1.Effect of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing Serum on CircRNA_0001543/NF-κB Expression in Co-cultured PBMCs and Human FLSs from Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Yajun QI ; Jian LIU ; Qiao ZHOU ; Yuedi HU ; Xiang DING ; Chengzhi CONG ; Xu LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):87-95
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the effects of Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum on the expression of CircRNA_0001543/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in co-cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MethodsVenous blood was collected from patients with AS to isolate PBMCs. FLSs were co-cultured with AS patients' PBMCs, and FLSs were harvested after co-culture for subsequent experiments. The normal control group consisted of normal FLSs, while the model group comprised co-cultured AS PBMCs and FLSs to simulate AS pathology. The Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules group involved adding Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum to the co-cultured cells(6.48 g·kg-1). To investigate the effect of HQC-containing serum on the viability of co-cultured cells, and the experiment was divided into the following groups based on the dilution concentration: blank group, 10% HQC group, 20% HQC group, and 30% HQC group.To study the influence of the optimal concentration of HQC-containing serum on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group, the experiment was divided into three groups: normal group, model group, and optimal concentration HQC-containing serum group.For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 interference plasmid, the experiment was divided into the following groups: blank group, si-NC group (with transfection reagent), si-circ_0001543-1 group (with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 1 targeting circ_0001543), si-circ_0001543-2 group (with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 2 targeting circ_0001543), and si-circ_0001543-3 group (with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 3 targeting circ_0001543).For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 overexpression plasmid, the experiment was divided into the following groups: blank group, OE-NC group (with transfection reagent), and OE-circ_0001543 group (with transfection reagent and overexpression plasmid targeting circ_0001543).To study the effects of CircRNA_0001543 interference/overexpression on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group, the experiment was divided into the following groups: si-NC group, si-CircRNA_0001543 group, OE-NC group, and OE-CircRNA_0001543 group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, IL-37, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was utilized to measure the expression of CircRNA_0001543, IκBα, and NF-κB p65. ResultsAfter 48 hours, 30% Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum significantly inhibited the proliferation of co-cultured PBMCs and FLSs, which was determined to be the optimal experimental drug-containing serum concentration. Compared with those in the normal group, the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA, IL-10, and IL-37 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA, IL-10, and IL-37 were significantly increased (P<0.05), with the most prominent changes in the 30% drug-containing serum group (P<0.01). Compared with that in the si-NC group, the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly reduced in the si-CircRNA_0001543 group (P<0.01). Compared with that in the OE-NC group, the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly increased in the OE-CircRNA_0001543 group (P<0.01), indicating that the si-CircRNA_0001543 and OE-CircRNA_0001543 plasmids were successfully transfected. Based on the optimal drug-containing serum of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules, si-CircRNA_0001543 transfection led to significantly increased expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α and decreased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 (P<0.01). In contrast, OE-CircRNA_0001543 transfection significantly decreased the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01) and increased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 (P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum can improve immune inflammation in AS by increasing the expression of CircRNA_0001543, regulating the NF-κB pathway, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokine expression.
2.Animal research on classifying the properties of traditional Chinese medicine using Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning methods
Zi-Ren CHEN ; Shuo ZHANG ; Cong-Jian XU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2024;51(5):795-799
Objective To explore the construction and verification of the classification model for the five properties of traditional Chinese medicine:warm,cool,cold,hot,and neutral.Methods Urine samples of mice after taking Chinese medicine of different properties were selected as research objects,and Raman spectroscopy-related technology was used for detection.The obtained data set was classified into training set and test set,and the classification model was constructed using four machine learning methods:random forest,extreme gradient boosting,support vector machine,and logistic regression.The model performance was evaluated using precision,recall,F1 score,and accuracy.Results A total of 4 888 sets of spectra were collected in this study,of which 80%,totaling 3 910 sets of spectral data,were used to build the model,and the remaining 20%,totaling 978 sets of spectral data,were used to test model performance.The accuracy of the random forest model was 92%,the extreme gradient boosting model was 87%,the support vector machine model was 83%,and the logistic regression model was 75%.The Raman shifts with the highest classification weights were 872,1 012,1 108,1 190 and 1 668 cm-1.Conclusion Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning algorithms can be used to classify the five medicinal properties of traditional Chinese medicine,among which the random forest model has the best effect.
3.A case report of primary Müllerian adenosarcoma of the ovary and literature review
Tao PU ; Fang-Fang ZHONG ; Xiao-Yan ZHANG ; Dong-Dong SHI ; Cong-Jian XU ; Hong-Yuan JIANG ; Ling-Ling FAN
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2024;51(5):850-856
This article reports a case of primary Müllerian adenosarcoma(MA)of the ovary admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University in 2022,reviews the literature on this rare disease,and shares the experience of its diagnosis and treatment.The patient was a 29-year-old unmarried woman who underwent laparoscopic resection of an ovarian lesion in another hospital.Intraoperatively,it was observed that"the right ovary was enlarged with a cauliflower-shaped mass at the lower pole,measuring about 11 cm×8 cm,unencapsulated,with a fish-like texture,which was completely excised and sent for examination."Postoperative consultation with a(tertiary)hospital in Beijing and our pathology department suggested the diagnosis of ovarian adenosarcoma.Therefore,we performed a comprehensive staged surgery for the patient,i.e.,laparoscopic right salpingo-oophorectomy,cystectomy of the left ovary,omentectomy,multiple peritoneal biopsies,and hysteroscopic resection of cervical canal lesions.The patient received four cycles of postoperative chemotherapy with paclitaxel and ifosfamide.After chemotherapy,the patient has been regular followed up and showed no signs of recurrence during the almost 2-year postoperative follow-up period.
4.Effect of Nucleolin on Lymphoma Proliferation by Regulating Thymidine Kinase 1.
Xu-Qiao MEI ; Jian-Da HU ; Ting YANG ; A-Yang WU ; Yu-Huang XU ; Zi-Hang LIN ; Cong-Meng LIN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2023;31(3):699-706
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the mechanism of nucleolin (NCL) involved in lymphoma proliferation by regulating thymidine kinase 1 (TK1).
METHODS:
Twenty-three patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were selected and divided into initial treatment group (14 cases) and relapsed/refractory group (9 cases). Serum TK1 and C23 protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected. Cell models of CA46-NCL-KD (CA46-NCL-knockdown) and CA46-NCL-KNC (CA46-NCL-knockdown negative control) were established by lentivirus vector mediated transfection in Burkitt lymphoma cell line CA46. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CA46-NCL-KD, CA46-NCL-KNC, and CA46 to adriamycin were detected by cell proliferation assay (MTS). The expression of NCL mRNA and protein in CA46-NCL-KD and CA46-NCL-KNC cells were dectected by Q-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The cell cycle of CA46-NCL-KD, CA46-NCL-KNC, and CA46 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of TK1 protein in CA46-NCL-KD and CA46-NCL-KNC cells was detected by an enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) dot blot assay.
RESULTS:
The level of serum TK1 in the initial treatment group was 0.43(0-30-1.01) pmol/L, which was lower than 10.56(2.19-14.99) pmol/L in the relapsed/refractory group (P<0-01), and the relative expression level of NCL protein in peripheral blood was also significantly lower. The IC50 of CA46-C23-KD cells to adriamycin was (0.147±0.02) μg/ml, which was significantly lower than (0.301±0.04) μg/ml of CA46-C23-KNC cells and (0.338±0.05) μg/ml of CA46 cells (P<0.05). Compared with CA46-NCL-KNC cells, the expression of NCL mRNA and protein, TK1 protein decreased in CA46-NCL-KD cells, and the proportion of S phase and G2/M phase also decreased, while G0/G1 phase increased in cell cycle.
CONCLUSION
The increased expression of NCL in DLBCL and CA46 cells indicates low sensitivity to drug. NCL may participate in regulation of lymphoma proliferation by affecting TK1 expression, thereby affecting the drug sensitivity.
