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Graphical abstract

A comparison was undertaken of 85 Holstein x Friesian (HF) and 84 Friesian (F) steer carcasses that had been produced on three production systems. These were: intensive barley beef (BB); grass/cereal 18 month; and 24 month forage system. On each system, HF steers were heavier at slaughter (over all systems,

A comparison was undertaken of 92 Canadian Holstein × British Friesian (HF) and 93 British Friesian (F), autumn born, male calves on three typical United Kingdom production systems. These were: intensive barley beef system (BB); a grass/cereal 18-month system (18m); and 24-month forage system (24m). Calves were brought in from a variety of farms. HF calves were heavier on arrival (43·1 v. 40.7 kg ***). The calves were the progeny of 27 Canadian Holstein and 43 British Friesian sires, and all out of British Friesian dams. They were castrated and reared conventionally to 100 kg before being allocated to treatment. Slaughter was undertaken when subjective handling suggested that the carcass would classify as fat-class 2 on the Meat and Livestock Commission classification scheme (equivalent to European Economic Community fat-class 3), provided that a minimum live weight (BB, 380 kg; 18m/24m, 420 kg) was achieved. There were no differences between breeds in daily live-weight gain on any system. Other results, HF first, follow. At slaughter, HF were both older (BB, 362 v. 342 days **; 18m, 591 v. 558 days ***; 24m, 716 v. 673 days ***) and heavier (BB, 413 v. 395 kg ***; 18m, 486 v. 469 kg NS; 24m, 531 v. 496 kg ***). Efficiency of food conversion, measured on the BB system only, was not significantly different (5·83 v. 5·84).

A woman in her 70s presented to her general practitioner (GP) with a 3-month history of left upper arm pain and weakness. A significant difference in bilateral blood pressures was noted and a further history elicited coolness in her left arm without functional compromise. A CT angiography revealed variant subclavian steal syndrome with a subclavian arterial stenosis, which was proximal to both the internal mammary and thyrocervical trunk and her left vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch. She was referred to a vascular surgeon but declined surgical intervention. Her symptoms remain stable with 6-month follow-up from her GP. This case highlights the importance of considering vascular aetiologies in upper limb pain and weakness. Our case reviews the differential diagnoses of upper limb pain and weakness, consequently leading to the discussion of an interesting variant of subclavian stenosis.