Unveiling crucial amino acids in the carbohydrate recognition domain of a viral protein through a structural bioinformatic approach.

Carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) are protein domains that typically reside near catalytic domains, increasing substrate-protein proximity by constraining the conformational space of carbohydrates. Due to the flexibility and variability of glycans, the molecular details of how these protein regions recognize their target molecules are not always fully understood. Computational methods, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, have been employed to investigate lectin-carbohydrate interactions. In this study, we introduce a novel approach that integrates multiple computational techniques to identify the critical amino acids involved in the interaction between a CBM located at the tip of bacteriophage J-1's tail and its carbohydrate counterparts. Our results highlight three amino acids that play a significant role in binding, a finding we confirmed through in vitro experiments. By presenting this approach, we offer an intriguing alternative for pinpointing amino acids that contribute to protein-sugar interactions, leading to a more thorough comprehension of the molecular determinants of protein-carbohydrate interactions.

In vitro acaricidal activity of several natural products against ibex-derived Sarcoptes scabiei.

In this study we analysed the effect of the temperature, diverse strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, Lysinibacillus sphaericus and nanoformulations with essential plant oils (EONP) on the survival of Sarcoptes scabiei mites derived from naturally-infested Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). In general, mites maintained at 12ºC survived more than those maintained at 35ºC (40.7 hr and 31.2 hr, respectively). Mites with no treatment survived 27.6 h on average. Mites treated with B. thuringiensis serovar. konkukian and geranium EONP showed significant reduction in their survival. Despite the fact that these agents seem to be promising candidates for controlling sarcoptic mange in the field, further research is still needed to get stable, efficient and eco-friendly acaricides.

Lippia graveolens Essential Oil to Enhance the Effect of Imipenem against Axenic and Co-Cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii.

This research focuses on assessing the synergistic effects of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) essential oil or carvacrol when combined with the antibiotic imipenem, aiming to reduce the pathogenic viability and virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study highlighted the synergistic effect of combining L. graveolens essential oil or carvacrol with imipenem, significantly reducing the required doses for inhibiting bacterial growth. The combination treatments drastically lowered the necessary imipenem doses, highlighting a potent enhancement in efficacy against A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. For example, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for the essential oil/imipenem combinations were notably low, at 0.03/0.000023 mg/mL for A. baumannii and 0.0073/0.000023 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa. Similarly, the combinations significantly inhibited biofilm formation at lower concentrations than when the components were used individually, demonstrating the strategic advantage of this approach in combating antibiotic resistance. For OXA-51, imipenem showed a relatively stable interaction during 30 ns of dynamic simulation of their interaction, indicating changes (<2 nm) in ligand positioning during this period. Carvacrol exhibited similar fluctuations to imipenem, suggesting its potential inhibition efficacy, while thymol showed significant variability, particularly at >10 ns, suggesting potential instability. With IMP-1, imipenem also displayed very stable interactions during 38 ns and demonstrated notable movement and positioning changes within the active site, indicating a more dynamic interaction. In contrast, carvacrol and thymol maintained their position within the active site only ~20 and ~15 ns, respectively. These results highlight the effectiveness of combining L. graveolens essential oil and carvacrol with imipenem in tackling the difficult-to-treat pathogens A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa.

Improvement of digital Gabor holographic microscopy using a lens in plankton studies.

This work utilizes a Gabor Holographic Optical Scheme integrated with a microscope objective and a thin convex plane lens. This bi-telecentric lens system corrects spherical aberration from the objective, maintains consistent magnification across various reconstruction distances, and ensures a plane incidence on CMOS. Depending on the focal lengths of the objective and lens, the final image can be enlarged or reduced compared to the classic Gabor system, resulting in high-quality reconstructed phase images without spherical aberration. This setup was employed to capture phase distribution and intensity images of planktonic objects, such as copepods, achieving superior image quality.

Untangling the truth: User engagement with misinformation in toothache-related Facebook posts.

OBJECTIVE: Social media is a platform for sharing views on aspects of life, including oral health. This study aimed to characterize Facebook posts related to toothache information. METHODS: Two independent investigators retrieved 500 English-language posts with the highest level of interaction using CrowdTangleTM and analyzed their facticity, motivation, author's profile, content, sentiment, and type of post. Data were analysed descriptively and using Pearson's Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests and multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Most posts were produced by regular users and were not financially motivated, although commercial posts had significantly higher total interaction among users. While link- or video-containing posts (OR = 1.66) and posts with positive sentiments (OR = 1.53) were associated with users' total interaction, older (OR = 1.81) and link- or video-containing posts (OR = 2.04) were associated with overperforming scores. Misinformation was positively associated with financial motivation (OR = 2.03) and positive sentiments (OR = 3.79). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of addressing the spread of misinformation related to oral health on social media and taking steps to ensure that accurate and reliable information is readily available. Toothache-related misinformation was associated with positive sentiments and financial motivation. Links, videos, and positive sentiments awakened greater user engagements with toothache-related posts.

