The Impacts of Feeding Natursafe (an Immune Support Product) on Beef Quality

ObjectivesNaturSafe® (Diamond V, USA) is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product developed as an animal feed supplement for the further manufacture of nutritionally balanced feeds for beef cattle. This immune support product (Association of American Feed Control Officials number 96.8, 73.046 and International Feed Name number 7–05–520, 8–08–034) has been specifically formulated to optimize beef cattle health and performance, antibiotic stewardship, and food safety. Research has shown that NaturSafe supports optimal rumen and liver health, overall health and immune function, consistency of feed intake, daily gain, feed conversion, and antibiotic effectiveness. As no research previously has assessed the impacts of this feed ingredient on the quality of meat, the objective of this research was to characterize the effects of feeding NaturSafe on meat quality characteristics in beef.Materials and MethodsCrossbred steers (N = 60, n = 12 per treatment; mean hot carcass weight = 421 kg), through an antibiotic free production system, were individually fed diets containing 12, 15, or 18 g/d of NaturSafe or a control diet without (–AB) antibiotics or a control with antibiotics (+AB; 330 mg monensin + 110 mg tylosin·steer–1·d–1) for 112 d. Strip loins were collected and aged for 13 or 29 d postmortem prior to fabrication. Steaks (m. Longissimus) were then evaluated for Warner-Bratzler shear force, pH, sarcoplasmic calcium concentration, troponin-T degradation, fatty acid profile, proximate composition, sarcomere length, total collagen and insoluble collagen. After each aging period, steaks were evaluated for lipid oxidation, and color characteristics (L*, a*, b*, discoloration percentage, and percentage surface oxymyoglobin, metmyoglobin and deoxymyoglobin), during and/or after a 7 d simulated retail display period. A subset of samples at various aging and retail display periods were analyzed for lactic acid bacteria (LAB), psychotrophic plate counts (PPC), and aerobic plate counts (APC). Animal was considered the experimental unit and hot carcass weight and marbling score were used as covariates in the analysis.ResultsTreatment had no effect on pH, sarcomere length, troponin-T degradation, fatty acid profile, proximate composition, total collagen, insoluble collagen, LAB, PPC, APC, lipid oxidation, oxymyoglobin percentage, or metmyoglobin percentage. Meat from cattle fed 18 g/d of NaturSafe was (1) equal to–AB controls and had higher shear force values compared to all other treatments (P < 0.01), (2) had higher (P < 0.05) sarcoplasmic calcium levels than +AB controls and cattle fed 12 g of NaturSafe/d, (3) was redder (higher a* values, P < 0.05) than all other treatments, and (4) was yellower (higher b* values, P < 0.01) than the 12 or 15 g dose and the–AB control. There were no differences among treatments fed NaturSafe for lightness (L*) at either aging time. There were no differences for meat from animals fed 12 or 15 g NatureSafe/d, except deoxymyoglobin percent and discoloration, which were both minimal. Discoloration values were low for all treatments (< 10%).ConclusionThese data indicate that feeding NaturSafe had few discernible effects on meat quality characteristics.

