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Szilveszter RM, Muntean M, Florea A. Molecular Mechanisms in Tumorigenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and in Target Treatments-An Overview. Biomolecules 2024; 14:656. [PMID: 38927059 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignancy of the liver, with hepatocellular differentiation. It is ranked sixth among the most common cancers worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The most important etiological factors discussed here are viral infection (HBV, HCV), exposure to aflatoxin B1, metabolic syndrome, and obesity (as an independent factor). Directly or indirectly, they induce chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and epigenetic changes in specific genes involved in intracellular signaling pathways, responsible for synthesis of growth factors, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, the metastasis process (including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the expression of adhesion molecules), and angiogenesis. All these disrupted molecular mechanisms contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, equally important is the interaction between tumor cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment: inflammatory cells and macrophages-predominantly with a pro-tumoral role-hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, cancer stem cells, extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular matrix. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular biology of hepatocellular carcinoma and the intricate mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, and we highlighted how certain signaling pathways can be pharmacologically influenced at various levels with specific molecules. Additionally, we mentioned several examples of recent clinical trials and briefly described the current treatment protocol according to the NCCN guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca-Margit Szilveszter
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Cluj County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mara Muntean
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adrian Florea
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Guerra F, Ponziani FR, Cardone F, Bucci C, Marzetti E, Picca A. Mitochondria-Derived Vesicles, Sterile Inflammation, and Pyroptosis in Liver Cancer: Partners in Crime or Innocent Bystanders? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4783. [PMID: 38732000 PMCID: PMC11084658 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in cellular signaling, chronic inflammation, and tissue remodeling contribute to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. The release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) upon tissue injury and the ensuing sterile inflammation have also been attributed a role in HCC pathogenesis. Cargoes of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and/or EVs themselves have been listed among circulating DAMPs but only partially investigated in HCC. Mitochondria-derived vesicles (MDVs), a subpopulation of EVs, are another missing link in the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of HCC biology. EVs have been involved in HCC growth, dissemination, angiogenesis, and immunosurveillance escape. The contribution of MDVs to these processes is presently unclear. Pyroptosis triggers systemic inflammation through caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death and is implicated in tumor immunity. The analysis of this process, together with MDV characterization, may help capture the relationship among HCC development, mitochondrial quality control, and inflammation. The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors (i.e., atezolizumab and bevacizumab) has been approved as a synergistic first-line systemic treatment for unresectable or advanced HCC. The lack of biomarkers that may allow prediction of treatment response and, therefore, patient selection, is a major unmet need. Herein, we overview the molecular mechanisms linking mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and pyroptosis, and discuss how immunotherapy targets, at least partly, these routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Guerra
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Università del Salento, Via Provinciale Lecce–Moteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.R.P.); (F.C.); (E.M.)
| | - Ferdinando Cardone
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.R.P.); (F.C.); (E.M.)
| | - Cecilia Bucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Università del Salento, Via Provinciale Lecce–Moteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Marzetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.R.P.); (F.C.); (E.M.)
