1.Application of Engineered Exosomes in Tumor-targeted Therapy
Jia-Lu SONG ; Yi-Xin JIN ; Xing-Yu MU ; Yu-Huan JIANG ; Jing WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1140-1151
Tumors are the second leading cause of death worldwide. Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle secreted from multivesicular bodies, with particle sizes ranging from 40 to 160 nm. They regulate the tumor microenvironment, proliferation, and progression by transporting proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Compared with other drug delivery systems, exosomes derived from different cells possess unique cellular tropism, enabling them to selectively target specific tissues and organs. This homing ability allows them to cross biological barriers that are otherwise difficult for conventional drug delivery systems to penetrate. Due to their biocompatibility and unique biological properties, exosomes can serve as drug delivery systems capable of loading various anti-tumor drugs. They can traverse biological barriers, evade immune responses, and specifically target tumor tissues, making them ideal carriers for anti-tumor therapeutics. This article systematically summarizes the methods for exosome isolation, including ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), immunoaffinity capture, and microfluidics. However, these methods have certain limitations. A combination of multiple isolation techniques can improve isolation efficiency. For instance, combining ultrafiltration with SEC can achieve both high purity and high yield while reducing processing time. Exosome drug loading methods can be classified into post-loading and pre-loading approaches. Pre-loading is further categorized into active and passive loading. Active loading methods, including electroporation, sonication, extrusion, and freeze-thaw cycles, involve physical or chemical disruption of the exosome membrane to facilitate drug encapsulation. Passive loading relies on drug concentration gradients or hydrophobic interactions between drugs and exosomes for encapsulation. Pre-loading strategies also include genetic engineering and co-incubation methods. Additionally, we review approaches to enhance the targeting, retention, and permeability of exosomes. Genetic engineering and chemical modifications can improve their tumor-targeting capabilities. Magnetic fields can also be employed to promote the accumulation of exosomes at tumor sites. Retention time can be prolonged by inhibiting monocyte-mediated clearance or by combining exosomes with hydrogels. Engineered exosomes can also reshape the tumor microenvironment to enhance permeability. This review further discusses the current applications of exosomes in delivering various anti-tumor drugs. Specifically, exosomes can encapsulate chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel to reduce side effects and increase drug concentration within tumor tissues. For instance, exosomes loaded with doxorubicin can mitigate cardiotoxicity and minimize adverse effects on healthy tissues. Furthermore, exosomes can encapsulate proteins to enhance protein stability and bioavailability or carry immunogenic cell death inducers for tumor vaccines. In addition to these applications, exosomes can deliver nucleic acids such as siRNA and miRNA to regulate gene expression, inhibit tumor proliferation, and suppress invasion. Beyond their therapeutic applications, exosomes also serve as tumor biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. The detection of exosomal miRNA can improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing prostate and pancreatic cancers. Despite their promising potential as drug delivery systems, challenges remain in the standardization and large-scale production of exosomes. This article explores the future development of engineered exosomes for targeted tumor therapy. Plant-derived exosomes hold potential due to their superior biocompatibility, lower toxicity, and abundant availability. Furthermore, the integration of exosomes with artificial intelligence may offer novel applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine.
2.A case-crossover study on the impact of air pollution on the number of pediatric respiratory outpatient and emergency visits in a hospital in Shanghai
Peihua FU ; Julong LI ; Jing ZHANG ; Qiaozhen ZHANG ; Huimin JIN ; Min SONG ; Yanhan ZHANG ; Zhen GU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(1):29-33
Objective To investigate the correlation between the concentration of air pollutants (PM10, SO2, NO2) and the number of outpatient and emergency visits for pediatric respiratory diseases in a general hospital in Shanghai. Methods Data including pediatric respiratory disease outpatient and emergency visits in a hospital in Pudong New Area of Shanghai from May 1, 2013 to March 20, 2022 were collected. Daily concentration of air pollutants including PM10, SO2 and NO2 and meteorological data in Pudong New Area during the same period were collected. A case-crossover study with distributed lag non-linear model was conducted to explore the correlation between air pollutants (PM10, SO2, NO2) and the number of outpatient and emergency visits for pediatric respiratory diseases. Results The concentrations of PM10, SO2 and NO2 were positively with the number of outpatient and emergency visits for pediatric respiratory diseases. The strongest cumulative effect was observed on six days lag (Lag0-5) for PM10. For a 10 μg/m3 increase of the concentrations of PM10, the corresponding increase of cumulative pediatric respiratory disease outpatients was 1.10% (95%CI:0.97%, 1.23%) in Lag0-5. The strongest cumulative effect was observed on eight days lag (Lag0-7) for SO2 and NO2. For a 10 μg /m3 increase of the concentrations of SO2 and NO2, the corresponding increase of cumulative pediatric respiratory disease outpatients was 5.64% (95%CI:5.16%, 6.13%) and 5.41% (95%CI:5.15%, 5.66%) in Lag 0-7, respectively. The association of PM10 and SO2 with the number of pediatric respiratory disease visits in males was significantly stronger than that in females. The impact of PM10 on the number of pediatric respiratory disease visits in children aged 0-6 was higher than that in children aged 7-14, while the impact of SO2 and NO2 on the number of pediatric respiratory disease visits in children aged 7-14 was higher than that in children aged 0-6. Conclusion The concentration of ambient PM10, SO2, and NO2 is positively correlated with outpatient and emergency visits for pediatric respiratory diseases, with obvious lag and cumulative effect. Boys and children aged 0-6 are more susceptible to the hazard of air pollution.
