1.Interpretation of Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Oral Chinese Patent Medicines
Wenxi PENG ; Meng QIAO ; Lianxin WANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Xiuhui LI ; Xin CUI ; Zijia CHEN ; Xinyi CHEN ; Yi DENG ; Yanming XIE ; Zhifei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):152-160
The Pharmacovigilance Guidelines for Clinical Application of Oral Chinese Patent Medicines (hereinafter referred to as the Guidelines) is first specialized in the field of drug safety for oral Chinese patent medicines (OCPMs) in China. Rooted in China's healthcare context, the Guidelines address the unique usage patterns and risk characteristics of OCPMs, filling a regulatory gap in the pharmacovigilance framework specific to this category. To facilitate accurate understanding and effective implementation of the Guidelines, and to promote the standardized development of pharmacovigilance practices for OCPMs, this study offered a systematic interpretation based on its three core components. In the domain of risk monitoring and reporting, the paper analyzed the rationale for multi-source information integration and clarified the criteria for identifying key products and target populations for intensive monitoring. Regarding risk assessment, the Guidelines were examined from three dimensions of formulation components, medication behaviors, and population to address complex safety issues arising from medicinal constituents, irrational use, and individual susceptibility. In the area of risk control, the analysis focused on context-based interventions and dynamic closed-loop management strategies, exploring practical pathways to shift from passive response to proactive risk mitigation. Furthermore, this paper evaluated the applied value of the Guidelines and identified implementation challenges, such as insufficient capacity at the primary-care level and limited digital infrastructure. In response, the study proposed optimization strategies including establishing a dynamic updating mechanism, strengthening training at the grassroots level, and incorporating artificial intelligence to enhance pharmacovigilance capacity. This interpretation aims to provide actionable insights for marketing authorization holders (including manufacturers), pharmaceutical distributors, healthcare institutions, and research organizations, ultimately supporting the establishment and refinement of a full lifecycle pharmacovigilance system for OCPMs.
2.Zuoguiwan Mitigates Oxidative Stress in Rat Model of Hyperthyroidism Due to Kidney-Yin Deficiency via DRD4/NOX4 Pathway
Ling LIN ; Qianming LIANG ; Changsheng DENG ; Li RU ; Zhiyong XU ; Chao LI ; Mingshun SHEN ; Yueming YUAN ; Muzi LI ; Lei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):43-51
ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism by which Zuoguiwan (ZGW) treat hyperthyroidism in rats with kidney-Yin deficiency based on the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4) signaling pathway. MethodsThe rat model of kidney-Yin deficiency was induced by unilateral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (0.35 mg·kg-1). After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into model, methimazole (positive control, 5 mg·kg-1), low-, medium-, and high-dose (1.85, 3.70, 7.40 g·kg-1, respectively) ZGW, and normal control groups. After 21 days of continuous gavage, the behavioral indexes and body weight changes of rats were evaluated. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum levels of thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)], renal function indexes [serum creatine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], energy metabolism markers [cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)], and oxidative stress-related factors [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and NADPH)] were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of DRD4, NOX4, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins [NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 (NDUFS4) and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 (COX4)], and inflammation-related protein [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] pathway in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed mental malaise, body weight decreases (P<0.01), inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue, a few residual parotid glands in the thyroid, elevations in serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA, and NADPH (P<0.01), down-regulation in protein levels of TSH, SOD, and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulation in expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ZGW increased the body weight (P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced the infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells, restored the thyroid structure and follicle size, lowered the serum levels of T3, T4, Scr, BUN, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, MDA and NADPH (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the expression of TSH, SOD and DRD4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of NOX4, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and inflammatory factors (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, high-dose ZGW outperformed methimazole (P<0.05). ConclusionBy activating DRD4, ZGW can inhibit the expression of NOX4 mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response, thereby ameliorating the pathological state of hyperthyroidism due to kidney-Yin deficiency. This study provides new molecular mechanism support for the clinical application of ZGW.
