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Simões M, Zorn J, Hogerwerf L, Velders GJM, Portengen L, Gerlofs-Nijland M, Dijkema M, Strak M, Jacobs J, Wesseling J, de Vries WJ, Mijnen-Visser S, Smit LAM, Vermeulen R, Mughini-Gras L. Outdoor air pollution as a risk factor for testing positive for SARS-CoV-2: A nationwide test-negative case-control study in the Netherlands. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 259:114382. [PMID: 38652943 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114382] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Air pollution is a known risk factor for several diseases, but the extent to which it influences COVID-19 compared to other respiratory diseases remains unclear. We performed a test-negative case-control study among people with COVID-19-compatible symptoms who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection, to assess whether their long- and short-term exposure to ambient air pollution (AAP) was associated with testing positive (vs. negative) for SARS-CoV-2. We used individual-level data for all adult residents in the Netherlands who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 between June and November 2020, when only symptomatic people were tested, and modeled ambient concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and O3 at geocoded residential addresses. In long-term exposure analysis, we selected individuals who did not change residential address in 2017-2019 (1.7 million tests) and considered the average concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 in that period, and different sources of PM (industry, livestock, other agricultural activities, road traffic, other Dutch sources, foreign sources). In short-term exposure analysis, individuals not changing residential address in the two weeks before testing day (2.7 million tests) were included in the analyses, thus considering 1- and 2-week average concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and O3 before testing day as exposure. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis with adjustment for several confounders, including municipality and testing week to account for spatiotemporal variation in viral circulation, was used. Overall, there was no statistically significant effect of long-term exposure to the studied pollutants on the odds of testing positive vs. negative for SARS-CoV-2. However, significant positive associations of long-term exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 from specifically foreign and livestock sources, and to PM10 from other agricultural sources, were observed. Short-term exposure to PM10 (adjusting for NO2) and PM2.5 were also positively associated with increased odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. While these exposures seemed to increase COVID-19 risk relative to other respiratory diseases, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. This study reinforces the need to continue to strive for better air quality to support public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Simões
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jelle Zorn
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Lenny Hogerwerf
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Guus J M Velders
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Environmental Quality (MIL), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Lützen Portengen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Miriam Gerlofs-Nijland
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Sustainability, Environment and Health (DMG), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Dijkema
- Municipal Health Services, Provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland, the Netherlands
| | - Maciek Strak
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Sustainability, Environment and Health (DMG), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - José Jacobs
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Sustainability, Environment and Health (DMG), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Joost Wesseling
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Environmental Quality (MIL), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Wilco J de Vries
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Environmental Quality (MIL), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Mijnen-Visser
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Environmental Quality (MIL), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Lidwien A M Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lapo Mughini-Gras
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
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Dai B, Ji W, Zhu P, Han S, Chen Y, Jin Y. Update on Omicron variant and its threat to vulnerable populations. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2024; 7:100494. [PMID: 38584806 PMCID: PMC10998192 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2024.100494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To reduce the incidence of severe illness and fatalities, and promote the awareness of protection and precaution, increased vaccination, strengthen the physical fitness, frequent ventilation, and health education should be enhanced among vulnerable populations as essential measures for the future control of COVID-19. Study design Systematic review. Method The search was done using PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science for studies without language restrictions, published up through March 2023, since their authoritative and comprehensive literature search database. Eighty articles were included. Extraction of articles and quality assessment of included reviews was performed independently by two authors using the AMSTAR 2 score. Results The articles in the final data set included research on epidemiological characteristics, pathogenicity, available vaccines, treatments and epidemiological features in special populations including the elders, pregnant women, kids, people with chronic diseases concerning Omicron. Conclusion Although less pathogenic potential is found in Omicron, highly mutated forms have enhanced the ability of immune evasion and resistance to existing vaccines compared with former variants. Severe complications and outcomes may occur in vulnerable populations. Infected pregnant women are more likely to give birth prematurely, and fatal implications in children infected with Omicron are hyperimmune response and severe neurological disorders. In immunocompromised patients, there is a greater reported mortality and complication compared to patients with normal immune systems. Therefore, maintain social distancing, wear masks, and receive vaccinations are effective long-term measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Dai
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Wangquan Ji
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Peiyu Zhu
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shujie Han
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yuefei Jin
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
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Shenoy PU, Udupa H, KS J, Babu S, K N, Jain N, Das R, Upadhyai P. The impact of COVID-19 on pulmonary, neurological, and cardiac outcomes: evidence from a Mendelian randomization study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1303183. [PMID: 38155884 PMCID: PMC10752946 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1303183] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Long COVID is a clinical entity characterized by persistent health problems or development of new diseases, without an alternative diagnosis, following SARS-CoV-2 infection that affects a significant proportion of individuals globally. It can manifest with a wide range of symptoms due to dysfunction of multiple organ systems including but not limited to cardiovascular, hematologic, neurological, gastrointestinal, and renal organs, revealed by observational studies. However, a causal association between the genetic predisposition to COVID-19 and many post-infective abnormalities in long COVID remain unclear. Methods Here we employed Mendelian randomization (MR), a robust genetic epidemiological approach, to investigate the potential causal associations between genetic predisposition to COVID-19 and long COVID symptoms, namely pulmonary (pneumonia and airway infections including bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and rhinitis), neurological (headache, depression, and Parkinson's disease), cardiac (heart failure and chest pain) diseases, and chronic fatigue. Using two-sample MR, we leveraged genetic data from a large COVID-19 genome-wide association study and various disorder-specific datasets. Results This analysis revealed that a genetic predisposition to COVID-19 was significantly causally linked to an increased risk of developing pneumonia, airway infections, headache, and heart failure. It also showed a strong positive correlation with chronic fatigue, a frequently observed symptom in long COVID patients. However, our findings on Parkinson's disease, depression, and chest pain were inconclusive. Conclusion Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the genetic underpinnings of long COVID and its diverse range of symptoms. Understanding these causal associations may aid in better management and treatment of long COVID patients, thereby alleviating the substantial burden it poses on global health and socioeconomic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja U. Shenoy
- Division of Data Analytics, Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Hrushikesh Udupa
- Department of Community Medicine, Yenepoya Medical College and Hospital, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Jyothika KS
- Department of Statistics, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Sangeetha Babu
- Department of Statistics, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Nikshita K
- Department of Statistics, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Neha Jain
- Department of Statistics, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Ranajit Das
- Division of Data Analytics, Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Priyanka Upadhyai
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Antonelli M, Penfold RS, Canas LDS, Sudre C, Rjoob K, Murray B, Molteni E, Kerfoot E, Cheetham N, Pujol JC, Polidori L, May A, Wolf J, Modat M, Spector T, Hammers A, Ourselin S, Steves C. SARS-CoV-2 infection following booster vaccination: Illness and symptom profile in a prospective, observational community-based case-control study. J Infect 2023; 87:506-515. [PMID: 37777159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Booster COVID-19 vaccines have shown efficacy in clinical trials and effectiveness in real-world data against symptomatic and severe illness. However, some people still become infected with SARS-CoV-2 following a third (booster) vaccination. This study describes the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 illness following a third vaccination and assesses the risk of progression to symptomatic disease in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals with time since vaccination. METHODS This prospective, community-based, case-control study used data from UK-based, adult (≥18 years) users of the COVID Symptom Study mobile application, self-reporting a first positive COVID-19 test between June 1, 2021 and April 1, 2022. To describe the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 illness following a third vaccination, we selected cases and controls who had received a third and second dose of monovalent vaccination against COVID-19, respectively, and reported a first positive SARS-CoV-2 test at least 7 days after most recent vaccination. Cases and controls were matched (1:1) based on age, sex, BMI, time between first vaccination and infection, and week of testing. We used logistic regression models (adjusted for age, sex, BMI, level of social deprivation and frailty) to analyse associations of disease severity, overall disease duration, and individual symptoms with booster vaccination status. To assess for potential waning of vaccine effectiveness, we compared disease severity, duration, and symptom profiles of individuals testing positive within 3 months of most recent vaccination (reference group) to profiles of individuals infected between 3 and 4, 4-5, and 5-6 months, for both third and second dose. All analyses were stratified by time period, based on the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant at time of infection (Delta: June 1, 2021-27 Nov, 2021; Omicron: 20 Dec, 2021-Apr 1, 2022). FINDINGS During the study period, 50,162 (Delta period) and 162,041 (Omicron) participants reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. During the Delta period, infection following three vaccination doses was associated with lower odds of long COVID (symptoms≥ 4 weeks) (OR=0.83, CI[0.50-1.36], p < 0.0001), hospitalisation (OR=0.55, CI[0.39-0.75], p < 0.0001) and severe symptoms (OR=0.36, CI[0.27-0.49], p < 0.0001), and higher odds of asymptomatic infection (OR=3.45, CI[2.86-4.16], p < 0.0001), compared to infection following only two vaccination doses. During the Omicron period, infection following three vaccination doses was associated with lower odds of severe symptoms (OR=0.48, CI[0.42-0.55], p < 0.0001). During the Delta period, infected individuals were less likely to report almost all individual symptoms after a third vaccination. During the Omicron period, individuals were less likely to report most symptoms after a third vaccination, except for upper respiratory symptoms e.g. sneezing (OR=1.40, CI[1.18-1.35], p < 0.0001), runny nose (OR=1.26, CI[1.18-1.35], p < 0.0001), sore throat (OR=1.17, CI[1.10-1.25], p < 0.0001), and hoarse voice (OR=1.13, CI[1.06-1.21], p < 0.0001), which were more likely to be reported. There was evidence of reduced vaccine effectiveness during both Delta and Omicron periods in those infected more than 3 months after their most recent vaccination, with increased reporting of severe symptoms, long duration illness, and most individual symptoms. INTERPRETATION This study suggests that a third dose of monovalent vaccine may reduce symptoms, severity and duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection following vaccination. For Omicron variants, the third vaccination appears to reduce overall symptom burden but may increase upper respiratory symptoms, potentially due to immunological priming. There is evidence of waning vaccine effectiveness against progression to symptomatic and severe disease and long COVID after three months. Our findings support ongoing booster vaccination promotion amongst individuals at high risk from COVID-19, to reduce severe symptoms and duration of illness, and health system burden. Disseminating knowledge on expected symptoms following booster vaccination may encourage vaccine uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Antonelli
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rose S Penfold
- Ageing and Health Research Group, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, UK
| | | | - Carole Sudre
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, University College London, London, UK; Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Khaled Rjoob
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ben Murray
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Erika Molteni
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Eric Kerfoot
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nathan Cheetham
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Marc Modat
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tim Spector
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, UK
| | - Alexander Hammers
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; King's College London & Guy's and St Thomas' PET Centre, UK
| | - Sebastien Ourselin
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Claire Steves
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, UK; Department of Ageing and Health, Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
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González S, Olszevicki S, Gaiano A, Salazar M, Regairaz L, Varela Baino AN, Bartel E, Varela T, González Martínez VV, Pesci S, Marín L, Irassar JI, Ceriani L, Garcia E, Kreplak N, Estenssoro E, Marsico F. Protection of homologous and heterologous boosters after primary schemes of rAd26-rAd5, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BBIBP-CorV during the omicron outbreak in adults of 50 years and older in Argentina: a test-negative case-control study. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2023; 27:100607. [PMID: 37808936 PMCID: PMC10558771 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Background After primary vaccination schemes with rAd26-rAd5 (Sputnik V), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BBIBP-CorV or heterologous combinations, the effectiveness of homologous or heterologous boosters (Sputnik V, ChAdOx, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) against SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospitalisations and deaths has been scarcely studied. Methods Test-negative, case-control study, conducted in Argentina during omicron BA.1 predominance, in adults ≥50 years old tested for SARS-CoV-2 who had received two or three doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Outcomes were COVID-associated infections, hospitalisations and deaths after administering mRNA and vectored boosters, < or ≥60 days from the last dose. Findings Of 422,124 individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2, 221,993 (52.5%) tested positive; 190,884 (45.2%) and 231,260 (54.8%) had received 2-dose and 3-dose vaccination schemes, respectively. The 3-dose scheme reduced infections, hospitalisations and death (OR 0.81 [0.80-0.83]; 0.28 [0.25-0.32] and 0.25 [0.22-0.28] respectively), but protection dropped after 60 days to 1.04 [1.01-1.06]; 0.52 [0.44-0.61] and 0.38 [0.33-0.45]). Compared with 2-dose-schemes, homologous boosters after primary schemes with vectored-vaccines provided lower protection against infections < and ≥60 days (0.94 [0.92-0.97] and 1.05 [1.01-1.09], respectively) but protected against hospitalisations (0.30 [0.26-0.35]) and deaths (0.29 [0.25-0.33]), decreasing after 60 days (0.59 [0.47-0.74] and 0.51 [0.41-0.64], respectively). Heterologous boosters protected against infections (0.70 [0.68-0.71]) but decreased after 60 days (1.01 [0.98-1.04]) and against hospitalisations and deaths (0.26 [0.22-0.31] and 0.22 [0.18-0.25], respectively), which also decreased after 60 days (0.43 [0.35-0.53] and 0.33 [0.26-0.41], respectively). Heterologous boosters protected against infections when applied <60 days (0.70 [0.68-0.71], p < 0.001), against hospitalisations when applied ≥60 days (0.43 [0.35-0.53], p < 0.01), and against deaths < and ≥60 days (0.22 [0.18-0.25], p < 0.01 and 0.33 [0.26-0.41], p < 0.001). Interpretation During omicron predominance, heterologous boosters such as viral vectored and mRNA vaccines, following Sputnik V, ChAdOx1, Sinopharm or heterologous primary schemes might provide better protection against death; this effect might last longer in individuals aged ≥50 than homologous boosters. Funding None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad González
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Olszevicki
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Gaiano
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín Salazar
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of La Plata, Argentina
| | - Lorena Regairaz
- Immunology Unit, Children's Hospital Sor Maria Ludovica, La Plata, Buenos Aires
| | - Ana Nina Varela Baino
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Erika Bartel
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Teresa Varela
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Santiago Pesci
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lupe Marín
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Ignacio Irassar
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leticia Ceriani
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Enio Garcia
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Kreplak
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elisa Estenssoro
- Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of La Plata, Argentina
| | - Franco Marsico
- Faculty of Exacts and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
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