Dry Aging of High Ultimate pH Beef

ObjectivesDry aging is a process in which water is removed from the meat by evaporation. As meat loses water, the flavor compounds are concentrated, resulting in stronger flavor. Meat pH may be important when dry aging as it relates to the ability of muscle to bind water. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate pH effects on water loss when dry aging and the effects on meat quality characteristics. Dry aging of dark cutting (DC) beef may improve flavor and increase yield.Materials and MethodsSix USDA low Choice and six dark cutting (DC) carcasses with the same degree of marbling were selected and boneless strip loins from both sides were obtained. Longissimus muscle pH was measured, and carcasses were classified as DC (pH = 6.69), or control (pH = 5.47). Then, strip loins from each animal were assigned to 2 aging methods (wet or dry). The 4 treatments included 2 dry aging (DRY and DRY-DC) and 2 wet-aging treatments (WET and WET-DC). Dry aging occurred in individual dry-aging chambers at 50% relative humidity and 2200 RPM fan speed. The chambers (86 cm Length × 48 cm Width × 35 cm Height) have built-in weighing scales that can continuously monitor weight loss (± 5 g). Wet and dry-aged loins were aged in the same cooler for 45 d at 1°C.After aging, loins were fabricated into steaks and evaluated for trim loss, yield, tenderness (WBSF), color, discoloration, lipid oxidation, and sensory analysis (flavor) via triangle test (n = 32). Steaks assigned for color and lipid oxidation were placed under retail display (RD) at 2°C for 7 d. Rate of moisture loss and color data were analyzed as a split plot design with repeated measures. The TBARS data were analyzed as a split-plot design. All the other data were analyzed as a completely randomized design. Chamber (loin) was considered the experimental unit. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with α = 0.05.ResultsWet-aged treatments had lower moisture loss, trim loss and higher yield than dry-aged treatments (P < 0.05). However, no differences in rate of moisture loss (P = 0.51), total moisture loss (P = 0.96), trim loss (P = 0.69), or yield (P = 0.75) between DRY-DC and DRY were found. There were no differences among treatments for WBSF (P = 0.67). In general, DRY-DC and WET-DC steaks had the lowest lightness (L*) values, redness (a*) values (Fig. 3a), and yellowness (b*) values over the first 5 d of RD (P < 0.05). Discoloration scores for DC steaks remained low throughout the RD period (Fig. 3b). DRY steaks had greater TBARS values than any other treatment at 0 d RD. At 4 and 7 d of RD, DRY-DC and WET-DC steaks had the lowest TBARS values, DRY steaks had the highest, while WET was intermediate (P < 0.001). Results from the triangle test indicated a detectable difference between DRY-DC versus DRY (P = 0.01), DRY-DC versus WET-DC (P = 0.01), DRY-DC versus WET (P = 0.01), and WET-DC versus WET (P < 0.01). Panelists frequently made unsolicited comments which suggested inferior eating satisfaction associated with DC flavor (wet or dry), although they were not asked questions regarding preference.ConclusionUltimate pH did not affect the rate and total moisture loss in dry aged beef. Results suggest that neither yield nor flavor were positively affected by dry aging of DC beef.Figure 3.a) Effect of ultimate pH (Dark cutters [DC] vs. Normal) and aging method (Wet vs. Dry) on objective redness (a*) values of strip loins steaks aged for 45 d through 7 d of retail display. b) Effect of ultimate pH (Dark cutters [DC] vs. Normal) and aging method (Wet vs. Dry) on discoloration (%) of strip loins steaks aged for 45 d through 7 d of retail display. a-c Means within a day with different superscripts are different (P < 0.005).

