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Silveira EA, Jaime PC, Noll M, de Oliveira C. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals Supplementation on COVID-19 Prevention: Benefit or Risk? Int J Prev Med 2023; 14:84. [PMID: 37855016 PMCID: PMC10580208 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_138_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Aparecida Silveira
- Department of Medical Clinic. Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia, Brazil
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Matias Noll
- Department of Public Health. Instituto Federal Goiano, Ceres, Brazil
- Department of Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Cesar de Oliveira
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
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Investigation of the Relationship between Covid-19 Pandemic and Consumption Behavior, Nutrition Habits, Physiological Activity and Complementary Medicine Practices in Different Age and Profession Groups. JOURNAL OF BASIC AND CLINICAL HEALTH SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.30621/jbachs.1084706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: This study, on this basis of Turkey, determined physiological factors affecting individuals' being infected by the COVID-19 virus.
Material and Methods: For this purpose, on 1103 individuals above the age of 18; necessary data are collected and assessed.
Results: The women went through COVID-19 more severely when compared with men. It is also seen that smokers were less infected by COVID-19. It is seen that sunbathing, exercises, sleeping and using minerals did not have positive effects against the disease; usage of plant-based agents did not have positive effects on individuals' resistance against COVID-19 on severeness of the disease and results obtained after usage of medicines; surprisingly, individuals, who used probiotics/prebiotics were in a disadvantageous position against COVID-19. It is seen that individuals had significant changes in their feeding habits. Participants mostly preferred organic animal-based products. It is also seen that there were significant changes in individuals' habits on consumption. It is determined that there was a decrease in the amount of shopping from supermarkets, while at the same time, there was an increase in the amount of shopping from online platforms.
Conclusions: The COVID 19 pandemic disrupted many known memories for other pandemics and led to unique new situations.
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Katz-Agranov N, Zandman-Goddard G. Autoimmunity and COVID-19 - The microbiotal connection. Autoimmun Rev 2021; 20:102865. [PMID: 34118455 PMCID: PMC8189735 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background and aims The novel SARS-CoV-2 has been rattling the world since its outbreak in December 2019, leading to the COVID-19 pandemic. The learning curve of this new virus has been steep, with a global scientific community desperate to learn how the virus is transmitted, how it replicates, why it causes such a wide spectrum of disease manifestations, resulting in none or few symptoms in some. Others are burdened by an intense immune response that resembles the cytokine storm syndrome (CSS), which leads to severe disease manifestations, often complicated by fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. Research efforts have been focusing on finding effective cures and vaccinations for this virus. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, represented by several GI manifestations, has led to its investigation as a target for the virus and as an indicator of disease severity. The response of the microbiome (which is heavily linked to immunity) to the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, and its role in igniting the exaggerated immune response has therefore become a focus of interest. The objective of our study was to gather the data connecting between the microbiome, the GI tract and COVID-19 and to investigate whether these reported alterations in the gut microbiome bear any resemblance to those seen in lupus, the prototypical autoimmune disease. Confirming such changes may become the steppingstone to potential therapies that may prevent transmission, progression and immune related manifestations of COVID-19, via manipulation of the gut microbiota. Methods We performed an extensive literature review, utilizing the Pubmed search engine and Google Scholar for studies evaluating the microbiome in COVID-19 patients and compared results with studies evaluating the microbiome in lupus. We searched for the terms: microbiome, dysbiosis, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, gastrointestinal as well as lupus and autoimmune. While there were hundreds of articles which referred to gastrointestinal manifestations in COVID-19, to date only 4 studies investigated the gastrointestinal microbiome in this setting. We compared the similarities between microbiome of COVID-19 patients and lupus patients. Results We found that there are several similar processes of immune dysregulation in patients with COVID-19 and in those with lupus, with several other alterations seen in other pathological states. Some of these similarities include loss of microbiota biodiversity, increased representation of pathobionts, which are microbes associated with inflammation and disease (i.e Proteobacteria) and a relative decrease of symbionts, which are protective microbes, associated with anti-inflammatory properties (i.e Lactobacillus). Compromise to the intestinal barrier has also been reported in both. Conclusions We conclude that the gastrointestinal