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Sawyers C, Sheerin C, Moore AA, Neigh G, Hettema JM, Roberson-Nay R. Genetic and environmental influences on alpha amylase stress reactivity and shared genetic covariation with cortisol. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 161:106922. [PMID: 38101095 PMCID: PMC10842877 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Salivary alpha amylase (sAA) is a common measure of stress reactivity, primarily reflecting sympathetic nervous system activity. Salivary cortisol is also a reliable, frequently used biomarker of stress and reflects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response. This study examined heritability across varying metrics of sAA in response to a social evaluative stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The goal of this study was to estimate genetic and environmental influences on measurements of sAA stress reactivity. Moreover, we evaluated the shared genetic covariation between sAA and cortisol. Participants included twins aged 15-20 years (54% female). We measured alpha amylase and cortisol reactivity to the TSST via serial salivary cortisol samples collected pre- and post-TSST. Modest to moderate heritability estimates (11-64%) were observed across measures purported to capture alpha amylase stress reactivity (peak, area under the curve, baseline-to-peak change). Findings also indicate that sAA baseline and peak are primarily influenced by a shared genetic factor. There was no evidence of shared genetic influences between sAA and cortisol. These findings suggest the genetic control of the HPA and Sympathetic Adreno-Medullar axis are genetically independent of one another despite both playing a role in response to stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Sawyers
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA.
| | - Christina Sheerin
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - Ashlee A Moore
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Oswego, USA
| | - Gretchen Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - John M Hettema
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, USA
| | - Roxann Roberson-Nay
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
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Hamilton OS, Iob E, Ajnakina O, Kirkbride JB, Steptoe A. Immune-neuroendocrine patterning and response to stress. A latent profile analysis in the English longitudinal study of ageing. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:600-608. [PMID: 37967661 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychosocial stress exposure can disturb communication signals between the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems that are intended to maintain homeostasis. This dysregulation can provoke a negative feedback loop between each system that has high pathological risk. Here, we explore patterns of immune-neuroendocrine activity and the role of stress. Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), we first identified the latent structure of immune-neuroendocrine activity (indexed by high sensitivity C-reactive protein [CRP], fibrinogen [Fb], hair cortisol [cortisol], and insulin growth-factor-1 [IGF-1]), within a population-based cohort using latent profile analysis (LPA). Then, we determined whether life stress was associated with membership of different immune-neuroendocrine profiles. We followed 4,934 male and female participants, with a median age of 65 years, over a four-year period (2008-2012). A three-class LPA solution offered the most parsimonious fit to the underlying immune-neuroendocrine structure in the data, with 36 %, 40 %, and 24 % of the population belonging to profiles 1 (low-risk), 2 (moderate-risk), and 3 (high-risk), respectively. After adjustment for genetic predisposition, sociodemographics, lifestyle, and health, higher exposure to stress was associated with a 61 % greater risk of belonging to the high-risk profile (RRR: 1.61; 95 %CI = 1.23-2.12, p = 0.001), but not the moderate-risk profile (RRR = 1.10, 95 %CI = 0.89-1.35, p = 0.401), as compared with the low-risk profile four years later. Our findings extend existing knowledge on psychoneuroimmunological processes, by revealing how inflammation and neuroendocrine activity cluster in a representative sample of older adults, and how stress exposure was associated with immune-neuroendocrine responses over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odessa S Hamilton
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK; Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, UK; Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Eleonora Iob
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK; Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Memory Lane, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Olesya Ajnakina
- Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - James B Kirkbride
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, UK
| | - Andrew Steptoe
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK
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Hamilton OS, Iob E, Ajnakina O, Kirkbride JB, Steptoe A. Immune-Neuroendocrine Patterning and Response to Stress. A latent profile analysis in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.07.07.23292378. [PMID: 37461452 PMCID: PMC10350138 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.07.23292378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Psychosocial stress exposure can disturb communication signals between the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems that are intended to maintain homeostasis. This dysregulation can provoke a negative feedback loop between each system that has high pathological risk. Here, we explore patterns of immune-neuroendocrine activity and the role of stress. Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), we first identified the latent structure of immune-neuroendocrine activity (indexed by high sensitivity C-reactive protein [CRP], fibrinogen [Fb], hair cortisol [cortisol], and insulin growth-factor-1 [IGF-1]), within a population-based cohort using latent profile analysis (LPA). Then, we determined whether life stress was associated with membership of different immune-neuroendocrine profiles. We followed 4,934 male and female participants with a median age of 65 years over a four-year period (2008-2012). A three-class LPA solution offered the most parsimonious fit to the underlying immune-neuroendocrine structure in the data, with 36%, 40%, and 24% of the population belonging to profiles 1 (low-risk), 2 (moderate-risk), and 3 (high-risk), respectively. After adjustment for genetic predisposition, sociodemographics, lifestyle, and health, higher exposure to stress was associated with a 61% greater risk of belonging to the high-risk profile (RRR: 1.61; 95%CI=1.23-2.12, p=0.001), but not the moderate-risk profile (RRR=1.10, 95%CI=0.89-1.35, p=0.401), as compared with the low-risk profile four years later. Our findings extend existing knowledge on psychoneuroimmunological processes, by revealing how inflammation and neuroendocrine activity cluster in a representative sample of older adults, and how stress exposure was associated with immune-neuroendocrine responses over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odessa S. Hamilton
