1.Engineered Bacteriophages for The Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Bacterial Infections
Yu-Ying CHEN ; Chun-Mei HUANG ; Jin-Zhi PAN ; De-Liang LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1581-1596
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a serious challenge of global public health crisis. The overuse and misuse of conventional antibiotics have dramatically accelerated the emergence, evolution and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, necessitating urgent exploration of novel antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages serve as natural bacterial predators offering distinct advantages including high host specificity, autonomous self-replication capabilities and cost-effective large-scale production. However, wild-type phages present significant clinical limitations due to their narrow host ranges, susceptibility to rapid immune clearance and poor penetration of bacterial biofilms, which severely restrict their therapeutic applications. The convergence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology and advanced gene editing technologies has accelerated the development of engineered bacteriophage platforms, providing programmable, scalable and clinically translatable pathways to overcome these inherent biological constraints. Here, we systematically delineate four fundamental strategies for engineered bacteriophage development. Chemical modification utilizes reactive functional groups such as amino, carboxyl and thiol moieties on capsid proteins through esterification, amidation or click chemistry reactions to achieve precise drug conjugation and surface functionalization. In vivo editing encompasses ultraviolet or chemical mutagenesis for random mutation induction, homologous recombination for targeted genetic alterations, recombineering methodologies including electroporation-mediated bacteriophage recombination engineering, and CRISPR-Cas systems for precise genome editing to enable exact genetic reconstruction and host range reprogramming. In vitro synthesis leverages genome engineering platforms where intact phage genomes are transferred into yeast or host bacteria to facilitate highly efficient homologous recombination, enabling large DNA fragment assembly and cross-gene host range expansion without bacterial toxicity constraints. Directed evolution combines artificial selection through mutation library screening with rational design approaches involving chimeric receptor binding protein construction or site-specific mutagenesis, effectively balancing the discovery of unknown adaptive pathways with targeted host specificity modification. Moreover, we comprehensively discuss therapeutic applications across diverse clinical scenarios. Engineered bacteriophage effectively disrupt bacterial biofilms through sophisticated functionalized delivery platforms including nanozyme-conjugated phages, phage-liposome nanoconjugates and bio-responsive hydrogels, demonstrating significantly enhanced bactericidal efficiency compared to unmodified free phages. These bioengineered vectors attenuate bacterial virulence and resensitize pathogens to antibiotics by delivering CRISPR-Cas systems or base editors to disrupt critical virulence factors such as pili, capsule synthesis machineries and quorum sensing systems, or by inactivating antibiotic resistance determinants including beta-lactamase genes. As an intelligent nanomedicine delivery platform, engineered bacteriophage enable precise pathogen elimination an through photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation, immunomodulatory interventions, or controlled release of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, oral administration of engineered bacteriophage facilitates microbiota modulation, which selectively eliminate intestinal pathogens while preserve beneficial commensal microbiota, thereby restoring microbial community balance and preventing complications associated with dysbiosis. Finally, we critically analyze persistent challenges including host strain matching complexity, evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetic optimization requirements, optimal administration route selection, large-scale production quality control standards and clinical dosing determination protocols. Through multidisciplinary integration of synthetic biology, infectious disease medicine and immunology, future translational medicine studies of bacteriophage should establish comprehensive technical platforms encompassing rapid phage screening, intelligent rational design, rigorous in vivo evaluation and standardized clinical validation processes, ultimately advancing engineered bacteriophage from laboratory innovations to clinically approved therapeutics for effectively combating MDR bacterial infections.
