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Chung CW, Mo EY, Jung GS, Kim YH, Cho SW, Park DJ, Bae JM, Park YJ. Decreased Expression of Ileal Thyroid Hormone Transporters in a Hypothyroid Patient: A Case Report. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:664839. [PMID: 34122338 PMCID: PMC8187942 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.664839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malabsorption of levothyroxine (LT4) is a common problem faced in clinical practice. It is usually solved, if there are no complexities including gastrointestinal absorption disorder, by taking medicines on an empty stomach and avoiding foods interfering with LT4. Herein we present a rare case of a patient exhibiting malabsorption of LT4 with decreased membranous expression of ileal transporters. CASE The 22-Year-old female presented with sustained hypothyroid status despite medication of 7.8 μg/kg LT4. Medical history and LT4 absorption test (the absorption rate 8.4%) excluded pseudomalabsorption. No organic gastrointestinal disorder was found in the patient by blood chemistry, endoscopies, and abdominal computed tomography scan. The immunohistochemical analysis showed decreased membranous expression of LAT1 and LAT2 in distal ileum and ascending colon in the patient compared to 20 controls who have no thyroid disease. The expression of MCT8 in colon appeared at both nucleus and brush border in the patient, while it was limited to brush border in controls. The expression of other transporters was similar between the patient and controls. CONCLUSION The changes of the expression of LAT1 and LAT2 in this patient showing LT4 malabsorption might help to understand the role of intestinal transporters in the absorption of LT4 in humans. The functional relevance of the decrement of LAT1 and LAT2 in this patient remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chae Won Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Young Mo
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Gyung Seo Jung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoo Hyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun Wook Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Do Joon Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeong Mo Bae
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Young Joo Park, ; Jeong Mo Bae,
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Young Joo Park, ; Jeong Mo Bae,
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Garayalde Gamboa MDLÁ, Saban M, Curriá MI. Treatment with Intramuscular Levothyroxine in Refractory Hypothyroidism. Eur Thyroid J 2019; 8:319-323. [PMID: 31934558 PMCID: PMC6944946 DOI: 10.1159/000503324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Orally and daily levothyroxine (LT4) is the treatment of choice for hypothyroidism. In the majority of cases, the lack of effectiveness by this way may be due to poor adherence; however, gastrointestinal malabsorption may explain more cases of thyroxine refractoriness than previously reputed, due to the number of occult forms of these disorders. CASE PRESENTATION A 55-year-old white man with a diagnosis of low risk of recurrence of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma was treated with total thyroidectomy, 30 mCi iodine 131, and oral LT4. A year before he presented a gastric adenocarcinoma that required a partial gastrectomy. He evolved with multiple episodes of intestinal subocclusion that had to be treated with enterectomy in the first instance, then digestive rest and total parenteral nutrition. In spite of having made increases in oral LT4 dose (3 µg/kg), the patient persisted with a thyroid-stimulating hormone level >100 mIU/L. For this reason, we decided to administer intramuscular LT4. CONCLUSION Since there are no guidelines or consensus of intramuscular LT4 use, our experience and how we decided the dose and way of administration are presented in this article to contribute to future cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melina Saban
- Service of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and Diabetes, Buenos Aires British Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Ines Curriá
- Service of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and Diabetes, Buenos Aires British Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Yildirim Simsir I, Soyaltin UE, Ozgen AG. Levothyroxine absorption test results in patients with TSH elevation resistant to treatment. Endocrine 2019; 64:118-121. [PMID: 30868414 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-01889-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Persistent elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is common in endocrinology practice in patients undergoing replacement or suppression therapy with levothyroxine sodium (LT4). After examining the causes of this condition, LT4 absorption test is recommended. In this report, we wanted to share our results of LT4 absorption test in patients with elevated TSH levels. MATERIALS-METHODS The files of patients who presented to our clinic between 