- Department of Geriatrics, Orthopedics and Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00618 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Picca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.R.P.); (F.C.); (E.M.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, LUM University, SS100 km 18, 70010 Casamassima, Italy
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Tavakoli Pirzaman A, Alishah A, Babajani B, Ebrahimi P, Sheikhi SA, Moosaei F, Salarfar A, Doostmohamadian S, Kazemi S. The Role of microRNAs in Hepatocellular Cancer: A Narrative Review Focused on Tumor Microenvironment and Drug Resistance. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2024; 23:15330338241239188. [PMID: 38634139 PMCID: PMC11025440 DOI: 10.1177/15330338241239188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, hepatic cancer ranks fourth in terms of cancer-related mortality and is the sixth most frequent kind of cancer. Around 80% of liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), which are the leading cause of cancer death. It is well known that HCC may develop resistance to the available chemotherapy treatments very fast. One of the biggest obstacles in providing cancer patients with appropriate care is drug resistance. According to reports, more than 90% of cancer-specific fatalities are caused by treatment resistance. By binding to the 3'-untranslated region of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), a group of noncoding RNAs which are around 17 to 25 nucleotides long, regulate target gene expression. Moreover, they play role in the control of signaling pathways, cell proliferation, and cell death. As a result, miRNAs play an important role in the microenvironment of HCC by changing immune phenotypes, hypoxic conditions, and acidification, as well as angiogenesis and extracellular matrix components. Moreover, changes in miRNA levels in HCC can effectively resist cancer cells to chemotherapy by affecting various cellular processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, and membrane transporter activity. In the current work, we narratively reviewed the role of miRNAs in HCC, with a special focus on tumor microenvironment and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali Alishah
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Bahareh Babajani
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Pouyan Ebrahimi
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Seyyed Ali Sheikhi
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Farhad Moosaei
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | | | - Sohrab Kazemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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Koustas E, Trifylli EM, Sarantis P, Papadopoulos N, Papanikolopoulos K, Aloizos G, Damaskos C, Garmpis N, Garmpi A, Matthaios D, Karamouzis MV. An Insight into the Arising Role of MicroRNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Future Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087168. [PMID: 37108330 PMCID: PMC10138911 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes a frequent highly malignant form of primary liver cancer and is the third cause of death attributable to malignancy. Despite the improvement in the therapeutic strategies with the exploration of novel pharmacological agents, the survival rate for HCC is still low. Shedding light on the multiplex genetic and epigenetic background of HCC, such as on the emerging role of microRNAs, is considered quite promising for the diagnosis and the prediction of this malignancy, as well as for combatting drug resistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute small noncoding RNA sequences, which play a key role in the regulation of several signaling and metabolic pathways, as well as of pivotal cellular functions such as autophagy, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. It is also demonstrated that miRNAs are significantly implicated in carcinogenesis, either acting as tumor suppressors or oncomiRs, while aberrations in their expression levels are closely associated with tumor growth and progression, as well as with local invasion and metastatic dissemination. The arising role of miRNAs in HCC is in the spotlight of the current scientific research, aiming at the development of novel therapeutic perspectives. In this review, we will shed light on the emerging role of miRNAs in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Koustas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75, M. Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Internal Medicine, 417 Army Equity Fund Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni-Myrto Trifylli
- First Department of Internal Medicine, 417 Army Equity Fund Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Sarantis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75, M. Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Papadopoulos
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, 401 General Army Hospital of Athens, 11525 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Aloizos
- First Department of Internal Medicine, 417 Army Equity Fund Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Damaskos
- 'N.S. Christeas' Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Renal Transplantation Unit, 'Laiko' General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Garmpis
- Second Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, 'Laiko' General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Garmpi
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Michalis V Karamouzis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75, M. Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Wu ZQ, Zhu YX, Jin Y, Zhan YC. Exosomal miRNA in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:528-533. [PMID: 36793641 PMCID: PMC9923864 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i3.528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of hepatic carcinoma (HCC) remain high, and early diagnosis of HCC is seen as a key approach in improving clinical outcomes. However, the sensitivity and specificity of current early screening methods for HCC are not satisfactory. In recent years, research around exosomal miRNA has gradually increased, and these molecules have emerged as attractive candidates for early diagnosis and treatment of HCC. This review summarizes the feasibility of using miRNAs in peripheral blood exosomes as early diagnostic tools for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Wu
- Department of Surgery, The Second People's Hosptal of Quzhou, Quzhou 324000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi-Xin Zhu
- Department of Surgery, The Second People's Hosptal of Quzhou, Quzhou 324000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yun Jin
