Single-nuclei transcriptomes from human adrenal gland reveal distinct cellular identities of low and high-risk neuroblastoma tumors.

Childhood neuroblastoma has a remarkable variability in outcome. Age at diagnosis is one of the most important prognostic factors, with children less than 1 year old having favorable outcomes. Here we study single-cell and single-nuclei transcriptomes of neuroblastoma with different clinical risk groups and stages, including healthy adrenal gland. We compare tumor cell populations with embryonic mouse sympatho-adrenal derivatives, and post-natal human adrenal gland. We provide evidence that low and high-risk neuroblastoma have different cell identities, representing two disease entities. Low-risk neuroblastoma presents a transcriptome that resembles sympatho- and chromaffin cells, whereas malignant cells enriched in high-risk neuroblastoma resembles a subtype of TRKB+ cholinergic progenitor population identified in human post-natal gland. Analyses of these populations reveal different gene expression programs for worst and better survival in correlation with age at diagnosis. Our findings reveal two cellular identities and a composition of human neuroblastoma tumors reflecting clinical heterogeneity and outcome.

Validating the accuracy of activity and rumination monitor data from dairy cows housed in a pasture-based automatic milking system.

Behavioral observations are important in detecting illness, injury, and reproductive status as well as performance of normal behaviors. However, conducting live observations in extensive systems, such as pasture-based dairies, can be difficult and time consuming. Activity monitors, such as those created for use with automatic milking systems (AMS), have been developed to automatically and remotely collect individual behavioral data. Each cow wears a collar transponder for identification by the AMS, which can collect data on individual activity and rumination. The first aim of this study was to examine whether cow activity levels as reported by the AMS activity monitor (ACT) are accurate compared with live observations and previously validated pedometers [IceQube (IQ), IceRobotics, Edinburgh, UK]. The second aim of the study was to determine if the AMS rumination monitors (RUM) provide an accurate account of time spent ruminating compared with live observations. Fifteen lactating Holstein cows with pasture access were fitted with ACT, RUM, and IQ. Continuous focal observations (0600-2000 h) generated data on lying and active behaviors (standing and walking), as well as rumination. Activity recorded by live observation and IQ included walking and standing, whereas IQ steps measured cow movement (i.e., acceleration). Active behaviors were analyzed separately and in combination to ascertain exactly what behavioral components contributed to calculation of ACT "activity." Pearson correlations (rp) were computed between variables related to ACT, RUM, IQ, and live observations of behavior. A linear model was used to assess significance differences in the correlation coefficients of the 4 most relevant groups of variables. Significant but moderate correlations were found between ACT and observations of walking (r(p)=0.61), standing (r(p)=0.46), lying (r(p)=-0.57), and activity (r(p)=0.52), and between ACT and IQ steps (r(p)=0.75) and activity (r(p)=0.58) as well as between RUM and observations of rumination (rp=0.65). These data indicate that ACT and RUM do reflect cow walking and rumination, respectively, but not with a high degree of accuracy, and lying cannot be distinguished from standing.

Genetic and management factors affecting beef quality in grazing Hereford steers.

Attributes contributing to differences in beef quality of 206 Hereford steers finished on pasture were assessed. Beef quality traits evaluated were: Warner-Bratzler meat tenderness and muscle and fat color at one and seven days after slaughter and trained sensory panel traits (tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and marbling) at seven days. Molecular markers were CAPN1 316 and an SNP in exon 2 on the leptin gene (E2FB). Average daily live weight gain, ultrasound monthly backfat thickness gain and rib-eye area gain were estimated. Molecular markers effects on meat quality traits were analyzed by mixed models. Association of meat quality with post weaning growth traits was analyzed by canonical correlations. Muscle color and marbling were affected by CAPN1 316 and E2FB and Warner-Bratzler meat tenderness by the former. The results confirm that marker assisted selection for tenderness is advisable only when beef aging is a common practice. The most important sources of variation in tenderness and color of meat remained unaccounted for.

[The protocolization and follow-up of enteral nutrition. 2 years of experience]. / Protocolización y seguimiento de la nutrición enteral. Dos años de experiencia.

The Artificial Nutrition Unit was set up in 1980 in the Pharmacy Service, with the objective of preparing parenteral nutritional units. Different protocols were prepared, approved by the Commission of Pharmacy and Therapeutics. From 1986 onwards, follow-up was commenced and since March 1988, nutritional evaluation of the patients on enteral nutrition has been performed. Encouraged by the results obtained, a proposal for protocolizing enteral nutrition was put to the Commission of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, which was approved in December 1988. The main objective was to select the enteral diets which would be used as a formula for existing hospital diets and, after establishing this formula, protocolize the indications that would assists in selecting from among the diets available, the ones that would best adapt to the individual needs of each patient. As a secondary objective, the Artificial Nutrition Unit took on the responsibility of processing the medical instructions and dispensing enteral diets using the dosage/patient/day distribution system. It also provides information to medical and nursing staff on existing diets, as well as on rules for administration and storage in nursing units, providing when necessary the most suitable containers, equipment and pumps for administering the diets. It also carries out a nutritional evaluation of patients exclusively on enteral nutrition, as well as follow-up of these. Finally, it prepares the monthly actual cost figures generated by each nursing unit, since diets not administered after twenty-four hours are returned to the Nutrition Unit. One problem existing is the non-administration of products or patients who refuse to take their diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Assessment of nutritional status. One year's experience]. / Valoración del estado nutricional. Un año de experiencia.

UNLABELLED: The nutritional assessment of patients under parenteral nutrition is a highly important parameters. Since March 1988, our Pharmacy Service has been performing routine assessments on these patients starting on the day of admission and at weekly intervals thereafter, in order to correct any possible malnutrition states, and to start the most appropriate nutritional therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A nurse from the Pharmacy Service is in charge of measuring all the anthropometric parameters. The pharmacist responsible for P.N. evaluates the nutritional condition and nutritional needs of parenteral nutrition patients. Each patient and his nutritional needs are evaluated on an individual basis. Patient follow-up is performed according to a well established protocol, and the preparation, dispensing and control of nutrient units are monitored. Nutritional state assessment includes the following points: Patient clinical history: weight loss over 10%, anorexia, current food intake, previous history, clinical condition, disease or surgery, losses, medication, etc. Physical exam: anthropometric measurements, patient general appearance, muscle mass, nervous system. Biochemical data: in order to determine the course of lean body mass, protein synthesis, immunocompetence and stress index. Malnutrition has been classified in two different ways: qualitative, etc.