1.Deciphering the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of Artemisia argyit essential oil on flagellum-mediated Salmonella infections.
Linlin DING ; Lei XU ; Na HU ; Jianfeng WANG ; Jiazhang QIU ; Qingjie LI ; Xuming DENG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(6):714-726
Salmonellosis represents a global epidemic, and the emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella and its sustained transmission worldwide constitutes a significant public health concern. Flagellum-mediated motility serves as a crucial virulence trait of Salmonella that guides the pathogen toward the epithelial surface, enhancing gut colonization. Artemisia argyit essential oil, a traditional herb extract, demonstrates efficacy in treating inflammation-related symptoms and diseases; however, its effects on flagellum assembly and expression mechanisms in anti-Salmonella activity remain inadequately explored. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which Artemisia argyit essential oil addresses Salmonella infections. Network pharmacological analysis revealed that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Artemisia argyit exhibited anti-Salmonella infection potential and inhibited flagellum-dependent motility. The application of Artemisia argyit essential oil induced notable motility defects through the downregulation of flagellar and fimbriae expression. Moreover, it significantly reduced Salmonella-infected cell damage by interfering with flagellum-mediated Salmonella colonization. In vivo studies demonstrated that Artemisia argyit essential oil administration effectively alleviated Salmonella infection symptoms by reducing bacterial loads, inhibiting interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production, and diminishing pathological injury. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified forty-three compounds in Artemisia argyit essential oil, with their corresponding targets and active ingredients predicted. Investigation of an in vivo model of Salmonella infection using the active ingredient demonstrated that alpha-cedrene ameliorated Salmonella infection. These findings suggest the potential application of Artemisia argyit essential oil in controlling Salmonella, the predominant food-borne pathogen.
Artemisia/chemistry*
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Oils, Volatile/chemistry*
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Animals
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Flagella/drug effects*
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Salmonella Infections/microbiology*
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Humans
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Mice
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Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*
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Salmonella/pathogenicity*
2.Wenxia Changfu Formula inhibits NSCLC metastasis by halting TAMs-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via antagonisticallymodulating CCL18.
Qianyu BI ; Mengran WANG ; Li LUO ; Beiying ZHANG ; Siyuan LV ; Zengna WANG ; Xuming JI
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(7):838-847
Our previous research demonstrated that the Wenxia Changfu Formula (WCF), as a neoadjuvant therapy, inhibits M2 macrophage infiltration in the tumor microenvironment and prevents lung cancer metastasis. Given tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), this study investigated whether WCF impedes lung cancer metastasis by attenuating TAM-induced EMT in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Utilizing a co-culture model treated with or without WCF, we observed that WCF downregulated cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163) expression in macrophages, reduced CCL18 levels in the conditioned medium, and inhibited the growth, invasion, and EMT of NSCLC cells induced by macrophage co-culture. Manipulation of CCL18 levels and Src overexpression in NSCLC cells revealed that WCF's effects are mediated through CCL18 and Src signaling. In vivo, WCF inhibited recombinant CCL18 (rCCL18)-induced tumor metastasis in nude mice by blocking Src signaling. These findings indicate that WCF inhibits NSCLC metastasis by impeding TAM-induced EMT via antagonistic modulation of CCL18, providing evidence for its potential development and clinical application in NSCLC patients.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects*
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism*
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Humans
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Animals
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Lung Neoplasms/metabolism*
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Chemokines, CC/antagonists & inhibitors*
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Mice
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Mice, Nude
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Neoplasm Metastasis
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Tumor-Associated Macrophages/drug effects*
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
3.A novel carbonyl reductase for the synthesis of (R)-tolvaptan.