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, UK
- Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Eleonora Iob
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Memory Lane, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Olesya Ajnakina
- Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - James B. Kirkbride
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, UK
| | - Andrew Steptoe
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK
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Brendgen M, Ouellet-Morin I, Cantave CY, Vitaro F, Dionne G, Boivin M. Link Between Peer Victimization in College and Cortisol Secretion: Roles of Genetic Vulnerabilities and Social Support. J Youth Adolesc 2023; 52:76-90. [PMID: 36242698 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-022-01687-1] [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: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
It is unclear whether peer victimization in college interacts with genetic vulnerabilities or social support in predicting cortisol secretion. This issue was addressed using a sample of 162 Monozygotic and 237 Dizygotic twin pairs (54% females; 86% Whites, 6% Blacks, 6% Asians, 0.3% Native North Americans). At age 19, participants provided hair for cortisol extraction and reported about victimization in college and support by the mother, father, and best friend. Biometric modeling revealed that environmental influences on cortisol secretion were reduced and genetic influences exacerbated when victimization was high. Moderate to high maternal support mitigated the association between victimization and high cortisol secretion. The findings suggest that victimization in college contributes to physical "wear-and-tear", which may be counteracted by social support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Brendgen
- Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada. .,Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Isabelle Ouellet-Morin
- School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Christina Y Cantave
- School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.,School of Psycho-Education, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ginette Dionne
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Boivin
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
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Montano MA. Emerging Life Sciences Series: Q&A with the Editor. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200328. [PMID: 36653962 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Trusso Sfrazzetto G, Santonocito R. Nanomaterials for Cortisol Sensing. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3790. [PMID: 36364563 PMCID: PMC9658644 DOI: 10.3390/nano12213790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Space represents one of the most dangerous environments for humans, which can be affected by high stress levels. This can lead to severe physiological problems, such as headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety, hypertension, depression, and coronary heart diseases. During a stress condition, the human body produces specific hormones, such as dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. In particular, the control of cortisol levels can be related to the stress level of an astronaut, particularly during a long-term space mission. The common analytical methods (HPLC, GC-MS) cannot be used in an extreme environment, such as a space station, due to the steric hindrance of the instruments and the absence of gravity. For these reasons, the development of smart sensing devices with a facile and fast analytical protocol can be extremely useful for space applications. This review summarizes the recent (from 2011) miniaturized sensoristic devices based on nanomaterials (gold and carbon nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, nano-electrodes), which allow rapid and real-time analyses of cortisol levels in biological samples (such as saliva, urine, sweat, and plasma), to monitor the health conditions of humans under extreme stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Trusso Sfrazzetto
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95100 Catania, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium for Materials Sciences and Technology (I.N.S.T.M.), Research Unit of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
| | - Rossella Santonocito
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95100 Catania, Italy
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Raffington L, Malanchini M, Grotzinger AD, Madole JW, Engelhardt LE, Sabhlok A, Youn C, Patterson MW, Harden KP, Tucker-Drob EM. An in-laboratory stressor reveals unique genetic variation in child cortisol output. Dev Psychol 2022; 58:1832-1848. [PMID: 35771497 PMCID: PMC9878466 DOI: 10.1037/dev0001393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of biological stress response, as measured by cortisol output, has been a primary candidate mechanism for how social experiences become biologically embedded. Cortisol is the primary output of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Cortisol levels vary systematically across the day and change in response to both sudden, acute stress experiences as well as prolonged exposure to environmental stress. Using data from 8- to 15-year-old twins in the Texas Twin Project, we investigate the extent to which genetic influences are shared across different measures of cortisol output: chronic cortisol accumulations in hair (n = 1,104), diurnal variation in salivary output (n = 488), and salivary response to a standardized, acute in-laboratory stressor (n = 537). Multivariate twin models indicate that genetic factors regulating cortisol response to the in-laboratory stressor are separable from those regulating baseline cortisol levels, naturally occurring diurnal variation in cortisol, and hair cortisol levels. These findings illustrate that novel environments can reveal unique genetic variation, reordering people in terms of their observed phenotype rather than only magnifying or mitigating preexisting differences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel Raffington
