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Conesa C, Bellés A, Grasa L, Sánchez L. The Role of Lactoferrin in Intestinal Health. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1569. [PMID: 37376017 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061569] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestine represents one of the first barriers where microorganisms and environmental antigens come into tight contact with the host immune system. A healthy intestine is essential for the well-being of humans and animals. The period after birth is a very important phase of development, as the infant moves from a protected environment in the uterus to one with many of unknown antigens and pathogens. In that period, mother's milk plays an important role, as it contains an abundance of biologically active components. Among these components, the iron-binding glycoprotein, lactoferrin (LF), has demonstrated a variety of important benefits in infants and adults, including the promotion of intestinal health. This review article aims to provide a compilation of all the information related to LF and intestinal health, in infants and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Conesa
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Andrea Bellés
- Departamento de Farmacología, Fisiología y Medicina Legal y Forense, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Grasa
- Departamento de Farmacología, Fisiología y Medicina Legal y Forense, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Lourdes Sánchez
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
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Cipriano M, Ruberti E, Tovani-Palone MR. Combined use of lactoferrin and vitamin D as a preventive and therapeutic supplement for SARS-CoV-2 infection: Current evidence. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:11665-11670. [PMID: 36405280 PMCID: PMC9669848 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i32.11665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein that exhibits anti-inflammatory, immune regulating and anti-infective properties. One of its receptor sites is located on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The binding of lactoferrin with heparin sulfate proteoglycans may prevent the first contact between the virus and host cells, thus preventing subsequent infection. Given that lactoferrin may act as a natural mucosal barrier, an intranasal treatment together with its oral intake can be hypothesized to prevent the spread, infection and inflammation caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Moreover, the literature reports that vitamin D plays an essential role in promoting immune response. With its anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties, vitamin D is critical for activating the immune system’s defenses, improving immune cell function. Different studies also demonstrate that lactoferrin is a potential activator of the vitamin D receptor. In this sense, the combined use of lactoferrin (through an association of oral intake and a nasal spray formulation) and vitamin D could represent a valuable therapy for COVID-19 treatment and prevention. However, further randomized clinical trials are needed before recommending/prescribing them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Cipriano
- Department of Laparoscopic Surgery, Umberto I General Hospital, Medical School Sapienza University, Rome 161, Italy
| | - Enzo Ruberti
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Marcos Roberto Tovani-Palone
- Department of Research Analytics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 600 077, India
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Lu Y, Zhou Y, Lin Y, Li W, Tian S, Hao X, Guo H. Preventive effects of donkey milk powder on the ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice. J Funct Foods 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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Sohail A, Al Menhali A, Hisaindee S, Shah I. An LC-MS/MS Method for Analysis of Vitamin D Metabolites and C3 Epimers in Mice Serum: Oral Supplementation Compared to UV Irradiation. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175182. [PMID: 34500616 PMCID: PMC8434525 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The most common forms of vitamin D in human and mouse serum are vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 and their metabolites. The aim of this study is to determine whether diet and sunlight directly affect the circulating concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in a mouse model. We investigated the serum concentrations of eight vitamin D metabolites—vitamin D (vitamin D3 + vitamin D2), 25OHD (25OHD3 + 25OHD2), 1α25(OH)2D (1α25(OH)2D2, and 1α25(OH)2D3)—including their epimer, 3-epi-25OHD (3-epi-25OHD3 and 3-epi-25OHD2), and a bile acid precursor 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (7αC4), which is known to cause interference in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Method: The LC-MS/MS method was validated according to FDA-US guidelines. The validated method was used for the analysis of mouse serum samples. Forty blood samples from mice were collected and divided into three groups. The first group, the DDD mice, were fed a vitamin D-deficient diet (25 IU VD3/kg of diet) and kept in the dark; the second group, the SDD mice, were maintained on a standard-vitamin D diet (1000 IU VD3) and kept in the dark; and the third group, SDL, were fed a standard-vitamin D diet (1000 IU VD3) but kept on a normal light/dark cycle. LC-MS/MS was used for the efficient separation and quantitation of all the analytes. Results: The validated method showed good linearity and specificity. The intraday and interday precision were both <16%, and the accuracy across the assay range was within 100 ± 15%. The recoveries ranged between 75 and 95%. The stability results showed that vitamin D metabolites are not very stable when exposed to continuous freeze–thaw cycles; the variations in concentrations of vitamin D metabolites ranged between 15 and 60%. The overlapping peaks of vitamin D, its epimers, and its isobar (7αC4) were resolved using chromatographic separation. There were significant differences in the concentrations of all metabolites of vitamin D between the DDD and SDL mice. Between the groups SDD (control) and SDL, a significant difference in the concentrations of 3-epi-25OHD was noted, where C3 epimer was about 30% higher in SDL group while no significant differences were noted in the concentrations of vitamin D, 25OHD, 1α25(OH)2D, and 7αC4 between SDD and SDL group. Conclusions: A validated method, combined with a simple extraction technique, for the sensitive LC-MS/MS determination of vitamin D metabolites is described here. The method can eliminate the interferences in LC-MS/MS analysis caused by the overlapping epimer and isobar due to them having the same molecular weights as 25OHD. The validated method was applied to mouse serum samples. It was concluded that a standard-vitamin D diet causes an increase in the proportion of all the vitamin D metabolites and C3 epimers and isobar, while UV light has no pronounced effect on the concentrations of the majority of the vitamin D metabolites except 3-epi-25OHD. Further studies are required to confirm this observation in humans and to investigate the biochemical pathways related to vitamin D’s metabolites and their epimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Sohail
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates; (A.S.); (S.H.)
| | - Asma Al Menhali
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: (A.A.M.); (I.S.)
| | - Soleiman Hisaindee
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates; (A.S.); (S.H.)
| | - Iltaf Shah
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates; (A.S.); (S.H.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.M.); (I.S.)
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Li Y, Huang J, Wang J, Ma M, Lu Y, Wang R, Guo H. Lactoferrin Is a Potential Activator of the Vitamin D Receptor in Its Regulation of Osteogenic Activities in C57BL/6J Mice and MC3T3-E1 Cells. J Nutr 2021; 151:2105-2113. [PMID: 33982113 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lactoferrin (LF) has been shown to promote bone anabolism, and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates the effects of vitamin D on bone. We hypothesized that LF improves bone health by increasing VDR expression. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the role of VDR activation in LF-induced osteogenic activity in vivo and in vitro and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS Sixty male C57BL/6J mice (aged 4 wk) were randomly assigned into 6 groups and fed vitamin D-deficient (VDD; 0 IU/kg) or vitamin D-normal diet (VDN; 1000 IU cholecalciferol/kg) and administered placebo or LF (100 or 1000 mg/kg body weight) by gavage for 24 wk. Trabecular bone structure was analyzed using micro-CT, and VDR expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. In vitro, MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with 100 μg LF/mL to evaluate its effect on VDR expression. Finally, the direct recruitment of LF to the Vdr promoter was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. In addition, cells were transfected with pGL3-basic Vdr vector for monitoring Vdr promoter activation using luciferase assays. RESULTS LF supplementation at 100 and 1000 mg/kg revealed an ∼6.5% (P < 0.05) increase in bone mineral density in mice on VDD diet and exhibited an enhanced expression of VDR in bone compared with control. This increased expression of VDR was also observed in the bone of mice on the VDN diet, but the effect was more pronounced in VDD diet. In vitro, compared with the control group, Vdr mRNA expression was 18 times greater (P < 0.05) and peaked at 2 h posttreatment of LF. By cotransfection of the pGL3-basic Vdr vector, LF induced luciferase activity by 30% (P < 0.05) in MC3T3-E1 cells. CONCLUSIONS In vivo and in vitro, LF, a potential activator of VDR, promotes osteogenesis. This suggests that dairy products, which are rich in LF, may serve as a functional food to improve bone health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaqiang Huang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengjuan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiyuan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Wei YS, Feng K, Li SF, Hu TG, Linhardt RJ, Zong MH, Wu H. Oral fate and stabilization technologies of lactoferrin: a systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:6341-6358. [PMID: 33749401 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1900774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf), a bioactive protein initially found in many biological secretions including milk, is regarded as the nutritional supplement or therapeutic ligand due to its multiple functions. Research on its mode of action reveals that intact Lf or its active peptide (i.e., lactoferricin) shows an important multifunctional performance. Oral delivery is considered as the most convenient administration route for this bioactive protein. Unfortunately, Lf is sensitive to the gastrointestinal (GI) physicochemical stresses and lactoferricin is undetectable in GI digesta. This review introduces the functionality of Lf at the molecular level and its degradation behavior in GI tract is discussed in detail. Subsequently, the absorption and transport of Lf from intestine into the blood circulation, which is pivotal to its health promoting effects in various tissues, and some assisting labeling methods are discussed. Stabilization technologies aiming at preserving the structural integrity and functional properties of orally administrated Lf are summarized and compared. Altogether, this work comprehensively reviews the structure-function relationship of Lf, its oral fate and the development of stabilization technologies for the enhancement of the oral bioavailability of Lf. The existing limitations and scope for future research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Shan Wei
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kun Feng
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Fang Li
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Guangzhou, China
| | - Teng-Gen Hu
- Sericultural & Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Functional Foods, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Guangdong Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Processing, Guangzhou, China
| | - Robert J Linhardt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Min-Hua Zong
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Wu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Green Processing of Natural Products and Product Safety, Guangzhou, China
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Salaris C, Scarpa M, Elli M, Bertolini A, Guglielmetti S, Pregliasco F, Blandizzi C, Brun P, Castagliuolo I. Protective Effects of Lactoferrin against SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13020328. [PMID: 33498631 PMCID: PMC7911668 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emerging virus that currently lacks curative treatments. Lactoferrin (LF) is a naturally occurring non-toxic glycoprotein with broad-spectrum antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we assessed the potential of LF in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Antiviral immune response gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR in uninfected Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells treated with LF. An infection assay for SARS-CoV-2 was performed in Caco-2 cells treated or not with LF. SARS-CoV-2 titer was determined by qRT-PCR, plaque assay and immunostaining. Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by qRT-PCR. LF significantly induced the expression of IFNA1, IFNB1, TLR3, TLR7, IRF3, IRF7 and MAVS genes. Furthermore, LF partially inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells. Our in vitro data support LF as an immune modulator of the antiviral immune response with moderate effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Salaris
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (C.S.); (A.B.); (I.C.)
| | - Melania Scarpa
- Laboratory of Advanced Translational Research, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy;
| | - Marina Elli
- AAT-Advanced Analytical Technologies S.r.l., Fiorenzuola d’Arda, 29122 Piacenza, Italy;
| | - Alice Bertolini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (C.S.); (A.B.); (I.C.)
| | - Simone Guglielmetti
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Fabrizio Pregliasco
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy;
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Paola Brun
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (C.S.); (A.B.); (I.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ignazio Castagliuolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (C.S.); (A.B.); (I.C.)
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Bosman ES, Albert AY, Lui H, Dutz JP, Vallance BA. Skin Exposure to Narrow Band Ultraviolet (UVB) Light Modulates the Human Intestinal Microbiome. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2410. [PMID: 31708890 PMCID: PMC6821880 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent worldwide rise in idiopathic immune and inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has been linked to Western society-based changes in lifestyle and environment. These include decreased exposure to sunlight/UVB light and subsequent impairment in the production of vitamin D, as well as dysbiotic changes in the makeup of the gut microbiome. Despite their association, it is unclear if there are any direct links between UVB light and the gut microbiome. In this study we investigated whether exposing the skin to Narrow Band Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) light to increase serum vitamin D levels would also modulate the makeup of the human intestinal microbiota. The effects of NB-UVB light were studied in a clinical pilot study using a healthy human female cohort (n = 21). Participants were divided into those that took vitamin D supplements throughout the winter prior to the start of the study (VDS+) and those who did not (VDS−). After three NB-UVB light exposures within the same week, the serum 25(OH)D levels of participants increased on average 7.3 nmol/L. The serum response was negatively correlated to the starting 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] serum concentration. Fecal microbiota composition analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing showed that exposure to NB-UVB significantly increased alpha and beta diversity in the VDS− group whereas there were no changes in the VDS+ group. Bacteria from several families were enriched in the VDS− group after the UVB exposures according to a Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) prediction, including Lachnospiracheae, Rikenellaceae, Desulfobacteraceae, Clostridiales vadinBB60 group, Clostridia Family XIII, Coriobacteriaceae, Marinifilaceae, and Ruminococcus. The serum 25(OH)D concentrations showed a correlation with the relative abundance of the Lachnospiraceae, specifically members of the Lachnopsira and Fusicatenibacter genera. This is the first study to show that humans with low 25(OH)D serum levels display overt changes in their intestinal microbiome in response to NB-UVB skin exposure and increases in 25(OH)D levels, suggesting the existence of a novel skin-gut axis that could be used to promote intestinal homeostasis and health. Clinical Trial Registration:clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03962673. Registered 23 May 2019 – Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03962673?term=NCT03962673&rank=1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Else S Bosman
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Arianne Y Albert
- BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Harvey Lui
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Cancer Agency, Departments of Cancer Control Research and Integrative Oncology, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jan P Dutz
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bruce A Vallance
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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