Humans
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Lymphoma
;
Thymidine Kinase/pharmacology*
;
Doxorubicin/pharmacology*
;
Cell Division
;
RNA, Messenger/genetics*
5.Loss-of-function CFTR p.G970D missense mutation might cause congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens and be associated with impaired spermatogenesis.
Jian-Wen HOU ; Xiao-Liang LI ; Li WANG ; Cong-Ling DAI ; Na LI ; Xiao-Hui JIANG ; Yue-Qiu TAN ; Er-Po TIAN ; Qin-Tong LI ; Wen-Ming XU
Asian Journal of Andrology 2023;25(1):58-65
Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is observed in 1%-2% of males presenting with infertility and is clearly associated with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations. CFTR is one of the most well-known genes related to male fertility. The frequency of CFTR mutations or impaired CFTR expression is increased in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). CFTR mutations are highly polymorphic and have established ethnic specificity. Compared with F508Del in Caucasians, the p.G970D mutation is reported to be the most frequent CFTR mutation in Chinese patients with cystic fibrosis. However, whether p.G970D participates in male infertility remains unknown. Herein, a loss-of-function CFTR p.G970D missense mutation was identified in a patient with CBAVD and NOA. Subsequent retrospective analysis of 122 Chinese patients with CBAVD showed that the mutation is a common pathogenic mutation (4.1%, 5/122), excluding polymorphic sites. Furthermore, we generated model cell lines derived from mouse testes harboring the homozygous Cftr p.G965D mutation equivalent to the CFTR variant in patients. The Cftr p.G965D mutation may be lethal in spermatogonial stem cells and spermatogonia and affect the proliferation of spermatocytes and Sertoli cells. In spermatocyte GC-2(spd)ts (GC2) Cftr p.G965D cells, RNA splicing variants were detected and CFTR expression decreased, which may contribute to the phenotypes associated with impaired spermatogenesis. Thus, this study indicated that the CFTR p.G970D missense mutation might be a pathogenic mutation for CBAVD in Chinese males and associated with impaired spermatogenesis by affecting the proliferation of germ cells.
Humans
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Animals
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Mutation, Missense
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/genetics*
;
Infertility, Male/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Vas Deferens/abnormalities*
;
Spermatogenesis/genetics*
6.The influence of family structure on depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescents: the mediating role of emotional neglect.
Xin-Xin HUANG ; Yu-Ting LI ; Jian-Hua CHEN ; Jing-Jing MA ; En-Zhao CONG ; Yi-Feng XU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2023;25(1):80-85
OBJECTIVES:
To study the influence of family structure on depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescents and its mechanism.
METHODS:
The cluster sampling method was used to select the students from seven middle schools in Shanghai, China. An online questionnaire survey was conducted using a self-made general status questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Children's Depression Inventory, and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders. The methods including one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, binary logistic regression analysis, and mediating effect analysis were used to evaluate depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescents and the difference in childhood trauma and its mediating effect.
RESULTS:
Compared with the adolescents from nuclear families, the adolescents from three-generation lineal families had a lower risk of depression symptoms (OR=0.794, 95%CI: 0.649-0.972, P<0.05), while those from host families had a higher risk of depression symptoms (OR=4.548, 95%CI: 1.113-18.580, P<0.05). The adolescents from inter-generational families and host families had a significantly higher score on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire subscale of emotional neglect (P<0.05). Emotional neglect played a mediating role in the influence of inter-generational families and host families on depression symptoms in adolescents.
CONCLUSIONS
Parents and grandparents have a certain positive effect in family structures. Separation from parents may make adolescents perceive more emotional neglect, which may increase the occurrence of depression symptoms.
Child
;
Humans
;
Adolescent
;
Depression/epidemiology*
;
Family Structure
;
Child Abuse/psychology*
;
China
;
Anxiety/epidemiology*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
7.Association between maternal job burnout and adolescent depression: the chain mediating effect of maternal depression and parenting style.