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Organoids Reveal a Role for WNT Signaling in Dorsal-Ventral Patterning of the Hindgut.

The cloaca is a transient structure that forms in the terminal hindgut giving rise to the rectum dorsally and the urogenital sinus ventrally. Similarly, human hindgut cultures derived from human pluripotent stem cells generate human colonic organoids (HCOs) which also contain co-developing urothelial tissue. In this study, our goal was to identify pathways involved in cloacal patterning and apply this to human hindgut cultures. RNA-seq data comparing dorsal versus ventral cloaca in e10.5 mice revealed that WNT signaling was elevated in the ventral versus dorsal cloaca. Inhibition of WNT signaling in hindgut cultures biased their differentiation towards a colorectal fate. WNT activation biased differentiation towards a urothelial fate, giving rise to human urothelial organoids (HUOs). HUOs contained cell types present in human urothelial tissue. Based on our results, we propose a mechanism whereby WNT signaling patterns the ventral cloaca, prior to cloacal septation, to give rise to the urogenital sinus.

Prison as a driver of recent transmissions of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Callao, Peru: a cross-sectional study.

Background: We sought to identify resistance patterns and key drivers of recent multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) transmission in a TB-prevalent area in Peru. Methods: Cross-sectional study including MDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Mtbc) strains identified in Callao-Peru between April 2017 and February 2019. Mtbc DNA was extracted for whole genome sequencing which was used for phylogenetic inference, clustering, and resistance mutation analyses. Clusters indicative of recent transmission were defined based on a strain-to-strain distance of ≤5 (D5) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Epidemiologic factors linked to MDR-TB clustering were analyzed using Poisson regression. Findings: 171 unique MDR-Mtbc strains were included; 22 (13%) had additional fluoroquinolone resistance and were classified as pre-XDR. Six strains (3.5%) harboured bedaquiline (BDQ) resistance mutations and were classified as MDR + BDQ. 158 (92%) Mtbc strains belonged to lineage 4 and 13 (8%) to lineage 2. Using a cluster threshold of ≤5 SNPs, 98 (57%) strains were grouped in one of the 17 D5 clusters indicative of recent transmission, ranging in size from 2 to the largest cluster formed by 53 4.3.3 strains (group_1). Lineage 4.3.3 strains showed the overall highest cluster rate (43%). In multivariate analyses, current or previous imprisonment was independently associated with being part of any MDR-TB transmission clusters (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 1.45; 95% CI, 1.09-1.92). Interpretation: Pre-XDR-TB emerged in more than 10% of the MDR-TB strains investigated. Transmission of 4.3.3 Mtbc strains especially of the dominant group_1 clone is a major driver of the MDR-TB epidemic in Callao. Current or previous imprisonment was linked to recent MDR-TB transmissions, indicating an important role of prisons in driving the MDR-TB epidemic. Funding: This work was supported in part by the ERANet-LAC Network of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean Countries on Joint Innovation and Research Activities, and FONDECYT. Additional support was received from Leibniz Science Campus Evolutionary Medicine of the Lung, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, under Germany's Excellence Strategy-EXC 2167 Precision Medicine in Inflammation), and the Research Training Group 2501 TransEvo.

Complexation of the Antihypertensive Drug Olmesartan with Zn: In Vivo Antihypertensive and Cardiac Effects.

