Producción de vaquillonas pesadas en condiciones de pastoreo y su impacto en la terneza de la carne

Históricamente, en el mercado argentino la vaquillona de más de 320 kg de peso vivo (PV) ha sido incluida en la categoría de “vacas”, lo cual disminuye sensiblemente el precio que el productor obtenía por ese animal. Dado que dentro de un amplio rango de edades la terneza se encuentra negativamente asociada con la edad del animal, esta modalidad de comercialización se habría implementado para evitar comercializar vacas como vaquillonas. Sin embargo, Shackelford et al. (1995) concluyen que la magnitud de la diferencias de terneza en el músculo longissimus encontradas entre vaquillonas (15-18 meses de edad) y vacas de dos años de edad difí- cilmente justifiquen un menor valor de mercado de las últimas respecto a las vaquillonas. En Argentina, a partir de diciembre de 2005 entró en vigencia la disposición de la Oficina de Nacional de Control Comercial Agropecuario (ONCCA) 5701/2005, a través de la cual se crearon distintas categorías de peso vivo de vaquillonas especiales y buenas (300 a 340, 341 a 380, y 381 a 420 kg PV), y una categoría de vaquillonas regulares. Esta nueva categorización permitiría diferenciar las vaquillonas de las vacas. Sin embargo, las vaquillonas de más de 320 kg PV siguieron siendo penalizadas en el mercado con un menor precio. Según la base de datos del Mercado de Liniers S.A. (http://www.mercado deliniers.com.ar/), el precio medio durante el año 2006 en ese Mercado para las vaquillonas de 300 a 340 kg PV fue de $2.50 por kg PV y para las de 381 a 420 kg PV de$2,17. Esta reducción en el precio de vaquillonas por aumento de peso fue 80% mayor que en los novillitos por similar cambio de peso ($2,60 a$2,46 por kg). Esto se reflejó en que durante el 2006, sólo el 6% del total de vaquillonas comercializadas correspondió a vaquillonas pesadas, mientras que los novillitos pesados representaron el 27% del total de novillitos. En la literatura hay evidencias que indican que las diferencias en terneza generadas por variaciones en la edad o por el sexo no justificarían tales desviaciones en los precios. En un sistema de producción pastoril con una ganancia diaria de peso vivo media de 500 g, producir una vaquillona pesada en vez de una liviana demandaría aproximadamente 5 meses más. Si bien Wulf et al. (1996) observaron que lag fuerza de corte (dureza) de distintos cortes de carne de novillos en el rango de 15 a 18 meses de edad terminados en dietas a base de concentrados se correlacionaba positivamente con la edad, el coeficiente de correlación fue relativamente bajo (r=0.18). Sin embargo, dado que en este trabajo los animales fueron faenados a medida que alcanzaban los 400 kg de peso vivo o 1 cm de espesor de grasa dorsal, habría un efecto confundido de la edad y la tasa de ganancia de peso sobre la terneza (Perry and Thompson, 2005). Por otra parte, Field et al. (1996) no observaron diferencias en la terneza del músculo longissimus dorsi de vaquillonas faenadas a 31, 33 y 35 meses de edad luego de 100 d de alimentación con concentrados. Lawrence et al. (2001) al evaluar el efecto de la edad (determinada por el número de incisivos permanentes: 0, 2, 4, 6, y 8), el sexo (vaquillonas vs. novillos) y su interacción sobre la terneza del músculo longissimus dorsi tampoco encontraron diferencias significativas. Si bien en el trabajo de Zinn et al., (1970) el sexo (vaquillonas vs. novillos) no afectó la terneza de tres músculos (Triceps brachii, longissimus dorsi y Semimenbranosus) de animales terminados con dietas concentradas, Choat et al. (2006) reportan que, con 7 d de maduración, la terneza del músculo longissimus dorsi fue menor en vaquillonas que en novillos. Sin embargo, dicha diferencia desapareció al incrementar el tiempo de maduración de la carne. El presente trabajo busca definir elementos biológicos que ayuden a establecer el valor de la carne producida de forma más objetiva. Así el primer objetivo del presente trabajo fue el de comparar la fuerza de corte (terneza) de los músculos longissimus y gluteus medius de vaquillonas pesadas con la de los mismos músculos de vaquillonas livianas, novillitos pesados, o vacas de refugo. El segundo objetivo fue el de determinar si posibles diferencias en la fuerza de corte del producto obtenido con las distintas categorías o con distintos músculos pueden ser eliminadas con un mayor tiempo de maduración.Fil: Lucero Borja, J. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pouzo, Laura Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Langman, L.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Agroindustria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Carduza, F.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Agroindustria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Corva, P.. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Santini, Francisco Jose. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pavan, E.. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Effect of aliskiren on post-discharge outcomes among diabetic and non-diabetic patients hospitalized for heart failure: insights from the ASTRONAUT trial