2.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
3.Observation of the Effect of Sodium Cantharinate Assisted Bevacizumab in the Treatment of Advanced Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Jia-sheng ZHAO ; Lei WANG ; Li LI ; Yong LIANG ; Hong-ying YIN
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(11):1830-1837
Objective:To observe the effect of sodium cantharidate assisted bevacizumab in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.Methods:A total of 120 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma from January 2021 to December 2023 were divided into two groups,namely the experimental group and the matched group,each consisting of 60 cases.All patients were treated with AP(cisplatin+pemetrexed)chemotherapy,and bevacizumab(7.5 mg/kg)was administered intravenously at the same time as chemotherapy in the matched group,while sodium bengalate(0.5 mg)was added intravenously in the experimental group on the basis of the matched group,and the patients in the two groups were compared with each other in terms of the clinical efficacy of the two groups in a cycle of 21 d,and the changes in the indicators of the immune function,symptoms and scores of adverse reactions were also compared before and after the 4 consecutive cycles of treatment.After 4 consecutive cycles of treatment,we compared the clinical efficacy,immune function indexes,symptoms,and the incidence of adverse reactions.Results:There was no difference in disease control rate(P>0.05),and the objective response rate was higher than the matched group(P<0.05);Pretherapy,tthe levels of natural killer(NK)cells,CD4+/CD8+,immunoglobulin(Ig)G and IgA were different between the test and matched group(P>0.05).Post-treatment,the levels of NK cells,CD4+/CD8+,IgG,and IgA in the experimental group increased,while there was no significant change in the matched group.The experimental group was higher than the matched group(P<0.05);Pretherapy,there was no difference in VAS and BFI scores between the experimental group and the matched group(P>0.05).Post-treatment,the scores of the Simplified Fatigue Scale(BFI)and Visual Analog Scale(VAS)in both groups decreased,and the experimental group was lower than the matched group(P<0.05);The incidence of grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ gastrointestinal reactions,liver and kidney dysfunction,bone marrow suppression,leukopenia,and grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ bone marrow suppression in the experimental group were all lower than those in the matched group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Sodium cantharidate assisted bevacizumab therapy has a significant effect on non-small cell lung cancer.Compared with single chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab,it can improve the objective remission rate of patients,improve their immune function level,alleviate pain and cancer-related fatigue symptoms,and assist in reducing the incidence of adverse reactions caused by bevacizumab and chemotherapy.
4.Comparison of active constituent contents and their biological activities of Buzhong Yiqi Recipe with different dosage forms
Yan-ran HE ; Jing WANG ; Jia-qiang XU ; Zhao-zhao XIA ; Ying-jiao LIU ; Zi-shu DONG ; Liang-shan MING ; Hong-ning LIU ; Qi-meng FAN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(2):357-364
AIM To compare total sugar,total protein,total phenol,total flavonoid,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,liquiritin,lobetyolin,quercetin,isoferulic acid,hesperidin,glycyrrhizic acid contents and their antioxidant activities,hypoglycemic activities of big honey pill,small honey pill,water pill,concentrated pill,granule,mixture and decoction of Buzhong Yiqi Recipe.METHODS Anthraquinone-sulfuric acid method,Coomassie brilliant blue method,Folin-phenol colorimetry method,sodium nitrite-aluminum nitrate method and HPLC were adopted in the content determination of total sugar,total protein,total phenol,total flavonoid and seven constituents,respectively,after which the scavenging capacities,reducing powers on DPPH·free radical,ABTS+free radical,hydroxyl free radical,and inhibition capacity on α-glucosidase activity were detected.Subsequently,correlation analysis was performed.RESULTS Total sugar,total protein,total phenol and total flavonoid contents demonstrated significant differences among different dosage forms(P<0.05,P<0.01).Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,glycyrrhizin,codonoside and quercetin displayed the highest contents in the decoction,while those of isoferulic acid,hesperidin and glycyrrhizin were observable in the mixture.The water pill exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity,while those of the concentrated pill and mixture were weak;the big honey pill exhibited the strongest hypoglycemic activity,while that of the decoction was the weakest.Total protein,total phenol,total flavonoid and liquiritin contents displayed significant positive correlations between antioxidant activity(P<0.05,P<0.01),while hesperidin content displayed significant negative correlation between the latter(P<0.05);total protein,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,codonoside and quercetin contents displayed significant negative correlations between hypoglycemic activity(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Active constituent contents and their biological activities of Buzhong Yiqi Recipe with different dosage forms exist differences,total sugar,total protein,total flavonoids,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,licorice glycoside,hesperidin,codonoside and quercetin can be taken as quality control indices for this prescription.
5.Chemical constituents from the water fraction of rhizoma of Smilax trinervula and their biological activities
Yong-hong LIANG ; Jia-cheng WANG ; Hui-lian HUANG ; Hui-ying YAO ; Yu LU ; Cheng-qi WANG ; Hai-ying ZHONG ; Ying-cai YU ; Hai-yan ZHANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(3):807-812
AIM To study the chemical constituents from the water fraction of rhizoma of Smilax trinervula Miq.and their biological activities.METHODS Polyamide,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,ODS and semi-preparative HPLC were used for isolation and purification,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antitumor activities were determined by MTT mothod,and the inhibitory activities on α-glucosidase were determined by PNPG method.RESULTS Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as tyrosine(1),uridine(2),2-(2',3',4'-trihydroxybutyl)-6-(2",3",4"-trihydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(3),2-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)-6-(2",3",4"-trihydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(4),2-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)-5-(2",3",4"-trihydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(5),uracil(6),2-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)-5-(1",2",3",4"-tetrahydroxybutyl)-pyrazine(7),dioscin(8),shikimic acid(9),pyrazine(10),3,4-dihydroxyphenyethyl alcohol 8-O-β-D-glycopyranoside(11).The IC50 values of compounds 8 to human breast cancer cell MCF-7 was(2.36±0.26)μg/mL,and the IC50 values of compounds 3-5 and 7 to α-glucosidase were(1.54±0.15)-(10.53±0.38)μg/mL.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-7,10 are isolated from Smilax genus for the first time,and compound 9,11 are first isolated from this plant.Compound 8 has anti-tumor activity,and compounds 3-5,7 have α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.
