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Haddad H, Mejri R, de Araujo AR, Zaïri A. Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of New Dermaseptin Derivatives against Acinetobacter baumannii. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:171. [PMID: 38399385 PMCID: PMC10892451 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Nosocomial infections represent one of the biggest health problems nowadays. Acinetobacter baumannii is known as an opportunistic pathogen in humans, affecting people with compromised immune systems, and is becoming increasingly important as a hospital-derived infection. It is known that in recent years, more and more bacteria have become multidrug-resistant (MDR) and, for this reason, the development of new drugs is a priority. However, these products must not affect the human body, and therefore, cytotoxicity studies are mandatory. In this context, antimicrobial peptides with potential antibacterial proprieties could be an alternative. In this research, we describe the synthesis and the bioactivity of dermaseptins and their derivatives against Acinetobacter baumannii. The cytotoxicity of these compounds was investigated on the HEp-2 cell line by MTT cell viability assay. Thereafter, we studied the morphological alterations caused by the action of one of the active peptides on the bacterial membrane using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cytotoxicity of dermaseptins was concentration-dependent at microgram concentrations. It was observed that all tested analogs exhibited antibacterial activity with Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) ranging from 3.125 to 12.5 μg/mL and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs) ranging from 6.25 to 25 μg/mL. Microscopic images obtained by AFM revealed morphological changes on the surface of the treated bacteria caused by K4S4(1-16), as well as significant surface alterations. Overall, these findings demonstrate that dermaseptins might constitute new lead structures for the development of potent antibacterial agents against Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Haddad
- BIOLIVAL Laboratory, LR14ES06, The Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir ISBM, University of Monastir, Monastir 5000, Tunisia;
- Biochemistry Department, LR18ES47, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sousse, Sousse 4002, Tunisia;
| | - Radhia Mejri
- Biochemistry Department, LR18ES47, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sousse, Sousse 4002, Tunisia;
| | - Alyne Rodrigues de Araujo
- Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research Center, BIOTEC, Federal University of Piauí, Parnaíba 64202-020, PI, Brazil;
| | - Amira Zaïri
- Biochemistry Department, LR18ES47, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sousse, Sousse 4002, Tunisia;
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Yang M, Zhi R, Lu L, Dong M, Wang Y, Tian F, Xia M, Hu J, Dai Q, Jiang S, Li W. A CCR5 antagonist-based HIV entry inhibitor exhibited potent spermicidal activity: Potential application for contraception and prevention of HIV sexual transmission. Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 117:313-320. [PMID: 29496533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2018.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
B07 is a small-molecule CCR5 antagonist-based HIV-1 entry inhibitor that is being developed as an anti-HIV microbicide for preventing sexual transmission of HIV. Here we evaluated its spermicidal and contraceptive potential, including sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and contraceptive efficacy tested in rabbits. We found that B07 inhibited sperm motility and movement patterns in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Within 30 min, B07 induced sperm immobilization with the minimum 100% effective concentration and median effective concentration of 640.0 and 64.4 μg/mL, respectively. The hypo-osmotic swelling test showed that plasma membranes of B07-treated sperms exhibited slight disruption, as verified by electron micrographs. In both B07 gel and N-9 gel groups, not a single implantation site or embryo was observed based on the contraceptive efficacy test in rabbits, indicating that B07 could effectively block the potential of sperm to reach and/or fertilize oocytes. The safety profile of B07 in vivo was evaluated by use of an optimized rabbit vaginal irritation test. While the pathological scores of the N-9 gel group was 14.67 ± 1.21, those of the blank control and B07 gel groups were 2.17 ± 0.76 and 4.00 ± 0.89, respectively, which were within the clinically acceptable range (<8). The proportion of inflammatory cells and CD45+ cells in the cervicovaginal lavages of the B07 gel group showed no significant change compared to those of the control group. Therefore, our results confirmed that B07 exhibited significant spermicidal and contraceptive effects, suggesting its potential for development as a microbicidal spermicide for contraception and prevention of HIV sexual transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruina Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingxin Dong
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuzhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Minjie Xia
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingying Hu
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuyun Dai
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, United States.
| | - Weihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China.
