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Wu M, Sheng J, Xie Q, Qi Y, Zhao Y, Zhang S. Recent advances in stimuli-responsive hyaluronic acid-based nanodelivery systems for cancer treatment: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2025:144357. [PMID: 40403810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.144357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2025] [Revised: 05/09/2025] [Accepted: 05/16/2025] [Indexed: 05/24/2025]
Abstract
Cancer is a worldwide public health problem that poses a serious threat to human health. Drug therapy, as the mainstay of cancer treatment, relies on carriers for the in vivo delivery of chemotherapeutic or nucleic acid-based drugs. Traditional drug delivery carriers have shortcomings, however, including a lack of targeting, uncontrollable release of drugs, and low stability, potentially leading to toxic side effects and reducing their antitumor efficacy. Advances in nanotechnology and biomedicine have furthered the development of stimuli-responsive nanodelivery systems, which can be used to realize the accumulation and on-demand release of drugs and reduce the required drug dosage and toxicity. Hyaluronic acid (HA), as a natural anionic polysaccharide with excellent biocompatibility, an easily modified structure, and the ability to target cancer cells, is a US Food and Drug Administration-approved biomaterial that is ideal for the construction of stimuli-responsive nanodelivery systems. Herein, we review HA-based stimuli-responsive nanodelivery systems including various HA-modified structures. We summarize the feasibility and effectiveness of these systems in cancer therapy according to their roles as endogenous- (pH, redox, enzyme, and hypoxia) or exogenous- (light, temperature, ultrasound, and magnetism) stimuli-responsive systems. We also discuss the problems and challenges in the development of HA-based stimuli-responsive nanodelivery systems and the perspectives for future development. This review highlights the great potential of HA-based stimuli-responsive nanodelivery systems for use in precision cancer treatment and controlled drug release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China
| | - Jiabao Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China; Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Qihan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China
| | - Yanfei Qi
- Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Yinan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China
| | - Shubiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China.
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Liu R, Guo L, Shi D, Sun X, Shang M, Zhao Y, Wang X, Yang Y, Xiao S, Li J. Multilayer cascade-response nanoplatforms as metabolic symbiotic disruptors to reprogram the immunosuppressive microenvironment. J Control Release 2025; 383:113797. [PMID: 40318807 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.113797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2025] [Revised: 04/22/2025] [Accepted: 04/28/2025] [Indexed: 05/07/2025]
Abstract
Nanomedicine is extensively utilized in tumor treatment, however, the restricted permeability of nanomaterials within tumor tissues, along with the inherent metabolic complexity of these tissues, have hindered effective control of tumor progression. Hypoxic and normoxic tumor cells utilize monocarboxylic acid transporters (MCTs) for the rapid reutilization of lactate, facilitating accelerated tumor growth. Here, cascade-response nanoplatforms (NPs) with contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging (CEUI) capability had been established, incorporating basigin siRNA internally and featuring hyaluronidase (HAase) and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)-responsive lipid coatings externally (GHB NPs). The GHB NPs took advantage of GGT-responsive HAase release to facilitate deep tumor penetration. Furthermore, ultrasound (US) irradiation decreased the expression of glycolysis-related proteins through the modulation of the β-catenin/c-Myc pathway, and US irradiation induced mitochondrial damage, leading to a low-energy state in tumor cells. On this basis, GHB NPs was paired with US stimulation to provide a combination therapy that disturbed tumor cell metabolic symbiosis and remodeled the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This study formulates an effective therapeutic approach for metabolic-immunotherapy, potentially offering a viable candidate for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Lu Guo
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Dandan Shi
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Mengmeng Shang
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yading Zhao
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Shan Xiao
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China; Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao) of Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266035, China.