6.Research on Construction and Application of the Evaluation System for the Popular Science Ability of Pharmacists in Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals Based on Entropy Weight Method and TOPSIS Method
Shuai YUAN ; Zhi-hong DU ; Xiao-ying LIANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(13):2223-2230,2159
Objective:To construct a scientific and objective evaluation system for the popular science ability of pharmacists in traditional chinese medicine hospitals,accurately assess the popular science ability of pharmacists,and provide quantitative evaluation standards and improvement directions for the popular science work of hospital pharmacy.Methods:Based on the actual popular science activities of pharmacists in the Pharmacy Department of Wuxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June 2023 to June 2024,relevant literatures on the evaluation index system of popular science ability in multiple fields were reviewed,to construct an evaluation index system of pharmacy popular science ability,which includes four secondary dimensions:talent team,platform construction,popular science works and popular science activities,and 16 tertiary indicators.By using entropy weight method,the original data was first subjected to range standardization processing to eliminate dimensional differences,and the information entropy of each index was calculated to determine the weights and reduce the subjective judgment deviation.By using TOPSIS method,to construct a weighted standardized matrix,determine the ideal solution and the negative ideal solution,calculate the euclidean distance and relative proximity of each pharmacist to the ideal solution,and achieve the quantitative ranking of the popular science ability of pharmacists.Results:The evaluation system for the popular science ability of pharmacists in traditional chinese medicine hospitals was successfully constructed.The evaluation results show that,the pharmacy popular science ability of the pharmacist group as a whole shows an upward trend,but the individual differences were obvious.Some pharmacists perform outstandingly in terms of the update frequency of popular science content,the click-through rate of their works,and the satisfaction of the audience,while others have deficiencies in the scientific accuracy of popular science content and the number of audiences.Potential improvement factors include hospitals attaching greater importance to popular science in pharmacy,optimizing the allocation of popular science resources,and strengthening the cultivation of personal abilities of pharmacists,etc.Conclusion:This evaluation system is of great value in assessing the popular science ability of pharmacists in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals.It can provide a scientific basis for the improvement of pharmacists' personal abilities,the allocation of popular science resources in hospitals,personnel training and strategy formulation.At the same time,it also provides a reference for the popular science work of pharmacists in other medical institutions.
7.Research on Construction and Application of the Evaluation System for the Popular Science Ability of Pharmacists in Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals Based on Entropy Weight Method and TOPSIS Method
Shuai YUAN ; Zhi-hong DU ; Xiao-ying LIANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(13):2223-2230,2159
Objective:To construct a scientific and objective evaluation system for the popular science ability of pharmacists in traditional chinese medicine hospitals,accurately assess the popular science ability of pharmacists,and provide quantitative evaluation standards and improvement directions for the popular science work of hospital pharmacy.Methods:Based on the actual popular science activities of pharmacists in the Pharmacy Department of Wuxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June 2023 to June 2024,relevant literatures on the evaluation index system of popular science ability in multiple fields were reviewed,to construct an evaluation index system of pharmacy popular science ability,which includes four secondary dimensions:talent team,platform construction,popular science works and popular science activities,and 16 tertiary indicators.By using entropy weight method,the original data was first subjected to range standardization processing to eliminate dimensional differences,and the information entropy of each index was calculated to determine the weights and reduce the subjective judgment deviation.By using TOPSIS method,to construct a weighted standardized matrix,determine the ideal solution and the negative ideal solution,calculate the euclidean distance and relative proximity of each pharmacist to the ideal solution,and achieve the quantitative ranking of the popular science ability of pharmacists.Results:The evaluation system for the popular science ability of pharmacists in traditional chinese medicine hospitals was successfully constructed.The evaluation results show that,the pharmacy popular science ability of the pharmacist group as a whole shows an upward trend,but the individual differences were obvious.Some pharmacists perform outstandingly in terms of the update frequency of popular science content,the click-through rate of their works,and the satisfaction of the audience,while others have deficiencies in the scientific accuracy of popular science content and the number of audiences.Potential improvement factors include hospitals attaching greater importance to popular science in pharmacy,optimizing the allocation of popular science resources,and strengthening the cultivation of personal abilities of pharmacists,etc.Conclusion:This evaluation system is of great value in assessing the popular science ability of pharmacists in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals.It can provide a scientific basis for the improvement of pharmacists' personal abilities,the allocation of popular science resources in hospitals,personnel training and strategy formulation.At the same time,it also provides a reference for the popular science work of pharmacists in other medical institutions.