Yu-Ting LI ; Ying-Yan ZHONG ; Jian-Hua CHEN ; Xin-Xin HUANG ; En-Zhao CONG ; Yi-Feng XU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2023;25(2):186-192
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the association between maternal job burnout and adolescent depression and the mediating effect of maternal depression and parenting style.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted. The cluster random sampling method was used to select 2 572 adolescents from 7 middle schools in Shanghai, China, from April to May, 2021. A survey was performed for these adolescents and their mothers. The research tools included a general information questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, short-form of Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran, and Children's Depression Inventory. A structural equation model was established, and the Bootstrap method was used to investigate the mediating effect.
RESULTS:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms was 12.71% (327/2 572) among the adolescents. The scores of maternal job burnout, maternal depression, and negative parenting style were positively correlated with the score of adolescent depression (P<0.05), and the score of positive parenting style was negatively correlated with the score of adolescent depression (P<0.05). Maternal depression and parenting style played a mediating role between maternal job burnout and adolescent depression, including the individual mediating effect of maternal depression, the individual mediating effect of positive parenting style, and the chain mediating effect of maternal depression-negative/positive parenting style.
CONCLUSIONS
Maternal job burnout may affect adolescent depression through the mediating effect of depression, parenting style, and depression-parenting style, suggesting that the symptoms of adolescent depression can be reduced by alleviating maternal job burnout, improving maternal depression, increasing positive parenting behaviors, and reducing negative parenting behaviors.
Child
;
Adolescent
;
Humans
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Parenting
;
China
;
Burnout, Psychological
8.Lipopolysaccharides protect mesenchymal stem cell against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury by HMGB1/STAT3 signaling.
Jing-Yi WEN ; Hui-Xi PENG ; Dan WANG ; Zhi-Min WEN ; Yu-Tong LIU ; Jian QU ; Hong-Xuan CUI ; Yu-Ying WANG ; Yan-Lin DU ; Ting WANG ; Cong GENG ; Bing XU
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2023;20(11):801-812
BACKGROUND:
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a serious and irreversible injury. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is considered to be a potential therapy for I/R injury due to the paracrine effects. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a novel mediator in MSC and regulates the response of inflammation injury. Signal Transduction and Transcription Activator 3 (STAT3) is a critical transcription factor and important for release of paracrine factors. However, the relationship between HMGB1 and STAT3 in paracrine effect of MSC remains unknown.
METHODS:
In vitro, hypoxia/reoxygenation injury model was established by AnaeroPack System and examined by Annexin V flow cytometry, CCK8 assay and morphology observation. Detection of apoptotic proteins and protein expression of HMGB1 and STAT3 by Western blot.
RESULTS:
The conditioned medium of MSCs with or without LPS pretreatment was cocultured with H9C2 cells for 24 h before hypoxia treatment and MSC showed obvious cardiomyocytes protect role, as evidence by decreased apoptosis rate and improved cells viability, and LPS pretreated MSC exhibited better protect role than untreated MSC. However, such effect was abolished in HMGB1 deficiency group, silencing HMGB1 decreased the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin growth factor (IGF), cell viability, and the expression of STAT3. Furthermore, STAT3 silence attenuated the protective effect of LPS in MSC.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggested that LPS improved MSC-mediated cardiomyocytes protection by HMGB1/STAT3 signaling.
