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Boleti APDA, Cardoso PHDO, Frihling BEF, de Moraes LFRN, Nunes EAC, Mukoyama LTH, Nunes EAC, Carvalho CME, Macedo MLR, Migliolo L. Pathophysiology to Risk Factor and Therapeutics to Treatment Strategies on Epilepsy. Brain Sci 2024; 14:71. [PMID: 38248286 PMCID: PMC10813806 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010071] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy represents a condition in which abnormal neuronal discharges or the hyperexcitability of neurons occur with synchronicity, presenting a significant public health challenge. Prognostic factors, such as etiology, electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities, the type and number of seizures before treatment, as well as the initial unsatisfactory effects of medications, are important considerations. Although there are several third-generation antiepileptic drugs currently available, their multiple side effects can negatively affect patient quality of life. The inheritance and etiology of epilepsy are complex, involving multiple underlying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Different neurotransmitters play crucial roles in maintaining the normal physiology of different neurons. Dysregulations in neurotransmission, due to abnormal transmitter levels or changes in their receptors, can result in seizures. In this review, we address the roles played by various neurotransmitters and their receptors in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Furthermore, we extensively explore the neurological mechanisms involved in the development and progression of epilepsy, along with its risk factors. Furthermore, we highlight the new therapeutic targets, along with pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies currently employed in the treatment of epileptic syndromes, including drug interventions employed in clinical trials related to epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula de Araújo Boleti
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil; (A.P.d.A.B.); (P.H.d.O.C.); (B.E.F.F.); (L.F.R.N.d.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (L.T.H.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (C.M.E.C.)
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e Suas Funções Biológicas, Unidade de Tecnologia de Alimentos e da Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil;
| | - Pedro Henrique de Oliveira Cardoso
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil; (A.P.d.A.B.); (P.H.d.O.C.); (B.E.F.F.); (L.F.R.N.d.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (L.T.H.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (C.M.E.C.)
| | - Breno Emanuel Farias Frihling
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil; (A.P.d.A.B.); (P.H.d.O.C.); (B.E.F.F.); (L.F.R.N.d.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (L.T.H.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (C.M.E.C.)
| | - Luiz Filipe Ramalho Nunes de Moraes
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil; (A.P.d.A.B.); (P.H.d.O.C.); (B.E.F.F.); (L.F.R.N.d.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (L.T.H.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (C.M.E.C.)
| | - Ellynes Amancio Correia Nunes
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil; (A.P.d.A.B.); (P.H.d.O.C.); (B.E.F.F.); (L.F.R.N.d.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (L.T.H.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (C.M.E.C.)
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil
| | - Lincoln Takashi Hota Mukoyama
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil; (A.P.d.A.B.); (P.H.d.O.C.); (B.E.F.F.); (L.F.R.N.d.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (L.T.H.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (C.M.E.C.)
| | - Ellydberto Amancio Correia Nunes
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil; (A.P.d.A.B.); (P.H.d.O.C.); (B.E.F.F.); (L.F.R.N.d.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (L.T.H.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (C.M.E.C.)
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil
| | - Cristiano Marcelo Espinola Carvalho
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil; (A.P.d.A.B.); (P.H.d.O.C.); (B.E.F.F.); (L.F.R.N.d.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (L.T.H.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (C.M.E.C.)
| | - Maria Lígia Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e Suas Funções Biológicas, Unidade de Tecnologia de Alimentos e da Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil;
| | - Ludovico Migliolo
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil; (A.P.d.A.B.); (P.H.d.O.C.); (B.E.F.F.); (L.F.R.N.d.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (L.T.H.M.); (E.A.C.N.); (C.M.E.C.)