Color and Lipid Stability of Dry Aged Beef During Retail Display

ObjectivesThere has been an increased interest in merchandising dry-aged steaks at the retail level. Further understanding of the influence of the dry aging process on meat color and lipid stability is needed to ensure dry-aged beef products can be merchandised without adverse impacts on retail display life. Therefore, this study aimed to determine color and lipid stability of steaks from dry-aged beef loins over 7 d (d) of retail display.Materials and MethodsSixteen USDA low Choice boneless strip loins were assigned to one of four aging treatments: vacuum (Wet), dry-aging at 50% relative humidity (RH) (RH50), dry-aging at 70% RH (RH70), or dry-aging at 85% RH (RH85). Dry-aged loins were placed in each assigned dry aging chamber, while wet aged counterparts were aged in vacuum bags in the same cooler. Loins were aged for 42 d at 1°C. After aging, loins were trimmed of dehydrated lean/fat and fabricated into steaks. Steaks were trimmed of subcutaneous fat, and placed on foam trays, overwrapped with oxygen permeable film and placed under retail display (RD) conditions for 7 d at 2°C. Objective color measurements were taken once daily from d 0 to 7 of RD. Trained visual color panelists (n = 6) evaluated surface discoloration from d 0 to 7 of RD once daily. Lipid oxidation was measured via thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay (TBARS) at 0, 4, and 7 d of RD. Color data were analyzed as a split-plot repeated measures design with treatment as the whole-plot and RD time as the repeated measures. TBARS data were analyzed as a split-plot design with aging treatment as the whole-plot, and RD time as the split-plot. In this study, chamber (loin) was considered the experimental unit. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with α = 0.05.ResultsFor all three-color scales, a RD effect was found (P < 0.001). In general, L*, a* and b* values decreased as RD time increased, regardless of the aging treatment. Wet-aged steaks had higher L* (P < 0.05), a* (P < 0.05), and b* values (P < 0.001) than any other dry-aged treatment. No differences in L*, a*, and b* values among dry aging treatments were found (P < 0.05). A 2-way interaction between treatment and RD for discoloration was observed (P < 0.05). No differences were found among treatments over the first 2 d of RD (P > 0.05). Samples began to diverge on Day 3 of RD. Dry-aged steaks had greater discoloration scores (P < 0.05) than wet-aged steaks at 4, 5, 6, and 7 d of RD. However, no differences in discoloration scores among RH treatments were found. There was a RD effect on TBARS values (P < 0.001). Greater TBARS values were found as RD progressed from d 0 to d 4 and d 7, regardless of the aging treatment. A treatment effect was observed for lipid oxidation (P < 0.05). Dry-aged steaks had higher TBARS values than wet-aged steaks. No differences in TBARS values among dry aging treatments were found.ConclusionDry aging of beef resulted in decreased lightness and redness values and increased lipid oxidation compared to wet aging. Results suggest that with prolonged RD dry aging of beef has the potential to reduce color and lipid stability compared to wet-aging and thus reduce display life. Dry-aged steaks met the 20% discoloration threshold and overcame the acceptability threshold of 2.28 mg of malonaldehyde/kg at d 4 of RD, indicating that dry-aged steaks can be merchandised in the retail level for 3 d without detrimental effects on color and lipid oxidation.

Impact of Myoglobin Oxygenation State at Freezing on Color Stability of Frozen Beef

