Moisture content in diets in the co-feeding phase of Pseudoplatystoma sp. influences performance and digestive process.

Live food in the initial life stages of neotropical fish is essential for their development and health; however, it can significantly increase production costs. This study uses complete diets with varying moisture contents (47%, 35%, 24%, and 8%) as a cost-effective alternative in the co-feeding phase of surubim larvae, assessing their influence on development, digestive enzymes, and liver metabolism. In a completely randomized design, 3200 three-day-old Pseudoplatystoma sp. larvae (0.001 g) were distributed evenly among 16 aquariums (20 L), with 200 individuals per aquarium. For the first five days, all larvae were fed Artemia exclusively, after which they were fed experimental diets with varying levels of humidity (47%, 35%, 24%, and 8%) six times a day across four treatments and four replicates. The 21-day feeding trial demonstrated that larvae fed with 24% and 8% moisture diets exhibited increased (p < 0.05) weight gain, final length, and protein efficiency rate. The remaining growth parameters (i.e., specific growth rate and condition factor) did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) among the dietary treatments. Enzymatic analysis revealed that the 47% moisture diet enhanced the amylase and alkaline phosphatase activities, whereas the 24% and 35% moisture diets elevated the lipase and protease activities. The 47% moisture diet also resulted in increased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and albumin levels, along with visible hepatic histopathologies in samples, such as visible lipid vacuoles, displacement of the nucleus of the hepatocyte, and increased sinusoid spaces. No significant liver changes were observed in fish fed with other diets. Principal component analysis showed that diets with 8-24% moisture content were the most beneficial during the co-feeding phase of surubim larviculture.

Production and Chemical Characterization of Silage from Saccharine Sorghum Fertirrigated with Sugarcane Vinasse.

BACKGROUND: Distillery vinasse is one of the promising bio-fertilizers, as it contains significant amounts of essential chemical elements, allied with sorghum that is widely used in the diet of ruminant animals and has been considered as an alternative to the production of other cereals or forages. This study aimed to evaluate saccharin sorghum silage from fertilization with vinasse. METHODS: The research was conducted using the BRS-511, CR-1339, and CR-1342 geno-types. The silage was held for 170 days after sowing, with experimental design in blocks with triple factorial (genotypes x fertilization x inoculation) totaling 54 installments. At 95 days, the silos were opened for sample collection and analysis bromatological analysis. RESULTS: The results indicate the primary source of variation was genotype, characterizing them with different potentials in productivity and better results for BRS-511, CR-1339, and CR-1342. The bromatological results indicate good quality for CR-1339 and CR-1342 hybrids, however, better digestability for BRS-511. There was no observable difference between the factors of fertilization. The inoculation additive assists in the reduction of lignin appears to be high. PCA analysis showed differences between cultivars (BRS-511, CR-1339, and CR-1342) and fertili-zation. However, the PCAs showed the genotypes show similar results with conventional ferti-lization and sugarcane vinasse. CONCLUSION: The study reflected the possibility of producing sweet sorghum silage with soil sugarcane vinasse fertilization as fertilizer.

The effects of probiotic-based additives on aflatoxin intoxication in Piaractus mesopotamicus: a study of liver histology and metabolic performance.

