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Hassan MM, Al Yazidi L, Elsidig N, Al Falahi M, Salmi N, Al-Jaffari Y, Al-Amri L, Zeiidan H, Al-Zakwani I. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Parents of Children Younger than 12 Years: Experience from a Tertiary Outpatient Clinic. PHARMACY 2024; 12:85. [PMID: 38921961 PMCID: PMC11207560 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy12030085] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
This study explored parents' attitudes towards vaccinating their children against COVID-19 and the rate of vaccine hesitancy in Oman. A cross-sectional, online, self-administered questionnaire, previously validated and administered between June 2021 and May 2022, was used. The questionnaire consisted of nine items. Parents of children younger than 12 years were eligible for participation. A total of 384 participants, including 207 males (54%), completed the questionnaire, resulting in an 86% response rate (384/447). The results showed that 69% of participants were hesitant to vaccinate their children aged 1-11 years. In parents of children aged 1-4 years, vaccination status was significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy (odds ratio [OR], 0.116; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.044-0.306; p = 0.001). Furthermore, after multivariable analysis, compared to the fathers, mothers were significantly less likely to be associated with vaccine hesitancy (OR, 0.451; 95% CI, 0.240-0.848; p = 0.013).
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Affiliation(s)
- Moataz Mohamed Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman; (M.A.F.); (N.S.); (Y.A.-J.); (L.A.-A.); (I.A.-Z.)
| | - Laila Al Yazidi
- Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman; (L.A.Y.); (N.E.)
| | - Nagi Elsidig
- Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman; (L.A.Y.); (N.E.)
| | - Mohamed Al Falahi
- Department of Pharmacy, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman; (M.A.F.); (N.S.); (Y.A.-J.); (L.A.-A.); (I.A.-Z.)
| | - Najah Salmi
- Department of Pharmacy, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman; (M.A.F.); (N.S.); (Y.A.-J.); (L.A.-A.); (I.A.-Z.)
| | - Yahya Al-Jaffari
- Department of Pharmacy, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman; (M.A.F.); (N.S.); (Y.A.-J.); (L.A.-A.); (I.A.-Z.)
| | - Labiba Al-Amri
- Department of Pharmacy, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman; (M.A.F.); (N.S.); (Y.A.-J.); (L.A.-A.); (I.A.-Z.)
| | - Huyam Zeiidan
- Emergency Medical Department, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman;
| | - Ibrahim Al-Zakwani
- Department of Pharmacy, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman; (M.A.F.); (N.S.); (Y.A.-J.); (L.A.-A.); (I.A.-Z.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Alkoudh, Muscat 123, Oman
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Stutz C, Alcantara DMC, dos Santos CM, Torres JM, Rodrigues R, Marcon GEB, Ferreira EDC, Sarti ECFB, de Oliveira TF, Mendes FML, Lemos EF, Demarchi LHF, Lichs GGDC, Zardin MCSU, Gonçalves CCM, Guilhermino JDF, Perdomo RT, Fernandez ZDC. Seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the school community in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, October 2021-November 2022. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1354786. [PMID: 38596680 PMCID: PMC11002276 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1354786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction With the reopening of schools during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it was imperative to understand the role of students and education professionals in the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this paper, we determined the seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies in the school community in Campo Grande, the capital and most populous city of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil) and evaluated its association with sex, school level, and school type. Materials and methods The survey was carried out in 20 public and private schools in the urban region of Campo Grande using the TR DPP® COVID-19 immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G (IgM/IgG) kit from the Immunobiological Technology Institute (Bio-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Testing was carried out in three periods: from October to December 2021; from March to July 2022; and from August to November 2022. The participants were students aged 6-17 years enrolled in primary or secondary schools and professionals of different ages and roles. Results During the first testing period, 162 participants were seropositive for the IgM and/or IgG anti-nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, with an estimated seroprevalence of 19.6% using Bayesian multilevel regression. In the second period, 251 participants were seropositive (estimated seroprevalence, 34.6%), while in the third period, 393 participants were seroconverted (estimated seroprevalence, 56.7%). In 2022, there was an increase in the seroconversion rate compared to that in 2021. The most frequently described acute manifestations in the three periods were fever, headache, sore throat, and runny nose. In terms of the demographic profile, there was no predominance of seropositivity between the sexes, although women represented approximately 70% of the study population. There were also no differences between students and school staff. Discussion The results made it possible to evaluate the extent of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the school community through immunity developed against the virus, in addition to providing information about COVID-19 symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Stutz
- Fiocruz Ceará, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição (FACFAN), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Camila Maria dos Santos
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jaire Marinho Torres
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rudielle Rodrigues
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo de Castro Ferreira
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | - Flavia Maria Lins Mendes
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Everton Ferreira Lemos
- Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique Ferraz Demarchi
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (LACEN-MS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gislene Garcia de Castro Lichs
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (LACEN-MS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de Mato Grosso do Sul, Secretaria Adjunta de Estado, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Trentin Perdomo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição (FACFAN), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Cultura Celular da Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição (FACFAN), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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Jyonouchi H, Geng L, Rossignol DA, Frye RE. Long COVID Syndrome Presenting as Neuropsychiatric Exacerbations in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insights for Treatment. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12111815. [PMID: 36579544 PMCID: PMC9695881 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12111815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 causes not only severe respiratory symptoms, but also long-term sequelae, even if the acute-phase symptoms are minor. Neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms are emerging as major long-term sequalae. In patients with pre-existing behavioral symptoms, such as individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the emergence of neuropsychiatric symptoms due to long COVID can be difficult to diagnose and manage. Herein, we present three ASD cases who presented with markedly worsening neuropsychiatric symptoms following COVID-19 exposure and subsequent difficulty in managing the post-COVID neuropsychiatric symptoms. Case 1 contracted SARS-CoV-2 during the early stages of the pandemic and treatment targeting COVID-19-induced immune activation was delayed. Case 2 was asymptomatic in the acute stage of a confirmed COVID-19 exposure, but still developed significant neuropsychiatric symptoms. Case 3 demonstrated a difficult course, partly due to pre-existing immune dysregulation and prior use of multiple immunomodulating agents. In cases 1 and 3 for whom serial blood samples were obtained, notable changes in the production of inflammatory and counter-regulatory cytokines by peripheral blood monocytes were observed. The presented cases illustrate the profound effects of COVID-19 on neuropsychiatric symptoms in ASD subjects and the difficulty of managing long-COVID symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harumi Jyonouchi
- Saint Peter’s University Hospital (SPUH), New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Lee Geng
- Saint Peter’s University Hospital (SPUH), New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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Ott R, Achenbach P, A. Ewald D, Friedl N, Gemulla G, Hubmann M, Kordonouri O, Loff A, Marquardt E, Sifft P, Sporreiter M, Zapardiel-Gonzalo J, Ziegler AG. SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Preschool and School-Age Children. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 119:765-770. [PMID: 36345616 PMCID: PMC9884841 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is ongoing in Germany. Children and adolescents are increasingly being infected, and many cases presumably remain undetected and unreported. Sero-epidemiological studies can help estimate the true number of infections. METHODS From January 2020 to June 2022, 59 786 persons aged 1-17 years were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies as part of a screening program for presymptomatic type 1 diabetes in the German federal state of Bavaria (the Fr1da study). RESULTS In June 2022, the seroprevalence in the overall population was 73.5%. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in school-age children (from 5 to 10 years of age) than in preschool children (ages 1-4): 84.4% vs. 66.6%, p <0.001. In contrast, in November 2021, before the appearance of the omicron variant, the overall seroprevalence was 14.7% (16.2% of school-age children, 13.0% of preschool children, p = 0.06). In the overall collective, seroprevalence increased fivefold from the fall of 2021 to June 2022 (by a factor of 5.2 in school-age children and 5.1 in preschool children). Similar seroprevalences, with smaller case numbers, were observed in June 2022 in the corresponding Fr1da studies in Saxony and Northern Germany: 87.8% and 76.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION Monthly case counts reveal a substantial rise in SARS-CoV-2-infections among children and adolescents from late 2021 to mid-2022. The high percentage of preschool and school-age children who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, in a population that has low vaccination coverage, should be taken into account in the development of health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffael Ott
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich; Forschergruppe Diabetes e.V. at Helmholtz Munich; Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Forschergruppe Diabetes at Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Achenbach
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich; Forschergruppe Diabetes e.V. at Helmholtz Munich; Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Forschergruppe Diabetes at Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Nadine Friedl
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich; Forschergruppe Diabetes e.V. at Helmholtz Munich; Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Forschergruppe Diabetes at Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Gita Gemulla
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Dresden,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Dresden
| | | | | | - Anja Loff
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Dresden,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Dresden
| | | | - Philipp Sifft
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich; Forschergruppe Diabetes e.V. at Helmholtz Munich; Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Forschergruppe Diabetes at Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Sporreiter
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich; Forschergruppe Diabetes e.V. at Helmholtz Munich; Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Forschergruppe Diabetes at Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Jose Zapardiel-Gonzalo
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich; Forschergruppe Diabetes e.V. at Helmholtz Munich; Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Forschergruppe Diabetes at Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Anette-G. Ziegler
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich; Forschergruppe Diabetes e.V. at Helmholtz Munich; Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Forschergruppe Diabetes at Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
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Mangat C, Rich J, Sanghavi D, Schmidt R, Milosavljevic N, Linh T, Bansal P. Parents' perspective on COVID-19 vaccine in children 6 months through 4 years: a cross-sectional study from Northwest Wisconsin. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e065453. [PMID: 36115680 PMCID: PMC9485653 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Vaccination is critical to control the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but despite the availability of safe and effective vaccine in children over 5 years, vaccination rates remain low. There is paucity of data about vaccine acceptance and factors influencing parents' hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine for young children. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To estimate vaccine acceptance by parents of children 6 months through 4 years, and to evaluate the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy. METHODS Electronic survey was sent to parents of children 6 months through 4 years through an online portal account at Mayo Clinic Health System, Northwest-Wisconsin. Data were captured via Research Electronic Data Capture secured data collection software. Bivariate and multivariate regression was used to determine most pertinent factors influencing parents' decisions against the outcome, 'Intent to Vaccinate'. RESULTS 39.7% of the parents were 'very likely' or 'somewhat likely' to vaccinate their children once the vaccine became available, while 49.8% were not likely or highly unlikely to vaccinate. Routine childhood vaccination, receiving seasonal influenza vaccine, parents' perception of COVID-19 severity in children and safety and effectiveness of the vaccine were all associated with more vaccine acceptance. 71.4% of parents who will likely not vaccinate their children indicated that they are unlikely to change their decision. The need for more research on the vaccine and more information from the PCP office were the most common reasons behind the vaccine decision-making. CONCLUSIONS Vaccine hesitancy remains a major issue regarding uptake of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. Strong and clear evidence-based recommendations from primary care provider and more information from trusted websites such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can decrease vaccine hesitancy in parents. Further research targeted at understanding beliefs and perspectives of parents from different demographics can assist policy-makers in implementing measures to improve vaccination rates in children and tailor our dialogue to match the needs of our patients and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetna Mangat
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jennifer Rich
- Department of Research and Innovation, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Devang Sanghavi
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Rebecca Schmidt
- Department of Research and Innovation, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Natasa Milosavljevic
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tran Linh
- Department of Research and Innovation, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Pankaj Bansal
- Department of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
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du Preez HN, Aldous C, Kruger HG, Johnson L. N-Acetylcysteine and Other Sulfur-Donors as a Preventative and Adjunct Therapy for COVID-19. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci 2022; 2022:4555490. [PMID: 35992575 PMCID: PMC9385285 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4555490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The airway epithelial glycocalyx plays an important role in preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 entry into the epithelial cells, while the endothelial glycocalyx contributes to vascular permeability and tone, as well as modulating immune, inflammatory, and coagulation responses. With ample evidence in the scientific literature that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is related to epithelial and endothelial dysfunction, preserving the glycocalyx should be the main focus of any COVID-19 treatment protocol. The most studied functional unit of the glycocalyx is the glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate, where the degree and position of the sulfate groups determine the biological activity. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and other sulfur donors contribute to the inorganic sulfate pool, the rate-limiting molecule in sulfation. NAC is not only a precursor to glutathione but also converts to hydrogen sulfide, inorganic sulfate, taurine, Coenzyme A, and albumin. By optimising inorganic sulfate availability, and therefore sulfation, it is proposed that COVID-19 can be prevented or at least most of the symptoms attenuated. A comprehensive COVID-19 treatment protocol is needed to preserve the glycocalyx in both the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The use of NAC at a dosage of 600 mg bid for the prevention of COVID-19 is proposed, but a higher dosage of NAC (1200 mg bid) should be administered upon the first onset of symptoms. In the severe to critically ill, it is advised that IV NAC should be administered immediately upon hospital admission, and in the late stage of the disease, IV sodium thiosulfate should be considered. Doxycycline as a protease inhibitor will prevent shedding and further degradation of the glycocalyx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi N du Preez
- Catalysis and Peptide Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
| | - Colleen Aldous
- College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Hendrik G Kruger
- Catalysis and Peptide Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lin Johnson
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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