ObjectivesMeat color is the number one factor influencing consumer purchase decisions. The emerging market of frozen meat emphasizes the need to understand beef surface discoloration and the ideal parameters of freezing beef to retain a superior color. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the impacts of oxygenation level and frozen storage duration on frozen beef color.Materials and MethodsUSDA Choice strip loins (n = 36) were aged for 4 d or 20 d. Steaks were randomly assigned to a myoglobin state [deoxymyoglobin (DeOxy; immediately packaged), low oxygenation (LoOxy; oxygenated in air for 30 min), and high oxygenation (HiOxy; packaged for 24 h in 80% O2)]. Steaks were then vacuum packaged in oxygen permeable or impermeable film and immediately frozen (–20°C). Following either 0, 2, 4, or 6 mo of frozen storage, steaks were removed from the packaging and immediately analyzed for instrumental color (L*, a*, b*), delta E (magnitude of difference in the L*, a*, b* color space), subjective discoloration, lipid oxidation (via thiobarbituric acid reactive substances- TBARS), oxygen penetration, percent oxymyoglobin, metmyoglobin, and deoxymyoglobin (via spectrometer), and redness (calculated as 630nm/530nm). Data were analyzed using PROC Glimmix procedure in SAS as a split-split-plot with an incomplete block and a 2 × 3 factorial.ResultsHiOxy steaks had greater oxygen penetration and the highest a* values compared to DeOxy and LoOxy steaks regardless of packaging (P < 0.0005). Conversely, DeOxy steaks exhibited the lowest oxygen penetration and a* values regardless of film (P < 0.0005). HiOxy steaks at 4 d had higher a* values than DeOxy and LoOxy at all storage times (P = 0.0118). HiOxy steaks had the highest delta E values compared to DeOxy and LoOxy in permeable packaging and with increasing storage time an increase in delta E for the HiOxy steaks was observed (P = 0.0010).Redness and percent oxymyoglobin were highest for HiOxy steaks within each storage period (P < 0.0002). HiOxy and LoOxy steaks were similar in percent oxymyoglobin when in permeable packaging film. HiOxy steaks had the highest percent oxymyoglobin and DeOxy had the lowest percent oxymyoglobin within each aging and storage period (P < 0.01). Conversely, DeOxy steaks had the highest percent metmyoglobin and HiOxy had the lowest percent metmyoglobin when packaged in impermeable film (P < 0.0001). Lowest percent metmyoglobin values were from the 4 d HiOxy steaks at 2, 4, and 6 mo of storage (P = 0.0188).The HiOxy 20 d steaks had the highest discoloration compared to 4 d aging and more discoloration than all other myoglobin treatments at 6 mo of storage (P < 0.0001). Lipid oxidation increased with storage time (P = 0.0169). HiOxy 20 d aged steaks exhibited the highest TBARS values at 2, 4, and 6 mo (P = 0.0224). HiOxy and LoOxy were similar in discoloration and lipid oxidation except with the HiOxy 20 d (which were less desirable).ConclusionHiOxy steaks exhibit a brighter and deeper cherry red color compared to the DeOxy steaks. HiOxy steaks were superior or similar when compared to LoOxy steaks but displayed more detrimental effects when frozen storage was extended. Based on the results, HiOxy steaks aged for 4 d give a superior red color for extended storage with few unfavorable effects. However, it is not advised to freeze deoxygenated steaks and expect a cherry red color through frozen storage.

Relationship Between Relative Humidity and Moisture Loss in Dry Aged Beef

ObjectivesThe objective of this research was to assess the impact of low relative humidity (RH) during dry aging on moisture and trim loss, tenderness, and flavor. The working hypothesis was that rapid drying would create a hard crust on the meat surface that could reduce moisture release over time, thereby reducing weight loss, enhancing tenderness (by retaining more water), and altering flavor when compared to dry aging at higher RH.Materials and MethodsSixteen USDA low Choice boneless strip loins were assigned to one of the four aging treatments: vacuum (Wet), dry-aging at 50% RH (RH50), dry-aging at 70% RH (RH70), or dry-aging at 85% RH (RH85). Loins were placed in individual dry aging chambers and aged for 42 d at 1°C and 2200 RPM fan speed. A computerized dry aging system was designed and built that is capable of measuring and precisely controlling RH (± 1%), temperature (± 0.5°C), and air velocity (± 0.1m/s). The chambers have built-in weighing scales that can continuously monitor weight loss (± 5 g). All measured data can be saved on the connected computer in intervals of 1 s. After aging, loins were trimmed of dehydrated fat/lean and evaluated for trim loss. Loins were fabricated anterior to posterior, cut into steaks and evaluated for water activity (aw), Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and by sensory analysis to detect flavor differences via triangle test (n = 32). Rate of moisture loss was analyzed as a split plot design with treatment as the main plot and days of aging as the repeated measures. All the other data were analyzed as a completely randomized design. Chamber (loin) was considered the experimental unit. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with α = 0.05.ResultsThere was a treatment by day interaction for rate of moisture loss (P < 0.001). A faster rate of moisture loss was found for RH50 when compared to RH85 on the first day of aging (P < 0.001), while RH70 was intermediate. Loins dry-aged at RH50 and RH70 had higher rates of moisture loss than RH85 on Days 2 and 3 of aging (P < 0.05). By Day 4, no differences in rate of moisture loss among RH treatments were found (P > 0.05). Wet-aged samples had lower moisture loss (P < 0.001), trim loss (P < 0.001) and higher yield (P < 0.001) than all dry-aged treatments. However, there were no differences among RH treatments for total moisture loss (P > 0.05), trim loss (P > 0.05) and yield (P > 0.05). Steaks from dry-aging treatments had lower aw values (P < 0.001) than steaks from the Wet group. No differences in aw values among RH treatments were found (P > 0.05). There was a location effect for aw values. Samples from the ventral region of the steak had lower aw values than samples from the central and dorsal region (P < 0.001). There were no differences among treatments for WBSF (P > 0.05). Results from the triangle test indicated that there was a detectable difference between Wet and RH70 (P < 0.05). However, there was no detectable difference between RH50 and RH85 (P > 0.05).ConclusionResults suggest that no such case hardening effect occurs when dry aging beef, even when the RH was kept very low (50%) and the total weight loss was 23%. Instead, the lower RH results in more rapid moisture loss at the beginning of the aging process without significantly affecting the total amount of moisture loss. Trim loss, yield, tenderness and flavor were not affected by relative humidity during dry aging.