Mycotoxins, produced by fungi, can contaminate fish food and harm their health. Probiotics enhance immune balance and primarily function in the animal intestine. This study aimed to assess aflatoxin's impact on Piaractus mesopotamicus and explore probiotic-based additive (PBA) benefits in mitigating these effects, focusing on antioxidant activity, biochemical indices, and hepatic histopathology. Two experiments were conducted using P. mesopotamicus fry. The first experimental assay tested various levels of aflatoxin B1 (0.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100.0, 200.0, and 400.0 µg kg-1) over a 10-day period. The second experimental assay examined the efficacy of the probiotic (supplemented at 0.20%) in diets with different levels of aflatoxin B1 (0.0, 25.0, and 400.0 µg kg-1) for 15 days. At the end of each assay, the fish underwent a 24-hour fasting period, and the survival rate was recorded. Six liver specimens from each treatment group were randomly selected for metabolic indicator assays, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and albumin. Additionally, histopathological analysis was performed on six specimens. The initial study discovered that inclusion rates above 25.0 µg kg-1 resulted in decreased activity of AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), ALB (albumin), CAT (catalase), and SOD (superoxide dismutase), accompanied by liver histopathological lesions. In the second study, the inclusion of PBA in diets contaminated with AFB1 improved the activity of AST and ALT up to 25.0 µg kg-1 of AFB1, with no histopathological lesions observed. The study demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of PBA in diets contaminated with AFB1. The enzyme activity and hepatic histopathology were maintained, indicating a reduction in damage caused by high concentrations of AFB1 (400.0 µg kg-1 of AFB1). The adverse effects of AFB1 on biochemical and histopathological parameters were observed from 25.0 µg kg-1 onwards. Notably, PBA supplementation enhanced enzymatic activity at a concentration of 25 µg kg-1 of AFB1 and mitigated the effects at 400.0 µg kg-1 of AFB1. The use of PBAs in pacu diets is highly recommended as they effectively neutralize the toxic effects of AFB1 when added to diets containing 25.0 µg kg-1 AFB1. Dietary inclusion of aflatoxin B1 at a concentration of 25.0 µg kg-1 adversely affects the liver of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Pacu). However, the addition of a probiotic-based additive (PBA) to the diets containing this concentration of aflatoxin neutralized its toxic effects. Therefore, the study recommends the use of PBAs in Pacu diets to mitigate the adverse effects of aflatoxin contamination.

Electronarcosis of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Effects on Dynamic Physiological Balance and Meat Quality.

INTRODUCTION: Electronarcosis is the most commonly used stunning method for large animals, but its consequences in tilapia still need to be evaluated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the application of electronarcosis in the pre-slaughter stunning of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis ni-loticus) and verify its effects on dynamic physiological balance and meat quality. METHODS: Nile tilapia specimens, totaling 184, with an average weight of 247.08 37.04 g, were randomly distributed. Each fish was individually placed in a rectangular tank constituted by a voltage regulator and aluminum electrode. The behavior of the fish subjected to different expo-sure times (5, 10, 20, and 30 seconds) and electric currents (1.50, 3.00, 4.50, and 6.00 amperes) with alternating and continuous currents was evaluated. Subsequently, the quality of the chilled fillets was checked after slaughter over a period of 35 days. The longest stun time was achieved using an alternating current of 3.00, 4.50, and 6.00A for 30 seconds. RESULTS: The fillet quality index (FQI) showed a high correlation with the storage time. In the first 15 days of storage, the fish stunned with different alternating currents maintained a higher MQI, meeting the meat quality standard when compared to fish slaughtered by ice stunning. The fish fillets obtained using different electrical currents showed a pH similar to the fish fillets stunned with ice. CONCLUSION: Therefore, electronarcosis can be applied in the slaughter of tilapia using al-ternating current between three and six amps for 30 seconds, with euthanasia time of 37 and 46 seconds, ensuring safety in the slaughter procedures in the industry, the quality of the meat, and the well-being of the animal.

Effects of Choline Supplementation in Diets on Juvenile Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus): Productive Performance, Proximate Composition and Serum Lipid Level.

