1.Establishment and validation of a bioinformatics ferroptosis gene diagnostic model for myocardial infarction and immunological analysis
Yufang GONG ; Haixia DENG ; Yan LU ; Wei ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(12):1754-1763
Objective To establish and validate the diagnostic model of ferroptosis genes for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) based on bioinformatics. Methods Five AMI gene expression data were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), namely GSE66360, GSE48060, GSE60993, GSE83500, GSE34198. Among them, GSE66360 was used as the training set to perform differential analysis, and intersection of differential genes and ferroptosis genes was taken to obtain differentially expressed ferroptosis genes in AMI. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed using Metascape website. Subsequently, random forest (RF) algorithm was used to screen out key genes with high classification performance according to the Keeny coefficient score, and artificial neural network (ANN) diagnostic model of AMI ferroptosis feature gene was constructed by model group GSE83500. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 10-fold cross-validation was used to evaluate the performance and generalization ability of the model, and 3 external independent datasets were used to verify the diagnostic performance of this model. The single sample gene set enrichment analysis was used to explore the difference in immune cell infiltration between infarcted myocardium and normal myocardium after AMI. In addition, correlation analysis between immune cells and key genes was also conducted. Finally, potential drugs that would prevent and treat AMI by regulating ferroptosis were screened out from the Coremin Medical platform. Results A total of 16 differentially expressed ferroptosis genes were obtained in the training set, GO enrichment analysis showed that they mainly participated in biological functions such as cellular response to biological stimuli and chemical stress, and regulation of interleukin 17. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these genes were significantly enriched in NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, programmed cell necrosis, Leishmaniasis and other pathways. Four genes with good classification performance were screened out using RF algorithm, namely EPAS1, SLC7A5, FTH1, and ZFP36. The results of 10-fold cross-validation showed that the minimum AUC value was 0.746, the maximum value was 0.906, and the average value was 0.805. The AUC of the ANN model was 0.859, and the AUC values of the three independent validation sets were 0.763 (GSE48060), 0.673 (GSE60993), 0.698 (GSE34198). Immune cell infiltration found that macrophages, mast cells and monocytes were significantly active after AMI. Correlation analysis found that there were positive correlations between 4 key genes and activated dendritic cells, eosinophils and γδT cells. A total of 20 potential western medicines were predicted which could prevent and treat AMI by regulating ferroptosis, and the predicted potential Chinese medicine was mainly heat-clearing and detoxifying and blood-activating and removing blood stasis drugs. Conclusion The identified AMI ferroptosis genes by bioinformatics method have certain diagnostic significance, which provides a reference for disease diagnosis and treatment.
2.Shenlian Extract Protects against Ultrafine Particulate Matter-Aggravated Myocardial Ischemic Injury by Inhibiting Inflammation and Cell Apoptosis.
Shui Qing QU ; Yan LIANG ; Shuo Qiu DENG ; Yu LI ; Yue DAI ; Cheng Cheng LIU ; Tuo LIU ; Lu Qi WANG ; Li Na CHEN ; Yu Jie LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):206-218
OBJECTIVE:
Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to ultrafine particulate matter (UPM, aerodynamic diameter < 0.1 µm) is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Previous studies have found that Shenlian (SL) extract possesses anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties and has a promising protective effect at all stages of the atherosclerotic disease process. In this study, we aimed to investigated whether SL improves UPM-aggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis.
METHODS:
We established a mouse model of MI+UPM. Echocardiographic measurement, measurement of myocardialinfarct size, biochemical analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), histopathological analysis, Transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL), Western blotting (WB), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and so on were used to explore the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of SL in vivo and in vitro.
RESULTS:
SL treatment can attenuate UPM-induced cardiac dysfunction by improving left ventricular ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and decreasing cardiac infarction area. SL significantly reduced the levels of myocardial enzymes and attenuated UPM-induced morphological alterations. Moreover, SL significantly reduced expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. UPM further increased the infiltration of macrophages in myocardial tissue, whereas SL intervention reversed this phenomenon. UPM also triggered myocardial apoptosis, which was markedly attenuated by SL treatment. The results of in vitro experiments revealed that SL prevented cell damage caused by exposure to UPM combined with hypoxia by reducing the expression of the inflammatory factor NF-κB and inhibiting apoptosis in H9c2 cells.
CONCLUSION
Overall, both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that SL attenuated UPM-aggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis. The mechanisms were related to the downregulation of macrophages infiltrating heart tissues.
