RESUMEN
American Wagyu × Angus steers (n = 15) and heifers (n = 26) were finished to typical Japanese market weight and degree of finish using two different feeding methods. The first method (deferred) consisted of two growing/ finishing phases: a forage-based diet for approximately 8 months followed by a high concentrate diet fed ad libitum for an additional 8 months while the second finishing method (linear) was designed to produce a linear rate of gain for the entire 16 months that the cattle were on feed. Even though there were substantial differences in daily weight gain (P < 0.05) within the two growing/finishing phases, total weight gain for the entire 16 months was not different between the two feeding methods (P > 0.05). Cattle produced by the linear growth method were superior to deferred growth cattle for carcass weight (as estimated by cold left side weight), rib thickness, dressing percentage, marbling score, fat color, fat luster, fat quality, as well as in scores for meat color, brightness, firmness and texture (P < 0.05). Fat thickness was not affected by treatment (P > 0.05). These data indicate that the linear method of production is more consistent with producing carcasses for the Japanese beef market.
RESUMEN
We describe our early operative experience with a new pelvic reduction frame and the standard of reduction of fractures of the pelvic ring which we achieved in the first 35 consecutive patients, with 34 acute fractures and one nonunion. The pre-operative and immediate post-operative radiographs were measured, using two methods, to find the maximum radiological displacement of the fracture and the quality of the reduction according to the criteria of Tornetta and Matta. There were 19 vertical shear fractures and 16 compression injuries. The mean age of the patients was 33.5 years (10 to 59) and mean delay to surgery was 4.6 days (0 to 16) in the 34 acute injuries. The mean operative time in isolated procedures was 103.4 minutes (SD 6.5). All but one patient had iliosacral screws implanted, 18 had screws in the anterior column, six had plates at the symphysis pubis and 12 had anterior external fixators. The mean maximum horizontal or vertical displacement was improved from 30.8 mm (SD 2.7) to a mean of 7.1 mm (SD 0.7). The reduction was assessed as excellent in ten patients, good in 18, and fair in the remainder. There was no significant influence on the quality of the reduction caused by obesity (p = 0.34), the type of fracture (p = 0.41) or delay to surgery (p = 0.83). The frame was shown to be effective, allowing the surgeon to obtain a satisfactory reduction and fixation of acute displaced disruptions of the pelvic ring.