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Biomedical subjects

T A Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to T A Murphy.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Refined use of scintigraphy in the evaluation of nodular thyroid disease.

BACKGROUND: Scintigraphy has been advocated in patients with a thyroid nodule when fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is not definitive. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of hyperfunctioning nodules in patients without a definitive FNAB, the correlation of serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels with the functional status of a nodule, and whether a sensitive TSH assay can be used in lieu of scintigraphy. METHODS: From 1990 to 1996, patients with a thyroid nodule were evaluated with FNAB and serum TSH measurement. Iodine-123 scintigraphy was reserved for patients without a definitive FNAB and was correlated with TSH levels. RESULTS: Of 356 patients with a thyroid nodule, 102 did not have a definitive FNAB. A hyperfunctioning nodule was diagnosed in 14 of the 102 patients. A low TSH level was detected in 12 (86%) of 14 patients with a hyperfunctioning nodule (mean = 0.04 +/- 0.38 microIU/mL) and only 20 (23%) of 88 patients with a hypofunctioning nodule (mean = 0.87 +/- 4.11 microIU/mL) (P < .05). Only 2 of 70 (2.8%) patients with a normal or increased TSH level had a hyperfunctioning nodule. CONCLUSIONS: A 14% incidence of hyperfunctioning nodules in patients without a definitive FNAB warrants the use of scintigraphy but only when serum TSH levels are low, thus avoiding unnecessary scans in 91% of patients with a thyroid nodule.

Adolescent↗

Effects of restricted feeding on growth performance and carcass composition of lambs.

Fifty-eight crossbred lambs (26 kg BW) with moderate growth potential were used in a completely randomized design experiment to determine the effects of restricted feeding of all-concentrate diets on performance and carcass composition. Feeding levels studied were 100, 85, and 70% of ad libitum intake. Diets that were restricted-fed were formulated to have increased nutrient concentrations to provide equal daily intakes of protein, vitamins, and minerals among DM intake levels. Lambs were fed to a final weight that would yield carcasses of equal weight (24 kg). Average daily gain was reduced linearly (P < .02) and days on feed were increased linearly (P < .02) because of restricted feeding. Feed efficiency, however, was not affected by intake level. The quantity of separable lean tissue within carcass sides was increased (P < .05) with restricted feeding. Total separable fat within the side was reduced (P < .05) in an amount equal to the increase in lean tissue accretion. Chemical analysis of the carcass side showed a decrease (P < .05) in fat percentage and a corresponding increase (P < .05) in water percentage because of restricted feeding. Daily accretion rates of lean and bone tissue were not affected by restricted feeding; however, fat accretion was decreased linearly with decreasing feeding levels. Separable lean tissue within the primal cuts was generally increased with decreasing intakes, which led to a corresponding decrease in separable fat. Restricted feeding strategies can lead to the production of leaner carcasses. Reductions in fat content occur in the subcutaneous, seam, and mesenteric depot sites, but intramuscular fat content of consumable product also is reduced.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of grain or pasture finishing systems on carcass composition and tissue accretion rates of lambs.

The effects of finishing system on growth performance and carcass composition were determined in an experiment using 40 crossbred, early-weaned lambs (28 kg BW). Finishing systems were 1) grazed alfalfa, 2) 100% concentrate diet fed in drylot, and 3) grazed ryegrass for 42 d followed by a 100% concentrate diet fed in drylot. All lambs were fed to similar final weights (48 kg). Average daily gain was greater for lambs placed directly in the feedlot than for lambs on the other two finishing protocols. The quantity of separable lean tissue and bone were not affected by finishing system. However, quantity of total fat and each of the three major fat depot sites (subcutaneous, seam, and mesenteric) were reduced (P < .05) in alfalfa-finished lambs compared with fat in lambs fed concentrate at some time during finishing. Daily accretion rates of lean and fat tissue were greater (P < .05) for lambs placed directly in drylot than for lambs that consumed forage at some time. In addition, daily fat accretion rates were greater in lambs placed directly in drylot than in lambs that initially grazed ryegrass. Composition of individual primal cuts revealed reductions (P < .05) in total separable fat with alfalfa finishing compared with the other two systems. However, chemical composition of the lean tissue within the primal cuts was not affected by finishing system, with the exception of the loin and breast. Finishing systems based on grazed forage can lead to the production of leaner carcasses, but major differences in the composition of consumable product were not observed.

Adipose Tissue↗

Effects of feeding high-concentrate diets at restricted intakes on digestibility and nitrogen metabolism in growing lambs.

In Trial 1, 12 wether lambs (34.2 +/- .8 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of restricting intake of diets increasing in percentage of concentrate, to achieve isoenergetic intakes, on digestibility and N metabolism. The trial consisted of two 14-d periods, 9 d for adaptation and 5 d for total collection of urine and feces. Treatments were 22, 39, 61, and 92% concentrate diets fed at ad libitum intake and 90, 80, and 70% of ad libitum intake, respectively. Diets were formulated to provide equal daily intakes of ME. Feeding diets increasing in proportion of concentrate at restricted intakes resulted in linear increases (P < .001) in DM, OM, ADF, and NDF digestibilities. Starch digestibility was not affected (P > .10) by intake. Apparent N digestion was improved (P < .001) with restricted feeding of diets containing greater proportions of concentrate. Nitrogen retention was increased (P < .005) for lambs receiving diets containing a greater proportion of concentrate at reduced intakes. In Trial 2, 12 wether lambs (30.6 +/- .6 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of feeding high-concentrate (92%) diets at reduced intakes on digestibility and N metabolism. Diets were fed at ad libitum intake and 90, 80, and 70% of ad libitum intake. The trial consisted of two 14-d periods, similar to Trial 1. Restricting the intake of high-concentrate diets improved (P < .001) digestibility of DM, OM, ADF, starch, and CP. Digestibility of DM, ADF, CP, and starch increased .142, .423, .497, and .046 percentage units, respectively, for each 1% reduction in DM intake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

The influence of intake level and corn processing on digestibility and ruminal metabolism in steers fed all-concentrate diets.

