1.Differences in gut microbiota among primary school students with different levels of sugar sweetened beverage consumption
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(3):335-340
Objective:
To explore the differences in the gut microbiota of primary school students with different levels of sugar sweetened beverage intake, so as to provide scientific evidence for better identification of health risks in children and the development of targeted health policies.
Methods:
In June 2022, a total of 192 healthy primary school students from Chengdu were selected using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The sugar sweetened beverage intake was assessed through a dietary frequency questionnaire. Based on the median daily sugar sweetened beverage intake, primary school students were categorized into a low intake group ( n =96) and a high intake group ( n =96). The gut microbiota in fresh fecal samples from the two groups of primary school students was analyzed using 16S rRNA high throughput sequencing, and the diversity and community structure differences in the gut microbiota were compared.
Results:
Children in the low intake group had a sugar sweetened beverage intake of (21.3±1.6) mL/d, while the high intake group had an intake of (269.6±37.3) mL/d. Diversity analysis results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the low intake and the high intake group in terms of α diversity metrics: Observed_otus index [298.50 (259.75, 342.25), 305.50 (244.25, 367.75)], Goods_coverage index [1.00 (1.00, 1.00), 1.00 (1.00, 1.00)], Chao index [304.18 (260.75, 348.78), 305.88 (245.68, 370.88)], Shannon index [5.88 (5.29, 6.45), 5.71 (4.89, 6.28)] and Simpson index [0.95 (0.91, 0.97), 0.94 (0.88, 0.97)] ( Z =-0.64, -0.76, -0.54, -1.76, -1.67, P >0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was observed in β diversity between the two groups ( R 2=0.006, P >0.05). At the genus level, the abundance of Blautia [0.033 (0.018, 0.055)] and Fusicatenibacter [0.009 (0.005, 0.015)] were higher in the low intake group compared to the high intake group [0.024 (0.013, 0.041),0.006 (0.003, 0.011)]and differences were statistically significant ( Z =-2.52, -2.81, P <0.05). LEfSe analysis highlighted intergroup differences primarily in Blautia, Fusicatenibacter and Sarcina( LDA= 3.56,3.12,3.53, P <0.05).
Conclusions
There is no significant difference in the diversity and overall structure of the gut microbiota in primary school students with different levels of sugar sweetened beverage intake. However, there are species variations at the genus level. The information can serve as a scientific basis for identifying health risks in primary school students and formulating targeted health strategies.
2.Prospective effects of dietary intake on lung function of pupils in Chengdu City
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(2):183-187
Objective:
To investigate the prospective effects of intake of each food group on the development of lung function of pupils,so as to provide theoretical basis for promoting the healthy development of lung function and preventing chronic respiratory diseases in Chinese children.
Methods:
A cluster stratified sampling method was used to select a total of 893 pupils in grades 2-5 from Chengdu in November 2021. Dietary data of respondents were collected using a food frequency questionnaire within the past year,then the food group intake was categorized into T1, T2 and T3 from low to high by the trichotomous method, and anthropometric measurements including lung capacity were obtained in 2022. Logistic regression models and test for trend were used to analyze the prospective effects of intake of each food group on lung function development of pupils.
Results:
Among male students, consumption of vegetables [118.6(50.5, 188.2)g/d] and milk and dairy products [200.0(73.3, 250.0)g/d] were higher in the excellent lung capacity group than in the non excellent lung capacity group [90.0(37.1, 192.9), and 178.6(35.7, 250.0)g/d],with statistically significant differences ( Z =-1.98, -2.24); among girls, the group with excellent lung capacity consumed less staple food [391.1(273.6, 511.4)g/d] than the group with non excellent lung capacity [407.4(309.5, 594.3)g/d], and the group with excellent lung capacity consumed more aquatic products [31.2(14.6, 69.8)g/d] and milk and dairy products [215.0(107.1, 250.1) g/d ] than that of the non excellent lung capacity [19.4(10.7, 58.3), 114.3(35.7, 250.0)g/d] ( Z =-2.01, -3.33, -5.10)( P < 0.05 ). After adjusting for energy, body mass index Z score(BMI Z ), mother s education level, averge family income monthly, whether presence of smokers in the living environment, and whether participation in physical activities during the past week, among male students, T3 group of vegetable intake ( OR =0.48, 95% CI = 0.27-0.86), T2 group of bean and soy product intake ( OR = 0.52 , 95% CI =0.27-0.96),T2 and T3 groups of milk and dairy products intake (T2: OR =0.54, 95% CI =0.31-0.93; T3: OR = 0.52 , 95% CI =0.30-0.90) were negatively associated with non excellent lung capacity ( P <0.05). Among girls, T3 group of aquatic product intake( OR =0.52, 95% CI =0.28-0.97), T2 and T3 groups of milk and dairy product (T2: OR =0.44, 95% CI =0.25- 0.76 ;T3: OR =0.33, 95% CI =0.19-0.59) were negatively associated with nonexcellent lung capacity, whereas the T2 group of red meat intake ( OR =2.51, 95% CI =1.37-4.67) was positively associated with non excellent lung capacity. Non excellent lung capacity was found to be negatively associated with vegetable and milk and dairy product intake in boys by test for trend; in girls, milk and dairy products intake was negatively associated with non excellent lung capacity, whereas red meat intake was positively associated with non excellent lung capacity ( t =-1.13,-0.44;-3.03,1.95, P trend <0.05).
Conclusions
Milk and dariy products intakes reduce the risk of non excellent lung capacity in pupils, vegetables intakes reduce the risk of non excellent lung capacity in boys, and the intake of red meat increases the risk of non excellent lung capacity in girls. Promoting rational food choices is necessary for children to improve healthy lung development.
3.Effect of Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid on a mouse model of alcoholic hepatitis and its mechanism of action
Xingnian ZHOU ; Yuhong LIU ; Yujie QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Mingliang CHENG ; Hong LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(2):335-342
ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention mechanism of Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid in mice with alcoholic hepatitis. MethodsA total of 70 healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, were randomly divided into normal group, model group, liquid feed control group, silybin group, and low-, middle-, and high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid groups, with 10 mice in each group. The mice in the normal group were given normal diet, and those in the other groups were given Lieber-DeCarli classic liquid diet for 8 weeks to induce alcoholic hepatitis. During modeling, the mice in the low-, middle-, and high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid groups were given Dendrobium liquid manufactured by Warmen Pharmaceutical, and the mice in all the other groups were given pure water; the mice in the normal group, the model group, and the liquid feed control group were given normal saline by gavage, those in the silybin group were given silybin 0.25 mL/10 g by gavage, and those in the low-, middle-, and high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid groups were given Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid at a dose of 0.125 mL/10 g, 0.250 mL/10 g, and 0.375 mL/10 g, respectively, by gavage, once a day. At week 8, chloral hydrate was injected intraperitoneally for anesthesia, and blood samples were collected from the eyeball. After serum was separated, the biochemical method was used to measure the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT); HE staining and oil red staining were used to observe liver histopathology and lipid accumulation in mice; multiplex Luminex assay was used to measure the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and CCL2; quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assay were used to measure the protein expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-11, gasdermin D (GSDMD), N-terminal gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group had significant increases in the serum levels of AST, ALT, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CCL2 (all P<0.05), and compared with the model group, the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had significant reductions in the serum levels of AST, ALT, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CCL2 (all P<0.05). HE staining showed that the model group had disordered structure of hepatic lobules, with a large number of steatosis vacuoles and massive cell necrosis, and compared with the model group, the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had alleviation of liver histopathological injury, intact structure of most hepatic lobules, and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Oil red staining showed that the model group had accumulation of large and small lipid droplets in the liver and a significant increase in liver fat content, and compared with the model group, the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had significant alleviation of hepatic steatosis, with the presence of sporadic small lipid droplets. Immunofluorescence assay of liver tissue showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had a significant increase in the ratio of GSDMD-positive staining area in hepatocyte cytoplasm (P<0.001), and compared with the model group, the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had a significant reduction in such ratio in hepatocyte cytoplasm (P<0.001). Quantitative real-time PCR showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-11, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, interleukin-18 (IL-18), and IL-1β in liver tissue (all P<0.05), and compared with the model group, the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-11, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-18, and IL-1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the high-dose Dendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of caspase-1 and caspase-11 (both P<0.05), with a relative expression level of caspase-1 of 1.757 (reduced by 26.6% compared with the model group) and a relative expression level of caspase-11 of 0.455 (reduced by 70.3% compared with the model group), suggesting that caspase-11 showed a greater reduction than caspase-1. ConclusionDendrobium officinale leaf fermentation fluid can alleviate alcoholic hepatitis in mice, possibly by inhibiting the non-classical cell pyroptosis pathway mediated by caspase-11.
