Role of Aromatic Herbs and Spices in Salty Perception of Patients with Hyposmia

Herbs and spices represent a possibility for the improvement of anosmia and ageusia. In this work we evaluated the role of Mediterranean aromatic herbs and spices in the salty taste perception of patients with hyposmia compared to healthy controls. To this goal, the salty taste perception in response to pure salt and different types of commercial flavored sea salt was assessed in patients with hyposmia, with or without a post-acute coronavirus syndrome, and healthy controls. Myrtle berries and leaves, a mixture of Mediterranean herbs and plants such as helichrysum, rosemary, liquorice, fennel seeds and myrtle leaves, oranges and saffron were used as salt flavoring ingredients. Differences in gustatory perception between 57 patients with hyposmia and 91 controls were evaluated considering the rate of the gustatory dimensions of pleasantness, intensity, and familiarity, using a 7-point hedonic Likert-type scale. At a dose of 0.04 g/mL, saline solutions of flavored salts, with an average 15% less NaCl, were perceived by patients with hyposmia as equally intense but less familiar than pure salt solution, with similar scores in the pleasantness dimension. Our study highlighted the central role of Mediterranean aromatic plants in the enhancement of salty perception in patients with hyposmia

Corrado Tumiati, Luigi Castaldi and their reappraisal of the role of Clemente Susini (1754-1814) in the accomplishment of the anatomical wax models of La Specola and of those now in Cagliari

Corrado Tumiati (1885-1967) the youngest among the four brothers to whom the city of Ferrara dedicated a memorial tablet on the front of their house, was a psychiatrist who, at the age of 47, for disagreement with the authorities (he had refused to become a member of the fascist party) left the medical profession to devote himself to literary activities. As stated by Giuseppina Bock–Berti (2005), there is much to be said of him as writer, poet, translator and editor of famous literary magazines. In between the two wars, his prestige was so high that, despite his political credo, he was given responsibility for the editorship of the literary page of the Corriere della Sera, a job he maintained till 1946. Just in this capacity, on 18/01/1939 he published the article: “Le cere della Specola” that he extended and repeated in two essays published in 1941 and in 1942, by which he vindicated to Susini the authorship of the waxes produced in La Specola in a time when, outside from Sardinia, they were known in all Europe under the name of Fontana, the founder of the museum. Tumiati, who gives a vivid description of the artistic value of the models, even challenges the reader to find the name of Clemente Susini in any encyclopedia worldwide. A few years later, possibly inspired by Tumiati, Luigi Castaldi (1890-1945) the then anatomist of Cagliari, as appear from the news published in L’Unione Sarda on 03/12/1942, started his seminal work on the collections of Cagliari and Florence. Moreover, he reports on F.A. Boi, the Sardinian anatomist who performed the dissection then reproduced by Susini (Riva and Conti, 2015). Boi was unknown to Tumiati who does not mention him. Castaldi’s masterly essay: “Francesco Antonio Boi primo cattedratico di Anatomia a Cagliari e le cere fiorentine di Clemente Susini” (Olschki, Firenze), gives an unprecedented description of La Specola Museum and of the persons responsible for its establishment. The book published posthumously in Florence (1947) through the good offices of his friends, was instrumental in reinstating the fame of Clemente Susini

The evolution of Clemente Susini’s anatomical iconography from his beginnings at La Specola waxwork to his artistic maturity, as seen in the collection of Cagliari

In 1772, Clemente Susini (1754-1814) freshly graduated at the Florentine Accademia di Belle Arti was hired, as assistant of the sculptor Giuseppe Ferrini and dissector aid, by Felice Fontana (1730-1805) physicist of the Grand-ducal court. The latter was then setting up the ceroplastic workshop of the Regio e Imperiale Museo di Fisica e Storia Naturale (called La Specola) funded by the Grand-Duke Peter Leopold. Ten years later, he was appointed first modeller, a job that he carried on until the end of his life. In forty years of work Susini realized, or oversaw, the production of over 2000 wax models most of which for the great collection of La Specola in Florence and that of the Josephinum in Vienna completed in 1780-1786 [1]. Aside from both the former, made under Fontana’s directorship, Susini produced other models commissioned to the Museum from Italy and abroad. Noteworthy, among these is the collection for Cagliari made in collaboration with the Sardinian anatomist Francesco Antonio Boi (1767-1850) in 1803-1805. At the time, Fontana was no more interested in wax modelling and Susini was free, at last, to fully express himself. Cagliari’s waxes are more realistic, there are no posing figures, and the models do not exhibit the “rosy skin” of those of La Specola and Vienna. Most of the 23 cases bear the date and Susini’s signature, a seal of authorship lacking in the other collections of Florentine waxes. The target of Susini and Boi appears to be quite different from that seen in the earlier collections. The References to clinical and functional anatomy seem purposely pointed out in order to give students of surgery and medicine relevant information on their professional training. There is no attempt to make anatomy more attractive for a general public or to educate citizens according to the project of “popularizing” anatomy so dear to Fontana and Peter Leopold. Moreover, it seems that Susini and Boi have reached a degree of “cooperation of art and science” that anticipate the current trend of anatomical illustration [2]

