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Al-Sarraj Y, Taha RZ, Al-Dous E, Ahram D, Abbasi S, Abuazab E, Shaath H, Habbab W, Errafii K, Bejaoui Y, AlMotawa M, Khattab N, Aqel YA, Shalaby KE, Al-Ansari A, Kambouris M, Abouzohri A, Ghazal I, Tolfat M, Alshaban F, El-Shanti H, Albagha OME. The genetic landscape of autism spectrum disorder in the Middle Eastern population. Front Genet 2024; 15:1363849. [PMID: 38572415 PMCID: PMC10987745 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1363849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by aberrations in social interaction and communication associated with repetitive behaviors and interests, with strong clinical heterogeneity. Genetic factors play an important role in ASD, but about 75% of ASD cases have an undetermined genetic risk. Methods: We extensively investigated an ASD cohort made of 102 families from the Middle Eastern population of Qatar. First, we investigated the copy number variations (CNV) contribution using genome-wide SNP arrays. Next, we employed Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to identify de novo or inherited variants contributing to the ASD etiology and its associated comorbid conditions in families with complete trios (affected child and the parents). Results: Our analysis revealed 16 CNV regions located in genomic regions implicated in ASD. The analysis of the 88 ASD cases identified 41 genes in 39 ASD subjects with de novo (n = 24) or inherited variants (n = 22). We identified three novel de novo variants in new candidate genes for ASD (DTX4, ARMC6, and B3GNT3). Also, we have identified 15 de novo variants in genes that were previously implicated in ASD or related neurodevelopmental disorders (PHF21A, WASF1, TCF20, DEAF1, MED13, CREBBP, KDM6B, SMURF1, ADNP, CACNA1G, MYT1L, KIF13B, GRIA2, CHM, and KCNK9). Additionally, we defined eight novel recessive variants (RYR2, DNAH3, TSPYL2, UPF3B KDM5C, LYST, and WNK3), four of which were X-linked. Conclusion: Despite the ASD multifactorial etiology that hinders ASD genetic risk discovery, the number of identified novel or known putative ASD genetic variants was appreciable. Nevertheless, this study represents the first comprehensive characterization of ASD genetic risk in Qatar's Middle Eastern population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Al-Sarraj
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- Qatar Genome Program, Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rowaida Z. Taha
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eman Al-Dous
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dina Ahram
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, CA, United States
| | - Somayyeh Abbasi
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eman Abuazab
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hibah Shaath
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Wesal Habbab
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khaoula Errafii
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yosra Bejaoui
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maryam AlMotawa
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Namat Khattab
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yasmin Abu Aqel
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Karim E. Shalaby
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Amina Al-Ansari
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Marios Kambouris
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Department, Genetics Division, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Adel Abouzohri
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Iman Ghazal
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammed Tolfat
- The Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fouad Alshaban
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hatem El-Shanti
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Omar M. E. Albagha
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
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Gupta V, Ben-Mahmoud A, Ku B, Velayutham D, Jan Z, Yousef Aden A, Kubbar A, Alshaban F, Stanton LW, Jithesh PV, Layman LC, Kim HG. Identification of two novel autism genes, TRPC4 and SCFD2, in Qatar simplex families through exome sequencing. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1251884. [PMID: 38025430 PMCID: PMC10644705 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1251884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the genetic underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a Middle Eastern cohort in Qatar using exome sequencing. The study identified six candidate autism genes in independent simplex families, including both four known and two novel autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive genes associated with ASD. The variants consisted primarily of de novo and homozygous missense and splice variants. Multiple individuals displayed more than one candidate variant, suggesting the potential involvement of digenic or oligogenic models. These variants were absent in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) and exhibited extremely low frequencies in the local control population dataset. Two novel autism genes, TRPC4 and SCFD2, were discovered in two Qatari autism individuals. Furthermore, the D651A substitution in CLCN3 and the splice acceptor variant in DHX30 were identified as likely deleterious mutations. Protein modeling was utilized to evaluate the potential impact of three missense variants in DEAF1, CLCN3, and SCFD2 on their respective structures and functions, which strongly supported the pathogenic natures of these variants. The presence of multiple de novo mutations across trios underscored the significant contribution of de novo mutations to the genetic etiology of ASD. Functional assays and further investigations are necessary to confirm the pathogenicity of the identified genes and determine their significance in ASD. Overall, this study sheds light on the genetic factors underlying ASD in Qatar and highlights the importance of considering diverse populations in ASD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Gupta