5.Effect of Compound Phyllanthus urinaria Ⅱ on Growth and Expression of miR-122 and IGF-1R of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Hep3B Cells in Nude Mice
Yujie XU ; Wanli QIN ; Xiaohui LI ; Changqing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(23):28-35
ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanism of the compound Phyllanthus urinaria Ⅱ (CPU Ⅱ)on the growth of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B2.1-7 (Short for Hep3R) cells in nude mice. MethodAfter the establishment of a xenograft model of hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells in mice, the model mice were randomly divided into a model group, a high-dose CPU Ⅱ group (57.5 g·kg-1), a low-dose CPU Ⅱ group (28.75 g·kg-1), and a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) group (0.025 g·kg-1), with eight mice in each group. The mice in the high- and low-dose CPU Ⅱ groups were treated with drugs by gavage, once per day, and those in the model group were treated with the same volume of normal saline. The mice in the 5-FU group were treated by 5-FU by intraperitoneal injection, once every other day. After 28 days of administration, mice were sacrificed, and transplanted tumors were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of tumor tissues. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect cell apoptosis of tumor tissues. The mRNA expression of miR-122 and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) in tumor tissues was detected by Real-time quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR). The protein expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α), and IGF-1R in tumor tissues was detected by Western blot. ResultThe tumor suppression rates of the high- and low-dose CPU Ⅱ groups and the 5-FU group were 74.90%, 63.62%, and 64.15%, respectively. Compared with the model group, the CPU Ⅱ groups and the 5-FU group showed reduced weight (P<0.01) and volume of tumors (P<0.01), decreased PCNA positive cells, shallow staining, increased apoptosis cells of transplanted tumor tissues (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased expression of mRNA expression of miR-122 (P<0.01), down-regulated mRNA expression of IGF-1R (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein expression of C/EBPα and HNF-4α in nude mouse transplanted tumor tissues (P<0.01). The expression of IGF-1R protein in the high-dose CPU Ⅱ group was down-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with the low-dose CPU Ⅱ group, the high-dose CPU Ⅱ group showed increased apoptotic cells (P<0.01), up-regulated mRNA expression of miR-122 (P<0.01), and increased expression of C/EBPα and HNF-4α proteins (P<0.01). ConclusionCPU Ⅱ has an obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells in nude mice. The mechanism of action is related to enhancing the expression of transcription factors HNF-4α and C/EBPα, thereby promoting the expression of miR-122 and inhibiting the expression of its target gene IGF-1R.
6.Establishment of the data capture and management platform for case-control study on precocious puberty based on REDCap system
Yujie QIN ; Linhao WANG ; Hongyang DENG ; Mengnan LU ; Baibing MI ; Yanfeng XIAO ; Jing ZHOU
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(1):115-120
【Objective】 To conduct a case-control study on precocious puberty as an example to introduce the establishment and design of the electronic Data capture and management platform using Research Electronic data Capture (REDCap) system and support the development of clinical research. 【Methods】 Based on the clinical REDCap system, the case-control research project of precocious puberty was created, the case report forms were designed, the user rights were set, and the data quality control rules were formulated. 【Results】 We established the electronic data capture and management platform for our research, which had 15 case report forms, to collect the data of the participants, including sociodemographic information, time for rest and activities, diet, exposure to environmental internal-secretion interfering-substances, physical examination and biochemical indicators. We conducted project management by setting up features such as user permissions and workgroups, and added data quality verification rules to control data quality. The data could be exported in various file formats for analysis and sharing. 【Conclusion】 The application of REDCap to establish the data capture and management platform of precocious puberty case-control study has promoted the efficient implementation of clinical research, which can be further popularized and applied to clinical researches in other fields.