tract contributes to the disease manifestations in COVID-19. Whether gastrointestinal dysbiosis is the cause or effect of gastrointestinal manifestations and several severe systemic manifestations, which may be the response to an increased pro-inflammatory environment, is still debatable and warrants further investigation. Given the resemblance of the microbiome in COVID-19 patients to that seen in lupus patients, it becomes clearer why several therapies used in autoimmune conditions are currently under investigation for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Moreover, these findings should promote further investigating the utility of manipulation of the microbiome, via nutritional supplementation or even fecal transplantations, interventions that may alter the course of the disease, and potentially prevent disease transmission at low cost and low risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurit Katz-Agranov
- Department of Medicine, Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Gisele Zandman-Goddard
- Department of Medicine C, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Grove A, Osokogu O, Al-Khudairy L, Mehrabian A, Zanganeh M, Brown A, Court R, Taylor-Phillips S, Uthman OA, McCarthy N, Kumar S, Clarke A. Association between vitamin D supplementation or serum vitamin D level and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 including clinical course, morbidity and mortality outcomes? A systematic review. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e043737. [PMID: 34049903 PMCID: PMC8166456 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systemically review and critically appraise published studies of the association between vitamin D supplementation or serum vitamin D level and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19, including clinical course, morbidity and mortality outcomes. DESIGN Systematic review. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MedRxiv and BioRxiv preprint databases. COVID-19 databases of the WHO, Cochrane, CEBM Oxford and Bern University up to 10 June 2020. STUDY SELECTION Studies that assessed vitamin D supplementation and/or low serum vitamin D in patients acutely ill with, or at risk of, severe betacoronavirus infection (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2). DATA EXTRACTION Two authors independently extracted data using a predefined data extraction form and assessed risk of bias using the Downs and Black Quality Assessment Checklist. RESULTS Searches elicited 449 papers, 59 studies were eligible full-text assessment and 4 met the eligibility criteria of this review. The four studies were narratively synthesised and included (1) a cross-sectional study (n=107) suggesting an inverse association between serum vitamin D and SARS-CoV-2; (2) a retrospective cohort study (348 598 participants, 449 cases) in which univariable analysis showed that vitamin D protects against COVID-19; (3) an ecological country level study demonstrating a negative correlation between vitamin D and COVID-19 case numbers and mortality; and (4) a case-control survey (n=1486) showing cases with confirmed/probable COVID-19 reported lower vitamin D supplementation. All studies were at high/unclear risk of bias. CONCLUSION There is no robust evidence of a negative association between vitamin D and COVID-19. No relevant randomised controlled trials were identified and there is no robust peer-reviewed published evidence of association between vitamin D levels and severity of symptoms or mortality due to COVID-19. Guideline producers should acknowledge that benefits of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19 are as yet unproven despite increasing interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Grove
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Osemeke Osokogu
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Lena Al-Khudairy
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Amin Mehrabian
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Mandana Zanganeh
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Anna Brown
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Rachel Court
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Sian Taylor-Phillips
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Olalekan A Uthman
- Warwick-Centre for Applied Health Research (WCAHRD), University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Noel McCarthy
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Sudhesh Kumar
- Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Aileen Clarke
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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Brito DTM, Ribeiro LHC, Daltro CHDC, Silva RDB. The possible benefits of vitamin D in COVID-19. Nutrition 2021; 91-92:111356. [PMID: 34352586 PMCID: PMC8149468 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2021.111356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Molecular studies have demonstrated the importance of the exacerbated immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, called the cytokine storm, in more severe COVID-19. The pathophysiology is complex and involves several homeostatic factors; among them, a deficit of vitamin D draws attention because of its high frequency in the population. Some evidence suggests that people with low serum vitamin D levels have worse outcomes, often requiring intensive care. This review analyzed the studies available in the global literature addressing the benefits of vitamin D in COVID-19, relating serum levels to the severity of the disease, and indicating vitamin D as a possible prophylactic and therapy in infection.