INTRODUCTION: Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) is a Brazilian fish species of high commercial value and has emerged as one of the main species with potential for intensive farming. This study aimed to investigate the impact of choline supplementation on productive performance, visceral fat, hepatosomatic indices, proximate composition, serum biochemical profile, and liver coloration in juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). METHOD: The 60-day experiment was conducted in the experimental hatchery of the Study Group of Aquaculture Management - GEMAq of the State University of West Paraná, Brazil. The completely randomized design consisted of five treatments with four replicates each. A total of 200 fish, with an average initial weight and length of 4.25 g and 5.97 cm, were distributed among 20 experimental hapas, resulting in a stocking density of 10 fish per experimental unit. Fish fed a choline-deficient diet exhibited the lowest values for final weight, weight gain, visceral fat, and hepatosomatic index. Conversely, in terms of proximate composition, fish fed choline-deficient diets had the highest moisture content but the lowest crude fat content. Triglyceride levels in juvenile pacu were significantly higher in groups fed diets containing choline (400 to 1200 mg kg-1 ). We also observed significant differences in the cyan color of the liver (P < 0.05). Notably, we observed significant differences in the cyan coloration of the liver (P < 0.05). Other parameters did not exhibit significant changes in response to varying choline levels in the diets. RESULT: Our study demonstrated that choline supplementation in P. mesopotamicus juveniles at an optimal concentration of 400 mg kg-1 significantly impacted growth, metabolism, productive performance, proximate composition, biochemical parameters, and liver color. CONCLUSION: These findings offer crucial guidance for aquaculture professionals, enabling them to enhance growth and health in P. mesopotamicus farming. Further research on choline's influence on lipid metabolism holds potential for more precise dietary recommendations, ultimately improving the efficiency and sustainability of aquaculture practices for this species.

Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage of Zebrafish Sperm at Different Stages of the Cryopreservation Process.

Although gamete cryopreservation has facilitated advancement of reproduction research by allowing the storage of cells over prolonged periods of time, during freezing-thawing cycles, cells inevitably suffer from cryoinjuries. Here, we evaluate oxidative stress and DNA damage of zebrafish sperm at different stages of the cryopreservation process. It was generally observed that the freezing and thawing of the samples led to an increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species and the activity of the catalase enzyme and a reduction in the generation of sulfhydryl groups and superoxide dismutase activity. The alkaline comet assay demonstrated that DNA damage increased after equilibration time, with an even greater increase after freezing and thawing. The comet assay modified with the enzyme formamidopyrimidine glycosylase, and Endonuclease III demonstrated greater DNA damage than the standard comet assay, demonstrating a high degree of oxidation of purines and pyrimidines at all stages of cryopreservation. Our results show that the freeze and thaw processes cause greater oxidative stress and DNA damage than cryoprotectant toxicity during exposure at the equilibrium stage.

Selecting treatment foci in clinical case formulations: Estimating the clinical benefits of modifying causal variables.

Clinical case formulations (CCFs) can be organized and communicated in several ways but one of the most effective is through CCF causal diagrams (CCFCDs). Haynes et al., Psychological Assessment, 2020, 32, 541 illustrated how the psychometric evaluation of CCFCDs could be facilitated by assigning quantitative values to the clinician's judgments in a CCF. Although quantification could facilitate the psychometric evaluation CCFCDs, it is less clear that it can help clinicians make decisions about the best treatment foci. This article presents an open-source computer program (Clinical Case Formulation Causal Diagram Calculator, CCFCDC) for the path analyses of quantified CCFCDs, based on the free computing language Python, to assist in clinical decision making. The operation, examples, assets, and limitations of the CCFCDC are discussed in the context of measurement principles, precision, and uncertainty in clinical judgments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Skim milk powder used as a non-permeable cryoprotectant reduces oxidative and DNA damage in cryopreserved zebrafish sperm.

Cryoprotectants play a vital role in the cryopreservation process, protecting biological samples from freezing damage. Here, we evaluate the effects of the combination and interaction of different extenders with permeable and non-permeable cryoprotectants, on the cryopreservation of Danio rerio sperm, analyzing the effects of cryopreservation through a broad approach to variables. Two extenders were used, Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and Ginsburg's solution. Eight cryoprotective solutions (CS) were used: CS1 (HBSS + Me2SO 8%), CS2 (HBSS + Methanol 8%), CS3 (HBSS + Me2SO 8% + Skim milk powder 15%), CS4 (HBSS + Methanol 8% + Skim milk powder 15%), CS5 (Ginsburg + Me2SO 8%), CS6 (Ginsburg + Methanol 8%), CS7 (Ginsburg + Me2SO 8% + Skim milk powder 15%) and CS8 (Ginsburg + Methanol 8% + Skim milk powder 15%). The samples were cryopreserved in cryovials for 20 min on dry ice, stored in liquid nitrogen, thawed at 38 °C for 10 s, and analyzed. In addition to increasing viability, we show that powdered milk also allows for better preservation of the membrane and normal cell morphology, and protects the sperm cells from DNA damage and oxidative stress caused by cryopreservation.