Yahui LIU ; Xuming WANG ; Shuo MA ; Keyu LIU ; Wei LI ; Lulu ZHANG ; Jie DU ; Honglei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(1):321-332
Screening carbonyl reductases with the ability to catalyze the reduction of complex carbonyl compounds is of great significance for the biosynthesis of R-tolvaptan(R-TVP). In this study, the target carbonyl reductase in the crude enzyme extract of rabbit liver was separated, purified, and identified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel-filtration chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and protein mass spectrometry. With the rabbit liver genome as the template, the gene encoding the carbonyl reductase rlsr5 was amplified by PCR and the recombinant strain was successfully constructed. After RLSR5 was purified by affinity chromatography, its enzymatic properties were characterized. The results indicated that the gene sequence of rlsr5 was 972 bp, encoding a protein with a molecular weight of 40 kDa. RLSR5 was a dimeric protein, and each monomer was composed of a (α/β)8-barrel structure. RLSR5 could asymmetrically reduce 7-chloro-1-[2-methyl-4-[(2- methylbenzoyl)amino]benzoyl]-5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepine (prochiral ketone, PK) to synthesize R-TVP. The specific activity of the enzyme was 36.64 U/mg, and the optical purity of the product was 99%. This enzyme showcased the optimal performance at pH 6.0 and 30 °C. It was independent of metal ions, with the activity enhanced by Mn2+. This study lays a foundation for the biosynthesis of tolvaptan of optical grade.
Animals
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Rabbits
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Alcohol Oxidoreductases/biosynthesis*
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Recombinant Proteins/metabolism*
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Escherichia coli/metabolism*
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Liver/enzymology*
4.Advances of Virtual Reality in the Field of Pain Treatment
Chen WU ; Li ZHANG ; Chao MA ; Hongju LIU ; Xuming LIU ; Kepu ZHANG ; Tengti WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(2):272-278
Pain not only affects the physical and mental health of individuals, but also imposes a huge burden on society as a whole. Traditional pain management measures are diverse, but each has its limitations. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new tools. Digital therapies are booming, and virtual reality (VR) has been widely used, especially in the field of pain management. VR uses assistive tools, such as headsets, to build a three-dimensional virtual world with the participation of multiple senses, including vision, hearing, and smell, so that it can make user feel being there. This review aims to summarize the application and mechanism of VR in the field of pain management, with the hope of making VR a new choice for pain management.
5.Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes inhibit adverse ventricular remode-ling after myocardial infarction by regulating autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasomes balance of cardiac fibroblasts
Jianjun WANG ; Jing LI ; Xuming MA ; Zhaofei WAN ; Bin ZHU ; Yaping LIU ; Xiangqian GUO ; Jiping PAN ; Yan FAN
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2024;32(8):654-662
Aim To investigate the inhibition role and mechanism of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell(ADMSC)exosomes(Exo)on adverse ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction(MI).Methods The chan-ges of autophagy and inflammasomes phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts after H2O2 treatment were observed.MI rats were in-jected with an equal volume of normal saline,adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes(MSC-Exo)or fibroblast exosomes(MEF-Exo)via a tail vein.The expression of autophagy related 16 like protein 1(ATG16L1),autophagy re-lated protein 7(ATG7)and NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),inflammatory response,the degree of myocardial fi-brosis,and the cardiac function were observed in different groups.Results After treatment with H2O2 on cardiac fi-broblasts,the expressions of ATG16L1 and ATG7 were significantly decreased(P<0.001),NLRP3 was significantly in-creased(P<0.001),and the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were significantly elevated(P<0.001).After MI rats were intervened with MSC-Exo,the expressions of autophagy related proteins ATG16L1 and ATG7 were significantly up-regulated(P<0.001),NLRP3 was significantly down-regulated(P<0.001),serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels were significantly decreased(P<0.001),fibrosis-related proteins collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were significantly reduced(P<0.001),myocardial fibrosis was significantly relieved(P<0.001),and cardiac function was sig-nificantly improved(P<0.001).Conclusion Adipose derived MSC-Exo play a role in inhibiting adverse ventricular remodeling after MI by regulating the balance of autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasomes.
