PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C A Stahl

Publications and source records attributed to C A Stahl.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Pork quality attributes associated with bilateral carcass variation.

The objective of this study was to identify bilateral differences in pork carcass quality as influenced by single leg shackling and suspension of electrically stunned pigs. Fifty-six Genepacker x EB market barrows (118 kg) were rendered unconscious and insensible to pain via electrical stimulation. Pigs were then shackled and suspended by the right hind leg before exsanguination and remained suspended until scalding. Initial (45-min) pH values of the LM at the 10th to 11th rib interface were different (P = 0.016); shackled side loins possessed a greater i.m. pH than those loins associated with the free side of the carcass (6.26 vs. 6.10). At 24 h postmortem, loins from the shackled side had lower (P < 0.001) L* values than loins from the free side in both the sirloin (53.08 vs. 57.61) and blade (54.61 vs. 57.09) regions. Additionally, b* values were greater (P < 0.001) for loins from the shackled side than loins from the free side in the center (13.81 vs. 13.01) and blade (14.72 vs. 13.68) regions, and in the blade region, a* values were greater (P < 0.001) in the LM from the shackled side than loins from the free side (7.37 vs. 6.26). Moreover, LM chops of loins from the shackled side that were aged 21 d were rated less (P < 0.05) tough (2.74 vs. 3.95) and more (P < 0.05) juicy (4.24 vs. 3.19) than chops from the free-hanging side. However, these differences were not evident after 41 d aging. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that bilateral differences exist within the LM of a pork carcass and that these differences are likely associated with the single-leg shackling and suspension of electrically stunned pigs.

Abattoirs↗

Growth rate, body composition, and meat tenderness in early vs. traditionally weaned beef calves.

One hundred forty spring-born Angus x Gelbvieh and purebred Angus steers were selected for study as early weaned (EW; average age at weaning = 90 +/- 30 d) or traditionally weaned (TW; average age at weaning = 174 +/- 37 d) steers that were non-implanted or implanted (Synovex-S, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, KS). Initially, steers were sorted by age, sire, and farm, and then allotted randomly in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments of EW implanted (EWI), EW nonimplanted (EWN), TW implanted (TWI), or TW nonimplanted (TWN). Ultrasound measurements (US) of LM area (LMA), 12th rib fat thickness (US-BF), and marbling (US-M) were collected every 28 d during the time that steers were on feed. At 202 d of age, EW calves had larger US-LMA, US-BF, and BW than TW calves (37.9 vs. 32.3 cm2, 0.38 vs. 0.26 cm, and 271.6 vs. 218.9 kg, respectively; P < 0.001). At slaughter, EW calves had heavier HCW (290.4 vs. 279.7 kg, respectively; P < 0.05) and greater USDA marbling scores (51.25 vs. 46.26, respectively; P < 0.05) than TW calves; more EW steers graded USDA Choice or greater (P = 0.05). However, no differences were detected in BW (P = 0.15), LMA (P = 0.39), BF (P = 0.45), or liver abscess scores (P = 0.41). Twenty-four implanted steers were selected from the original group of 140 and sorted into two slaughter groups of 12. Twelve implanted steers from each weaning group, matched in slaughter BW but differing in age, were subsampled at slaughter to assess the effect of weaning age and chronological age on muscle tenderness. Younger animals had lower Warner-Bratzler shear force values (P < 0.001) than older calves after 14 d of postmortem aging; however, no differences were found in tenderness after 21 d of aging. Furthermore, there was greater variance (P < 0.001) in Warner-Bratzler shear force values among younger, EW steers vs. older, TW steers. These data provide evidence that early weaning of beef calves may be used as a tool to more effectively manage the cow-calf production system without compromising the quality of the offspring.