Animals
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Particulate Matter/adverse effects*
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Mice
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Male
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Inflammation/drug therapy*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Myocardial Ischemia/drug therapy*
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Cell Line
3.Analysis of Dengue virus nucleic acid testing screening among blood donors in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, China
Xinru LIU ; Shaofang LU ; Ying YAN ; Jing DONG ; Ji WU ; Jie MA ; Le CHANG ; Huimin JI ; Huizhen SUN ; Mingwen DENG ; Xiaoqian GAO ; Lunan WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(12):1662-1668
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Dengue virus (DENV) infection among voluntary blood donors in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, and to evaluate the necessity of implementing nucleic acid testing (NAT) for blood donors during the rainy season (May-October). Methods: Prior to initiating donor screening, the Xishuangbanna Central Blood Center conducted in-house validation of reagent performance and participated in external quality assessment (EQA) organized by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories (NCCL). During the surveillance period (August-October 2024), a total of 2 919 donor samples were screened using a 6-sample mini-pool NAT strategy. Daily internal quality controls were recorded. Samples that tested positive in pooled screening were deconvoluted and retested in duplicate; only those reactive in both replicate wells were sent to the NCCL for confirmatory testing. At NCCL, samples underwent re-testing using five domestic NAT reagents, as well as serological assays for NS1 antigen and DENV-specific IgG/IgM. Confirmed positive samples were further characterized by serotyping, envelope (E) gene sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis using the maximum likelihood method. Results: The DENV NAT reagent demonstrated consistent detection of 40 copies/mL controls in individual donor (ID)-NAT test (mean CT: 35.61±0.40). During the 63-day quality control monitoring, DENV detection remained stable (mean CT: 22.53±0.72). The center achieved full marks in EQA assessments for 2023 and 2024. Three reactive pools were identified in initial screening, and subsequent individual testing confirmed three DENV RNA-positive donors (sample numbers: 2401, 2402, and 2403). The confirmatory test results from NCCL were: all five NAT platforms consistently detected DENV RNA in the three samples; for serological tests, 2 samples (2402, 2403) were positive for NS1 antigen, while all three samples were negative for both IgG and IgM antibodies. DENV serotyping reagents identified DENV-2 in all cases, which were further confirmed as DENV-2 Genotype Ⅱ-Cosmopolitan by E gene sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that samples 2401 and 2402 clustered with Southeast Asian strains (Thailand/MZ636802.1, Laos/PQ775621.1), while sample 2403 closely matched a previously reported local Yunnan strain (PV544686.1). Conclusion: DENV-2 infection was detected among blood donors in Xishuangbanna during the rainy season, indicating concurrent risks of imported and local transmission. We recommend implementing pooled NAT screening for blood donors in high-risk areas during dengue epidemic seasons, along with strengthened laboratory quality control, to enhance blood safety.
4.Psychological stress-activated NR3C1/NUPR1 axis promotes ovarian tumor metastasis.
Bin LIU ; Wen-Zhe DENG ; Wen-Hua HU ; Rong-Xi LU ; Qing-Yu ZHANG ; Chen-Feng GAO ; Xiao-Jie HUANG ; Wei-Guo LIAO ; Jin GAO ; Yang LIU ; Hiroshi KURIHARA ; Yi-Fang LI ; Xu-Hui ZHANG ; Yan-Ping WU ; Lei LIANG ; Rong-Rong HE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3149-3162
Ovarian tumor (OT) is the most lethal form of gynecologic malignancy, with minimal improvements in patient outcomes over the past several decades. Metastasis is the leading cause of ovarian cancer-related deaths, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Psychological stress is known to activate the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), a factor associated with poor prognosis in OT patients. However, the precise mechanisms linking NR3C1 signaling and metastasis have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that chronic restraint stress accelerates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in OT through an NR3C1-dependent mechanism involving nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1). Mechanistically, NR3C1 directly regulates the transcription of NUPR1, which in turn increases the expression of snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2), a key driver of EMT. Clinically, elevated NR3C1 positively correlates with NUPR1 expression in OT patients, and both are positively associated with poorer prognosis. Overall, our study identified the NR3C1/NUPR1 axis as a critical regulatory pathway in psychological stress-induced OT metastasis, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for intervention in OT metastasis.
5.Memory Reconsolidation Updating in Substance Addiction: Applications, Mechanisms, and Future Prospects for Clinical Therapeutics.