The effects of intake (ad libitum and 70% of ad libitum) and corn processing (whole or rolled) on digestion, ruminal metabolism, and blood metabolites were determined in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment using eight ruminally fistulated steers. All-concentrate diets were fed with adjustments to dietary concentrations of N, vitamins, and minerals to ensure equal daily intake of these nutrients. Digestion of DM, OM, and starch were affected by an intake x processing interaction (P < .03). Starch digestion for the low-intake, whole-corn diet was much lower than that for the other three diets. This decrease in starch digestion was the major reason for the interaction. Nitrogen digestion was improved (P < .03) with limited intake but was not affected by processing. Ruminal volume and ruminal turnover (percentage/hour) were both reduced (P < .03) on the low-intake diet. Molar proportion of acetate was reduced and propionate was increased (P < .01) for steers receiving high intake of rolled corn compared with the other three diets. Butyrate concentrations were increased (P < .01) when corn was rolled before feeding. Ruminal pH was higher immediately before feeding for steers receiving whole corn than for those receiving rolled corn. Decreases in pH were observed for rolled corn 2 to 9 h after feeding, suggesting a faster rate of fermentation of rolled corn than of whole corn. Concentrations of blood glucose and insulin were not affected by intake or processing. It was concluded that processing corn can improve DM and OM digestibility if intake is restricted and that N digestion is improved with restricted feeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ammonia↗

The influence of restricted feeding on site and extent of digestion and flow of nitrogenous compounds to the duodenum in steers.

The effects of restricted feeding on site and extent of digestion, flow of N-containing compounds to the duodenum, and ruminal metabolism were determined. In Trial 1, corn silage-based diets were fed at one of three intakes to three ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers (420 +/- 4.4 kg BW) in a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square experiment. Feeding levels were 100% of ad libitum intake, 90% of ad libitum intake, and 80% of ad libitum intake. Site of digestion was not affected by restricted feeding; however, extent of DM, NDF, and apparent N digestion were increased (P < .03) 2.8, 4.1, and 6.2 percentage units for each 1-kg restriction in DM intake. Restricted feeding increased (P < .06) ruminal pH and ammonia concentrations, decreased (P < .05) ruminal liquid dilution rate, and had no major effects on bacterial concentrations. In Trial 2, all-concentrate diets based on whole shelled corn were fed at 100, 90, or 80% of ad libitum intake to six ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers (440 +/- 4.1 kg BW) in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square experiment. Restricted feeding increased (P < .06) apparent ruminal DM digestion; however, true ruminal OM digestibility was not affected. Extent of apparent N digestion increased 3.0 percentage units for each 1-kg restriction in DMI. Ruminal pH was not affected by restricted feeding; however, ruminal ammonia concentrations increased (P < .06) and ruminal liquid dilution rate decreased (P < .04) with restricted feeding. In both Trials, total N flow to the duodenum was approximately 100% of N intake for the 80% of ad libitum intake. Flow of N exceeded N intake in a linear (P < .01) manner as DMI increased. Decreases in duodenal N flow when intake was restricted resulted from decreases (P < .01) in bacterial N flowing to the duodenum, and also in decreases (P < .01) in non-ammonia, non-bacterial N flow when whole shelled corn-based diets were fed. We concluded that restrictions in digestible energy intake are less than the DM restriction when corn silage-based diets are fed but are equal to the DM restriction when whole shelled corn-based diets are fed. Also, restricted feeding strategies reduce the flow of N to the duodenum from both bacterial and feed origins.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of restricted feeding of growing steers on performance, carcass characteristics, and composition.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of restricted feeding on performance, carcass characteristics, and composition. In Trial 1, 36 individually penned steer calves (280 +/- 13 kg BW) were fed all-concentrate diets at intake levels of ad libitum and 90 and 80% of ad libitum. Trial 2 used 36 individually penned steer calves (298 +/- 14 kg BW) fed corn silage-based growing diets for 84 d followed by 91% concentrate finishing diets. Intakes were as described for Trial 1. Compared with steers with ad libitum intake, ADG was reduced (P < .005) .15 and .25 kg for steers fed 90 and 80% of ad libitum intake, respectively, in Trial 1. In Trial 2, growing phase ADG was reduced (P < .005) .15 and .24 kg for the 90 and 80% of ad libitum feed intake, respectively. Finishing phase ADG was reduced (P < .005) .12 and .21 kg for the 90 and 80% of ad libitum intake, respectively. Feed efficiency was not affected by intake when all-concentrate diets were fed in Trial 1, or when a corn silage-based diet was fed in the growing phase of Trial 2. During the finishing phase of Trial 2, feed efficiency was increased when intake was restricted. Carcass quality grade and 12th rib backfat were reduced (P < .04) with decreases in daily feed intake when all-concentrate diets were fed. However, no effect on carcass characteristics was observed in Trial 2. Liver and heart weights were not affected by daily feed intake. Serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations tended (P = .11) to decrease for cattle receiving restricted intakes of all-concentrate diets and were decreased (P < .04) with intake restriction in Trial 2. Carcass fat content was reduced (P < .02), whereas carcass protein and water were increased (P < .06) with reductions in daily feed intake in both trials. We concluded that restrictedly feeding growing-finishing steer calves does not decrease feed efficiency and actually may improve feed efficiency. Restrictedly fed steers had reduced maintenance requirements, and lean tissue accretion represented a greater percentage of their total gain.

Animal Feed↗