Olfaction, ability to identify particular olfactory clusters and odors, and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults: The Yanai Study.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunction is associated with poor physical performance in older adults. However, it remains unknown whether the ability to identify particular olfactory clusters and/or odors is associated with physical performance in physically independent community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 130 community-dwelling older adults (70.1 ± 5.5 years). The Odor Stick Identification Test for Japanese people, consisting of 12 odors in four clusters (wood, grass, herb; sweet; spices; foul-smelling), was used to examine olfaction. Participants also completed physical performance tests (one leg standing with open eyes; aerobic capacity; lower muscle function: five-times chair stand [CS] and vertical jump; mobility: star walking and timed up and go [TUG]) and cognitive function tests. RESULTS: Worse overall olfaction was not significantly associated with any physical performance measure. Worse performance for identifying sweet odors and an inability to identify some specific odors (menthol and rose) were associated with worse mobility and/or lower muscle function-adjusted covariates. Moreover, an inability to identify menthol and rose was associated with worse TUG (odds ratio [OR]: 0.424; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.215-0.836), star walking (OR: 0.714; 95% CI: 0.506-0.976), CS (OR: 0.638; 95% CI: 0.470-0.864), and vertical jump (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.001-1.24) performance, even when the analysis was adjusted to exclude menthol and rose score from the overall olfaction score (p < .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The current study may help to increase awareness of olfactory and physical dysfunction at an earlier stage among physically independent community-dwelling older adults.

Immobilization of Azospira sp. strain I13 by gel entrapment for mitigation of N2O from biological wastewater treatment plants: Biokinetic characterization and modeling.

Development of a strategy to mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emitted from biological sources is important in the nexus of wastewater treatment and greenhouse gas emission. To this end, immobilization of N2O-reducing bacteria as a biofilm has the potential to ameliorate oxygen (O2) inhibition of the metabolic activity of the bacteria. We demonstrated the effectiveness of calcium alginate gel entrapment of the nosZ clade II type N2O-reducing bacterium, Azospira sp. strain I13, in reducing levels of N2O, irrespective of the presence of O2. Azospira sp. strain I13 cells in the gel exhibited N2O reduction up to a maximum dissolved oxygen concentration of 100 µM in the bulk liquid. The maximum apparent N2O uptake rate, [Formula: see text] , by gel immobilization did not appreciably decrease, retaining 72% of the N2O reduction rate of the cell suspension of Azospira sp. strain I13. Whereas gel immobilization increased the apparent half-saturation constant for N2O, [Formula: see text] , and the apparent O2 inhibition constant, [Formula: see text] , representing the degree of O2 resistance, correspondingly increased. A mechanistic model introducing diffusion and the reactions of N2O consumption was used to describe the experimental observations. Incorporating Thieles modulus into the model determined an appropriate gel size to achieve N2O reduction even under aerobic conditions.

Executive function after exhaustive exercise.

PURPOSE: Findings concerning the effects of exhaustive exercise on cognitive function are somewhat equivocal. The purpose of this study was to identify physiological factors that determine executive function after exhaustive exercise. METHODS: Thirty-two participants completed the cognitive tasks before and after an incremental exercise until exhaustion (exercise group: N = 18) or resting period (control group N = 14). The cognitive task was a combination of a Spatial Delayed-Response (Spatial DR) task and a Go/No-Go task, which requires executive function. Cerebral oxygenation and skin blood flow were monitored during the cognitive task over the prefrontal cortex. Venous blood samples were collected before and after the exercise or resting period, and blood catecholamines, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth hormone factor 1, and blood lactate concentrations were analyzed. RESULTS: In the exercise group, exhaustive exercise did not alter reaction time (RT) in the Go/No-Go task (pre: 861 ± 299 ms vs. post: 775 ± 168 ms) and the number of error trials in the Go/No-Go task (pre: 0.9 ± 0.7 vs. post: 1.8 ± 1.8) and the Spatial DR task (pre: 0.3 ± 0.5 vs. post: 0.8 ± 1.2). However, ΔRT was negatively correlated with Δcerebral oxygenation (r = -0.64, P = 0.004). Other physiological parameters were not correlated with cognitive performance. Venous blood samples were not directly associated with cognitive function after exhaustive exercise. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that recovery of regional cerebral oxygenation affects executive function after exhaustive exercise.