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Treble-Barna A, Petersen BA, Stec Z, Conley YP, Fink EL, Kochanek PM. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury and Recovery. Biomolecules 2024; 14:191. [PMID: 38397427 PMCID: PMC10886547 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020191] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
We review emerging preclinical and clinical evidence regarding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein, genotype, and DNA methylation (DNAm) as biomarkers of outcomes in three important etiologies of pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI), traumatic brain injury, global cerebral ischemia, and stroke. We also summarize evidence suggesting that BDNF is (1) involved in the biological embedding of the psychosocial environment, (2) responsive to rehabilitative therapies, and (3) potentially modifiable. BDNF's unique potential as a biomarker of neuroplasticity and neural repair that is reflective of and responsive to both pre- and post-injury environmental influences separates it from traditional protein biomarkers of structural brain injury with exciting potential to advance pediatric ABI management by increasing the accuracy of prognostic tools and informing clinical decision making through the monitoring of therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amery Treble-Barna
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (B.A.P.); (Z.S.)
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (E.L.F.); (P.M.K.)
| | - Bailey A. Petersen
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (B.A.P.); (Z.S.)
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (E.L.F.); (P.M.K.)
| | - Zachary Stec
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (B.A.P.); (Z.S.)
| | - Yvette P. Conley
- Department of Health Promotion & Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
| | - Ericka L. Fink
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (E.L.F.); (P.M.K.)
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Patrick M. Kochanek
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (E.L.F.); (P.M.K.)
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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2
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Vidovič E, Pelikan S, Atanasova M, Kouter K, Pileckyte I, Oblak A, Novak Šarotar B, Videtič Paska A, Bon J. DNA Methylation Patterns in Relation to Acute Severity and Duration of Anxiety and Depression. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:7286-7303. [PMID: 37754245 PMCID: PMC10527760 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45090461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression and anxiety are common mental disorders that often occur together. Stress is an important risk factor for both disorders, affecting pathophysiological processes through epigenetic changes that mediate gene-environment interactions. In this study, we explored two proposed models about the dynamic nature of DNA methylation in anxiety and depression: a stable change, in which DNA methylation accumulates over time as a function of the duration of clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression, or a flexible change, in which DNA methylation correlates with the acute severity of clinical symptoms. Symptom severity was assessed using clinical questionnaires for anxiety and depression (BDI-II, IDS-C, and HAM-A), and the current episode and the total lifetime symptom duration was obtained from patients' medical records. Peripheral blood DNA methylation levels were determined for the BDNF, COMT, and SLC6A4 genes. We found a significant negative correlation between COMT_1 amplicon methylation and acute symptom scores, with BDI-II (R(22) = 0.190, p = 0.033), IDS-C (R(22) = 0.199, p = 0.029), and HAM-A (R(22) = 0.231, p = 0.018) all showing a similar degree of correlation. Our results suggest that DNA methylation follows flexible dynamics, with methylation levels closely associated with acute clinical presentation rather than with the duration of anxiety and depression. These results provide important insights into the dynamic nature of DNA methylation in anxiety and affective disorders and contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between stress, epigenetics, and individual phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Vidovič
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
| | - Sebastian Pelikan
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
| | - Marija Atanasova
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Kouter
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Indre Pileckyte
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Pompeu Fabra University, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aleš Oblak
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
| | - Brigita Novak Šarotar
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alja Videtič Paska
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jurij Bon
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Treble-Barna A, Heinsberg LW, Stec Z, Breazeale S, Davis TS, Kesbhat AA, Chattopadhyay A, VonVille HM, Ketchum AM, Yeates KO, Kochanek PM, Weeks DE, Conley YP. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) epigenomic modifications and brain-related phenotypes in humans: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 147:105078. [PMID: 36764636 PMCID: PMC10164361 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105078] [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: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Epigenomic modifications of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene have been postulated to underlie the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurological conditions. This systematic review summarizes current evidence investigating the association of BDNF epigenomic modifications (DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, histone modifications) with brain-related phenotypes in humans. A novel contribution is our creation of an open access web-based application, the BDNF DNA Methylation Map, to interactively visualize specific positions of CpG sites investigated across all studies for which relevant data were available. Our literature search of four databases through September 27, 2021 returned 1701 articles, of which 153 met inclusion criteria. Our review revealed exceptional heterogeneity in methodological approaches, hindering the identification of clear patterns of robust and/or replicated results. We summarize key findings and provide recommendations for future epigenomic research. The existing literature appears to remain in its infancy and requires additional rigorous research to fulfill its potential to explain BDNF-linked risk for brain-related conditions and improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying their pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amery Treble-Barna
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Lacey W Heinsberg
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Zachary Stec
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Stephen Breazeale
- Department of Health and Human Development, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Tara S Davis
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | | | - Ansuman Chattopadhyay
- Molecular Biology Information Service, Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Helena M VonVille
- Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Andrea M Ketchum
- Emeritus Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Keith Owen Yeates
- Department of Psychology, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N1N4, Canada.