3.Application Characteristics and Patterns of Marketed Traditional Chinese Patent Medicines for Treating Abortion
Changyue SONG ; Shuangfei DENG ; Siyu LI ; Daiyue DING ; Jinghong XIE ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):244-251
ObjectiveThis paper aims to analyze the variety characteristics and prescription patterns of marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion and provide references for new medicine development and clinical application. MethodsRelevant information of traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion was systematically retrieved and collected. Microsoft Excel 2021 software was used to sort and statistically analyze the medicine syndrome types, quantity, market situation, and status of package inserts. Based on the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.3.9), the medicine properties, flavors, meridian tropism, and medication characteristics of standardized prescriptions were analyzed. ResultsA total of 39 marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion in China were included. According to disease type, these medicines were categorized as therapeutic medicines for threatened abortion and recurrent spontaneous abortion. According to clinical function, they were categorized into three groups: fetus stabilization, blood nourishment, and adjunctive conditioning. They were also categorized into pre-pregnancy conditioning and post-pregnancy fetal maintenance by clinical intervention stage. Post-marketing research showed that only three products had undergone safety evaluations and one involved pharmacoeconomic research, indicating a general lack of standardized evidence-based data. Dosage forms were mainly pills and granules. Package insert analysis revealed that 15 products listed "contraindications", while 28 included "precautions". Based on prescription inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 products were selected for further analysis. Their therapeutic effects were mainly concentrated on "tonifying the kidney and spleen, replenishing Qi, and nourishing blood", with core medicines including Paeoniae Radix Alba, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. Most medicines were warm or neutral in nature, predominantly sweet and pungent in flavor, and mainly entered the spleen, liver, and kidney meridians. ConclusionTraditional Chinese patent medicines for treating abortion demonstrate clear clinical value. However, shortcomings remain, including insufficient post-marketing research, prescription homogeneity, and incomplete package inserts. Future efforts should establish a clinically value-oriented modern development pathway, strengthen safety surveillance and evidence evaluation, improve package inserts, and promote precision use to further enhance clinical value.
4.Analysis of Variety Characteristics and Patterns of Marketed Traditional Chinese Patent Medicines for Treating Chronic Gastritis
Daiyue DING ; Changyue SONG ; Shuangfei DENG ; Siyu LI ; Xiangying KONG ; Xiaohui SU ; Na LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):252-260
ObjectiveThis study aims to systematically review the marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating chronic gastritis (CG) in China. By analyzing their variety characteristics and prescription patterns, it seeks to provide references for clinical syndrome differentiation-based drug selection, treatment method optimization, and the design of high-quality clinical research. MethodsInformation on marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating CG was collected. Microsoft Excel software was used to collate and statistically analyze representative drugs for each pathological stage, market status, syndrome types, and other contents. The Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.3.9) was employed to analyze the formula composition patterns of standardized prescriptions. ResultsA total of 141 marketed traditional Chinese patent medicines for treating CG in China were included. Based on the disease's pathological progression, they can be classified into drugs for non-atrophic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, and precancerous lesions. Post-marketing research reveals that relevant evaluation is only conducted on 17 drugs, of which 2 involve pharmacoeconomic studies and 14 possess standardized evidence-based evidence. The primary dosage forms were capsules, granules, and tablets. From the 100 prescriptions screened according to inclusion/exclusion criteria, the varieties indicated for the stomach collateral stasis syndrome in atrophic gastritis accounted for the highest proportion. The main efficacy distributions were clearing heat, detoxifying, and relieving pain by promoting Qi circulation. Core drugs included Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome, Paeoniae Radix Alba, and Aucklandiae Radix. Medicinal properties were predominantly warm and neutral. Flavors were mainly bitter, pungent, and sweet. The drugs primarily entered the spleen and stomach meridians. Analysis of the package inserts reveals that 67 products list "contraindications", 110 include "precautions", and 23 explicitly state "adverse reactions". ConclusionTraditional Chinese patent medicines for treating CG hold unique value in clinical practice. However, currently there are challenges such as insufficient clarity in syndrome type descriptions within package inserts and a relative lack of high-level evidence-based medical evidence, as well as pharmacoeconomic evaluations. Future efforts should focus on addressing these shortcomings by advancing research on syndrome characteristics and medication patterns based on syndrome differentiation, systematically conducting pharmacoeconomic evaluations, strengthening the accumulation of high-level evidence-based evidence, and, on this basis, improving patient medication adherence. This will comprehensively enhance the clinical application value and scientific connotation of this category of drugs.
