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Actin-microtubule cytoskeletal interplay mediated by MRTF-A/SRF signaling promotes dilated cardiomyopathy caused by LMNA mutations. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7886. [PMID: 36550158 PMCID: PMC9780334 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35639-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) cause dilated cardiomyopathy associated with increased activity of ERK1/2 in the heart. We recently showed that ERK1/2 phosphorylates cofilin-1 on threonine 25 (phospho(T25)-cofilin-1) that in turn disassembles the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we show that in muscle cells carrying a cardiomyopathy-causing LMNA mutation, phospho(T25)-cofilin-1 binds to myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) in the cytoplasm, thus preventing the stimulation of serum response factor (SRF) in the nucleus. Inhibiting the MRTF-A/SRF axis leads to decreased α-tubulin acetylation by reducing the expression of ATAT1 gene encoding α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1. Hence, tubulin acetylation is decreased in cardiomyocytes derived from male patients with LMNA mutations and in heart and isolated cardiomyocytes from Lmnap.H222P/H222P male mice. In Atat1 knockout mice, deficient for acetylated α-tubulin, we observe left ventricular dilation and mislocalization of Connexin 43 (Cx43) in heart. Increasing α-tubulin acetylation levels in Lmnap.H222P/H222P mice with tubastatin A treatment restores the proper localization of Cx43 and improves cardiac function. In summary, we show for the first time an actin-microtubule cytoskeletal interplay mediated by cofilin-1 and MRTF-A/SRF, promoting the dilated cardiomyopathy caused by LMNA mutations. Our findings suggest that modulating α-tubulin acetylation levels is a feasible strategy for improving cardiac function.
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De Zio R, Pietrafesa G, Milano S, Procino G, Bramerio M, Pepe M, Forleo C, Favale S, Svelto M, Gerbino A, Carmosino M. Role of Nuclear Lamin A/C in the Regulation of Nav1.5 Channel and Microtubules: Lesson From the Pathogenic Lamin A/C Variant Q517X. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:918760. [PMID: 35846372 PMCID: PMC9277463 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.918760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we studied an lmna nonsense mutation encoding for the C-terminally truncated Lamin A/C (LMNA) variant Q517X, which was described in patients affected by a severe arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy with history of sudden death. We found that LMNA Q517X stably expressed in HL-1 cardiomyocytes abnormally aggregates at the nuclear envelope and within the nucleoplasm. Whole-cell patch clamp experiments showed that LMNA Q517X-expressing cardiomyocytes generated action potentials with reduced amplitude, overshoot, upstroke velocity and diastolic potential compared with LMNA WT-expressing cardiomyocytes. Moreover, the unique features of these cardiomyocytes were 1) hyper-polymerized tubulin network, 2) upregulated acetylated α-tubulin, and 3) cell surface Nav1.5 downregulation. These findings pointed the light on the role of tubulin and Nav1.5 channel in the abnormal electrical properties of LMNA Q517X-expressing cardiomyocytes. When expressed in HEK293 with Nav1.5 and its β1 subunit, LMNA Q517X reduced the peak Na+ current (INa) up to 63% with a shift toward positive potentials in the activation curve of the channel. Of note, both AP properties in cardiomyocytes and Nav1.5 kinetics in HEK293 cells were rescued in LMNA Q517X-expressing cells upon treatment with colchicine, an FDA-approved inhibitor of tubulin assembly. In conclusion, LMNA Q517X expression is associated with hyper-polymerization and hyper-acetylation of tubulin network with concomitant downregulation of Nav1.5 cell expression and activity, thus revealing 1) new mechanisms by which LMNA may regulate channels at the cell surface in cardiomyocytes and 2) new pathomechanisms and therapeutic targets in cardiac laminopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta De Zio
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giusy Pietrafesa
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Serena Milano
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Procino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuela Bramerio
- ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda Pathological Anatomy Center, Milano, Italy
| | - Martino Pepe
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Cardiology Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Cinzia Forleo
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Cardiology Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Favale
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Cardiology Unit, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Svelto
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Gerbino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Monica Carmosino
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
- *Correspondence: Monica Carmosino,
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Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Applications in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073700. [PMID: 35409059 PMCID: PMC8998711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart muscle disorder characterized by progressive replacement of cardiomyocytes by fibrofatty tissue, ventricular dilatation, cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Interest in molecular biomechanics for these disorders is constantly growing. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a well-established technic to study the mechanobiology of biological samples under physiological and pathological conditions at the cellular scale. However, a review which described all the different data that can be obtained using the AFM (cell elasticity, adhesion behavior, viscoelasticity, beating force, and frequency) is still missing. In this review, we will discuss several techniques that highlight the potential of AFM to be used as a tool for assessing the biomechanics involved in ACM. Indeed, analysis of genetically mutated cells with AFM reveal abnormalities of the cytoskeleton, cell membrane structures, and defects of contractility. The higher the Young’s modulus, the stiffer the cell, and it is well known that abnormal tissue stiffness is symptomatic of a range of diseases. The cell beating force and frequency provide information during the depolarization and repolarization phases, complementary to cell electrophysiology (calcium imaging, MEA, patch clamp). In addition, original data is also presented to emphasize the unique potential of AFM as a tool to assess fibrosis in cardiac tissue.
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Nganfo WA, Kenfack-Sadem C, Fotué AJ, Ekosso MC, Wopunghwo SN, Fai LC. Dynamics of exciton polaron in microtubule. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08897. [PMID: 35265761 PMCID: PMC8899671 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we study the dynamical properties of the exciton-polaron in the microtubule. The study was carried out using a unitary transformation and an approximate diagonalization technique. Analytically, the modeling of exciton-polaron dynamics in microtubules is presented. From this model, the ground state energy, mobility, and entropy of the exciton-polaron are derived as a function of microtubule's parameters. Numerical results show that, depending on the three vibrational modes (protofilament, helix, antihelix) in MTs, exciton-polaron energy is anisotropic and is more present on the protofilament than the helix and absent on the antihelix. Taking into account the variation of the protofilament vibrations by fixing the helix vibrations, exciton-polaron moves between the 1st and 2nd protofilaments. It is seen that the variation of the two vibrations induces mobility of the quasiparticle between the 1st and 15th protofilament. This result points out the importance of helix vibrations on the dynamics of quasiparticles. It is observed that the mobility of the exciton polaron and the entropy of the system are strongly influenced by the vibrations through the protofilament and helix. The effects of the one through the antihelix is negligible. The entropy of the system is similar to that of mobility. Confirming that the quasiparticles move in the protofilament faster than in the helix.
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Affiliation(s)
- W A Nganfo
- Condensed Matter and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, University of Dschang, Po Box 67, Cameroon
| | - C Kenfack-Sadem
- Condensed Matter and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, University of Dschang, Po Box 67, Cameroon
| | - A J Fotué
- Condensed Matter and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, University of Dschang, Po Box 67, Cameroon
| | - M C Ekosso
- Condensed Matter and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, University of Dschang, Po Box 67, Cameroon
| | - S N Wopunghwo
- Condensed Matter and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, University of Dschang, Po Box 67, Cameroon
| | - L C Fai
- Condensed Matter and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, University of Dschang, Po Box 67, Cameroon
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Cytoskeletal Protein Variants Driving Atrial Fibrillation: Potential Mechanisms of Action. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030416. [PMID: 35159226 PMCID: PMC8834312 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common clinical tachyarrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF), is present in 1-2% of the population. Although common risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, frequently underlie AF onset, it has been recognized that in 15% of the AF population, AF is familial. In these families, genome and exome sequencing techniques identified variants in the non-coding genome (i.e., variant regulatory elements), genes encoding ion channels, as well as genes encoding cytoskeletal (-associated) proteins. Cytoskeletal protein variants include variants in desmin, lamin A/C, titin, myosin heavy and light chain, junctophilin, nucleoporin, nesprin, and filamin C. These cytoskeletal protein variants have a strong association with the development of cardiomyopathy. Interestingly, AF onset is often represented as the initial manifestation of cardiac disease, sometimes even preceding cardiomyopathy by several years. Although emerging research findings reveal cytoskeletal protein variants to disrupt the cardiomyocyte structure and trigger DNA damage, exploration of the pathophysiological mechanisms of genetic AF is still in its infancy. In this review, we provide an overview of cytoskeletal (-associated) gene variants that relate to genetic AF and highlight potential pathophysiological pathways that drive this arrhythmia.
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Preclinical Advances of Therapies for Laminopathies. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214834. [PMID: 34768351 PMCID: PMC8584472 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Laminopathies are a group of rare disorders due to mutation in LMNA gene. Depending on the mutation, they may affect striated muscles, adipose tissues, nerves or are multisystemic with various accelerated ageing syndromes. Although the diverse pathomechanisms responsible for laminopathies are not fully understood, several therapeutic approaches have been evaluated in patient cells or animal models, ranging from gene therapies to cell and drug therapies. This review is focused on these therapies with a strong focus on striated muscle laminopathies and premature ageing syndromes.
