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Wray JR, Davies A, Sefton C, Allen TJ, Adamson A, Chapman P, Lam BYH, Yeo GSH, Coll AP, Harno E, White A. Global transcriptomic analysis of the arcuate nucleus following chronic glucocorticoid treatment. Mol Metab 2019; 26:5-17. [PMID: 31176677 PMCID: PMC6667392 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely prescribed medications that are well recognized to cause adverse metabolic effects including hyperphagia, obesity, and hyperglycemia. These effects have been recapitulated in a murine model of GC excess, and we hypothesize that they are mediated, in part, through central mechanisms. This study aimed to identify genes in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) that are altered with GC treatment and evaluate their contribution to GC-induced metabolic abnormalities. METHODS Corticosterone (Cort; 75 μg/ml) was administered in the drinking water to male C57Bl/6J mice for 2 days or 4 weeks. Phenotypic analysis of each group was undertaken and central and peripheral tissues were collected for biochemical and mRNA analyses. Arcuate nuclei were isolated by laser capture microdissection and tissue analyzed by RNA-seq. RESULTS RNA-seq analysis of ARC tissue from 4 week Cort treated mice revealed 21 upregulated and 22 downregulated genes at a time when mice had increased food intake, expansion of adipose tissue mass, and insulin resistance. In comparison, after 2 days Cort treatment, when the main phenotypic change was increased food intake, RNA-seq identified 30 upregulated and 16 downregulated genes. Within the genes altered at 2 days were a range of novel genes but also those known to be regulated by GCs, including Fkbp5, Mt2, Fam107a, as well as some involved in the control of energy balance, such as Agrp, Sepp1, Dio2, and Nmb. Of the candidate genes identified by RNA-seq, type-II iodothyronine deiodinase (Dio2) was chosen for further investigation as it was increased (2-fold) with Cort, and has been implicated in the control of energy balance via the modulation of hypothalamic thyroid hormone availability. Targeted knockdown of Dio2 in the MBH using AAV-mediated CRISPR-Cas9 produced a mild attenuation in GC-induced brown adipose tissue weight gain, as well as a 56% reduction in the GC-induced increase in Agrp. However, this conferred no protection from GC-induced hyperphagia, obesity, or hyperglycemia. CONCLUSIONS This study identified a comprehensive set of genes altered by GCs in the ARC and enabled the selection of key candidate genes. Targeted knockdown of hypothalamic Dio2 revealed that it did not mediate the chronic GC effects on hyperphagia and hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Wray
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Alison Davies
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Charlotte Sefton
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Tiffany-Jayne Allen
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Antony Adamson
- Manchester Transgenic Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | | | - Brian Y H Lam
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Giles S H Yeo
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Anthony P Coll
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Erika Harno
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| | - Anne White
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
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Sefton C, Davies A, Allen TJ, Wray JR, Shoop R, Adamson A, Humphreys N, Coll AP, White A, Harno E. Metabolic Abnormalities of Chronic High-Dose Glucocorticoids Are Not Mediated by Hypothalamic AgRP in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2019; 160:964-978. [PMID: 30794724 PMCID: PMC6444294 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are potent and widely used medicines but often cause metabolic side effects. A murine model of corticosterone treatment resulted in increased hypothalamic expression of the melanocortin antagonist AgRP in parallel with obesity and hyperglycemia. We investigated how these adverse effects develop over time, with particular emphasis on hypothalamic involvement. Wild-type and Agrp-/- male mice were treated with corticosterone for 3 weeks. Phenotypic, biochemical, protein, and mRNA analyses were undertaken on central and peripheral tissues, including white and brown adipose tissue, liver, and muscle, to determine the metabolic consequences. Corticosterone treatment induced hyperphagia within 1 day in wild-type mice, which persisted for 3 weeks. Despite this early increase in food intake, the body weight only started to increase after 10 days. Hyperinsulinemia occurred at day 1. Also, although after 2 days, alterations were present in the genes often associated with insulin resistance in several peripheral tissues, hyperglycemia only developed at 3 weeks. Throughout, sustained elevation in hypothalamic Agrp expression was present. Mice with Agrp deleted [using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9, Agrp-/-] were partially protected against corticosterone-induced hyperphagia. However, Agrp-/- mice still had corticosterone-induced increases in body weight and adiposity similar to those of the Agrp+/+ mice. Loss of Agrp did not diminish corticosterone-induced hyperinsulinemia or correct changes in hepatic gluconeogenic genes. Chronic glucocorticoid treatment in mice mimics many of the metabolic side effects seen in patients and leads to a robust increase in Agrp. However, AgRP does not appear to be responsible for most of the glucocorticoid-induced adverse metabolic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Sefton