6.Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation of Duliang Soft Capsules in Treatment of Migraine with Wind-cold Blood Stasis Syndrome
Xiaoxiao ZHAO ; Xuming ZHANG ; Junyu XI ; Zhenkai LU ; Fumei LIU ; Lianxin WANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):223-232
ObjectiveTo comprehensively assess the clinical value of Duliang soft capsules in the treatment of migraine with wind-cold blood stasis syndrome, and to provide guidance for national medical decision-making, clinical drug promotion, and pharmaceutical services. MethodThe evaluation of Duliang soft capsules' clinical value was conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for the Management of Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation of Drugs (Trial Version, 2021) using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Utilizing the CSC v2.0 software, this study conducted a comprehensive clinical evaluation of Duliang soft capsules across the "6+1" dimensions, including safety pre- and post-market launch, effectiveness in treating migraine, economy (cost-effectiveness), and innovation, suitability, accessibility, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) characteristics in both its technology and clinical applications. ResultSafety: Duliang soft capsules were found to have good safety based on evidence from known adverse reactions (spontaneous reporting system (SRS) data, literature data, etc.), pre-marketing toxicological research, and post-marketing drug monitoring. Effectiveness: A meta-analysis indicated that the combination of Duliang soft capsules and western medicine was more effective than Western medicine alone in the treatment of migraine. The product's effectiveness was rated as "Best" based on the quality and value of the evidence. Economy: Duliang soft capsules are moderately priced and categorized as a Type B medical insurance product. Economic research indicated that the combination of Western medicine and Duliang soft capsules was more cost-effective than Western medicine alone. The product's economy was rated as "Better". Innovation: Duliang soft capsules, with Angelicae Dahuricae Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma as the main components, hold one invention patent and have been awarded the China Patent Excellence Award. The pharmaceutical company has introduced innovative extraction (CO2 supercritical extraction technology) and formulation (soft capsule) processes. The product's innovation was rated as "Better". Suitability: A questionnaire survey on Duliang soft capsules showed that it was well-suited for both patients and healthcare professionals. The product received a comprehensive assessment of suitability through the "Evaluation of Chinese Patent Medicine Information Services". The product's suitability was rated as "Best". Accessibility: Duliang soft capsules are moderately priced, making them accessible and affordable. The product's accessibility was rated as "Good" based on evidence from these three aspects. TCM characteristics: The formulation of Duliang soft capsules can be traced back to WANG Qiu's Selected Formulas from the Praiseworthy Studio (Shi Zhai Bai Yi Xuan Fang) from the Song Dynasty, and it was documented in ZHANG Jiebin's The Complete Works of Zhang Jing-yue (Jing Yue Quan Shu) as "Duliangwan". The product has been extensively studied with over 2000 clinical cases since its market launch, and its TCM characteristics were rated as outstanding with sufficient evidence. ConclusionThe comprehensive clinical value evaluation of Duliang soft capsules demonstrated its high effectiveness, suitability, and accessibility, and outstanding TCM characteristics. The product's safety, economy, and innovation received good ratings. In summary, Duliang soft capsules exhibited significant clinical value and outstanding TCM characteristics, the evidence was sufficient, and the result was confirmed, providing crucial references for clinical decision-making and pharmaceutical management.
7.Diagnostic value of vaginal color Doppler flow parameters in different FIGO stages of epithelial ovarian cancer
Qingwei LU ; Xuming SU ; Yuan ZHANG ; Jingpu LI
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2023;17(1):95-99
Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of vaginal color Doppler flow parameters in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer in different FIGO staging.Methods:178 patients with ovarian tumors who were treated by surgery in Dingzhou People’s Hospital from Jul. 2016 to Jul. 2022 were selected, and they were divided into ovarian cancer group (65 cases) and ovarian cyst group (113 cases) according to the results of postoperative pathological diagnosis. According to FIGO staging standards, ovarian cancer was divided into FIGO stage I (18 cases) , FIGO stage II (16 cases) , FIGO stage III (16 cases) and FIGO stage IV (15 cases) . The blood flow parameters of vaginal color Doppler ultrasound were measured, including arterial pulsatility index (PI) , end diastolic flow velocity (EDV) , resistance index (RI) , peak flow velocity (PSV) , serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and human epididymal epithelial secretory protein 4 (HE4) . The levels of PI, EDV, RI, PSV, VEGF and HE4 were compared between the two groups and patients with different FIGO stages, and the