Aims The objective of the Aliskiren Trial on Acute Heart Failure Outcomes (ASTRONAUT) was to determine whether aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, would improve post-discharge outcomes in patients with hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) with reduced ejection fraction. Pre-specified subgroup analyses suggested potential heterogeneity in post-discharge outcomes with aliskiren in patients with and without baseline diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods and results ASTRONAUT included 953 patients without DM (aliskiren 489; placebo 464) and 662 patients with DM (aliskiren 319; placebo 343) (as reported by study investigators). Study endpoints included the first occurrence of cardiovascular death or HHF within 6 and 12 months, all-cause death within 6 and 12 months, and change from baseline in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 1, 6, and 12 months. Data regarding risk of hyperkalaemia, renal impairment, and hypotension, and changes in additional serum biomarkers were collected. The effect of aliskiren on cardiovascular death or HHF within 6 months (primary endpoint) did not significantly differ by baseline DM status (P = 0.08 for interaction), but reached statistical significance at 12 months (non-DM: HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.64-0.99; DM: HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.91-1.47; P = 0.03 for interaction). Risk of 12-month all-cause death with aliskiren significantly differed by the presence of baseline DM (non-DM: HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50-0.94; DM: HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.15-2.33; P < 0.01 for interaction). Among non-diabetics, aliskiren significantly reduced NT-proBNP through 6 months and plasma troponin I and aldosterone through 12 months, as compared to placebo. Among diabetic patients, aliskiren reduced plasma troponin I and aldosterone relative to placebo through 1 month only. There was a trend towards differing risk of post-baseline potassium ≥6 mmol/L with aliskiren by underlying DM status (non-DM: HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.71-1.93; DM: HR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.30-4.42; P = 0.07 for interaction). Conclusion This pre-specified subgroup analysis from the ASTRONAUT trial generates the hypothesis that the addition of aliskiren to standard HHF therapy in non-diabetic patients is generally well-tolerated and improves post-discharge outcomes and biomarker profiles. In contrast, diabetic patients receiving aliskiren appear to have worse post-discharge outcomes. Future prospective investigations are needed to confirm potential benefits of renin inhibition in a large cohort of HHF patients without D

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p &lt; 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Animal performance, carcass characteristics and beef fatty acid profile of grazing steers supplemented with corn grain and increasing amounts of flaxseed at two animal weights during finishing

The objective of this study was to determine (1) the effects of increasing flaxseed addition to the corn grain supplemented at finishing to grazing steers on animal performance, carcass characteristics and longissimus muscle (LM) fatty acid profile, and (2) whether dietary treatments effects are affected by animal body weight (BW) at supplementation. Forty eight steers were assigned to eight treatment combinations defined by four dietary treatments (CNTRL, no supplement; FLAX-0, 0.7% BW of cracked corn grain; FLAX-1 and FLAX-2, FLAX-0 plus 0.125% and 0.250% BW of unprocessed flaxseed, respectively) and by two animal BW treatments generated by supplementing steer in early spring (EARLY) or late spring (LATE). Steers assigned to EARLY received their dietary treatment when reaching 366±27.3 kg BW (August, 3rd) and those assigned to LATE when reaching 458±42.8 kg (October, 10th). After 70 d on trial, carcass data and LM samples (12th rib region) were collected for fatty acid (FA) analysis. Total DMI was greater in supplemented treatments (FLAX-0, FLAX-1 and FLAX-2) than in CNTRL, with no flaxseed level effect. Dietary treatment effects on performance and carcass characteristics were not affected by BW treatments. Increasing flaxseed supplementation linearly increased subcutaneous fat thickness; whereas increasing BW at initiation of supplementation decreased average daily again, but increase final BW, hot carcass weight, and LM total fatty acid content. Animal BW at initiation of supplementation affected dietary treatments effects on LM n-6/n-3 ratio; ratio was highest in FLAX-0 and lowest in CNTRL and FLAX-2 in both BW treatments; did not differ between BW treatments in CNTRL and in FLAX-2, but was greater in EARLY than in LATE in FLAX-0 and FLAX-1. Trans-vaccenic acid proportion was greater in CNTRL than in supplemented treatments, but was not affected by flaxseed level; similar trend was observed for CLA cis-9, trans-11 proportion. Linolenic acid proportion did not differ between CNTRL and supplemented treatments, but was linearly increased with flaxseed level. Fatty acids changes with increasing animal BW at supplementation were associated with the increased in total muscle fatty acid content; total and individual polyunsaturated fatty acids were lower in LATE than in EARLY, whereas trans-vaccenic acid and CLA cis-9, trans-11 were greater. Adding flaxseed to the corn grain supplemented increase subcutaneous fat thickness of grazing steers without negatively affecting fatty acid profile, except for a reduction in trans-vaccenic acid proportion. Therefore, adding flaxseed to the corn supplemented to grazing steers increases carcass fatness while reducing the negative effect of corn supplementation on LM n-6/n-3 ratio but not on trans-vaccenic acid. Increasing BW at supplementation reduces supplementation effects on LM n-6/n-3 ratio.EEA BalcarceFil: Pouzo, Laura Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Fanego, Noelia. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina- Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Santini, Francisco Jose. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Descalzo, Adriana Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Pavan, Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentin

Slaughter weight, sex and age effects on beef shear force and tenderness

In Argentina, beef cattle prices decrease as slaughter weight increases regardless of animal age or carcass maturity, and this decrease is significantly greater in heifers (15%) than in steers (5%). The objectives of the present study were to (1) determine whether shear force and tenderness differ between heifers of different slaughter weight, and between heifers, steers and cull cows of similar slaughter weight; (2) evaluate whether such differences, if any, could be overcome by extending beef aging period; and (3) understand the main causes of such differences in beef shear force and tenderness. Meat from heavy heifers (H-HEIFER, 381–420 kg BW) was compared to meat from light heifers (L-HEIFER, 300–340 kg BW), steers (STEER, 391–450 kg BW) or cull cows of similar weight (COW). At slaughter, carcass characteristics were determined and Longissimus thoracis (LM) and Gluteus medius (GM) muscle samples collected for shear force determination. Total and insoluble collagen, sarcomere length and intact troponin-T content, and sensory panel scores, were evaluated for LM. Aging effect was evaluated for shear force and sensory panel scores. Irrespective of muscle or aging period, increasing heifer slaughter weight did not impact negatively on beef shear force or tenderness levels; heifers and steers of similar slaughter weight had similar beef shear force and tenderness levels; whereas heifer beef was more tender (P<0.05) than that from cow of similar slaughter weight. Tenderness differences were not overcome by extending the aging period. Based on a principal component analysis, shear force and tenderness differences appear to be associated to the variation in chilling rate and sarcomere length.EEA BalcarceFil: Lucero Borja, Jorge Omar. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Pouzo, Laura Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: de la Torre, M.S. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Langman, Leandro Ezequiel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Carduza, Fernando José. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Corva, Pablo Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Santini, Francisco Jose. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Pavan, Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina

Brown-midrib corn silage in finishing steer diet: Effects on animal performance, in vivo digestibility and ruminal kinetics disappearance

Lower lignin content in brown-midrib corn silage (BMRCS) than in conventional corn silage results in greater digestibility and dry-matter intake. Despite this advantage, the use of BMRCS has not been widely evaluated in beef cattle. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of BMRCS chopped at 22-mm as the main component (79% DM basis) for finishing steer diet on digestion, animal performance and ruminal kinetics disappearance. In a first trial, 56 Angus and crossbred steers (339 ± 18 kg initial bodyweight) were divided into 14 pens that were randomly assigned to one of the following two treatments: BMR total mixed ration (BMRT) or conventional total mixed ration. Data were analysed under a completely randomised design using pen as the experimental unit (n = 7). In a second trial, BMRCS and conventional corn silage were incubated (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 72 and 120 h) in the rumen of three ruminally cannulated cows. Data were analysed under a completely randomised block (cow) design. The inclusion of BMRCS in 79% corn silage diet for finishing steers improved total diet neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre digestibility, but did not improve DM digestibility. While there was no significant improvement in animal performance, carcass yield was improved in BMRT. Future studies are needed to evaluate the improvement of carcass weight in steers fed BMRT.Fil: Spetter Lucas, Maximiliano Joaquín. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ramiro, Facundo A.. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Della Rosa, María Milagros. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva. Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica. Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica; ArgentinaFil: Maglietti, Carlos S.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Depetris, Gustavo Jesus. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Santini, Francisco Jose. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Raimondi, Juan P.. Dow Agroscience ; ArgentinaFil: Roig, J.M.. Dow Agroscience ; ArgentinaFil: Pavan, Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin