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  1. Article ; Online: Were SARS-CoV-2 self-tests used for their intended purpose? The experience in Belgium

    Yves Lafort / Laura Cornelissen / Dieter Van Cauteren / Barbara Verboven / Sabine Drieskens / Simon Couvreur / Lize Hermans / Koen Straetmans / Tinne Lernout

    BMC Health Services Research, Vol 23, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2023  Volume 11

    Abstract: Abstract Background Self-testing has been promoted as a means of increasing COVID-19 test coverage. In Belgium, self-testing was recommended as a complement to the formal, provider-administered indications, such as out of courtesy before meeting others ... ...

    Abstract Abstract Background Self-testing has been promoted as a means of increasing COVID-19 test coverage. In Belgium, self-testing was recommended as a complement to the formal, provider-administered indications, such as out of courtesy before meeting others and when feared to be infected. More than a year after the introduction of self-testing their place in the test strategy was evaluated. Methods We assessed trends in the number of self-tests sold, the number of positive self-tests reported, the proportion sold self-tests/total tests, and the proportion of all positive tests that were confirmed self-tests. To evaluate the reason why people use self-tests, we used the results of two online surveys among members of the general population: one among 27,397 people, held in April 2021, and one among 22,354 people, held in December 2021. Results The use of self-tests became substantial from end 2021 onwards. In the period mid-November 2021 – end-of-June 2022, the average proportion of reported sold self-tests to all COVID-19 tests was 37% and 14% of all positive tests were positive self-tests. In both surveys, the main reported reasons for using a self-test were having symptoms (34% of users in April 2021 and 31% in December 2021) and after a risk contact (27% in both April and December). Moreover, the number of self-tests sold, and the number of positive self-tests reported closely followed the same trend as the provider-administered tests in symptomatic people and high risk-contacts, which reinforces the hypothesis that they were mainly used for these two indications. Conclusions From end 2021 onwards, self-testing covered a significant part of COVID-19 testing in Belgium, which increased without doubt the testing coverage. However, the available data seem to indicate that self-testing was mostly used for indications outside of official recommendations. If and how this affected the control of the epidemic remains unknown.
    Keywords SARS-CoV-2 testing ; Self-testing ; Belgium ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 150
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Correction to

    Marjan Meurisse / Adrien Lajot / Brecht Devleesschauwer / Dieter Van Cauteren / Herman Van Oyen / Laura Van den Borre / Ruben Brondeel

    Archives of Public Health, Vol 80, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    The association between area deprivation and COVID-19 incidence: a municipality-level spatio-temporal study in Belgium, 2020–2021

    2022  Volume 1

    Keywords Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: The association between area deprivation and COVID-19 incidence

    Marjan Meurisse / Adrien Lajot / Brecht Devleesschauwer / Dieter Van Cauteren / Herman Van Oyen / Laura Van den Borre / Ruben Brondeel

    Archives of Public Health, Vol 80, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    a municipality-level spatio-temporal study in Belgium, 2020–2021

    2022  Volume 10

    Abstract: Abstract Background In Belgium, current research on socio-economic inequalities in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis has mainly focused on excess mortality and data from the first epidemiological wave. The current study adds onto this by ... ...

    Abstract Abstract Background In Belgium, current research on socio-economic inequalities in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis has mainly focused on excess mortality and data from the first epidemiological wave. The current study adds onto this by examining the association between COVID-19 incidence and area deprivation during the first five wave and interwave periods, thus adding a temporal gradient to the analyses. Methods We use all confirmed COVID-19 cases between March 2020 and June 2021 in Belgium, aggregated at the municipality-level. These data were collected by the national laboratory-based COVID-19 surveillance system. A level of area deprivation was assigned to each Belgian municipality using data of three socio-economic variables: the share of unemployed persons in the active population, the share of households without a car and the share of low-educated persons. The spatio-temporal association between COVID-19 incidence and area deprivation was assessed by performing multivariate negative-binomial regression analyses and computing population attributable fractions. Results A significant association between COVID-19 incidence and area deprivation was found over the entire study period, with the incidence in the most deprived areas predicted to be 24% higher than in the least deprived areas. This effect was dependent on the period during the COVID-19 crisis. The largest socio-economic inequalities in COVID-19 infections could be observed during wave 2 and wave 3, with a clear disadvantage for deprived areas. Conclusion Our results provide new insights into spatio-temporal patterns of socio-economic inequalities in COVID-19 incidence in Belgium. They reveal the existence of inequalities and a shift of these patterns over time.
    Keywords COVID-19 ; Incidence ; Socio-economic inequality ; Area deprivation ; Belgium ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 360
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: Classification of post COVID-19 condition symptoms

