will be detectable by odour is sufficiently concerning to result in limitations on many types of activities. However, worry about personal odours can sensitise our olfactory system and cause us to be more aware of odours that may otherwise not be perceptible.

Lack of respiratory and ocular effects following acute propylene glycol exposure in healthy humans.

Objective: Propylene glycol (PG) is a widely used solvent, chemical intermediate and carrier substance for foods, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Professional and occupational exposure to PG aerosol and vapor may occur from theatrical smoke generators and during application of deicing products to airplanes. While PG is considered to have low toxicity, the results of one study suggested that brief (1-min) exposure to PG mist elicited ocular and respiratory effects in humans.

Nasal Structural and Aerodynamic Features That May Benefit Normal Olfactory Sensitivity.

Nasal airflow that effectively transports ambient odors to the olfactory receptors is important for human olfaction. Yet, the impact of nasal anatomical variations on airflow pattern and olfactory function is not fully understood. In this study, 22 healthy volunteers were recruited and underwent computed tomographic scans for computational simulations of nasal airflow patterns.