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Afif Ben-Mahmoud
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Bonsu Ku
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dinesh Velayutham
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Zainab Jan
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdi Yousef Aden
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmad Kubbar
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Fouad Alshaban
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Lawrence W. Stanton
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Puthen Veettil Jithesh
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Lawrence C. Layman
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility and Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Hyung-Goo Kim
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
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3
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Al-Sarraj Y, Al-Dous E, Taha RZ, Ahram D, Alshaban F, Tolfat M, El-Shanti H, Albagha OM. Family-Based Genome-Wide Association Study of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Middle Eastern Families. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:761. [PMID: 34069769 PMCID: PMC8157263 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by abnormalities in language and social communication with substantial clinical heterogeneity. Genetic factors play an important role in ASD with heritability estimated between 70% to 80%. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple loci associated with ASD. However, most studies were performed on European populations and little is known about the genetic architecture of ASD in Middle Eastern populations. Here, we report the first GWAS of ASD in the Middle eastern population of Qatar. We analyzed 171 families with ASD, using linear mixed models adjusting for relatedness and other confounders. Results showed that common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in seven loci are associated with ASD (p < 1 × 10-5). Although the identified loci did not reach genome-wide significance, many of the top associated SNPs are located within or near genes that have been implicated in ASD or related neurodevelopmental disorders. These include GORASP2, GABBR2, ANKS6, THSD4, ERCC6L, ARHGEF6, and HDAC8. Additionally, three of the top associated SNPs were significantly associated with gene expression. We also found evidence of association signals in two previously reported ASD-susceptibility loci (rs10099100 and rs4299400). Our results warrant further functional studies and replication to provide further insights into the genetic architecture of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Al-Sarraj
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (Y.A.-S.); (E.A.-D.)
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (R.Z.T.); (D.A.); (F.A.); (H.E.-S.)
| | - Eman Al-Dous
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (Y.A.-S.); (E.A.-D.)
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (R.Z.T.); (D.A.); (F.A.); (H.E.-S.)
| | - Rowaida Z. Taha
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (R.Z.T.); (D.A.); (F.A.); (H.E.-S.)
| | - Dina Ahram
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (R.Z.T.); (D.A.); (F.A.); (H.E.-S.)
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Fouad Alshaban
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (R.Z.T.); (D.A.); (F.A.); (H.E.-S.)
| | - Mohammed Tolfat
- The Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs, Doha 33123, Qatar;
| | - Hatem El-Shanti
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (R.Z.T.); (D.A.); (F.A.); (H.E.-S.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Omar M.E. Albagha
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (Y.A.-S.); (E.A.-D.)
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, Qatar; (R.Z.T.); (D.A.); (F.A.); (H.E.-S.)
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
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Alshaban F, Aldosari M, Al‐Shammari H, El‐Hag S, Ghazal I, Tolefat M, Ali M, Kamal M, Abdel Aati N, Abeidah M, Saad AH, Dekair L, Al Khasawneh M, Ramsay K, Fombonne E. Prevalence and correlates of autism spectrum disorder in Qatar: a national study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2019; 60:1254-1268. [PMID: 31069792 PMCID: PMC6899566 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [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] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few epidemiological data on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exist for Arabic countries. We conducted the first survey of ASD in Qatar, a population with high consanguinity level. METHODS This cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2015 to 2018 in Qatar school-age children (N = 176,960) from national and immigrant families. Children diagnosed with ASD were identified through medical centers and special needs schools. Records were abstracted and supplemented by parental interviews. Additionally, children attending 93 schools were screened; ASD case status was confirmed in random samples of screen-positive and screen-negative children. Prevalence was estimated after taking into account different sampling fractions and participation rates at each survey phase. RESULTS One thousand three hundred and ninety-three children already diagnosed with ASD were identified. Among 9,074 school survey participants, 760 screen-negative children and 163 screen-positive children were evaluated; 17 were confirmed to have ASD including five children newly diagnosed. Prevalence was 1.14% (95% CI: 