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Dai M, Xu Y, Gong G, Zhang Y. Roles of immune microenvironment in the female reproductive maintenance and regulation: novel insights into the crosstalk of immune cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1109122. [PMID: 38223507 PMCID: PMC10786641 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1109122] [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: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Female fertility decline is an accumulative consequence caused by complex factors, among them, the disruption of the immune profile in female reproduction stands out as a crucial contributor. Presently, the effects of immune microenvironment (IME) on the female reproductive process have attracted increasing attentions for their dynamic but precisive roles. Immunocytes including macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, B cells and neutrophils, with diverse subpopulations as well as high plasticity functioned dynamically in the process of female reproduction through indirect intercellular communication via specific cytokine release transduced by molecular signal networks or direct cell-cell contact to maintain the stability of the reproductive process have been unveiled. The immune profile of female reproduction in each stage has also been meticulously unveiled. Especially, the application of single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology in this process reveals the distribution map of immune cells, which gives a novel insight for the homeostasis of IME and provides a research direction for better exploring the role of immune cells in female reproduction. Here, we provide an all-encompassing overview of the latest advancements in immune modulation within the context of the female reproductive process. Our approach involves structuring our summary in accordance with the physiological sequence encompassing gonadogenesis, folliculogenesis within the ovaries, ovulation through the fallopian tubes, and the subsequent stages of embryo implantation and development within the uterus. Our overarching objective is to construct a comprehensive portrayal of the immune microenvironment (IME), thereby accentuating the pivotal role played by immune cells in governing the intricate female reproductive journey. Additionally, we emphasize the pressing need for heightened attention directed towards strategies that focus on immune interventions within the female reproductive process, with the ultimate aim of enhancing female fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Frontier Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Frontier Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guidong Gong
- National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaoyao Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Frontier Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Sarkesh A, Sorkhabi AD, Ahmadi H, Abdolmohammadi-Vahid S, Parhizkar F, Yousefi M, Aghebati-Maleki L. Allogeneic lymphocytes immunotherapy in female infertility: Lessons learned and the road ahead. Life Sci 2022; 299:120503. [PMID: 35381221 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The endometrium is an essential tissue in the normal immunologic dialogue between the mother and the conceptus, which is necessary for the proper establishment and maintenance of a successful pregnancy. It's become evident that the maternal immune system plays a key role in the normal pregnancy's initiation, maintenance, and termination. In this perspective, the immune system contributes to regulating all stages of pregnancy, thus immunological dysregulation is thought to be one of the major etiologies of implantation failures. Many researchers believe that immune therapies are useful tactics for improving the live births rate in certain situations. Lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) is an active form of immunotherapy that, when used on the relevant subgroups of patients, has been shown in multiple trials to dramatically enhance maternal immunological balance and pregnancy outcome. The primary goal of LIT is to regulate the immune system in order to create a favorable tolerogenic immune milieu and tolerance for embryo implantation. However, there are a plethora of influential factors influencing its therapeutic benefits that merit to be addressed. The objective of our study is to discuss the mechanisms and challenges of allogeneic LIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aila Sarkesh
- Student's Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amin Daei Sorkhabi
- Student's Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamid Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, Pécs, Hungary
| | | | - Forough Parhizkar
- Student's Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Leili Aghebati-Maleki
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Bi SJ, Huang YX, Feng LM, Yue SJ, Chen YY, Fu RJ, Xu DQ, Tang YP. Network pharmacology-based study on immunomodulatory mechanism of danggui-yimucao herb pair for the treatment of RU486-induced abortion. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 282:114609. [PMID: 34508802 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Danggui-Yimucao herb pair (DY) is a classic combination in Chinese herbal formulas, consisting of the root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and the aerial parts of Leonurus japonicus Houtt. DY first appeared in "Zhulinsi fuke mifang" in the Jin Dynasty, and it has a long history as a drug for the treatment of abortion. However, its underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms involved are still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY In this study, network pharmacology and pharmacological experiments were used to explore the role and mechanism of DY in the treatment of medical abortion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Network pharmacology was used to establish the relationship between the components of DY and abortion-related targets, and to enrich important pathways and biological process for verification. ELISA was used to assess progesterone levels. Flow cytometry was used to detect the degree of differentiation of Th1/Th2 cells. Immunohistochemical methods and qPCR were used to measure the expression levels of T-bet, GATA-3 and IL-4. RESULTS Through the prediction analysis of network pharmacology, we found that key pathway for DY treatment of abortion, such as anemia, pelvic infection, immune disorders, and coagulation disorders, was Th1/Th2 cell differentiation pathway. The pharmacological results revealed that DY greatly corrected the imbalance of Th cell subsets in abortion mice, significantly inhibited the differentiation of Th2 cells, and resulted in an increase in the Th1/Th2 ratio. In addition, the concentration of progesterone in the serum of mice after abortion was significantly reduced. We also found that DY upregulated spleen T-bet and downregulated IL-4 gene expression in mice. Besides, immunohistochemical results showed that DYE could up-regulate T-bet but inhibit GATA-3 expression. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that after RU486-induced abortion, progesterone and Th1/Th2 paradigm were disordered in mice, but DY could make mice recover more quickly, which indicated that DY had great development value in immunoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Jie Bi
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yu-Xi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Li-Mei Feng
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Shi-Jun Yue
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yan-Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Rui-Jia Fu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ding-Qiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yu-Ping Tang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, Shaanxi Province, China.
