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Finch CE, Thorwald MA. Inhaled Pollutants of the Gero-Exposome and Later-Life Health. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2024; 79:glae107. [PMID: 38644649 PMCID: PMC11170295 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glae107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Inhaled air pollutants (AirP) comprise extraordinarily diverse particles, volatiles, and gases from traffic, wildfire, cigarette smoke, dust, and various other sources. These pollutants contain numerous toxic components, which collectively differ in relative levels of components, but broadly share chemical classes. Exposure and health outcomes from AirP are complex, depending on pollutant source, duration of exposure, and socioeconomic status. We discuss examples in the current literature on organ responses to AirP, with a focus on lung, arteries, and brain. Some transcriptional responses are shared. It is well accepted that AirP contributes to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions in the Gero-Exposome. However, we do not know which chemical compounds initiate these changes and how activation of these transcriptional pathways is further modified by genetics and prenatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb E Finch
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Max A Thorwald
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Jin J, Xu Z, Beevers SD, Huang J, Kelly F, Li G. Long-term ambient ozone, omega-3 fatty acid, genetic susceptibility, and risk of mental disorders among middle-aged and older adults in UK biobank. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 243:117825. [PMID: 38081346 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence linking ozone to depression and anxiety disorders remains sparse and results are heterogeneous. It remains unknown whether omega-3 fatty acid, or genetic susceptibility of mental disorders modify the impacts of ozone. The aim is to assess the associations of ambient ozone with depression and anxiety, and further explore the potential modification effects of omega-3 fatty acid and genetic susceptibility. METHODS In total of 257,534 participants were enrolled from 2006 to 2010 and followed up to 2016. Depression and anxiety were assessed using mental health questionnaires, primary care records and hospital admission records. The annual average concentrations of ozone were calculated and linked to individuals by home address. Dietary intake and plasma concentration were selected to reflect levels of omega-3 fatty acid. Polygenetic risk scores were selected to reflect genetic susceptibility. We examined the associations of ozone and incident mental disorders, and potential modification of omega-3 fatty acid and genetic susceptibility. RESULTS Incidences of depression (N = 6957) and anxiety (N = 6944) was associated with increase of ozone. Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acid might attenuate the ozone related depression risk. However, the modification effects of genetic susceptibility were not found. CONCLUSIONS Long-term exposure to ambient ozone increase the risk of mental disorders among the middle aged and older adults, and omega-3 fatty acid could reduce the adverse effects of ozone on mental health. Higher intake of omega-3 fatty acid is a potential strategy to prevent the risks caused by ozone on public mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Jin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhihu Xu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China.
| | - Sean D Beevers
- Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China; Peking University Institute for Global Health and Development, Beijing, China.
| | - Frank Kelly
- Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Guoxing Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China; Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Tanksley PT, Logan MW, Barnes JC. History of incarceration and age-related neurodegeneration: Testing models of genetic and environmental risks in a longitudinal panel study of older adults. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288303. [PMID: 38048316 PMCID: PMC10695383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
History of incarceration is associated with an excess of morbidity and mortality. While the incarceration experience itself comes with substantive health risks (e.g., injury, psychological stress, exposure to infectious disease), most individuals eventually return from prison to the general population where they will be diagnosed with the same age-related conditions that drive mortality in the non-incarcerated population but at exaggerated rates. However, the interplay between history of incarceration as a risk factor and more traditional risk factors for age-related diseases (e.g., genetic risk factors) has not been studied. Here, we focus on cognitive impairment, a hallmark of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease, as an age-related state that may be uniquely impacted by the confluence of environmental stressors (e.g., incarceration) and genetic risk factors. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we found that incarceration and APOE-ε4 genotype (i.e., the chief genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease) both constituted substantive risk factors for cognitive impairment in terms of overall risk and earlier onset. The observed effects were mutually independent, however, suggesting that the risk conveyed by incarceration and APOE-ε4 genotype operate across different risk pathways. Our results have implications for the study of criminal-legal contact as a public health risk factor for age-related, neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T. Tanksley
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States of America
| | - Matthew W. Logan
- School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Texas Status University, San Marcos, TX, United States of America
| | - J. C. Barnes
- School of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