5.Analysis on Characteristics and Prescriptions of Chinese Patent Medicines for Functional Diarrhea on Market
Shuangfei DENG ; Siyu LI ; Changyue SONG ; Caiyu LIU ; Daiyue DING ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiaoqin LUO ; Haiyu ZHAO ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):261-268
ObjectiveThis study focused on the marketed Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of Functional Diarrhea (FDr) in China and their prescription characteristics, in order to provide support for the clinical application and research and development of anti-FDr Chinese patent medicines. MethodsCollect the information of Chinese patent medicines that have been marketed to treat FDr, use Microsoft Excel 2021 software to conduct preliminary data collation and statistical analysis, and use the ancient and modern medical record cloud platform (V2.3.9) to analyze the standardized Chinese patent medicine prescriptions from the aspects of drug nature and taste, medication characteristics and prescription rules. Results147 kinds of FDr Chinese patent medicines were included in this study. There are a total of 40 varieties of FDr Chinese patent medicines suitable for children; The distribution of dosage forms is mainly pills, tablets, and capsules. 110 prescriptions were screened, among which the proportion of Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of spleen deficiency syndrome was the highest; The top three drug use frequency were licorice, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Poria cocos; The medicinal properties are mainly warm and flat, and the medicinal taste is mostly pungent, sweet and bitter, and most of them belong to the two meridians of the spleen and stomach; The association rules analysis obtains 20 strong association pairing sets; Three drug combinations were obtained by cluster analysis. ConclusionFDr Chinese patent medicine shows unique value in clinical application, especially in the field of children. However, there are still problems such as strong professionalism in the indication expression of drug instructions, limited coverage of the medical insurance catalog, and lack of high-level evidence-based medicine and pharmacoeconomic evidence. To this end, in the future, efforts should be made to build a multi-level evidence-based evidence system, improve medication compliance, and deepen research on syndrome-based medication laws, so as to enhance the clinical application value and scientific connotation of FDr Chinese patent medicines.
6.Characteristics and Prescription Analysis of Marketed Chinese Patent Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Siyu LI ; Shuangfei DENG ; Daiyue DING ; Changyue SONG ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):269-276
ObjectiveTo study the marketed products and prescription characteristics of Chinese patent medicines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China, thus providing support for clinical application and innovative research and development of Chinese patent medicines for RA. MethodsInformation on marketed Chinese patent medicines for RA treatment was collected. Preliminary data organization and statistical analysis were performed in Microsoft Excel 2021. Subsequently, the standardized prescriptions were analyzed via the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.3.9) across dimensions including medicinal properties, flavors, channel tropisms, usage characteristics, and formulation patterns. ResultsThis study ultimately included 311 marketed Chinese patent medicines for RA in China. Their initial market launch dates were mostly concentrated from the 1990s to the early 21st century. The National Basic Medical Insurance, Work-Related Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance Drug Directory included 89 Chinese patent medicines for RA. The primary dosage forms were tablets, capsules, medicated wines, and pills. After screening, 237 prescriptions were obtained, and the research on their origins was lagging. Among them, the Chinese patent medicines for treating wind-cold-dampness obstruction syndrome accounted for the highest proportion. The top three most frequently used medicinals were Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, and Saposhnikoviae Radix. Medicinal properties were primarily warm and plain, and flavors were mostly pungent, sweet, and bitter. The medicinals predominantly exhibited the liver and spleen channel tropism. Association rule analysis revealed that the herb pairs with the highest confidence were Chuanxiong-Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Myrrha-Olibanum. Cluster analysis yielded three medicinal combinations. ConclusionAlthough Chinese patent medicines for RA have application advantages, issues such as narrow syndrome coverage and insufficient innovation in dosage forms exist. Future development should focus on constructing an evidence-based system, strengthening the textual research on prescription origins and the exploration of classical famous formulas, and promoting dosage form innovation and precise medication to enhance their clinical value.
