Proteome basis for the biological variations in color and tenderness of longissimus thoracis muscle from beef cattle differing in growth rate and feeding regime.

The proteome basis for the biological variations in color and tenderness of longissimus thoracis muscle from ½ Angus (Bos taurus taurus) × ½ Nellore (Bos taurus indicus) crossbred steers was evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design consisting of four treatments (n = 9 per treatment): 1) feedlot finished, high growth rate (FH); 2) feedlot finished, low growth rate (FL); 3) pasture finished, high growth rate (PH); and 4) pasture finished, low growth rate (PL). The following comparisons were made to evaluate the effects of finishing systems and growth rates on muscle proteome: 1) FH × PL; 2) FL × PH; 3) FH × FL; and 4) PH × PL. Sixteen protein spots were differentially abundant among these comparisons (P ≤ 0.05), which were distinguished in two major clusters, energy metabolism- and muscle structure-related proteins that impacted glycolysis, carbon metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis and muscle contraction pathways (FDR ≤ 0.05). For FH × PL comparison, triosephosphate isomerase (TPI), phosphoglucomutase-1 (PGM1) and phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) were overabundant in FH beef whereas troponin T (TNNT3), α-actin (ACTA1) and myosin regulatory light chain 2 (MYLPF) were overabundant in PL beef. For the FL × PH comparison, PGM1, phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (PGAM2) and annexin 2 (ANXA2) were overabundant in PH beef. For the FH × FL comparison, AMP deaminase (AMPD1) and serum albumin (ALB) were overabundant in FH beef whereas glycogen phosphorylase (PYGM) was overabundant in FL beef. For the PH × PL comparison, myoglobin (MB) was overabundant in PH beef whereas PYGM and MYLPF were overabundant in PL beef. In non-aged beef, L* was positively correlated with PGM1 (r = 0.54) while tenderness was negatively correlated with PGAM2 (r = -0.74) and ANXA2 (r = -0.60). In 7-d aged beef, color attributes (L*, a* and b*) were positively correlated with PGM1 (r = 0.67, 0.64 and 0.64, respectively) while tenderness was negatively correlated with TNNT3 (r = -0.57), PGK1 (r = -0.52) and MYLPF (r = -0.66). Therefore, finishing systems and growth rate affected the muscle proteome profile, which was related to beef color and tenderness. Additionally, these results suggest potential biomarkers for beef color (PGM1 and PGAM2) and tenderness (ANXA2, MYLPF, PGK1 and TNNT3).

Feeding strategies impact animal growth and beef color and tenderness.

The impact of growth rate (GR) and finishing regime (FR) on growth and meat quality traits of Angus x Nellore crossbred steers, harvested at a constant body weight (530 ± 20 kg) or time on feed (140 days), was evaluated. Treatments were: 1) feedlot, high GR; 2) feedlot, low GR; 3) pasture, high GR and 4) pasture, low GR. Live body composition, carcass and meat quality traits were evaluated. High GR had greater impact on muscle and fat deposition in feedlot-finished, but not in pasture-finished animals. Feedlot animals had higher Longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness, meat luminosity and tenderness when compared to pasture groups. Moreover, pasture- and feedlot-finished animals with similar GR did not differ in the chromatic attributes of non-aged meat, regardless of endpoint. Thus, GR appeared to be the main factor driving beef chromatic parameters, while FR had a major impact on achromatic attributes and tenderness of meat.

Seasonal variations in incidence of femoral fractures in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil / Variações sazonais na incidência de fraturas do fêmur no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil

Abstract Introduction Femoral fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, mainly among older people. Objective To examine the effect of seasonality on hospitalizations due to femur fracture among people residing in the Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil, from 2008 to 2019. Methods Ecological study based on secondary data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS). A total of 74,374 reports of hospital admissions was considered. The generalized additive model (GAM) approach was employed to assess the seasonality of the time series, with stratification by sex and age groups and considering the monthly average number of events of femoral fractures per day as a dependent variable. Results A considerably higher incidence of femoral fractures in women aged 70 years or more was described. Among people aged less than 50 years, there is not an apparent seasonal effect. Men aged 70 years or older and women aged 50 years or older have a higher frequency of hospitalizations due to femur fractures in the colder months. Conclusion Among older people, more femoral fractures occurred during the winter compared to summer. This supports findings from other studies, although reasons for this seasonal variation are uncertain. The knowledge of these seasonal variations can help to plan the health care in the public health system.

Resumo Introdução As fraturas de fêmur são uma das causas principais de morbidade e mortalidade, principalmente entre as pessoas idosas. Objetivo Examinar o efeito da sazonalidade nas hospitalizações devido à fratura do fêmur entre residentes do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil, de 2008 a 2019. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo ecológico baseado em dados secundários do Sistema de Informação Hospitalar do SUS (SIH/SUS). Um total de 74.374 relatórios de internações hospitalares foi considerado. O modelo aditivo generalizado (GAM) foi usado para avaliar a sazonalidade da série temporal, com estratificação por sexo e grupos etários e considerando a média mensal de eventos de fraturas do fêmur por dia como uma variável dependente. Resultados Descreveu-se uma incidência consideravelmente maior de fraturas do fêmur em mulheres com 70 anos de idade ou mais. Entre as pessoas com menos de 50 anos de idade, não há um efeito sazonal aparente. Homens com idade de 70 anos ou mais e mulheres com 50 anos ou mais têm maior frequência de hospitalizações devido a fraturas do fêmur nos meses mais frios. Conclusão Entre as pessoas mais idosas, as fraturas do fêmur ocorreram mais frequentemente durante o inverno em comparação ao verão. Isto reafirma os resultados de outros estudos, embora as razões para esta variação sazonal sejam incertas. O conhecimento destas variações sazonais pode ajudar no planejamento da assistência médica no sistema público de saúde.