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil
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Sills GJ. Pharmacological diversity amongst approved and emerging antiseizure medications for the treatment of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2023; 16:17562864231191000. [PMID: 37655228 PMCID: PMC10467199 DOI: 10.1177/17562864231191000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are rare neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by early-onset and often intractable seizures and developmental delay/regression, and include Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Rufinamide, fenfluramine, stiripentol, cannabidiol and ganaxolone are antiseizure medications (ASMs) with diverse mechanisms of action that have been approved for treating specific DEEs. Rufinamide is thought to suppress neuronal hyperexcitability by preventing the functional recycling of voltage-gated sodium channels from the inactivated to resting state. It is licensed for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with LGS. Fenfluramine increases extracellular serotonin levels and may reduce seizures via activation of specific serotonin receptors and positive modulation of the sigma-1 receptor. Fenfluramine is licensed for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and LGS. Stiripentol is a positive allosteric modulator of type-A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors. As a broad-spectrum inhibitor of cytochrome P450 enzymes, its antiseizure effects may additionally arise through pharmacokinetic interactions with co-administered ASMs. Stiripentol is licensed for treating seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients taking clobazam and/or valproate. The mechanism(s) of action of cannabidiol remains largely unclear although multiple targets have been proposed, including transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, G protein-coupled receptor 55 and equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1. Cannabidiol is licensed as adjunctive treatment in conjunction with clobazam for seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and LGS, and as adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. Like stiripentol, ganaxolone is a positive allosteric modulator at GABAA receptors. It has recently been licensed in the USA for the treatment of seizures associated with cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 deficiency disorder. Greater understanding of the causes of DEEs has driven research into the potential use of other novel and repurposed agents. Putative ASMs currently in clinical development for use in DEEs include soticlestat, carisbamate, verapamil, radiprodil, clemizole and lorcaserin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme J. Sills
- School of Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Room 341, Sir James Black Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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Absalom NL, Lin SXN, Liao VWY, Chua HC, Møller RS, Chebib M, Ahring PK. GABA A receptors in epilepsy: Elucidating phenotypic divergence through functional analysis of genetic variants. J Neurochem 2023. [PMID: 37621067 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Normal brain function requires a tightly regulated balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmissions. γ-Aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA ) receptors represent the major class of inhibitory ion channels in the mammalian brain. Dysregulation of these receptors and/or their associated pathways is strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. To date, hundreds of different GABAA receptor subunit variants have been associated with epilepsy, making them a prominent cause of genetically linked epilepsy. While identifying these genetic variants is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective genetic counselling, it does not necessarily lead to improved personalised treatment options. This is because the identification of a variant does not reveal how the function of GABAA receptors is affected. Genetic variants in GABAA receptor subunits can cause complex changes to receptor properties resulting in various degrees of gain-of-function, loss-of-function or a combination of both. Understanding how variants affect the function of GABAA receptors therefore represents an important first step in the ongoing development of precision therapies. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that functional data are produced using methodologies that allow genetic variants to be classified using clinical guidelines such as those developed by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. This article will review the current knowledge in the field and provide recommendations for future functional analysis of genetic GABAA receptor variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan L Absalom
- School of Science, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susan X N Lin
- Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vivian W Y Liao
- Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Han C Chua
- Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rikke S Møller
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, The Danish Epilepsy Centre, Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mary Chebib
- Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philip K Ahring
- Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Kaya Özçora GD, Söbü E, Gümüş U. Genetic and clinical variations of developmental epileptic encephalopathies. Neurol Res 2023; 45:226-233. [PMID: 36731496 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2023.2170917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The concept of 'developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE)' recognises that in infants presenting with severe early-onset epilepsy, neurodevelopmental comorbidity may be attributable to both the underlying cause and to adverse effects of uncontrolled epileptic activity. There is no direct genotype - phenotype correlation in DEEs. This study aimed to report the genetic and phenotypic differences in patients with DEE. METHODS Genetic evaluations of the patients were performed due to epilepsy combined with developmental delay, epileptic encephalopathy, motor deficits, autistic features, or cognitive impairment. Patients were assessed for demographic characteristics, medical history, family history, psychomotor development, seizure control interventions, electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. RESULTS This study included 20 children aged 0-16 years who were diagnosed as having DEE.The types of DEE detected in our study were DEE 2, 4, 6B, 7, 11, 26, 30, 33, 35, 42, 58, 62, and 67.Status epilepticus was recorded in only DEE7. The most common EEG abnormality was multifocal epileptic discharges (35%,) followed by burst-suppression patterns in patients with neonatal-onset seizures. Thirteen of the children were aged over 2 years, two (15%) were non-ambulatory and six (46%) were non-verbal. MRI scans were normal in 80% of the patients. Refractory epilepsy seen in 33% of cases.De-novo mutation, microcephaly and dysmorphic findings accompany resistant seizures and are associated with poor prognosis. DISCUSSION For patients with movement disorders, developmental delay, autism, and ID with or without epilepsy in any period of their life, next-generation sequencing is the only diagnostic technique available, with genetic analysis often being the only diagnostic method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gül Demet Kaya Özçora