Dynamics of the melatonin MT1 receptor in the rat parotid gland upon melatonin administration

Our recent ultrastructural study of human parotid glands revealed that the melatonin receptors, MT1 and MT2, are localised in the plasma cell membranes of acinar and ductal cells but also, and intriguingly, predominantly in acinar secretory granules, giving rise to the working hypothesis that secretory granules are a part of a transcytotic transport system for melatonin. To put this hypothesis to the test in rat parotid glands, anaesthetised animals were exposed to a high melatonin dose (3 mg/kg per hour), infused intravenously over two hours and aiming to stimulate a glandular melatonin-receptor-dependent intracellular transport system, if any. Thirty minutes later, the right parotids were removed. Pre-stimulation, left parotid gland tissue was removed to serve as (untreated) controls. Gland tissues were processed for the gold post-embedding technique and for western blot analysis. In untreated glands, on transmission electron microscope images, melatonin receptors displayed a distribution pattern similar to that in human parotids, i.e. here, too, the receptors were principally associated with the acinar secretory granules. In melatonin- treated glands, the number of granules associated with the MT1 receptor was twice that in untreated glands, despite the same total granule number in the two glands. Moreover, the density of gold particles showing MT1-receptor immunoreactivity associated with granules in melatonin-treated glands was 2.5 times that in untreated glands. The number of MT1 receptors associated with the granule membrane was about three times higher in melatonin-treated glands than in untreated glands, while the number of MT1 receptors inside the granules was about twice that in untreated glands. The immunoblotting of membrane-enriched samples showed that the MT1-receptor expression was about three times that of untreated glands. When it came to the MT2 receptor, no changes were observed. Melatonin itself thus exerts dynamic effects on its MT1 receptor, which may reflect an adaptive receptor-linked carrier system for melatonin, delivering - upon gland stimulation - melatonin to the saliva by exocytosis

The architecture of corneal stromal striae on optical coherence tomography and histology in an animal model and in humans

The purpose of this study was to use a portable optical coherence tomography (OCT) for characterization of corneal stromal striae (CSS) in an ovine animal model and human corneas with histological correlation, in order to evaluate their architectural pattern by image analysis. Forty-six eyes from female adult sheep (older than 2 years), and 12 human corneas, were included in our study. The eyes were examined in situ by a portable OCT, without enucleation. All OCT scans were performed immediately after death, and then the eyes were delivered to a qualified histology laboratory. In the ovine animal model, CSS were detected with OCT in 89.1% (41/46) of individual scans and in 93.4% (43/46) of histological slices. In human corneas, CSS were found in 58.3% (7/12) of cases. In both corneal types, CSS appeared as “V”- or “X”-shaped structures, with very similar angle values of 70.8° ± 4° on OCT images and 71° ± 4° on histological slices (p ≤ 0.01). Data analysis demonstrated an excellent degree of reproducibility and inter-rater reliability of measurements (p < 0.001). The present study demonstrated that by using a portable OCT device, CSS can be visualized in ovine and human corneas. This finding suggests their generalized presence in various mammals. The frequent observation, close to 60%, of such collagen texture in the corneal stroma, similar to a ‘truss bridge’ design, permits to presume that it plays an important structural role, aimed to distribute tensile and compressive forces in various directions, conferring resilience properties to the cornea

Melatonin ultrastructural localization in mitochondria of human salivary glands

The hormone melatonin was initially believed to be synthesized exclusively by the pineal gland and the enterochromaffin cells, but nowadays its production and distribution were observed in several other tissues and organs. Among others, the ultrastructural localization of melatonin and its receptors has been reported in human salivary glands. In these glands, the fine localization of melatonin in intracellular organelles, above all in mitochondria, remains to be explored comprehensively. Bioptic samples of parotid and submandibular glands were treated to search for melatonin using the immunogold staining method by transmission electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis was applied to micrographs. The results indicated that, both in parotid and submandibular glands mitochondria, a certain melatonin positivity was present. Within glandular cells, melatonin was less retrieved in mitochondria than in secretory granules; however, its presence in this organelle was clearly evident. Inside striated duct cells, melatonin staining in mitochondria was more prominent than in glandular cells. Our data provide an ultrastructural report on the presence of melatonin in mitochondria of human major salivary glands and represent a fundamental prerequisite for a better understanding of the melatonin role in this organelle

Scientific achievements in the Clemente Susini’s wax anatomical models of the University of Cagliari