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and their links to depression and anxiety in clinic- and community-based pediatric samples: A network analysis.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and associated with more severe OCD, greater impairment, and worse treatment outcome. Beyond twin studies showing that genetic factors contribute to the high co-occurrence, few studies have examined how OCD, depression, and anxiety are linked in youth, and current studies often fail to account for OCD and anxiety heterogeneity. METHODS: Network analysis was used to investigate how OCD were linked to depression and anxiety in multinational youth diagnosed with OCD (total n = 419) and in school-recruited, community-based samples of youth (total n = 2 991). RESULTS: Initial results aligned with earlier work showing that severity of obsession-related symptoms are important in linking OCD to depression in youth with OCD. However, when symptom content of OCD (e.g., washing, ordering) was fully taken into account and when measures of anxiety were included, specific OCD symptom dimensions (primarily obsessing and doubting/checking) were linked to specific anxiety dimensions (primarily panic and generalized anxiety) which in turn were linked to depression. These results were replicated in three separate community-based samples from Chile, Italy, and Spain using different measures of anxiety and depression. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional data were analyzed which precludes causal inference. Self-report measures were used. CONCLUSIONS: Youth with OCD with symptoms related to doubting/checking and obsessing should be carefully assessed for symptoms of panic and generalized anxiety. Non-responders to standard OCD treatment may benefit from interventions targeting panic and generalized anxiety, but more research is needed to test this hypothesis.

A proposed model for the psychometric evaluation of clinical case formulations with quantified causal diagrams.

Judgments about a client's behavior problems and treatment goals, and the factors that influence them, are elements of most clinical case formulations (CCFs). These judgments are designed to guide clinicians' selection of the most effective intervention foci. Despite their importance, CCFs have undergone infrequent psychometric evaluations. We describe a model to promote and facilitate the psychometric evaluation of CCFs with quantified causal diagrams. This article presents the conceptual foundations, path analyses, benefits, and limitations of quantified causal diagrams. We first present concepts of causality and causal diagrams that are applicable to CCF and psychopathology. We propose that clinical case formulations causal diagrams can strengthen a science-based approach to clinical assessment, facilitate the psychometric evaluation of CCFs, enhance the specificity, precision, and communicability of clinicians' judgments, help the clinician select the most effective intervention foci, predict the effects of changes in causal variables, and emphasize the importance of "uncertainty" in CCFs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

The Centrality of Doubting and Checking in the Network Structure of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Dimensions in Youth.

OBJECTIVE: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous condition with well-established symptom dimensions across the lifespan. The objective of the present study was to use network analysis to investigate the internal structure of these dimensions in unselected schoolchildren and in children with OCD. METHOD: We estimated the network structure of OCD symptom dimensions in 6,991 schoolchildren and 704 children diagnosed with OCD from 18 sites across 6 countries. All participants completed the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Child Version. RESULTS: In both the school-based and clinic-based samples, the OCD dimensions formed an interconnected network with doubting/checking emerging as a highly central node, that is, having strong connections to other symptom dimensions in the network. The centrality of the doubting/checking dimension was consistent across countries, sexes, age groups, clinical status, and tic disorder comorbidity. Network differences were observed for age and sex in the school-based but not the clinic-based samples. CONCLUSION: The centrality of doubting/checking in the network structure of childhood OCD adds to classic and recent conceptualizations of the disorder in which the important role of doubt in disorder severity and maintenance is highlighted. The present results suggest that doubting/checking is a potentially important target for further research into the etiology and treatment of childhood OCD.

Psychometric Properties of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale in Spanish Children and Adolescents.