- Faculty of Medical Sciences Pediatric Neurology Dept, Gaziantep Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Elif Söbü
- Kartal Dr.Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Uğur Gümüş
- Dr. Ersin Arslan Education and Research Hospital, Medical Genetics Department, Gaziantep, Turkey
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Perinelli MG, Riva A, Amadori E, Follo R, Striano P. Learnings in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: what do we know? Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:45-57. [PMID: 36726225 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2176221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs) encompass a group of neurological disorders caused by either abnormal neuronal development and white matter maturation or even by weak synaptic plasticity. Hitherto, patients commonly have epileptic seizures featuring cognitive dysfunction, such as neurosensory disorders, difficulties in learning, behavioral disturbances, or speech delay. AREAS COVERED This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge of DEEs and cognition. Medline/Pubmed database was screened for in-English articles published between 1967-2022 dealing with the topic of DEEs and cognitive development. Two authors independently screened the title and abstract of each record and reviewed the selected articles. Reviews, randomized clinical trials, and case reports were selected. EXPERT OPINION Scientific literature has never explicitly dealt with the early neuro-psychomotor rehabilitation and neuropsychological assessment of patients with DEEs. Targeted intervention and environmental stimuli can influence the maturation of neuronal circuits and shape changes in physical and mental development based on neuronal plasticity, particularly if applied in 'critical periods' liable to heightened sensitivity. Thus, 'early neurorehabilitation interventions' are worthy of being more and more applied to clinical practice to improve the quality of life and reduce the psychosocial burden on families and caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Giorgia Perinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Amadori
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Bertocchi I, Cambiaghi M, Hasan MT. Advances toward precision therapeutics for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1140679. [PMID: 37090807 PMCID: PMC10115946 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1140679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies are childhood syndromes of severe epilepsy associated with cognitive and behavioral disorders. Of note, epileptic seizures represent only a part, although substantial, of the clinical spectrum. Whether the epileptiform activity per se accounts for developmental and intellectual disabilities is still unclear. In a few cases, seizures can be alleviated by antiseizure medication (ASM). However, the major comorbid features associated remain unsolved, including psychiatric disorders such as autism-like and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-like behavior. Not surprisingly, the number of genes known to be involved is continuously growing, and genetically engineered rodent models are valuable tools for investigating the impact of gene mutations on local and distributed brain circuits. Despite the inconsistencies and problems arising in the generation and validation of the different preclinical models, those are unique and precious tools to identify new molecular targets, and essential to provide prospects for effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bertocchi
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Institute of Neuroscience Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Torino, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ilaria Bertocchi,
| | - Marco Cambiaghi
- Department Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mazahir T. Hasan
- Laboratory of Brain Circuits Therapeutics, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Ikerbasque – Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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Cioclu MC, Coppola A, Tondelli M, Vaudano AE, Giovannini G, Krithika S, Iacomino M, Zara F, Sisodiya SM, Meletti S. Cortical and Subcortical Network Dysfunction in a Female Patient With NEXMIF Encephalopathy. Front Neurol 2021; 12:722664. [PMID: 34566868 PMCID: PMC8459922 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.722664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are the most severe group of epilepsies. Recently, NEXMIF mutations have been shown to cause a DEE in females, characterized by myoclonic–atonic epilepsy and recurrent nonconvulsive status. Here we used advanced neuroimaging techniques in a patient with a novel NEXMIF de novo mutation presenting with recurrent absence status with eyelid myoclonia, to reveal brain structural and functional changes that can bring the clinical phenotype to alteration within specific brain networks. Indeed, the alterations found in the patient involved the visual pericalcarine cortex and the middle frontal gyrus, regions that have been demonstrated to be a core feature in epilepsy phenotypes with visual sensitivity and eyelid myoclonia with absences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Cioclu
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonietta Coppola
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Manuela Tondelli
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Giada Giovannini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy.,PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - S Krithika
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.,The Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont-St-Peter, Bucks, United Kingdom.,School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Faculty of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Sanjay M Sisodiya
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.,The Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont-St-Peter, Bucks, United Kingdom
| | - Stefano Meletti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
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