This study is based on the premise that the application of chemical synthesis strategies to structurally modify commercial drugs by complexation with biometals is a valid procedure to improve their biological effects. Our purpose is to synthesize a compound with greater efficacy than the original drug, able to enhance its antihypertensive and cardiac pharmacological activity. Herein, the structure of the coordination compound of Zn(II) and the antihypertensive drug olmesartan, [Zn(Olme)(H2O)2] (ZnOlme), is presented. After 8 weeks of treatment in SHR male rats, ZnOlme displayed a better blood pressure-lowering activity compared with olmesartan, with a noticeable effect even in the first weeks of treatment, while ZnCl2 showed similar results than the control. ZnOlme also reduced left ventricle (LV) weight and left ventricle/tibia length ratio (LV/TL), posterior wall thickness (PWT), and intraventricular septum in diastole (IVSd) suggesting its potential to prevent LV hypertrophy. Besides, ZnOlme reduced interstitial fibrosis (contents of collagen types I and III, responsible for giving rigidity and promoting vascular elasticity, respectively). The recovery of heart function was also evidenced by fractional shortening (diastolic left ventricular/systolic left ventricular) diameter determinations. Furthermore, ZnOlme increased the antioxidant capacity and prevented cardiac oxidative stress: it enhanced the reduction of reactive oxygen species generation, exerted a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation and enhanced glutathione contents in heart tissues compared to the control, Zn, and olmesartan treatments. Our results demonstrate that continuous oral administration of ZnOlme causes a better antihypertensive effect and grants enhancement of cardioprotection through antioxidant activity, in combination with hemodynamic improvement.

Improvement of the cardiovascular effect of methyldopa by complexation with Zn(II): Synthesis, characterization and mechanism of action.

BACKGROUND: the antihypertensive drug α-methyldopa (MD) stands as one of the extensively used medications for managing hypertension during pregnancy. Zinc deprivation has been associated with many diseases. In this context, the synthesis of a Zn coordination complex [Zn(MD)(OH)(H2O)2]·H2O (ZnMD) provide a promising alternative pathway to improve the biological properties of MD. METHODS: ZnMD was synthesized and physicochemically characterized. Fluorescence spectral studies were conducted to examine the binding of both, the ligand and the metal with bovine serum albumin (BSA). MD, ZnMD, and ZnCl2 were administered to spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) rats during 8 weeks and blood pressure and echocardiographic parameters were determined. Ex vivo assays were conducted to evaluate levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and nitric oxide (NO). Cross-sectional area (CSA) and collagen levels of left ventricular cardiomyocytes were also assessed. Furthermore, the expression of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits (gp91phox and p47phox) and Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) was quantified through western blot analysis. RESULTS: The complex exhibited a moderate affinity for binding with BSA showing a spontaneous interaction (indicated by negative ΔG values) and moderate affinity (determined by affinity constant values). The binding process involved the formation of Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. Upon treatment with MD and ZnMD, a reduction in the systolic blood pressure in SHR was observed, being ZnMD more effective than MD (122 ± 8.1 mmHg and 145 ± 5.6 mmHg, at 8th week of treatment, respectively). The ZnMD treatment prevented myocardial hypertrophy, improved the heart function and reduced the cardiac fibrosis, as evidenced by parameters such as left ventricular mass, fractional shortening, and histological studies. In contrast, MD did not show noticeable differences in these parameters. ZnMD regulates negatively the oxidative damage by reducing levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation, as well as the cardiac NAD(P)H oxidase, and increasing SOD1 expression, while MD did not show significant effect. Moreover, cardiac nitric oxide levels were greater in the ZnMD therapy compared to MD treatment. CONCLUSION: Both MD and ZnMD have the potential to be transported by albumin. Our findings provide important evidence suggesting that this complex could be a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction.

Gastrointestinal Kaposi Sarcoma without Dermatological Lesions: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Kaposi sarcoma is a malignancy of the vascular endothelium. It is associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection, typically found with HIV/AIDS. It is rarely seen presenting as visceral involvement without any cutaneous lesions. Few case reports have described this. CASE REPORT We report a case of visceral Kaposi sarcoma (specifically, gastrointestinal lesions) without any cutaneous lesions in a 35-year-old man with HIV/AIDS who presented with abdominal pain, fatigue, and melena of a 15-day duration. Physical examination revealed tachycardia and hypertension, with a negative orthostatic sign. There were no visible signs of bleeding or cutaneous lesions, no abdominal pain, and a digital rectal examination was negative. Laboratory test results were significant for severe microcytic anemia, with hemoglobin level of 3.3 g/dL, decreased ferritin and iron levels, high red cell distribution width, and reticulocyte index lower than appropriate for anemia level. The absolute CD4 count was 33/uL, and the viral load was 56 895 copies/mL. Hemoglobin was optimized with packed red cells prior to endoscopy, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis was started. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy revealed small and large bowel hemorrhagic stellate and annular lesions of varying sizes. Pathology reports from biopsy of the lesions seen in the procedure reported Kaposi sarcoma positive for HHV-8. He underwent chemotherapy with doxorubicin and showed clinical and laboratory improvement after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Kaposi sarcoma should be considered and investigated in patients with HIV/AIDS who are not on highly active antiretroviral therapy and present with gastrointestinal bleeding as an initial symptom, without any cutaneous lesions.