3.Ginger oil-loaded transdermal adhesive patch treats post-traumatic stress disorder
Xingshuang Song ; Yizhi Zhang ; Ziyan Tang ; Jing Dai ; Yanping Wu ; Guiyu Huang ; Hong Niu ; Yaxin Wang ; Xu Jin ; Lina Du
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(3):316-329
Objective:
To find a viable alternative to reduce the number of doses required for the patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to improve efficacy and patient compliance.
Methods:
In this study, we used ginger oil, a phytochemical with potential therapeutic properties, to prepare ginger oil patches. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the main active component of ginger oil, 6-gingerol. Transdermal absorption experiments were conducted to optimize the various pressure-sensitive adhesives and permeation enhancers, including their type and concentration. Subsequently, the ginger oil patches were optimized and subjected to content determination and property evaluations. A PTSD mouse model was established using the foot-shock method. The therapeutic effect of ginger oil patches on PTSD was assessed through pathological sections, behavioral tests, and the evaluation of biomarkers such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and melatonin (MT).
Results:
The results demonstrated that ginger oil patches exerted therapeutic effects against PTSD by inhibiting inflammatory responses and modulating MT and BDNF levels. Pharmacokinetic experiments revealed that ginger oil patches maintained a stable blood drug concentration for at least one day, addressing the rapid metabolism drawback of 6-gingerol and enhancing its therapeutic efficacy.
Conclusions
Ginger oil can be prepared as a transdermal drug patch that meets these requirements, and the bioavailability of the prepared patch is better than that of oral administration. It can improve PTSD with good patient compliance and ease of administration. Therefore, it is a promising therapeutic formulation for the treatment of PTSD.
4.Short to mid-term results of Chimney Commando in redo valve replacement: A retrospective cohort study
Hongyan LIU ; Bihui HE ; Jing JIN ; Laichun SONG ; Jihui FANG ; Xiang ZHOU ; Yan CHEN ; Liang TAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(06):860-866
Objective To summarize the application of double valve ring enlargement combined with mitral Chimney technique (Chimney Commando) in the secondary valve replacement and to analyze the efficacy in the near and medium term. Methods Patients who underwent the secondary aortic valve and mitral valve (double valve) replacement by Chimney Commando in Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital from 2019 to 2022 were included, and their clinical data were retrospectively collected to analyze the safety and feasibility of this procedure in secondary valve replacement of small aortic root patients. Results A total of 49 patients (44 females and 5 males) were included. The body surface area was 1.64±0.17 m2. The time from the first operation was 13.10±5.90 years. Except for 4 patients whose first operation was valvuloplasty, the remaining 45 patients were all patients after valve replacement, 41 patients of double valves replacement, including 39 patients with mechanical valve and 2 patients with biological valve. The majority of the aortic valves were St.Jude regent 19 mm or St.Jude regent 21 mm, accounting for 30.61% and 34.69%, respectively. The mitral valves were predominantly St.Jude 25 mm mechanical valves, making up 65.31%. All patients underwent Chimney Commando double valve ring enlargement, and the mean time of aortic occlusion was 154.00±45.40 min. The mean size of the aortic valve was 23.90±1.40 mm and that of the mitral valve was 28.20±1.20 mm, and the transvalvular pressure difference across the aortic valve was 20.16±5.76 mm Hg at 6 months postoperatively. There was one death during hospitalization due to multi-organ failure. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 24 months with a median time of 8 months. Two patients were implanted with permanent pacemakers during the follow-up period and 1 patient died due to massive stroke and malignant arrhythmia. Conclusion Chimney Commando is safe and effective in patients with secondary double valve replacement, and the postoperative prosthetic valves have good hemodynamics, and can achieve good clinical results in the near and medium term.
