Influence of Maternal Corn Supplementation of Beef Cattle on Muscle Fiber Type and Meat Quality of their Offspring

ObjectivesTo determine the influence of corn supplementation of beef cows during winter and their impact on offspring beef quality attributes.Materials and MethodsForty-seven multiparous Angus beef cows carrying male calves were assigned randomly to two dietary treatments: corn supplementation at 0.2% BW (SUP; n = 24) vs. non-supplementation (NSUP; n = 23) at d 110 d of gestation for 22 wks. Ad-libitum access to low-quality forage was provided to both groups. At 7 d post-calving, a muscle biopsy was collected from the longissimus dorsi muscle (LD) of each calf for muscle fiber typing. Offspring were managed as a single group from nursing through to the backgrounding phase. Thereafter, the steers were placed in the feedlot and assigned to 4 pens (blocks) based on BW and offered ad-libitum access to a 100% corn silage-based ration (76.97% TDN, 11.07% CP), salt and minerals. When the steers reached a final BW of 615 kg (∼16 mo of age), they were slaughtered in a commercial abattoir. A second LD muscle biopsy sample was obtained at 45 min postmortem (PM) for muscle fiber typing. At 96 h PM, striploins (n = 42) were collected, aged for 14 d and samples obtained for Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF), proximal composition, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), collagen analysis and objective color evaluation. Data were analyzed as a randomized block design.ResultsImmunofluorescent analysis for the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform on the proportion of the fiber type or fiber dimensions was not influenced by maternal dietary treatment at both ages (P > 0.05). However, regardless of maternal dietary treatment, the proportion of fiber type IIA decreased while type IIAX increased in samples from steers at 16 mo of age compared with samples from steers at 7 d of age. No differences were observed between dietary treatment groups in proximate composition (P = 0.8), MFI (P = 0.29), or collagen content (P 0.98); however, WBSF values tended to be higher in steers from SUP cows than steers from NSUP dams (P = 0.07). Maternal dietary treatment had no influence on objective color evaluation at the retail display (P > 0.05). Objectives traits were not affected by dietary treatment × display time interaction (P = 0.92).ConclusionOur findings indicate that corn supplementation of cows during mid to late gestation has minimal effects on muscle fiber type and beef quality of their offspring. Thus, corn supplementation of low-quality forage offered during mid to late gestation did not have detrimental effects on muscle fibers and meat quality of offspring.

Energy utilization in cattle with steady state and non-steady state methods: the importance of thermal neutrality

The efficiency by which animals utilize dietary energy is fundamental to the cost of production for protein of animal origin and to the carbon footprint an animal industry has. Hence, the development of cost effective methodology for determining these measurements of efficiency is important. The objective of the present study was to investigate the use of infrared thermography in a rapid, non-steady state method for measuring energy loss in cattle. Data from 241 yearling bulls and steers as well as heifers and mature cows are presented. Infrared images were collected following a 24h feed withdrawal period. The infrared thermal response in these animals was significantly ranked (P < 0.03) with conventional measurements of feed efficiency using residual feed intake values for animals demonstrated to be within a thermal neutral zone. When animals were not within a thermal neutral zone there was no significant ranking. The data suggests that the use of a non-steady state approach using infrared thermography for identifying metabolic efficiency in animals may be a more rapid and less expensive method for identifying differences in energy utilization. The data also demonstrates the importance of maintaining thermal neutrality when measuring metabolic efficiency irrespective of the methodology.

Comparison of BISAP score with Ranson’s score in predicting severe acute pancreatitis

Objectives: To compare BISAP score with Ranson’s scoring in predicting severity of acute pancreatitisMethods: Extensive demographic, radiographic, and laboratory data from consecutive patients with AP admitted to our institution was collected between March 2014 to March 2015. Ranson’s and BISAP score was calculated. Severity of pancreatitis was defined according to Atlanta classification. Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, NPV of both the scoring system was calculated and compared.Results: A total of 42 patients with diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were included during the study period. 21(50%) were male and 21(50%) were female. Mean age is 49.52 ± 17.37.Most common etiology was biliary (45%) followed by alcohol (31%). 20 (48%) patients were categorized as severe pancreatitis according to Atlanta classification. 21 (50%) patients had a Ranson’s score of ≥3 and 19 (45.24%) patients had a BISAP score of ≥3. Both Ranson’s and BISAP scoring system was statistically significant in determining SAP ( p-value = 0.002). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of Ranson’s and BISAP score was calculated to be 75%, 72.72%, 71.43%, 76.19% and 70%, 77.27%, 73.68%, 73.91%. respectively. The AUC for SAP by Ranson’s score is 0.7386 ; 95%CI (0.602 - 0.874) and BISAP score is 0.7364 ; 95% CI ( 0.599 - 0.872).Conclusions: Both Ranson’s and BISAP scoring system is similar in predicting SAP. However BISAP has the advantage due to its simplicity.