value of ROC analysis of vaginal color Doppler flow parameters in predicting the occurrence of ovarian cancer was analyzed. The correlation between FIGO stage and vaginal color Doppler flow parameters and serum VEGF and HE4 levels was analyzed by person coefficient.Results:PI and RI levels in ovarian cancer group were (0.79 ± 0.15) , and (0.39 ± 0.12) , lower than those in ovarian cyst group (1.51 ± 0.17) , (0.72 ± 0.16) ; EDV, PSV, HE4, VEGF levels were (13.88 ± 4.18) cm/s, (25.61 ± 4.53) cm/s, (283.92 ± 28.97) pmol/L, and (372.55 ± 38.96) ng/mL, higher than those in ovarian cyst group ( P<0.05) . According to ROC analysis, the best cutoff values of transvaginal color Doppler blood flow parameters for predicting the occurrence of ovarian cancer were PI<1.235, EDV≥10.985 cm/s, RI<0.580, PSV≥22.975cm/s, all P<0.05. The levels of PI and RI in patients with different FIGO stages showed a decreasing trend with the increase of the severity of the disease, while the levels of EDV, HE4 and VEGF showed an increasing trend ( P<0.05) . There was no significant difference in PSV levels between patients with different FIGO stages ( P>0.05) . The correlation analysis showed that FIGO stage was positively correlated with the blood flow parameters EDV and the levels of serum HE4 and VEGF. FIGO stage was negatively correlated with PI and RI ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:There were significant differences in the levels of PI, RI and EDV in patients with ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer at different FIGO stages. The levels of PI, RI and EDV are closely related to the malignant degree of ovarian cancer.
8.A single-center retrospective clinical study on comprehensive treatment for 157 patients with retinoblastoma
Yihua ZOU ; Xunda JI ; Jiakai LI ; Tingyi LIANG ; Xuming HUA ; Peiquan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2023;39(10):810-816
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of comprehensive treatment for retinoblastoma (RB).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From January to December in 2019, 157 cases (203 eyes) of RB who were diagnosed by the Department of Ophthalmology of Xinhua Hospital and received comprehensive treatment were included in this study. Of cases, 76 were male, and 81 were female; 111 were unilateral, and 46 were bilateral. The medium of age at diagnosis was 20.1 months. All patients received treatment for the first time. Patients with intraocular tumors were divided into A-E stages, extraocular stage and distant metastasis according to international intraocular RB classification standard. The median follow-up time was 37.4 months. Clinical features, treatment, prognosis and ocular complications of all cases were recorded.Results:Among 157 cases (203 eyes), 137 cases (180 eyes) were in intraocular stage; 6, 14, 10, 98, and 52 of eyes were in A-E stages, respectively. Twelve cases (12 eyes) were in extraocular stage; 8 cases (11 eyes) were in distant metastasis stag; 8 cases died due to distant metastasis; 149 cases (94.9%, 149/157) survived; 48 eyes were enucleated, 34 of which underwent initial enucleation, and 14 eyes underwent enucleation after eye-preserving treatment. The overall global salvage rate was 155 eyes (76.4%,155/203), and that after eye-preserving treatment was 91.7% (155/169). Severer eye for bilateral cases was taken into account for statistic; 120 cases (120 eyes) received initial eye-preserving treatment. Among them, 36 and 84 eyes underwent initial intravenous chemotherapy (IVC) and initial intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC), respectively. The enucleation of the two groups was 7(19.4%, 7/36), 7(8.3%, 7/84); 33 (91.7%, 33/36) and 33 (39.3%, 33/84) eyes received the second treatment, respectively. There was no significant difference in the rate of enucleation between the two treatments ( χ2=2.037, P=0.154). There was significant difference in the percentage of secondary treatment ( χ2=27.937, P<0.001). Fifty-four eyes (45.0%, 54/120) stabilized after initial treatment, and 66 eyes (55.0%, 66/120) underwent secondary treatments due to poor response or tumor recurrence. For 66 eyes receiving secondary treatments, enucleation, IAC, intravitreous chemotherapy (IVitC), IAC combined with IVitC, and laser and/or cryotherapy was performed in 6, 18, 12, 13, and 17 eyes, respectively. The number of eyes of enucleation among the IAC, IVitC, and IAC combined with IVitC group was 5 (27.8%, 5/18), 1 (9.3%, 1/12), and 2 (15.4%, 2/13) eyes, which was no significantly different ( χ2=2.001, P=0.368). Until the last follow-up, visual acuity outcomes were acquired in 148 eyes (72.9%, 148/203). Among them, 41, 53, 16 and 38 eyes had no light perception, light perception to finger counting, 20/400, and ≥20/200, respectively. In total, among 203 eyes, 121 eyes received IAC, of which 2, 4, and 1 eyes had optic disc atrophy, vitreous hemorrhage, and severe retinal-choroidal atrophy, respectively; 60 eyes received IVitC, of which one and one eye had vitreous hemorrhage and macular hemorrhagic necrosis, respectively. Conclusions:In this study, the overall survival rate was 94.9% after comprehensive treatment and the rate of global salvage after eye-preserving treatment was 91.7%. The comprehensive treatment of retinoblastoma had a relatively high efficacy and safety.
9.Comparative Genomics Reveals Evolutionary Drivers of Sessile Life and Left-right Shell Asymmetry in Bivalves
Zhang YANG ; Mao FAN ; Xiao SHU ; Yu HAIYAN ; Xiang ZHIMING ; Xu FEI ; Li JUN ; Wang LILI ; Xiong YUANYAN ; Chen MENGQIU ; Bao YONGBO ; Deng YUEWEN ; Huo QUAN ; Zhang LVPING ; Liu WENGUANG ; Li XUMING ; Ma HAITAO ; Zhang YUEHUAN ; Mu XIYU ; Liu MIN ; Zheng HONGKUN ; Wong NAI-KEI ; Yu ZINIU
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics 2022;(6):1078-1091
Bivalves are species-rich mollusks with prominent protective roles in coastal ecosystems.Across these ancient lineages,colony-founding larvae anchor themselves either by byssus produc-tion or by cemented attachment.The latter mode of sessile life is strongly molded by left-right shell asymmetry during larval development of Ostreoida oysters such as Crassostrea hongkongensis.Here,we sequenced the genome of C.hongkongensis in high resolution and compared it to reference bivalve genomes to unveil genomic determinants driving cemented attachment and shell asymmetry.Importantly,loss of the homeobox gene Antennapedia(Antp)and broad expansion of lineage-specific extracellular gene families are implicated in a shift from byssal to cemented attachment in bivalves.Comparative transcriptomic analysis shows a conspicuous divergence between left-right asymmetrical C.hongkongensis and symmetrical Pinctada fucata in their expression profiles.Especially,a couple of orthologous transcription factor genes and lineage-specific shell-related gene families including that encoding tyrosinases are elevated,and may cooperatively govern asymmet-rical shell formation in Ostreoida oysters.
10.Intra-articular Injection of Chitosan-Based Supramolecular Hydrogel for Osteoarthritis Treatment
Donggang MOU ; Qunying YU ; Jimei ZHANG ; Jianping ZHOU ; Xinmin LI ; Weiyi ZHUANG ; Xuming YANG
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2021;18(1):113-125
BACKGROUND:
Pain and cartilage destruction caused by osteoarthritis (OA) is a major challenge in clinical treatment.Traditional intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) can relieve the disease, but limited by the difficulty of longterm maintenance of efficacy.
METHODS:
In this study, an injectable and self-healing hydrogel was synthesized by in situ crosslinking of N-carboxyethyl chitosan (N-chitosan), adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH), and hyaluronic acid–aldehyde (HA-ALD).
RESULTS:
This supramolecular hydrogel sustains good biocompatibility for chondrocytes. Intra-articular injection of this novel hydrogel can significantly alleviate the local inflammation microenvironment in knee joints, through inhibiting the inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-17) in the synovial fluid and cartilage at 2- and even 12-weeks post-injection. Histological and behavioral test indicated that hydrogel injection protected cartilage destruction and relieved pain in OA rats, in comparison to HA injection.
CONCLUSION
This kind of novel hydrogel, which is superior to the traditional HA injection, reveals a great potential for the treatment of OA.

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