Intranasal insulin's effects on the sense of smell.

Intranasal insulin (IN) administration is a promising way to deliver the peptide to the central nervous system (CNS), bypassing the blood-brain-barrier and gastrointestinal absorption inhibition. IN receptors are localized in the olfactory mucosa and the brain, mainly in the olfactory bulb, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebral cortex, and cerebellum. The pleiotropic mechanism of insulin action is characterized by its anti-inflammatory properties, antithrombotic, vasodilatory, and antiapoptotic effects. It prevents energy failure and has regenerative properties, affects neuro-regeneration and counteracts insulin resistance. Hence, insulin has been suggested for various pathological states including neurocognitive disorders, obesity, and as a therapeutic option for smell loss. A sharply increased prevalence of olfactory dysfunction was observed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic also emphasized the lack of therapeutic options for smell loss. Intranasal insulin administration has therefore been suggested to serve as potential treatment, influencing the regenerative capacities of the olfactory mucosa. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on possible effects of intranasal insulin on the sense of smell.

"U-Sniff" - the international odor identification test for children: an extension of its normative database and study of global reliability.

BACKGROUND: To extend the previous study by Schriever and colleagues from 2018 providing normative data and re-investigating the reliability for U-Sniff test in children in additional countries. METHODOLOGY: A total of 388 children (196 boys, 192 girls) from eight countries (China, Germany, Iran, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Paraguay, and Russia) participated in this study. The children were recruited from public local schools in those particular countries. The odor identification ability was evaluated using the U-Sniff test, a 12-item odor identification test developed for children. In addition, reliability was examined using test-retest design in the children for each country. RESULTS: The mean U-Sniff test score across all children was 10.3 +- 1.7 points. Normative data were established. A high test-retest reliability of the U-Sniff test was demonstrated across the eight participating countries. CONCLUSIONS: The U-Sniff test for children exhibits a high test-retest reliability on a global scale.

Vitamin and mineral supplementation practices of adults in seven western states.

Seven western states (Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wyoming) were surveyed in 1986 to determine the extent of vitamin/mineral supplementation and dosage levels of single supplements. Questionnaires were mailed to 3,500 individuals. A 57.8% response rate was obtained from the deliverable surveys, with a sample size of 1,730. The sample consisted of 54% women and 46% men and was predominantly white (88.9%). Fifty-four percent of the sample consumed some type of supplement; multiple vitamin/minerals were consumed with the greatest frequency. For single supplements, vitamin C was reported with the greatest frequency (23.1%), followed by some type of calcium supplement (22.5%) and vitamin E (11.1%). More than 80% of the vitamin C users indicated a dosage of 250 mg/day. Most respondents consumed calcium dosages of less than 1,000 mg/day. For vitamin E, 75% of the users consumed more than 200 IU/day. The data suggest that the potential for toxicity due to excess supplementation levels exists in the western states studied.

Nutritive value of selected variety breads and pastas.

Nine types of commercially produced variety breads, plain bagels, corn tortillas, and three types of pasta products were obtained from each of four cities, New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Kansas City. Proximate components and 12 minerals and vitamins were determined in these and in cooked pasta products. Available carbohydrate and energy values were calculated. On the average, French, Italian, and pita breads were lower in moisture than other breads. Protein in bread products averaged between 7.6% and 10.4% and in cooked pastas and tortillas between 4.4% and 5.3%. Bagels averaged 10.2% protein. Insoluble dietary fiber in whole wheat bread averaged 5.6%; for most products, dietary fiber values were five- to eightfold higher than crude fiber values. Pasta products and tortillas were virtually free of sodium. Sodium in bread products averaged between 379 and 689 mg/100 gm. Although all pasta products and most bread products were enriched, calcium was often not included. Iron averaged from 2.16 to 3.29 mg/100 gm in bread products and 3.10 to 4.24 mg/100 gm in dry pasta products. Products made with unrefined or less-refined flours and/or containing germ and bran tended to be high in phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and manganese, and, to a lesser extent, in copper. A good portion of potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin in pasta products was lost during cooking.

Reported adoption of dietary fat and fiber recommendations among consumers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify constraints in adopting dietary fat and fiber recommendations. DESIGN: A questionnaire was mailed to a sample of the general population, a convenience sample of persons with heart disease and cancer in 11 states, and registered dietitians in 5 states. The survey included questions on demographic and attitudinal factors that were correlated with specific practices to reduce fat intake and increase fiber intake. SETTING: From the general population sample of 6,206 eligible respondents (return rate of 51.5%), those selected were respondents who indicated that they would adopt a dietary recommendation if it were good for them (n = 2,682). Subsamples from the general population were matched to 362 registered dietitians and 147 persons with cancer or heart disease on selected demographic variables. Factors associated with adoption of specific behaviors were identified. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Statistical analysis included chi 2, factor analysis, and analysis of variance. RESULTS: The majority of persons who said they would adopt a fat-reducing behavior if it were good for their health reported practicing that behavior often or usually. More than 60% reported consuming whole grains; however, only 15% reported eating fruits and vegetables frequently. Among the general population sample, those more likely to practice a behavior had the following characteristics: female, college educated, older than 60 years, white, higher income, no children younger than 18 years, perceived health status as excellent, and absence of chronic disease. Registered dietitians and those with chronic disease were also more likely to follow dietary fat and fiber recommendations. APPLICATIONS: Nutrition education messages that lead to increased consumption of dietary fiber need to be developed. Nutrition educators should provide strategies for consumers for increasing use of fruits and vegetables in all meals. Good taste and convenience are critical components. The food industry may assist by providing a wider array of convenience entrees or side dishes that feature produce and whole grains.

Acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of a categorization strategy by children with autism.

Assessed the effects of a categorization strategy on the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of the abilities of four children with autism to accurately complete uni-, bi-, and tridimensional sorting tasks. The independent variable was a categorization strategy involving uni-, bi-, and tridimensional categorization. The dependent variable was the number of items correctly sorted. The research involved a multiple baseline across-behaviors design with clinical replications. Data indicate that categorization strategy training resulted in increased performance on uni-, bi-, and tridimensional sorting tasks by four children with autism. Three children showed stability with 100% accuracy on uni-, bi-, and tridimensional sorting activities; improvements on generalization probes associated with strategy training; and performance maintenance 2 months after the study. The results of the current research substantiate the worth of categorization strategy training for three children with autism.

A stage-of-change classification system based on actions and beliefs regarding dietary fat and fiber.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to develop a stage-of-change classification system and to determine the degree to which various adult subgroups have adopted the behavioral changes necessary to achieve a low-fat and/or high-fiber diet as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. DESIGN: The study used a mail survey randomly sent to 7110 adults. SETTING: The survey was conducted in 11 states and the District of Columbia. SUBJECTS: The random sample included males and females over age 18. Of the eligible respondents, 3198 (51.5%) were included in this analysis, with 2004 and 2066 unambiguously classified into stages of change for fat and fiber, respectively. MEASURES: Stage of change was defined by an algorithm based on self-reported intent and behaviors to limit fat and/or increase fiber. RESULTS: 45% of the respondents were classified as being in action/maintenance for fat and 38% for fiber. Women, older adults, individuals with advanced education, persons with diet-related chronic disease, people with higher levels of relevant nutrition knowledge and attitudes, and persons who indicated that health concerns were a primary influence on their diet were more likely to be in action/maintenance than other respondents. CONCLUSIONS: The algorithm in this study presents a model that more closely reflects the proportions of the adult population that have achieved low-fat diets and classifies a greater proportion in the preparation stage than classification systems in previous studies.

Safety of tomatillos and products containing tomatillos canned by the water-bath canning method.

Three studies were conducted to evaluate the safety of tomatillos and products containing tomatillos canned by the water-bath processing method. In the first study, plain tomatillos were processed for 25, 37.5, 50 and 62.5 min. In the second study, five tomatillo/onion combinations were prepared while five tomatillo/green chile combinations were prepared in the third study. pH evaluations were conducted to determine safety in all studies using pH 4.2 as the cut-off value. No differences in the pH of plain tomatillos were detected due to processing time. All jars of plain tomatillos had pH values below 4.1. All combinations of tomatillos/onions and tomatillos/green chile containing more than 50% tomatillo had pH values below the 4.2 cut-off value. Results of the three studies indicate (1) acidification of plain tomatillos is probably unnecessary for canning by the water-bath processing method and (2) combinations of acidic tomatillos and low-acid onions or green chile must contain more than 50% tomatillos to have a pH low enough for safe water-bath processing.

Selected nutritional and quality analyses of tomatillos (Physalis ixocarpa).

Proximate composition, total dietary fiber and pH of tomatillos (Physalis ixocarpa) grown in Baja, California were analyzed. Moisture content averaged 92%. On a dry matter basis (DMB), tomatillos contained 11% protein, 18% fat, 13% ash and 5% total dietary fiber. On an as consumed basis (ACB), tomatillos contained 1% protein, 1.5% fat, 1% ash and 0.4% dietary fiber. Carbohydrate (CHO) content was calculated by difference resulting in an average adjusted CHO (excluding dietary fiber) of 53% on a DMB and 4% on an ACB; total CHO (including dietary fiber) was 58 and 4.8%, respectively. Average kcalorie content was calculated to be about 31 kcals/100 g. The average pH of tomatillos was 3.76.

Chemical and nutritional evaluation of two amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus)-based infant formulas.

The objective of this study was to calculate, prepare and evaluate the Protein Efficiency Ratio (P.E.R.) and Net Protein Utilization (N.P.U.) of two infant formulas made with amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus). Both formulas were formulated to match a previously developed and tested soy-oats infant formula. No significant differences were found between the three formulas with respect to corrected Protein Efficiency Ratio (P.E.R.) and Net Protein Utilization (N.P.U.) values. Only the product made with the 1-R fraction of amaranth was found to have a significantly lower P.E.R. than casein.

Bread (white and whole wheat) and nonfat dry milk as sources of bioavailable calcium for rats.

These studies examined the bioavailability of calcium in bread (white and whole wheat) and nonfat dry milk. Most of the calcium in breads originated from nonwheat sources such as yeast food, milk replacer (a whey-soy blend) and calcium propionate. Bioavailabilities were calculated by the slope ratio technique. Slopes were determined using increases (over calcium-free diet) in femur calcium content of rats fed calcium-containing diets plotted against their actual calcium intakes as the test criterion. Compared to calcium in calcium sulfate (considered as 100%), the bioavailability of calcium in milk was 113.3%, and that in white and whole wheat bread 99.4% and 104.4% respectively. Thus, calcium in bread appears readily available, but still somewhat less than that in milk.