7.Effect of Fuzitang on Proliferation of Human Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblast Cell Line MH7A and Expression of miR-155
Wanli QIN ; Yujie XU ; Zhenzhen PAN ; Xiaohui LI ; Zhenhua WANG ; Jianping SONG ; Qin XU ; Xinan HUANG ; Changqing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(14):29-35
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Fuzitang (FZT) on the proliferation of MH7A cells, the human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts, and the expression of miR-155 and explore its anti-rheumatoid arthritis mechanism. MethodMH7A cells were cultured in vitro and divided into a blank group, high- (25 g·L-1) and low-dose (12.5 g·L-1) FZT groups, and a positive drug group (hydroxychloroquine, 0.006 25 g·L-1). The cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method, and the change in the MH7A cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of miR-155 and its downstream genes, including SH2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase-1(SHIP-1), protein kinase B 3(Akt3), and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), and the protein expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt3, and mTOR was detected by Western blot. ResultFZT in vitro in a concentration of 6.25 g·L-1 above could inhibit the proliferation of MH7A cells in the significant dose- and time-effect manner. Compared with the blank group, the FZT groups showed increased proportions of cells in the G2/M phase (P<0.05), and the high-dose FZT group showed a decreased proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase (P<0.05). The arresting effect of FZT on the cell cycle was in a significant dose-effect manner. Compared with the blank group, the FZT groups showed down-regulated miR-155 and mTOR mRNA expression (P<0.05), and the high-dose FZT group showed up-regulated SHIP1 mRNA expression and down-regulated Akt3 mRNA expression (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the FZT groups showed reduced protein expression of PI3K, Akt3, and mTOR (P<0.05). ConclusionFZT can significantly inhibit the proliferation of MH7A cells, and the mechanism is related to the promotion of the expression of SHIP-1 and down-regulation of the gene expression of the PI3K/Akt3/mTOR signaling pathway by down-regulating the expression of miR-155.
8.Clonality relatedness and molecular characteristics of Richter transformation
Yeqin SHA ; Rui JIANG ; Yi MIAO ; Tonglu QIU ; Shuchao QIN ; Jingyan QIU ; Hongling MI ; Wei WU ; Chun QIAO ; Yujie WU ; Yi XIA ; Li WANG ; Lei FAN ; Wei XU ; Jianyong LI ; Huayuan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2022;43(10):841-847
Objective:To investigate the clinical, genetic, and clonality related aspects of individuals with Richter transformation (RT) .Methods:From January 2019 to December 2021, 18 RT patients with diagnoses at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Pukou CLL center) were retrospectively examined. The immunoglobin heavy variable (IGHV) gene usage and IGHV-D-J rearrangement pattern of diagnosed CLL/SLL and transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were compared to determine the clonality relatedness. To investigate the risk factors of RT, Clinical and laboratory data from patients with newly diagnosed CLL/SLL and transformed DLBCL were gathered.Results:The median age of RT was 56.5 (41-75) years old. 17 patients transformed to DLBCL and 1 transformed to Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) . Of 17 individuals who had DLBCL transformation, 15 had CLL/SLL-related clonality and 2 had unrelated clonality. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of 11 paired initially diagnosed treatment-naive CLL/SLL and RT DLBCL found that EGR2、TP53 and NOTCH1 were among the most frequently mutated genes both in treatment-naive CLL/SLL and in RT DLBCL. In several cases, specific mutations were gained or lost throughout RT, indicating clonal evolution. Among 10 patients before exposure to BTK inhibitors before RT, four patients acquired BTK mutation. The aforementioned mutations should be considered high-risk variables for transformation; in addition, TP53 and EGR2 mutations could be linked to a poor prognosis following RT in patients receiving a cocktail of new medicines.Conclusion:Most RT DLBCL patients in our center are clonality related (15/17, 88.2% ) and we recommend all qualified centers to evaluate clonality relatedness of RT DLBCL patients. There was some variability in the mutational landscape between DLBCL that had undergone a transformation and initially diagnosed, treatment-naive CLL/SLL. The underlying molecular mechanism of RT needs more research.