9.Influencing factors for shoulder stiffness after rotator cuff tear
Chenwei GUAN ; Cong XU ; Bingguang WANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Jinwei LUO
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2022;24(2):144-148
Objective:To study the influencing factors for shoulder stiffness after rotator cuff tear.Methods:The data of 228 patients were retrospectively analyzed who had been diagnosed with rotator cuff tear by arthroscopic surgery at Department of Articular Surgery, Hospital Affiliated to Chengde Medical College from June 2019 to May 2021. Their baseline data were recorded immediately after admission, including possible risk factors for shoulder stiffness. The patients were divided into a stiffness group and a non-stiffness group based on passive range of motion of shoulder joint. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to find out the influencing factors for shoulder stiffness after rotator cuff tear.Results:Preliminary univariate analysis showed that advanced age, smoking history, misdiagnosis history, no standardized physiotherapy history, high body mass index (BMI) and long duration of disease were all likely risk factors for shoulder stiffness in patients with rotator cuff tear ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that advanced age( OR=1.474, 95% CI: 1.013~2.145, P=0.043), smoking history( OR=2.239, 95% CI: 1.147~4.368, P=0.018), no standardized physiotherapy history( OR=0.167, 95% CI: 0.065~0.424, P<0.001), high BMI( OR=3.029, 95% CI: 1.657~5.536, P<0.001) and long duration of disease ( OR=1.775, 95% CI: 1.384~2.276, P<0.001) were the risk factors for shoulder stiffness. Conclusion:Age>60 years, smoking history, misdiagnosis history, no standardized physiotherapy history, high body mass index and long course of disease may be the important influencing factors for shoulder stiffness after rotator cuff tear.
10.Mechanism of Xueniao Capsule in Treatment of Acute Pyelonephritis Based on Network Pharmacology
Hui HUA ; Cong LIU ; Yu-xia HE ; Jian-cui LIN ; Qiong WU ; Xu-liang HAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(2):208-219
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Xueniao capsule in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis (APN) by network pharmacology and experimental verification. MethodThe effect of Xueniao capsule on APN was investigated based on the APN model in rats. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Chemistryl Database, and SymMap were searched for the chemical components of Smilacis Chinae Rhizoma,Coicis Semen, and Trachycarpi Petiolus. The target information of the components was collected from PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction, and disease target information from Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DrugBank, DisGeNET, GeneCards, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM). The key genes of Xueniao capsule for APN underwent Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses by Metascap. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot were employed to verify the prediction results. ResultCompared with the blank group and the sham operation group, the model group showed an increased ratio of the left kidney to the right kidney and organ index(P<0.05, P<0.01),up-regulated white blood cells (WBC),neutrophils (NEUT),monocytes (MONO), and lymphocytes (LY)(P<0.05, P<0.01), and elevated levels of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the norfloxacin group, the low- and high-dose Xueniao capsule groups showed a decreased ratio of the left kidney to the right kidney and organ index(P<0.05, P<0.01), dwindled levels of WBC, NEUT, MONO, and LY(P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced levels of NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α(P<0.05, P<0.01). The medium-dose Xueniao capsule group showed a decreased ratio of the left kidney to the right kidney and organ index(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced levels of WBC, NEUT, MONO, and LY(P<0.05, P<0.01), and dwindled levels of IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05, P<0.01). Network pharmacological analysis revealed 17 active compounds from Smilacis Chinae Rhizoma, 18 active compounds from Coicis Semen, six active compounds from Trachycarpi Petiolus, and 39 key genes for the treatment of APN in Xueniao capsule. GO enrichment analysis demonstrated 704 biological processes, 22 cellular components, and 59 molecular functions. Sixty-two pathways were enriched in KEGG enrichment analysis. The experimental verification results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased mRNA expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1)/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 2 (ERK2),phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K),protein kinase B2(Akt2),Janus kinase 2 (JAK2),and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)and protein expression of PI3K, Akt2, JAK2, and STAT3 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low-dose Xueniao capsule group showed decreased mRNA expression of MAPK1, PI3K, JAK2, and STAT3 and protein expression of PI3K, JAK2, and STAT3 (P<0.05, P<0.01). The medium-dose Xueniao capsule group showed decreased mRNA expression of MAPK1, PTGS2, PI3K, JAK2, and STAT3, and protein expression of PI3K, JAK2, and STAT3 (P<0.05, P<0.01). The high-dose Xueniao capsule group showed reduced mRNA expression of PTGS2, MAPK1, PI3K, Akt2, JAK2, and STAT3 and protein expression of PI3K, Akt2, JAK2, and STAT3 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionXueniao capsule has a certain curative effect on APN via multiple targets and multiple pathways. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

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