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Costello E, Rock S, Stratakis N, Eckel SP, Walker DI, Valvi D, Cserbik D, Jenkins T, Xanthakos SA, Kohli R, Sisley S, Vasiliou V, La Merrill MA, Rosen H, Conti DV, McConnell R, Chatzi L. Exposure to per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Markers of Liver Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:46001. [PMID: 35475652 PMCID: PMC9044977 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experimental evidence indicates that exposure to certain pollutants is associated with liver damage. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals widely used in industry and consumer products and bioaccumulate in food webs and human tissues, such as the liver. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis evaluating PFAS exposure and evidence of liver injury from rodent and epidemiological studies. METHODS PubMed and Embase were searched for all studies from earliest available indexing year through 1 December 2021 using keywords corresponding to PFAS exposure and liver injury. For data synthesis, results were limited to studies in humans and rodents assessing the following indicators of liver injury: serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or steatosis. For human studies, at least three observational studies per PFAS were used to conduct a weighted z-score meta-analysis to determine the direction and significance of associations. For rodent studies, data were synthesized to qualitatively summarize the direction and significance of effect. RESULTS Our search yielded 85 rodent studies and 24 epidemiological studies, primarily of people from the United States. Studies focused primarily on legacy PFAS: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid. Meta-analyses of human studies revealed that higher ALT levels were associated with exposure to PFOA (z-score= 6.20, p<0.001), PFOS (z-score= 3.55, p<0.001), and PFNA (z-score= 2.27, p=0.023). PFOA exposure was also associated with higher aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels in humans. In rodents, PFAS exposures consistently resulted in higher ALT levels and steatosis. CONCLUSION There is consistent evidence for PFAS hepatotoxicity from rodent studies, supported by associations of PFAS and markers of liver function in observational human studies. This review identifies a need for additional research evaluating next-generation PFAS, mixtures, and early life exposures. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10092.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Costello
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sarah Rock
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nikos Stratakis
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sandrah P. Eckel
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Douglas I. Walker
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Damaskini Valvi
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dora Cserbik
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Todd Jenkins
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Stavra A. Xanthakos
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Rohit Kohli
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Stephanie Sisley
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michele A. La Merrill
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Hugo Rosen
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - David V. Conti
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Leda Chatzi
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) augment adipogenesis and shift the proteome in murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Toxicology 2022; 465:153044. [PMID: 34800597 PMCID: PMC8756374 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.153044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a wide group of fluorinated compounds, which the health effects of many of them have not been investigated. Perfluorinated sulfonates, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorinated carboxylates, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are members of this broad group of PFAS, and previous studies have shown a correlation between the body accumulation of PFOS and PFOA and increased adipogenesis. PFOA and PFOS have been withdrawn from the market and use is limited because of their persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulative properties. Instead, short chain PFAS have been created to replace PFOA and PFOS, but the health effects of other short chain PFAS are largely unknown. Therefore, herein we aimed to comprehensively determined the potential adipogenesis of ten different PFAS (PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFBA, PFHxA, PFHA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, and HFPO-DA) and investigated the differences in protein expression of 3T3-L1 cells upon exposure to each PFAS. 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated with or without each PFAS for 4-days, and cellular lipid was quantified using Nile Red staining. Analysis of the adipocyte proteome was performed to identify the pathways related to adipogenesis and quantify proteins significantly affected by each PFAS. The results showed that in general, every PFAS investigated in our study has the potential to induce the 3T3-L1 differentiation to adipocytes in the presence of rosiglitazone, with the concentrations that range between 0.25 and 25 μM. Proteomics analysis revealed specific markers regarding to adipogenesis upregulated upon exposure to each of the ten PFAS.