Aging↗

The effects of the antioxidant lipoic acid on beef longissimus bloom time.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of lipoic acid (LA) on beef LM steak bloom time, as well-as to characterize bloom time in the CIE L*, a*, and b* color space over a 93-min period. Thirty-two Simmental steers were supplemented with LA for 21 d immediately before slaughter at levels of 0, 8, 16, or 24 mg of LA/kg BW (eight steers per treatment). Lipoic acid was mixed with liquid paraffin, allowed to solidify, prilled, and top-dressed over a standard finishing diet. Steers were slaughtered at the University of Missouri abattoir in four groups of eight (two steers per treatment) over a 2-wk period. After a 24-h chill at 4 degrees C, the right LM was removed from each carcass. One 2.54cm steak was removed from the anterior portion of the LM, and its color characteristics (CIE L*, a*, and b*) were measured immediately with a standardized spectrocolorimeter. Color measurements were taken every 3 min thereafter for a total of 93-min. Hue angle (true red) and chroma (color saturation) were calculated from the color measurements. Addition of LA to the diet had no effect on bloom time (P = 0.67). When treatment means were analyzed, the addition of 24 mg of LA/kg BW to the diet resulted in higher (lighter) L* values (P < 0.05) compared with other treatments, whereas the addition of 16 mg of LA/kg BW to the diet caused lower hue angles (more true red; P < 0.05) when compared with other treatments. Addition of LA to the diet did not affect a* (P = 0.13) and b* (P = 0.18) values or chroma (P = 0.62). In the absence of treatment effects, bloom times for all treatments were pooled, and L* values did not change (P > 0.05) during the 93-min bloom time; however, a* and chroma values increased for 9 min and plateaued after 12 min (P < 0.01). Similarly, b* values increased (P < 0.01) for the first 6 min, and after 9 min, no further increase in yellowness was detected. Bloom time had little effect on hue angle, which stabilized after 3 min. Supplementing steers with the antioxidant LA for 21 d had no effect on the bloom time of beef LM; however, higher levels of supplemental LA affected L* values and hue angles of beef.

Animal Husbandry↗

Creatine monohydrate supplemented in swine finishing diets and fresh pork quality: II. Commercial applications.

The objectives of this study were to determine the value of supplementing creatine monohydrate (CMH) in a complete swine finishing ration and determining its effects on meat quality. Crossbred barrows (n = 59) were allotted five pens per treatment with three pigs per pen. Dietary treatments, including 20 g CMH x pig(-1) x d(-1) fed for 5, 10, or 15 d before slaughter, were compared to control pigs that received no CMH. The basal diet was a corn-soybean meal finishing diet. At 123.5 kg, pigs were delivered to a commercial packing plant (80 km) and slaughtered according to industry practices. After a 24-h chill at 4 degrees C, right-side loins were collected from the fabrication line and vacuum-packaged for delivery to the University of Missouri Meat Lab. Hams were scanned for lean content by a primal cut electromagnetic scanner. After scanning, ham pH and light reflectance (L*, a*, b*) were obtained on the gluteus medius muscle. Loin pH and light reflectance were obtained at the 10/11th-rib juncture. The posterior section of the boneless loin was weighed, vacuum-packaged, and stored for 7 d at 1 degree C. After aging, light reflectance, weights, and Warner/Bratzler shear force measurements were taken. A linear trend (P = 0.071) was observed for ham 24-h L* values, and a cubic trend was observed for ultimate loin pH (P = 0.102). Hunter L* values of the longissimus possessed a negative linear contrast (P = 0.009) after aging, revealing that the loins of those animals treated for 10 and 15 d exhibit higher L* values. A cubic trend (P = 0.057) was shown for percentage of moisture lost as purge; 5- and 10-d treatments were intermediate to control and 15-d treatments. Warner/Bratzler shear force measurements for chops aged 7 d increased in a linear fashion (P = 0.024). This data suggests that 5-d supplementation of CMH before slaughter improves several pork quality attributes. However, it seems that supplementing CMH in swine diets for 10 or 15 d could reduce the quality of fresh pork.

Aging↗

A new method for data presentation in incremental cardiorespiratory exercise testing.

In incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing, the averaging of data is usually performed to provide group mean data for statistical purposes. They are usually presented as averaged maximum values, or as averaged data at different exercise levels. However, during incremental exercise testing the change in metabolic status may vary between subjects, thus averaging data may not classify the metabolic status accurately. We present an averaging method using a segmented ordinal scale based on individual maximal work performance and the anaerobic threshold (AT). Individual exercise data are grouped into ten classes ranging from unloaded exercise to maximal exercise. The classes are defined in relation to the AT, resulting in an ordinal scale of four classes for exercise data below the AT, one class at the AT and five classes beyond the AT. Resting and unloaded pedalling are treated as separate classes. For evaluation, this method of classification is compared to one based on an absolute scale of oxygen uptake (Cabs) and to another based on a relative scale in 10% steps of maximal oxygen uptake (Crel). Ten healthy male subjects (mean age 23.3 years) performed a ramp cycle ergometer test. When using the Cabs classification method for mean data averaging, mean values for performance at high-intensity exercise were calculated using data from only two of the ten subjects because of variations in individual work capacity. In addition, the AT data were distributed across four classes, thus anaerobic and aerobic exercise data were mixed. Using the Crel classification method enabled data for all ten subjects to be included in the calculation of every data point, but the AT values were still distributed across three classes, resulting in the mixing of anaerobic and aerobic exercise data. However, using the segmented ordinal scale method of classification enabled data from all ten subjects to be included in the calculation of all data points, and it permitted the grouping of the AT values into one class. Thus, this latter method more accurately represents the data of the whole group under study and it allows the metabolic status of the subjects to be taken into consideration.

Adult↗

The use of prostate specific antigen and prostate specific antigen density in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in a community based urology practice.

Since 1989 we have used serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels as an indication for ultrasound guided systematic biopsies of the prostate. Realizing that the PSA level in part reflects prostatic glandular epithelial volume, we reviewed the accumulated data on our last 2,340 biopsies to determine if the quotient of PSA and prostatic volume, prostate specific antigen density, provided any further diagnostic information. There were evaluable data for 2,020 patients. Prostate specific antigen density levels are shown to have a strong correlation with the diagnosis of prostate cancer and provide a more reliable indication for ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate than PSA alone.

Adult↗

Additional evidence for separable responses to auxin in soybean hypocotyl.

Additional evidence for two separable responses to auxin is presented. The average of 24 control experiments indicated lag times of 12.4 and 35.4 min, and maximum rates of 0.57 and 0.54 mm hr(-1), for the first and second response, respectively. The auxin analog 4-azido-2-chlorophenoxyacetic acid increased the lag time of the second response (but not the first), resulting in the temporal separation of the two responses. Plots of elongation rates against time, taken from the literature, allowed the characterization of the two responses in monocotyls and dicotyls. Study of published rate-time elongation curves showed that the maximum rate of the first response is frequently greater than the maximum rate of the second response; however, the maximum rate of the second response has not yet been shown to exceed the maximum rate of the first response.

Journal Article↗

Two elongation responses to auxin respond differently to protein synthesis inhibition.

The first and second responses to auxin react differently to the inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide. It was determined that the protein with the shortest half-life, among the several necessary for the first response, is different from its counterpart among the several necessary for the second response. Specifically, the protein half-lives are 28 minutes and 11 minutes for the first and second responses, respectively.

Journal Article↗

Separation of two responses to auxin by means of cytokinin inhibition.

A continuous growth apparatus was used to measure the effect of cytokinin on auxin-induced elongation. The soybean hypocotyl segments elicited a bi-phasic response to auxin that appeared to be two overlapping responses. The first response, which began 12 min after auxin addition, was not inhibited by cytokinin, even after long preincubation in cytokinin, but the second response to auxin, which began about 30 min after auxin addition, was completely inhibited by cytokinin. Such overlapping reactions are shown, depending on the amount of overlap, to yield a variety of summation reactions, many of which resemble rate-time curves that have been previously reported. We have shown that the transient first phase of auxin-induced elongation is very similar to acid-activated growth, while the second phase is long lasting and very likely identical to the long-term response to auxin, as extensively studied in Avena, soybean, and other elongating cells.

Cell Division↗