1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Identification and Biological Characterization of Pathogen and Screening of Effective Fungicides for Wilt of Tetradium ruticarpum
Yuxin LIU ; Qin XU ; Yue YUAN ; Tiantian GUO ; Zheng'en XIAO ; Shaotian ZHANG ; Ming LIU ; Fuqiang YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):198-206
ObjectiveTo identify the pathogen species responsible for the wilt disease of Tetradium ruticarpum in Chongqing, investigate there biological characteristics, and screen effective fungicides, so as to provide a theoretical basis for disease control in production. MethodsThe pathogen was isolated via the tissue culture method. Pathogenicity was verified according to Koch's postulates. The pathogen was identified based on morphological characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analysis. The mycelial growth rate method was used for biological characterization of the pathogen and fungicide screening. ResultsThe pathogen colonies were nearly circular with irregular edges, white, short, velvety aerial hyphae, and pale purple undersides. Macroconidia were colorless, sickle-shaped, with 3-5 septa, while microconidia were transparent, elliptical, aseptate or with 1-2 septa. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis showed that the pathogen clustered in the same clade as Fusarium fujikuroi with 100% support, which, combined with morphological characteristics, identified the pathogen causing wilt of T. ruticarpum in Chongqing as F. fujikuroi. The optimal conditions for the mycelial growth of F. fujikuroi were mung bean agar (MBA) with glucose as the carbon source, beef extract and yeast powder as nitrogen sources, 28 ℃, pH 7.0, and alternating light/dark conditions. The optimal conditions for sporulation were potato dextrose agar (PDA) with glucose as the carbon source, beef extract as the nitrogen source, 28 ℃, pH 7.0, and complete darkness. Among chemical fungicides, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on F. fujikuroi. Shenqinmycin and tetramycin were the most effective bio-fungicides. ConclusionThis study is the first to report F. fujikuroi as the causal agent of wilt disease in T. rutaecarpa. The chemical fungicide phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and the bio-fungicides shenqinmycin and tetramycin showed strong inhibitory effects against F. fujikuroi.
3.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Mechanisms of Inflammatory Injury in Diabetic Cardiomypathy from Theory of "Gaozhuo"
Xiaoyue WANG ; Yunfeng YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Yixin XIANG ; Sihao ZHANG ; Qin XIANG ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):235-244
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus and is a major threat to global health. As a key mechanism in the occurrence and progression of DCM, the inflammatory response persists throughout the entire course of the DCM. The Gaozhuo theory suggests that the basic pathogenesis of inflammatory injury in DCM is the Qi deficiency of spleen and kidney and Gaozhuo invasion, and divides the pathological process into three phases: Gaozhuo invasion, turbid heat damage to the channels, and turbid blood stasis and heat junction. Among them, the Qi deficiency of spleen and kidney and the endogenous formation of Gaozhuo represent the process of inflammatory factor formation induced by glucose metabolism disorders. Turbid heat damage to the channels refers to the process of myocardial inflammatory injury mediated by inflammatory factors, and turbid blood stasis and heat junction are the process of myocardial injury developing toward myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling. As the disease continues to progress, it eventually develops into a depletion of the heart Yang, leading to the ultimate regression of heart failure. According to the theory of Gaozhuo, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) should regulate inflammatory injury in DCM by strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney to address the root cause, and resolving dampness and lowering turbidity to treat the symptoms. If the turbidity has been stored for a long time and turns into heat, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney, and clearing heat and resolving turbidity should be the therapy. If the turbidity, stasis, and heat are knotted in the heart and collaterals, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney, and resolving stasis and lowering turbidity should be the therapy. TCM compounds and monomers can regulate the inflammatory response in DCM. TCM compounds can be divided into the categories for benefiting Qi to resolve turbidity, benefiting Qi and clearing heat to resolve turbidity, and benefiting Qi and activating blood to reduce turbidity. The compounds can inhibit upstream signals of inflammation and expression of inflammatory factors, improve the inflammatory damage to myocardium and blood vessels, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac systole and diastole, and thus slow down the onset and progression of DCM.
4.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Mechanisms of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Combined with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Theory of "Gaozhuo"
Yixin XIANG ; Yunfeng YU ; Xiaoyue WANG ; Xiangning HUANG ; Qin XIANG ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):253-260
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is the key link in the progression of NAFLD to liver fibrosis. According to the theory of "Gaozhuo", spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation, along with Gaozhuo invasion, are the causes of NAFLD progression to liver fibrosis, which reveals the pathogenesis essence of HSC activation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Among them, spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation are the root causes of the endogenous formation of Gaozhuo. Spleen deficiency indicates the insulin sensitivity decrease and glucose metabolism disorders, and Qi stagnation means the dysregulation of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, which creates the preconditions for HSC activation. Gaozhuo invasion is the direct cause of HSC activation, including three stages: Internal retention of Gaozhuo, turbidity and stasis stagnation, and toxic stasis and consolidation. Internal retention of Gaozhuo refers to the abnormal metabolism and deposition of hepatic lipids, as well as the microcirculatory disorders. Turbidity and stasis stagnation is the process by which lipotoxicity stimulates the transformation of HSC into myofibroblast (MFB), and toxic stasis and consolidation represent the secretion of a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) by MFB to promote the fibrosis. According to the theory of Gaozhuo and the activation process of HSC, syndromes for T2DM combined with NAFLD can be classified into spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation with internal retention of Gaozhuo, spleen Qi deficiency with turbidity and stasis stagnation, and spleen Qi deficiency with toxic stasis and consolidation. Clinically, the treatment principle is to strengthen the spleen and promote Qi, resolve turbidity, and eliminate blood stasis. Both TCM compounds and monomers can effectively inhibit the HSC activation. TCM compounds can be classified into categories for regulating spleen and harmonizing liver, resolving turbidity and removing stasis, and detoxifying and removing stasis. They mainly work by improving lipid metabolism, reducing lipid accumulation in the liver, alleviating inflammatory and oxidative stress responses, inhibiting the activation and proliferation of HSC, and reducing ECM deposition, thereby delaying the progression of liver fibrosis.
5.Research progress on the mechanisms of oxidative stress in retinopathy of prematurity
Na LI ; Yirong QIN ; Yi ZHU ; Ribo PENG
International Eye Science 2026;26(1):45-49
Retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)is a leading cause of childhood blindness, with extremely preterm and very-low-birth-weight infants now constituting the main high-risk group. ROP progresses in two stages: early retinal microvascular degeneration and progressive vascular arrest, followed by abnormal neovascularization in the avascular area. Early oxidative and nitrosative stress—amplified by oxygen fluctuations and immature antioxidant defenses—drives the two-phase pathogenesis via hypoxia-inducible factor/vascular endothelial growth factor(HIF/VEGF), NOX/STAT3, and nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2(Nrf2)-antioxidant response element(ARE)pathways, mediating apoptosis of endothelial cells, damage to barrier and pathological angiogenesis. This review systematically analyzes different oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)models, elucidates key signaling pathways including Notch, Wnt in physiological and pathological vascularization, with particular emphasis on the biphasic effects of Nrf2 and the differential roles of NOX signaling between phases. We also discuss the limitations of anti-VEGF therapy and oxygen management principles. Reactive oxygen species(ROS)play context-dependent roles across vaso-obliteration and neovascularization phases. Based on mechanistic insights, we propose future directions including combined/sequential interventions, ferroptosis and lipid peroxidation targeting, nano-delivery systems for enhanced bioavailability, and perinatal safety assessment strategies, aiming to provide translatable mechanistic basis for reducing pathological neovascularization while promoting physiological vascular development.
6.Pathogenesis and Prevention Strategies of Hypercoagulable State in Malignant Tumors Based on the Theory of "Sweet-Flavored Medicinals Retaining and Restoring Body Fluid"
Yong WANG ; Zixuan CHENG ; Weiyang KONG ; Yuwei SUN ; Yunxuan SHI ; Ruyu QIN ; Zhaidong LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):26-30
Based on the theory of "sweet-flavored medicinals retaining and restoring body fluid", this paper proposed that the core pathogenesis of hypercoagulable state in malignant tumors is qi deficiency and fluid consumption, blood stasis and vessels stagnation, which evolves dynamically according to the pattern "qi deficiency → fluid consumption → blood stasis". Accordingly, a staged treatment system is established with the general principle of "fortifying the middle jiao, restoring fluid and activating blood circulation". In the initial stage, invigorating the spleen and boosting qi to generate body fluid, targeting the onset of middle jiao deficiency and body fluid consumption; in the middle stage, nourishing yin and unblocking collaterals to facilitate body fluid circulation, addressing the disorder of body fluid transportation and collateral injury caused by internal dryness; in the late stage, consolidating yin and resolving blood stasis to retain body fluid, resolving yin impairment, fluid exhaustion, and binding of stasis and toxin. By regulating body fluid metabolism to improve the hypercoagulable state, this system is intended to provide insights for the prevention and treatment of hypercoagulable state in malignant tumors with traditional Chinese medicine.
7.Pharmaceutical care for a case of severe dermal toxicity induced by durvalumab
Liulian JI ; Zhengbi QIN ; Pengcheng LIU ; Xiaowen DENG ; Lili LIU ; Lijuan YAO ; Tingting LIU ; Pingchen GU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):88-91
OBJECTIVE To provide references for the accurate identification and management of immune-related cutaneous adverse events (irCAEs) caused by durvalumab, and ensuring safe clinical drug use. METHODS Clinical pharmacists participated in the diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with gallbladder cancer who developed irCAEs caused by durvalumab. The clinical pharmacists systematically reviewed the patient’s past medical history and medication history, and assisted physicians in assessing the association between adverse drug reactions and administered drugs. Meanwhile, the clinical pharmacists conducted a graded assessment of the adverse reaction, proposed recommendations such as discontinuing durvalumab and adjusting the administration regimen of glucocorticoids, assisted physicians in restarting immunotherapy, and carried out medication education and other pharmaceutical care. RESULTS The occurrence of irCAEs in this patient was “highly likely” related to durvalumab and was classified as severe. The physicians adopted the clinical pharmacist’s opinion, and after symptomatic treatment, the patient’s skin symptoms improved, and discharged with medication. After the completion of glucocorticoid therapy for the patient, the physician restarted immunotherapy with tislelizumab, and no related adverse reactions occurred again in the patient. CONCLUSIONS Durvalumab can cause irCAEs such as severe skin maculopapular rash. In clinical practice, it is crucial to promptly identify and discontinue suspicious drugs, immediately implement effective symptomatic treatment measures, and actively resume immunotherapy to ensure the continuity and safety of the patient’s treatment.
8.The Effect of Modified Ditan Decoction (涤痰汤) on Cognitive Function and Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain in Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Model Rats
Naijie CHEN ; Xiaoting WANG ; Fengsheng XU ; Shuanghong SHEN ; Zuanfang LI ; Qin CHEN ; Jin CHEN ; Runhua WU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):71-78
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of modified Ditan Decoction (涤痰汤) on chronic intermittent hypoxia cognitive function and the potential function mechanism. MethodsTwenty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, and a modified Ditan Decoction group, with eight rats in each group. Rats in the modified Ditan Decoction group were administered the decoction by gavage at 14.8 ml/(kg·d), while the normal group and the model group received the same dose of normal saline. Thirty minutes after daily gavage, the rats in all three groups were placed in an intermittent hypoxia chamber. The oxygen concentration for the model group and the modified Ditan Decoction group was adjusted daily for 8 hours using a computer program to establish the model, while the normal group was exposed to the same airflow rate of ambient air. The intervention was continued for 12 weeks to establish a chronic intermittent hypoxia rat model. The Y-maze test was used to evaluate spatial working memory in the rats. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed to detect whole-brain regional homogeneity (ReHo) and seed-based functional connectivity (FC). Brain regions showing significant differences in rs-fMRI were selected for further analysis. Immunofluorescence was used to detect β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and the number of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1)-positive microglial cells. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression of synaptophysin (SYP), the excitatory synapse marker vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (Vglut1), and the inhibitory synapse marker vesicular γ-aminobutyric acid transporter (VGAT). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a reduced spontaneous alternation rate in the Y-maze test. The smoothed Z-score standardized regional homogeneity (SzReHo) value in the left entorhinal cortex significantly increased, and the FC value from this seed point to the left basal forebrain significantly reduced. Additionally, the model group exhibited significantly higher Aβ fluorescence intensity and Iba1 positivity in the left entorhinal cortex, decreased expression of SYP, Vglut1, and VGAT, along with an increased Vglut1/VGAT ratio (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the modified Ditan Decoction group demonstrated an increased spontaneous alternation rate, a significantly reduced SzReHo value in the left entorhinal cortex, and a significantly increased FC value from this region to the left basal forebrain. Furthermore, this group showed significantly lower Aβ fluorescence intensity and Iba1 positivity in the left entorhinal cortex, increased levels of SYP, Vglut1, and VGAT, and a decreased Vglut1/VGAT ratio (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionModified Ditan Decoction can reconstruct the projection from the left basal forebrain to the entorhinal cortex in chronic intermittent hypoxia, thereby reducing Aβ aggregation and excessive microglial activation in the left entorhinal cortex. This process improves the excitation/inhibition imbalance caused by synaptic remodeling, ultimately enhancing cognitive function in rats of chronic intermittent hypoxia.
9.Effect of Epimedium brevicornu Ethanol Extract on Aging of Castrated Rats by Intervening in Mesenchymal Adipose-derived Stem Cells
Zuyu MENG ; Haiquan LIU ; Shaozi LIN ; Mei WANG ; Yiyao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Menghan LI ; Hongling CHEN ; Jiajia QIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):174-181
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the ethanol extract of Epimedium brevicornu (EEBM) intervenes in mesenchymal adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to delay aging in castrated rats. MethodsForty-five 3-month-old SPF female SD rats were ovariectomized and randomly divided into model group, ADSCs treatment group, and ADSCs groups treated with low, medium, and high concentrations of EEBM (1, 50, 100 μg·L-1), referred to as the AE low, medium, and high concentration groups, with 9 rats in each group. After tail vein injection of 200 μL of the corresponding stem cell suspension, aging-related indicators including cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (p21), tumor suppressor gene (p53), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 (Caspase-3), and lipofuscin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group, the IL-6 content in the AE low, medium, and high concentration groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Lipofuscin, MDA, and IL-8 levels in the ADSCs treatment group and AE low, medium, and high concentration groups were significantly reduced (P<0.01), while SOD content was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the ADSCs treatment group, lipofuscin and IL-8 levels in the AE low, medium, and high concentration groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). The MDA content was significantly decreased in the AE medium concentration group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, protein levels of p21, p53, Bax, and Caspase-3 in the ADSCs treatment group and AE low, medium, and high concentration groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the Bcl-2 protein level was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the ADSCs treatment group, protein levels of p21, p53, Bax, and Caspase-3 in the AE low, medium, and high concentration groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the Bcl-2 protein level in the AE low concentration group was significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionThe results of this experiment show that EEBM-treated ADSCs or ADSCs may delay aging in castrated rats by inhibiting cell apoptosis, reducing cell cycle inhibitors and pro-inflammatory factors, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and reducing oxidative reactions. Moreover, EEBM-treated ADSCs demonstrate stronger anti-aging effects than ADSCs alone. This study provides experimental evidence supporting the clinical use of EEBM to intervene in ADSCs and delay aging.
10.Quality Evaluation of Lycii Cortex and Roasted Lycii Cortex Based on Fingerprint and Content Determination
Yihuan WU ; Wenli ZENG ; Xuemei QIN ; Zongxin SHI ; Chengcheng HUANG ; Yuntao DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):165-172
ObjectiveTo establish fingerprint profiles and a quantitative determination method for Lycii Cortex, providing a scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards for Lycii Cortex and its roasted products. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was developed for the quantitative method for determining kukoamine B in Lycii Cortex and its roasted products on an Alphasil XD-C18 CH column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm). HPLC fingerprint profiles were established for 10 batches of Lycii Cortex and its roasted products, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to identify the common peaks based on reference standards, literature and MS information. Quality evaluation indicators included yield of decoction pieces, appearance properties, content of kukoamine B, and fingerprint profiles. The temperature and time of the roasting process were investigated to select the optimal preparation process, which was then verified. Additionally, chemical pattern recognition was combined to assess the differences in the chemical composition of Lycii Cortex before and after roasting, as well as among samples from different origins. ResultsQuantitative analysis indicated that the contents of kukoamine B in Lycii Cortex and its roasted products were 0.35%-5.51% and 0.24%-4.15%, respectively. The transfer rate of kukoamine B was 58.6%-78.9% after roasting. The fingerprint profile analysis demonstrated that the method established in this study effectively separated kukoamine B from other components in the samples and distinctly differentiated it from its impurity peak, cis-N-caffeoylputrescine. The HPLC fingerprint profiles of Lycii Cortex and its roasted products showed high similarity(all above 0.95), with 7 common peaks identified and five common components, including kukoamine B, cis-N-caffeoylputrescine, N-coumaroyl tyramine, feruloyltyramine, and glucosyringic acid, confirmed. Process optimization confirmed that baking at 110 ℃ for 20 min was a stable and feasible method for roasting Lycii Cortex. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed that there was little difference in the chemical composition between raw and roasted Lycii Cortex, but the quality of Lycii Cortex from different origins differed greatly. ConclusionThis study successfully established the fingerprint profiles and a quantitative method for the effective component kukoamine B in Lycii Cortex and roasted Lycii Cortex. The qualitative and quantitative analyses clarified that the impact of the roasting process on the chemical composition of Lycii Cortex was less significant than the variations due to its geographical origin. The findings of this study offer a reference for the development of quality evaluation methods and the establishment of quality standards for Lycii Cortex and its processed products.

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