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Abstract Background COVID-19 diagnosis lies on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal specimens by RT-PCR. The Xpert-Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay provides results in less than one hour from specimen reception, which makes it suitable for clinical/epidemiological circumstances that require faster responses. The analysis of a COVID-19 outbreak suspected in the neonatology ward from our institution showed that the Ct values obtained for the targeted genes in the Xpert assay were markedly different within each specimen (N Ct value > 20 cycles above the E Ct value). Results We identified the mutation C29200T in the N gene as responsible for an impairment in the N gene amplification by performing whole genome sequencing of the specimens involved in the outbreak (Omicron variant). Subsequently, a retrospective analysis of all specimens sequenced in our institution allowed us to identify the same SNP as responsible for similar impairments in another 12 cases (42% of the total cases reported in the literature). Finally, we found that the same SNP emerged in five different lineages independently, throughout almost all the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions We demonstrated for the first time the impact of this SNP on the Xpert assay, when harbored by new Omicron variants. We extend our observation period throughout almost all the COVID-19 pandemic, offering the most updated observations of this phenomenon, including sequences from the seventh pandemic wave, until now absent in the reports related to this issue. Continuous monitoring of emerging SNPs that could affect the performance of the most commonly used diagnostic tests, is required to redesign the tests to restore their correct performance.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines consider SARS-CoV-2 reinfection when sequential COVID-19 episodes occur >90 days apart. However, genomic diversity acquired over recent COVID-19 waves could mean previous infection provides insufficient cross-protection. We used genomic analysis to assess the percentage of early reinfections in a sample of 26 patients with 2 COVID-19 episodes separated by 20–45 days. Among sampled patients, 11 (42%) had reinfections involving different SARS-CoV-2 variants or subvariants. Another 4 cases were probable reinfections; 3 involved different strains from the same lineage or sublineage. Host genomic analysis confirmed the 2 sequential specimens belonged to the same patient. Among all reinfections, 36.4% involved non-Omicron, then Omicron lineages. Early reinfections showed no specific clinical patterns; 45% were among unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated persons, 27% were among persons

IntroductionClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the main cause of nosocomial diarrhoea in developed countries. Recurrent CDI (R-CDI), which affects 20%-30% of patients and significantly increases hospital stay and associated costs, is a key challenge. The main objective of this study was to explore the role of the microbiome and calprotectin levels as predictive biomarkers of R-CDI.MethodsWe prospectively (2019-2021) included patients with a primary episode of CDI. Clinical data and faecal samples were collected. The microbiome was analysed by sequencing the hypervariable V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene on an Illumina Miseq platform.ResultsWe enrolled 200 patients with primary CDI, of whom 54 developed R-CDI and 146 did not. We analysed 200 primary samples and found that Fusobacterium increased in abundance, while Collinsella, Senegalimassilia, Prevotella and Ruminococcus decreased in patients with recurrent versus non-recurrent disease. Elevated calprotectin levels correlated significantly with R-CDI (p=0.01). We built a risk index for R-CDI, including as prognostic factors age, sex, immunosuppression, toxin B amplification cycle, creatinine levels and faecal calprotectin levels (overall accuracy of 79%).DiscussionCalprotectin levels and abundance of microbial genera such as Fusobacterium and Prevotella in primary episodes could be useful as early markers of R-CDI. We propose a readily available model for prediction of R-CDI that can be applied at the initial CDI episode. The use of this tool could help to better tailor treatments according to the risk of R-CDI.

IntroductionClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the main cause of nosocomial diarrhea in developed countries. A key challenge in CDI is the lack of objective methods to ensure more accurate diagnosis, especially when differentiating between true infection and colonization/diarrhea of other causes. The main objective of this study was to explore the role of the microbiome as a predictive biomarker of CDI.MethodsBetween 2018 and 2021, we prospectively included patients with CDI, recurrent CDI (R-CDI), non-CDI diarrhea (NO-CDI), colonization by C. difficile, and healthy individuals. Clinical data and fecal samples were collected. The microbiome was analyzed by sequencing the hypervariable V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene on an Illumina Miseq platform. The mothur bioinformatic pipeline was followed for pre-processing of raw data, and mothur and R were used for data analysis.ResultsDuring the study period, 753 samples from 657 patients were analyzed. Of these, 247 were from patients with CDI, 43 were from patients colonized with C. difficile, 63 were from healthy individuals, 324 were from NOCDI, and 76 were from R-CDI. We found significant differences across the groups in alpha and beta diversity and in taxonomic abundance. We identified various genera as the most significant biomarkers for CDI (Bacteroides, Proteus, Paraprevotella, Robinsoniella), R-CDI (Veillonella, Fusobacterium, Lactobacillus, Clostridium sensu stricto I), and colonization by C. difficile (Parabacteroides, Faecalicoccus, Flavonifractor, Clostridium XVIII).DiscussionWe observed differences in microbiome patterns between healthy individuals, colonized patients, CDI, R-CDI, and NOCDI diarrhea. We identified possible microbiome biomarkers that could prove useful in the diagnosis of true CDI infections. Further studies are warranted.