    Karin De Ridder / Laura Cornelissen / Brecht Devleesschauwer / Diego Castanares-Zapatero / Robby De Pauw / Dieter Van Cauteren / Pierre Smith / Sarah Nayani / Stefaan Demarest / Sabine Drieskens / Rana Charafeddine

    BMJ Open, Vol 13, Iss

    a longitudinal study in the Belgian population

    2023  Volume 10

    Abstract: Objectives Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most research has focused on its acute pathophysiology, yet some people tend to experience persisting symptoms beyond the acute phase of infection, referred to as post COVID-19 condition (PCC). However, ...

    Abstract Objectives Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most research has focused on its acute pathophysiology, yet some people tend to experience persisting symptoms beyond the acute phase of infection, referred to as post COVID-19 condition (PCC). However, evidence on PCC is still scarce. This study aimed to assess the distribution, classification of symptoms and associated factors of PCC in adults.Design Longitudinal online cohort study.Setting National study in Belgium.Participants Participants were Belgian adults with a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection and were recruited when called up for contact tracing. A total of 3039 participants were included and completed an online questionnaire at the time of their infection and again 3 months later.Outcome measures The baseline questionnaire assessed the initial health status of the participants and their status during the acute phase of the infection. The follow-up questionnaire assessed their PCC status 3 months after infection. A latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to assess whether there are different classes of individuals with a similar set of self-reported PCC symptoms.Results Half of the participants reported PCC 3 months after infection (47%). The most frequent symptoms were fatigue (21%), headache (11%) and memory problems (10%). The LCA highlighted three different classes of PCC symptoms with different risk factors: (1) a combination of loss of smell and taste, (2) a combination of neurological symptoms and (3) other heterogeneous symptoms.Conclusions With the increasing number of people who underwent COVID-19, PCC has become an important but complex public health problem due to the heterogeneity of its symptoms. The classification of symptoms performed in this study can help give insight into different aetiologies of PCC and better plan care according to the symptoms and needs of those affected.
    Keywords Medicine ; R
    Subject code 150
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: Post COVID-19 condition and its physical, mental and social implications

    Pierre Smith / Kristiaan Proesmans / Dieter Van Cauteren / Stefaan Demarest / Sabine Drieskens / Robby De Pauw / Laura Cornelissen / Karin De Ridder / Rana Charafeddine

    Archives of Public Health, Vol 80, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    protocol of a 2-year longitudinal cohort study in the Belgian adult population

    2022  Volume 12

    Abstract: Abstract Background Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most research has focused on the pathophysiology and management of the acute symptoms of COVID-19, yet some people tend to experience symptoms beyond the acute phase of infection, that is, ... ...

    Abstract Abstract Background Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most research has focused on the pathophysiology and management of the acute symptoms of COVID-19, yet some people tend to experience symptoms beyond the acute phase of infection, that is, Post COVID-19 condition (PCC). However, evidence on the long-term health impacts of a COVID-19 infection are still scarce. The purpose of this paper is to describe the COVIMPACT study, which aims to set up a cohort of people who have been tested positive for COVID-19 and study the evolution of their physical, mental and social health over the medium (3 months) and long term (two years), and the factors associated with an (un)favorable evolution. Methods COVIMPACT is a longitudinal cohort study organised over a two-years period between April 2021 and April 2023. The eligible population is all people aged 18 years and older, living in Belgium, with a recent COVID-19 infection and contacted by the health authorities for contact tracing. Two questionnaires are used: a baseline questionnaire that aims to assess the initial health status of the participants and their status during the acute phase of the illness, and a follow-up questionnaire that is sent every three months after participants enter into the cohort. A matched non-COVID-19 control group was also selected. As of November 1, 2021, 10,708 people completed the baseline questionnaire (5% of the eligible population) and the follow-up participation rate was 79%. In total, 48% of the cohort participants appeared to fit the proposed case definition of PCC (i.e. report at least one symptom related to their COVID-19 infection three months afterwards). Discussion This study was designed to provide timely information on the short and long term impact of a COVID-19 infection, to stakeholders such as policymakers, health practitioners and people with PCC. Although the follow-up participation rate was good (79%), the participation rate of the eligible population was low (5%). Compared to other studies, this study has a ...
    Keywords COVID-19 ; Post COVID-19 condition ; Health ; Symptoms ; Longitudinal study ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 360
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-06-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: COVID-19 contact tracing in Belgium