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Megala G, Kavitha M. Folate from probiotic bacteria and its therapeutic applications. Arch Microbiol 2025; 207:124. [PMID: 40249393 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-025-04327-x] [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: 01/23/2025] [Revised: 04/02/2025] [Accepted: 04/02/2025] [Indexed: 04/19/2025]
Abstract
Folate, an essential water soluble vitamin B9 that cannot be synthesized naturally by the bodily function. Dietary sources or probiotic-folates are the two biological modes for acquiring the target vitamin which aids DNA synthesis and repair. Probiotics are known for their divergent health benefits and have garnered significant interest. Particularly in microbial strains that produce folate offers a promising way to enhance the level of folate. Notably, folate-producing probiotic strain includes Lactiplantibacillus, Lactococcus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus. As an emerging source of health benefits, folate producing probiotics helps in improving the gut microbiota for overall well-being of human body. On the other side, chemically synthesized folic acid were not highly advantageous as they lacks absorption, conversion and excretion. Hence, usage of microbial-folate are safer as it can easily undergo absorption and reduces severe side effects. The present review mainly focus on folate one-carbon metabolism, its significance in human health, folate deficiency and malabsorption, adverse effects and folate synthesis from probiotic bacterial strains, and also toxicological impacts. In particular, the beneficiary role of these probiotic strains were found to be associated with therapeutic applications in several diseases such as autoimmune disorder, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), wound healing, drug delivery and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Megala
- School of BioSciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M Kavitha
- School of BioSciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Liu X, Yuan H. Responsive nanomaterials in biomedicine, patent path and prospect analysis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2025; 13:1539991. [PMID: 39968009 PMCID: PMC11832473 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2025.1539991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2025] [Indexed: 02/20/2025] Open
Abstract
In recent years, responsive nanomaterials have demonstrated tremendous potential in biomedical applications due to their unique advantages in precise drug delivery and controlled release. For complex diseases such as cancer, chronic inflammation, and genetic disorders, traditional treatment methods are often limited by insufficient targeting and significant side effects. Responsive nanotechnology, by sensing specific internal or external stimuli, has significantly enhanced the precision and efficiency of treatments. This study systematically summarizes the technological trajectory and emerging research directions of responsive nanomaterials through global patent and literature data, employing main path analysis, derivative path analysis, and keyword co-occurrence analysis. The results reveal the evolution of this field, from the optimization of early single-stimulus-responsive nano delivery systems to the rise of theranostics integration, followed by advancements in multi-stimuli-responsive synergistic therapies, and finally, the innovation in biomimetic material design. Each developmental phase has increasingly focused on adapting to complex biological environments, achieving superior targeting performance, and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Keyword co-occurrence analysis highlights key research hotspots, including biomimetic design, multimodal synergistic therapies, and emerging response mechanisms. In the future, responsive nanomaterials are expected to play a pivotal role in personalized medicine, multifunctional carrier design, and complex disease management, providing novel insights and technological support for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hongmei Yuan
- School of Business Administration, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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Wang H, Hunter R, Zhang Q, Yu H, Wang J, Yue Y, Geng L, Wu N. The application of marine polysaccharides to antitumor nanocarriers. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 342:122407. [PMID: 39048201 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122407] [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: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Nanotechnology has revolutionized the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of biomedical diseases, in which nanocarriers have greatly improved the targeting and bioavailability of antitumor drugs. The marine natural polysaccharides fucoidan, chitosan, alginate, carrageenan and porphyran have broad-spectrum bioactivities and unique physicochemical properties such as excellent non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and reproducibility, which have placed them as a principal focus in the nanocarrier field. Nanocarriers based on different types of marine polysaccharides are distinctive in addressing antitumor therapeutic challenges such as targeting, environmental responsiveness, drug resistance, tissue toxicity, enhancing diagnostic imaging, overcoming the first-pass effect and innovative 3D binding. Additionally, they all share the possibility of relatively easy chemical modification, while their separation into well-defined derivatives provide innovative structure-activity relationship possibilities. Liposomes, nanoparticles and polymer-micelles constructed from them can efficiently deliver drugs such as paclitaxel, gemcitabine, siRNA and others, which are widely used in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, nucleic acid therapy and photothermal therapy, yet there are still infinite possibilities for innovation and exploration. This article reviews the recent advances and challenges of marine polysaccharide-based delivery systems as oncology drug nanocarriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Department of Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Roger Hunter
- Chemistry Department, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Quanbin Zhang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haoyu Yu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Department of Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Wang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Yue
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Lihua Geng