Elucidating Best Geospatial Estimation Method Applied to Environmental Sciences.

The aim of this study is to assess and identify the most suitable geospatial interpolation algorithm for environmental sciences. The research focuses on evaluating six different interpolation methods using annual average PM10 concentrations as a reference dataset. The dataset includes measurements obtained from a target air quality network (scenery 1) and a sub-dataset derived from a partitive clustering technique (scenery 2). By comparing the performance of each interpolation algorithm using various indicators, the study aims to determine the most reliable method. The findings reveal that the kriging method demonstrates the highest performance within environmental sciences, with a spatial similarity of approximately 70% between the two scenery datasets. The performance indicators for the kriging method, including RMSE (root mean square error), MAE (mean absolute error), and MAPE (mean absolute percentage error), are measured at 3.2 µg/m3, 10.2 µg/m3, and 7.3%, respectively.This study addresses the existing gap in scientific knowledge regarding the comparison of geospatial interpolation techniques. The findings provide valuable insights for environmental managers and decision-makers, enabling them to implement effective control and mitigation strategies based on reliable geospatial information and data. In summary, this research evaluates and identifies the most suitable geospatial interpolation algorithm for environmental sciences, with the kriging method emerging as the most reliable option. The study's findings contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field and offer practical implications for environmental management and planning.

Enfermedades emergentes, pobreza y hambre / Emerging diseases, poverty and hunger

La pobreza y el hambre son elementos significativos para la prevalencia de las enfermedades emergentes, además de la ignorancia, la indigencia, las falencias sanitarias y los cambios ambientales debidos al calentamiento global. La desnutrición es consecuencia de la pobreza y ésta es causa de desnutrición. Los niños que viven en condiciones de mayor vulnerabilidad tienen un riesgo alto de morir por diarrea, neumonía y enfermedades emergentes. La mayoría son desnutridos. Su futuro en la adultez guarda relación con la desnutrición en la infancia. En el mundo 820 millones de niños padecen hambre y mueren anualmente 3 millones de menores de 5 años, según datos del Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia. En Argentina, según datos del segundo semestre de 2022, un 39,2% de la población es pobre (Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos). El 15,5% de niños y adolescentes padecen inseguridad alimentaria y 2 millones de niños padecen hambre (Médicos sin Fronteras). La tasa de mortalidad infantil en menores de 5 años tiene una prevalencia del 0,4%. Los cambios climáticos ejercen influencia sobre la salud, produciendo cambios en la epidemiologia de las enfermedades emergentes, mientras que la insuficiente alimentación ocasiona efectos negativos sobre la salud. El calentamiento global aumenta las inundaciones y las sequías, incidiendo en la escasez de alimentos e incrementando las enfermedades emergentes. La situación debe ser revertida mediante el desarrollo sostenido de la educación, el bienestar social y los proyectos sanitarios. (AU)

Poverty and hunger are significant elements for the prevalence of emerging diseases, in addition to ignorance, indigence, sanitary deficiencies and environmental changes due to global warming. Malnutrition is a consequence of poverty and poverty is a cause of malnutrition. Children living in more vulnerable conditions are at greater risk of dying from diarrhea, pneumonia and emerging diseases. Most are malnourished. Their future in adulthood is related to malnutrition in childhood. Worldwide, 820 million children suffer from hunger and 3 million children under 5 die annually (United Nations Children's Fund). In Argentina, according to data from the second half of 2022, 39.2% of the population is poor (Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos). 15.5% of children and adolescents are food insecure and 2 million children are hungry (Médecins Sans Frontières). The infant mortality rate in children under 5 years of age has a prevalence of 0.4%. Climate change influences health, producing changes in the epidemiology of emerging diseases, while insufficient food has negative effects on health. Global warming increases floods and droughts, leading to food shortages and increasing emerging diseases. The situation must be reversed through sustained development of education, social welfare and health projects. (AU)

Development of functional resident macrophages in human pluripotent stem cell-derived colonic organoids and human fetal colon.