9.Correlations between pruritus and CC chemokine ligand 17 in patients with mycosis fungoides
Haihao PAN ; Yingyi LI ; Yao QIN ; Yujie WEN ; Pan LAI ; Shan XIONG ; Mengzhou CAO ; Jingru SUN ; Ping TU ; Yang WANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2022;55(11):969-975
Objective:To investigate molecules involved in the occurrence of pruritus in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) .Methods:Totally, 522 patients with MF were enrolled from Peking University First Hospital from October 2009 to August 2021, and the incidence of pruritus was calculated. The patients were grouped according to whether they suffered from pruritus or not. RNA sequencing data on biopsied skin lesions of 49 patients were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes between patients with pruritus and those without; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical techniques were performed to determine the protein expression of CC chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17) in serum samples from 88 MF patients, and in tissue samples from 81 MF patients, respectively; flow cytometry was conducted to detect markers for T lymphocyte activation and differentiation in peripheral blood samples from 46 MF patients to identify peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets associated with pruritus. Statistical analysis was carried out by using chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman correlation analysis. Results:Among the 522 patients with MF, 305 were males and 217 were females; 347 were diagnosed with early-stage MF, and 175 with advanced MF. The incidence of pruritus was 67.2% (351/522) in the patients with MF, and significantly higher in the patients with advanced MF (81.7%, 143/175) than in those with early-stage MF (59.9%, 208/347; χ2 = 25.03, P < 0.001) . RNA sequencing showed that CCL17 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the MF patients with pruritus than in those without (fold change = 10.09, P < 0.001) . The serum CCL17 concentration was significantly elevated in the patients with pruritus (1 017.05[377.12, 4 831.80] pg/ml) compared with those without (361.66 [180.47, 500.08] pg/ml; Z = -4.57, P < 0.001) , and correlated with pruritus scores ( r = 0.57, P = 0.010) . In both early and advanced stages of MF, the serum CCL17 concentration was significantly higher in the patients with pruritus than in those without ( Z = -3.68, P < 0.001; Z = -2.54, P = 0.011, respectively) . Immunohistochemical staining revealed that there was no significant difference in the relative quantification value of CCL17 between the patients with pruritus and those without ( Z = -1.84, P = 0.066) . The percentage of CD3 +CD4 +CD26 -CCR4 + malignant T cells significantly increased in the MF patients with pruritus than in those without ( Z = -2.03, P = 0.043) , and was positively correlated with serum CCL17 concentrations ( r = 0.49, P < 0.001) . Conclusions:Both CCL17 mRNA expression in lesional tissues and serum CCL17 concentrations increased in MF patients with pruritus, and CCL17 was associated with the occurrence of pruritus. CCL17 may be involved in the occurrence of pruritus through the recruitment of CD3 +CD4 +CD26 -CCR4 + malignant T cells.
10.Prognostic scoring system in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombus to predict the prognosis of hepatic resection
Changzhi CHEN ; Yapeng QI ; Liang LIU ; Kezhang QIN ; Yujie ZHOU ; Jianhong ZHONG ; Liang MA ; Weiping YUAN ; Bangde XIANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2021;27(4):257-261
Objective:To investigate the risk factors for overall survival in operable hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT-HCC) patients and establish a scoring system.Methods:Survival data in 253 PVTT-HCC patients were retrospectively analyzed in Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital. Survival curves were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox stepwise regression analysis was used to identify independent preoperative risk factors affecting overall survival. A prognostic scoring system based on independent risk factors and their relative coefficients was established to screen patients with greater hepatic resection benefits, and the identification ability of the model was based on ROC.Results:A total of 253 patients with PVTT-HCC were enrolled in this study, there were 222 males and 31 females, with a median age 44 years. The median survival time in all patients was (13.00±2.15) months. Rate of overall survival was 51.8% at 1 year, 25.0% at 3 years and 17.7% at 5 years. Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed four risk factors including: AST≥40 U/L, ALP (≥80 U/L), tumor number (>1), and incomplete tumor capsule. A prognostic scoring system was established based on these variables. The area under curve of the scoring system was 0.780 (95% CI: 0.715-0.845). Patients were classified as low- or high-risk group for hepatic resection depending on whether their score was <3 ( n=77) or ≥3 ( n=176), respectively. High-risk patients had a median survival of 10 months, compared to 29 months in low-risk patients. Low-risk patients also had better survival rates at 1 year (75.3% vs 41.5%), 3 years (47.6% vs 15.2%), and 5 years (34.7% vs 10.5%), P<0.05. Conclusion:A prognostic scoring system for hepatic resection in PVTT-HCC patients has been developed based entirely on preoperative variables. Using this system, patients belong to the low risk group have better prognosis after surgery, which can provide a basis for surgical treatment of PVTT-HCC patients.


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