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - Margherita Malanchini
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, United States
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | | | - James W. Madole
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | | | - Aditi Sabhlok
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - Cherry Youn
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | | | - K. Paige Harden
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, United States
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McGarity-Shipley EC, Lew LA, Bonafiglia JT, Pyke KE. The acute effect of a laboratory shame induction protocol on endothelial function in young, healthy adults. Exp Physiol 2022; 107:978-993. [PMID: 35584040 DOI: 10.1113/ep090396] [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: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Shame is a form of social stress which involves internalizing social devaluations imposed by others. The aim of this study was to determine, for the first time, how acutely experiencing shame impacts endothelial function. What is the main finding and its importance? Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, an index of endothelial function, was impaired following an intervention that acutely increased self reported shame. This occurred without increases in cortisol or tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor binding. Frequent or prolonged shame induced endothelial dysfunction could have important cardiovascular consequences. ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this study was to examine the impact of a shame induction protocol on endothelial function. Methods Fifteen participants (n = 7 men, n = 8 women) completed both a written shame induction and control protocol on two different experimental days. Pre- and post-protocol we assessed: 1) Endothelial function and arterial shear rate via a standard brachial artery reactive hyperemia flow-mediated dilation (FMD) test across two post-intervention time points (15 and 35-min post); 2) Perceived shame via the Experiential Shame Scale (ESS), and; 3) Cortisol and sTNFαRII (soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor) through oral fluid analysis. Results Shame increased after the shame induction protocol (pre: 2.9±.6 vs. post: 3.7±.5, p<.001) but not the control protocol (pre: 3.0±.5 vs. post: 2.8±.5, p = .15) (protocol by time interaction: p<.001). When all three time points were included in the analysis, %FMD did not change over time. Considering only the lowest point, %FMD significantly decreased in response to the shame protocol (pre: 4.8±1.9 vs. post: 3.2±1.6, p<.001) but not the control protocol (4.2±1.8 vs. post: 3.8±1.5, p = .45) (protocol by time interaction: p = .035). Covariation of the shear rate stimulus for FMD did not alter the FMD results. When including both the control and shame protocol, but not the shame protocol alone, increased shame was significantly associated with decreased FMD (r = -.37, p<.046). There were no significant time by protocol interaction effects for cortisol or sTNFαRII. Conclusions Temporary increases in shame may cause transient endothelial dysfunction which, if chronically repeated, could manifest as reduced vasoprotection against atherosclerosis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen C McGarity-Shipley
- Cardiovascular Stress Response Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lindsay A Lew
- Cardiovascular Stress Response Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacob T Bonafiglia
- Muscle Physiology Lab, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kyra E Pyke
- Cardiovascular Stress Response Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Vavrinsky E, Stopjakova V, Kopani M, Kosnacova H. The Concept of Advanced Multi-Sensor Monitoring of Human Stress. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:3499. [PMID: 34067895 PMCID: PMC8157129 DOI: 10.3390/s21103499] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Many people live under stressful conditions which has an adverse effect on their health. Human stress, especially long-term one, can lead to a serious illness. Therefore, monitoring of human stress influence can be very useful. We can monitor stress in strictly controlled laboratory conditions, but it is time-consuming and does not capture reactions, on everyday stressors or in natural environment using wearable sensors, but with limited accuracy. Therefore, we began to analyze the current state of promising wearable stress-meters and the latest advances in the record of related physiological variables. Based on these results, we present the concept of an accurate, reliable and easier to use telemedicine device for long-term monitoring of people in a real life. In our concept, we ratify with two synchronized devices, one on the finger and the second on the chest. The results will be obtained from several physiological variables including electrodermal activity, heart rate and respiration, body temperature, blood pressure and others. All these variables will be measured using a coherent multi-sensors device. Our goal is to show possibilities and trends towards the production of new telemedicine equipment and thus, opening the door to a widespread application of human stress-meters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Vavrinsky
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Viera Stopjakova
- Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Ilkovicova 3, 81219 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Martin Kopani
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Helena Kosnacova
- Department of Simulation and Virtual Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia
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