Comparing consumer liking of beef from three feeding systems using a combination of traditional and temporal liking sensory methods.

Research on the effects of animal diet on consumer liking of beef has yielded conflicting results. Currently it is unknown whether dynamic changes occur in liking during consumption of beef. This study applied a combination of traditional and temporal (free and structured) liking methods to determine consumer liking of beef derived from animals that were fed grain (GF), grass silage plus grain (SG) or grazed grass (GG) during finishing. Three separate panels of beef eating consumers (n = 51; n = 52; n = 50) were recruited from Teagasc Food Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland to assess striploin steaks from animals fed either GF, SG, or GG. Using the free temporal liking (TL) method, results revealed that beef from GF animals was liked significantly less (p ≤ 0.05) in terms of overall liking, tenderness and juiciness, when compared to steaks from the SG and GG animals. These effects were not observed using the structured TL or traditional liking methods. Further analysis showed the evolution of scores over time was significant (p ≤ 0.05) for all attributes using the free TL method. Overall, the free TL method yielded more discriminative data and was perceived as easier to perform by consumers compared to the structured TL method. These results show that the free TL method may provide an opportunity to elicit more in-depth information regarding consumer sensory response to meat.

The effect of limb position on the reliability of leg circumference measurements in patients diagnosed with lower limb lymphoedema.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the intrarater reliability of lower limb circumference measures in a sample of individuals who are diagnosed with lower limb lymphoedema and to evaluate if change in limb position has an effect on the reliability of circumferential measures. METHOD: A sample of forty-one adults diagnosed with a lower limb lymphoedema were recruited. Participants had their affected leg measured three times by a qualified therapist during a standard outpatient appointment: twice in a lying position and once in sitting with knee flexed at 90°. To examine the intrarater reliability, interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confident intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Excellent intrarater reliability was established at each measurement point and for the sum of circumferential measures when the limb remeasured in the same position by the same therapist. Changing the position of the limb resulted in lower intrarater reliability values at 10 and 30 cm from the base of the foot. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides evidence for the intrarater reliability of lower limb circumference measures and highlights the need for consistency when remeasuring and monitoring the limb of those diagnosed with lower limb lymphoedema. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Lymphoedema is a significant problem for breast cancer survivors but also provides lifetime risk to all survivors of lymph node surgery for solid tumours. The monitoring and surveillance of leg circumference measures of people diagnosed with lower limb lymphoedema has been a valuable instrument when reviewing progress of this chronic condition.

Compression garment wear and sensory variables after burn: a single-site study.

OBJECTIVE: Compression garments are well accepted as routine practice for scar management after burn. In a recent systematic review, six main reasons for compression garment non-adherence were identified including sensory disturbances. To further understand the impact of sensory issues, the aim of the present study is to investigate associations between sensory variables and compression garment wear. METHOD: Adults (N = 117) attending a quaternary adult burns outpatient clinic completed: The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile; a custom-designed compression garment wear questionnaire; and three quantitative sensory testing procedures (Two-Point Discrimination, Mechanical Detection Threshold and Pressure Pain Threshold). RESULTS: Patients who reported lower Pressure Pain Threshold or Mechanical Detection Threshold, higher acuity for Two Point Discrimination, and higher than average sensory avoiding and sensory sensitivity patterns were less adherent with garment wear. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, sensory factors assessed using both self-report and quantitative sensory testing were associated with compression garment adherence. This knowledge suggests the value in developing and evaluating sensory-informed treatment strategies to improve compression garment wear.

Non-adherence with compression garment wear in adult burns patients: A systematic review and meta-ethnography.

OBJECTIVE: Up to 40% of adult burn-injured patients are non-adherent with prescribed compression garment wear. The aim of this paper is to systematically review the literature to understand barriers to adherence with compression garment wear. METHOD: Papers were included if they: investigated adults who required compression garment wear for the management of burns scars; focussed on reasons for non-adherence to compression garment wear; and were available in English. The process of meta-ethnography was then followed to synthesise the findings. RESULTS: The factors impacting adherence to compression garment wear were grouped into six themes: sensory factors, psychological state, the impact of the garment on the patient's function, the availability of social support, the degree of choice, and the education provided to patients by their therapists. A model of compression garment adherence was developed detailing how these factors fit within the continuum of treatment for a burn-injured patient. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to compression garment wear post-burn injury is a complex, dynamic phenomenon impacted by a range of factors. Findings from this review may inform approaches to support more consistent and/or extended garment wear, potentially improving scar outcomes and quality-of-life. Further research is recommended to investigate how each of the six identified themes impact adherence.

No smoking--by agreement with the management.

PIP: A survey on smoking in hospitals was conducted in Scotland. The collection of information was based on a questionnaire with 15 fixed responses covering patients, visitors, staff, patient education and hospital policy. 44% of the units sampled did not permit smoking officially in any part of the ward area; 46% restricted smoking by staff to a designated area. An attempt to ascertain how much health education on smoking was carried out by nursing staff revealed that some health education was provided by nursing staff in 38% of all units. 2 wards devoted to coronary care, intensive care or renal dialysis allowed unrestricted smoking. Most hospitals seem to maintain a firmer policy on smoking with regard to visitors than they do with regard to patients. While the survey uncovered a dearth of health education of patients by nursing staff in relation to smoking habits, it also indicated that in 2/3 of the units the nursing staff received no guidance on smoking prevention from the nursing administration. There seems to be a role for the fuller involvement of nurses in providing advice. It does appear that when policy is loosely defined implementation is difficult. It seems that the majority of consultant clinicians and ward sisters do not support totally unlimited smoking in hospitals, although this does occur. There is a need for care staff within the hospital to work with the fire safety officer in devising an optimum smoking policy.^ieng