Shelf Life and Quality of Bologna-Type Fat Reduced Turkey Sausage

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of refrigerated storage on the microbial properties and organoleptic quality of Bologna-type turkey sausage, in which fat was partially replaced with pea fibre or potato starch. Each manufactured sausage had lower counts of Esherichia coli and enterobacteria than 1 log CFU·g−1, counts were below 2 log CFU·g−1 for Staphylococcus aureus, moreover, no Salmonella spp. were found in any of the sausages. The counts of mesophilic aerobic bacteria did not exceed 4 log CFU·g−1 for each sausage formulation during four-week storage at 4 °C. Spectrocolorimetric measurements revealed that there was no decline in luminosity (L*) and redness (a*) by time, namely colour fading did not occur. Saltiness and juiciness values of sausages were directly proportional. Low-fat sausages were perceived less salty than full-fat analogue with the same salt content at the early stage of storage. Nevertheless, this phenomenon was temporary as sausages had the same saltiness at the end of four-week storage period. Sausages, in which 25% of fat was substituted with pea fibre or potato starch, were assessed as having the same odour, consistency, taste, and overall impact like control during the four-week refrigerated storage

Investigation of performic acid oxidation in case of thiol-containing amino acid enantiomers

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Textural properties of turkey sausage using pea fiber or potato starch as fat replacers

The fat content of Bologna-type turkey sausages was partially replaced with pea fiber or potato starch. Textural properties of full fat turkey sausage were mainly restored in sausages when fat was partially replaced with some levels of pea fiber (0.6, 1.2%) or potato starch (1.9%). Authors observed significant correlation (P<0.01) between instrumentally measured values of hardness and chewiness and sensory ratings of low fat sausages

Using rhythm for rehabilitation: evaluation of a novel haptic device

This project explored how new and novel approaches to stroke rehabilitation could improve physical function and the confidence of stroke survivors to remain active and engaged in the community. The innovation trialed was a ‘Haptic bracelet/cueing device’, developed at The Open University. An overview of the Haptic device, its development and role in stroke rehabilitation can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ZxN6H6XGk The Haptic bracelets provide a physical (embodied) beat that someone can walk to as an alternative to existing audio cuing ways of working. The haptic device provides a non-invasive, relatively cheap way of facilitating people after stroke to continue to maintain or even improve their mobility after intensive rehabilitation has finished. This research explored the impact of the haptic device to gains in mobility. The project had two key aims: 1. To develop a usable and practical prototype of a haptic device to restore gait symmetry after stroke. 2. To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the prototype in stroke patients. Summary of findings and recommendations When introduced to the Haptic Bracelets participants hoped the product would provide them with: • More confidence and make them feel safer when walking. • Greater ability to take bigger strides rather than little steps. • A way to combat the silly mistakes participants reported making due to tiredness. • Reduced pain (knees, hips) The physiotherapists saw potential for the Haptic devices as part of post stroke rehabilitation, but expressed concern about their lack of access to mobile technologies when out in community practice settings. There were also concerns about use with some stroke survivors because of issues of cognition; and the sensation from the Haptic beat. In the Haptic gait testing • All the participants demonstrated good mobility performance prior to the study (high score on the Rivermead mobility scale) • 4/7* (57.1%) participants who were the most asymmetrical at baseline improved their gait symmetry whilst wearing the haptic device • 3/7* (42%) participant’s gait symmetry continued to improve in the post off condition. • All the participants walked quicker in post-op condition. However, gait speed varied between participants when they were wearing the haptic bracelets. • Participants were had had their strokes between 3-10 years ago, but there was still an indication that the Haptic bracelets were having some impact on mobility. • Syncing of the Haptic device and more mobile Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to the fixed gait laboratory (gold standard) system has improved the potential for more community based rehabilitation and commercialisation of the Haptic bracelets. • Post Haptic interviews identified that there were mixed participant feelings about the bracelets. However, some did express positive experiences from testing the Haptic bracelets, including a carry over effect after the devices were removed. Recommendations As this was a pilot study more work is now required to explore the: • use of the Haptic bracelets in community rehabilitation settings • feasibility of the using Haptic bracelets in community settings, particularly looking at staff access to new technologies • potential for the Haptic bracelets to be used in the home as part of ongoing rehabilitation • benefits of Haptic bracelets in the context of longer term stroke rehabilitation • future design needs to improve the look, size and ease of application • cost benefits of using Haptic bracelets as part of an overall program of stroke rehabilitation

