Frank A. Catalanotto

Clinical evaluation of olfaction

An odor identification test and an odor threshold test offered satisfactory quantitative information on olfactory function in patients with chemosensory complaints. The threshold test used various concentrations of butanol presented in an ascending sequence. On each trial, the participant had to choose between stimulus and blank (two-alternative forced-choice procedure). The identification test used common odorous items (e.g., baby powder and ground coffee) and pungent items (e.g., ammonia) to test trigeminal function. A list of odor names and use of corrective feedback during testing overcame word-finding difficulty in odor identification. Each test readily distinguished between patients and control subjects. At present, a score that reflects the combined outcome of the tests is used to indicate five categories of functioning: normal osmesis, mild hyposmia, moderate hyposmia, severe hyposmia, and anosmia.

Behavioral characteristics of rats experiencing chronic zinc deficiency

Abstract Adult rats chronically deprived of dietary zinc do not behave as “hippocampal” animals despite evidence that the deficiency alters the electrophysiological properties of normally zinc-rich hippocampal mossy fibers. The behavioral characteristics of these animals differed from controls and were substantially parallel to those reported for animals with excess glucocorticoids. Since zinc deficiency has been reported to produce a hyperadrenal condition this raises the possibility that the behavioral abnormalities that accompany zinc deficiency may be mediated largely by alterations in production and/or utilization of glucocorticoids.

Chemosensory dysfunction: Clinical evaluation results from a taste and smell clinic

Findings from 441 patient evaluations performed at the Taste and Smell Clinic of the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center are presented. Taste and smell dysfunction was the chief complaint in all patients. The diagnostic approach included tests of taste and smell function; history taking; physical, neurologic, otorhinolaryngologic, and nutritional examinations; and clinical laboratory screening tests. Results indicate that the most common chemosensory dysfunction is probably olfactory: 86% of patients in this series had measurable loss of smell function. The most common cause of olfactory deficit was nasal and/or sinus disease (30% of patients), followed by idiopathic conditions (26%) and prior upper respiratory infection (19%). Assessment of individual components of the evaluation suggests that a total circulating eosinophil count may be useful as a screening test for nasal and/or sinus disease among patients whose chief complaint is chemosensory dysfunction.

Clinical evaluation of taste

Partial loss of taste function can take a variety of forms. Losses can be specific to one taste quality or to one tongue locus. In addition, the shapes of psychophysical functions can be altered so that taste intensity no longer grows normally with concentration. Magnitude matching, an efficient psychophysical scaling method (based on magnitude estimation of stimuli from two sensory continua), can provide a relatively quick assessment of a patients ability to taste the four taste qualities--sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. When taste intensity and loudness are scaled in the same session, a person with normal hearing who has taste loss will match taste intensities to abnormally weak sounds. Spatial losses are detected by placing pieces of filter paper soaked in taste solutions on specific tongue loci. Dysgeusia, the presence of a chronic taste in the mouth, can result from abnormal substances in the mouth (e.g., via saliva or from poor oral hygiene) or can reflect disorders of the central nervous system.

Basic Biological Sciences Long-term Effects of Surgical Desalivation upon Taste Acuity, Fluid Intake, and Taste Buds in the Rat

Taste bud structure and taste preferences in intact and desalivated animals were evaluated to ascertain whether there was a structure-function relationship. Thirty-three totally desalivated rats and 30 sham-operated controls were tested between 95 and 110 d after surgery with a 48-hour two-bottle preference paradigm; they were then sacrificed, and the tongue epithelium and circumvallate papillae taste buds were examined histologically. Desalivated rats manifested significantly increased preferences for normally avoided solutions. Histological study of the dorsal tongue epithelium revealed increased keratosis. There were qualitative changes in the taste buds of the circumvallate papillae with some taste buds appearing shrunken and disorganized.Taste bud structure and taste preferences in intact and desalivated animals were evaluated to ascertain whether there was a structure-function relationship. Thirty-three totally desalivated rats and 30 sham-operated controls were tested between 95 and 110 d after surgery with a 48-hour two-bottle preference paradigm; they were then sacrificed, and the tongue epithelium and circumvallate papillae taste buds were examined histologically. Desalivated rats manifested significantly increased preferences for normally avoided solutions. Histological study of the dorsal tongue epithelium revealed increased keratosis. There were qualitative changes in the taste buds of the circumvallate papillae with some taste buds appearing shrunken and disorganized.