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Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom L(R, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Vleminckx C, Wallace H, Barregård L, Ceccatelli S, Cravedi J, Halldorsson TI, Haug LS, Johansson N, Knutsen HK, Rose M, Roudot A, Van Loveren H, Vollmer G, Mackay K, Riolo F, Schwerdtle T. Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in food. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06223. [PMID: 32994824 PMCID: PMC7507523 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific evaluation on the risks to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in food. Based on several similar effects in animals, toxicokinetics and observed concentrations in human blood, the CONTAM Panel decided to perform the assessment for the sum of four PFASs: PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS. These made up half of the lower bound (LB) exposure to those PFASs with available occurrence data, the remaining contribution being primarily from PFASs with short half-lives. Equal potencies were assumed for the four PFASs included in the assessment. The mean LB exposure in adolescents and adult age groups ranged from 3 to 22, the 95th percentile from 9 to 70 ng/kg body weight (bw) per week. Toddlers and 'other children' showed a twofold higher exposure. Upper bound exposure was 4- to 49-fold higher than LB levels, but the latter were considered more reliable. 'Fish meat', 'Fruit and fruit products' and 'Eggs and egg products' contributed most to the exposure. Based on available studies in animals and humans, effects on the immune system were considered the most critical for the risk assessment. From a human study, a lowest BMDL 10 of 17.5 ng/mL for the sum of the four PFASs in serum was identified for 1-year-old children. Using PBPK modelling, this serum level of 17.5 ng/mL in children was estimated to correspond to long-term maternal exposure of 0.63 ng/kg bw per day. Since accumulation over time is important, a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 4.4 ng/kg bw per week was established. This TWI also protects against other potential adverse effects observed in humans. Based on the estimated LB exposure, but also reported serum levels, the CONTAM Panel concluded that parts of the European population exceed this TWI, which is of concern.
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Shannon M, Xie Y, Verhaegen S, Wilson J, Berntsen HF, Zimmer KE, Ropstad E, Green BD, Connolly L. A Human Relevant Defined Mixture of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Affects In Vitro Secretion of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1), but Does Not Affect Translocation of Its Receptor. Toxicol Sci 2020; 172:359-367. [PMID: 31432086 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been suggested as a contributing factor for the increased rate of type 2 diabetes and obesity. A complex mixture of 29 POPs (Total mixture), based on human blood concentrations, was used to expose a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secreting enteroendocrine cell line (pGIP/neo: STC-1) in vitro for 3 and 24 h. Significant increases of GLP-1 occurred when cells were exposed to the Total mixture at ×500 blood levels. Six sub-mixtures representing chlorinated (Cl), brominated (Br), and perfluorinated chemicals (PFAA), and their combinations (Cl + Br, Cl + PFAA, Br + PFAA) were also tested at ×500. Secretion levels seen for these remained lower than the Total mixture, and the Br mixture had no effect. After 24 h, increased secretion was seen with all mixtures at ×1 blood levels. Cytotoxicity was present for ×100 and ×500 blood levels. When tested in a GLP-1 receptor translocation assay (U2OS-GLP1R-EGFP), neither agonistic nor antagonist effects on receptor internalization were seen for any of the mixtures. We conclude individual classes of POPs, alone or in combination, can affect GLP-1 secretion and may contribute as a molecular mechanism linking environmental toxicants and diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maeve Shannon
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Yuling Xie
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Steven Verhaegen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo 0102, Norway
| | - Jodie Wilson
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Hanne F Berntsen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo 0102, Norway.,Department of Administration, Lab Animal Unit, National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo 0363, Norway
| | - Karin E Zimmer
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo 0102, Norway
| | - Erik Ropstad
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo 0102, Norway
| | - Brian D Green
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Lisa Connolly
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
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Chen A, Jandarov R, Zhou L, Calafat AM, Zhang G, Urbina EM, Sarac J, Augustin DH, Caric T, Bockor L, Petranovic MZ, Novokmet N, Missoni S, Rudan P, Deka R. Association of perfluoroalkyl substances exposure with cardiometabolic traits in an island population of the eastern Adriatic coast of Croatia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 683:29-36. [PMID: 31129329 PMCID: PMC6581612 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ubiquitous environmental contaminants, may be related to cardiometabolic diseases in adults. Studies in European populations to examine the association of PFAS exposure and comprehensive cardiometabolic traits and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are limited. METHODS In this pilot cross-sectional study of a well-characterized adult population of the island of Hvar, situated off the eastern Adriatic coast of Croatia, we measured PFAS concentrations in plasma samples collected during 2007-2008 and examined their cross-sectional associations with cardiometabolic traits and MetS after adjustment of covariates (n = 122). PFAS investigated in this study included perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). RESULTS The geometric mean (range) was 8.91 (2.36, 33.67) ng/mL for PFOS, 2.87 (1.03, 8.02) ng/mL for PFOA, 0.77 (0.25, 2.40) ng/mL for PFHxS, and 1.29 (0.48, 3.46) ng/mL for PFNA, with frequency of detection at 100%, 100%, 95.9%, and 100%, respectively. PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA concentrations were positively associated with the risk of MetS as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria, with estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals at 1.89 (0.93, 3.86), 2.19 (0.88, 5.44), and 2.95 (1.12, 7.80), respectively, with only PFNA reaching statistical significance. PFNA concentrations were associated with increased risk of overweight or obesity. CONCLUSIONS Background exposure to PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA was marginally associated with increased risk of MetS in this small study, and these results should be confirmed with a larger sample size and longitudinal follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimin Chen