The waxes of Cagliari were manufactured between 1803-1805, and represent a work of the maturity of Clemente Susini (1754-1814) the chief modeller of La Specola. The dissections reproduced by Susini were carried out by Francesco Antonio Boi (Olzai,1767-Cagliari, 1865), from the University of Cagliari who had been sent on purpose to Florence by the Viceroy Carlo Felice of Savoy (1765-1831). The models which arrived in Cagliari in 1806 contained in 23 showcases, are attached to 23 wooden tables that bear the original tag with date and Susini’s signature. The latter is a distinctive character in that, of the over 2000 models accomplished under Susini’ guidance, only a few bear his signature. Moreover, they were made when Susini was eventually free from the influence of Felice Fontan. By order of Carlo Felice the models to be made for Cagliari, which consist of a special mix of waxes able to resist the hot climate of south Sardinia, had to be unique and, thus, at variance with those of La Specola, no copies of them are seen in other collections. On the other hand, possibly thanks to Francesco Antonio Boi, a few mistakes seen in the collections of Florence, Vienna, and Bologna, such as the presence of lymphatics in the human brain, are absent here. A distinctive character is the relevance given to visceral and somatic nerves which are shown in more than one third of the models. Of particular relevance is a representation of human brain convolutions preceding the one published by Rolando in 1830, and an extremely accurate and detailed preparartion of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. An overall evaluation of the collection greatly emphasizes both his artistic and scientific values, reflecting the intelligent cooperation between the Florentine artist and the Sardinian anatomist

Ultrastructural evidence of a secretory role for melatonin in the human parotid gland

In vivo animal studies show that pentagastrin, cholecystokinin and melatonin cause the secretion and synthesis of salivary proteins. Melatonin occurs in large amounts in the gut and is released into the blood on food intake. In vitro experiments suggest that pentagastrin exerts secretory activity in human salivary glands, as judged by ultrastructural changes, reflecting secretion, and an actual protein output. Currently, it is hypothesised that melatonin induces secretory exocytotic events in the human parotid gland. Human parotid tissues were exposed to a high single concentration of melatonin in vitro, processed for high resolution scanning electron microscopy and then assessed morphometrically with the emphasis on the membrane of the intercellular canaliculi, a site of protein secretion. Compared with controls and in terms of density, the melatonin-exposed parotid tissues displayed increases in protrusions (signalling anchored granules) and microbuds (signalling membrane recycling and/or vesicle secretion) and decreases in microvilli (signalling cytoskeletal re-arrangement related to exocytosis), phenomena abolished or very largely reduced by the melatonin receptor blocker, luzindole. In conclusion, acinar serous cells of parotid tissue displayed in vitro exocytotic activity to melatonin, signalling protein secretion. Whether, under physiological conditions, melatonin influences the secretion of human parotid glands remains to be explored, however

Frequency and Determinants of Olfactory Hallucinations in Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Background: Olfactory dysfunctions and hallucinations are considered common nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Visual and auditory hallucinations are well-known; however, olfactory hallucinations (OHs) are not fully investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate OHs in PD patients, and their correlation to motor impairment, cognitive abilities, visual and auditory hallucinations, and olfactory and gustatory function. Methods: A sample of 273 patients was enrolled: 141 PD patients (mean age SD: 70.1 9.5 years) and 132 healthy controls (mean age SD: 69.4 9.6 years). In all patients, the following parameters were evaluated: motor symptoms (UPDRSIII), olfactory function, cognitive abilities, and occurrence of OH, gustatory hallucinations (GHs), and visual/auditory hallucinations. Results: OHs were found only in PD patients with a percentage of 11.3%. Among PD patients with OHs, 2.8% also presented GHs. High significant frequencies of females, the presence of visual/auditory hallucinations, and a high mean UPDRS-III score were found in patients with OHs related to patients without them. Binary logistic regression evidenced the presence of visual/auditory hallucinations and sex as main variables predicting the presence of OHs. Conclusions: Our data indicated that OHs occur frequently in PD patients, especially in women, and often concomitant with visual and auditory hallucinations, without any association with olfactory impairment

Surface Characterization of AZ31 Alloy after Long-Term Immersion in Simulated Body Fluid

The aim of the research campaign was to simulate in vitro the typical conditions for the corrosion in biofluid of a femoral bone implant manufactured with AZ31 alloy. The samples were immersed in biofluid (alpha-MEM) for time intervals of up to 56 days. For each immersion time, the chemical compositions and morphologies of the samples were studied with SEM, EDX, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The weight losses of the samples caused by corrosion were also measured. The results highlighted the formation of calcium phosphate crystals on the surface of the samples. This type of coating is well-known for its excellent corrosion resistance and for its ability to accelerate tissue regeneration. The deceleration of the corrosion process, observed after 28 days of immersion in biofluid, confirms the anti-corrosive effect of the coating that was spontaneously formed during the immersion tests