Shihao HUANG ; Xiaoxing LIU ; Zhonghao LI ; Yue SI ; Liping YANG ; Jiahui DENG ; Yixiao LUO ; Yan-Xue XUE ; Lin LU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(2):289-304
Persistent and maladaptive drug-related memories represent a key component in drug addiction. Converging evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies has demonstrated the potential efficacy of the memory reconsolidation updating procedure (MRUP), a non-pharmacological strategy intertwining two distinct memory processes: reconsolidation and extinction-alternatively termed "the memory retrieval-extinction procedure". This procedure presents a promising approach to attenuate, if not erase, entrenched drug memories and prevent relapse. The present review delineates the applications, molecular underpinnings, and operational boundaries of MRUP in the context of various forms of substance dependence. Furthermore, we critically examine the methodological limitations of MRUP, postulating potential refinement to optimize its therapeutic efficacy. In addition, we also look at the potential integration of MRUP and neurostimulation treatments in the domain of substance addiction. Overall, existing studies underscore the significant potential of MRUP, suggesting that interventions predicated on it could herald a promising avenue to enhance clinical outcomes in substance addiction therapy.
Humans
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Substance-Related Disorders/psychology*
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Memory Consolidation/physiology*
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Animals
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Extinction, Psychological/physiology*
6.Gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk: an observational and Mendelian randomization study.
Yuanyue ZHU ; Linhui SHEN ; Yanan HUO ; Qin WAN ; Yingfen QIN ; Ruying HU ; Lixin SHI ; Qing SU ; Xuefeng YU ; Li YAN ; Guijun QIN ; Xulei TANG ; Gang CHEN ; Yu XU ; Tiange WANG ; Zhiyun ZHAO ; Zhengnan GAO ; Guixia WANG ; Feixia SHEN ; Xuejiang GU ; Zuojie LUO ; Li CHEN ; Qiang LI ; Zhen YE ; Yinfei ZHANG ; Chao LIU ; Youmin WANG ; Shengli WU ; Tao YANG ; Huacong DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Tianshu ZENG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yiming MU ; Weiqing WANG ; Guang NING ; Jieli LU ; Min XU ; Yufang BI ; Weiguo HU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):79-89
This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans
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Mendelian Randomization Analysis
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Gallstones/complications*
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Female
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Male
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Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data*
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Middle Aged
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Risk Factors
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Aged
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Adult
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Neoplasms/etiology*
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Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*
7.Bibliographical cataloging for ancient TCM books
Hongtao LI ; Weina ZHANG ; Lin TONG ; Jingpeng DENG ; Qian ZHAO ; Honglei WANG ; Naiying LIU ; Mei SHI ; Qiang LIU ; Ying LIN ; Xiaohong ZHANG ; Lili FENG ; Mingrui ZHANG ; Yanqiu LUO ; Guangkun CHEN ; Yan DONG ; Bin LI ; Sihong LIU ; Bing LI ; Chen LI ; Meng LI ; Rui WANG ; He LU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(6):729-740
With reference to the Information and Documentation-Resource Description (GB/T 3792-2021) and Bibliographical Description for Ancient Chinese Books (GB/T 3792.7-2008) and other cataloging standards and rules, drawing on the practical experience of cataloging ancient TCM books, Bibliographical Cataloging for Ancient TCM Books was formulated. This standard specifies the entry items and their order of ancient TCM books, cataloging identifier, cataloging text, cataloging information source, and cataloging item details. The standard can provide standardized and unified guiding principles and methods for the work of ancient TCM books, and promote the sharing and utilization of ancient TCM books.
8.Guidelines for the Digital Ancient Books of TCM Indexing
Weina ZHANG ; Bing LI ; Bin LI ; Jing XIE ; Yan DONG ; Wei LONG ; Chuchu ZHANG ; Tong WEI ; Sihong LIU ; Yang WU ; Hongtao LI ; Lin TONG ; Guangkun CHEN ; Fei DONG ; Rui WANG ; He LU ; Meng LI ; Jingpeng DENG ; Tengfei WANG ; Xiaoying LI ; Di ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(3):1-11
Guidelines for Digital Ancient Books of TCM Indexing(T/CIATCM 119-2024)is based on the theoretical knowledge,disciplinary methods,and practical applications of TCM classical cataloging.Taking digital ancient books of TCM as the object,it systematically reveals the content of TCM knowledge,which is an essential indexing processing standard for building an intelligent retrieval system for TCM ancient books,and can provide support for the deep development and innovative utilization of TCM knowledge.It can not only promote the co-construction and sharing of ancient book resources in the TCM industry,but also promote the standardization construction and application of TCM information.This standard specifies the principles,methods,and examples of free indexing of digital ancient books of TCM based on their original content.It is applicable to the indexing and processing of digital ancient books of TCM for TCM professional libraries and related institutions,and to the data processing and construction of various types of TCM ancient book databases.