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Davies
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tiffany-Jayne Allen
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Wray
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rosemary Shoop
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Antony Adamson
- Manchester Transgenic Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Humphreys
- Manchester Transgenic Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony P Coll
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Correspondence : Erika Harno, PhD, or Anne White, PhD, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, 3.016 AV Hill Building, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom. E-mail: or ; or Anthony P. Coll, PhD, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom. E-mail:
| | - Anne White
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Correspondence : Erika Harno, PhD, or Anne White, PhD, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, 3.016 AV Hill Building, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom. E-mail: or ; or Anthony P. Coll, PhD, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom. E-mail:
| | - Erika Harno
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Correspondence : Erika Harno, PhD, or Anne White, PhD, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, 3.016 AV Hill Building, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom. E-mail: or ; or Anthony P. Coll, PhD, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom. E-mail:
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Sefton C, Harno E, Davies A, Small H, Allen TJ, Wray JR, Lawrence CB, Coll AP, White A. Elevated Hypothalamic Glucocorticoid Levels Are Associated With Obesity and Hyperphagia in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2016; 157:4257-4265. [PMID: 27649090 PMCID: PMC5086535 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid (Gc) excess, from endogenous overproduction in disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis or exogenous medical therapy, is recognized to cause adverse metabolic side effects. The Gc receptor (GR) is widely expressed throughout the body, including brain regions such as the hypothalamus. However, the extent to which chronic Gcs affect Gc concentrations in the hypothalamus and impact on GR and target genes is unknown. To investigate this, we used a murine model of corticosterone (Cort)-induced obesity and analyzed Cort levels in the hypothalamus and expression of genes relevant to Gc action. Mice were administered Cort (75 μg/mL) or ethanol (1%, vehicle) in drinking water for 4 weeks. Cort-treated mice had increased body weight, food intake, and adiposity. As expected, Cort increased plasma Cort levels at both zeitgeber time 1 and zeitgeber time 13, ablating the diurnal rhythm. Liquid chromatography dual tandem mass spectrometry revealed a 4-fold increase in hypothalamic Cort, which correlated with circulating levels and concentrations of Cort in other brain regions. This occurred despite decreased 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Hsd11b1) expression, the gene encoding the enzyme that regenerates active Gcs, whereas efflux transporter Abcb1 mRNA was unaltered. In addition, although Cort decreased hypothalamic GR (Nr3c1) expression 2-fold, the Gc-induced leucine zipper (Tsc22d3) mRNA increased, which indicated elevated GR activation. In keeping with the development of hyperphagia and obesity, Cort increased Agrp, but there were no changes in Pomc, Npy, or Cart mRNA in the hypothalamus. In summary, chronic Cort treatment causes chronic increases in hypothalamic Cort levels and a persistent elevation in Agrp, a mediator in the development of metabolic disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Sefton
- Faculty of Biology (C.S., E.H., A.D., T.-J.A., J.R.W., C.B.L., A.W.), Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (H.S.), University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (A.P.C.), Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Harno
- Faculty of Biology (C.S., E.H., A.D., T.-J.A., J.R.W., C.B.L., A.W.), Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (H.S.), University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (A.P.C.), Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Davies
- Faculty of Biology (C.S., E.H., A.D., T.-J.A., J.R.W., C.B.L., A.W.), Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (H.S.), University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (A.P.C.), Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Small
- Faculty of Biology (C.S., E.H., A.D., T.-J.A., J.R.W., C.B.L., A.W.), Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (H.S.), University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (A.P.C.), Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Tiffany-Jayne Allen
- Faculty of Biology (C.S., E.H., A.D., T.-J.A., J.R.W., C.B.L., A.W.), Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (H.S.), University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (A.P.C.), Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Wray