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Lachaize V, Peña B, Ciubotaru C, Cojoc D, Chen SN, Taylor MRG, Mestroni L, Sbaizero O. Compromised Biomechanical Properties, Cell-Cell Adhesion and Nanotubes Communication in Cardiac Fibroblasts Carrying the Lamin A/C D192G Mutation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9193. [PMID: 34502098 PMCID: PMC8431729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical effects induced by arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) originate from a large spectrum of genetic variations, including the missense mutation of the lamin A/C gene (LMNA), LMNA D192G. The aim of our study was to investigate the biophysical and biomechanical impact of the LMNA D192G mutation on neonatal rat ventricular fibroblasts (NRVF). The main findings in mutated NRVFs were: (i) cytoskeleton disorganization (actin and intermediate filaments); (ii) decreased elasticity of NRVFs; (iii) altered cell-cell adhesion properties, that highlighted a strong effect on cellular communication, in particular on tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). In mutant-expressing fibroblasts, these nanotubes were weakened with altered mechanical properties as shown by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical tweezers. These outcomes complement prior investigations on LMNA mutant cardiomyocytes and suggest that the LMNA D192G mutation impacts the biomechanical properties of both cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. These observations could explain how this mutation influences cardiac biomechanical pathology and the severity of ACM in LMNA-cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronique Lachaize
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Brisa Peña
- CU-Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (B.P.); (S.N.C.); (M.R.G.T.); (L.M.)
- Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, 12700 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Bioengineering Department, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Bioscience 2 1270 E. Montview Ave., Suite 100, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Catalin Ciubotaru
- Institute of Materials, National Research Council of Italy (CNR_IOM), Area Science Park Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (C.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Dan Cojoc
- Institute of Materials, National Research Council of Italy (CNR_IOM), Area Science Park Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (C.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Suet Nee Chen
- CU-Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (B.P.); (S.N.C.); (M.R.G.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Matthew R. G. Taylor
- CU-Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (B.P.); (S.N.C.); (M.R.G.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Luisa Mestroni
- CU-Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (B.P.); (S.N.C.); (M.R.G.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Orfeo Sbaizero
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
- CU-Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (B.P.); (S.N.C.); (M.R.G.T.); (L.M.)
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Ross JA, Stroud MJ. THE NUCLEUS: Mechanosensing in cardiac disease. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 137:106035. [PMID: 34242685 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus provides a physical and selective chemical boundary to segregate the genome from the cytoplasm. The contents of the nucleus are surrounded by the nuclear envelope, which acts as a hub of mechanosensation, transducing forces from the external cytoskeleton to the nucleus, thus impacting on nuclear morphology, genome organisation, gene transcription and signalling pathways. Muscle tissues such as the heart are unique in that they actively generate large contractile forces, resulting in a distinctive mechanical environment which impacts nuclear properties, function and mechanosensing. In light of this, mutations that affect the function of the nuclear envelope (collectively known as nuclear envelopathies and laminopathies) disproportionately result in striated muscle diseases, which include dilated and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies. Here we review the nucleus and its role in mechanotransduction, as well as associated defects that lead to cardiac dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Ross
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew J Stroud
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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Marsh SR, Williams ZJ, Pridham KJ, Gourdie RG. Peptidic Connexin43 Therapeutics in Cardiac Reparative Medicine. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:52. [PMID: 34063001 PMCID: PMC8147937 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8050052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin (Cx43)-formed channels have been linked to cardiac arrhythmias and diseases of the heart associated with myocardial tissue loss and fibrosis. These pathologies include ischemic heart disease, ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A number of Cx43 mimetic peptides have been reported as therapeutic candidates for targeting disease processes linked to Cx43, including some that have advanced to clinical testing in humans. These peptides include Cx43 sequences based on the extracellular loop domains (e.g., Gap26, Gap 27, and Peptide5), cytoplasmic-loop domain (Gap19 and L2), and cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal domain (e.g., JM2, Cx43tat, CycliCX, and the alphaCT family of peptides) of this transmembrane protein. Additionally, RYYN peptides binding to the Cx43 carboxyl-terminus have been described. In this review, we survey preclinical and clinical data available on short mimetic peptides based on, or directly targeting, Cx43, with focus on their potential for treating heart disease. We also discuss problems that have caused reluctance within the pharmaceutical industry to translate peptidic therapeutics to the clinic, even when supporting preclinical data is strong. These issues include those associated with the administration, stability in vivo, and tissue penetration of peptide-based therapeutics. Finally, we discuss novel drug delivery technologies including nanoparticles, exosomes, and other nanovesicular carriers that could transform the clinical and commercial viability of Cx43-targeting peptides in treatment of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other indications requiring oral or parenteral administration. Some of these newly emerging approaches to drug delivery may provide a path to overcoming pitfalls associated with the drugging of peptide therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer R. Marsh
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA; (S.R.M.); (Z.J.W.); (K.J.P.)
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Zachary J. Williams
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA; (S.R.M.); (Z.J.W.); (K.J.P.)
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Kevin J. Pridham
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA; (S.R.M.); (Z.J.W.); (K.J.P.)
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Robert G. Gourdie
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA; (S.R.M.); (Z.J.W.); (K.J.P.)
- Center for Heart and Reparative Medicine Research, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
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Electrical impedance-based contractile stress measurement of human iPSC-Cardiomyocytes. Biosens Bioelectron 2020; 166:112399. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2020.112399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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