Estimates of the burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 reinfections are limited by the scarcity of population-level studies incorporating genomic support. We conducted a systematic study of reinfections in Madrid, Spain, supported by genomic viral analysis and host genetic analysis, to cleanse laboratory errors and to discriminate between reinfections and recurrences involving the same strain. Among the 41,195 cases diagnosed (March 2020–March 2021), 93 (0.23%) had 2 positive reverse transcription PCR tests (55–346 days apart). After eliminating cases with specimens not stored, of suboptimal sequence quality, or belonging to different persons, we obtained valid data from 22 cases. Of those, 4 (0.01%) cases were recurrences involving the same strain; case-patients were 39–93 years of age, and 3 were immunosuppressed. Eighteen (0.04%) cases were reinfections; patients were 19–84 years of age, and most had no relevant clinical history. The second episode was more severe in 8 cases.

Numerous Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous tracksites are found in the Maestrazgo UNESCO Global Geopark; sauropod and ornithopod tracks are abundant and there are some rare stegosaurians and theropods. The Lower Cretaceous ichnite sites are dominated by ornithopod tracks, while only one Upper Cretaceous site, containing theropod tracks, has been documented. Seven of these sites are classified as Assets of Cultural Interest, the highest level of protection established in Spanish legislation, and three of them are open to visitors to promote education and geotourism.

The current territory of the Maestrazgo UNESCO Global Geopark has provided fossils that pioneered dinosaur research in Spain. The first Spanish dinosaur, Aragosaurus ischiaticus (published in 1987), five other new genera of dinosaurs and six species were described from fossils found at Geopark sites. These are the sauropod Galveosaurus herreroi (Galvesaurus herreroi) in 2005, the iguanodontians Delapparentia turolensis in 2011 and Iguanodon galvensis in 2015, the basal ornithopod Gideonmantellia amosanjuanae in 2012, and the theropod Camarillasaurus cirugedae in 2014. This makes it one of the most relevant areas in Spain for dinosaur research and has given rise to numerous scientific publications on paleontology and the stratigraphy of the area. It has also led to the construction of several facilities to promote education and geotourism.

IntroductionSince the COVID-19 outbreak, specific mRNA-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been developed and distributed worldwide. Because this is the first time that mRNA vaccines have been used, there are several questions regarding their capacity to confer immunity and the durability of the specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 response. Therefore, the objective of this study was to recruit a large cohort of healthcare workers from the Gregorio Marañón Hospital vaccinated with the mRNA-1273 or BNT126b2 vaccines and to follow-up on IgG anti-RBD levels at 8 months post-vaccination.MethodsWe recruited 4,970 volunteers and measured IgG anti-RBD antibodies on days 30 and 240 post-vaccination.ResultsWe observed that both vaccines induced high levels of antibodies on day 30, while a drastic wane was observed on day 240, where mRNA-1273 vaccinated induced higher levels than BNT162b2. Stratifying by vaccine type, age, gender, and comorbidities, we identified that older mRNA-1273-vaccinated volunteers had higher antibody levels than the younger volunteers, contrary to what was observed in the BNT162b2-vaccinated volunteers.DiscussionIn conclusion, we observed that mRNA-1273 has a higher capacity to induce a humoral response than BNT162b2 and that age is a factor in the specific response.