| | - Patrick M Kochanek
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Daniel E Weeks
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Yvette P Conley
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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Portelli J, Farokhnia M, Deschaine SL, Battista JT, Lee MR, Li X, Ron D, Leggio L. Investigating the link between serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and behavioral measures in anxious alcohol-dependent individuals. Alcohol 2020; 89:75-83. [PMID: 32798692 PMCID: PMC7722014 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2020.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in different neurophysiological processes, including those involved in alcohol- and anxiety-related behaviors. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that chronic excessive alcohol use leads to a downregulation of BDNF production in the periphery and in the brain. In addition, a decrease in BDNF concentrations in the blood has been reported to be associated with increased anxiety levels. Non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals with high trait anxiety were studied to assess whether serum BDNF concentrations may be linked to self-reported levels of alcohol drinking, anxiety, and other behavioral measures. Participants had a current diagnosis of alcohol dependence, high trait anxiety score, and were not seeking treatment for alcohol dependence or anxiety. A fasting blood sample was collected from each participant and serum BDNF was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Behavioral data were collected on the same day, including measures of alcohol drinking, craving, dependence severity, and anxiety. Bivariate correlations were run between BDNF levels and behavioral measures. Serum BDNF concentrations were negatively correlated with average drinks per drinking days (r = -0.41, p = 0.02) and positively correlated with obsessive-compulsive drinking scale (r = 0.48, p = 0.007) and state-trait anxiety inventory (r = 0.52, p = 0.003) scores. These findings shed light on the possible role of the BDNF system in the neurobiology of alcohol- and anxiety-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanelle Portelli
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mehdi Farokhnia
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States; Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sara L Deschaine
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jillian T Battista
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mary R Lee
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Xiaobai Li
- Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology Service, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dorit Ron
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States; Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.
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Zhang S, Xu M, Liu ZJ, Feng J, Ma Y. Neuropsychiatric issues after stroke: Clinical significance and therapeutic implications. World J Psychiatry 2020; 10:125-138. [PMID: 32742946 PMCID: PMC7360525 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v10.i6.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders is a common complication from stroke. Neuropsychiatric disorders after stroke have negative effects on functional recovery, increasing the rate of mortality and disability of stroke survivors. Given the vital significance of maintaining physical and mental health in stroke patients, neuropsychiatric issues after stroke have raised concerns by clinicians and researchers. This mini-review focuses on the most common non-cognitive functional neuropsychiatric disorders seen after stroke, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, and psychotic disorders. For each condition, the clinical performance, epidemiology, identification of the therapeutic implication, and strategies are reviewed and discussed; the main opinions and perspectives presented here are based on the latest controlled studies, meta-analysis, or updated systematic reviews. In the absence of data from controlled studies, consensus recommendations were provided accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Michael Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, International Education School, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Juan Feng
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
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Treble-Barna A, Patronick J, Uchani S, Marousis NC, Zigler CK, Fink EL, Kochanek PM, Conley YP, Yeates KO. Epigenetic Effects on Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery (EETR): An Observational, Prospective, Longitudinal Concurrent Cohort Study Protocol. Front Neurol 2020; 11:460. [PMID: 32595586 PMCID: PMC7303323 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Unexplained heterogeneity in outcomes following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most critical barriers to the development of effective prognostic tools and therapeutics. The addition of personal biological factors to our prediction models may account for a significant portion of unexplained variance and advance the field toward precision rehabilitation medicine. The overarching goal of the Epigenetic Effects on Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery (EETR) study is to investigate an epigenetic biomarker involved in both childhood adversity and postinjury neuroplasticity to better understand heterogeneity in neurobehavioral outcomes following pediatric TBI. Our primary hypothesis is that childhood adversity will be associated with worse neurobehavioral recovery in part through an epigenetically mediated reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in response to TBI. Methods and analysis: EETR is an observational, prospective, longitudinal concurrent cohort study of children aged 3-18 years with either TBI (n = 200) or orthopedic injury (n = 100), recruited from the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Participants complete study visits acutely and at 6 and 12 months postinjury. Blood and saliva biosamples are collected at all time points-and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) when available acutely-for epigenetic and proteomic analysis of BDNF. Additional measures assess injury characteristics, pre- and postinjury child neurobehavioral functioning, childhood adversity, and potential covariates/confounders. Recruitment began in July 2017 and will occur for ~6 years, with data collection complete by mid-2023. Analyses will characterize BDNF DNA methylation and protein levels over the recovery period and investigate this novel biomarker as a potential biological mechanism underlying the known association between childhood adversity and worse neurobehavioral outcomes following pediatric TBI. Ethics and dissemination: The study received ethics approval from the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board. Participants and their parents provide informed consent/assent. Research findings will be disseminated via local and international conference presentations and manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals. Trial Registration: The study is registered with clinicaltrials.org (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04186429).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amery Treble-Barna
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jamie Patronick
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Srivatsan Uchani
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Noelle C. Marousis
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Christina K. Zigler
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ericka L. Fink
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Department of Critical Care and Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Patrick M. Kochanek
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Department of Critical Care and Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yvette P. Conley
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Keith Owen Yeates
- Department of Psychology, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Peedicayil J. The Potential Role of Epigenetic Drugs in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020; 16:597-606. [PMID: 32184601 PMCID: PMC7060022 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s242040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that abnormalities in epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression contribute to the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders (ADs). This article discusses the role of epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression in the pathogenesis of ADs. It also discusses the data so far obtained from preclinical and clinical trials on the use of epigenetic drugs for treating ADs. Most drug trials investigating the use of epigenetic drugs for treating ADs have used histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). HDACi are showing favorable results in both preclinical and clinical drug trials for treating ADs. However, at present the mode of action of HDACi in ADs is not clear. More work needs to be done to elucidate how epigenetic dysregulation contributes to the pathogenesis of ADs. More work also needs to be done on the mode of action of HDACi in alleviating the signs and symptoms of ADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Peedicayil
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
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