8.Animal experimental study of transoral transgastric endoscopic surgery cholecystectomy
Hong-liang ZHENG ; Huan YANG ; Xu-biao NIE ; Xue PENG ; Qiu-jian QIAO ; Jian-ying BAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(7):584-588
Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of transoral transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery(TG-NOTES)cholecystectomy in miniature pigs.Methods A total of 11 miniature pigs were selected as the experimental subjects and underwent TG-NOTES cholecystectomy.These pigs were divided into the Group A and Group B according to the surgical procedures.Among them,7 miniature pigs in the Group A underwent endoscopic cholecystectomy without dissecting the gallbladder triangle,while 4 miniature pigs in the Group B underwent endoscopic cholecystectomy after dissecting the gallbladder triangle.The success rate of surgery,the time of each stage of surgery,the incidence of complications,the success rate of cholecystectomy and the survival rate of miniature pigs in the two groups were counted.One miniature pig in the Group A and 4 miniature pigs in the Group B were selected for survival experiments.After surviving for 1 week,they were killed and dissected to observe the healing of incision and incidence of complications.Results The surgical survival rate of experimental animals was 100%,and the success rate of cholecystectomy was 100%.There was no significant difference in the surgical time,time of cut the stomach into the abdomen,time of gallbladder exploration or time of gallbladder removal of miniature pigs between the two groups(P>0.05).The time of ligating gallbladder artery of miniature pigs in the Group B was longer than that in the Group A,and the time of isdating gallbladder was shorter than that in the Group A,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the average number of complications of miniature pigs between the two groups(P>0.05).The dissection of animals after survival experiments revealed that the incisions healed well without serious complications.Conclusion This study successfully establishes the surgical model of TG-NOTES cholecystectomy,and confirms the safety and feasibility of TG-NOTES cholecystectomy.
9.Analysis of factors influencing frequent episodes in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a national multicenter cross-sectional study
Jing TIAN ; Yifeng GUO ; Xiaoyan LUO ; Yuan LIANG ; Ping LI ; Jinping CHEN ; Yao LU ; Jianping TANG ; Yunsheng LIANG ; Ying GAO ; Qiufang QIAN ; Hong SHU ; Hongxiang CHEN ; Pingshen FAN ; Xiuping HAN ; Hua QIAN ; Qinfeng LI ; Ming LI ; Shengchun WANG ; Ying LIU ; Hua WANG ; Lin MA
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(10):943-951
Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.
10.Evaluation of chemical constituent consistency in formula granules and traditional decoctions of Gouteng Jiangya Formula
Qing-gang ZHANG ; Dai-liang ZHANG ; Hong QI ; Shu-wen DING ; Yu-zhuo WANG ; Yun-lun LI ; Ji-fu HE ; Huan-ying GUO ; Gui-yun CAO ; Zhao-qing MENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(11):3555-3565
AIM To evaluate the chemical constituent consistency in formula granules and traditional decoctions of Gouteng Jiangya Formula.METHODS HPLC characteristic chromatograms were established,the analysis was performed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic YMC-Triart C18 column(4.6 mm× 250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.2%phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 240 nm.Puerarin was used as an internal standard to calculate the relative correction factors of 3'-methoxy puerarin,puerarin apioside,magnolflorine,paeoniflora,daidzin,baicalin,palmatine,berberine,wogonoside and benzoylpaeoniflorin,after which the content detemination was made by quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker(QAMS).RESULTS The characteristic chromatograms of 9 batches of formula granules and 15 bacthes of traditional decoctions demonstrated the similarities of more than 0.90 at the detection wavelengths of 192,210,240,260,280,300,320,360 nm,along with similar total peak areas.Eleven constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r>0.999 0),whose average recoveries were 97.27%-101.64%with the RSDs of 0.36%-1.11%,the result obtained by QAMS and external standard method demonstrated no significant differences(P>0.05).The contents of various constituents in the formula granules approximated those in the traditional decoctions.CONCLUSION The consistent kinds and contents of various constituents are obversable in formula granules and traditional decoctions of Gouteng Jiangya Formula,which can provide a reference for the reasonable clinical application of this formula.


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