Background: Candida spp., as part of the microbiota, can colonise the gastrointestinal tract. We hypothesised that genotyping Candida spp. isolates from the gastrointestinal tract could help spot genotypes able to cause invasive infections. Materials/methods: A total of 816 isolates of C. albicans (n = 595), C. parapsilosis (n = 118), and C. tropicalis (n = 103) from rectal swabs (n = 754 patients) were studied. Genotyping was conducted using species-specific microsatellite markers. Rectal swab genotypes were compared with previously studied blood (n = 814) and intra-abdominal (n = 202) genotypes. Results: A total of 36/754 patients had the same Candida spp. isolated from blood cultures, intra-abdominal samples, or both; these patients had candidemia (n = 18), intra-abdominal candidiasis (n = 11), both clinical forms (n = 1), and non-significant isolation (n = 6). Genotypes matching the rectal swab and their blood cultures (84.2%) or their intra-abdominal samples (92.3%) were found in most of the significant patients. We detected 656 genotypes from rectal swabs, 88.4% of which were singletons and 11.6% were clusters. Of these 656 rectal swab genotypes, 94 (14.3%) were also detected in blood cultures and 34 (5.2%) in intra-abdominal samples. Of the rectal swab clusters, 62.7% were previously defined as a widespread genotype. Conclusions: Our study pinpoints the gastrointestinal tract as a potential reservoir of potentially invasive Candida spp. genotypes.

Information on Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients with COVID-19 is scarce and points to an overall decrease of episodes during the pandemic. This situation results paradoxical, as COVID-19 patients had long periods of hospital stay and high use of antibiotics. We conducted a retrospective study from January 1st 2019 to December 31st 2020 comparing the incidence of hospital-acquired episodes of CDI (HA-CDI) among patients with and without COVID-19 admitted to our institution. During the study period, there were 47,048 patient admissions in 2019, 35,662 admissions of patients without COVID-19 in 2020 and 6,763 of COVID-19 patients. There were 68 episodes of HA-CDI in COVID-19 patients (14.75/10,000 days), 159 in 2020-non-COVID-19 patients (5.54/10,000 days) and 238 in 2019 (6.80/10,000 days). Comparison of HA-CDI in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients indicates it occurs more frequently, in terms of CDI disease severity, COVID-19 does not seem to have a negative impact.

Este artículo propone revisar la obra temprana del arquitecto Miguel Fisac (1913-2006) y entender el impacto que tuvo en el desarrollo cultural y urbano de Santiago de Compostela. Tanto Miguel Fisac como Santiago de Compostela son figuras históricas fundamentales que requieren mayor atención crítica en la literatura para entender el papel que jugaron en el desarrollo político, ideológico y cultural del Franquismo. Miguel Fisac es uno de los arquitectos que, teórica y prácticamente, favoreció la introducción de la modernidad en la arquitectura española tras la Guerra Civil. Desde un punto de vista práctico, dos de los edificios que trazó en sus primeros años como arquitecto fueron determinantes en el crecimiento de Santiago de Compostela, tanto por el momento como por la relevancia en el ámbito urbanístico, científico y universitario. Se trata del colegio mayor La Estila (1947/1948), residencia para estudiantes universitarios que supondrá un impulso en el tejido urbano de la zona norte de la ciudad; y del Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas (1952), una tipología edilicia dedicada a la investigación en el marco de un campus universitario. [gl] Este artigo propón revisar a obra temperá do arquitecto Miguel Fisac (1913-2006) e entender o impacto que tivo no desenvolvemento cultural e urbano de Santiago de Compostela. Tanto Miguel Fisac como Santiago de Compostela son figuras históricas fundamentais que requiren maior atención crítica na literatura para entender o papel que xogaron no desenvolvemento político, ideolóxico e cultural do Franquismo. Miguel Fisac é un dos arquitectos que, teórica e practicamente, favoreceron a introdución da modernidade na arquitectura española trala Guerra Civil. Desde un punto de vista práctico, dous dos edificios que trazou nos seus primeiros anos como arquitecto foron determinantes no crecemento de Santiago de Compostela, tanto polo momento como pola relevancia no ámbito urbanístico, científico e universitario. Trátase do colexio maior La Estila (1947/1948), unha residencia para estudantes universitarios que suporá un pulo no tecido urbano da zona norte da cidade; e do Instituto de Agrobiológicas (1952), unha tipoloxía edilicia dedicada á investigación no marco dun campus universitario.