0.89-1.46) among 6- to 11-year-olds. ASD was reported in full siblings/extended relatives in 5.9% (95% CI: 0.042-0.080)/11.8% (95% CI: 0.095-0.146) families. First-degree consanguinity in Qatari cases (45%) was comparable to known population levels. Among 844 ASD cases (mean age: 7.2 years; 81% male), most children experienced language delay (words: 75.1%; phrase speech: 91.4%), and 19.4% reported developmental regression. At the time of the survey, persisting deficits in expressive language (19.4%) and peer interactions (14.0%) were reported in conjunction with behavioral problems (ADHD: 30.2%; anxiety: 11.0%). In multivariate logistic regression, ASD severity was associated with parental consanguinity, gestational diabetes, delay in walking, and developmental regression. CONCLUSIONS ASD prevalence in Qatar is consistent with recent international studies. The methods employed in this study should help designing comparable surveys in the region. We estimated that 187,000 youths under age 20 have ASD in Gulf countries. This figure should assist in planning health and educational services for a young, fast-growing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fouad Alshaban
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)Hamad Bin Khalifa UniversityDohaQatar
| | | | - Hawraa Al‐Shammari
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)Hamad Bin Khalifa UniversityDohaQatar
| | - Saba El‐Hag
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)Hamad Bin Khalifa UniversityDohaQatar
| | - Iman Ghazal
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)Hamad Bin Khalifa UniversityDohaQatar
| | - Mohamed Tolefat
- Department of Clinical ServicesShafallah Center for Children with DisabilitiesDoha
| | - Mogahed Ali
- Department of Clinical ServicesShafallah Center for Children with DisabilitiesDoha
| | - Madeeha Kamal
- Department of PediatricsHamad Medical CorporationDohaQatar
| | | | | | | | - Lobna Dekair
- Department of PediatricsHamad Medical CorporationDohaQatar
| | | | - Katrina Ramsay
- Department of Public Health, Biostatistics and Design UnitOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Eric Fombonne
- Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Behavioral NeurosciencesOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
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Aldosari M, Fombonne E, Aldhalaan H, Ouda M, Elhag S, Alshammari H, Ghazal I, Alsaleh A, Alqadoumi T, Thomson R, Al Khasawneh M, Tolefat M, Alshaban F. Validation of the Arabic version of the Social Communication Questionnaire. Autism 2019; 23:1655-1662. [PMID: 30606031 PMCID: PMC6728746 DOI: 10.1177/1362361318816065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Validated screening and diagnostic tools for autism spectrum disorder for use in
Arabic-speaking individuals are scarce. This study validated the Arabic version
of the Social Communication Questionnaire. The total study sample included 206
children with autism spectrum disorder and 206 typically developing children
(73.8% male; mean age: 8.5 (standard deviation = 2.6) years). The mean Social
Communication Questionnaire total score was significantly higher in autism
spectrum disorder children than in typically developing children
(p < 0.0001). Scores on the three Social Communication
Questionnaire subscales also differed significantly between the groups
(p < 0.001). Of the 39 items, 37 were endorsed
significantly more often in the autism spectrum disorder group. The total Social
Communication Questionnaire score did not vary by age or gender. Internal
consistency was excellent (alpha = 0.92). In the receiver operating
characteristic analysis, the area under the curve for the total score showed
excellent discrimination between autism spectrum disorder and typically
developing children (area under the curve = 0.95; 95% confidence interval:
0.93–0.97). The areas under the curve for the scale subscores were 0.923 (95%
confidence interval: 0.898–0.949) for the social interaction score, 0.872 (95%
confidence interval: 0.838–0.905) for the communication score, and 0.856 (95%
confidence interval: 0.819–0.893) for the repetitive behaviors score. The
findings support the use of the Arabic Social Communication Questionnaire to
successfully differentiate children with clinically diagnosed autism spectrum
disorder using the established cutoff value for the English version.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Saba Elhag
- 5 Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
| | - Hawraa Alshammari
- 5 Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
| | - Iman Ghazal
- 5 Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
| | | | | | - Richard Thomson
- 5 Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
| | | | | | - Fouad Alshaban
- 5 Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
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Abstract
This paper considers how the globalized discourse of genetic risk in cousin marriage is shaped, informed and taken up in local moral worlds within the context of Qatar. This paper investigates the way Qataris are negotiating the discourse on genetics and risk. It is based on data from ongoing ethnographic research in Qatar and contributes to anthropological knowledge about this understudied country. Participants were ambivalent about genetic risks and often pointed to other theories of causation in relation to illness and disability. The discourse on genetic risk associated with marrying in the family was familiar, but for some participants the benefits of close marriage outweighed potential risks. Furthermore, the introduction of mandatory pre-marital screening gave participants confidence that risks were monitored and minimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susie Kilshaw
- a Department of Anthropology , University College London , London , UK
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