Considerable mechanistic data indicate there may be a sixth basic taste: fat. However, evidence demonstrating that the sensation of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA, the proposed stimuli for “fat taste”) differs qualitatively from other tastes is lacking. Using perceptual mapping, we demonstrate that medium and long-chain NEFA have a taste sensation that is distinct from other basic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter). Although some overlap was observed between these NEFA and umami taste, this overlap is likely due to unfamiliarity with umami sensations rather than true similarity. Shorter chain fatty acids stimulate a sensation similar to sour, but as chain length increases this sensation changes. Fat taste oral signaling, and the different signals caused by different alkyl chain lengths, may hold implications for food product development, clinical practice, and public health policy.

S: Twenty-nine younger (18-35 yr) and 31 older (65-85 yr) subjects were assigned to young physically active (YPA, N = 15; 25 ± 5 yr), young physically inactive (YPI, N= 14; 25 ± 4.7 yr), old physically active (OPA, N = 14; 71 ± 4 yr), or old physically inactive (OPI, N = 17; 71 ± 4 yr) groups. The inactive groups completed 12 wk (3 d·wk−1) of aerobic and resistance exercises, and the physically active control groups continued their normal exercise programs. Blood samples were collected before and after the 12-wk period, and the concentrations of serum CRP, plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were determined using separate ELISA. Results: Control (YPA and OPA) estimated V˙O2max was unchanged. Exercise training increased estimated V˙O2max an average of 10.4% and increased strength by an average of 38.1% in both PI groups. Serum CRP decreased with training (YPI and OPI) groups and was not different from the YPA and OPA groups after training. Plasma IL-6 and IL-1β did not change, whereas TNF-α was higher than YPI and YPA at baseline and after the intervention period. Conclusion: These results support the use of combined aerobic/resistance training as a modality to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease development as defined by a decrease in serum CRP concentration in healthy humans....

Purpose: This study determined whether returning to the community from a recent hospitalization with unmet activities of daily living (ADL) need was associated with probability of readmission. Methods: A total of 584 respondents to the 1994, 1999, and/or 2004 National Long-Term Care Surveys (NLTCS) who were hospitalized within 90 days prior to the interview and reported ADL disability at the time of the interview were considered for analysis. Medicare claims linked to the NLTCS provided information about hospital episodes, so those enrolled in Health Maintenance Organizations or Veterans Affairs Medical Centers were not included (n = 62), resulting in a total sample size of 522. ADL disability was defined as needing human help or equipment to complete the task. Unmet ADL need was defined as receiving inadequate or no help for one or more ADL disabilities. Disability that began within 90 days of the interview was considered new disability. Results: After adjusting for demographic, health, and functioning characteristics, unmet ADL need was associated with increased risk for hospital readmission (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03–1.82). Risk of readmission was greater for those with unmet need for new disabilities than those with unmet need for disabilities that were present before the index hospitalization (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.01–2.73). Implications: Many older patients are discharged from the hospital with ADL disability. Those who report unmet need for new ADL disabilities after they return home from the hospital are particularly vulnerable to readmission. Patients' functional needs after discharge should be carefully evaluated and addressed.

Background. Chronic inflammation has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, cachexia, and osteoporosis. Regular physical activity has been purported to possess “anti-inflammatory” properties which may limit chronic inflammation. Recently, we hypothesized that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) may play a role in activity-induced modulation of inflammation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the association between age, physical activity status, biomarkers of inflammation, and TLR4. Methods. Male and female participants (n = 84) were recruited to fill one of the following groups: young (18–30 years), active; young, inactive; old (60–80 years), active; or old, inactive. To assess physical activity status, participants completed a Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire and a modified Balke submaximal treadmill test. After grouping and screening, participants were given a standard mixed diet to consume 24 hours prior to arriving at the laboratory. Participants were instructed to consume all food by 10 pm the night prior to blood sampling (8-hour fast). Following 30 minutes of seated rest in a quiet room, venous blood samples were collected. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory cytokine production and plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and TLR4 expression was determined by flow cytometry. Results. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α production, TLR4 expression, and hsCRP were significantly lower in active compared to inactive participants (p <.05). Also, older participants had significantly higher hsCRP than young participants had (p <.05). Conclusions. The findings of the present study support previous reports which infer that acute exercise or a physically active lifestyle may possess anti-inflammatory properties. Also this study, along with previous work from our laboratory, suggests that TLR4 may play a role in regulating the link between inflammatory cytokine production and a physically active lifestyle.