Purpose: This study examines the impacts of a skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) management program involving a rapid diagnostic algorithm (Gram stain plus real-time PCR, GeneXpert® MRSA/SA SSTI) performed directly on clinical samples plus antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) counseling of the responsible physician. Methods: Participants were 155 consecutive adult inpatients with SSTI and good quality clinical samples submitted to the microbiology laboratory from April 2016 to January 2017. Results of the rapid test and AMS recommendations were phoned through to the responsible physician. The comparison group was a historical cohort. Results: Most SSTI were surgical wound infections (41.3% vs 38.1% for the intervention and comparison groups respectively) followed by diabetic foot (14.2% and 18.1%), abscesses (13.5% both) and cellulitis (12.9% both). Isolated microorganisms were mostly Gram-negative bacilli (two-thirds), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (SA). The ratio methicillin-susceptible SA (MSSA) to methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA) was 4:1. Improvements in the intervention cohort were: DOT (22.0 vs. 24.3 days, p = 0.007), treatment duration per SSTI episode (14.1 vs. 15.0 days, p = 0.072), treatment cost (433.1 vs. 533.3 €, p = 0.039), length of stay (18.6 vs 20.7 days, p = 0.031), related mortality (1 vs. 4 patients, p = 0.022) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) (4 vs. 8 patients, p = 0.050). In 48 cases (31.4%) in the intervention group, advice was given to improve empiric antibiotic treatment. Conclusion: This type of program could help adjust antibiotic treatment when inappropriate, reducing antibiotic use and costs, length of stay, CDI and related mortality. Keywords: Antimicrobial stewardship, GeneXpert® MRSA/SA SSTI, Microbiological techniques, Rapid diagnosis, Soft tissue infections

In the original publication [...]

ABSTRACT The SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) Delta (B.617.2 lineage) displaced the predominant VOC Alpha (B.1.1.7 lineage) in the United Kingdom. In Madrid, recent start of the decline of predominant VOC Alpha suggested an equivalent phenomenon. However, 11 different variants, none overrepresented in frequency, occupied progressively over a period of 7 weeks the niche previously dominated by VOC Alpha. Only after these 7 weeks, VOC Delta started to emerge. Viral competition due to the entry of VOC Delta is not the major force driving the start of VOC Alpha decline in Madrid. IMPORTANCE Our data indicate that the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs turnover in our setting differ from those proposed for other countries. A systematic genomic analysis, updated on a weekly basis, of representative randomly selected samples of SARS-CoV-2 circulating variants allowed us to define a lapse of 7 weeks between the start of VOC Alpha decline and the final emergence of VOC Delta. During this period, VOC Alpha showed a sustained decline, while 11 VOCs, variants of interest (VOIs), and other identified variants, none overrepresented, occupied the niche left by VOC Alpha. Only after these 7 weeks, emergence of VOC Delta occurred, indicating that viral competition involving VOC Delta was not the exclusive direct driving force behind the starting of VOC Alpha decline.

Dinosaur bonebeds with amber content, yet scarce, offer a superior wealth and quality of data on ancient terrestrial ecosystems. However, the preserved palaeodiversity and/or taphonomic characteristics of these exceptional localities had hitherto limited their palaeobiological potential. Here, we describe the amber from the Lower Cretaceous dinosaur bonebed of Ariño (Teruel, Spain) using a multidisciplinary approach. Amber is found in both a root layer with amber strictly in situ and a litter layer mainly composed of aerial pieces unusually rich in bioinclusions, encompassing 11 insect orders, arachnids, and a few plant and vertebrate remains, including a feather. Additional palaeontological data—charophytes, palynomorphs, ostracods— are provided. Ariño arguably represents the most prolific and palaeobiologically diverse locality in which fossiliferous amber and a dinosaur bonebed have been found in association, and the only one known where the vast majority of the palaeontological assemblage suffered no or low-grade pre-burial transport. This has unlocked unprecedentedly complete and reliable palaeoecological data out of two complementary windows of preservation—the bonebed and the amber—from the same site.