    Kristiaan Proesmans / Sharon Hancart / Toon Braeye / Sofieke Klamer / Emmanuel Robesyn / Achille Djiena / Frances De Leeuw / Romain Mahieu / Alex Dreuw / Naima Hammami / Dirk Wildemeersch / Laura Cornelissen / Dieter Van Cauteren

    Archives of Public Health, Vol 80, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    main indicators and performance, January – September 2021

    2022  Volume 10

    Abstract: Abstract Background Contact tracing is one of the main public health tools in the control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A centralized contact tracing system was developed in Belgium in 2020. We aim to evaluate the performance and describe the ... ...

    Abstract Abstract Background Contact tracing is one of the main public health tools in the control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A centralized contact tracing system was developed in Belgium in 2020. We aim to evaluate the performance and describe the results, between January 01, 2021, and September 30, 2021. The characteristics of COVID-19 cases and the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on testing and tracing are also described. Methods We combined laboratory diagnostic test data (molecular and antigen test), vaccination data, and contact tracing data. A descriptive analysis was done to evaluate the performance of contact tracing and describe insights into the epidemiology of COVID-19 by contact tracing. Results Between January and September 2021, 555.181 COVID-19 cases were reported to the central contact center and 91% were contacted. The average delay between symptom onset and contact tracing initiation was around 5 days, of which 4 days corresponded to pre-testing delay. High-Risk Contacts (HRC) were reported by 49% of the contacted index cases. The mean number of reported HRC was 2.7. In total, 666.869 HRC were reported of which 91% were successfully contacted and 89% of these were tested at least once following the interview. The estimated average secondary attack rate (SAR) among the contacts of the COVID-19 cases who reported at least one contact, was 27% and was significantly higher among household HRC. The proportion of COVID-19 cases who were previously identified as HRC within the central system was 24%. Conclusions The contact-tracing system contacted more than 90% of the reported COVID-19 cases and their HRC. This proportion remained stable between January 1 2021 and September 30 2021 despite an increase in cases in March–April 2021. We report high SAR, indicating that through contact tracing a large number of infections were prospectively detected. The system can be further improved by (1) reducing the delay between onset of illness and medical consultation (2) having more exhaustive reporting of ...
    Keywords COVID-19 ; Belgium ; Contact tracing ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 600
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: Coverage of the national surveillance system for human Salmonella infections, Belgium, 2016-2020.

    Nina Van Goethem / An Van Den Bossche / Pieter-Jan Ceyssens / Adrien Lajot / Wim Coucke / Kris Vernelen / Nancy H C Roosens / Sigrid C J De Keersmaecker / Dieter Van Cauteren / Wesley Mattheus

    PLoS ONE, Vol 16, Iss 8, p e

    2021  Volume 0256820

    Abstract: Introduction The surveillance of human salmonellosis in Belgium is dependent on the referral of human Salmonella isolates to the National Reference Center (NRC). Knowledge of current diagnostic practices and the coverage of the national Salmonella ... ...