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Tanphaichitr N, Srakaew N, Alonzi R, Kiattiburut W, Kongmanas K, Zhi R, Li W, Baker M, Wang G, Hickling D. Potential Use of Antimicrobial Peptides as Vaginal Spermicides/Microbicides. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2016; 9:E13. [PMID: 26978373 PMCID: PMC4812377 DOI: 10.3390/ph9010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The concurrent increases in global population and sexually transmitted infection (STI) demand a search for agents with dual spermicidal and microbicidal properties for topical vaginal application. Previous attempts to develop the surfactant spermicide, nonoxynol-9 (N-9), into a vaginal microbicide were unsuccessful largely due to its inefficiency to kill microbes. Furthermore, N-9 causes damage to the vaginal epithelium, thus accelerating microbes to enter the women's body. For this reason, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), naturally secreted by all forms of life as part of innate immunity, deserve evaluation for their potential spermicidal effects. To date, twelve spermicidal AMPs have been described including LL-37, magainin 2 and nisin A. Human cathelicidin LL-37 is the most promising spermicidal AMP to be further developed for vaginal use for the following reasons. First, it is a human AMP naturally produced in the vagina after intercourse. Second, LL-37 exerts microbicidal effects to numerous microbes including those that cause STI. Third, its cytotoxicity is selective to sperm and not to the female reproductive tract. Furthermore, the spermicidal effects of LL-37 have been demonstrated in vivo in mice. Therefore, the availability of LL-37 as a vaginal spermicide/microbicide will empower women for self-protection against unwanted pregnancies and STI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nongnuj Tanphaichitr
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, ON, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, ON, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, ON, Canada.
| | - Nopparat Srakaew
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, ON, Canada.
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
| | - Rhea Alonzi
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, ON, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, ON, Canada.
| | - Wongsakorn Kiattiburut
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, ON, Canada.
| | - Kessiri Kongmanas
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, ON, Canada.
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research Unit, Office of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Ruina Zhi
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, ON, Canada.
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, and School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Weihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, and School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Mark Baker
- Reproductive Proteomics, Department of Science and Information technology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Drive, Newcastle, NSW 2308 Australia.
| | - Guanshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA.
| | - Duane Hickling
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, ON, Canada.
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4E9, ON, Canada.
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Zare-Zardini H, Fesahat F, Anbari F, Halvaei I, Ebrahimi L. Assessment of spermicidal activity of the antimicrobial peptide sarcotoxin Pd: A potent contraceptive agent. EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2015; 21:15-21. [PMID: 26052043 DOI: 10.3109/13625187.2015.1052395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In searching for new spermicidal microbicides for use in the prevention of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) we investigated the spermicidal and cytotoxicity activities of the antimicrobial peptide sarcotoxin Pd. METHODS Washed sperm from 10 healthy, normal volunteers was treated with different concentrations of sarcotoxin Pd. Sperm motility and morphology were assessed at 0, 0.3, 5, 10 and 15 min. The cytotoxicity of sarcotoxin Pd in normal human cervical HeLa cells was measured. Percentage cell survival was expressed as the number of live cells in the test group. RESULTS The cytotoxic effect of sarcotoxin Pd was concentration-dependent. Significant cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations above 24 μg/ml. Sarcotoxin Pd immobilised 100% of spermatozoa at a dose of 90 and 80 μg/ml after 0.3 and 5 min, respectively, and immobilised 50% of spermatozoa after 15 min at lower doses. Sarcotoxin Pd inhibited sperm motility in a dose-dependent manner. The peptide immobilised sperm within 20 s at its maximal effective concentration of 90 μg/ml. CONCLUSIONS Sarcotoxin Pd appears to be a good candidate for a contraceptive agent in the prevention of unplanned pregnancy and STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Zare-Zardini
- a Young Researchers and Elite Club, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University , Yazd , Iran.,b Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services , Yazd , Iran
| | - Farzaneh Fesahat
- c Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences , Yazd , Iran.,d Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences , Yazd , Iran
| | - Fatemeh Anbari
- c Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences , Yazd , Iran
| | - Iman Halvaei
- c Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences , Yazd , Iran
| | - Leila Ebrahimi
- e Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine , Tehran , Iran
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Xu X, Lai R. The chemistry and biological activities of peptides from amphibian skin secretions. Chem Rev 2015; 115:1760-846. [PMID: 25594509 DOI: 10.1021/cr4006704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology , Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