2015 and 2018, whose TSH elevation continued despite high-dose LT4 therapy, and who underwent absorption test were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS Levothyroxine sodium absorption test was applied to five patients. Absorption test revealed LT4 malabsorption in two patients and pseudomalabsorption in the other three patients. DISCUSSION When all published pseudomalabsorption cases were considered, it has been stated that at least 2.5 times increase in basal fT4 level may exclude malabsorption. The formula we used has been implemented by Cleveland Clinic since 2014. CONCLUSION In cases where TSH normalization is not achieved despite high doses of LT4 therapy, LT4 absorption test is an easy test for administration and interpretation and prevents unnecessary medical treatments and examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilgin Yildirim Simsir
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disorders, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Utku Erdem Soyaltin
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disorders, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Gokhan Ozgen
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disorders, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey
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Peynirci H, Taskiran B, Erturk E, Sisman P, Ersoy C. Is Parenteral Levothyroxine Therapy Safe in Intractable Hypothyroidism? J Natl Med Assoc 2018; 110:245-249. [PMID: 29778126 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnma.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
CASE A 32-year old woman was admitted to the hospital due to intractable hypothyroidism refractory to high dose of oral l-thyroxine therapy. She underwent total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy due to papillary thyroid cancer. After excluding poor adherence to therapy and malabsorption, levothyroxine absorption test was performed. No response was detected. Transient neurologic symptoms developed during the test. She developed 3 attacks consisting of neurologic symptoms during high dose administration. The patient was considered a case of isolated l-thyroxine malabsorption. She became euthyroid after intramuscular twice weekly l-thyroxine therapy. DISCUSSION There are a few case reports regarding isolated l-thyroxine. We report successful long term results of twice weekly administered intramuscular l-thyroxine therapy. We also draw attention to neurologic side effects of high dose l-thyroxine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hande Peynirci
- Kastamonu State Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Turkey
| | - Bengur Taskiran
- Yunus Emre State Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Turkey.
| | - Erdinc Erturk
- Uludag University, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, Turkey
| | - Pınar Sisman
- Uludag University, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, Turkey
| | - Canan Ersoy
- Uludag University, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, Turkey
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Fallahi P, Ferrari SM, Ruffilli I, Ragusa F, Biricotti M, Materazzi G, Miccoli P, Antonelli A. Advancements in the treatment of hypothyroidism with L-T4 liquid formulation or soft gel capsule: an update. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2016; 14:647-655. [PMID: 27552635 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2016.1227782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The most recent advance concerning levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy is the development of novel oral formulations: the liquid preparation, and the soft gel capsule. Areas covered: This review evaluates the most recent clinical studies about these new formulations. The liquid formulation has been shown to overcome: the food and beverages intereference with L-T4 tablets absorption, caused by food or coffee at breakfast; malabsorption induced by the increased gastric pH, resulting from atrophic gastritis, or due to proton-pump inhibitors; and malabsorption after bariatric surgery. The use of liquid L-T4 has been studied also in pregnancy, newborns and infants, suggesting a better bioequivalence than tablets. Finally, liquid L-T4 is more active than tablets in the control of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in hypothyroid patients without malabsorption, drug interference, or gastric disorders, leading to a hypothesized higher absorption of liquid L-T4 also in these patients. Few studies have evaluated soft gel L-T4 with promising results in patients with malabsorption related to coffee or gastritis. Expert opinion: Liquid L-T4 (and soft gel capsules) are more active than the tablet L-T4 in the control of TSH in hypothyroid patients with gastric disorders, malabsorption, or drug interference, but also in patients without absorption disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poupak Fallahi
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Ruffilli
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Marco Biricotti