Most organs have tissue-resident immune cells. Human organoids lack these immune cells, which limits their utility in modeling many normal and disease processes. Here, we describe that pluripotent stem cell-derived human colonic organoids (HCOs) co-develop a diverse population of immune cells, including hemogenic endothelium (HE)-like cells and erythromyeloid progenitors that undergo stereotypical steps in differentiation, resulting in the generation of functional macrophages. HCO macrophages acquired a transcriptional signature resembling human fetal small and large intestine tissue-resident macrophages. HCO macrophages modulate cytokine secretion in response to pro- and anti-inflammatory signals and were able to phagocytose and mount a robust response to pathogenic bacteria. When transplanted into mice, HCO macrophages were maintained within the colonic organoid tissue, established a close association with the colonic epithelium, and were not displaced by the host bone-marrow-derived macrophages. These studies suggest that HE in HCOs gives rise to multipotent hematopoietic progenitors and functional tissue-resident macrophages.

"Zoom"ing to the Kitchen: A Novel Approach to Virtual Nutrition Education for Medical Trainees.

While nutritional interventions are first-line therapy for many chronic diseases, most medical trainees receive minimal nutrition education, leaving them unprepared to address nutritional issues with patients. An interactive, single-session, virtual nutrition curriculum was taught online to 80 physician assistant (PA) students. Topics included plant-based nutrition, dietary history-taking and counseling, and culinary medicine. Students were surveyed before, immediately after, and four weeks after the curriculum to assess changes to nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and personal dietary behaviors. Seventy-three PA students (91%) completed the pre-survey, 76 (95%) completed the post-survey, and 42 (52.5%) completed the delayed post-survey. Knowledge scores increased immediately post-intervention (48.9% to 78.9%; p < 0.001) and persisted four weeks later (78.9% to 75.8%; p = 0.54). Post-intervention, students felt more confident in dietary history-taking (55% vs. 95%; p = 0.001) and nutrition counseling (53% vs. 84%; p = 0.003) and agreed that dietary changes alone could reverse type 2 diabetes (74% vs. 97%; p = 0.027) and coronary artery disease (66% vs. 92%; p = 0.039). Curricula using virtual teaching kitchens may be a scalable approach to nutrition education for medical trainees.

Peritoneal sarcoidosis that simulates peritoneal carcinomatosis: a case report.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown cause characterized by the formation of pleomorphic, non-caseating granulomas with predominantly pulmonary involvement. Although abdominal sarcoidosis represents 30% of extrapulmonary manifestations, peritoneal involvement is extremely rare. We will describe a rare case of peritoneal sarcoidosis simulating carcinomatosis in a young patient with abdominal pain who underwent laparoscopic examination.

La sarcoidosis es un trastorno inflamatorio multisistémico de causa desconocida que se caracteriza por la formación de granulomas pleomórficos, no caseificantes, con afectación predominantemente pulmonar. Aunque la sarcoidosis abdominal representa el 30% de las manifestaciones extrapulmonares, la afectación peritoneal es extremadamente rara. Describiremos un caso poco frecuente de sarcoidosis peritoneal simulando carcinomatosis en una paciente joven con dolor abdominal sometida a exploración laparoscópica.

Triquinosis: el impacto sanitario de una patología emergente / Trichinosis: the health impact of an emerging pathology

La triquinosis es una zoonosis que afecta a los animales y al hombre, y es ocasionada por la ingestión de la larva Trichinella spiralis que habita en el músculo de los animales hospedadores y, tras ser ingerida por el hombre, pasa a la pared intestinal de éste donde se multiplica y sus embriones emigran a los músculos. De 1990 a 1999 se reportaron 5.217 casos y en otro posterior de 2014 a 2018 fueron 5.211 casos. Con un promedio anual de 579 casos y de 1302 casos. Como resultado del cambio climático, la triquinosis se traslada de climas fríos a templados, lo que la torna una enfermedad emergente. El cuadro clínico puede presentarse en forma benigna o aguda, y su evolución abarca un período de un año; en ocasiones provoca la muerte por complicaciones. El hombre es responsable de la crianza, la alimentación y el control sanitario del cerdo y de sus productos para consumo. Consideramos a esta zoonosis, un indicador del desarrollo de los pueblos. Con educación, cambios de conducta y cumplimiento de las normas sanitarias, se actuará en beneficio de la salud y el bienestar de la población. (AU)