Background: Candidaemia and invasive candidiasis are typically hospital-acquired. Genotyping isolates from patients admitted to different hospitals may be helpful in tracking clones spreading across hospitals, especially those showing antifungal resistance. Methods: We characterized Candida clusters by studying Candida isolates (C. albicans, n = 1041; C. parapsilosis, n = 354, and C. tropicalis, n = 125) from blood cultures (53.8%) and intra-abdominal samples (46.2%) collected as part of the CANDIMAD (Candida in Madrid) study in Madrid (2019–2021). Species-specific microsatellite markers were used to define the genotypes of Candida spp. found in a single patient (singleton) or several patients (cluster) from a single hospital (intra-hospital cluster) or different hospitals (widespread cluster). Results: We found 83 clusters, of which 20 were intra-hospital, 49 were widespread, and 14 were intra-hospital and widespread. Some intra-hospital clusters were first detected before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the number of clusters increased during the pandemic, especially for C. parapsilosis. The proportion of widespread clusters was significantly higher for genotypes found in both compartments than those exclusively found in either the blood cultures or intra-abdominal samples. Most C. albicans- and C. tropicalis-resistant genotypes were singleton and presented exclusively in either blood cultures or intra-abdominal samples. Fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates belonged to intra-hospital clusters harboring either the Y132F or G458S ERG11p substitutions; the dominant genotype was also widespread. Conclusions: the number of clusters—and patients involved—increased during the COVID-19 pandemic mainly due to the emergence of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis genotypes.

El ser humano es portador de un sinfín de emociones y razonamientos; y al mismo tiempo es capaz de inimaginables actos por medio de la voluntad. Emociones, razonamientos y acciones que son expresados a través del cuerpo. Máscara y espejo son dos elementos que configuran aspectos identitarios del ser humano. El objetivo de este trabajo es reflexionar acerca de la capacidad que tienen la máscara y el espejo como elementos expresivos dentro del género pictórico del retrato. A través de la máscara la persona puede ocultar su identidad, mientras que el espejo no hace sino mostrar a un sujeto que es emisor y receptor de la mirada.

Abstract:: Dinópolis, in the province of Teruel (Spain), offers a network of facilities which attract many palaeontology and dinosaur enthusiasts. It promotes a symbiosis between a palaeontological museum, a territorial network of interpretation centres and a set of attractions whose main protagonists are dinosaurs. All that is complemented by the implementation of public programs that shape the intangible heritage of the project. Dinópolis brings together two institutions: a Foundation, granted as a monographic museum of Palaeontology and a Managing Society, in charge of managing the spaces open to the public. The aim of the Foundation is to preserve and popularize the palaeontological resources after their research. The Managing Society promotes Dinópolis and all the complementary tourist services as well as the leisure facilities. In order to fulfil its objectives, Dinópolis has a large palaeontological park in the city of Teruel and seven smaller museums that foster visits around the province. These “satellites” show a selection of local fossils as well as the palaeontological techniques followed by its researchers. The headquarters house fossil collections, palaeontology laboratories, research areas and two modern buildings with up-to-date fossil exhibitions. It also offers dark-rides, theatre shows and open-air activities. The purpose of these facilities and public programs is to boost geotourism in rural areas. This would contribute to mitigate depopulation, a dramatic process that has been continuously affecting the province for more than a century. With Dinópolis, the palaeontological resources are applied to a regional development project based on scientific leisure. The need to improve the quality of life for the inhabitants of Teruel and revitalize their economy, was precisely the trigger that motivated the creation of this model of development. Its greatest merit is to be a model of growth which puts together research and leisure facilities, and has generated more than 2.7 million visits since its opening in 2001. Keywords:: palaeontological facilities, rural development, scientific heritage, geotourism, depopulation

Because of the special culture requirements of anaerobic bacteria, their low growth-rate and the difficulties to isolate them, MALDI-TOF MS has become a reliable identification tool for these microorganisms due to the little amount of bacteria required and the accuracy of MALDI-TOF MS identifications. In this study, the performance of MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of anaerobic isolates during a 4-year period is described. Biomass from colonies grown on Brucella agar was directly smeared onto the MALDI-TOF target plate and submitted to on-plate protein extraction with 1μl of 100% formic acid. Sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA gene was used as a reference method for the identification of isolates unreliably or not identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Overall, 95.7% of the isolates were identified to the species level using the updated V6 database vs 93.8% with previous databases lacking some anaerobic species; 68.5% of the total were reliably identified with high-confidence score values (≥2.0) and 95.0% with low-confidence values (score value ≥1.7). Besides, no differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates were detected beyond a slight decrease of correct species assignment for gram positive cocci (94.1% vs 95.7% globally). MALDI-TOF MS has demonstrated its usefulness for the identification of anaerobes, with high correlation with phenotypic and conventional methods. Over the study period, only 2.1% of the isolates could not be reliably identified and required molecular methods for a final identification. Therefore, MALDI-TOF MS provided reliable identification of anaerobic isolates, allowing clinicians to streamline the most appropriate antibiotic therapy and manage patients accordingly.

