Enhancement of the nutritional status and quality of fresh pork sausages following the addition of linseed oil, fish oil and natural antioxidants

Fresh pork sausages (pork shoulder, pork back fat, water, rusk and seasoning) were manufactured where 15% of the pork back fat was substituted with linseed oil (LO) or fish oil (FO). Green tea catechins (GTC) and green coffee antioxidant (GCA) were added to both LO (LGTC 200 and LGCA 200) and FO (FGTC 200 and FGCA 200) substituted sausages at a level of 200mg/kg. Raw and cooked pork sausages were either over-wrapped with oxygen permeable film (aerobic storage) or stored in modified atmosphere packages (MAP) containing 80% O(2):20% CO(2) or 70% N(2):30% CO(2), respectively for 7 days at 4°C. Effects on fatty acid profiles, lipid oxidation, colour and sensorial properties were investigated. α-Linolenic acid increased from 1.34% (control) to 8.91% (LO) and up to 11.2% (LGTC 200 and LGCA 200). Addition of fish oil increased levels of EPA from 0.05% (control) to 2.83% (FO), 3.02% (FGTC 200) and 2.87% (FGCA 200) and DHA levels increased from 0.04% (control) to a maximum of 1.93% (FGTC 200). Lipid oxidation was low in raw and cooked linseed oil containing sausages. GTC (200mg/kg) significantly (P<0.05) reduced lipid oxidation in raw fish oil containing sausages after 7 days of storage. Colour parameters in raw pork sausages were unaffected by the packaging atmosphere. L(∗) lightness values were lower (P<0.05) in LGTC 200 and a(∗) redness values lower (P<0.05) in LGTC 200 and FGTC 200 after 7 days of storage. Sensory scores of cooked pork sausages were unaffected by linseed oil addition. Flavour and overall acceptability scores in cooked fish oil containing sausages were improved by GTC addition. Results obtained demonstrate potential for the production of nutritionally enhanced fresh pork sausages

Reflections on a 'virtual' practice development unit: changing practice through identity development

Aims. This paper draws together the personal thoughts and critical reflections of key people involved in the establishment of a ‘virtual’ practice development unit of clinical nurse specialists in the south of England. Background. This practice development unit is ‘virtual’ in that it is not constrained by physical or specialty boundaries. It became the first group of Trust-wide clinical nurse specialists to be accredited in the UK as a practice development unit in 2004. Design and methods. The local university was asked to facilitate the accreditation process via 11 two-hour audio-recorded learning sessions. Critical reflections from practice development unit members, leaders and university staff were written 12 months after successful accreditation, and the framework of their content analysed. Findings and discussion. Practice development was seen as a way for the clinical nurse specialists to realize their potential for improving patient care by transforming care practice in a collaborative, interprofessional and evolutionary manner. The practice development unit provided a means for these nurses to analyse their role and function within the Trust. Roberts’ identity development model for nursing serves as a useful theoretical underpinning for the reflections contained in this paper. Conclusions. These narratives provide another example of nurses making the effort to shape and contribute to patient care through organizational redesign. This group of nurses began to realize that the structure of the practice development unit process provided them with the means to analyse their role and function within the organization and, as they reflected on this structure, their behaviour began to change. Relevance to clinical practice. Evidence from these reflections supports the view that practice development unit participants have secured a positive and professional identity and are, therefore, better able to improve the patient experience

Measurement of Br(D0→K−π+)Br(D^{0}\to K^{-}\pi^{+}) using Partila Reconstruction of Bˉ→D∗+Xℓ−νˉ\bar{B}\to D^{*+}X\ell^{-}\bar{\nu}

We present a measurement of the absolute branching fraction for $D^0 -> K^- pi^+$ using the reconstruction of the decay chain $Bbar -> D^{*+} X l^- nubar$, $D^{*+} -> D^0 pi^+$ where only the lepton and the low-momentum pion from the $D^{*+}$ are detected. With data collected by the CLEO II detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we have determined $Br(D^0 -> K^- pi^+)= [3.81 +- 0.15(stat.) +- 0.16(syst.)]$.Comment: 10 page postscript file, postscript file also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Flavor-Specific Inclusive B Decays to Charm

We have measured the branching fractions for B -> D_bar X, B -> D X, and B -> D_bar X \ell^+ \nu, where ``B'' is an average over B^0 and B^+, ``D'' is a sum over D^0 and D^+, and``D_bar'' is a sum over D^0_bar and D^-. From these results and some previously measured branching fractions, we obtain Br(b -> c c_bar s) = (21.9 $\pm$ 3.7)%, Br(b -> s g) K^- \pi^+) = (3.69 $\pm$ 0.20)%. Implications for the ``B semileptonic decay problem'' (measured branching fraction being below theoretical expectations) are discussed. The increase in the value of Br(b -> c c_bar s) due to $B -> D X$ eliminates 40% of the discrepancy.Comment: 12 page postscript file, postscript file also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Investigation of Semileptonic BB Meson Decay to P-Wave Charm Mesons