Acute superior vena cava obstruction following Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy

A 53 year old man developed upper body swelling, hypotension, anuria and a metabolic acidosis within 24 h following an Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy. His co-morbidities included hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, ischaemic heart disease and he was a smoker. He did not have radiotherapy but had received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy through an in-dwelling right subclavian central venous catheter. Azygous vein ligation during oesophagectomy resulted in acute upper body venous hypertension and signs of hypovolaemic shock which were attributed to undiagnosed thrombotic occlusion of the superior vena cava. The patient was anticoagulated and made a full recovery after a period of stay in intensive care.

Drosophila melanogaster NEP2 is a new soluble member of the neprilysin family of endopeptidases with implications for reproduction and renal function

The mammalian neprilysin (NEP) family members are typically type II membrane endopeptidases responsible for the activation/inactivation of neuropeptides and peptide hormones. Differences in substrate specificity and subcellular localization of the seven mammalian NEPs contribute to their functional diversity. The sequencing of the Drosophila melanogaster genome has revealed a large expansion of this gene family, resulting in over 20 fly NEP-like genes, suggesting even greater diversity in structure and function than seen in mammals. We now report that one of these genes (Nep2) codes for a secreted endopeptidase with a highly restricted pattern of expression. D. melanogaster NEP2 is expressed in the specialized stellate cells of the renal tubules and in the cyst cells that surround the elongating spermatid bundles in adult testis, suggesting roles for the peptidase in renal function and in spermatogenesis. D. melanogaster NEP2 was found in vesicle-like structures in the syncytial cytoplasm of the spermatid bundles, suggesting that the protein was acquired by endocytosis of protein secreted from the cyst cells. Expression of NEP2 cDNA in D. melanogaster S2 cells confirmed that the peptidase is secreted and is only weakly inhibited by thiorphan, a potent inhibitor of human NEP. D. melanogaster NEP2 also differs from human NEP in the manner in which the peptidase cleaves the tachykinin, GPSGFYGVR-amide. Molecular modelling suggests that there are important structural differences between D. melanogaster NEP2 and human NEP in the S1' and S2' ligand-binding subsites, which might explain the observed differences in inhibitor and substrate specificities. A soluble isoform of a mouse NEP-like peptidase is strongly expressed in spermatids, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved role for a soluble endopeptidase in spermatogenesis.

Radiographic distribution of intrathoracic disease in previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

An analysis was made of the incidence of various intrathoracic abnormalities noted on plain chest radiographs and tomograms in a consecutive series of 300 patients with untreated Hodgkin's disease and nonHodgkin's lymphoma. Those with Hodgkin's disease have a higher incidence of intrathoracic disease at presentation than those with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (67% vs. 43%). Bulky superior mediastinal lymphadenopathy is the hallmark of Hodgkin's disease. Lung involvement was more common in Hodgkin's disease (11.6% vs. 3.7%) and was always accompanied by mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy.