1.Sleep Traits and Malignant Risk of Pulmonary Nodules: Evidence Triangulation From Questionnaire, Cohort, and Mendelian Randomization
Xiangyu CHEN ; Yiqiao XUE ; Mengqing LIU ; Yile HU ; Weizuo LIANG ; Hanqing LIU ; Yizheng WANG ; Mingfang ZHAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):663-676
To investigate the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignancy in pulmonary nodules, and to provide complementary evidence from a general population cohort and genetic analyses. This study comprised three parts. Part 1 was a cross-sectional study that consecutively enrolled patients with imaging-confirmed pulmonary nodules at the First Hospital of China Medical University from November 2024 to December 2025. Nine sleep domains were constructed using items from the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), with domain severity coded on a 0-6 scale according to the frequency of occurrence. Benign or malignant status of pulmonary nodules was determined based on pathological results or clinical follow-up. Multivariable Logistic regression models with progressive adjustment were constructed. Stratified, interaction, and dose-response analyses (including categorical grouping and restricted cubic splines) were performed focusing on the insomnia symptom domain to explore the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules. Part 2 was a prospective cohort study using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to investigate the association between sleep duration and incident lung cancer risk in the general population. Part 3 comprised genetic causality analyses, including two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), using data from the OpenGWAS database, to assess whether directionally consistent genetic association signals exist between sleep-related phenotypes and lung cancer risk. In the cross-sectional study, a total of 800 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of whom 288 (36.0%) were in the malignant group. In the continuous-variable main model fully adjusted for baseline confounders, all nine sleep domains, imaging findings, and depression and anxiety status, the severity of the insomnia symptom domain showed a positive association signal with the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules (fully adjusted model: per 1-point increase, In patients with pulmonary nodules, an association signal exists between insomnia-related symptoms and the risk of malignancy, but the dose-response relationship remains unclear. The CHARLS cohort and genetic analyses provide supplementary directional clues for the above associations, albeit with limited statistical strength and result consistency. Definitive conclusions regarding the association between sleep phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules require further validation in prospective studies.
2.Functional perforator flap: concept and clinical applications.
Hu JIAO ; Mengqing ZANG ; Lu ZHOU ; Shengyang JIN ; Jiadong PAN ; Miao WANG ; Xin WANG ; Yuanbo LIU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(9):1076-1085
OBJECTIVE:
To review the clinical applications of functional perforator flaps in restoring human body functions.
METHODS:
An extensive literature review was conducted on both domestic and international publications to summarize the clinical use of functional perforator flaps for functional restoration.
RESULTS:
Perforator flaps are among the most commonly used flaps in reconstructive surgery. Beyond providing soft tissue repair, they are increasingly employed to reconstruct diverse bodily functions, leading us to propose the concept of the "functional perforator flap". Although various forms of functional perforator flaps are currently utilized, reports are predominantly scattered case studies, lacking systematic organization. Commonly used functional perforator flaps can be categorized into five types: chimeric perforator flaps, perforator flaps for nerve function restoration, perforator flaps for lymphatic drainage enhancement, flow-through perforator flaps, and perforator flaps for restoring bone and joint motion. These flaps significantly broaden the application scope of perforator flaps, elevating the goal of reconstruction from mere wound repair to achieving repair concurrent with functional reconstruction.
CONCLUSION
The application of various functional perforator flap designs significantly improves wound reconstruction outcomes and represents an effective approach for managing complex defects. Future developments will undoubtedly see more forms of functional perforator flaps reported to meet increasingly sophisticated reconstructive demands.
Humans
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Perforator Flap/blood supply*
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Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*
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Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery*
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Skin Transplantation/methods*
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Wound Healing
3.Effects of acetazolamide on the proliferation , apoptosis , and inflammatory response of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast⁃like synoviocytes by inhibiting autophagy
Mengqing Wang ; Manyu Zhang ; Shenglong Gu ; Yan Huang ; Rong Li
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(12):2187-2196
Objective:
To study the effects and potential mechanisms of the aquaporin 1(AQP1) inhibitor acetazolamide(AZ) on the proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory response of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLS).
Methods:
TNF-α-induced RA-FLS was served as in vitro RA model. MTT assay, IF staining, and EdU incorporation assay were applied to study AZ′s effects on RA-FLS proliferation. Hoechst staining, flow cytometry analysis of Annexin V-FITC/PI-stained cells, and mitochondrial membrane potential detection experiments were used to detect cell apoptosis. ELISA and quantitative real-time PCR methods were used to measure pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Cell autophagy was evaluated using IF staining and mCherry-GFP-LC3B puncta assay. Western blot was performed to detect the levels of autophagy, apoptosis, and proliferation-related proteins. Moreover, the role of autophagy inhibition in AZ′s effects on RA-FLS was examined by co-treating with the autophagy activator rapamycin(RAPA) or the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(3-MA).
Results:
AZ dose⁃dependently inhibited cell proliferation , promoted apoptosis , and reduced the production of pro⁃inflammatory cytokines in RA⁃FLS. Furthermore , AZ suppressed cytoprotective autophagy in these cells , as evidenced by decreased LC3B levels ( P < 0. 05 ) , increased p62 expression ( P < 0. 05 ) , and reduced autophagic flux ( P <0. 01) . Particularly , AZ ′s beneficial effects were reversed by RAPA⁃induced autophagy activation and enhanced by 3 ⁃MA⁃induced autophagy inhibition.
Conclusion
This study provides the first evidence that AZ hinders cytoprotective autophagy , thereby alleviating the hyperproliferation , apoptosis resistance , and aberrant inflammatory response of RA⁃FLS , revealing the core role of autophagy inhibition in AZ ′s anti⁃RA effects.
4.Short-term outcome study on cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Cheng GAN ; Zhengdong KONG ; Xiaoye RAN ; Shudong QIAO ; Yixin ZHANG ; Lu YUE ; Yingjie WANG ; Hui BI ; Dong YANG ; Hongtong MA ; Yuan CHEN ; Hongli CHAI ; Ying JIA ; Chenhao MA ; Zixiang CHEN ; Ke LI ; Miao WANG ; Liguo XUE ; Siwen ZHAO ; Ke WEN ; Lin YIN ; Bo DING ; Shan ZHU ; Yuanbo LIU ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(2):130-143
Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.
5.Exploration on the mechanism of Xuanfei Dahe Decoction in the treatment of asthmatic mice based on network pharmacology and experimental validation
Mengting DAI ; Youlan LIN ; Huan YU ; Mengqing WANG ; Yunfei SHUAI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(9):1264-1271
Objective:To explore the mechanism of Xuanfei Dahe Decoction in treating asthmatic mice through network pharmacology and animal experiments.Methods:The active components and their targets of Xuanfei Dahe Decoction were retrieved from TCMSP, and the asthma targets were obtained by searching the GeneCards, DisGeNet, OMIM, TTD and DrugBank databases. PPI network of intersection targets was constructed using string database and Cytoscape 3.9.0 software. Go function and KEGG pathway enrichment were analyzed by metascape database. The mice were divided into a blank group of 6 mice and a model group of 30 mice according to the random number table method. The asthma model was prepared in the model group. Totally 30 successfully modeled mice were divided into the model group, the dexamethasone group, and Xuanfei Dahe Decoction low-, medium- and high-dosage groups according to the random number table method, with 6 mice in each group. On the 5th day, gavage was initiated. Xuanfei Dahe Decoction low-, medium- and high-dosage groups were respectively gavaged with Xuanfei Dahe Decoction liquid at concentrations of 6.84, 13.68 and 27.36 g/kg. The dexamethasone group was gavaged with dexamethasone acetate tablets at concentrations of 2.73 mg/kg. The blank group and the model group were gavaged with the same volume of sterile normal saline once a day for 14 consecutive days. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE staining, the level of serum IL-17 was detected by ELISA, and the expression of IL-17 in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:120 asthma targets and 13 key targets were obtained from Xuanfei Dahe Decoction. Pathway enrichment analysis suggested that IL-17 signaling pathway was one of the key pathways. Compared with the model group, the levels of IL-17 in the serum of the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose Xuanfei Dahe Decoction groups and the expression of IL-17A in the lung tissue of the medium-dose Xuanfei Dahe Decoction group decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Xuanfei Dahe Decoction may treat asthma by restrain airway inflammation mediated by Th17/IL-17.
6.Analysis on allergic diseases from the "lung being responsible for regulating visceral activities"
Huan YU ; Wenyuan GUO ; Yunfei SHUAI ; Leqin XIONG ; Mengqing WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(12):1664-1669
The symptoms of allergic diseases are complex and changeable, and the pathogenesis is complex and difficult to distinguish, and the prevalence of allergic diseases has gradually increased in recent years. Due to the relative limitations of Western medical treatment, in order to further meet the clinical treatment goals, the "lung being responsible for regulating visceral activities" is now used as the theoretical basis, combined with modern medicine, to explore the pathogenesis and etiological mechanism of this disease. Based on the classics, it is proposed that allergic diseases have four characteristics: "onset of allergies, seasonality of disease onset, diversity of symptoms, and recurrence of recovery", and summarized the etiology and pathogenesis as "stagnation of incubative pathogenic factors and disharmony between the nutritive and defensive levels, imbalance of waterways and obstruction of phlegm and dampness, a dysfunction in the pivotal qi flow leading to malnourishment of the skin and hair, the intermingling of cold and heat leads to the dysfunction of the orifices, a disorder of the blood-governing organs leads to extravasation of blood", and advocated that the treatment should take into account the symptoms, syndromes, viscera, and seasons, and clarify the syndromes, which would provide a new research idea for the exploration of the TCM connotation of this disease.
7.Clinical study on the Qingjin Huatan Decoction combined with conventional Western medicine in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome
Hong QIN ; Hongsheng CUI ; Dayong XIN ; Jingshuai FENG ; Mengqing FU ; Chen WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(12):1677-1681
Objective:To explore the efficacy of Qingjin Huatan Decoction combined with conventional Western medicine for the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with phlegm-heat obstructing lung syndrome.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Totally 90 hospitalized patients with AECOPD phlegm-heat obstructing lung syndrome in the respiratory department of Shunyi Hospital, Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2023 to June 2024 were selected as the observation subjects. According to the simplified randomization method (single-double number method), the patients were divided into two groups, with 45 cases in each group. The conventional Western medicine group was given conventional Western medicine treatment, and the combined Chinese materia medica group was given Qingjin Huatan Decoction on the basis of the conventional Western medicine group. The treatment for both groups lasted for 7 d. TCM symptoms were scored before and after treatment; FEV 1 and FVC were detected by pulmonary function analyzer, PaO 2, PaCO 2, PaO 2/FiO 2 were detected by blood gas biochemical analyzer, CRP and PCT were detected by ELISA, and white blood cell count (WBC) was detected by automatic blood cell analyzer. Adverse reactions were recorded, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results:The total effective rate was 93.33% (42/45) in the combined Chinese materia medica group and 77.78% (35/45) in the conventional Western medicine group, with statistical significance ( χ2=4.41, P=0.036). After treatment, the scores of cough, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath and fever and the total score in the combined Chinese materia medica group were lower than those in the conventional Western medicine group ( t=4.83, 2.26, 5.36, 10.43, 5.27,respectively, P<0.01 or P<0.05); the levels of FEV 1 and FVC in the combined Chinese materia medica group were higher than those in the conventional Western medicine group ( t=3.03, 2.64, respectively, P<0.01); the levels of PaO 2 and PaO 2/FiO 2 in the combined Chinese materia medica group were higher than those in the conventional Western medicine group ( t=4.83, 5.36, P<0.01), while the level of PaCO 2 in the combined Chinese materia medica group was lower than that in the conventional Western medicine group ( t=2.26, P<0.05); the levels of CRP, PCT and WBC in the combined Chinese materia medica group were lower than those in the conventional western medicine group ( t=10.53, 11.29 and 2.59, respectively, P<0.01 or P<0.05). During the treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions was 6.67% (3/45) in the combined Chinese materia medica and 8.89% (4/45) in the conventional Western medicine group, without statistical significance ( χ2=0.16, P=0.694). Conclusion:Qingjin Huatan Decoction can effectively improve the lung function and blood gas indicators of AECOPD with phlegm-heat obstructing lung syndrome, and relieve the inflammation, with safety and effectiveness.
8.Research advances of pathological mechanisms, biomarkers and therapeutic strategies in Alzheimer′s disease
Mengqing GUO ; Chenyang LI ; Yingying WANG ; Yiqing WANG ; Guojie ZHAI
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(12):1316-1323
Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. As the global population ages, incidence, morbidity and mortality of AD have increased significantly. The core pathological features of AD include β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and phosphorylated tau aggregation, resulting in neuronal damage, abnormal mental behavior, and cognitive decline. In recent years, research breakthroughs have not only deepened the Aβ cascade hypothesis and the pathological theory of tau protein, but also made important progress in the fields of neuroimmune regulation, "microbiota-gut-brain" axis, genetic factors, especially the ApoEε4 allele. At the same time, AD has been continuously enriched in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and imaging markers, and sensitivity of markers has been improved and detection tends to be non-invasive. Therapeutic strategies for AD include traditional drugs, novel drugs targeting Aβ/tau protein, and non-pharmacological interventions such as cognitive training, non-invasive brain stimulation and exercise. This review systematically expounds the pathological mechanism, biomarkers, and treatment strategies of AD, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the establishment of a biomarker-based precision diagnosis and treatment paradigm.
9.Clinical effect of indocyanine green angiography-assisted design and harvest of expanded flaps for scar reconstruction
Yanan HU ; Tingjun XIE ; Yuanbo LIU ; Shan ZHU ; Zengjie YANG ; Jia TIAN ; Cheng GAN ; Hu JIAO ; Shanshan LI ; Zixiang CHEN ; Lu ZHOU ; Bing HAN ; Shengyang JIN ; Yan ZENG ; Miao WANG ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2025;41(4):341-347
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)-assisted design and harvest of expanded flaps for scar reconstruction.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From April 2019 to August 2023, 19 patients with scars (8 males, 11 females; aged 3-38 years) treated at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences met the inclusion criteria. The scars were distributed on the head, face, trunk, and extremities. In stage Ⅰ surgery, skin soft tissue expanders were implanted in suitable areas around the scars for skin soft tissue expansion. In stage Ⅱ surgery, the scar tissue was excised, resulting in wound areas ranging from 100 to 210 cm 2, and expanded flaps were designed. ICGA was used to identify target perforators and their accompanying veins, and the flap design was adjusted to ensure the inclusion of complete arterial and venous axes. The expanded flap with an area of 120 to 240 cm2 was harvested using unilateral back-cut technique and transferred to the recipient site, and the donor site wound was sutured directly. The durations of the arterial and venous phases of ICGA during flap design were recorded. The length-to-width ratios of the back-cut flaps were calculated for different regions. After stage Ⅱ surgery, the blood perfusion and survival of the flap, the wound healing at the donor site, and the occurrence of complications were observed. During follow-up, the appearance, color, and texture of the patient's flap were observed. Results:The arterial phase of ICGA lasted 10-27 (18±5) s, and the venous phase lasted 78-116 (100±10) s. The length-to-width ratios of the back-cut flaps were 1.22±0.32, 1.63±0.12, and 1.15±0.21 for the head and neck, trunk, and limb regions, respectively. After stage Ⅱ surgery, one patient had a large area of insufficient blood perfusion in the flap. By comparing ICGA images before and after flap transfer, the sutures at the oral commissure were loosened, the blood flow of the flap was restored. The blood perfusion of the flaps in other patients was good. All flaps survived completely, with well-healed donor site wounds and no complications. During 0.5-14.0 months of follow-up, all flaps of patients demonstrated excellent appearance, with color and texture matching the surrounding skin.Conclusions:As a means of superficial blood flow visualization, ICGA can not only clearly show the microvascular distribution of the expanded flap before operation, assist in optimizing the design of the flap, but also evaluate the blood perfusion of the flap after operation, reduce the occurrence of complications, and provide a full-process navigation for the harvesting of expanded flaps, thereby improving the safety of flap transfer for scar reconstruction.
10.Exploration on the Pharmacodynamic Mechanism of Wenhe Decoction in the Treatment of Febrile Seizures Based on the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD Signaling Pathway
Huan YU ; Wenyuan GUO ; Yijue DENG ; Xin LI ; Mengqing WANG ; Yunfei SHUAI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(7):25-33
Objective To investigate the mechanism of Wenhe Decoction in the treatment of febrile seizures through network pharmacology based on NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway;To conduct experimental verification.Methods The active components and targets of Wenhe Decoction were retrieved and screened through TCMSP,BATMAN-TCM,PubChem databases and SwissADME platform.The disease targets of febrile seizures were found in GenCards,OMIM and DisGeNET databases.The intersection targets of Wenhe Decoction and the disease and the active components corresponding to the intersection targets were imported into Cytoscape 3.7.2 software to construct the Chinese materia medica-active components-targets network.The intersection targets were submitted to the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction network,and then the intersection targets were imported into the Metascape database for GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.The febrile seizures rat model was established,and Wenhe Decoction of 4.05,8.1 and 16.2 g/kg were given respectively by gavage for 21 days.The rats were placed in batches in(45±0.5)℃constant temperature water bath to induce convulsive seizures,and the convulsive latency time and convulsive duration of rats were recorded.The behavioral differences of mice were observed.The morphology of hippocampal tissue were observed by HE and Nissl staining.The ROS content of hippocampal tissue was detected by DHE fluorescent probe technology.The serum ATP,GABA,Glu,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β and IL-18 contents were detected by ELISA,and the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related protein in hippocampal tissue was detected by Western blot.Results Network pharmacology analysis obtained 98 active components of Wenhe Decoction and 1 838 targets.162 targets were obtained by intersecting with disease targets,the core components for the treatment of febrile seizures were β-sitosterol,quercetin,luteolin,trans-squalene,sitosterol,saponin,etc.,and the core targets were EGFR,TNF,JUN,MTOR,etc.,and mainly through the regulation of inflammatory response,apoptosis,mitochondrial function and energy metabolism,mediating anti-inflammatory pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and calcium signaling pathway to exert anticonvulsant effects.The experimental results showed that Wenhe Decoction could prolong the convulsive latency and shorten the duration of convulsions in febrile seizures model rats,decrease the level of convulsions,and the pathological damage of hippocampal tissue was improved and damaged neurons were repaired.The serum contents of ROS,Glu,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly reduced,and ATP and GABA contents significantly increased.The protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC,pro-Caspase-1,pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18 in hippocampal tissue significantly decreased.Conclusion Wenhe Decoction may intervene in febrile seizures rats through NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway,inhibit pyroptosis to reduce the occurrence of neuroinflammation,and then affect the balance of neurotransmitters Glu and GABA to play a role in anti-febrile seizures and prevent brain tissue damage.


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