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Bergaoui I, Zaïri A, Gharsallah H, Aouni M, Hammami A, Hani K, Selmi B. The in vitro evaluation of anti-chlamydial and cytotoxic properties of dermaseptin S4 and derivatives: peptides from amphibian skin. Med Chem Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-013-0601-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Zaïri A, Tangy F, Hani K. Dermaseptin S4derivative K4K20S4: A potential candidate for development of a new microbicide contraceptive agent – anin vitrostudy. EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2013; 18:79-87. [DOI: 10.3109/13625187.2013.769950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Crusca E, Rezende AA, Marchetto R, Mendes-Giannini MJS, Fontes W, Castro MS, Cilli EM. Influence of N-terminus modifications on the biological activity, membrane interaction, and secondary structure of the antimicrobial peptide hylin-a1. Biopolymers 2011; 96:41-8. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.21454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Langsdorf M, Ghassempour A, Römpp A, Spengler B. Characterization of a peptide family from the skin secretion of the Middle East tree frog Hyla savignyi by composition-based de novo sequencing. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2010; 24:2885-2899. [PMID: 20857449 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.4717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A new tryptophyllin-like peptide family was found in the skin secretion of the tree frog Hyla savignyi. Peptides were characterized by database-independent sequencing strategies and specific ion fragmentation features were investigated. Skin secretions from specimens of Hyla savignyi were collected by mild electrical stimulation. Peptides were separated by reversed-phase nano-high-performance liquid chromatography (nanoHPLC) and mass spectra were acquired online by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). Peptides were characterized by manual de novo sequencing and by composition-based sequencing (CBS), appearing mostly as C-terminal free acids and as their acid amide analogs. Amide peptides yielded lower intensities of y-type ions after collision-induced dissociation (CID) than their acid analogs. A mechanism of internal b-ion formation (positive ion mode) and of CO(2) elimination (negative ion mode) is proposed. We also exemplified phenomena such as the proline effect and formation of non-direct sequence ions after sequence rearrangements. The occurrence of rearrangement products, of internal ions and of the proline effect made the CID spectra highly complex. CBS analysis nevertheless resulted in successful and highly reliable sequence analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Langsdorf
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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Zairi A, Tangy F, Bouassida K, Hani K. Dermaseptins and magainins: antimicrobial peptides from frogs' skin-new sources for a promising spermicides microbicides-a mini review. J Biomed Biotechnol 2009; 2009:452567. [PMID: 19893636 PMCID: PMC2773376 DOI: 10.1155/2009/452567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2008] [Accepted: 08/17/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agents of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), are two great concerns in the reproductive health of women. Thus, the challenge is to find products with a double activity, on the one hand having antimicrobial/antiviral properties with a role in the reduction of STI, and on the other hand having spermicidal action to be used as a contraceptive. In the absence of an effective microbicide along with the disadvantages of the most commonly used spermicidal contraceptive worldwide, nonoxynol-9, new emphasis has been focused on the development of more potential intravaginal microbicidal agents. Topical microbicides spermicides would ideally provide a female-controlled method of self-protection against HIV as well as preventing pregnancies. Nonoxynol-9, the only recommended microbicide spermicide, damages cervicovaginal epithelium because of its membrane-disruptive properties. Clearly, there is an urgent need to identify new compounds with dual potential microbicidal properties; antimicrobial peptides should be candidates for such investigations. Dermaseptins and magainins are two classes of cationic, amphipathic alpha-helical peptides that have been identified in the skin extracts of frogs Phyllomedusa sauvagei and Xenopus laevis. Regarding their contraceptive activities and their effect against various STI-causing pathogens, we believe that these two peptides are appropriate candidates in the evaluation of newer and safer microbicides spermicides in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Zairi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, 4002 Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Frédéric Tangy
- Institut Pasteur, Unité des Virus Lents, CNRS URA 1930, 75015 Paris, France
| | | | - Khaled Hani
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, 4002 Sousse, Tunisia
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Dalla Serra M, Cirioni O, Vitale RM, Renzone G, Coraiola M, Giacometti A, Potrich C, Baroni E, Guella G, Sanseverino M, De Luca S, Scalise G, Amodeo P, Scaloni A. Structural features of distinctin affecting peptide biological and biochemical properties. Biochemistry 2008; 47:7888-99. [PMID: 18597491 DOI: 10.1021/bi800616k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The antimicrobial peptide distinctin consists of two peptide chains linked by a disulfide bridge; it presents a peculiar fold in water resulting from noncovalent dimerization of two heterodimeric molecules. To investigate the contribution of each peptide chain and the S-S bond to distinctin biochemical properties, different monomeric and homodimeric peptide analogues were synthesized and comparatively evaluated with respect to the native molecule. Our experiments demonstrate that the simultaneous occurrence of both peptide chains and the disulfide bond is essential for the formation of the quaternary structure of distinctin in aqueous media, able to resist protease action. In contrast, distinctin and monomeric and homodimeric analogues exhibited comparable antimicrobial activities, suggesting only a partial contribution of the S-S bond to peptide killing effectiveness. Relative bactericidal properties paralleled liposome permeabilization results, definitively demonstrating that microbial membranes are the main target of distinctin activity. Various biophysical experiments performed in membrane-mimicking media, before and after peptide addition, provided information about peptide secondary structure, lipid bilayer organization, and lipid-peptide orientation with respect to membrane surface. These data were instrumental in the generation of putative models of peptide-lipid supramolecular pore complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Dalla Serra
- Bruno Kessler Foundation, Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, 38100 Povo, Trento, Italy
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