9.Mechanistic investigation of Fuzheng Hefu Zhiyang Formula in alleviating psoriasis inflammatory microenvironment via P38/Erk/NF-κB signaling pathway
Yi-jing LIAO ; Yan-jie LIU ; Yue LU ; Bin TANG ; Jun-hong ZHANG ; Jing-jie YU ; Hao DENG ; Ling HAN ; Chuan-jian LU ; Hai-ming CHEN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(8):2550-2558
AIM To investigate the effect of Fuzheng Hefu Zhiyang Formula(FZHFZY)on psoriasis-like skin lesions and immune regulation in mice.METHODS In the in vivo experiment,30 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(1.5 g/kg of compound dexamethasone acetate cream),and the low-dose(2.5 g/kg)and high-dose(5 g/kg)FZHFZY groups,with six mice in each group.The experiment groups were treated with respective FZHFZY and dexamethasone,and the other groups were given normal saline for 10 consecutive days,during which psoriatic skin lesions were induced with imiquimod cream for 7 consecutive days.The mice had their area and severity of psoriasis assessed by PASI score;their histological changes of skin lesions.observed with Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;their F4/80 ratio of skin lesions observed with immunohistochemical(IHC)staining;their protein expressions of P38,p-P38,Erk,p-Erk,P65 and p-P65 detected by Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β detected by RT-qPCR.In the in vitro research,the cultured RAW264.7 cells were divided into the blank group,the LPS group,and the FZHFZY groups(1 200,600,300,150 μg/mL).The cells had their protein expressions of P38,p-P38,Erk,p-Erk,P65 and p-P65 detected with Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-23 and IL-8 detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS The in vivo experiment showed that compared to the model group,the FZHFZY groups demonstrated decreased PASI score(P<0.01);improved epidermal thickening and parakeratosis of skin lesions as revealed by HE staining result and increased expression of F4/80 in IHC staining sections;decreased protein expression ratios of p-P38/P38,p-ERK/Erk and p-P65/P65 in skin(P<0.05,P<0.01);and reduced mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β in the skin(P<0.01).FZHFZY(0~2 400 μg/mL)showed no significant cytotoxicity towards RAW264.7 cells in vitro(P>0.05).Compared to those of the LPS group,the cells exposed to FZHFZ at concentrations of 1 200 and 600 μg/mL demonstrated decreased protein expression ratios of p-P38/P38,p-ERK/Erk,and p-P65/P65(P<0.05,P<0.01);and significantly decreased mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β(P<0.01).CONCLUSION FZHFZY alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesions in mice and suppresses inflammatory response in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting P38/Erk/NF-κB signaling pathway.
10.Effects of Er Miao Wan on skin lesion inflammation in atopic dermatitis mice and the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway of macrophage
Sheng-jin YANG ; Yan-jiao LIU ; Cheng LU ; Shi-jun DENG ; Jing LI ; Xin-jia ZHANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Rui-rui WANG ; Li-juan ZHANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(11):3591-3600
AIM To explore the relieving effect of Er Miao Wan on atopic dermatitis in mice.METHODS In vivo experiment:BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,dexamethasone group(2 mg/kg)and high,medium and low dose groups of Er Miao Wan(4.68,2.34 and 1.17 g/kg).The mouse model of atopic dermatitis was established by repeatedly smearing DNCB solution,and the model was given orally for 21 days.The skin lesion condition on the back of mice,ear swelling degree,and the weight difference between ear lobes were observed and recorded.HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the skin lesion tissues of mice.Toluidine blue(TB)staining was used to observe the infiltration of mast cells in skin lesions.The expression of macrophage marker F4/80 in skin lesions was detected by IHC.The serum levels of TSLP,IL-4,IL-5 and total IgE were detected by ELISA.In vitro experiment:RAW264.7 cells in logarithmic growth period were given 400,200 and 100 μg/mL Er Miao Wan for intervention.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method.NO level in cell supernatant was detected by Griess method.TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 levels in cell supernatant were detected by ELISA method.The expressions of proteins related to the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in cells was detected by Western blot.RESULTS In vivo experiment:Compared with the model group,the scores of back skin lesions,the swelling degree of right ear and the weight difference between left and right ear pieces in the high-dose group of Er Miao Wan decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the thickness of skin lesions decreased,the infiltration of mast cells and macrophages decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the inflammatory factors TSLP,IL-4,IL-5 and total IgE levels in serum decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expression of F4/80 in the skin lesions decreased(P<0.01).In vitro experiment:Compared with the model group,the levels of NO,TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in Er Miao Wan 400 and 200 μg/mL groups decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the phosphorylation levels of P38,JNK and P65 proteins decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Er Miao Wan can alleviate skin lesion inflammation in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis mice,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway of macrophage,reducing macrophage infiltration and reducing Th2 cytokines.

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