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Roman Jandarov
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Li Zhou
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ge Zhang
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Elaine M Urbina
- Heart Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jelena Sarac
- Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Tonko Caric
- Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Luka Bockor
- Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | - Sasa Missoni
- Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Pavao Rudan
- Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia; Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ranjan Deka
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Deierlein AL, Rock S, Park S. Persistent Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Fatty Liver Disease. Curr Environ Health Rep 2018; 4:439-449. [PMID: 28980219 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-017-0166-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prominent chronic liver disease in Western countries, affecting approximately 25% of the population worldwide. Sex-specific differences in the development of NAFLD are apparent. While obesity and insulin resistance are major contributors to the increasing prevalence of NAFLD, a growing body of literature suggests that exposure to persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (pEDCs) may also play a role. This review summarizes recent (2011 and later) scientific literature investigating exposures to pEDCs, specifically persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and NAFLD, with a focus on sex-specific associations. RECENT FINDINGS The overwhelming majority of studies were conducted in single-sex animal models and provide biological evidence that exposures to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin polychlorinated biphenyls, and other POPs or POP mixtures are negatively associated with liver health. There were four cross-sectional epidemiological studies in humans that reported associations for several POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls and perfluorinated chemicals, with elevated liver enzymes. Only one of these studies, using a sample of gastric bypass surgery patients, examined sex-specific associations of POPs and liver enzymes, finding adverse associations among women only. The noticeable lack of studies investigating how differences (i.e., biochemical, physiological, and behavioral) between men and women may influence associations of pEDCs and NAFLD represents a large research gap in environmental health. Sexual dimorphism in metabolic processes throughout the body, including the liver, is established but often overlooked in the designs and analyses of studies. Other factors identified in this review that may also act to modulate associations of environmental chemicals and NAFLD are reproductive status and dietary nutrient intakes, which also remain understudied in the literature. Despite knowledge of sexual dimorphism in the actions of pEDCs, as well as in metabolic processes related to NAFLD development, few experimental or epidemiological studies have investigated sex-dependent associations. Future studies, especially those in humans, should be designed to address this research need. Consideration of other factors, such as reproductive status, dietary intakes, and mixtures of chemicals with varying endocrine-disrupting capabilities, should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Deierlein
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, 715/719 Broadway 12th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
| | - Sarah Rock
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, 715/719 Broadway 12th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Sally Park
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, 715/719 Broadway 12th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA
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Mudumbi JBN, Ntwampe SKO, Matsha T, Mekuto L, Itoba-Tombo EF. Recent developments in polyfluoroalkyl compounds research: a focus on human/environmental health impact, suggested substitutes and removal strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:402. [PMID: 28721589 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6084-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Between the late 1940s and early 1950s, humans manufactured polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) using electrochemical fluorination and telomerisation technologies, whereby hydrogen atoms are substituted by fluorine atoms, thus conferring unnatural and unique physicochemical properties to these compounds. Presently, there are wide ranges of PFCs, and owing to their bioaccumulative properties, they have been detected in various environmental matrices and in human sera. It has thus been suggested that they are hazardous. Hence, this review aims at highlighting the recent development in PFC research, with a particular focus on perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), the most studied and predominantly found PFCs in various environmental matrices, although recent reports have included perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), which was previously regarded as innocuously harmless, when compared to its counterparts, PFOA and PFOS. As such, proper investigations are thus required for a better understanding of short-chain PFC substitutes, which have been suggested as suitable replacements to long-chained PFCs, although these substitutes have also been suggested to pose various health risks comparable to those associated with long-chain PFCs. Similarly, several novel technologies, such as PFC reduction using zero-valent iron, including removal at point of use, adsorption and coagulation, have been proposed. However, regardless of how efficient removers some of these techniques have proven to be, short-chain PFCs remain a challenge to overcome for scientists, in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Baptist Nzukizi Mudumbi
- Bioresource Engineering Research Group (BioERG), Department of Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, PO Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa.
| | - Seteno Karabo Obed Ntwampe
- Bioresource Engineering Research Group (BioERG), Department of Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, PO Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Tandi Matsha
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Science, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, PO Box 1906, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
| | - Lukhanyo Mekuto
- Bioresource Engineering Research Group (BioERG), Department of Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, PO Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Elie Fereche Itoba-Tombo
- Bioresource Engineering Research Group (BioERG), Department of Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, PO Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
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