- b Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Gabriele Materazzi
- b Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Paolo Miccoli
- b Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
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Vita R, Benvenga S. Tablet levothyroxine (L-T4) malabsorption induced by proton pump inhibitor; a problem that was solved by switching to L-T4 in soft gel capsule. Endocr Pract 2016; 20:e38-41. [PMID: 24246350 DOI: 10.4158/ep13316.cr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report a patient in whom the impaired absorption of tablet levothyroxine (L-T4) due to a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was corrected by switching the patient to the soft gel capsule. METHODS A woman with Hashimoto's thyroiditis-associated hypothyroidism (serum thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] 6.8-9.6 mU/L) had been treated with tablet L-T4 (100 μg/day). Because she used to take pantoprazole just before L-T4 in the morning, TSH failed to normalize (4.4-6.5 mU/L). Thus, the daily dose had been progressively increased to 125 and 150 μg/day, with serum TSH levels of 2.4 and 0.6 mU/L, respectively. RESULTS While maintaining pantoprazole, we switched the tablet L-T4 (150 g/day) to a soft gel capsule (125 μg/day; Tirosint® capsule, IBSA, Lugano, Switzerland) and after 2 months, to 100 μg/day. Serum TSH was lower than under the equivalent regimens with the tablet: 0.5 versus 2.4 mU/L (125 μg/day) and 2.4 versus 4.4 to 6.5 mU/L (100 μg/day). Upon switching back to the tablet (100 μg/day), serum TSH increased to 3.2 and 4.7 mU/L and then dropped to 2.7-3.0 mU/L when the dose was increased to 125 μg/day. We also acutely evaluated the intestinal absorption of L-T4 by administering 600 μg LT4 as a tablet or soft gel capsule while maintaining pantoprazole. Pharmacokinetic indices showed better and faster absorption for the soft gel capsule versus tablet (area under the curve [AUC]0-4h = 16,240 vs. 10,960 nmol/L x 4 hours, maximum absorption [Cmax] = 108 vs. 73 nmol/L, and time of maximum absorption [Tmax] = 120 minutes vs. 180 minutes). CONCLUSION Confirming in vitro studies conducted by other authors, the soft gel capsule L-T4 is negligibly affected by changes in gastric pH compared to tablet L-T4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Vita
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Benvenga
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy Master Program on Childhood, Adolescence & Women's Endocrine Health, University of Messina, Messina, Italy Interdepartmental Program of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Women's Endocrine Health, A.O.U. Policlinico G. Martino, Messina, Italy
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Alba P, Mitre N, Feldt M. More than one way to skin a thyroid. Managing pediatric hypothyroidism with weekly intramuscular levothyroxine. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2016; 29:745-8. [PMID: 26959536 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2015-0382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral levothyroxine (L-T4) supplementation is usually an effective therapy in pediatric hypothyroidism, except in patients with malabsorption or pseudomalabsorption. In these cases, parenteral L-T4 may be required, but there is a paucity of information about this delivery method in the pediatric population. CASE PRESENTATION We present three cases of pediatric patients with primary hypothryoidism unresponsive to oral L-T4 that were successfully treated with intramuscular (IM) L-T4. CONCLUSIONS This is the first pediatric case series of successful IM L-T4 therapy in refractory primary hypothyroidism. Our case series demonstrates that once weekly IM L-T4 dosing may be a safe and well tolerated treatment regimen for pediatric patients.
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Vita R, Fallahi P, Antonelli A, Benvenga S. The administration of L-thyroxine as soft gel capsule or liquid solution. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2014; 11:1103-11. [PMID: 24896369 DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2014.918101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Levothyroxine (l-T4) is the mainstay of treating hypothyroidism. The tablet is the traditional formulation of l-T4. Tablet l-T4 malabsorption results from either hindered gastric dissolution of the tablet or binding of l-T4 by sequestrants in the intestinal lumen. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of the pharmacokinetics of l-T4 formulations available in the market: the tablet, the soft gel capsule and the oral solution. We review literature on the new formulations and anticipate the areas of future research. EXPERT OPINION Failure of l-T4 treatment to reach target serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels generally prompts the physicians to increase l-T4 daily dose. In vitro studies have shown that the soft gel capsule releases the active ingredient more consistently at varying pH than the tablet. In addition, in vivo studies have confirmed the in vitro data and have demonstrated that both the soft gel capsule and the liquid formulation are capable to solve tablet l-T4 malabsorption caused by certain drugs, bariatric surgery or coffee. These new formulations may be attractive also for patients who cannot/do not want to change their (improper) habits of l-T4 ingestion. Finally, the oral solution l-T4 could be suitable for patients who cannot swallow the solid formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Vita