SEPARIRANJE I ODREĐIVANJE ENANTIOMERA AMINOKISELINA KOJE SADRŽE SUMPOR POMOĆU TEKUĆE KROMATOGRAFIJE VISOKE PERFORMANCE

Performic acid oxidation of cysteine and methionine resulting in the formation of cysteic acid and methionine sulphon has been applied in order to avoid the loss of these two sulphur containing amino acids during the acidic hydrolysis of proteins that is necessary prior to amino acid analysis. The aim of the research was assigned by the increasing demand for the determination of the amount of amino acid enantiomers: the applicability of performic acid oxidation was evaluated from this point of view. Racemization of L-cysteine and L-methionine was found not significant during oxidation with performic acid, therefore this process can be applied before hydrolysis during quantification of cysteine and methionine enantiomers. Additionally, the quantification of cysteic acid and methionine sulphon enantiomers was accomplished in the form of their diastereoisomer derivatives via the development of a reversed phase of high performance liquid chromatography method.Proces oksidacije performičnom kiselinom cisteina i metionina, što rezultira stvaranjem cisteične kiseline i sulfona metionina primijenjen je kako bi se izbjegao gubitak te dvije aminokiseline koje sadrže sumpor, za vrijeme acidične hidrolize bjelančevina, potrebne prije analize aminokiselina. Cilj istraživanja potakli su sve veći zahtjevi za određivanjem količina enantiomera aminokiselina: primjenjivost oksidacije performične kiseline ocijenjena je s tog gledišta. Racemizacija L-cisteina i L-metionina nije se pokazala značajnom za vrijeme oksidacije s performičnom kiselinom pa se, stoga, taj proces može primijeniti prije hidrolize tijekom kvantifikacije cisteinskih i metioninskih enantiomera. Osim toga, kvantifikacija cisteične kiseline i enantiomera metionskog sulfona izvedena je u obliku derivata njihovih dijastereosomera putem razvoja obrnute faze metode tekuće kromatografije visoke performance

A new method for the quantitative determination of protein of bacterial origin on the basis of D-aspartic acid and D-glutamic acid content

In the past years several methods have been developed for the determination of the proportion of the nitrogen-containing substances of microbial origin passed from the rumen into the abomasum or the small intestine. Recently, on examining the D-amino acid content of foodstuffs, particularly milk and milk products, it has been observed that, in addition to D-Ala, D- glutamic acid (D-Glu) and D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) can also be detected in similar quantities, primarily in products which have links with bacterial activity. This gave rise to the idea of examining the diaminopimelic acid (DAPA), D-Glu and D-Asp content of bacteria extracted from the rumen of cattle and that of chyme from the same cattle, in order to determine the type of relation existing among these three components, and to establish whether D-Asp and D-Glu can be used in the estimation of protein of bacterial origin. On determination of the DAPA, D-Asp and D-Glu content by means of amino acid analyser and high performance liquid chromatography of duodenal chyme from five growing bulls and of ruminal bacteria from the same bulls, the following values were established. For chyme (and, in brackets, for ruminal bacteria) r value calculated by means of linear regression was 0.78 (0.76) between DAPA and D-Asp, and 0.70 (0.81) between DAPA and D-Glu. The r values between the crude protein content of ruminal bacteria and the markers examined were found to be the following: DAPA, 0.74; D-Asp, 0.73; D- Glu, 0.61. In the model experiment performed for the re-obtaining of values for protein of bacterial origin the theoretical values were determined on the basis of D-Asp and D-Glu and values approximately 10% higher than the theoretical value on the basis of DAPA. It is therefore recommended that in addition to DAPA these other two amino acids be included among the bacterial protein markers

New Water and Air Pollution Sensors Added to the Sonic Kayak Citizen Science System for Low Cost Environmental Mapping

Sonic Kayaks are low-cost open-source systems for gathering fine-scale environmental data. The system is designed to be simple to fit on to standard kayaks or canoes, and full instructions have been made available for anyone wishing to build their own. The previous version included temperature sensors and a hydrophone for recording underwater sound. Here we outline the design and integration of two new sensors, for underwater turbidity and above water air particulate pollution. All sensors record continually, and the GPS location, time and date are also stored for every data point, allowing fine-scale environmental data mapping. The data being collected by the sensors is sonified (turned into sound) in real-time, allowing the paddler to hear the data as they are collecting it, making it possible to locate and follow interesting occurrences. We present proof-of principle data for the first time for all the sensors, demonstrating how the system can be used for environmental mapping, and discuss potential future applications and adaptations. We believe the Sonic Kayak system offers particular promise for citizen science and environmental activism, and allows professional researchers to gather data that was previously difficult or impossible to obtain

Preparedness and response to the covid-19 emergency: Experience from the teaching hospital of Pisa, Italy

In Italy, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency took hold in Lombardy and Veneto at the end of February 2020 and spread unevenly among the other regions in the following weeks. In Tuscany, the progressive increase of hospitalized COVID-19 patients required the set-up of a regional task force to prepare for and effectively respond to the emergency. In this case report, we aim to describe the key elements that have been identified and implemented in our center, a 1082-bed hospital located in the Pisa district, to rapidly respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in order to guarantee safety of patients and healthcare workers

A small repeated measures study of haptic cueing upon gait symmetry in people after stroke

Introduction Rehabilitation of gait after stroke often includes forms of rhythmic cueing. Haptic cueing, in which a rhythmic cue is provided by touch could be a discreet cueing method for ambulation. This small prospective lab based study aimed to investigate the effect of prototype haptic devices (HDs) in stroke survivors. Methods Participants were recruited if they could walk 20 metres without an aid but reported persistent problems with walking. The HDs were fitted to both legs. After familiarisation, participants walked in the lab: 1) with the HDs switched off; 2) with the HDs switched on; 3) with the HDs switched off. Temporal symmetry and gait speed was evaluated using the Qualisys Motion Capture system. Results 6 participants a median average of 59.5 years old (range: 53–74) and 5 years (range: 3–10) after stroke were recruited. 3 demonstrated mild temporal asymmetry, 1 demonstrated severe asymmetry and 2 had no/minimal asymmetry. When the HDs were switched on, temporal symmetry improved in 4 (from 6) with moderate or severe asymmetry. When the HDs were switched off, temporal symmetry remained improved in 3 and walking speed improved in 5 (overall mean change: 0.05; SD = 0.14 ms−1 ). Conclusion The findings of this small study suggest that the HDs could provide an effective cueing device for people with moderate or severe gait asymmetry after stroke. Further work is now needed to investigate the HDs in a larger and more varied sample of stroke survivors and in community settings