Search Results (13)

Introduction and Aim: Renal transplant recipients face significant long-term graft and patient loss due to post-transplant malignancies. This study aimed to characterize post-transplant malignancies, determine mortality risk factors, and evaluate patient outcomes. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 2052 kidney transplant recipients who underwent transplantation between 1976 and 2019 at our institution, other national centers, or international facilities, and who had at least six months of follow-up. Regardless of the transplant center, all patients were followed exclusively at our nephrology department for post-transplant care. A comprehensive review of patient files was conducted, encompassing demographic data, malignancy type and treatment, mortality rates, tissue compatibility assessments, viral serology results, immunosuppression protocols, acute rejection history, and pre-transplant malignancies. The relationships between these variables and mortality were examined. Results: A total of 167 malignant events were observed in 163 patients out of 2052 renal transplant patients (7.9%). The female patients comprised 34.4% (n = 56) of the participants. Ages at transplantation and malignancy diagnosis had medians of 40.0 (13–72) and 50.0 (23–78) years, respectively. The leading malignancy was skin cancer at 30.0%, with Kaposi sarcoma at 11.3% and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease at 10.6% following. Of the patients followed up, 58.9% (93 patients) had mortality. In univariate analysis, older age at transplant, older age at malignancy diagnosis, and male sex were associated with mortality; however, no independent predictors were identified in the multivariate model (all p > 0.05), likely due to sample size limitations and inter-variable collinearity. Mortality showed statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) with increased age at transplantation, increased age at malignancy diagnosis, and male gender. Conclusions: Post-transplant malignancies significantly compromise both graft longevity and patient survival. Particularly aggressive skin cancers demand heightened clinical vigilance. Early detection through regular dermatological screening, patient education, and timely biopsies must become integral to long-term transplant care protocols. Full article

Sunlight and the heat it provides are important ecological resources for reptiles especially for those species living in temperate zones that bask extensively to maximize heat uptake. Sun basking has both benefits and costs for reptiles, giving heat that provides the energy to drive physiology but basking in open patches increases risk of predation due to higher visibility. Prime basking sites are believed to increase benefits for reptiles that include, in addition to open sunlit areas, facilitate detection of predators and prey and escape to nearby refuges. However, if such sites are limited, both inter and intra-specific interference may occur and this kind of competition may impact on a reptile’s ability to access prime basking sites, and as a consequence, its capacity to thermoregulate to optimum body temperatures. This may be especially important for juveniles, for whom rapid growth is a key factor in survivorship. We studied communal basking and interaction events at prime basking sites in the European green lizard, Lacerta bilineata, in a hedgerow in western France. We compared basking behaviour of adults and juveniles with sympatric adult wall lizards Podarcis muralis using non-invasive photographic-mark-recapture. Adult L. bilineata were more evenly distributed across basking sights compared to juveniles but significant differences were only detected between males and juveniles. Juvenile L. bilineata abandoned basking sites at the approach of both adult males and females and were aggressively removed by adult male L. bilineata. We found inter-specific communal basking between both adult and juvenile L. bilineata with adult wall lizards P. muralis. Communal basking was observed between male and female L. bilineata but not between adult males or between adult female L. bilineata. Communal basking was in proportionally greater frequency in juveniles compared to adult L. bilineata. Full article

Animal personality, which describes inter-individual differences and intra-individual consistency in behaviors across time and contexts, has been widely observed and has significance for both ecology and evolution. Morphological modifications, particularly during early life stages, may highly influence animal behavior in adulthood; thus, exploring this relationship can elucidate personality development throughout ontogeny. In this study, we reared juvenile crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) with different degrees of cheliped mutilation and explored their personality patterns, including exploration and aggression, when they reached sexual maturity. Male crayfish showed repeatability in exploration, and both sexes showed repeatability in aggression. We observed no significant correlation between the two behavioral traits, indicating the absence of behavioral syndromes. Moreover, exploration did not differ according to the type of mutilation, but crayfish with more intact chelipeds were more aggressive, and males were more aggressive than females. These results indicate that cheliped mutilation may modify the average levels of personality traits associated with competition or self-defense. Our study provides insights into how morphological modifications may shape animal personalities in adulthood. Full article

