A decrease in the incidence of Shiga toxin-related hemolytic uremic syndrome as a cause of kidney transplantation at an argentine referral center.

BACKGROUND: In Argentina, Hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC HUS), is the main cause of acute kidney injury and the second cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children. In recent decades, strategies have been implemented to reduce progression to ESRD, but it is not known whether the cumulative incidence of HUS requiring kidney transplantation (KTx) has decreased. We aimed to determine whether the cumulative incidence of STEC HUS in children undergoing KTx decreased and compared outcomes of HUS-related KTx vs. those related to other etiologies. METHODS: All patients who underwent KTx at our institution were evaluated. The cohort was divided into quintiles (Q), and we compared the cumulative incidence of HUS-related KTx vs KTx due to other etiologies. RESULTS: A total of 1000 consecutive KTx were included. The cumulative incidence of HUS-related KTx was 11%. HUS was the second cause of KTx in Q1: 17% (1988-1995); Q2: 13.5% (1996-2003); Q3: 11.5% (2004-2009) and third cause in Q4: 10% (2010-2015) and Q5: 3% (2016-2021). The cumulative incidence of HUS-related KTx decreased in Q4 and Q5 compared to Q1, Q2, and Q3 and the decline was even steeper when comparing Q4 to Q5 (p:0.019). There was no difference in graft survival in patients with HUS vs. congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) but better than in those with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, the cumulative incidence of HUS-related KTx decreased, which may have been due to the implementation of nephroprotective strategies.

Bibliometric investigation of the integration of animal personality in conservation contexts.

Consistent individual differences in behavior, commonly termed animal personality, are a widespread phenomenon across taxa that have important consequences for fitness, natural selection, and trophic interactions. Animal personality research may prove useful in several conservation contexts, but which contexts remains to be determined. We conducted a structured literature review of 654 studies identified by combining search terms for animal personality and various conservation subfields. We scored the relevance of personality and conservation issues for each study to identify which studies meaningfully integrated the 2 fields as opposed to surface-level connections or vague allusions. We found a taxonomic bias toward mammals (29% of all studies). Very few amphibian or reptile studies applied personality research to conservation issues (6% each). Climate change (21%), invasive species (15%), and captive breeding and reintroduction (13%) were the most abundant conservation subfields that occurred in our search, though a substantial proportion of these papers weakly integrated conservation and animal personality (climate change 54%, invasive species 51%, captive breeding and reintroduction 40%). Based on our results, we recommend that researchers strive for consistent and broadly applicable terminology when describing consistent behavioral differences to minimize confusion and improve the searchability of research. We identify several gaps in the literature that appear to be promising and fruitful avenues for future research, such as disease transmission as a function of sociability or exploration as a driver of space use in protected areas. Practitioners can begin informing future conservation efforts with knowledge gained from animal personality research.

Investigación bibliométrica sobre la integración de la personalidad animal a los contextos de conservación Resumen Las diferencias individuales y constantes en el comportamiento, comúnmente llamadas personalidad animal, son un fenómeno generalizado en los taxones con consecuencias importantes para la aptitud, selección natural e interacciones tróficas. Las investigaciones sobre la personalidad animal pueden ser útiles en varios contextos de conservación, aunque falta determinar cuáles son estos contextos. Realizamos una revisión literaria estructurada de 654 estudios identificados mediante la combinación de los términos de búsqueda para la personalidad animal y varios subcampos de la conservación. Puntuamos la relevancia de la personalidad y los temas de conservación en cada estudio para identificar cuáles de estos integraron significativamente a ambos campos, contrario a las conexiones a nivel superficial o alusiones vagas. Descubrimos un sesgo taxonómico por los mamíferos (29% de todos los estudios). Pocos estudios enfocados en anfibios o reptiles aplicaron un estudio de personalidad a los temas de conservación (6% para cada uno). El cambio climático (21%), las especies invasoras (15%) y la reproducción en cautiverio y las reintroducciones (13%) fueron los subcampos de conservación más abundantes que aparecieron en nuestra búsqueda, aunque una proporción significativa de estos artículos integraron muy poco a la conservación y la personalidad animal (cambio climático 54%, especies invasoras 51%, reproducción en cautiverio y reintroducciones 40%). Con base en nuestros resultados, recomendamos que los investigadores procuren tener terminologías consistentes y de aplicación generalizada cuando describan las diferencias conductuales para así minimizar las confusiones y facilitar la búsqueda durante la investigación. Identificamos varios vacíos en la literatura que prometen ser vías fructíferas para las investigaciones en el futuro, como la transmisión de enfermedades como una función sociable o la exploración como un impulsor del uso del espacio en las áreas protegidas. Los practicantes pueden comenzar por guiar los siguientes esfuerzos de conservación con el conocimiento obtenido de las investigaciones sobre la personalidad animal.