5.Analysis and application of the characteristic components associated with the processing excipients "wine, vinegar, salt, honey": a case study of honey-processed Astragali Radix
Wei-ye ZHANG ; Jing-qi ZENG ; Jin-jing SONG ; Tian-hao QI ; Liang FENG ; Xiao-bin JIA ; Bing YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(6):1819-1827
The excipient processing is an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and understanding its scientific connotations is a critical scientific issue that urgently needs resolution. Building upon a foundation where the composition of traditional Chinese medicine substances is fundamentally clear, this paper applies the techniques and methods of chemoinformatics to the study of the excipient processing mechanism. Relevant information on traditional Chinese medicines processed with four kinds of excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) was collected, including properties, taste, meridian tropism, chemical components, etc. Molecular descritors and skeletons corresponding to each chemical component were calculated using chemoinformatics to characterize the properties and structural features of the components. Characteristic components associated with the four excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) were explored through multivariate statistical analysis and Murcko skeleton analysis. Further analysis, taking honey-processed
6.Uyghur Medicine Yangxin Dawayimixike Honey Paste (养心达瓦依米西克蜜膏) in Treatment of 279 Cases Stable Angina Pectoris Patients with Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Syndrome:A Multi-center,Double-blind,Positive-controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
Binghua JIANG ; Lihua FAN ; Xiaofeng WANG ; Yingmin SONG ; Yanlai ZHANG ; Songyan QIAO ; Jing DONG ; Lihua JIN ; Yanping DING ; MAINISHA·MAIMAITI ; Jixian ZHAO ; Dongsheng GAO ; Qiuping ZHAO ; Lingxia GUAN ; Hongbin SUN ; Meise LIN ; Hengliang WANG ; Jun LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(21):2225-2233
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of Uyghur medicine Yangxin Dawayimixike Honey Paste (养心达瓦依米西克蜜膏, YDMHP) in the treatment of stable angina pectoris (SAP) of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. MethodsA randomized , double-blind, positive-controlled,multi-center clinical trial was conducted, in which 370 patients with SAP of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group(279 cases)and control group(91cases)at a ratio of 3∶1. The treatment group was orally administered with YDMHP, 3 g each time, and placebo of Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule (血府逐瘀胶囊), 2.4 g each time, while the control group was treated with Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule, 2.4 g each time, and placebo of YDMHP, 3 g each time, both twice a day for a course of 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the effect of angina pectoris symptom. The secondary outcomes include single angina symptom scores such as number of attacks, duration of attacks, pain intensity and usae of nitroglycerin scores, the total angina symptom score before and after the treatment, the usage of nitroglycerin, the exercise duration in treadmill exercise test (TET) and the Duck treadmill score among patients,the scores of Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) on five dimensions including physical limitations, anginal stability, anginal frequency, treatment satisfaction, and disease perception, and efficacy of TCM syndrome and of each single TCM symptom after treatment. The safety were evaluated by examine blood routine, urine routine, liver and kidney function, fasting blood sugar, electrocardiogram, adverse events. ResultsThe total effective rate of angina symptom in the treatment group was 71.69% (200/279), significantly higher than 51.64% (47/91) in the control group (P<0.01). The curative and markedly effective rate of TCM syndrome in the treatment group was 53.05% (148/279), which was significantly higher than 25.27% (23/91) in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, scores of the number as well as duration of angina attacks and pain severity, the total score of angina symptoms, and the usage of nitroglycerin significantly decreased in both groups, and more changes were seen in the treatment group than in the control group; the scores of physical limitations, anginal stability, anginal frequency, treatment satisfaction, and disease perception in both groups significantly increased, and more improvement were shown in the experimental group regarding the anginal stability, anginal frequency and treatment satisfaction (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The effects of chest pain, chest tightness, palpitation, shortness of breath and fatigue in experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the exercise duration of treadmill test and Duke score among patients between the two groups either before or after treatment (P>0.05). Adverse events occurred in 66 cases (23.66%) of the experimental group and 16 cases (17.58%) of the control group, with no statistical significance between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe Uyghur medicine YDMHP can effectively improve symptoms of angina pectoris, reduce the number, duration, and intensity of attacks, decrease the dosage of nitrogly-cerin and improve the individual TCM symptoms and has good safety in the treatment of SAP patients of qi stagnation and blood stasis.