During the breeding season, aggression is expressed to gain access to resources such as territories and mates and protect offspring. Female aggressiveness has received much less attention than male aggressiveness, and few studies have examined female and male aggressiveness towards intruders of both sexes in the same species. We compared female and male aggressiveness towards same- and opposite-sex intruders during the egg-laying period in blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) using simulated territorial intrusions. For each sex, we examined the occurrence of different behavioural responses during agonistic encounters, and compared the intensity and individual consistency of intra- and inter-sexual aggression using same- and opposite-sex taxidermy mounts. Our results show that females are the more aggressive sex. Both sexes showed similar behaviours during simulated intrusions, although females were never observed singing and males never entered the nest box. In females, aggression was predominantly independent of the sex of the intruder, while males sang more from a distance during male–male encounters. The relative levels of aggression (pecking and perching on the mounts) during intra- and intersexual conflicts were consistent for females, but not for males. Females might be under stronger selection for aggressive phenotypes due to nest-hole competition and larger reproductive investments. Full article

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at high risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and major adverse limb events (MALE). Recently, antithrombotic therapies employing antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs have proven to be valid in reducing MACE in patients with PAD and polyvascular disease and MALE, particularly in patients who have already been revascularized and remain at increased risk of MALE. However, more aggressive antithrombotic therapies lead to an increased risk of bleeding. Antithrombotic therapy and revascularization procedures entail an increased hemorrhagic risk that is also linked to having received more vigorous antithrombotic therapies. Therefore, it appears crucial to have specifically targeted scores for a PAD patient to assess bleeding and thrombotic risks. The correct utilization of a risk score will determine the variable risk factors for bleeding that can be corrected or modified, as well as identify patients at high risk that require regular reexamination and follow-up. Clinical risk scores do not represent the absolute reality, and inter-score variability must be taken into account. Moreover, several risk scores have been created to be basic and to facilitate and improve clinical decisions in daily practice. Many risk scores based on points vary according to the configuration of the studies, population type, and ethnic group, and many of the risk factor elements in a specific score are unlikely to sustain same weight for that risk. The best approach continues to be devising an uncomplicated, functional, validated, and precise score that can be adjusted to different clinical contexts and populations, while considering the mutable composition of clinical risk. Full article

The conservation of endangered species and sustainability of managed populations requires considerations to ensure the health and welfare of individuals. Male elephants experience a biological phenomenon called “musth”, which is characterized by increased testosterone production, temporal gland secretion and urine dribbling, heightened aggression and sexual behavior, and therefore can pose unique challenges for human safety and animal welfare. This study characterized longitudinal (9 to 22 years) patterns of circulating testosterone and cortisol in relation to musth in four adult Asian elephant bulls spanning ages from 12 to 54 years. Age-related effects on musth activity and adrenal responses to social changes and clinical health events were also examined. All bulls exhibited regular annual musth cycles. Circulating cortisol covaried positively with testosterone and musth, highlighting intrinsic patterns that should be considered when evaluating the impact of social, health, and environmental changes on adrenal glucocorticoid activity. Except for an end-of-life cortisol increase in one bull, there was no clear evidence of chronically elevated cortisol secretion outside of musth in any individual. Testosterone decreased with age in sexually mature bulls, whereas age-related changes in cortisol varied across individuals, with the three older bulls showing the greatest rate of change during musth versus inter-musth periods. In contrast to physiological factors, there was no evidence of social factors, such as addition of a new male and death of male herdmates, impacting adrenal glucocorticoid activity in these bulls in the short term. Changes in cortisol were associated with treatment for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) in two bulls, increasing after start of treatment and decreasing with cessation of treatment, but were not clearly associated with activation of disease. This study highlights the importance of longitudinal hormone monitoring to track changes in physiological function and responses to social, health, and environmental change in elephant bulls, which is important for making more informed decisions on how to manage male elephants under varying degrees of human care to ensure welfare and safety. Full article