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Ning Wu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Department of Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Alsaikhan F, Farhood B. Recent advances on chitosan/hyaluronic acid-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels and composites for cancer treatment: A comprehensive review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 280:135893. [PMID: 39317275 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Cancer, as leading cause of death, has a high rate of mortality worldwide. Although there is a wide variety of conventional approaches for the treatment of cancer (such as surgery and chemotherapy), they have considerable drawbacks in terms of practicality, treatment efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, there is a fundamental requirement for the development of safe and efficient treatment modalities based on breakthrough technologies to suppress cancer. Chitosan (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) polysaccharides, as FDA-approved biomaterials for some biomedical applications, are potential biopolymers for the efficient treatment of cancer. CS and HA have high biocompatibility, bioavailability, biodegradability, and immunomodulatory function which guarantee their safety and non-toxicity. CS-/HA-based hydrogels (HGs)/composites stand out for their potential anticancer function, versatile preparation and modification, ease of administration, controlled/sustained drug release, and active and passive drug internalization into target cells which is crucial for efficient treatment of cancer compared with conventional treatment approaches. These HGs/composites can respond to external (magnetic, ultrasound, light, and thermal) and internal (pH, enzyme, redox, and ROS) stimuli as well which further paves the way to their manipulation, targeted drug delivery, practicality, and efficient treatment. The above-mentioned properties of CS-/HA-based HGs/composites are unique and practical in cancer treatment which can ignore the deficiencies of conventional approaches. The present manuscript comprehensively highlights the advances in the practical application of stimuli-responsive HGs/composites based on CS/HA polysaccharides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Alsaikhan
- College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia; School of Pharmacy, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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Duan W, Shen Q, Ju L, Huang Z, Geng J, Wu Q, Yu C, Wei J. Homologous Tumor Cell-Derived Biomimetic Nano-Trojan Horse Integrating Chemotherapy with Genetherapy for Boosting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:45523-45536. [PMID: 39141925 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c08842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that carries the worst prognosis and lacks specific therapeutic targets. To achieve accurate "cargos" delivery at the TNBC site, we herein constructed a novel biomimetic nano-Trojan horse integrating chemotherapy with gene therapy for boosting TNBC treatment. Briefly, we initially introduce the diselenide-bond-containing organosilica moieties into the framework of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MONs), thereby conferring biodegradability to intratumoral redox conditions in the obtained MONSe. Subsequently, doxorubicin (Dox) and therapeutic miR-34a are loaded into MONSe, thus achieving the combination of chemotherapy and gene-therapy. After homologous tumor cell membrane coating, the ultimate homologous tumor cell-derived biomimetic nano-Trojan horse (namely, MONSe@Dox@miR-34a@CM) can selectively enter the tumor cells in a stealth-like fashion. Notably, such a nanoplatform not only synergistically eradicated the tumor but also inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer stem-like cells (BCSCs) in vitro and in vivo. With the integration of homologous tumor cell membrane-facilitated intratumoral accumulation, excellent biodegradability, and synergistic gene-chemotherapy, our biomimetic nanocarriers hold tremendous promise for the cure of TNBC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Duan
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qian Shen
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE), School of Flexible Electronics (Future Technologies) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Linjie Ju
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhongxi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE), School of Flexible Electronics (Future Technologies) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Jiaying Geng
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE), School of Flexible Electronics (Future Technologies) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE), School of Flexible Electronics (Future Technologies) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Changmin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE), School of Flexible Electronics (Future Technologies) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Jifu Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting Road, Nanjing 210009, China
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Zeng W, Luo Y, Gan D, Zhang Y, Deng H, Liu G. Advances in Doxorubicin-based nano-drug delivery system in triple negative breast cancer. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1271420. [PMID: 38047286 PMCID: PMC10693343 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1271420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple positive breast cancer (TPBC) is one of the most aggressive breast cancer. Due to the unique cell phenotype, aggressiveness, metastatic potential and lack of receptors or targets, chemotherapy is the choice of treatment for TNBC. Doxorubicin (DOX), one of the representative agents of anthracycline chemotherapy, has better efficacy in patients with metastatic TNBC (mTNBC). DOX in anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens have higher response rates. Nano-drug delivery systems possess unique targeting and ability of co-load, deliver and release chemotherapeutic drugs, active gene fragments and immune enhancing factors to effectively inhibit or kill tumor cells. Therefore, advances in nano-drug delivery systems for DOX therapy have attracted a considerable amount of attention from researchers. In this article, we have reviewed the progress of nano-drug delivery systems (e.g., Nanoparticles, Liposomes, Micelles, Nanogels, Dendrimers, Exosomes, etc.) applied to DOX in the treatment of TNBC. We also summarize the current progress of clinical trials of DOX combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIS) for the treatment of TNBC. The merits, demerits and future development of nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of TNBC are also envisioned, with the aim of providing a new class of safe and efficient thoughts for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Longgang Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuning Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Longgang Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dali Gan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Longgang Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaofeng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Longgang Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Huan Deng
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Longgang Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Guohui Liu
- Shenzhen Longhua Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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