Trichinosis is a zoonosis that affects animals and humans. It is caused by the ingestion of a larva called Trichinella spiralis which lives in the muscle of host animals. After being ingested by humans, the larva passes to the intestinal wall where it multiplies, and its embryos migrate to the muscles. From 1990 to 1999, 5.217 cases were reported, and in a later period from 2014 to 2018, there were 5.211 cases. With an annual average of 579 cases and 1.302 cases, respectively. As a result of climate change, trichinosis moves from cold to temperate climates making it an emerging disease. The clinical presentation can range from benign to acute, with an evolution period of 1 year; and sometimes it causes death due to complications. Humans are responsible for raising, feeding, and ensuring sanitary control of pigs and their products for consumption. We consider this zoonosis an indicator of the development of communities. Through education, behavioral changes, and compliance with sanitary regulations, actions can be taken to promote the health and welfare of the population. (AU)

A new species of Comahuesuchus Bonaparte, 1991 (Crocodyliformes: Notosuchia) from the Upper Cretaceous of Neuquén, Lake Barreales, Patagonia, Argentina.

Notosuchian crocodyliforms were major components of the South American Cretaceous biota and, for over 125 years, paleontological fieldwork in this continent recovered several well-preserved fossils of these animals. They are largely recognized for terrestrial life and specialized feeding habits, frequently presenting bizarre taxa such as Comahuesuchus. A new species, Comahuesuchus bonapartei n. sp. (MUCPv 597; cast MN), is described from geological strata of Sierra Barrosa Formation (Upper Turonian) and Portezuelo Formation (Lower Coniacian) of Lake Barreales, Patagonia, Argentina. The new fossil comprises a right dentary bone that shares important and unique anatomical features with specimens of Comahuesuchus brachybuccalis, such as the presence of a well-marked shelf on the lateral surface of the bone; a flat, low, and wide mandibular symphysis; an enlarged, labiolingually compressed caniniform tooth at caudal position in the dentary; the presence of serrated mesial and distal carinae in the caniniform with a faceted labial surface, and the absence or extremely reduction in number of the postcaniniform dentition. C. bonapartei differs from C. brachybuccalis in having individual dentary alveoli, rather a dentition set in groove. Phylogenetic analyses support a sister-relationship between both species, which are well nested within notosuchians.

The Quality of Violence Risk Formulation and a Quasi-Forensic Mental Health Training Experiment / La calidad de la formulación de riesgo de violencia y un cuasi-experimento de entrenamiento en salud mental forense.

Objectives: The study was aimed at measuring the impact of training on forensic case formulation in mental health and to provide more evidence on the reliability of the TEC-F. Method: Nine psychiatrists and six psychologists from various Latin American countries participated in a quasi-pedagogical experiment. The quality of formulations was independently and blindly measured pre- and post-intervention with the TEC-F and the assignment of two standard vignettes was also randomly manipulated. Quality mean differences and instrument reliability indicators were calculated. Results: The values of intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.92; 0.94; 0.83; 0.93 and 0.95 and the values of Cronbach's alpha coefficient were 0.83; 0.94; 0.63; 0.77 and 0.93, for the dimensions transparency, specificity, communication, reasoning and for the total TEC-F respectively. The results of the 19-day test-retest were excellent. The mean TEC-F total quality pre-course was 31.4 and the mean post-course, 38.4 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001 for group test and paired test respectively). Conclusions: The pedagogical intervention produced a significant improvement in the quality of the expert's formulations. The study added evidence supporting the TEC-F reliability.

OBJETIVOS: El estudio se propuso medir el impacto de un entrenamiento sobre formulación pericial del caso forense en salud mental y extender evidencias relacionadas con la confiabilidad de la TEC-F. MÉTODO: Nueve psiquiatras y seis psicólogos de diversos países latinoamericanos participaron de un cuasi-experimento pedagógico. Se midió independientemente y a ciegas la calidad de las formulaciones con la TEC-F pre y post intervención y también se manipuló aleatoriamente la asignación de dos viñetas estándares. Se calcularon diferencias de medias e indicadores de confiabilidad del instrumento. RESULTADOS: Los valores de coeficientes de correlación intraclase fueron 0,92; 0,94; 0,83; 0,93 y 0,95 y los valores del coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach fueron 0,83; 0,94; 0,63; 0,77 y 0,93, para las dimensiones transparencia, especificidad, comunicación, fundamentación y para el total TEC-F respectivamente. Los resultados del test-retest a 19 días fueron excelentes. La media de calidad total TEC-F precurso fue 31,4 y la media post curso, 38,4 (p = 0,003 y p = 0,001 para prueba grupal y para prueba apareada respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: La intervención pedagógica produjo una significativa mejoría en la calidad de las formulaciones periciales. El estudio adicionó evidencias sosteniendo la confiabilidad de la TEC-F.