Aggressive behavior in romantic relationship has serious effects, including both intra- and inter-personal issues. Aggressive behaviors in romantic relationships have been linked to underlying familial problems. While there have been previous reviews that studied on many interpersonal and dyadic implications of aggressive behavior in romantic relationships, there is nonetheless a lack of studies on the various components of familial factors for aggressive behavior in romantic relationships. The databases Scopus, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and SAGE Journals were used to search for terms that are related to familial factors (family factor, family support, family relationship) as well as terms related to aggressive behavior in romantic relationships (aggression in romantic relationship, violence in intimate relationship). The articles considered for this review were original studies, samples, or subsamples of males or females who reported any underlying familial factors in childhood or adulthood that contributed to aggressive behavior in romantic relationship, and the studies must be written in English. This review has 27 papers that met the inclusion criteria. The findings from this review revealed the presence of inconsistent conclusions between familial factors and aggressive behavior in romantic relationships, with some studies failing to establish such links. These findings are reviewed with regards to the existing gaps in the literature as well as potential research options. Full article

Experiments were carried out on recombinant B6.CBA-D13Mit76C (B6-M76C) and B6.CBA-D13Mit76B (B6-M76B) mouse lines created by transferring a 102.73–118.83 Mbp fragment of chromosome 13, containing the 5-HT_1A receptor gene, from CBA or C57BL/6 strains to a C57BL/6 genetic background, correspondingly. We have recently shown different levels of 5-HT1A receptor functionality in these mouse lines. The administration of BDNF (300 ng/mouse, i.c.v.) increased the levels of exploratory activity and intermale aggression only in B6-M76B mice, without affecting depressive-like behavior in both lines. In B6-M76B mice the behavioral alterations were accompanied by a decrease in the 5-HT_2A receptor functional activity and the augmentation of levels of serotonin and its main metabolite, 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid), in the midbrain. Moreover, the levels of dopamine and its main metabolites, HVA (homovanillic acid) and DOPAC (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid), were also elevated in the striatum of B6-M76B mice after BDNF treatment. In B6-M76C mice, central BDNF administration led only to a reduction in the functional activity of the 5-HT_1A receptor and a rise in DOPAC levels in the midbrain. The obtained data suggest the importance of the 102.73–118.83 Mbp fragment of mouse chromosome 13, which contains the 5-HT_1A receptor gene, for BDNF-induced alterations in behavior and the brain monoamine system. Full article

A descriptive analysis, inter-observer and test–retest reliability of the animal-based measures (ABMs) included in the protocol were performed. This study aimed at the development of a welfare assessment protocol for dogs recruited in the trap-neuter-release (TNR) programmes and the description of the implantation of these programmes in Italy. Nine Italian regions carried out TNR programmes. A varied scenario, along with some critical issues, emerged. Fifty dogs were recruited and assessed simultaneously by two assessors to determine the reliability of ABMs included in the protocol. A subsample of ten dogs were assessed three times to assess test–retest reliability. All females were neutered against 36% of males. Most dogs were adults (58%) and of a large size (68%). Vaccine prophylaxis and parasitic prevention were regular in 13% and 76% of dogs, respectively. Few dogs showed lameness, evidence of pain, other clinical problems, or thermal discomfort. Overall, 82% of dogs did not show fear or aggression to unfamiliar people. The level of agreement between the two assessors was quite high, ranging from substantial (0.61–0.80) to perfect (1) for the majority of measures. This study highlighted some critical issues in TNR implementation and the suitability of the protocol as a tool for animal welfare assessment. Full article