The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) is one of the most used instruments to assess perfectionism. The FMPS assesses six dimensions: Concern over Mistakes (CM), Parental Expectations (EP), Parental Criticism (PC), Doubts about Actions (DA), Organization (OR), and Personal Standards (PS). CM, PE, PC, and DA are facets of a more general dimension considered Maladaptive Perfectionism. PS is frequently considered Adaptive Perfectionism. FMPS psychometric properties have been studied in adults but scarcely in children. We adapted the FMPS for Spanish children and adolescents and studied these properties in a sample of 1,648 Spanish young people (mean age = 13.36; SD = 2.28). Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses were used to test whether the FMPS dimensions found in adults are applicable to children. Results supported this hypothesis. The FMPS dimensional structure was invariant across gender and age. FMPS subscales showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α: .71-.92) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlations: .70-.85). Moderate and high correlations with measures of dysfunctional beliefs, anxiety, and depression supported the validity of the FMPS scores. Results from regression equations showed that the relationship of perfectionism with anxiety and depression is mostly due to Maladaptive Perfectionism.

Psychometric properties of the spanish versión of the anxiety sensitivity index for children / Propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del Índice de Sensibilidad a la Ansiedad para Niños

Background: Anxiety sensitivity is a useful construct in explaining anxiety disorders. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index for Children (ASIC) is a brief self-report designed to assess anxiety sensitivity in youth. Method: Students (N = 1348; ages 10-17) completed a Spanish translation of the ASIC and measures of anxiety and depression. Results: Confirmatory factor analyses found that scores on the ASIC- Spanish version can be fitted to two factorial structures: A single factor and two first-order factors grouped into one higher-order factor. The two-factor structure was invariant between children and adolescents, and between boys and girls. The ASIC scales (Total Score, Mental Concerns, and Physical Concerns) demonstrated high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. ASIC scores were significantly related to measures of anxiety and, to a lesser extent, to a measure of depression. Conclusions: Results supported the factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity of ASIC scores in Spanish youth (AU)

Antecedentes: la sensibilidad a la ansiedad es un constructo útil en la explicación de los trastornos de ansiedad. El índice de sensibilidad a la ansiedad para niños (ASIC) es un breve autoinforme diseñado para evaluar la sensibilidad a la ansiedad en la población infanto-juvenil. Método: 1.348 estudiantes (edad: 10-17 años) completaron una traducción al español del ASIC y de medidas de ansiedad y depresión. Resultados: los análisis factoriales confirmatorios encontraron que las puntuaciones de la versión española del ASIC se ajustan a dos posibles estructuras factoriales: un único factor o dos factores de primer orden agrupados en un factor de orden superior. Esta última estructura es invariante entre niños y adolescentes y entre chicos y chicas. Las tres escalas del ASIC (Puntuación Total, Preocupación Mental y Preocupación Física) presentan alta consistencia interna y fiabilidad test-retest. Las puntuaciones del ASIC se relacionan significativamente con medidas de ansiedad y, en menor medida, con una medida de depresión. Conclusiones: los resultados apoyan la validez factorial, convergente y discriminante de las puntuaciones del ASIC en niños y adolescentes españoles (AU)

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index for Children.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety sensitivity is a useful construct in explaining anxiety disorders. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index for Children (ASIC) is a brief self-report designed to assess anxiety sensitivity in youth. METHOD: Students (N = 1348; ages 10-17) completed a Spanish translation of the ASIC and measures of anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses found that scores on the ASIC- Spanish version can be fitted to two factorial structures: A single factor and two first-order factors grouped into one higher-order factor. The two-factor structure was invariant between children and adolescents, and between boys and girls. The ASIC scales (Total Score, Mental Concerns, and Physical Concerns) demonstrated high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. ASIC scores were significantly related to measures of anxiety and, to a lesser extent, to a measure of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Results supported the factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity of ASIC scores in Spanish youth.