7.Dilemmas and challenges for parasitology teachers at shortage of clinicalmedical sciences knowledge background in medical colleges and universities
Su HAN ; Yang CHENG ; Chao DENG ; Youyi LIU ; Yuhong LI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):69-73
Medical parasitology, as a course bridging basic medical sciences and clinical medicine, has an important disciplinary value in the medical education system. This study investigated the composition of parasitology teachers from multiple medical colleges and universities across China. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the proportion of teachers with clinical medicine background knowledge, and there was common dilemma that there were insufficient clinical medicine knowledge reserves among teachers in some medical colleges and universities, who encountered severe teaching challenges. Based on this issue, this study constructed a basic-clinical medicine collaborative problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model. This model integrated theoretical teaching, case analyses, and experimental operations, and combined transdisciplinary team building and multidimensional teacher training, which significantly improved the clinical teaching capability among parasitology teachers, and effectively compensated the impact of insufficient clinical medicine knowledge reserves on teaching. Following teaching reform, students' scores significantly improved, and their case analysis capability enhanced. This study provides a practical path to address the shortage of clinical medicine background knowledge among parasitology teachers, which facilitates the progress of educational reform of medical parasitology and improvement of teaching quality.
8.Confirmatory analysis of HBsAg reactive samples from voluntary blood donors
Qiaolin ZHANG ; Fang WANG ; Dong LIU ; Fengjiao HAN ; Liu LI ; Xiaochuan ZHENG ; Xuelian DENG ; Dongyan YANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):452-457
Objective: To systematically analyze the confirmatory positivity of different combinations of HBsAg screening results in blood testing, providing data to support the optimization of blood donor eligibility management. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on blood screening data from 174 266 voluntary blood donor samples at the Chongqing Blood Center between October 2021 and September 2022. Samples with inconsistent results between the two HBsAg enzymelinked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and individual donor nucleic acid testing (NAT) were confirmed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and a neutralization test. The detection efficacy of four different HBsAg ELISA reagents was compared using the HBsAg-confirmed positive samples. Results: A total of 767(0.44%) HBV-reactive (HB-sAg and/or HBV DNA reactive) samples were detected. Among them, 344 samples with discordant serological and NAT results were collected, of which 64(18.6%) were confirmed positive by neutralization test. Additionally, 5 samples that were neutralization-negative but double-reactive for HBsAg and HBV DNA were confirmed as positive according to FDA guidance, resulting in a total of 69(20.1%) confirmed HBsAg-positive samples. There were significant differences in the neutralization test confirmation rates among different screening result categories (P<0.05): The group with dual HBsAg reagent reactivity (double reactive) & NAT-negative had the highest confirmation rate (96.9%, 31/32); the group reactive to only reagent 2 (single reactive) had a rate of 25.7% (29/113); while the confirmation rates for samples reactive to only reagent 1 and samples with isolated HBV DNA positivity were extremely low [0(0/34) and 2.4%(4/165), respectively]. The four commercial reagents showed significant differences in their ability to detect confirmed positive samples that were initially single reactive (P<0.05). Conclusion: Given the performance variations among HBsAg screening reagents, thorough performance verification is essential before implementation. When NAT is negative, dual HBsAg reactivity in screening can serve as a basis for confirming infection and directly deferring blood donors. However, confirming infection in donors with single HBsAg reactivity is more challenging, necessitating supplementary tests to rule out infection risk.
9.Evaluation of repeated testing with blood screening platform in confirmation of NAT non-discriminatory reactive samples
Mengfan LI ; Xuelian DENG ; Liang ZANG ; Lei ZHOU ; Xiaochun LIU ; Xiaohua LIANG ; Lunan WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):458-464
Objective: To evaluate repeated testing on blood screening platforms in confirmation of non-discriminatory reactive (NDR) samples in nucleic acid testing (NAT). Methods: A total of 102 HBsAg-negative/NAT NDR samples were collected from voluntary blood donors at Dalian Blood Center between January 2021 and December 2023. Repeated testing was performed using two NAT platforms (Cobas s201 and Panther). For the first round of repeated testing, all samples were tested 12 times on each system; for the second round, the samples which were non-reactive or only reactive once in the first round were tested an additional 8 times. Anti-HBc and anti-HBs was detected using electrochemiluminescence assay (ECA). Meanwhile, blood donors were followed up. Results: The proportion of anti-HBc+ in 102 NDR samples was 88.2%. Forty-one samples (40.2%, 41/102) and 7 samples were confirmed HBV DNA+ in first-round and second-round repeated testing, respectively. The cumulative confirmation rate of HBV DNA+ was 47.1% (48/102) after repeated testing. Extra five blood donors detected HBV DNA+ in follow-up were identified as anti-HBc+ occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI), while no window period infection was observed. Ultimately, there were 53 HBV infected donors confirmed, 46 HBV infection-unconfirmed, and 3 HBV uninfected. No significant difference was observed between the confirmation rate of the first-round testing and the cumulative confirmation rate after the second-round testing (P>0.05). The proportion of anti-HBc+ donors was quite high in both HBV infection-confirmed (98.1%) and unconfirmed group (82.6%), and donors with seronegative and anti-HBs-only occupied a high proportion in the latter (P<0.05). Conclusion: Numerous repeated testing of NDR samples using NAT platforms cannot achieve complete confirmation of HBV infection. Supplementary anti-HBc testing can minimize potential OBI risk among NDR donors, and is low-cost and efficient.
10.Mechanism of Huayu Jiedu Prescription in Preventing and Treating Cerebral Ischemia Injury by Regulating NETosis After Acute Cerebral Infarction with Blood Stasis and Toxin Syndrome
Wuchaonan LIU ; Dingxiang LI ; Le YANG ; Jing LIU ; Shengping LUO ; Fang LEI ; Hanlin LEI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):50-59
ObjectiveTo investigate the material basis of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury with blood stasis and toxin syndrome and to explore the protective effects of Huayu Jiedu prescription (HYJDP) on neutrophil extracellular trap-related cell death (NETosis) in cerebral ischemic injury following acute cerebral infarction. MethodsSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=12 per group): sham operation (Sham) group, blood stasis and toxin model (Model) group, low-, medium-, and high-dose HYJDP groups (HYJDP-L, HYJDP-M, and HYJDP-H; 9, 18, and 36 g·kg-1, respectively), and butylphthalide (NBP) group (0.06 g·kg-1). Except for the Sham group, rats in all other groups were subjected to carrageenan/dry yeast combined with a modified intraluminal filament method to establish a focal cerebral ischemia model of the middle cerebral artery with blood stasis and toxin syndrome. Neurological function was evaluated at 24 h after modeling using the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score. Cerebral infarction rate was assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Pathological morphology of brain tissue was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes (MPO-DNA), and citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3). Protein expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), protein kinase B (p-Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), sequestosome 1 (p62), and CitH3 in brain tissue was detected by Western blot. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the expression of neutrophil-specific marker Ly6G, CitH3, and neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarction rates in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01 for both). HE staining showed varying degrees of neuronal degeneration and necrosis, characterized by blurred neuronal structures, nuclear pyknosis and fragmentation, cytoplasmic dissolution into a vacuolated reticular pattern, and mild glial cell proliferation. ELISA results showed that serum levels of IL-8, MPO-DNA, and CitH3 were significantly increased (P<0.01). Western blot analysis demonstrated decreased expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, and p62, while CitH3 expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). IF results showed an increased number of NETs+ cells and a significant decrease in NeuN+ cells (P<0.01). Compared with the Model group, neurological deficit scores in the HYJDP-H group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and cerebral infarction rates in the HYJDP-H and NBP groups were significantly reduced (P<0.01). HE staining showed that brain tissue damage was markedly alleviated in the HYJDP-H group. ELISA results showed that levels of IL-8, MPO-DNA, and CitH3 were significantly decreased in the HYJDP-M, HYJDP-H, and NBP groups (P<0.01). Western blot analysis showed that expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, and p62 was significantly increased in the HYJDP-H and NBP groups, while CitH3 expression was significantly reduced in all drug intervention groups (P<0.01). IF results showed that the number of NETs+ cells was significantly decreased and the number of NeuN⁺ cells was significantly increased in all drug intervention groups (P<0.01). ConclusionNETs may be the material basis of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury characterized by blood stasis and toxin. HYJDP can regulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, reduce the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and NETosis-related products, alleviate cerebral ischemic injury caused by autophagy-dependent NETosis, and thereby exert a neuroprotective effect.

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