Limousin-cross steers ( n = 135; 258 ± 26 kg) were used to compare forage vs grain feeding on carcass composition and palatability attributes of beef when time on feed was controlled. Diets included a 95% alfalfa silage ration (AS) or a 68% highmoisture corn, 25% alfalfa silage ration (HMC). These were incorporated into six treatments to allow comparisons of end points based on similar days on feed or backfat finish. Dietary treatments included 1 ) HMC ( 4 mm), or cattle allowed ad libitum intake of HMC until slaughter at 4 mm ultrasound backfat; 2 ) AS (HMC-4), or cattle allowed ad libitum intake of AS until slaughter, regardless of finish, when HMC ( 4 mm) cattle were slaughtered; 3 ) AS ( 4 mm), or cattle allowed ad libitum intake of AS until slaughter at 4 mm backfat; 4 ) HMC (AS-4), or cattle allowed ad libitum intake of HMC until slaughter, regardless of finish, when AS ( 4 mm) cattle achieved 4 mm backfat; 5 ) HMC (RES), or cattle fed HMC at restricted intakes until slaughter at 4 mm backfat with feed offered at 75% of intake achieved by HMC ( 4 mm) and HMC (AS-4) cattle; and 6 ) AS ( 8 mm) or cattle allowed ad libitum intake of AS ration until slaughter at 8 mm backfat. Grain feeding generally increased ( P < .01) ADG, carcass weight, grade fat, and intramuscular fat content when compared with forage feeding at similar times on feed. Palatability attributes of ribeye roasts and ground beef were generally unaffected ( P > .10) by diet with the exception of slightly less beef flavor and more offflavor in forage-fed vs grain-fed beef. Higher ( P < .01) concentrations of linolenic acid and lower ( P < .10) concentrations of oleic acid in forage-fed beef may be partially responsible for diet differences in flavor.

We investigated the effects of fish meal (FM) in beef cattle diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acid (FA) composition of longissimus muscle in 63 yearling steers (335 +/- 23 kg). High-moisture corn and alfalfa silage diets were supplemented with either a corn gluten/blood meal mixture or FM at 10% of the diet. Fish meal contained (as-is basis) 5.87 g/kg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 9.84 g/kg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Seven strategies were developed to feed either a control diet (no FM) or diets containing 5 or 10% FM with FM fed for either 56, 112, or 168 d before slaughter. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were not affected (P > .10) by FM feeding but DMI decreased. Within FM diets, cattle fed 5% FM consumed more (P < .01) DM and gained more (P < .02) than cattle fed 10% FM. Carcass traits were not affected (P > .05) by feeding strategy except for fatter (P < .05) and lower (P < .06) yielding carcasses in cattle fed 5 vs 10% FM diets. Fish meal feeding increased (P < .01) concentrations of (n-3) FA, including EPA and DHA, and decreased (P < .05) concentrations of arachidonic acid. Increasing the amount of dietary FM further increased (P < .01) concentrations of EPA and DHA and decreased (P < .05) concentrations of (n-6) FA. We estimate that a 114-g steak from cattle fed 10% FM would supply 35 to 90% of the current average daily intake of EPA and DHA in North America. The results indicate that FM may have a role in niche marketing of beef provided that eating quality is not compromised.

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. 1997. Effect of diet and slaughter endpoint on carcass composition and beef quality in Charolais cross steers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 77: 403-414. One hundred and eight Charolais cross steers were used to compare forage versus grain feeding as affected by slaughter endpoint on carcass composition and palatability attributes of beef. Diets included a 97% alfalfa silage ration or 68% high moisture corn, 25% alfalfa silage ration from start of test to finish or a ration of 97% alfalfa silage from start of test to day 42 of the trial followed by the 68% high moisture corn ration until slaughter. Cattle were slaughtered at either 4, 7, or 10 mm ultrasound backfat. Grain feeding increased (P = 0.01) average daily gain and decreased (P = 0.01) days to finish, while carcass weight and grade fat were similar (P > 0.10) between diets. Palatability attributes were generally unaffected by diet with the exception of slightly less (P = 0.09) beef flavour and more (P = 0.01) off flavour in forage-fed beef versus grain-fed beef. Higher (P = 0.01) concentrations of linolenic acid and lower (P = 0.09) concentrations of oleic acid in forage-fed beef may be partially responsible for diet differences in flavour. As slaughter endpoint increased from 4 to 7 mm backfat, average daily gain, days to finish, and carcass weight increased (P = 0.01). Palatability attributes assessing juiciness and flavour did not differ (P > 0.10) between slaughter endpoints. Beef from cattle slaughtered at 10 mm backfat was rated higher (P < 0.05) for softness, tenderness, and chewiness than beef from cattle slaughtered at 4 and 7 mm finish. Slaughter endpoint effects on "tenderness" attributes may partially explain why less tender beef is entering the marketplace.Key words: Beef cattle, alfalfa, grain, palatability, shear, fatty acids Mandell, I. B., Gullett, E. A., Buchanan-Smith, J. G. et Campbell, C. P. 1997. Effets du régime alimentaire selon l'état corporel final sur la composition de la carcasse et sur la qualité de la viande de bouvillons croisés Charolais. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 77: 403-414. Cent huit bouvillons Charolais croisés ont été utilisés pour comparer l'effet de l'engraissement au fourrage et de l'engraissement au grain selon l'état corporel final désiré sur la composition de la carcasse et sur la qualité de la viande. Les régimes alimentaires étaient : 1) 97 % ensilage de luzerne, 2) 68 % maïs-grain humide et 25 % ensilage de luzerne du début à la fin de l'essai et 3) 97 % ensilage de luzerne jusqu'au 42 e jour, puis 68 % maïs-grain humide jusqu'à l'abattage. Les bêtes étaient abattues quand elles avaient 4, 7 ou 10 mm de gras de couverture, mesuré aux ultrasons. L'engraissement au grain augmentait (P = 0,01) le GMQ et réduisait (P = 0,01) la durée de l'engraissement mais il n'y avait pas de différences (P > 0,10) entre les régimes alimentaires quant au poids de la carcasse ou à la teneur officielle de gras de couverture. Les paramètres d'appétibilité ne variaient dans l'ensemble pas selon le régime d'engraissement, à l'exception d'une légère ...

BackgroundAppropriate management of lung nodules detected incidentally or through lung cancer screening can increase the rate of early-stage diagnoses and potentially improve treatment outcomes. However, the implementation and management of comprehensive lung nodule programs is challenging. MethodsA single-center, retrospective study was conducted to describe the development and outcomes of a lung nodule program at a community practice in Tennessee.ResultsThe number of patients with lung nodules referred to the program increased over 2 years, with 665 patients in Year 1 and 745 patients in Year 2. Most nodules were incidental (60% Year 1, 65% Year 2). In Year 1, 17% of nodules were symptomatic and 12% were identified through screening. Of the 665 nodules in Year 1, 182 underwent a diagnostic intervention and 121 (18%) received a cancer diagnosis. Most diagnostic interventions were image-guided bronchoscopy (88%) or percutaneous biopsy (9%). The proportion of Stage I-II cancer diagnoses increased from 23% prior to program implementation to 36% in Year 1 and 38% in Year 2. Among screening cases, follow-up scans were conducted within 18 months in 71%. Only 2% of patients under watchful waiting required a diagnostic intervention, of which 1% received a cancer diagnosis.ConclusionsThe current study reports outcomes over the first two years of a lung cancer screening and incidental nodule program. The program was successful and manageable, given the appropriate level of data management and oversight. Comprehensive lung nodule programs have the potential to benefit the patient, physician, and hospital system.