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Villapol S. Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with COVID-19: impact on the gut microbiome. Transl Res 2020; 226:57-69. [PMID: 32827705 PMCID: PMC7438210 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the greatest worldwide pandemic since the 1918 flu. The consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are devastating and represent the current major public health issue across the globe. At the onset, SARS-CoV-2 primarily attacks the respiratory system as it represents the main point of entry in the host, but it also can affect multiple organs. Although most of the patients do not present symptoms or are mildly symptomatic, some people infected with SARS-CoV-2 that experience more severe multiorgan dysfunction. The severity of COVID-19 is typically combined with a set of comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and/or advanced age that seriously exacerbates the consequences of the infection. Also, SARS-CoV-2 can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain during the early phases of the disease. Intestinal dysfunction induces changes in intestinal microbes, and an increase in inflammatory cytokines. Thus, diagnosing gastrointestinal symptoms that precede respiratory problems during COVID-19 may be necessary for improved early detection and treatment. Uncovering the composition of the microbiota and its metabolic products in the context of COVID-19 can help determine novel biomarkers of the disease and help identify new therapeutic targets. Elucidating changes to the microbiome as reliable biomarkers in the context of COVID-19 represent an overlooked piece of the disease puzzle and requires further investigation.
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Key Words
- ards, acute respiratory distress syndrome
- ace2, angiotensin-converting enzyme ii
- cns, central nervous system
- covid-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- cpr, c-reactive protein
- h1n1, influenza a virus
- il, interleukin
- mers, middle east respiratory syndrome
- prs, proteomic risk score
- sars, severe acute respiratory syndrome
- sars-cov-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- scfa, short-chain fatty acids
- ras, renin-angiotensin system
- ros, reactive oxygen species
- rt-pcr, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
- tmprss2, transmembrane serine protease 2
- tnfα, tumor necrosis factor alpha
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Villapol
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas; Department of Neuroscience in Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York.
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Benskin LL. A Basic Review of the Preliminary Evidence That COVID-19 Risk and Severity Is Increased in Vitamin D Deficiency. Front Public Health 2020; 8:513. [PMID: 33014983 PMCID: PMC7513835 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As the world's attention has been riveted upon the growing COVID-19 pandemic, many researchers have written brief reports supporting the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency is related to the incidence and severity of COVID-19. The clear common thread among the top risk groups-vitamin D deficiency-may be being overlooked because of previous overstated claims of vitamin D benefits. However, the need to decrease COVID-19 fatalities among high-risk populations is urgent. Early researchers reported three striking patterns. Firstly, the innate immune system is impaired by vitamin D deficiency, which would predispose sufferers to viral infections such as COVID-19. Vitamin D deficiency also increases the activity of the X-chromosome-linked "Renin-Angiotensin" System, making vitamin D deficient individuals (especially men) more susceptible to COVID-19's deadly "cytokine storm" (dramatic immune system overreaction). Secondly, the groups who are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 match those who are at highest risk for severe vitamin D deficiency. This includes the elderly, men, ethnic groups whose skin is naturally rich in melanin (if living outside the tropics), those who avoid sun exposure for cultural and health reasons, those who live in institutions, the obese, and/or those who suffer with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. And thirdly, the pattern of geographical spread of COVID-19 reflects higher population vitamin D deficiency. Both within the USA and throughout the world, COVID-19 fatality rates parallel vitamin D deficiency rates. A literature search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, and RSMLDS, with targeted Google searches providing additional sources. Although randomized controlled trial results may be available eventually, the correlational and causal study evidence supporting a link between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 risks is already so strong that it supports action. The 141 author groups writing primarily about biological plausibility detailed how vitamin D deficiency can explain every risk factor and every complication of COVID-19, but agreed that other factors are undoubtedly at work. COVID-19 was compared with dengue fever, for which oral vitamin D supplements of 4,000 IU for 10 days were significantly more effective than 1,000 