We have studied semileptonic $B$ meson decays with a P-wave charm meson in the final state using 3.29 x 10^6 B\bar{B} events collected by the CLEO~II detector at the Cornell Electron-positron Storage Ring. We find a value for the exclusive semileptonic product branching fraction: Br(B^- -> D_1^0 l^- \bar{\nu}) x Br(D_1^0 -> D^{*+}\pi^-) = (0.373 \pm 0.085 \pm 0.052 \pm 0.024)% and an upper limit for Br(B^- -> D_2^{*0} l^- \bar{\nu}) x Br(D_2^{*0} -> D^{*+}\pi^-) < 0.16%$ (90% C.L.). These results indicate that at least 20% of the total B^- semileptonic rate is unaccounted for by the observed exclusive decays, B^- -> D^0 l^- \bar{\nu}, B^- -> D^{*0} l^- \bar{\nu}, B^- -> D_1^0 l^- \bar{\nu}, and B^- -> D_2^{*0} l^- \bar{\nu}.Comment: 10 page postscript file, postscript file also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Two-Body B Meson Decays to η\eta and η′\eta^{'} -- Observation of B→ηB\to \eta{'}K$

In a sample of 6.6 million produced B mesons we have observed decays B -> eta' K, with branching fractions BR(B+ -> eta' K+ = 6.5 +1.5 -1.4 +- 0.9) x $10^{-5}$ and BR(B0 -> eta' K0 = 4.7 +2.7 -2.0 +- 0.9) x $10^{-5}$. We have searched with comparable sensitivity for 17 related decays to final states containing an eta or eta' meson accompanied by a single particle or low-lying resonance. Our upper limits for these constrain theoretical interpretations of the B -> eta' K signal.Comment: 12 page postscript file, postscript file also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Clinical course, therapeutic responses and outcomes in relapsing MOG antibody-associated demyelination.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We characterised the clinical course, treatment and outcomes in 59 patients with relapsing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated demyelination. METHODS: We evaluated clinical phenotypes, annualised relapse rates (ARR) prior and on immunotherapy and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), in 218 demyelinating episodes from 33 paediatric and 26 adult patients. RESULTS: The most common initial presentation in the cohort was optic neuritis (ON) in 54% (bilateral (BON) 32%, unilateral (UON) 22%), followed by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) (20%), which occurred exclusively in children. ON was the dominant phenotype (UON 35%, BON 19%) of all clinical episodes. 109/226 (48%) MRIs had no brain lesions. Patients were steroid responsive, but 70% of episodes treated with oral prednisone relapsed, particularly at doses <10\u2009mg daily or within 2 months of cessation. Immunotherapy, including maintenance prednisone (P=0.0004), intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab and mycophenolate, all reduced median ARRs on-treatment. Treatment failure rates were lower in patients on maintenance steroids (5%) compared with non-steroidal maintenance immunotherapy (38%) (P=0.016). 58% of patients experienced residual disability (average follow-up 61 months, visual loss in 24%). Patients with ON were less likely to have sustained disability defined by a final EDSS of 652 (OR 0.15, P=0.032), while those who had any myelitis were more likely to have sustained residual deficits (OR 3.56, P=0.077). CONCLUSION: Relapsing MOG antibody-associated demyelination is strongly associated with ON across all age groups and ADEM in children. Patients are highly responsive to steroids, but vulnerable to relapse on steroid reduction and cessation

Measurement of the Bˉ→Dℓνˉ\bar{B}\to D\ell\bar{\nu} Partila Width and Form Factor Parameters

We have studied the decay $\bar{B} \to D\ell\bar{\nu}$, where $\ell=e or \mu$. From a fit to the differential decay rate $d\Gamma/dw$ we measure the rate normalization ${\cal F}_D(1)|V_{cb}|$ and form factor slope $\hat{\rho}^2_D$, and, using measured values of $\tau_B$, find $\Gamma(\bar{B} \to D\ell\bar{\nu}) = (12.0 \pm 0.9 \pm 2.1) ns^{-1}$. The resulting branching fractions are ${\cal B}(\bar{B}^0 \to D^+\ell^-\bar{\nu})=(1.87 \pm 0.15 \pm 0.32)$ and ${\cal B}(B^- \to D^0\ell^-\bar{\nu})=(1.94 \pm 0.15 \pm 0.34)$. The form factor parameters are in agreement with those measured in $\bar{B} \to D^*\ell\bar{\nu}$ decays, as predicted by heavy quark effective theory.Comment: 11 pages, postscript file also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Measurement of the Inclusive Semi-electronic D0D^0 Branching Fraction

Using the angular correlation between the $\pi^+$ emitted in a $D^{*+} \rightarrow D^0 \pi^+$ decay and the $e^+$ emitted in the subsequent $D^0 \rightarrow Xe^+\nu$ decay, we have measured the branching fraction for the inclusive semi-electronic decay of the $D^0$ meson to be: {\cal B}(D^0 \rightarrow X e^+ \nu) = [6.64 \pm 0.18 (stat.) \pm 0.29 (syst.)] \%. The result is based on 1.7 fb$^{-1}$ of $e^+e^-$ collisions recorded by the CLEO II detector located at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR). Combining the analysis presented in this paper with previous CLEO results we find, \frac{{\cal B} (D^0 \rightarrow X e^+ \nu)} {{\cal B} (D^0 \rightarrow K^- \pi^+)} = 1.684 \pm 0.056 (stat.) \pm 0.093(syst.) and \frac{{\cal B}(D\rightarrow K^-e^+\nu)} {{\cal B}(D\rightarrow Xe^+\nu)} = 0.581 \pm 0.023 (stat.) \pm 0.028(syst.). The difference between the inclusive rate and the sum of the measured exclusive branching fractions (measured at CLEO and other experiments) is $(3.3 \pm 7.2) \%$ of the inclusive rate.Comment: Latex file, 33pages, 4 figures Submitted to PR