Doppler ultrasound evaluation of pattern of venous incompetance and relation with skin changes in varicose vein patients

BACKGROUND Varicosity of lower limb is a common problem in agricultural country like Nepal. Doppler ultrasound is a standard investigation modality for confirmation of diagnosis, evaluation of severity and venous mapping to plan treatment. We aim to find out the epidemiology, common pattern of incompetance, severity assessment by doppler and association of the important doppler variables with skin changes.METHODOLOGY Doppler venous study was done in 56 patients from june 2013 to july 2014. Patients with deep vein thrombosis and peripheral arterial disease were excluded. Altogether 56 patients, 96 limbs were studied. Data was entered in preformed proforma. Doppler study was conducted by senior radiologist with linear probes. Data was entered in SPSS software version 16 and statistical significance was calculated using chi square test.RESULTS Bilateral limb involvement was seen in 40 patients and unilateral in 16 patuents only. Skin related changes were seen in 58 limbs. Saphenofemoral junction incompetance was seen in 79(82.2%) limbs and was most common pattern of incompetance. Overall, superficial veins were involved in 88(91.7%) limbs and deep in 30(31.2%) limbs. Prolonged duration of varicosity (>9 year) (p=0.000), bilateral limb involvement(p=0.024), reflux in deep venous system(p=0.002), larger Greater Saphenous Vein (GSV) size(p=0.003), prolonged duration of reflux(p=0.000) and perforator incompetence (p=0.002) were associated with skin changes. GSV diameter more than 7 mm was associated with reflux significantly (P=0.002).CONCLUSION Superficial vein incompetance is common pattern compared to deep venous system. Sapheno Femoral Junction (SFJ) incompetance is the commonest pattern. Larger caliber of vein, prolonged duration of reflux, reflux in deep venous system and perforator insufficiency are significantly associated with skin changes.Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2014, Vol-10, No-3, 1-7

Information Leaflet as an Adjunct to Verbal Counsellingin Obtaining Informed Consent

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates if addition of information leaflet after the usual verbal counseling improves the level of understanding of patients undergoing surgery about their disease, the need for surgery and its complications. METHODS: It is a prospective observational case control study in which the control group receives verbal counseling only and the study group is given an information leaflet in addition to the verbal counseling after random allocation. An interviewer (surgical resident) interviews both the group using a set questionnaire. The answers are scored and added to give total marks. RESULTS: There were total 114 patients undergoing gall bladder surgery with 59 in the study group and 55 in the control group. The level of understanding was good or satisfactory in 18.2 % in the control group compared to 76.3% in the study group (P < 0.000). This statistically significant improvement was seen even among illiterate group when analyzed separately. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of information leaflet significantly improves the patients understanding of their disease irrespective of their education status. KEYWORDS: education level, informatino leaflet, informed consent, understanding.

Information leaflet as an adjunct to verbal counseling in obtaining informed consent

INTRODUCTION

This study evaluates if addition of information leaflet after the usual verbal counseling improves the level of understanding of patients undergoing surgery about their disease, the need for surgery and its complications.

METHODS

It is a prospective observational case control study in which the control group receives verbal counseling only and the study group is given an information leaflet in addition to the verbal counseling after random allocation. An interviewer (surgical resident) interviews both the group using a set questionnaire. The answers are scored and added to give total marks.

RESULTS

There were total 114 patients undergoing gall bladder surgery with 59 in the study group and 55 in the control group. The level of understanding was good or satisfactory in 18.2 % in the control group compared to 76.3% in the study group (P < 0.000). This statistically significant improvement was seen even among illiterate group when analyzed separately.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of information leaflet significantly improves the patients understanding of their disease irrespective of their education status.