Background The neosuchian crocodyliform genus Hulkepholis constitutes the longirostral lineage of the European Goniopholididae. It comprises two species ranging from the Valanginian of southern England to the lower Albian of the northern Teruel (Spain). A new species of Hulkepholis is described based on a partially complete skull from the lower Barremian Camarillas Formation. We investigate its phylogenetic position and the palatal patterns among members of Goniopholididae and the closely related Thalattosuchia and Tethysuchia. Methods Phylogenetic relationships were investigated with two matrices using a previously published dataset as the basis: the first differed only by the addition of the new species, the second had newly discovered states for 11 characters, the new species plus several additional specimens of Hulkepholis and Anteophthalmosuchus. Both matrices were processed using TNT v. 1.1, in a heuristic analysis of maximum parsimony, with tree bisection and reconnection 1,000 random addition replicates and saving the 10 most parsimonious trees per replicate, and up to 10 suboptimal trees to calculate Bremer supports. The skull geometry of nine species from Thalattosuchia, Tethysuchia and Goniopholididae was explored to test shape variation between the rostral and postrostral modules, and to visualize the differences on the secondary palate. A set of 18 landmarks was used to delimit significant anatomical features, and the skulls were isotropically scaled using Adobe Illustrator, with the longest skull (Sarcosuchus imperator) as the baseline for comparison. Results The European lineages of goniopholidids are two clades (Nannosuchus + Goniopholis) plus (Hulkepholis + Anteophthalmosuchus). The new species, Hulkepholis rori sp. nov, shares with the latter clade the following apormorphies: a long anterolateral postorbital process, postorbital process almost reaching the anterior jugal ramus, and basioccipital tubera with lateral edges turned posteriorly. Anteophthalmosuchus was found to be monophyletic, and Hulkepholis paraphyletic due to the poor preservation of H. willetti. Hulkepholis rori is distinguished by having vascular fossae and a mid-protuberance on the ventral surface of the basioccipital, and wide internal fossae in the quadrate. Among Goniopholididae differences on the secondary palate are the presence of a palatal cleft, the narrowness of the secondary choana, and a wide foramen of the median pharyngeal tube. Conclusions The new species is the earliest Hulkepholis from the Iberian Peninsula. New characters have been recognized in the organization of the palate and in the occipital region raising unexpected questions on the evolution of Goniopholididae. The set of palatal characters is discussed as part of a singular palatogenesis in Goniopholididae. The protruding occipital areas suggest that the longirostral Hulkepholis would have had an aquatic lifestyle with particular neck and skull movements.

New reports of dinosaur tracksites in the Tuchengzi Formation in the newly established Yanqing Global Geopark, Beijing, China, support previous inferences that the track assemblages from this formation are saurischian-dominated. More specifically, the assemblages appear theropod-dominated, with the majority of well-preserved tracks conforming to the Grallator type (sensus lato), thus representing relatively small trackmakers. Such ichnofaunas supplement the skeletal record from this unit that lacks theropods thus far, proving a larger diversity of dinosaur faunas in that region. Sauropods are represented by medium to large sized and narrow and wide-gauge groups, respectively. The latter correspond with earlier discoveries of titanosauriform skeletons in the same unit. Previous records of ornithischian tracks cannot be positively confirmed. Purported occurrences are re-evaluated here, the trackways and imprints, except of a single possible specimen, re-assigned to theropods. Palecologically the Tuchengzi ichnofauna is characteristic of semi-arid fluvio-lacustrine inland basins with Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous deposits in northern China that all show assemblages with abundant theropod and sauropod tracks and minor components of ornithopod, pterosaur and bird tracks.

Nodosaurids are poorly known from the Lower Cretaceous of Europe. Two associated ankylosaur skeletons excavated from the lower Albian carbonaceous member of the Escucha Formation near Ariño in northeastern Teruel, Spain reveal nearly all the diagnostic recognized character that define nodosaurid ankylosaurs. These new specimens comprise a new genus and species of nodosaurid ankylosaur and represent the single most complete taxon of ankylosaur from the Cretaceous of Europe. These two specimens were examined and compared to all other known ankylosaurs. Comparisons of these specimens document that Europelta carbonensis n. gen., n. sp. is a nodosaur and is the sister taxon to the Late Cretaceous nodosaurids Anoplosaurus, Hungarosaurus, and Struthiosaurus, defining a monophyletic clade of European nodosaurids- the Struthiosaurinae.