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Li X, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Zheng Y, Liu R, Xiao S. Education counteracts the genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease without an interaction effect. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1178017. [PMID: 37663829 PMCID: PMC10471486 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1178017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major cause of disability and mortality in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the association of AD with education and genetic factors. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study using data from the UK Biobank. Genetic risk was assessed using a polygenic risk score for AD. The educational level was categorized as either low, intermediate, or high. AD was defined using the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the independent and combined effects of genetic factors and educational levels on the risk of AD. Results We included 318,535 participants in this study (age: 56.53 ± 8.09 years; male: 44.81%). Compared with a low genetic risk, a high genetic risk was associated with a significantly greater risk of AD (OR = 7.09, 95% CI: 6.09-8.26). A high educational level was associated with a 30% lower risk of AD compared with a low educational level (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.60-0.81). Combining genetic risk and education categories, individuals with a low genetic risk and high educational level had a more than 90% (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.05-0.16) lower risk of AD compared to those with a high genetic risk and low educational level. There was no significant interaction between genetic risk and educational level regarding AD risk (p for interaction = 0.359). Conclusion Education counteracts the genetic risk of AD, without an interaction effect. Increasing education to reduce the incidence of AD is of same importance across individuals with different genetic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuping Li
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yushi Zhang
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Chengcheng Zhang
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ruilin Liu
- The Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuiyuan Xiao
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Franz CE, Gustavson DE, Elman JA, Fennema-Notestine C, Hagler DJ, Baraff A, Tu XM, Wu TC, DeAnda J, Beck A, Kaufman JD, Whitsel N, Finch CE, Chen JC, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS. Associations Between Ambient Air Pollution and Cognitive Abilities from Midlife to Early Old Age: Modification by APOE Genotype. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 93:193-209. [PMID: 36970897 PMCID: PMC10827529 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) measures of ambient air pollution are associated with accelerated age-related cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). OBJECTIVE We examined associations between air pollution, four cognitive factors, and the moderating role of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype in the understudied period of midlife. METHODS Participants were ∼1,100 men in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Baseline cognitive assessments were from 2003 to 2007. Measures included past (1993-1999) and recent (3 years prior to baseline assessment) PM2.5 and NO2 exposure, in-person assessment of episodic memory, executive function, verbal fluency, and processing speed, and APOE genotype. Average baseline age was 56 years with a 12-year follow-up. Analyses adjusted for health and lifestyle covariates. RESULTS Performance in all cognitive domains declined from age 56 to 68. Higher PM2.5 exposures were associated with worse general verbal fluency. We found significant exposure-by-APOE genotype interactions for specific cognitive domains: PM2.5 with executive function and NO2 with episodic memory. Higher PM2.5 exposure was related to worse executive function in APOE ɛ4 carriers, but not in non-carriers. There were no associations with processing speed. CONCLUSION These results indicate negative effects of ambient air pollution exposure on fluency alongside intriguing differential modifications of cognitive performance by APOE genotype. APOE ɛ4 carriers appeared more sensitive to environmental differences. The process by which air pollution and its interaction with genetic risk for ADRD affects risk for later life cognitive decline or progression to dementia may begin in midlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol E. Franz
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Daniel E. Gustavson
- Institute for Behavior Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | - Jeremy A. Elman
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Donald J. Hagler
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Aaron Baraff
- Vietnam Era Twin Registry, VA Puget Sound Health Care, Seattle, WA
| | - Xin M. Tu
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, CA
| | - Tsung-Chin Wu
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, CA
| | - Jaden DeAnda
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
| | - Asad Beck
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Joel D. Kaufman
- Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, and General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Nathan Whitsel
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Caleb E. Finch
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jiu-Chiuan Chen