Childhood pemphigus vulgaris.

CHILDHOOD pemphigus vulgaris, although rare, can be as virulent as its adult counterpart.1 The case described below revealed several previously unemphasized features, including the importance of ea...

Anosmia and nutritional status

Abstract The present study quantified the food perception, food behavior and possible nutritional risk of anosmic patients. Anosmics were divided into three groups according to the duration of their olfactory symptoms: a) lifelong anosmics (n=9), b) mid-term anosmics (anosmics for five years or more but not lifelong) (n=22), and c) recent-onset anosmics (anosmics for less than five years) (n=22). Patients were compared to controls with no smell problem (n=33). We measured standard anthropometric, biochemical and nutritional parameters (24-hour recall and 3-day food record). Anosmics and controls did not differ in a number of anthropometric measures including body weight and body mass index. Mid-term anosmics showed significantly lower serum albumin levels but not serum total protein. Both recent onset and mid-term anosmics had significantly lower hemoglobin values than the controls but not the lifelong anosmics. A similar pattern was noted with measures of food enjoyment. Nevertheless, the anosmics did not differ in nutrient intake or eat less frequently.

Profile of the oral healthcare team in countries with emerging economies

Health is a critical dimension of human well-being and flourishing, and oral health is an integral component of health: one is not healthy without oral health. Significant barriers exist to ensuring the worlds people receive basic healthcare, including oral healthcare. Amongst these are poverty, ignorance, inadequate financial resources and lack of adequate numbers of educated and trained (oral) healthcare workers. Emerging economies are encouraged to develop a national strategic plan for oral health. International organizations have developed goals for oral health that can be referenced and adapted by emerging economies as they seek to formulate specific objectives for their countries. Demographic data that assess the nature and extent of oral diseases in a country are essential to sound planning and the development of an oral healthcare system that is relevant, effective and economically viable. Prevention should be emphasized and priority consideration be given to oral healthcare for children. The types and numbers of members of the oral healthcare team (workforce) will vary from country to country depending on the system developed. Potential members of the workforce include: generalist dentists, specialist dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, denturists, expanded function dental assistants (dental nurses) and community oral health workers/aides. Competences for dentists, and other members of the team, should be developed to ensure quality care and developed economies should cooperate with emerging economies. The development, by more advanced economies, of digital, virtual curricula, which could be used by emerging economies for educating and training members of the oral healthcare team, should be an important initiative. The International Federation of Dental Educators and Associations (IFDEA) should lead in such an effort.

Demographic and practice characteristics of Medicaid-participating dentists

Objectives The challenges entailed in dental Medicaid programs are well documented. To increase our understanding of Medicaid participation, we surveyed Florida dentists to determine the demographic and practice characteristics of Medicaid-participating dentists. Methods Our target population was practicing Florida dentists who treat children, including those who do not currently accept Medicaid as well as those who do. The final sample (n = 882) included (1) pediatric dentists and (2) general dentists who self-reported that they treat children. Participants completed a survey concerning their Medicaid participation. Analyses included survey-sample weighted chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Results More than two-thirds of the sample dentists are not participating in Medicaid and will not consider doing so. Key findings are that Black dentists across the state and Hispanics in South Florida are more likely to participate in Medicaid than other groups of Florida dentists. Pediatric dentists are more likely to be Medicaid participants than general dentists, but nearly one-fifth of the pediatric dentists might quit participation. Non–Medicaid providers are more likely to report not being busy enough in their practice than Medicaid providers. Conclusions If we are to address the shortage of Medicaid dental providers, increasing our understanding of how to capture the excess capacity among general dentists (the reported lack of busyness) in a way acceptable to dentists and to the State of Florida is an important first step. In addition, dental schools should consider implementing a track dedicated to training students for practice success within communities of highest dental need and to seek to increase the number of Black dental students.

Sucrose Taste Functions and Dental Caries in Children

Sweetness detection threshold, supra threshold estimation, and preference were evaluated in caries-free and caries-susceptible children aged 7 to 15 years. The two caries groups appeared similar on all measures. This report contrasts with previous adult studies indicating a relationship between sweet taste sensitivity and caries status.