Sarcoma radioinduzido pós-tratamento de glioblastoma: relato de caso / Radiation induced sarcoma after treatment of glioblastoma: case report / Sarcoma inducido por la radiación después del tratamiento de glioblastoma: reporte de un caso

Introdução: O glioblastoma multiforme é a neoplasia de sistema nervoso central mais letal, com sobrevida média em torno de 13 meses e a de pior prognóstico dentre todos os gliomas. A abordagem terapêutica do glioblastoma consiste em neurocirurgia com ressecção máxima possível do volume tumoral, seguida de radioterapia e quimioterapia. A radioterapia reduz o risco de recidiva tumoral por meio de lesão direta e indireta ao ácido desoxirribonucleico tumoral. Os efeitos em longo prazo da radioterapia incluem necrose tecidual, vasculopatia e neoplasia induzida pela radiação. Os tumores malignos intracranianos secundários mais reportados incluem meningiomas, gliomas e sarcomas. O período de latência entre a radioterapia de crânio e o surgimento de lesões radioinduzida varia na literatura entre seis meses a 47 anos, com média de 18,7 anos. Relato de caso: O presente relato descreve o surgimento de sarcoma fusocelular de alto grau radioinduzido após dez meses em paciente que recebeu tratamento de glioblastoma no Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo. Conclusão: A raridade dessa associação se deve provavelmente à baixa sobrevida dos pacientes com glioblastoma, limitando assim o tempo para desenvolvimento de neoplasias secundárias.

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme and neoplasia is the deadliest cancer of the central nervous system, with survival rates averaging around 13 months and it shows the worst prognosis among all gliomas. The therapeutic approach of glioblastoma is based on a full neurosurgical resection of the tumor volume followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy reduces the risk of recurrence by direct and indirect deoxyribonucleic acid damage of the tumor. The long-term effects of radiotherapy include tissue necrosis, vascular injury and neoplasia induced by radiation. The majority of secondary intracranial tumors and most commonly reported include meningiomas, gliomas and sarcomas. The latency period between the cranial radiotherapy and the onset of radiation-induced injuries in the literature varies between six months to 47 years, with an average of 18.7 years. Case report: This report describes the onset of spindle cell sarcoma of highly radiation-induced after ten months in a patient who received treatment of Glioblastoma at the General Hospital of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Ribeirao Preto. Conclusion: The rarity of this association is probably due to poor survival of patients with Glioblastoma, thus limiting the time for development of secondary malignancies.

Introducción: El glioblastoma multiforme es el cáncer más mortal del sistema nervioso central, con una supervivencia media acerca de 13 meses, y tiene el peor pronóstico entre todos los gliomas. El enfoque terapéutico del glioblastoma es la resección neurocirugica completo del volumen del posible tumor, seguido por radioterapia y quimioterapia. La radioterapia reduce el riesgo de reincidencia debido a daño directo e indirecto para el ácido desoxirribonucleico del tumor. Los efectos a largo plazo de la terapia de radiación incluyen necrosis de los tejidos, lesión vascular y el cáncer inducido por radiación. Los tumores intracraneales malignos secundarios más comunes incluyen meningiomas, gliomas y sarcomas. El período de latencia entre la radioterapia craneal y la aparición de las lesiones inducidas por radio en la literatura varía entre seis meses a 47 años, con una media 18,7 años. Caso clínico: Este caso describe la aparición de sarcoma de células fusiformes de grado alto inducida por radiación después de diez meses en un paciente que recibió tratamiento de glioblastoma en el Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto, de la Universidad de Sao Paulo. Conclusión: Esta asociación poco común es probablemente debida a la mala supervivencia de los pacientes con glioblastoma, lo que limita el tiempo para el desarrollo de neoplasias malignas secundarias.

Psychometric Properties of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) in Chilean Children and Adolescents.

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the development of assessment tools for obsessive-compulsive symptomatology in children and adolescents. The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) is a well-established assessment self-report, with special interest for the assessment of dimensions of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This instrument has shown to be useful for clinical and non-clinical populations in two languages (English and European Spanish). Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the OCI-CV in a Chilean community sample. The sample consisted of 816 children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.54 years (SD = 2.21; range = 10-18 years). Factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent/divergent validity, and gender/age differences were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a 6-factor structure (Doubting/Checking, Obsessing, Hoarding, Washing, Ordering, and Neutralizing) with one second-order factor. Good estimates of reliability (including internal consistency and test-retest), evidence supporting the validity, and small age and gender differences (higher levels of OCD symptomatology among older participants and women, respectively) are found. The OCI-CV is also an adequate scale for the assessment of obsessions and compulsions in a general population of Chilean children and adolescents.