    Abstract Introduction The surveillance of human salmonellosis in Belgium is dependent on the referral of human Salmonella isolates to the National Reference Center (NRC). Knowledge of current diagnostic practices and the coverage of the national Salmonella surveillance system are important to correctly interpret surveillance data and trends over time, to estimate the true burden of salmonellosis in Belgium, and to evaluate the appropriateness of implementing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) at this central level. Methods The coverage of the NRC was defined as the proportion of all diagnosed human Salmonella cases in Belgium reported to the NRC and was assessed for 2019 via a survey among all licensed Belgian medical laboratories in 2019, and for 2016-2020 via a capture-recapture study using the Sentinel Network of Laboratories (SNL) as the external source. In addition, the survey was used to assess the impact of the implementation of culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) at the level of peripheral laboratory sites, as a potential threat to national public health surveillance programs. Results The coverage of the NRC surveillance system was estimated to be 83% and 85%, based on the results of the survey and on the two-source capture-recapture study, respectively. Further, the results of the survey indicated a limited use of CIDTs by peripheral laboratories in 2019. Conclusion Given the high coverage and the limited impact of CIDTs on the referral of isolates, we may conclude that the NRC can confidently monitor the epidemiological situation and identify outbreaks throughout the country. These findings may guide the decision to implement WGS at the level of the NRC and may improve estimates of the true burden of salmonellosis in Belgium.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  8. Article ; Online: Leveraging of SARS-CoV-2 PCR Cycle Thresholds Values to Forecast COVID-19 Trends

    Nicolas Yin / Simon Dellicour / Valery Daubie / Nicolas Franco / Magali Wautier / Christel Faes / Dieter Van Cauteren / Liv Nymark / Niel Hens / Marius Gilbert / Marie Hallin / Olivier Vandenberg

    Frontiers in Medicine, Vol

    2021  Volume 8

    Abstract: Introduction: We assessed the usefulness of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR cycle thresholds (Ct) values trends produced by the LHUB-ULB (a consolidated microbiology laboratory located in Brussels, Belgium) for monitoring the epidemic's dynamics at local and national ... ...

    Abstract Introduction: We assessed the usefulness of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR cycle thresholds (Ct) values trends produced by the LHUB-ULB (a consolidated microbiology laboratory located in Brussels, Belgium) for monitoring the epidemic's dynamics at local and national levels and for improving forecasting models.Methods: SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Ct values produced from April 1, 2020, to May 15, 2021, were compared with national COVID-19 confirmed cases notifications according to their geographical and time distribution. These Ct values were evaluated against both a phase diagram predicting the number of COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care and an age-structured model estimating COVID-19 prevalence in Belgium.Results: Over 155,811 RT-PCR performed, 12,799 were positive and 7,910 Ct values were available for analysis. The 14-day median Ct values were negatively correlated with the 14-day mean daily positive tests with a lag of 17 days. In addition, the 14-day mean daily positive tests in LHUB-ULB were strongly correlated with the 14-day mean confirmed cases in the Brussels-Capital and in Belgium with coinciding start, peak, and end of the different waves of the epidemic. Ct values decreased concurrently with the forecasted phase-shifts of the diagram. Similarly, the evolution of 14-day median Ct values was negatively correlated with daily estimated prevalence for all age-classes.Conclusion: We provide preliminary evidence that trends of Ct values can help to both follow and predict the epidemic's trajectory at local and national levels, underlining that consolidated microbiology laboratories can act as epidemic sensors as they gather data that are representative of the geographical area they serve.
    Keywords COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; forecast ; epidemic trend ; cycle threshold (Ct) value ; Medicine (General) ; R5-920
    Subject code 612
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-11-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  9. Article: Combining primary care surveillance and a meta-analysis to estimate the incidence of the clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis in Belgium, 2015-2017

    Geebelen, Laurence / Dieter Van Cauteren / Brecht Devleesschauwer / Sarah Moreels / Katrien Tersago / Herman Van Oyen / Niko Speybroeck / Tinne Lernout

    Ticks and tick-borne diseases. 2018 Dec. 23,

    2018  

    Abstract: Lyme borreliosis (LB) is an important tick-borne disease which can cause a broad range of symptoms mainly affecting the skin, the nervous system and the joints. This study aims to estimate the incidence of the different clinical manifestations of LB in ... ...