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yin-Chu Zhan
- Department of Surgery, The Second People's Hosptal of Quzhou, Quzhou 324000, Zhejiang Province, China
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Ishaq Y, Ikram A, Alzahrani B, Khurshid S. The Role of miRNAs, circRNAs and Their Interactions in Development and Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Insilico Approach. Genes (Basel) 2022; 14:genes14010013. [PMID: 36672755 PMCID: PMC9858589 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010013] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of malignant tumor. miRNAs are noncoding RNAs and their differential expression patterns are observed in HCC-induced by alcoholism, HBV and HCV infections. By acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), circRNA regulates the miRNA function, indirectly controlling the gene expression and leading to HCC progression. In the present study, data mining was performed to screen out all miRNAs and circRNA involved in alcohol, HBV or HCV-induced HCC with statistically significant (≤0.05%) expression levels reported in various studies. Further, the interaction of miRNAs and circRNA was also investigated to explore their role in HCC due to various causative agents. Together, these study data provide a deeper understanding of the circRNA-miRNA regulatory mechanisms in HCC. These screened circRNA, miRNA and their interactions can be used as prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmeen Ishaq
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), University of Lahore (UOL), Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Aqsa Ikram
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), University of Lahore (UOL), Lahore 54000, Pakistan
- Correspondence:
| | - Badr Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 42421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sana Khurshid
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, 1-Davis Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
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Kuo CL, Ponneri Babuharisankar A, Lin YC, Lien HW, Lo YK, Chou HY, Tangeda V, Cheng LC, Cheng AN, Lee AYL. Mitochondrial oxidative stress in the tumor microenvironment and cancer immunoescape: foe or friend? J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:74. [PMID: 36154922 PMCID: PMC9511749 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00859-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The major concept of "oxidative stress" is an excess elevated level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are generated from vigorous metabolism and consumption of oxygen. The precise harmonization of oxidative stresses between mitochondria and other organelles in the cell is absolutely vital to cell survival. Under oxidative stress, ROS produced from mitochondria and are the major mediator for tumorigenesis in different aspects, such as proliferation, migration/invasion, angiogenesis, inflammation, and immunoescape to allow cancer cells to adapt to the rigorous environment. Accordingly, the dynamic balance of oxidative stresses not only orchestrate complex cell signaling events in cancer cells but also affect other components in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Immune cells, such as M2 macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells are the major components of the immunosuppressive TME from the ROS-induced inflammation. Based on this notion, numerous strategies to mitigate oxidative stresses in tumors have been tested for cancer prevention or therapies; however, these manipulations are devised from different sources and mechanisms without established effectiveness. Herein, we integrate current progress regarding the impact of mitochondrial ROS in the TME, not only in cancer cells but also in immune cells, and discuss the combination of emerging ROS-modulating strategies with immunotherapies to achieve antitumor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Liang Kuo
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Ananth Ponneri Babuharisankar
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan.,Joint PhD Program in Molecular Medicine, NHRI & NCU, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chen Lin
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Wen Lien
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Yu Kang Lo
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Han-Yu Chou
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Vidhya Tangeda
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan.,Joint PhD Program in Molecular Medicine, NHRI & NCU, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chun Cheng
- Liver Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - An Ning Cheng
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Alan Yueh-Luen Lee
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan. .,Joint PhD Program in Molecular Medicine, NHRI & NCU, Zhunan, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan. .,Department of Life Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Zhongli, Taoyuan, 32001, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan. .,Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
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Khare S, Khare T, Ramanathan R, Ibdah JA. Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Role of MicroRNAs. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050645. [PMID: 35625573 PMCID: PMC9138333 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC is diagnosed in its advanced stage when limited treatment options are available. Substantial morphologic, genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity has been reported in HCC, which poses a challenge for the development of a targeted therapy. In this review, we discuss the role and involvement of several microRNAs (miRs) in the heterogeneity and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma with a special emphasis on their possible role as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in the risk prediction, early detection, and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharad Khare
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (S.K.); (T.K.); (R.R.)
- Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Tripti Khare
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (S.K.); (T.K.); (R.R.)
| | - Raghu Ramanathan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (S.K.); (T.K.); (R.R.)
- Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Jamal A. Ibdah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (S.K.); (T.K.); (R.R.)
- Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: 1-573-882-7349; Fax: 1-573-884-4595
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