Simplified Technique for Incorporating a Metal Mesh into Record Bases for Mandibular Implant Overdentures.

Mandibular implant-retained overdentures have become the standard of care for patients with mandibular complete edentulism. As part of the treatment, the mandibular implant-retained overdenture may require a metal mesh framework to be incorporated to strengthen the denture and avoid fracture of the prosthesis. Integrating the metal mesh framework as part of the acrylic record base and wax occlusion rim before the jaw relation procedure will avoid the distortion of the record base and will minimize the chances of processing errors. A simplified method to incorporate the mesh into the record base and occlusion rim is presented in this technique article.

Validation of the Short Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Screener (SOCS) in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The Short Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Screener (SOCS) is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a suitable and validated screening tool for 11- to 15-year olds. Despite its excellent sensitivity and specificity in detecting obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), it has limitations. AIMS: To empirically examine whether the SOCS is suitable for assessing OCD symptoms across a wide age range of children and adolescents and to provide new data about its psychometric properties. METHOD: Participants were 94 patients (9-19 years) with OCD, and 880 healthy controls. RESULTS: The results supported the SOCS' unidimensional factor structure and metric invariance across samples. It showed good reliability in terms of internal consistency and temporal stability. Furthermore, it had significantly high correlations with other OCD measures and an acceptable sensitivity and specificity for detecting OCD. CONCLUSIONS: The SOCS is a brief screening tool suitable for detecting OCD in children and adolescents. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None. COPYRIGHT AND USAGE: © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2015. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) licence.

Bowel ischaemia and cocaine consumption; case study and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Amongst others, cocaine consumption has a detrimental effect in the vascular supply to the mesenteric area causing abdominal ischemic changes. Early recognition of these changes and adequate treatment are essential to avoid serious complications and possible death of the patient from sepsis. CASE REPORT: In this case study, the subject is a 40-years-old gentleman presenting with acute abdominal pain due to multiple ischemic changes in both small bowel and sigmoid loops. The patient required emergency surgical intervention consisting of bowel resection and anastomosis. The pathologic analysis of the segment showed transmural necrosis and necrotizing phlebitis caused by the ingestion of drugs or toxic agents. The patient later confirmed the habitual consumption of cocaine. DISCUSSION: The increase in cocaine consumption and other recreational toxins substructed from erythroyilon coca alkaloids amongst young people have generated a large number of admissions to Hospital Accident and Emergency Departments with patients complaining of acute abdominal pain. In many of these cases, surgical intervention is required and in some cases patients will sadly die without a proper diagnosis. Some of the most common effects of cocaine and its compounds includes; hollow viscus perforation, gastro-intestinal bleed, and other vascular problems such as enteritis and ischemic colitis. It appears clear that there is a great need for an advance history taking of these patients and their habit to cocaine and other drugs together with a urine test for drug screening. These together with a suspicion of a non- occlusive ischemic bowel caused by the effects of cocaine in young adults with no cardiac risk factors will guide clinicians and establish, and plan the correct treatment for these categories of patients.

The influence of causal connections between symptoms on the diagnosis of mental disorders: evidence from online and offline measures.

An experiment conducted with students and experienced clinicians demonstrated very fast and online causal reasoning in the diagnosis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) mental disorders. The experiment also demonstrated that clinicians' causal reasoning is triggered by information that is directly related to the causal structure that explains the symptoms, such as their temporal sequence. The use of causal theories was measured through explicit, verbal diagnostic judgments and through the online registration of participants' reading times of clinical reports. To detect both online and offline causal reasoning, the consistency of clinical reports was manipulated. This manipulation was made by varying the temporal order in which different symptoms developed in hypothetical clients, and by providing explicit information about causal connections between symptoms. The temporal order of symptoms affected the clinicians' but not the students' reading times. However, offline diagnostic judgments in both groups were influenced by the consistency manipulation. Overall, our results suggest that clinicians engage in fast and online causal reasoning processes when dealing with diagnostic information concerning mental disorders, and that both clinicians and students engage in causal reasoning in diagnostic judgment tasks.