IU in reducing virus replication and controlling the "cytokine storm" (dramatic immune system over-reaction) responsible for fatalities. Among the 47 original research studies summarized here, chart reviews found that serum vitamin D levels predicted COVID-19 mortality rates (16 studies) and linearly predicted COVID-19 illness severity (8 studies). Two causal modeling studies and several analyses of variance strongly supported the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency is a causal, rather than a bystander, factor in COVID-19 outcomes. Three of the four studies whose findings opposed the hypothesis relied upon disproven assumptions. The literature review also found that prophylactically correcting possible vitamin D deficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic is extremely safe. Widely recommending 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily for all populations with limited ability to manufacture vitamin D from the sun has virtually no potential for harm and is reasonably likely to save many lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda L. Benskin
- Independent Researcher for Improving Health in Rural Areas of Tropical Developing Countries, Austin, TX, United States
- Ferris Mfg. Corp., Makers of PolyMem® Multifunctional Dressings, Ft. Worth, TX, United States
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Merzon E, Tworowski D, Gorohovski A, Vinker S, Golan Cohen A, Green I, Frenkel-Morgenstern M. Low plasma 25(OH) vitamin D level is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection: an Israeli population-based study. FEBS J 2020; 287:3693-3702. [PMID: 32700398 PMCID: PMC7404739 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations of plasma 25(OH)D levels with the likelihood of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection and hospitalization. The study population included the 14 000 members of Leumit Health Services, who were tested for COVID‐19 infection from February 1st to April 30th, 2020, and who had at least one previous blood test for the plasma 25(OH)D level. ‘Suboptimal’ or ‘low’ plasma 25(OH)D level was defined as plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D, concentration below the level of 30 ng/mL. Of 7807 individuals, 782 (10.02%) were COVID‐19‐positive, and 7025 (89.98%) COVID‐19‐negative. The mean plasma vitamin D level was significantly lower among those who tested positive than negative for COVID‐19 [19.00 ng/mL (95% confidence interval (CI) 18.41–19.59) vs. 20.55 (95% CI: 20.32–20.78)]. Univariate analysis demonstrated an association between the low plasma 25(OH)D level and increased likelihood of COVID‐19 infection [crude odds ratio (OR) of 1.58 (95% CI: 1.24–2.01, P < 0.001)], and of hospitalization due to the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus [crude OR of 2.09 (95% CI: 1.01–4.30, P < 0.05)]. In multivariate analyses that controlled for demographic variables, and psychiatric and somatic disorders, the adjusted OR of COVID‐19 infection [1.45 (95% CI: 1.08–1.95, P < 0.001)] and of hospitalization due to the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus [1.95 (95% CI: 0.98–4.845, P = 0.061)] were preserved. In the multivariate analyses, age over 50 years, male gender and low–medium socioeconomic status were also positively associated with the risk of COVID‐19 infection; age over 50 years was positively associated with the likelihood of hospitalization due to COVID‐19. We concluded that low plasma 25(OH)D levels appear to be an independent risk factor for COVID‐19 infection and hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Merzon
- Leumit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Family Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Dmitry Tworowski
- Cancer Genomics and BioComputing of Complex Diseases Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Alessandro Gorohovski
- Cancer Genomics and BioComputing of Complex Diseases Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Shlomo Vinker
- Leumit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Family Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Avivit Golan Cohen
- Leumit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Family Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Ilan Green
- Leumit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Family Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern
- Cancer Genomics and BioComputing of Complex Diseases Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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Ribeiro H, Lima VM, Waldman EA. In the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, do brown lives matter? LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2020; 8:e976-e977. [PMID: 32622403 PMCID: PMC7332271 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30314-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Ribeiro
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo 01246-904, Brazil.
| | - Viviana Mendes Lima
- Laboratório de Estudos das Cidades, Departamento de Planejamento Urbano e Regional, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, São José dos Campos, Brazil
| | - Eliseu Alves Waldman
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo 01246-904, Brazil
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