- Faculty of Biology (C.S., E.H., A.D., T.-J.A., J.R.W., C.B.L., A.W.), Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (H.S.), University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (A.P.C.), Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine B Lawrence
- Faculty of Biology (C.S., E.H., A.D., T.-J.A., J.R.W., C.B.L., A.W.), Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (H.S.), University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (A.P.C.), Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony P Coll
- Faculty of Biology (C.S., E.H., A.D., T.-J.A., J.R.W., C.B.L., A.W.), Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (H.S.), University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (A.P.C.), Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Anne White
- Faculty of Biology (C.S., E.H., A.D., T.-J.A., J.R.W., C.B.L., A.W.), Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (H.S.), University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (A.P.C.), Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
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Williams D, Foster A, Sefton C, Regan S, Woods A, Morgan P, Haddrick M. Development of an automated, high-throughput hepatocyte spheroid screen for use within the pharmaceutical industry. Toxicol Lett 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.06.1553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Wookey A, Turner PJ, Greenhalgh JM, Eastwood M, Clarke J, Sefton C. AZD2563, a novel oxazolidinone: definition of antibacterial spectrum, assessment of bactericidal potential and the impact of miscellaneous factors on activity in vitro. Clin Microbiol Infect 2004; 10:247-54. [PMID: 15008947 DOI: 10.1111/j.1198-743x.2004.00770.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AZD2563, a new oxazolidinone targeted at Gram-positive bacteria, was evaluated and compared with linezolid and other agents against 802 aerobic bacterial isolates for spectrum of activity, bactericidal activity, and the effect of miscellaneous factors upon activity in vitro. At a concentration of 2 mg/L, AZD2563 inhibited 98% of all Gram-positive bacteria tested (100% at 4 mg/L), including susceptible and resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus pneumoniae, other Streptococcus spp. and Corynebacterium spp. Conversely, all Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria had MICs > 128 mg/L, and only a few Haemophilus or Moraxella spp. had MICs < 8 mg/L. By conventional laboratory definition, AZD2563 and linezolid were bacteriostatic against staphylococci and enterococci, with variable bactericidal activity against Strep. pneumoniae. The in-vitro activity of AZD2563 was essentially unaffected by altering pH, inoculum size, the type of testing medium, or the inclusion of human serum up to 25% v/v.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Wookey
- Antibiotic Development and Technical Support Group, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK
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Jenkins A, Helliwell RC, Swingewood PJ, Sefton C, Renshaw M, Ferrier RC. Will reduced sulphur emissions under the Second Sulphur Protocol lead to recovery of acid sensitive sites in UK? Environ Pollut 1998; 99:309-318. [PMID: 15093295 DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(98)00018-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/1997] [Accepted: 12/22/1997] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A conceptual model of the combined effects of acid deposition and land-use, Model of Acidification of Groundwater In Catchments (MAGIC), was applied to 21 upland sites in the UK Acid Waters Monitoring Network (AWMN) to assess the likely future recovery in response to the latest international agreements controlling anthropogenic sulphur emissions throughout Europe. Future estimates of sulphur deposition were generated by the Hull Acid Rain Model (HARM), based on the agreed reductions outlined in the Second Sulphur Protocol. The results indicate only a limited degree of recovery in surface-water chemistry at all sites over the next 50 years; moreover, a continuing decline in soil base status is predicted to occur at 70% of sites, resulting in longer term reacidification of surface-water at 38% of sites. However, compared with a 'business as usual' scenario the recovery is pronounced, although acidified sites will require further reductions in acidic deposition if recovery to pre-industrial chemical conditions are to be achieved. Furthermore, land-use scenarios at afforested sites suggest that replanting of felled forest will lead to a further increase in acidification. This strengthens the argument that plantation forestry should be avoided in areas considered geologically sensitive to acidic deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jenkins
- Institute of Hydrology, Maclean Building, Crowmarsh, Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
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Williams RM, Sefton C, Milne A, Holt EM, Whyman AE, Alexander I, Mabbs DV. Three years' experience of routine maternal serum α-fetoprotein screening in a provincial health district. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 1982. [DOI: 10.3109/01443618209067694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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