7.A survey of common eye behaviors and influencing factors of myopia in pri-mary and secondary school students in Tianjin
Nan JIN ; Bei DU ; Desheng SONG ; Jing LI ; Ruihua WEI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2024;44(4):302-305,310
Objective To explore the eye behaviors and myopia-related risk factors among primary and secondary school students in Tianjin,in order to carry out targeted eye health education and guidance.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted.In December 2021,an eye health questionnaire was distributed to primary and secondary school students in Tianjin to investigate their eye habits;combined with the campus vision screening data in the second half of 2021,a multivariate logistic regression analysis model was constructed to explore the risk factors related to myopia.Re-sults A total of 821 459 questionnaires were collected,including 701 104 valid questionnaires.The usage time of electron-ic learning products and electronic entertainment products for primary school students was mostly less than 1 hour(ac-counting for 57.74%and 40.98%,respectively).The population of junior high school students who spend more than 2 hours using electronic learning products and electronic entertainment products(accounting for 26.61%and 35.05%,re-spectively)significantly increased compared to primary school students(accounting for 11.21%and 20.93%,respective-ly).Most senior high school students spend more than 2 hours daily using electronic devices for learning and entertainment purposes,as well as reading paper materials.51.59%of primary school students do not meet the standard for sleep dura-tion,while the rate of reaching the standard sleep duration of junior high and senior high school students was 60.09%and 64.99%,respectively.Most(55.74%)primary and secondary school students have an average outdoor activity duration of 1-2 hours daily.The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of myopia in primary school students was correlated with the time spent using electronic products(including learning and entertainment),the time spent reading paper materials at a close range,outdoor activities,time to fall asleep,and sleep duration(all P<0.05);the risk of myopia among junior high school students was related to the time spent using electronic entertainment products,reading paper materials at a close range,outdoor activities,and sleep duration(all P<0.05);the risk of myopia among senior high school students was only related to the time spent reading paper materials at a close range and the duration of outdoor activities(both P<0.05).Conclusion The proportion of primary school students,junior high school students and senior high school students in Tianjin who use electronic products for more than 2 hours is gradually increasing,and the rate of reaching the standard sleep duration is gradually increasing.The risk of myopia among these students is related to the time spent reading paper materials at a close range and outdoor activities.Science popularization should be carried out and management of eye behaviors should be strengthened in the whole society to reduce myopia rates in children and adolescents in China.
8.Upregulating KLF11 ameliorates intestinal inflammation in mice with 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenesulfonic acid-induced colitis by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Jin XI ; Min ZHANG ; Yongyu ZHANG ; Chen ZHANG ; Yulu ZHANG ; Rui WANG ; Lin SHEN ; Jing LI ; Xue SONG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(4):765-772
Objective To investigate the expression level of Kruppel-like transcription factor family member KLF11 in intestinal mucosal tissues of Crohn's disease (CD) and its regulatory effect on intestinal inflammation in CD-like colitis. Methods We examined KLF11 expression levels in diseased and normal colon mucosal tissues from 12 CD patients and 12 patients with colorectal cancer using immunofluorescence staining. KLF11 expression was also detected in the colon mucosal tissues of a mouse model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. A recombinant adenoviral vector was used to upregulate KLF11 expression in the mouse models and the changes in intestinal inflammation was observed. A Caco-2 cell model with stable KLF11 overexpression was constructed by lentiviral infection. The effect of KLF11 overexpression on expressions of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway proteins was investigated using immunoblotting in both the mouse and cell models. The mouse models were treated with coumermycin A1, a JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway agonist, and the changes in intestinal inflammatory responses were observed. Results The expression level of KLF11 was significantly lowered in both the clinical specimens of diseased colon mucosal tissues and the colon tissues of mice with TNBS-induced colitis (P<0.05). Adenovirus-mediated upregulation of KLF11 significantly improved intestinal inflammation and reduced the expression levels of inflammatory factors in the intestinal mucosa of the colitis mouse models (P<0.05). Overexpression of KLF11 significantly inhibited the expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in intestinal mucosal tissues of the mouse models and in Caco-2 cells (P<0.05). Treatment with coumermycin A1 obviously inhibited the effect of KLF11 upregulation for improving colitis and significantly increased the expression levels of inflammatory factors in the intestinal mucosa of the mouse models (P<0.05). Conclusion KLF11 is downregulated in the intestinal mucosa in CD, and upregulation of KLF11 can improve intestinal inflammation and reduce the production of inflammatory factors probably by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
9.Role of neoadjuvant rectal score in prognosis and adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making in locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy
Qiang ZENG ; Yuan TANG ; Haitao ZHOU ; Ning LI ; Wenyang LIU ; Silin CHEN ; Shuai LI ; Ningning LU ; Hui FANG ; Shulian WANG ; Yueping LIU ; Yongwen SONG ; Yexiong LI ; Jing JIN
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(4):335-343
Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (<8), intermediate (8-16), and high (>16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P<0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P<0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P<0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P<0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.
10.Role of neoadjuvant rectal score in prognosis and adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making in locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy
Qiang ZENG ; Yuan TANG ; Haitao ZHOU ; Ning LI ; Wenyang LIU ; Silin CHEN ; Shuai LI ; Ningning LU ; Hui FANG ; Shulian WANG ; Yueping LIU ; Yongwen SONG ; Yexiong LI ; Jing JIN
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(4):335-343
Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (<8), intermediate (8-16), and high (>16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P<0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P<0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P<0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P<0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.


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