    Abstract Lyme borreliosis (LB) is an important tick-borne disease which can cause a broad range of symptoms mainly affecting the skin, the nervous system and the joints. This study aims to estimate the incidence of the different clinical manifestations of LB in Belgium. The incidence of erythema migrans (EM) was estimated through the network of sentinel general practices at 97.6/100,000 inhabitants (uncertainty interval [UI] 82.0–113.0) for the period 2015 to 2017. This result was used to estimate the incidence of other LB manifestations based on their proportional distribution (ratios) to EM reported in the neighboring countries of Belgium. To estimate these ratios, we performed a systematic review of studies published between February 1, 2008 and January 31, 2018 and pooled the results using a random effects meta-analysis. Six studies were retained in the systematic review, and the meta-analysis estimated the occurrence ratios for Lyme neuroborreliosis/EM, Lyme arthritis/EM and other manifestations/EM at 0.024 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.016–0.037), 0.022 (95% CI 0.020–0.024) and 0.014 (95% CI 0.012–0.016) respectively. Applying these ratios to the EM incidence in Belgium resulted in an incidence estimation of 2.4/100,000 inhabitants (95% UI 1.5–3.7) for Lyme neuroborreliosis, 2.1/100,000 (95% UI 1.7–2.6) for Lyme arthritis and 1.4/100,000 (95% UI 1.1–1.7) for other less frequent manifestations. Some of these LB manifestations, other than EM, are more severe, hence these estimates are essential to assess the health burden and economic cost of LB which would be highly relevant for patients, healthcare providers and policymakers. As both over- and underestimation of different clinical LB manifestations remain possible due to characteristics of the primary surveillance systems and the disease itself, future studies to validate these estimates would be of great value.
    Keywords Lyme disease ; arthritis ; confidence interval ; economic costs ; erythema ; health care workers ; meta-analysis ; monitoring ; nervous system ; patients ; systematic review ; ticks ; uncertainty ; Belgium
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2018-1223
    Size p. .
    Publishing place Elsevier GmbH
    Document type Article
    Note Pre-press version
    ZDB-ID 2541872-5
    ISSN 1877-9603 ; 1877-959X
    ISSN (online) 1877-9603
    ISSN 1877-959X
    DOI 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.12.007
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  10. Article ; Online: The burden of legionnaires’ disease in Belgium, 2013 to 2017

    Christina Fastl / Brecht Devleesschauwer / Dieter van Cauteren / Adrien Lajot / Mathias Leroy / Valeska Laisnez / Carole Schirvel / Romain Mahieu / Denis Pierard / Charlotte Michel / Stéphanie Jacquinet

    Archives of Public Health, Vol 78, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2020  Volume 9

    Abstract: Abstract Background Legionnaires’ disease (LD) is a severe bacterial infection causing pneumonia. Surveillance commonly underestimates the true incidence as not all cases are laboratory confirmed and reported to public health authorities. The aim of this ...

    Abstract Abstract Background Legionnaires’ disease (LD) is a severe bacterial infection causing pneumonia. Surveillance commonly underestimates the true incidence as not all cases are laboratory confirmed and reported to public health authorities. The aim of this study was to present indicators for the impact of LD in Belgium between 2013 and 2017 and to estimate its true burden in the Belgian population in 2017, the most recent year for which the necessary data were available. Methods Belgian hospital discharge data, data from three infectious disease surveillance systems (mandatory notification, sentinel laboratories and the national reference center), information on reimbursed diagnostic tests from the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance and mortality data from the Belgian statistical office were used. To arrive at an estimate of the total number of symptomatic cases in Belgium, we defined a surveillance pyramid and estimated a multiplication factor to account for LD cases not captured by surveillance. The multiplication factor was then applied to the pooled number of LD cases reported by the three surveillance systems. This estimate was the basis for our hazard- and incidence-based Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) calculation. To account for uncertainty in the estimations of the DALYs and the true incidence, we used Monte Carlo simulations with 10,000 iterations. Results We found an average of 184 LD cases reported by Belgian hospitals annually (2013–2017), the majority of which were male (72%). The surveillance databases reported 215 LD cases per year on average, 11% of which were fatal within 90 days after diagnosis. The estimation of the true incidence in the community yielded 2674 (95% Uncertainty Interval [UI]: 2425–2965) cases in 2017. LD caused 3.05 DALYs per case (95%UI: 1.67–4.65) and 8147 (95%UI: 4453–12,426) total DALYs in Belgium in 2017, which corresponds to 71.96 (95%UI: 39.33–109.75) DALYs per 100,000 persons. Conclusions This analysis revealed a considerable burden of LD in Belgium that is vastly underestimated by surveillance data. Comparison with other European DALY estimates underlines the impact of the used data sources and methodological approaches on burden estimates, illustrating that national burden of disease studies remain essential.
    Keywords Legionnaires’ disease ; Legionella ; Incidence ; Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) ; Burden of disease ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 306
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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