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael J. Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - William S. Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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Fu Z, Liu Q, Liang J, Weng Z, Li W, Xu J, Zhang X, Xu C, Huang T, Gu A. Air pollution, genetic factors and the risk of depression. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:158001. [PMID: 35973541 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Both genetics and ambient air pollutants contribute to depression, but the degree to which genetic susceptibility modifies the effect of air pollution on depression remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of the modification of genetic susceptibility on depression. Notably, 490,780 participants who were free of depression at baseline in the UK Biobank study were recruited from 2006 to 2010. A land use regression (LUR) model was performed to estimate the concentrations of particulate matter with diameters ranging from ≤2.5-≤10 μm (PM2.5, PM2.5-10 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) code was used to identify depression cases. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for covariates were used to investigate the association between ambient air pollutants and depression. Moreover, the polygenic risk score (PRS) was calculated to evaluate cumulative genetic effects, and additive interaction models were established to explore whether genetic susceptibility modified the effects of air pollutants on depression. PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and NOx exposure were significantly positively associated with the risk of depression, and the hazard ratios and 95 % confidence intervals for a 10-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and NOx concentrations were 2.12 (1.82, 2.47), 1.12 (1.03, 1.23), 1.07 (1.05, 1.10) and 1.04 (1.03, 1.05), respectively. Air pollutants and genetic variants exerted significant additive effects on the risk of depression (relative excess risk due to the interaction [RERI]: 0.15 for PM2.5, 0.12 for PM10, 0.10 for NO2, and 0.12 for NOx; attributable proportion due to the interaction [AP]: 0.12 for PM2.5, 0.10 for PM10, 0.08 for NO2, and 0.09 for NOx). Air pollution exposure was significantly associated with the risk of depression, and participants with a higher genetic risk were more likely to develop depression when exposed to high levels of air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuqiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjia Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenkun Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Aihua Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
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Inhaled particulate accumulation with age impairs immune function and architecture in human lung lymph nodes. Nat Med 2022; 28:2622-2632. [PMID: 36411343 PMCID: PMC9835154 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-02073-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Older people are particularly susceptible to infectious and neoplastic diseases of the lung and it is unclear how lifelong exposure to environmental pollutants affects respiratory immune function. In an analysis of human lymph nodes (LNs) from 84 organ donors aged 11-93 years, we found a specific age-related decline in lung-associated, but not gut-associated, LN immune function linked to the accumulation of inhaled atmospheric particulate matter. Increasing densities of particulates were found in lung-associated LNs with age, but not in the corresponding gut-associated LNs. Particulates were specifically contained within CD68+CD169- macrophages, which exhibited decreased activation, phagocytic capacity, and altered cytokine production compared with non-particulate-containing macrophages. The structures of B cell follicles and lymphatic drainage were also disrupted in lung-associated LNs with particulates. Our results reveal that the cumulative effects of environmental exposure and age may compromise immune surveillance of the lung via direct effects on immune cell function and lymphoid architecture.
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Finch CE, Haghani A. Gene-Environment Interactions and Stochastic Variations in the Gero-Exposome. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 76:1740-1747. [PMID: 33580247 PMCID: PMC8436990 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The limited heritability of human life spans suggests an important role for gene-environment (G × E) interactions across the life span (T), from gametes to geronts. Multilevel G × E × T interactions of aging phenotypes are conceptualized in the Gero-Exposome as Exogenous and Endogenous domains. Stochastic variations in the Endogenous domain contribute to the diversity of aging phenotypes, shown for the diversity of inbred Caenorhabditis elegans life spans in the same culture environment, and for variegated gene expression of somatic cells in nematodes and mammals. These phenotypic complexities can be analyzed as 3-way interactions of gene, environment, and stochastic variations, the Tripartite Phenotype of Aging. Single-cell analyses provide tools to explore this broadening frontier of biogerontology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb E Finch
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Dornsife College, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Amin Haghani
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
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Decline in biological resilience as key manifestation of aging: Potential mechanisms and role in health and longevity. Mech Ageing Dev 2020; 194:111418. [PMID: 33340523 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Decline in biological resilience (ability to recover) is a key manifestation of aging that contributes to increase in vulnerability to death with age eventually limiting longevity even in people without major chronic diseases. Understanding the mechanisms of this decline is essential for developing efficient anti-aging and pro-longevity interventions. In this paper we discuss: a) mechanisms of the decline in resilience with age, and aging components that contribute to this decline, including depletion of body reserves, imperfect repair mechanisms, and slowdown of physiological processes and responses with age; b) anti-aging interventions that may improve resilience or attenuate its decline; c) biomarkers of resilience available in human and experimental studies; and d) genetic factors that could influence resilience. There are open questions about optimal anti-aging interventions that would oppose the decline in resilience along with extending longevity limits. However, the area develops quickly, and prospects are exciting.
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