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Mei Y, Ran Y, Liu Z, Zhou Y, He J, Yin N, Qi H. IL-27 Mediates Th1 Cells Infiltration in Fetal Membranes in Preterm Labor. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:1764-1775. [PMID: 34859389 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00803-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of IL-27 on Th1 cells infiltration in human fetal membranes (FMs) in preterm labor (PL). The expression of Th1 cells specific transcription factor (T-bet), Th1 cells infiltration related molecules (CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and ICAM-1), and IL-27 receptor α subunit (IL-27Rα) was compared in human FMs from pregnant women in PL group and term labor (TL) group. In vitro, rhIL-27 was added to the culture medium of amniotic epithelial cells (WISH cells) to detect the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and ICAM-1. Furthermore, the underlying signaling pathway was detected by single-sample gene set enrichment analysis and western blot analysis. The expression of T-bet and CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and ICAM-1 as well as IL-27Rα was higher in human FMs from PL group than TL group. In vitro, rhIL-27 could upregulate the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and ICAM-1 in WISH cells. Using gene-set enrichment analysis of FMs, JAK/STAT signaling pathway was found to be activated by IL-27 signaling in PL. Using western blot analysis, JAK2/STAT1/STAT3 signaling pathway was confirmed to be enhanced in rhIL-27 treated WISH cells. In addition, AG490 (JAK2 inhibitor) could inhibit the secretion of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 in WISH cells stimulated by rhIL-27. Our results suggested that IL-27 may promote Th1 cells infiltration in human FMs in PL, by promoting the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 at least partly through JAK2/STAT1/STAT3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwen Mei
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yuxin Ran
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yunqian Zhou
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jie He
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Nanlin Yin
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| | - Hongbo Qi
- International Collaborative Jointed Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Maternal, Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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Wang P, Jiang G, Ju W, Cai Y, Wang J, Wu F. Influence of Bushen Tiaochong Cycle Therapy on Th1/Th2 Deviation, Sex Hormone Level, and Pregnancy Outcome of Alloimmune Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2021; 2021:8624414. [PMID: 34594392 PMCID: PMC8478574 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8624414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the influence of Bushen Tiaochong cycle therapy on Th1/Th2 deviation, sex hormone level, and pregnancy outcome of alloimmune recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). METHODS From August 2018 to April 2020, 130 patients with alloimmune RSA who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the control group (n = 65) and the study group (n = 65). The former received lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT), and the latter received Bushen Tiaochong cycle therapy on the basis of LIT. The treatment ended at 12 w of pregnancy. The total score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, Th1 cytokine (IL-2), Th2 cytokine (IL-10), and related hormones (chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone (P)) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The positive rate of blocking antibody (BA), pregnancy success rate, and preterm birth rate were counted. RESULT After treatment, the total score of TCM syndromes, IL-2 level, and Th1/Th2 ratio in the two groups decreased significantly, while the levels of IL-10, hCG, and P increased significantly, and the study group improved significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The positive rate of BA and pregnancy success rate in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the preterm birth rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of routine western medicine treatment, a combined application of Bushen Tiaochong cycle therapy can significantly improve the Th1/Th2 deviation, serum sex hormone level, and pregnancy outcome in patients with alloimmune RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, China
| | - Guilin Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, China
| | - Wenjuan Ju
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, China
| | - Yaping Cai
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, China
| | - Jinrong Wang
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, China
| | - Feihua Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, China
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Tossetta G, Fantone S, Giannubilo SR, Marzioni D. The Multifaced Actions of Curcumin in Pregnancy Outcome. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10010126. [PMID: 33477354 PMCID: PMC7830020 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10010126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Curcumin, also known as diferuloylmethane, is the main polyphenolic substance present in the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. This plant showed many beneficial effects and has been used since ancient times for both food and pharmaceutical purposes. Due to its pleiotropic functions, curcumin consumption in the human diet has become very common thanks also to the fact that this natural compound is considered quite safe as it does not have serious side effects. Its functions as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-toxicant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-diabetic compound are already known and widely demonstrated. There are numerous studies concerning its effects on various human pathologies including cancer, diabetes and arthritis while the studies on curcumin during pregnancy have been performed only in animal models. Data concerning the role of curcumin as anti-inflammatory compound suggest a possible use of curcumin in managing pregnancy complications such as Preeclampsia (PE), Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR), PreTerm Birth (PTB), and exposure to toxic agents and pathogens. The aim of this review is to present data to support the possible use of curcumin in clinical trials on human gestation complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tossetta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.T.); (S.F.)
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Salesi Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Sonia Fantone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Stefano Raffaele Giannubilo
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Salesi Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Daniela Marzioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (G.T.); (S.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.:+39-071.2206268
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