- University of Messina, Endocrinology, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine , Viale Gazzi, Padiglione H, 4 piano, 98125 Messina , Italy +39 090 221 3560 ; +39 090 221 3518 ;
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Abstract
Thyroid hormone deficiency can have important repercussions. Treatment with thyroid hormone in replacement doses is essential in patients with hypothyroidism. In this review, we critically discuss the thyroid hormone formulations that are available and approaches to correct replacement therapy with thyroid hormone in primary and central hypothyroidism in different periods of life such as pregnancy, birth, infancy, childhood, and adolescence as well as in adult patients, the elderly, and in patients with comorbidities. Despite the frequent and long term use of l-T4, several studies have documented frequent under- and overtreatment during replacement therapy in hypothyroid patients. We assess the factors determining l-T4 requirements (sex, age, gender, menstrual status, body weight, and lean body mass), the major causes of failure to achieve optimal serum TSH levels in undertreated patients (poor patient compliance, timing of l-T4 administration, interferences with absorption, gastrointestinal diseases, and drugs), and the adverse consequences of unintentional TSH suppression in overtreated patients. Opinions differ regarding the treatment of mild thyroid hormone deficiency, and we examine the recent evidence favoring treatment of this condition. New data suggesting that combined therapy with T3 and T4 could be indicated in some patients with hypothyroidism are assessed, and the indications for TSH suppression with l-T4 in patients with euthyroid multinodular goiter and in those with differentiated thyroid cancer are reviewed. Lastly, we address the potential use of thyroid hormones or their analogs in obese patients and in severe cardiac diseases, dyslipidemia, and nonthyroidal illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Biondi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery (B.B.), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; and Washington Hospital Center (L.W.), Washington, D.C. 20010
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Vita R, Saraceno G, Trimarchi F, Benvenga S. A novel formulation of L-thyroxine (L-T4) reduces the problem of L-T4 malabsorption by coffee observed with traditional tablet formulations. Endocrine 2013; 43:154-60. [PMID: 22932947 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-012-9772-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to evaluate if the coffee-associated malabsorption of tablet levothyroxine (L-T4) is reduced by soft gel capsule. We recruited 8 patients with coffee-associated L-T4 malabsorption including one hypothyroid patient. For 6 months, the patients were switched to the capsule maintaining the L-T4 daily dose. Patients took the capsule with water, having coffee 1 h later (proper habit, PH) on days 1-90, or with coffee ≤ 5 min later (improper habit, IH) on days 91-180. After 6 months, 2 patients volunteered for an acute loading test of 600 μg L-T4 (capsule) ingested with water (PH) or with coffee (IH). In the single hypothyroid patient, the post-switch TSH ranged 0.06-0.16 mU/L (PH) versus 5.8-22.4 mU/L pre-switch (PH) and 0.025-0.29 mU/L (IH) versus 26-34 mU/L pre-switch (IH). In the other 7 patients, post-switch TSH was 0.41 ± 0.46 (PH) versus 0.28 ± 0.20 pre-switch (PH) (P = 0.61) and 0.34 ± 0.30 (IH) versus 1.23 ± 1.47 pre-switch (IH) (P < 0.001). Importantly, TSH levels in PH versus IH habit did not differ post-switch (P = 0.90), but they did pre-switch (P < 0.0001). The proportions of post-switch TSH levels <0.10 mU/L with PH (33.3 %) or with IH (33.3 %) were borderline significantly greater than the corresponding pre-switch levels with PH (10.3 %) (P = 0.088) or with IH (0 %) (P = 0.0096). In the two volunteers, the L-T4 loading test showed that coffee influenced L-T4 pharmacokinetics minimally. Soft gel capsules can be used in patients who are unable/unwilling to change their IH of taking L-T4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Vita
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Messina, A.O.U. Policlinico G. Martino, Viale Gazzi Padiglione H, 4 piano, 98125, Messina, Italy.
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Stephenson DW, Peiris AN, Pandian S, Rodriguez F. A 33-Year-Old Man with Bipolar Disorder. Psychiatr Ann 2010. [DOI: 10.3928/00485713-20100602-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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