Rearing laboratory mice in groups is important since social isolation after weaning induces brain alterations, which entails behavioral abnormalities in adulthood. Age is an important factor when grouping males of different litters due to inter-male aggressiveness. The aim of this study was to determine whether newly weaned mice could safely be grouped with late juvenile or early and late pubescent mice, and whether cage cleaning, the number of the hosting group members and testosterone plasma levels have any influence. Newly weaned C57BL/6J, CD1, and SCID Beige male mice were systematically grouped with same strain late juvenile, early or late pubescent male mice in clean or dirty cages of 1, 2 or 3 hosting members. We also analyzed plasma testosterone levels at different postnatal days. Our result showed that only strain and hosting male’s age influence agonistic behavior toward newly weaned mice. Thus, in order not to house a recently weaned male alone, we would recommend grouping it with late juvenile same strain mice in all studied strains. In the same way, CD1 and SCID Beige pubescent mice will admit a newly weaned mouse in their group. However, we would not recommend grouping newly weaned and pubescent C57BL/6J males. Full article

Comparative behavioural studies help reconstruct the phylogeny of closely related species. In that respect, the serows Capricornis spp. occupy an important position as they have been assumed to be the closest forms to the ancestors of Caprinae. In spite of that, information on the behavioural repertoire of the mainland serow Capricornis sumatraensis is exceedingly poor. In this paper, we report data on the activity rhythms and social behaviour of rutting mainland serows in captivity (Central Thailand, January 1986; January–February 1987). Activity was bimodal with peaks in mid-afternoon and late night. Resting and ruminating peaked at noon and twilight. Four patterns of marking behaviour were observed out of a total of 1900 events. Males and females were found to use different marking sites and frequencies. A total of 33 social behaviour patterns were observed: 18 patterns concerned agonistic behaviour, whereas 15 patterns were relevant to courtship behaviour. A comparison across Caprinae species with unritualised piercing weapons (i.e., Capricornis, Naemorhedus, Rupicapra, Budorcas, and Hemitragus) has shown that inter-sexual direct forms of aggressive behaviour are used significantly more often than indirect ones, but for chamois, confirming Rupicapra spp. as the most advanced genus among them in terms of an early ritualisation of weapons. Conversely, horns of the goral Nemorhaedus spp. and the serow lie on the same plane of the frontal bones, thus making possible the usage of a dominance display through frontal pushing. Full article

The appropriate display of social behaviors is essential for the well-being, reproductive success and survival of an individual. Deficits in social behavior are associated with impaired N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated neurotransmission. In this review, we describe recent studies using genetically modified mice and pharmacological approaches which link the impaired functioning of the NMDA receptors, especially of the receptor subunits GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B, to abnormal social behavior. This abnormal social behavior is expressed as impaired social interaction and communication, deficits in social memory, deficits in sexual and maternal behavior, as well as abnormal or heightened aggression. We also describe the positive effects of pharmacological stimulation of the NMDA receptors on these social deficits. Indeed, pharmacological stimulation of the glycine-binding site either by direct stimulation or by elevating the synaptic glycine levels represents a promising strategy for the normalization of genetically-induced, pharmacologically-induced or innate deficits in social behavior. We emphasize on the importance of future studies investigating the role of subunit-selective NMDA receptor ligands on different types of social behavior to provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, which might support the development of selective tools for the optimized treatment of disorders associated with social deficits. Full article

Both Internet and offline video gaming have become a normal aspect of child development, with estimates of children playing video games ranging from 90% to 97%. Research on problematic video gaming (PVG) has grown substantially in the last decade. Much of that research has focused on community samples, while research on clinically referred children and youth is lacking. The present study includes 5820 clinically referred children and youth across 44 mental health agencies, assessed using the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health Assessment. Logistic regression analyses revealed that older age, male sex, extreme shyness, internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and poor relational strengths are all significant predictors of problematic video gaming (PVG). Further analyses suggested that, out of the internalizing symptoms, anhedonia was predictive of PVG in both males and females, but depressive symptoms and anxiety were not predictive of PVG when controlling for other variables in the model. Moreover, proactive aggression and extreme shyness were predictive of PVG in males, but not in females. The implications of these findings are discussed. Full article